Click the above image to read January 2014’s newsletter. To subscribe to the current newsletter & thus qualify for the giveaways & sales, subscribe here. It’s only once a month & I will only use your email to send you the newsletter: no spam, & you can unsubscribe at any time.
More handspun confetti yarn has been added to the website. I like to call this light & lofty yarn “confetti” because before I spin the roving, I card it with bits of leftover wool, silk & angelina fibers (for sparkle!). 🙂
One of the first yarns I made & knitted projects from evolved into what is now confetti yarn. Currently it is mostly made up of roving from a small mill in Maine that I re-card adding my own bits of fiber throughout. The dyeing/overall color has to be credited to the mill. Now that I am dyeing my own fleece confetti yarn will most likely evolve into a product designed completely from raw, but that still remains to be seen. So long as I can obtain the base roving at a decent price I’ll continue to buy it. Plus I could never replicate the colors seen here (nor would I try!).
If you enjoy a thick yet light feeling yarn like I do, you would most likely enjoy this series. I love to knit a winter hat or a scarf/cowl with this. It also makes a nice trim for projects. I normally us a US9 knitting needle.
I love to process my fleece from raw but there is something so satisfying about drum carding roving and being able to spin virtually right away. I used to spin this particular roving straight out of the package but I like to spread out the fibers even more on the drum carder as well as add my own flair.
As this is a wool mix and spins up quickly it is one of my least expensive yarns for sale. I can give a sizable discount if bought in person since I do not incur any shipping/packaging fees.
I have spun more yarn than I can ever use so I’m happy to share it for those interested in purchasing it. That said, I’m also happy to squirrel it away & wait for the inspiration to hit for a new knitting project. 🙂
As mentioned in a previous post the studio is open but you will see some favorite customizable products on the website missing. I have 2 new engraving fonts and thus am updating/revamping the missing products. I should have prototypes completed within the week, and barring the need to order in supplies we should see the new and improved products back for sale in about 2 weeks. I’ll reintroduce them one at a time here on the blog once ready, as well as on my newsletter where you can also receive discounts and a chance to win product.
I actually own many fonts for manual engraving, however not all are suited for the kind of engraving I mostly do. I usually do jewelry with one or two letters, or monogram initials, and some of the fonts I have are either too plain or not suited size wise or style wise for either. A couple products I offer now are on the time consuming side as I have to fiddle with the font to get it to look proper for one initial rather than a whole word. A slanted font will look lovely in text, but horrible as a stand alone initial. In this case I need to play with the size and the angle of the blank when I engrave. It’s a skill I certainly can do, but the more time it takes to engrave one piece the more expensive, essentially, the piece becomes. I am committed to offering my products at the best price, but this also means it has to be a fair price for me. I literally time myself when making a piece, and will always continue to look for ways to become more efficient without sacrificing quality. Time is money, as they say…
So here’s a peek at the 2 new fonts I am adding to my collection. The first one is called Curlz. It will replace most of the engraving on the children’s pieces:
It’s a fun font and on the larger template side, so suited for 1 or 2 initials for most of the work I do.
I also obtained an upright script, as I the script I use now is slanted, which as mentioned above needs a bit of play in order to look good as a stand alone letter. An upright script will alleviate the need for measuring and guesswork when engraving one or two initials.
I am also going return the use of the Old English font, especially on personalized bookmarks. I also already own a curlz type font that I am calling curlz vintage. It is very old and a collector’s item to me. It will be another variation available. Be sure to keep an eye out both here on the blog & on the website or sign up for my monthly newsletter & never miss an update on new and improved products. I look forward to sharing them with you!
I have several skeins of natural brown alpaca handspun yarn listed on the website. My first completed batch of alpaca yarn spun from raw. Unlike sheep wool, alpaca does not need to be prepared ahead of time to spin: shear and go! The fiber does not contain any oils and is relatively straight, so it can be easily spun without carding ahead of time. After this batch however, I have decided to give my alpaca a quick soak to remove excess dirt or mud as well as give it one quick round in the drum carder. I found it quite dusty, and find it a huge time savings if I can get most of the fiber going in the same direction. The batch I’m currently working on was pretty muddy underneath, to boot!
