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 

............................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................... 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

DIY decorative storage box: Part Two of the 'Organise and Beautify' saga

In 2012 I sorted and stashed my craft supplies oh so neatly after my husband bought me an awesome shelving unit from Ikea...... however, with working fulltime, studying, trying to maintain the usual household chores, designing and creating jewellery and other things to sell on etsy, and all the other things I do, my craftroom/study/office/hang out has become sadly neglected.

I decided that if the room looked nice and welcoming, and had plenty of storage containers and shelving,  it would be easier for me to keep it decluttered and organised.

Step one for me then, is to get some nice storage containers..

I looked at the boxes I use to stash craft supplies and magazines in, they are functional, strong, and..oh so drab!

I don't know about you dear Batling readers, but I cannot afford to buy the latest and greatest in new trendy storage crates. So I had a look around my chaotic craft room, and found I have quite a stash of previously used and kept wrapping paper, as well as glue, tape, all sorts of things that I could use to make my ho hum storage boxes look less utility and more..well..me.

I gathered my supplies, scissors, glue, tape, old strong box (the one I complained about being drab), old wrapping paper, and ooooh some Martha Stewart/Avery bookplates I forgot I had!!!(see what happens when you start decluttering? you find cool things!)

I went over the box and its lid to ensure they were intact, and used some thick masking tape on areas of the box that looked like they needed reinforcement. I then painted the box with a very thing coat of Modge Podge that had been diluted in water, to prime the cardboard.

After the coat of diluted Modge Pode (it is basically a very thick PVA glue) had dried, I sprayed the box with spray adhesive and wrapped it in the re-used wrapping paper. (just like wrapping a pressy!)

I used an Exacto knife to cut out where the hand hold holes are in the box, and then wrapped these with clear tape to reinforce them.

Starting to look rather nice.. if I say so myself.

I didn't want the box lid to have the same paper on it, I felt that made it a wee bit too twee, so I hunted around some more in the chaos of my craft room, and found some old wrapping paper in almost the same design but in opposite colours!!

I then prepared and covered the box lid the same as I had for the box.

After it all dried I sprayed a thin coat of semi gloss varnish over it all to help strengthen and preserve the new look box, and stuck the Martha Stewart/Avery bookplate on it.

I am very happy with this box!!! It has the Gothic/Baroque look that I really love.  

Now to do more sorting out of my room!

For inspiration I visit I heart Organizing, a very motivating and informative blog!

If you have any great storage ideas, DIY boxes or anything else that may help me in my goal to declutter and get organised I would LOVE to hear your ideas! Please feel free to let me know about them in the comments section below!

............................................................................................................... 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

ALPHABET BLOG CHALLENGE: L is for Lace, ribbon, fabric!

Today i am writing about ideas to use up one's craft scraps. I have the week off work for the holiday period, and we are sorting the house out, that includes my study of art and cra supplies! While sorting stuff out i noticed a huge box full of tiny scraps of ribbon, lace, and bits of fabric. Just about to throw the lot away, i had a thought, why not use these scraps!!

Firstly i did a stock take of what i had, from the mess in the box, i divided it firstly into colours, then subdivided them into type. The colours were mainly red, black, green, and purple and after the sorting I realised there was quite a lot of usable lace and ribbon there.

What did i make?

(I will post pix another time)

ROSE HAIRCLIP With some scraps of red velvet ribbon i fashioned a fabric rose, i attached some green satin fabric, cut into leaves, to its base, and adorned it with black lace. I then hot glued the rose i had made onto a hair clip!

LAVENDER SACHETS I had scraps of fabric netting, i cut them into neat circles, added some scoops of dried lavender, and gathered the edges up, and tied the lot up with lace and ribbon! Shoved in the drawers of my dressing table they look decorative, smell lovelyl keeping the contents of the drawers fresh, and keep insects at bay!!

HAIR BOWS with matching lace and ribbon i formed bows, sewed them so they didnt undo, and then attached them to snag free hair ties.

LACEY SOCKS i sewed lace edging to brighten up some of my socks, and added little ribbon bows to the lace!

Ok i could rave on and on here, but the point is, before you throw stuff away have a look at it, work out what is there, and use it! Use, reusue, upcycle and recycle!!!

