Showing posts with label crochet. Show all posts

DIY: crochet snowflakes

It is heading for Winter here, and although winters where I live never get much colder than -1 degrees celcius, and some morning frost, I decided to be creative with a winter theme.

cue crochet snowflakes

I made this one in cream coloured 8ply acrylic

I learned how to crochet when I was very young, around 3 or 4 years old, and I find it quite easy to do. The trouble is I am not that good with understanding crochet patterns, I always find them convoluted and complex. I find it easier to make stuff up as I go along, or revise a pre-written pattern into one that works for me.

I have been fiddling around with an easy to make crochet snowflake, after success making one out of variegated blue 8ply acrylic yarn I thought I would share it with all of you!

what i did:

using a 3.5 hook and 8ply yarn chain 6 and slip stitch to join

chain 4, then treble 11 into the hole

slip stitch the end of the row of trebles to the start

*chain 5, then double crochet (dc) in the 4th chain from hook
chain 5, dc in the 4th chain from hook
then dc again near the top of the trebles
and one more dc in the next treble*

repeat from * 5 more times

then slip stitch to finish, darn in edges

et voila

if you use sparkly yarn it will look even nicer!

this one was made in variegated blue 8ply acrylic

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About Me: I work full time, I am also studying for a therapist qualification in Naturopathy specialising in Herbalism, I have a small craft 'business', I am co-admin of an auction page on facebook to help other small hobby businesses, i maintain my own 'store' facebook page, I blog at least once a week and I maintain a facebook page created to support small home businesses and hobby sellers

Alphabet challenge: crochet

Blog post brought to you by the letter C as part of my Alphabet blog challenge.

My Mother taught me how to crochet when i was about four years old, i remember making massive metres of chain out of yarn! As i got the hang of the whole crochet thing i started making clothes for my toys and granny squares for cushion covers. I enjoy crocheting and recently made myself a scarf, fingerless gloves, and matching beret out of dark sage green yarn. I don't usually bother with patterns and tend to make things up as i go along, or just use the pattern as a guide.

As well as making my own crochet pieces i like seeing the crochet made by others. There is an amazing textile artist on Etsy, ScarletRabbit, who makes the most delicate elegant fantastic crochet accessories, and i have become a fan of her work, having the honour of owning several of her fingerless gloves and wristlets, many which i have custom ordered.

Ruth, from the etsy store ScarletRabbit, is extremely talented and artistic, as well as crocheting, she draws in pen and ink, and also makes beautiful jewellery.

The fingerless gloves I have purchased from ScarletRabbit are delicate fine crochet created with 100% cotton yarn. The designs are unique, and the crochet is perfect; the lacey crochet design makes these fingerless gloves an absolute delight to see and to wear. I also have a delicate lace crochet and ribbon choker that i bought from ScarletRabbit!

My most recent purchase from ScarletRabbit was a custom order of a pair of purple fingerless gloves and a pair of emerald green. Absolutely beautifully made, they are gorgeous and so comfortable to wear! (see picture of them above)

If you appreciate elegant unique hand made crochet, please visit ScarletRabbit !

Support unique artists: say no to mass produced!!

Dear Batlings,

Today's missive may be nothing more than a feverish rant, but i do believe it has some merit: say no to mass produced tawdry trinkets, and start supporting the artisans who put heart and soul into producing beautiful hand crafted items! We will lose our artisans, the skills to create and the option to obtain unique work if we do not support the hand crafts industry!

Mass produced is cheap
everyone has one
plastic
poorly manufactured
Land fill
Lacking original thought
Heartless and soulless

Even those websites advertising themselves as places to buy and sell handmade goods have become prey to sellers offering mass produced, made in timbuctoo, plasticky rubbish!

Personally i love hand crafted things. Unique, quality made, creative items made by those whose joy of imagining and creating shines through the finished product.

I buy many hand crafted things from a variety of artisans from all over the world, and i am the proud owner of such a gorgeous selection of unique accessories as a result of this. I also make a lot of things myself, from jewelery, to clothes, to toys, to bags... I keep some things for myself, i give some away, i sell some.... Beautifully made handcrafted items are rich with the souls of their creators.

What happens if we stop supporting handcraft artists?
What happens if we want the world Andy Warhol sartired in his famous pop art?

Many artisans rely on the sales of their wares to purchase more raw materials to keep creating wonderous things. Others rely soley on sales to make a living and put food on the table and a roof over their heads. Nothing kills a muse of creativity faster than the stress of not being able to pay the bills!

There is a place for mass produced, yes indeed batlings, it has its place, but not at the expense and ultimate death of hand made quality!

Artisans! Stand up for your rights to be heard and to have a place in the merchandise of the 21st century! Support each other. Motivate each other.

Spread the word that not supporting artisans ultimately means that one day the world will be a sterile plastic environment where nobody recalls how to make anything anymore.

I would really like to hear other's views on this.

Please feel free to post your comments!