This is a 3-ply probably best suited for a US#4 knitting needle. This batch of fiber was obtained from a small producer in Upstate New York. Being alpaca it is on the pricey side, but I can offer a sizable discount if you can buy in person, since I don’t have to incur shipping fees.
As usual with my yarn I am reluctant to let it go, however, I have spun so much of it I’m happy to offer it for sale if someone is interested in taking it. Otherwise this will turn into a wonderful project for me down the road. 😉
I’m finally finished inventory & the supplies got a total overhaul as far as organizing is concerned…as in, they are actually organized! During the Christmas rush I was so annoyed at myself as it took way too long to find supplies needed for orders. So now everything is neatly put away & I have the “to reorder” list in hand.
You may notice certain products missing from the website. I pulled a few that I want to re-examine/revamp, either because I ran out of a component & it is either unavailable or not in a price point that works for me, or simply because I want to change it/freshen it up a bit. They will return shortly as soon as the new prototypes are completed. I have ordered 2 new engraving fonts & I am excited to relaunch these products new & fresh!
All that said, I did have to raise the prices slightly on some items. Nothing drastic, but with both the cost of supplies & shipping increasing this year, I have to adjust accordingly.
Here’s to 2014 and a brand new year of inspiration & creativity!
I have known Catrin, the artist behind Cat’s Wire for approximately 5 years now. Based in Göppingen, Germany, we “met” online in a jewelry group, & I have thoroughly enjoyed watching her art evolve over the past few years. I am passionate about beading myself, although have not done much in several years since becoming a mother, and her crochet wire sculptures are utterly delightful & fascinating. To be honest it took me forever to decide what photos to even showcase here, so be sure to follow the links to her work below, you will not be disappointed!
How long have you been creating beaded jewelry/objects?
I started with my first wire crochet experiments in winter 2008. In spring 2009 I opened my first shop and got more serious about what I did as I found out that I was hooked and there was no way back.
Over the years I tried out several techniques, but nowadays I mostly do wire crochet, wire knitting with a crochet hook and bead looming.
What made you start creating with wire/beads?
Unlike so many artisans I was not a crafty kid. I had a severe glue trauma and remember how I argued about a wire pendant with my art teacher once which is really funny if I think of it today. I dropped out of the crafts course and never learned to sew for example. I knitted a lot at times, mostly sweaters, but stopped doing it years ago.
Then I saw a report about Etsy on a German TV show about computer stuff. I checked it out and was drawn in by all the beautiful handmade items. I stumbled upon a wire crochet piece and after going back to it a few times I got myself a book from which I learned about wire gauges, but never did any of the projects. I bought some cheap wire, grabbed my only crochet hook and started experimenting which is actually what I still today. I do have more hooks now and the wire is not that cheap anymore, though 😉
What inspires your designs?
It would be easier to ask what doesn’t inspire them. It can be nature, a scent, a color or even once a bowl of soup (true story). More often than not you can’t see what inspired one of my wire pieces. Many times I don’t even know what a piece will end up as, a pendant can turn into a ring, a ring becomes earrings. I do have to plan most of my bead loomed pieces, however, as they are based on more or less exact patterns which I make myself.
What are your favorite pieces to make/creations you have made?
Difficult question. Often the piece I just made is my favorite. There are two hearts in my chest, one beating for the wearable art, the other one for my experimental pieces or sculptures. When I start one of them, I’m usually obsessed by the thought of finishing it, no matter how much my wrists or fingers hurt.
There’s my wire crochet glove or the octopus for example, and the wire knit Chinese lanterns that a friend inspired me to make, but also the wire crochet bowl with the wire knit vegetables that still isn’t filled up.
About making wearable art I enjoy not setting myself limits. I can make a clay and copper wire Joan of Arc ring, but also a fine silver and pearls pendant using a gorgeous knapped arrowhead or a silver basket pendant with colorful balls of copper wire “yarn”.
A new collaboration project that is very dear to my heart are the HeatherCats. My friend Heather, a New Zealand artist, does the most wonderful, whimsical cat paintings as one line of her work, and I turn them into bead loomed pieces of jewelry. It’s so much fun!
Where do you sell your work?
I have two shops on Zibbet and DaWanda, but I also sell directly on Facebook or deviantART if people wish to do so.
Do you accept custom work?
Yes, I do.
