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THE TEAM Editor and Ad Sales - Anna (The Crystal Lady) thecrystallady@creative-crafting.com

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Technical Editor - Avril (Sprinkles Sparkles) sprinks@creative-crafting.com Proof Reading- Martina (Sparrow Primitives)

FEATURE WRITERS Tina - In the Garden Tracey - Wowthankyou Claire - Elderberry Arts Jim- James Kath Guitars Betty - Betty Bee Vintage Jamie - Mr X Stitch

Happy New Year! Welcome to the first 2012 Creative Crafting issue of the year. Have you made your new years resolution yet? Let us know on our Facebook page! Here at HQ, we will be making Creative Crafting Magazine, bigger and better than ever this year, and it is all because of you, our supportive readers from around the globe. We have just set off our third CRAFTfest! We are really excited to announce that we are holding the fest for an entire week! If you are interested in joining us, or would like more information, we suggest you read the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;About Usâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; page found here http://www.craftfest-events.com/about_craftfest.html. The fest is being held from the 10th - 18th March 2012.

Julie - Centre of England Arts Sean - Hobby Tools Sarah - Pookledo Amber - Fingertips Designs Veronica - Udelovich Designs Mhairi - ByMckenzie Emma - Sparkly Fairy Silvia - SlowLane Handmade

We begin this year with a Valentines and Mothers Day edition, we have our regular contributors, Jim, from James Kath Guitars, with his new life in Sante Fe, Tracey, from Wow Thank You, Tina from In The Garden, Jamie aka Mr X Stitch and Claire, from Elderberry Arts. Of course, we have our other contributors this month, so check out their features and projects throughout the magazine. Remember, if you would like a hard copy of this issue, look out for the links on our website. It is paid for by the page, but worth it if you would like to hold onto a hard copy. The magazine is printed by HP Magcloud. We hope you all enjoy this issue of Creative Crafting, and have had a great start to 2012. If you would like to submit an article, get in touch at articles@creative-crafting.com. We would love you hear from you!

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A Year in Sante Fe - Part 3 Join James Kath from Kath Guitars for another comical instalment following his move to Sante Fe to craft.

Crystal Magic The Crystal Lady shows us some beautiful handcrafted items created using Amber.

10 Let’s Get This Party Started!

Tracey from Wow Thank You finds out how some of her members sell their items via the party method.

13 Red Roses Art Project Julie Hyde from the Centre of England Arts shares with us another one of her wonderful painting projects.

26 Coffee Break Crafts -

16 Crafting the Perfect Wedding Our favourite vintage crafter Betty Bee reminds of how to use our crafting skills for those special occasions.

18 An Interview with Sparrow Primitives Meet Martina and her beautiful creations and find out where she gets her inspiration.

21 Rose Quartz Earrings Project Claire from Elderberry Arts joins us again with another gemstone jewellery project.

Swishy Hearts – A quick earring project by Pookledo. Bird Bath Magnets – Fingertips Designs shows a beautiful art project. Cross Stitch Fabric Card – Stitch yourself a fabulous Mothers Day card with ByMckenzie.

30 Valentines Card Project

23 Tina <Not> in the Garden For this issue, our green fingered friend is away from The Garden, travelling with friends.

Sparkly Fairy is with again, this time with a clever card make for Valentines.

31 An Interview with SlowLane Handmades

Meet Silvia, our new Recipe writer. Find out about her love of crafts and cooking.

33 Recipes from the SlowLane Silvia shares with us her recipe for Flammende Herzen in our new regular recipe slot.

36 In the Spotlight with Mr X Stitch Jamie is back with us again, showcasing another talented crafter who has caught his eye.

Recipes the m o

Slowlane{

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Celtic Visions We have for you a long awaited and much requested Chainmaille project by Udelovich Designs.

An Interview with OOAK Tiny Cuddles We find out more about the lovely Lisa and her creations.

All Tooled Up Sean from Hobby Tools is back with us to show us an illuminating crafting tool!

Crafters Directory Looking for something handcrafted? Look no further than our directory of crafters.