<end rant>

My recent purchases: check them out!

Hi my little Bat-lings,

sorry for my slackness in regards to writing anything the last few weeks. Work has been most busy, and while that is guarranteed to keep me out of mischief, it also chases away the muse of creativity.

Today I am writing about a few of the purchases that I have made of late from fellow etsy sellers. I encourage others to drop by their etsy shops and pick up a few things for yourselves or as gifts for others!

I have just ordered customised drop beads and some absolutely AMAZING lampwork bones from M1dnight Dreary. I am very excited about these, and will be eager to see them when they arrive, as I have plans to make some jewellery for myself from them! Have a look at her store. you will love what she has there. very very talented lady!

I have purchased three times from the lovely Ruth at http://www.etsy.com/shop/Scarletrabbit She is a very creative, intelligent, kind person and her talent is amazing. I recommend her store for anyone looking for beautful quality hand made crochet accessories. I love my choker that I bought from her so much I wear it many times in a week, the same with the wristlets... They are only NOT worn on the days i wash them!
	I am also a repeat customer at Ghostgap's store on etsy, you can visit it by clicking this link http://www.etsy.com/shop/ghostgap Julia is such a lovely person, and she is so clever! She hand sews the most delightful trinket boxes, hair accessories and ornaments, The little bat trinket box I purchased from her is used all the time, and I have recently ordered another from her as I like it so much.
I am totally addicted to the gorgeous linden blossom scented faerie balm from Phoenix Botanicals ... thanks for that Irina!! I have ordered a few times already in the last few months, I am scared they will run out .. and then i will have to wait for a LONG time until I can buy some again! This delicately scented balm has so many uses, I use it as a lip balm before or instead of lipstick, i use it to soften cuticles, i rub it into the ends of my hair as a quick unfriz fix between shampoos! this is a beautiful balm, do yourself a favour and grab some!
	I am also a regular at the delightful Cat's gorgeous etsy shop where she creates and makes her own perfumes. Deep Midnight Perfumes is the name of her etsy store. She is happy to help you choose a scent that will suit you, and offers small sample packs at a very tiny price so you can get an idea of which perfumes you prefer so you know which ones to get next time. There WILL be a next time, once you have tried her perfumes you will never want to use any others! I love in particular the Samhain night; Children of the Night, Esmeralda, Druids of Awen, and Bats in the Belfry.. those are my faves.. but she creates so many delightful fragrances that I have as yet to try them all... I WILL be trying them all by the way.. as they are all lovely, and never disappoint!
I HAVE to show you this purchase my fiends! I have never owned a piece of 'steampunk' jewellery before, but this ring in Sassysteampunk's etsy store really appealed to me... Kim is great, and she makes the most intricate amazing pieces .. industrial revolution turned chic! No Kim, I am not turning steam punk... but this is a gorgeous ring and it had a lot of compliments when I wore it to work! Please check out her etsy store, you do not have to be steampunk to want the great things she makes and sells, I am proof of that!!

PLEASE do not forget to check out M1dnightDreary this girl is so very very talented. you will be amazed at her lampwork

Feel free to add comments and tell me about some of your recent purchases!
Thanks for tuning in guys.

............................................................................................................... Please visit me on etsy! www.etsy.com/shop/empressbat handcrafted gothic goodies at bargain prices. see me on etsy! www.etsy.com/shop/empressbat ...Please visit me on etsy! www.etsy.com/shop/empressbat handcrafted gothic goodies at bargain prices. see me on etsy! www.etsy.com/shop/empressbat

Favourite Goth etsy stores (part 3)

Dear Fiends, here we come to part three in my series, 'favourite gothic etsy stores'. Please note that each of these store owners are part of the Goth n Gorgeous etsy team that caters for creative like minded individuals in the virtual etsy community.

Scarlet Rabbit

	Just look at these beautiful hand crochet designs made so brilliantly by Ruth. What a talented lady! I recently purchased from her and found her to be a really lovely person: she is talented, kind, and a delight to communicate with. Please look at her etsy store and buy yourself something from her elegant collection.

Sassysteampunk

	Yes i know..I am gothically inclined not steampunkilly.., but as we have said before dear Batlings, we do not abide stereotyping or discrimination in this blog! Just have a look at the great things Kim has made, and you will understand why she is included in this post!

LadyNocturna

	Prisca is another talented maker of gorgeous crochet items. She specialises in making Amigurimi toys, some of which are Goth! I have purchased one of her creations from her, a cute cactus character that will make a lovely edition to my desk at work! You need to have a look at her store and she also takes commissions through her Facebook page.

............................................................................................................... Please visit me on etsy! www.etsy.com/shop/empressbat handcrafted gothic goodies at bargain prices. see me on etsy! www.etsy.com/shop/empressbat ...Please visit me on etsy! www.etsy.com/shop/empressbat handcrafted gothic goodies at bargain prices. see me on etsy! www.etsy.com/shop/empressbat

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