See more of Catrin’s extraordinary work:
Are you an artist inspired? I’m looking to share your story here and in my monthly newsletter. Inspire me; inspire others! E-mail me or leave a comment below to be considered. All you need is an online presence (blog, website, Etsy shop, etc.) so that the international audience the internet attracts can get to know you & your product better. This is my contribution to the handmade/artist community, & I am honored to do so! Look forward to hearing from you…
This is last month’s newsletter. I do a draw for a giveaway every month for a product as well as offer the best deals for my products to my newsletter subscribers. Click here to subscribe. Click the image below to read. You will have to sign up in order to enter for the current giveaway.
I met Laura Boyko aka Her Majesty the Flapper at the Bridgetown Farmers & Traders Market this summer. I asked her for an interview to find out what inspires her funky one of a kind designs that most definitely can be called wearable art.
How Long have you been making jewelry?
I have been making jewelry professionally for one year. I participated in a Christmas Craft show in Bridgetown last December. I received wonderful feedback from the community which encouraged me to sign up for two weekly summer markets, the Bridgetown Farmer’s and Trader’s Market and the Annapolis Royal Farmer’s and Trader’s Market. Since then, I have been very busy doing special event markets, jewelry parties and online sales.
What made you start creating jewelry?
I have a passion for making things and an interest in collecting unique jewelry. I suppose it was a natural progression for me.
What inspires your designs?
I am inspired by the materials. I spend a lot of time with the beads and chain in my hands. I lay them out in front of me, pushing the colours and shapes that are pleasing to my eye into groups. I studied sculpture at Emily Carr University. I think that I approach jewelry making in the same way that I would approach making a found object assemblage. The making of the piece is only the final step, the design process is what really excites me.
What are your favorite pieces to make/ creations that you have made?
The best pieces happen when I don’t concern myself with their salability. After making hundreds of pieces in the past year, the process remains interesting to me because I allow myself to make work that is unconventional and bold and that may not sell right away. When it happens, selling a piece like that is the most satisfying. I feel a connection with customer because they see what I see in the design.
Where do you sell your work?
I sell my work at the local farmer’s markets and through my blog
Do you accept custom work?
I will absolutely do custom work. I have a lot of fun collaborating with customers on the design.
To contact Laura & for more of her fab jewelry, please visit her blog, and if you are in & around the Bridgetown, Nova Scotia area keep your eye out for Her Majesty the Flapper at local craft shows & markets.
Are you an artist inspired? I’m looking to share your story here and in my monthly newsletter. Inspire me; inspire others! E-mail me or leave a comment below to be considered. All you need is an online presence (blog, website, Etsy shop, etc.) so that the international audience the internet attracts can get to know you & your product better. This is my contribution to the handmade/artist community, & I am honored to do so! Look forward to hearing from you…
Last month when talking about the dyeing experiments I was conducting in the studio on raw fleece, I meant to post a photo of my dye binder. We went through 3.5 bags of sheep fleece: horned dorset, finnish landrace & half a bag of grey-white romney, to see how the dye would react on darker color saturations, as well as small batches of mohair I had on hand. I am so glad I took notes because thinking back now without them I would never remember how to duplicate them! Needless to say i am *dying* to card & spin all the 200g samples, but the holidays has me totally locked down jewelry making & I still have a 3lb. bag of brown alpaca to spin (not that I am complaining about either!). 🙂
Last month I launched my monthly newsletter, a goal that I have had on the books now for 4 years! The newsletter acts as a monthly overview of what’s new as well as an artist’s spotlight, & more importantly, as a thank you to loyal customers: there’s a monthly giveaway & the best promocodes for discounts you wont find anywhere else I advertise. Click the image below to read last month’s. Go to http://bb3.ca/#gonewsletter & add your email in the box to sign up. You can unsubscribe at any time, and you won’t get anymore than one email a month from me (I simply don’t have time for any more). 🙂
Steve Skafte of Bridgetown, and Wally Shishkov of Bear River, Nova Scotia, have combined their talents to simultaneously create a cohesive piece of artwork called Painting Poems. I was particularly intrigued at how poet & painter can work silently together yet have the end result manifest the perfect mood/emotion – with Wally painting upside down, no less! Learn more about the artists & their process in this interview with Steve Skafte.
How long have you been creating painting-poems?