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A Year in Sante Fe Part 3

or those of you who haven’t been following this article, the goal here was to chronicle our first year in Santa Fe, NM. Santa Fe is the place in the United States to go for art, hand-made jewelry, custom-made southwest furniture and to meet some of the wackiest people in the country. As I’ve said before, this is where old hippies and burnt out ex-professionals go to weave baskets and live out the rest of their lives. By the time you read this, it will be February, but as I’ve written this and taken the photos, it has occurred during the Christmas holiday season. It’s been a very crazy month; a month of things breaking. But, fortunately, our spirits are not among that list. I’d like to show some pictures of some of the people at the Artisan’s Market where we spend our Sundays. We’ve all gotten pretty close; not close like “yeah, I’ll help you move into your new house”, but more like people who live under a bridge would

get close. It’s funny that we newcomers are all full of spit and vinegar and the ones that have been there for years look like someone has beaten them with the ugly stick. Yet downtrodden and nearly broken, they drag themselves there every Sunday. I have to laugh when they complain about spending the weekends there because they don’t do anything during the week. They’ve forgotten what it’s like to do the 9 to 5 grind and now this has become their own little version of suffering. So, before getting into the cast of characters, I want to do some shameless plugging if I may. December was a productive month for me. I finished three full guitar builds and was able to ship them off to their new owners (those pics are on the next page). One of them, of course the one that took three months to build and cost ten-thousand dollars, was broken by United Parcel Service; I still haven’t finished vomiting over it. Luckily it can be repaired and the 6

customer in Louisiana is actually being very nice about it, so he shipped it back for me to fix it. We also had a car window break when I accidentally backed into a dumpster on Christmas Eve and one of our house windows exploded all on its own. The glass man said it happens here a lot with double-pane windows because it goes from hot to cold to hot cold so quickly. So here are my guitar photos, there’s one flattop acoustic and two archtop jazz guitars. The reddish one is the one that was broken by UPS. The ironic thing about it also is that I have to re-lacquer the entire top, because they dented and gouged it. I ordered the lacquer so I can do the job and UPS lost the box with the lacquer in it. At least they’re consistent. My wife, Maritza, has been doing very well selling her jewelry both at the Artisan’s Market and online. She stopped selling on eBay because the fees were horrendous. Online she

So, enough yammering, here are a couple of our friends from the market. Well, she’s not only a friend but my wife too! Here’s Maritza at her booth not paying attention to me.

This is Joy, also known as the Yak Lady!! No, it’s not because of her hairy back, it’s because she domestically raises yak for food, clothing and just recently the bones and horns have found their way onto my guitars (I make the nuts and saddles and some of the inlay from Yak parts). Joy is originally from Australia but she’s been here long enough to be one of us, poor thing. She’s an amazing woman. She lives in a town called Taos (pronounced towse) which is a big ski area. She drives an hour and a half each way

This fine gentleman is Bob Hazeltine. We call Bob “The Glass Guy” (So now we have me, The Guitar Guy, Joy, The Yak Lady and Bob, The Glass Guy. You keepin’ up?). Bob is one of the nicest and most talented people I know. And yes, for you glass-blowers out there, Bob makes a living from his art and nothing else. His work is magnificent. Last year there was an art show outside and a very large gust of wind took Bob’s tent and all his merchandise up into the air and slammed it back onto the ground. He lost almost an entire year’s worth of work. Bob prefers to sell indoors; that’s why he’s smiling.

James Kath Guitars

now only sells on Etsy.com (LaLuna Ranchwear) and is doing very well. She’s so funny because she loves to make necklaces, but she keeps selling a bunch of earrings. So she’ll make ten bracelets and three pairs of earrings and sell all the earrings and one necklace. I told her that the universe is telling her to stick with earrings but she’s still fighting it. I always say that the business you start is never the one you end up in (excuse the preposition at the end, I’m from the States after all). By the way, for those of you that don’t know it, Maritza and I got married in the U.K. It was at Rowton Castle in Shropshire. Man, are the streets there narrow. But that’s another story, and a really funny one. Lets just say my rental car was returned with no side-view mirrors and I’m no longer permitted to drive on the main street in Clun. We rented a cottage in Clun for two weeks in order to be permitted to get a marriage license. We ate at the Sun Inn pub almost every night: Lovely people, lovely place and great food. But very narrow streets.

Next up is Gabriela, or Gabby as we call her. She sells jewelry and has been at the show the longest. I wish I had a picture of them (but they didn’t come out) but she makes jewelry from tiny miniature roses and wraps them in a delicate cage of gold and silver. They are spectacular! She has even been written up in the New York Times (for her jewelry, not anything sinister). Gabby is a single mom and her six-year old son, Mario, comes with her to the show every week. She’s the one on the right doing the hard sell to a customer. You go Gabby!! Actually her work easily sells itself.