What do you do with your crafting scraps? I'd love to hear your ideas! Please feel free to add your comments and share your ideas!

 

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ALPHABET BLOG CHALLENGE: J is for JEWELS for your hair

Up to J in my alphabet blog! Today's blog is about JEWELS for your hair!

MISS SKELETON'S HAIRBOWS AND ACCESSORIES is a home based business based in Queensland Australia, run by the very talented Samantha, sales are made via her facebook business page.

Samantha often puts up fabric images on her page to ask for interest in them before she makes up bows, i recently expressed interest in bows made out of a particular fabric, and within a week she had ordered the fabric, made the bows, and sent them to me!

I own many clips, bows, and hairbands made by this talented lady, they are well made, bargain priced, and sent super fast! She makes old fashioned 50's style type head scarves, bows on clips, gorgeous fabric frilly hair accessories, hair clips, and is happy to take on custom orders!

If you or someone you knows likes to use gorgeous hair accessories, then please visit her facebook page today!

............................................................................................................... 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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Alphabet Challenge: Happily Handmade Handcrafts

Up to H in my alphabet challenge blogs, and today's post is about Happily Handmade items, beautiful things made by clever artists.

Beaded Webs

There is an amazing artisan creating as Beaded Webs, who makes the most delciate and decorative wire and bead creations! Based in Queensland Australia, she works from home and sells from Facebook.

Starting off with wire sculpting and hand beaded web shapes, she has since branched out (excuse the pun) into tree of life shapes, as well as owls, bats, and cars. Her gorgeous bead and wire art is created in a variety of sizes such as large hanging decorations, pendant or keyring sized and medium sized beaded decorations.

I have purchased a purple, as well as a red and black beaded web from her and they are gorgeous! I also have two gorgeous bat beaded decorations that she made to order for me!

Beautifully made, and unique items, her online store is worth a look, and why not buy yourself something beautiful from her today!

Below are some pictures of her great pieces

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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>

ACEOS: have you dabbled in making them?

Yes I know, I have blogged about them before, but these things fascinate me. They are art miniatures without all that formal arty constraint stuff put on official art miniatures. You can do so much with them!

Some of the members of the etsy team Goth n Gorgeous have also been making ACEO, and the results are great.


Sassysteampunk has this great Halloween ACEO which is fun, would make a great Halloween TREAT or card, and is also a great ACEO collectible.

Another Goth n Gorgeous team member Madscientist designs  also has ACEOS, featuring altered art, and includes Alice in Wonderland themed artwork That being my fave book of all time, makes me really like those ACEOS! Note these ACEOS are ALTERED ART, the artist has NOT merely stuck a printed piece of paper on a card... this has real creativity and heart in it.

As I mentioned  I am also venturing into the exciting fun creative world of ACEO creating. Currently I am working on Ancient Egyptian and also Vintage Garden themed ones.  Below is a pic of the scarab ACEO i made, as part of my Egyptian ACEO series. I have listed this for sale in my etsy store just to see if there is any interest. 

I am also  interested in locating other ACEO makers who want to be part of an ACEO swap, to build a lovely collection of hand crafted art.  If you are interested in an ACEO swap thing, please let me know in the blog comment section!!

I think ACEOS would make great little tokens of appreciation to give to someone, a hand crafted ACEO is a real keepsake that can be framed, put in a scrapbook, added to an album, glued to a notebook cover, used as decoration on a trinket box, the uses go on and on... as do i...

There are many web pages that provide assistance in how to create ACES, but i think one of the best ways to create them.. is just get yourself some card stock, and some supplies, paint, ink pens, glue, embellishments, whatever.. and make something!!

If however you really want to read instructions on how to create ACEO please see the link below:

http://www.squidoo.com/artist-trading-card-ideas

http://www.onlypencil.com/blog/tutorials/making-your-own-aceo-cards/

http://justforfun.hubpages.com/hub/How-to-Make-and-Sell-ACEO-Cards

http://www.ehow.com/how_2129355_sell-trade-aceo-art-online.html

Resin Glue stuck on you ...??

I make a lot of different things, Sometimes I have the need to use resins, or strong adhesives, or maybe waterproof washable fabric glue.  I have experimented with a variety of adhesives and resins over the years, and have come up with a list of favourites for others who may suddenly have a pressing need for adhering that large heavy glass cabachon to that flimsy piece of tin bezel... or something.