The very first piece that we did was on May 20, 2013. We began on a blank sheet, with no preparation or fore-thought whatsoever.
What made you start creating painting-poems?
We both survive almost entirely off the income of what we create, so economical reasons are almost as pressing as creative ones. I (Steve Skafte) had been thinking a lot about busking and street performance, and it was just getting into the season where warmth makes that sort of thing possible (or at least comfortable) in Nova Scotia. I came across a TED talk by Amanda Palmer where she talked about the concept of allowing people to give in return for art, rather than the idea of constantly demanding payment. I was already planning to take to the street with the idea of writing poetry live when a conversation with Wally Shishkov turned me in the direction of collaborative creating. There was a real desire to be seen for both of us. Art is more invisible than ever before in rural Canada, shoved into dark corners and only drug out with the notion of group expression or with the drive of government funding. We were tired of waiting to be accidentally discovered, so we decided to put ourselves in the path of passing traffic. There was never any urge for performance, just a nervous and open-hearted sharing. What could we do but create? For all the people hawking their finished products, it seemed to mean so much more for them to see it coming alive.
What inspires your designs?
Dreams, nature, water. Water more than anything, that’s part of working with watercolours, I suppose. Wavelengths, lightwaves, electrical impulses, magnetism. Without waves, where would we be, what could we see? Nowhere and nothing. The images start swirling, and they eventually find their way or dry their way to completion. Geometric shapes, lines and crosses and circles. The patterns of frost, the growth of crystals. We begin every creation live and at the same time, so as Steve writes and Wally paints upside-down, there’s a rush to the end, or at least to discover where the end is. In the end, the inspiration is the word. We pick that word, the title of the painting-poem, and try as best we can to express the full and whole emotion of what that word means to us. The shape is almost always entirely unexpected. It’s hard to know where it comes from.
What are your favorite pieces to make/creations you have made?
There’s one called “Exodus” that was particularly hard to part with. A lot of the pieces hang on heavily from the meaning of the words. The images mean a lot to us, but the words are a story, a one-of-a-kind journey to a place we’ve never been and will never be again. The wide-eyed smiles and sometimes tears in the eyes and on the faces of friends and strangers when they see the painting-poem come alive, fully improvised in front of them, just for them, that’s worth a lot. I think of a few pieces where the joy and sorrow was beyond compare, and we were deeply humbled and honored to share it. “Heartbeat”, was one. “Gypsy” was another, for a woman we’ll never forget. One called “Solitude” carried a woman back to the death of her mother, and we didn’t mean it that way, but it was exact to the strangest detail. “Transformation”, done on the street for a friend named Stephanie, was the most personal of experiences. Between the two of us creating, with her and her boyfriend watching, it was almost religious in nature. Nothing has ever felt so right. There’s a line in a piece called “The Gift” that says: “The gift we have is the gift we’re giving,” and that’s the real depth of it, I think. The ones that mean the most to us are the ones that meant the most to others.
Where do you sell your work?
We sell on the street live when we create, or inside at what shows we can get when the weather is colder. A binder of our 8.5×11 work is available for view at Low Tide Gallery (4 Queen Street, Bridgetown, Nova Scotia) as well as a handful of our 16×20 pieces. Online, we sell all of our currently available work in our Etsy shop, but all sold and unsold works can be browsed on Facebook.
Do you accept custom work?
Absolutely! About 1/3rd of all our work is requested. Unlike most art, requests are more like conversational ideas than demands. We start with a word (or sometimes a two/three word title) and sometimes a little background of what it means to them, then create from there. If you’d like us to do a piece for you, go to our Etsy shop and click the “Request Custom Order” button.
I own 3 Painting Poems for my Bridgetown home, & look forward to possessing more.
To see/learn more:
visit Steve & Wally’s etsy shop
follow them on Facebook
Are you an artist inspired? I’m looking to share your story here and in my monthly newsletter. Inspire me; inspire others! E-mail me or leave a comment below to be considered. All you need is an online presence (blog, website, Etsy shop, etc.) so that the international audience the internet attracts can get to know you & your product better. This is my contribution to the handmade/artist community, & I am honored to do so! Look forward to hearing from you…
Have you been healed by creativity? I am looking for examples to be featured here on the creativity inspired blog of how art/creativity helped you overcome loss/hardship/illness. Did you paint a picture? Get a tattoo/had art created for you, much like the Painting Poems? Plant a garden in honor of a person or event? I want to hear every & all examples of how an outward expression aided you in your process. It is my hope that others will find comfort in these inspirational stories. Please contact me directly in order to be featured, or leave me a comment below. My only requirement is that you have one picture of the finished product to share with readers. Namaste!