This gentleman is Randy (I know because it says so on his sign). Randy makes hand-cast silver jewelry. His work is stunning; I bought my mother’s Christmas present from him. Actually, we bartered for it. Since we’re all broke artists we trade our wares with each other. Randy had a guitar that needed a lot of repair work, so, my mother got silver jewelry for Christmas. Aside from being an excellent jeweler, Randy plays and sings the blues like nobody’s business and his teenage son, Ben, plays in a local rock band.

There are about twenty vendors at the Railyard Artisan’s Market, but I only have space for a few. I thought it would be fun for you to see actual, real people across the pond who are doing the same thing that you’re doing. We get a lot and I mean a LOT of visitors from the U.K. so I hope one of you reading this has met us at the market. If you’re interested in anyone’s work that you’ve seen here in this article, just drop me an email and I’ll hook you up! May God Bless you all and we wish you much peace, love and happiness in this New Year!! Jim and Maritza www.kathguitars.com

Last, but not least, is Heather (she’s not the one with the glasses). Heather If you like dead things, and really, who is the young lady that runs the Artisan’s Market and keeps us all from fighting doesn’t, Jon is your man. His work is over the door being open or being so incredibly original that I’ve never closed (I told you, we’re like people seen anyone else do what he does. living under a bridge fighting over who Jon is retired; he used to teach owns the bridge). She makes great woodshop in the school for the deaf coffee too and puts up with all of us; here in Santa Fe. Jon makes figures which is no easy task. out of bones that he finds out in the desert. I bought one for Maritza for Christmas because she fell in love with it (I normally don’t buy my wife dead stuff, but…) The heads of the figures are skulls from raccoons and possum, the wings on these boney angels are from cougar and deer; the bodies come from Joy’s Yaks; they’re leg bones. If you’re a fan of Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas”, then you have to have one of these figures. They are really quite sweet and lovely. And Jon is a wonderful man with great stories. (I have no idea who the girl in the blue t-shirt in the next booth is, but she’s so skinny she should be careful Jon doesn’t use her in one of his projects.)

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c i g a M l Crysta Ammonite Fossil, Ocean Jasper, Baltic Amber, Tiger Eye Pendant Celebrate the wonder of life with this colorful tribute to nature's ingenious designs.

If you would like more information about Crystal Healing Jewellery, you can contact The Crystal Lady at: thecrystallady@mysticearth.co.uk or visit http://www.mysticearth.co.uk 9

Written by Tracey Kifford

hristmas is over and I hope you all had heaps of sales and are now heading off to a fantastic Winter holiday in the Seychelles on the proceeds? No? Oh. More realistically, did you have decent sales but are now just staring at the bleakest part of the year wondering what new sales strategies you can put into place to drum up some additional interest in your wares? Do you have a website? Are you getting the most from it? Are you into social networking? A good Facebook or Twitter user may be able to spread the word about their products with relative ease. One approach, which has found favour certainly among WowThankYou sellers, is the house party. Based loosely on the Tupperware or Avon party model, a lot of sellers are finding success and generating new sales and interest.

House parties have been around since the 1950’s and certainly some of the most successful names have been Tupperware, Avon and Ann Summers. There has been a relatively recent resurgence with ‘Jamie at Home’ and ‘The Pampered Chef’ parties, to name but two. The advantages are that people are there of their own volition; they are relaxed (often by virtue of a glass of wine) and they can handle the goods and talk to the seller directly about the products and possible customisation. If you have the confidence and like to talk to people this is a great way of networking, selling and even making new friends. April Luescher of Anna’s Jewellery Designs has found that home parties hosted with a bunch of friends and their friends, with some wine and chocolates, can work really well! April says “

Following the party, April makes up the unfinished versions of the jewellery as per the discussions, and photographs it, emailing the photos to the customer so they can approve or request amendments. When they are happy, April finishes the jewellery off, resulting in a happy customer with a bespoke piece of jewellery for which they have chosen the components and they have had design input into!

told us “

Anna’s Jewellery Designs Suzanne Lake of Suzanne Lake – Made from the Heart favours a slightly different approach and hosted a Christmas shopping day at her house. She explained “

Polly Red house parties were an excellent strategy ... “

” Wondering how Dawn organises her parties, she explained, “

”

Ribbons and Rosebuds ”