This is MY OPINION ONLY, so don't blame me if you use the glues and end up sticking your nose to a pane of glass while mixing resins in a hot room with no ventilation and being committed to an institution for the criminally insane .......
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Best Jewellery Glue: E6000  Info on E6000 glue  This stuff needs to be used in a WELL VENTILATED room, the vapours are noxious and I have read that they may contain a known carcinogen, so BE CAREFUL.  You will be fine if you don't SNIFF the glue.. or use it in a tiny shut room with no air.

This glue is very strong, and is great for gluing metal jewellery findings, wood, most plastics, leather, glass, and other jewellery items for a very strong, need to be the Incredible Hulk to pull apart after setting type of glue.

I use this glue for the jewellery I make, and any hair slides or hair accessories that require gluing, this stuff is very strong and ideal for jewellery making.

It is expensive, but you only need a small drop , I believe it to be stronger than 'super glue' and glues more types of items than two part epoxy resin, it is also slightly flexible when dry so it is not likely to crack with use.

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Best all round Glue: Selleys Aquadhere PVA interior. Info about Selley's Aquadhere interior


This is an all round good glue, it is opaque and dries clear. I use it for felt projects that I am in no hurry to glue, it is great for decoupage both to glue paper/fabric on and to water down to use as a sealant for the project prior to varnishing.  note that it cannot be sanded, so don't use it if you need to sand it back afterwards.


This glue  is considered to be safe (non-toxic with no known nasties to hurt you in it) and as long as you wash up before the stuff sets, it can be cleaned up with water.


Useful for wood, felt, fabric, paper, comes in a variety of bottle sizes and a small amount goes a long way.


Also great watered down to use with paper for papier mache.


NOTE: not to be used for projects to be used in/ meant for areas where there may be prolonged contact with  water (steam, ice.. water in all its forms..) the glue is water proof when set, but long term contact with water can make the glue go soft and the item may fall apart.... 

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Best Dimensional Glue/Resin: Magic Glos UV Resin info on Lisa Pavelka's magic glos UV resin No I didn't miss-spell gloss...  The name of the resin is Magic-Glos UV Resin ...
I recently started using this after some unsatisfactory results with two part resins, and some other dimensional glue stuff that was cloudy, took too long to cure, or stunk the house out.

This stuff is brilliant, it needs UV light to cure, but I don't have a UV lamp and have used the very strong sunlight streaming through the lounge room window successfully, placing my items to cure on the window sill, this maybe doubles the time it would take to cure in a UV electric light, but still works well. Example, a thick coating of the resin may take five minutes to maybe seven minutes to dry under UV lamp, but ten to fifteen minutes to dry on the very sunny windowsill. It is still fast curing time for dimensional resin/ glue!  If you are intending to place items to cure on the windowsill, make sure the sun is streaming on it, and keep the cat away...

It is non-toxic, doesn't stink, actually it has no discernible odour, and it cures to a slightly domed, clear, hard surface. I deal for creating cabochon effects on decoupaged bezel pendant settings!  I also use it to make raised effects on fancy pictures on cardboard....

Watch Point: please make sure you have used a NON-WATER BASED varnish or sealant on the item you wish to cover with this, as it doesnt set well on water based stuff.

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Best Fabric Glue: Helmar Wash n Wear Glue info about the wash n wear fabric glue here

This glue is great for gluing appliques onto fabric, or to glue felt onto other felt or fabric if the item is intended to be able to be machine washed and dried. This glue once cured , which takes baout 48 hours, dries from opaque to a clear washable bond. It remains slightly flexible when dry so it is great to use with fabric that is meant to be moved.

NOTE: do not soak fabric that you have used this glue on (if you want the item to stay stuck on), although this is washable glue once cured, and can also be put in a machine drier, it is advisable not to soak items it has een used on as this may weaken the glued bond.

This is an Australian owned company and the glue is made in Australia.

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I have other items that I am currently reviewing for my own craft use, and will blog about them another time.. I have more glues to list as well... but I shall unstick myself from the keyboard and go and make a coffee....

If anyone else has a glue or resin they think is worth a mention please comment on this blog, I am always interested to hear about glues, resins, varnishes... stuff.. for craft.

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