We’ve been experimenting with dyeing fleece with Greener Shades acid dyes & I wanted to post some pictures of how it turned out. We’re doing mostly water immersion in a crock pot but I also did smaller batches in mason jars as well as a bit of low immersion dyeing.
I honestly don’t know why I was so intimidated about dyeing fleece. Once I figured out the dye-to-fleece ratio, it is *super* easy. And ridiculously addictive! My 6 year old has volunteered to help me, and she asks every day if we are going to dye fleece.
I really like using a crock pot, as I can literally set it and forget it. It’s nice & stable and contained which fits great in the studio, and I don’t have to worry about little fingers getting burned as opposed to using a pot on a burner. I like it so much I want to start scouring thrift shops for used ones so I can do several colors at once.
I think the most important thing is to write everything down so I know how to replicate the color later. I’ve started a binder which has a sample of the fleece, the kind of fleece & the process used to obtain the color. We’re concentrating on doing 2 colors at once to see what shades and effect can be obtained.
This is washed fleece but not yet carded. My mind would glaze over carding plain white fleece over & over! I find it easier to wash the fleece, then dye it. Carding takes place after. We (my oldest & I – her second favorite thing to do these days is to turn the crank on the carder) carded a sample of dyed fleece & I’m happy with the results. For now I see no advantage of carding to batts or roving first before dyeing. Especially since I plan to blend colors before spinning.
I am going to keep a binder as well of what the fleece looks like carded, as well as “recipes” of the fleece types and colors blended so if I want more in the future it will be easier to replicate.
Writing everything down is a big deal for me, because I am such an “on a whim” kind of spirit. But the binders will definitely keep my sanity! Let’s face it: art yarn is one of a kind so I will never be able to make a totally identical replica. But if I like something and want to spin it again this will be a good way to get at least a close second. 🙂
If you want to watch a great video on getting started dyeing fiber, I recommend “Dyeing in the Kitchen“.
5 years ago to this day, my mother passed away suddenly at the age of 54. I would like to say *unexpectedly*, but I had a prophetic dream a week prior of her death, & although I was somewhat prepared, it was certainly a trauma nonetheless. We had an at times difficult – albeit honest – relationship, and I developed the “Wings” memorial necklace in her tribute, as a constant reminder that she still walks beside me despite having many moments where I feel motherless.
I was on the fence about releasing this piece to customers, as it was so personal to me, but I decided by not sharing it I was missing an opportunity to help others heal & honor their loved one as I did. Since releasing “Wings” earlier this year for customizing, it has hands down become my best selling piece. I have had the honor of engraving these with the initials of loved ones for people I had never exchanged words with, yet I felt a connection to all the same. The most difficult request, was for infant loss, and I grieved for this mother even though she never knew of me or that she would be receiving this keepsake.
Now I cannot believe I ever considered never sharing this piece. It is such a good example of why I create. It keeps me human. It keeps me connected. It gives me a sense of purpose in a world that some days makes no sense.
Love to you, mama: where ever thy soul shall roam…
Have you been healed by creativity? I am looking for examples to be featured here on the creativity inspired blog of how art/creativity helped you overcome loss/hardship/illness. Did you paint a picture? Get a tattoo? Plant a garden in honor of a person or event? I want to hear every & all examples of how an outward expression aided you in your process. It is my hope that others will find comfort in these inspirational stories. Please contact me directly in order to be featured, or leave me a comment below. My only requirement is that you have one picture of the finished product to share with readers. Namaste!
The Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook has been absolutely invaluable in my studio. It is my fleece “bible”. I go to it every time I buy a new fleece before I even start to process it.
I love the knitting examples that also are provided, & hats off to the authors, this must have been crazy to compile, not to mention fun! 🙂 Fiber geeks: you need this book!
Oh, this cat, whom I affectionately call “my boss” as her curiosity in the studio resembles that of a person keeping me in line.