Suzanne Lake - Made from the Heart Dawn Gatehouse of Polly Red also likes the house party approach and in late October converted the entire downstairs of her home into a shop! With a little advertising via her children’s school, and some hard work on the day and for the fortnight following, she boosted her Christmas sales to the tune of over £400. Dawn

Dawn Hurd of Ribbons and Rosebuds also uses house parties as a sale boost. It can be a lot of hard work but if you are a reasonably sociable person you would probably enjoy the human contact and interaction rather than the impersonal nature of sitting at a computer sending messages on Facebook or twitter, or receiving orders from websites or via emails. Dawn told us that she thought 11

” Dawn has taken house parties to a further level by having party hosts and extending her reach outside her immediate circle of friends. She also gave some insight into her advertising strategy. “

Lock Stock Boutique .”

” Kerri-Ann Lloyd of Imagine Design Create also highly rates at-home parties. When starting up her small business selling handmade colourful creations she looked into the various ways she could get her products ‘out there’. Kerri-Ann found having a WowThankYou store has been great for getting her brand name around and has had many people asking to use her products in blog posts. Selling at ‘at home’ parties in her home town of Taunton, Somerset, has been a great success. “

o, from these examples house Lock Stock Boutique’s Emma Lock parties definitely appear to be hosts ‘Design-a-bag’ house parties where she shows customers the styles worth serious consideration. If you of bags she does and takes along a big start by keeping it just to your immediate circle of friends for the first bag of fabric ... “ one or two, you can gain some confidence. Remember to showcase a range of products, of different prices (from pocket money upwards). For larger or more bespoke items, put together a portfolio of ‘ideas’ to help a customer formulate their own bespoke order. Take along cards and fliers, as this is a great way to spread the word. ” Perhaps consider running a house party alongside another seller. This will give a wider range of products and you can help give one another support. The outlay should be minimal, Lock, Stock but for evening parties do invest in Boutique some wine to get the party going; or during the day offer good biscuits, a range of hot and cold drinks – and above all else, remember to smile and have loads of fun! There’s a very good chance you’ll do very well indeed ...

www.wowthankyou.co.uk If you have missed any of Traceys regular articles in our magazines you can browse our back issues on our site.

Imagine Design Create

www.creative-crafting.com

Written By Julie Hyde

one petal at a time, as with shadows, add water for soft edges and no water for crisp edges. Use Cadmium red on brighter areas of petal, adding Alizarin crimson to the shady, darker areas covering the blue. Make sure that the red that you are adding is slightly stronger than the red you first put on the petal.

Step 1. Draw a rose or roses and a few leaves, adding extra leaves where you think they are required. Step 2. Shading. Mix a couple of washes of: • Ultramarine blue Add this to the shadowy areas of the rose and leaves. Where precise edges are required, add to dry paper. If soft graduated shadows are required, add clean water to where shadow is to fade out.

Step 5. Stems. Mix washes of: • Ultramarine blue and a little Cadmium yellow • Burnt Sienna (reddish brown) Add these in various places down stems, letting them run together. Add a few thorns with the Burnt Sienna.

Step 6. Background. Mix wash of: • Ultramarine blue and Burnt Step 4. Leaves. Mix varying Umber green washes of:• Ultramarine blue and a little Wet patches of background way beyond where the background Cadmium yellow • Cadmium yellow with a little is to end. Add colour, close to centre, letting it run into water. Ultramarine blue On to dry paper, add varying mixes of the green colour. Use a bluer green in the shadowy areas over the Ultramarine blue previously applied. Note where the light catches the leaves and leave these areas with no paint.

LET IT DRY Step 3. Rose. Mix strong washes of: • Cadmium Red (orangey red) • Alizarin Crimson (purply red) Take note of where the light catches the rose and leave these areas without paint or lift out paint as you go. Painting

Crafting the Perfect Wedding

Written by Betty Bee

any of you may have got engaged over Christmas and with Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s day this month, love and marriage certainly will be going together like a horse and carriage for thousands of couples up and down the land. As you are reading this magazine, chances are you are a lover of crafts, and certainly someone who appreciates the joy to be found in the home made.

Strangely, as soon as an engagement ring is produced, even the most ardent crafters often seem to take leave of their senses and become like bridal robots. Ordering overpriced stationary, taking out a second mortgages for flowers, and generally forgetting how their crafting skills are such an asset when preparing for something as costly as a wedding. