A few years ago I bought a lucky dip bag of SnipArt and in among all the flat patterns and feathers and such like was a kit for this little (about 3 inches wide) trellis planter. I had no idea what to do with it. I probably could have used the individual pieces as texture… Continue reading Mini trellis planter
I love making ATC-sized bits of art ā both Copic colouring and using mixed media techniques ā but I have been struggling with storing them sensibly. Some were propped up on a shelf, others were just in a pile, and I was in danger of losing track of them. I do have a pack of… Continue reading Art card storage
After proving to myself that I could get the hang of the basics of weaving, I decided to have another go, this time trying a few different techniques. Rather than just grabbing the first things that came to hand like last time, I hunted through my stash for a selection of neutral fibres of various… Continue reading Cream coloured weaving
It could go on a key ring, but really it's more of a fidget toy: I just like the sound the beads make when I play with them š It started off as a way to practise manipulating wire with jewellery pliers, putting beads on head pins and creating a loop to hang them from.… Continue reading Beaded key dangle
It's a weird time, creatively and generally. I'm not short of things to do and my mojo, surprisingly, hasn't deserted me, but actually getting up and starting work on something? That's the tricky part. I have managed to do a few bits, but I have to almost catch myself unawares and just start doing something… Continue reading Hand-carved stamps
I'm sure that if the internet and YouTube didn't exist I would still be happily drawing away with a black fineliner or copying other people's art with cheap gouache paints. After all, that's the sort of thing I was doing in my early 20s. But we do have the internet and YouTube, and so I… Continue reading A first try at weaving
I've been thinking about getting some Powertex for ages. At its simplest, it is a fabric hardener, but it can also be used for all sorts of modelling and mixed media. It has the advantage of being weatherproof once it has cured for a few weeks, so you can make things for display outside. Rather… Continue reading Powertex hares
The last in my series of amigurumi throwback posts. These are the ones that just didn't fit into the other categories. Puppy Not one of my favourite patterns. I'm not sure what it is ā I suspect it's just the way my brain works ā but occasionally a finished toy will end up feeling like… Continue reading Amigurumi: the rest
The fifth in my series of amigurumi throwback posts. Most of the patterns I've made end up being only a few inches tall, but there have been a few larger creations. Curious alien They do warn you that the feet can be a bit tricky to make, but the pattern is well written so just… Continue reading Amigurumi: bigger
The fourth in my series of amigurumi throwback posts and this one gathers together the birds and sea creatures. Owlets I think this was the first amigurumi pattern I crocheted and it's a good introduction to making little critters. It doesn't take long, but it manages to introduce a number of techniques: crocheting in rounds… Continue reading Amigurumi: air & water