She provides an endless amount of comic relief. See, this is angora the girls’ & I laid on the rack to dry. This silly cat decides to give it a thorough inspection, as she may want to LAY ON IT. Keep in mind it is freshly washed, meaning wet.
I was poised ready to take a picture of when she actually got comfortable & laid down but I totally missed the shot. It didn’t take the cat long to realize her possible comfy bed was actually quite damp, and I don’t know one cat who likes to be wet in any capacity… 😉
I’ve been going at a pretty steady pace lately. Jewelry making/orders, pricing my handspun yarn, working on packaging for yarn & stitch markers…oh yeah and running my busy household on top of it all. It’s no surprise it all came to a slamming halt as soon as we arrived at our Nova Scotia residence.
I’m trying to work. Reeeeeally I am. But there is just something about the atmosphere of the Annapolis Valley – I grew up here so I know it all too well. It’s not that I’m not motivated, it’s just the pace is slower, and I came to realize just how tired my brain really is. So I’m curled up by the fire, knitting my handspun. This is a mohair/wool blend, and I’m loving the feel/texture. Officially hooked! Must put mohair at the top of my shopping list for the Rhinebeck wool show next month…now if you’ll excuse me… 🙂
I finished the packaging for my stitch markers. It actually came together quite quickly, once I took the time to sit down and assemble…
Although I loved the little velvet pouches just as my jewelry comes in, I didn’t have a way to display these clearly for studio sales or up-coming trunk shows, thus making the little black pouches ineffective. I also wanted to make sure each piece was secure in its respective packaging. This, also keeps the cost down…and rubber stamps helped achieve that overall handmade feel I was going for.
I’m going to do several variations of the “knitting bling“. I know I have really enjoyed using them with my own knitting/crochet rather than the usual rubber/plastic stitch markers I normally use…
I don’t know what it is about fire that makes it so perfect for knitting. Campfire in the summer…fireplace in the winter.
This is a self striping yarn I spun – Navajo (chain) plied – really bulky. Wool/silk mix. It wasn’t my favorite spin, that is for sure. Yet, it worked up rather well, I’d say. The finished hat is rather thick, but hey – winter in Québec is just around the corner…
Cats are the most curious creatures to me. Some people despise them but their unpredictability agrees with me. This cat in the 6+ years we’ve had her, is my “boss”. She likes to observe/inspect anything I am doing, but a lap cat she is not.
Until today! I’m spinning away, minding my own business, and I could have almost screamed…because *something* jumped in my lap…then I was shocked to see this furry thing settle in for a spell. I called for a camera because there was no way I was going to get up – this was such a rare moment…
…I didn’t even mind that she interrupted my spinning. 🙂
Last year at Rhinebeck I bought a bag of raw Icelandic fleece, a wool I had only minimally worked with in the past. This was my first try at Icelandic handspun yarn. I absolutely adore the Icelandic Breed of sheep, they are small in stature and have both a long straight overcoat (tog) and a short curly undercoat (thel). I washed, carded and spun/plied/set/fulled several 2-ply skeins, keeping some for my own personal use and setting some aside for sale in the near future.
Yarn always looks a little sad to me when it is wet after being washed/ fulled. It’s amazing to see the yarn plump up again after it dries…I immediately get “the itch” and want to start knitting it.
Check back regularly to the Yarn/Fiber section of my website, I’ll be adding yarns as they become available. It’s all done by hand so it’s a labour of love, making this yarn. I spin for me first but will always have more than I could ever handle since I am officially addicted to spinning. 🙂
Look what visited me in the studio – the perfect subjects to test out my new photography setup. It’s Shaun, Timmy & a fat mama sheep from the claymation cartoon “Shaun the Sheep”. I commissioned my friend Lindsay McGrath from Handmade by Lindsay: Ploymer Clay Creations in Ottawa, Ontario to make them for my growing sheep collection.
I’ve known Lindsay for several years, about as long as I have been dating my now husband, and they were friends in University. This is a relatively new form of artistic expression for her, & I asked her to do a quick interview as this is the type of inspiration we all need to get started finding our own creative outlet (and artist within us all!)…
How long have you been creating with clay?
I picked up polymer clay for the very first time in the fall of 2011. I’d never used anything like it since childhood, playing with playdoh.
