The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Food & crafts => Crafts => Topic started by: ellisr on September 06, 2011, 04:19:32 pm
-
Now the evening are starting to close in I have started on xmas decorations and gifts.
I have made lots of diffent hanging felt ornaments and now starting on strip patchwork placemats, cushion covers.
I am also working on hay carry bags but can't quite get them how I want them just yet.
-
Im starting this winter's tapestry - had the heraldic leopard last year so doing a Klimt abstract one this year! very good for winter days once the chores are finished and it's dark outside and the fire is lit :-)))
-
ive just built a shave horse and nearly finished my pole lathe, should keep me warm and busy this winter!
-
I'm still busy with slate signs but have got a bit of spare time set aside for making some gemstone jewellery & essential oil candles, hoping to launch an 'elements' range in time for Xmas (watch this space ;)) Got everything ready to make my peg loom (another thing on my never ending list ::) :D) and am dusting off the watercolours so I can paint some lovely sunny pictures 8) to brighten up these dull days !
I'll probably get to Xmas themed stuff around December 23rd :o
Karen :wave:
-
thinking, in quiet moments, about Christmas cards ... but haven't started yet.
and must make those candles I didn't get round to last year...
I can't sew, or knit but there's something to learn in the future :D
-
I've been busy felting since I got home a week ago - made my first pair of slippers, a large case for a couple of things I could never find a case for ;) and today made a wee pouch/purse which is currently drying over a wine bottle and needs a toggle sowed on I think.. I also need to put a few stitches in my first hat as it still has pins holding the folds in the correct place ::)
I've got commissions for about 4 scarves, a drum bag, 2 pouches, a pair of slippers and a carrying case for a large smudge feather.. all wanted for Christmas so I'll need to get going before any more goes on the list :o
I bought the shop out of red fibre and prefelt this afternoon.. and I had a big bag of fibre at the weekend too ::) they're going to order me a 1kg of fibre in with their next order so other folk can get some ;D
-
I've been busy felting since I got home a week ago - made my first pair of slippers, a large case for a couple of things I could never find a case for ;) and today made a wee pouch/purse which is currently drying over a wine bottle and needs a toggle sowed on I think.. I also need to put a few stitches in my first hat as it still has pins holding the folds in the correct place ::)
I've got commissions for about 4 scarves, a drum bag, 2 pouches, a pair of slippers and a carrying case for a large smudge feather.. all wanted for Christmas so I'll need to get going before any more goes on the list :o
I bought the shop out of red fibre and prefelt this afternoon.. and I had a big bag of fibre at the weekend too ::) they're going to order me a 1kg of fibre in with their next order so other folk can get some ;D
I have a bag of wool sitting waiting for you too!
-
I took out and looked at the tapestry of one of my dogs that I've been doing since about 3 years before she died - in 2004 ............... and put it away again. Christmas? What's that? ::) I haven't time for that this year. where has this year gone to? :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
-
Well I have just had a rather large order for peglooms so that will keep me out of trouble this weekend.
-
I'm having an indoors day today as the weather is nasty and I don't feel 100%.
So I have started a patchwork quilt which I wanted to do last year for the festive season. I am making 2 and selling one (I hope) and also doing festive patchwork cushion covers.
-
Have made some cinnamon and orange soap (with gold shimmer) ready to sell for Xmas and have also dug out the cardi I started to knit for India. Only thing is, I started it so long ago (and literally only managed a few rows) that she's aged 2 years an I need to buy another ball of wool to finish it ::)
-
where does everybody sell their crafty bits and bobs?
-
I'm knitting tea cosies for autumn birthday presents. I spent the summer making coil (african Style) baskets
No not even considering selling cos i can't keep up with the list for presents and for the family. Besides no one could afford to pay me a reasonable hourly rate for the things i make.
I have been drying calendula petals too for soap - never tried soap before. Is the first batch likely to be nasty?
-
I have been drying calendula petals too for soap - never tried soap before. Is the first batch likely to be nasty?
Not if you stick to the recipe :) my first ever batch was something of a major experiment, never dreamt it would turn out ok let alone be the start of a new business. as it was, the first batch went down so well with family and friends they actually asked me to make more LOL.
-
where does everybody sell their crafty bits and bobs?
Apart from my online shop, I sell via a local farm shop, a local gift shop (in a large town) and at christmas I have stalls at Xmas fairs (schools etc). I have to turn down quite a few though as otherwise we'd never get any Xmas shopping done ourselves and my kids would probably be a bit suspicious if santa gave them bath bombs and soap ;D
-
I sell on Etsy.com, zibbet.com, shoply.com and facebook of course
-
hiya all , am knitting 1 of 2 bamboo yarn sock for my dad in snazzy colours (might be birthday or xmas not sure which year depends on my speed lol)
-
hiya all , am knitting 1 of 2 bamboo yarn sock for my dad in snazzy colours (might be birthday or xmas not sure which year depends on my speed lol)
Hey Linz - good to see you back on here - been a while! Maybe catch up sometime soon? My home is Robin proof so come round for a coffee.
-
Basket weaving. I've made 3 baskets to date at the course I have been attending and now taken delivery of bundles of various length willow to make some on my own!
-
Do you need a specific type of willow? And is it a certain thickness? I'm asking as I have a number of willow trees - um shrubs really at the mo - and would love to take up something like basket weaving.
-
Hi Doganjo - The willow I have bought and being advised to use as a complete beginner is called buff willow. It has had its outer bark removed and dried. I am told it is easier to work with to begin with when you have to concentrate on technique and tightness of weave. At my last class we were given some green willow to work into the bottoms we were weaving and I found I could not keep the weave as tight and it was more slippery to work with, however I did like the contrast in colour so hopefully with practice I will be able to incorporate it. You use different lengths of willow for different weaves on the basket to gain the required thickness. At class we are handed what is required so I think it is going to be a challenge for me to choose from my own bundles.
I have also made a wigwam for the garden, this was made from dogwood 'stakes' and then woven with hurdle willow. We were looking at a book at the last class recommending materials you can weave with from the hedgerow so I am sure you would be able to use some of your willow, if you are interested in the name of the book I will try to find out for you. I have bought a book called Willow Work bu Mary Butcher and that looks like it is going to have good advice it. I do urge you to have a go at basket making, I am really enjoying it,
-
Thanks, WDW. My neighbours at my last house had loads of willow, and Carol my pal made a willow playhouse for her daughters. They had great fun. Mine isn't anything like as tall as that though. I got it from Happy hippy last year and it has grown to about 5 feet, but I've chopped the tops off to thicken it into a hedge; so she'll maybe be able to say what variety it is. Might browse YouTube for some info too. Would like to know the name of that book, thanks.
-
Hi Doganjo - Book is called Handmade Baskets by Susie Vaughan