What made you start creating with clay?
I started because my children were asking for toys of characters from a video game called Katamari Damacy, and none existed. My brother-in-law has been making things out of polymer clay for years and I had some magnets that he’d made for us; I thought that it might work for making the characters. So I picked some up and gave it a try, and was very surprised that it seemed to come naturally to me. I’d never considered myself an artist, and certainly not a sculptor, but I find polymer clay very easy to work with, and there is a ton of info and tutorials on the internet, which has been very helpful.
What inspires your designs?
Most of what I’ve been making lately have been custom orders, but when I get the chance to make whatever I want I tend to gravitate to geeky-type things. I love everything about geek culture (being a huge geek myself), and the creative possibilities with it are endless! I’m finding that lately I am especially gravitating to Doctor Who themed things. I have some projects in the works that I am very excited about!
What are your favorite pieces to make/creations you have made?
I recently made a gift for my children’s teacher, an owl sitting on top of a stack of books. It was a lot of fun to make, and I think it turned out pretty cute. I’ve also made some Christmas ornaments that I’m really proud of, especially my Christmas Borg, Shark, and Tardis.
Where do you sell your work?
I do most of my selling on-line, whether it’s to people who stumbled upon my blog and Etsy shop, or to my friends across the country who put in their requests through Facebook. Last fall, however, I did my first craft show, the Ottawa Geek Market. I shared a table with another talented artist, and it was a lot of fun. I will be selling at the Geek Market this year too, and I’ll have a whole table instead of a half.
Do you accept custom work?
I do accept custom work! It is my primary source of business. While I do love geeky things, I also do non-geek work, and I’m open to trying just about anything!
Be sure to check out Lindsay’s blog, Handmade by Lindsay to see more of her kick-ass polymer clay work! 🙂
Are you an artist inspired? I’m looking to share your story here and in my monthly newsletter. Inspire me; inspire others! E-mail me or leave a comment to be considered. All you need is an online presence (blog, website, Etsy shop, etc.) so that the international audience the internet attracts can get to know you & your product better. This is my contribution to the handmade/artist community, & I am honored to do so! Look forward to hearing from you…
This is a fairly new piece I designed…now finally up for sale. I have had these OM pendants in silver & gold culinary grade pewter for at least a couple of years. I knew They would make an absolutely stunning necklace, & when paired with faceted rondelle gemstones the final product is truly fantastic!
It’s a toss up for me between lavender amethyst or moonstone as my fave stone. I also have pink amethyst, citrine, labradorite, lemon quartz & smoky lemon quartz…I will add more as I obtain more. Any gemstone suggestions/requests welcome…I am always up to add more! 🙂
As a thank you for visiting my blog, please enjoy 15% off your entire order at bb3.ca*. Use code: creativity15 at checkout. *Cannot be combined with any other promotion.
Proving that I do indeed create everywhere whenever possible here is my workspace from the passenger seat of our Jeep Commander…
From our recent road trip to Nova Scotia…pretty & funky beaded rings. They are like candy! 🙂
A couple of years ago I bought a container of silica granules from Lee Valley used for drying flowers 3-dimensionally. At the time I had all kinds of plans/ideas for projects/arrangements to do with various flowers particularly the ones growing on our property yada yada…I tend to have a lot of creative ideas but not a lot of time for follow through with 3 kids & a jewelry business…plus a growing love for the fiber arts. 🙂
My girls really enjoy picking flowers mostly everything ankle high; although they’d have at your flower bed if you let them. 😉 So with a growing number of little flowers coming my way daily, and the “I wish I could keep them forever” lament, I decided to dry them & finally try out those silica granules.
I also have a flower press, and we have done projects with it in the past, but never the 3-D way. These are small so they took no time to dry, we let them sit for approx. 3 days at a time. I put half the amount in these glass bowls we use for crafting, carefully arranged the flowers on top, and then poured in more silica burying the flowers with it. I did this process as I did not want my littles eating silica gel…that would be very, very bad…
So now the question is…what to do with them? They are small, so the only thing I have come up with thus far is setting them in resin…maybe making the girls pendants out of them…I can’t seem to think much past the jewelry making aspect…any suggestions of projects are welcome…otherwise, google, here I come… 😉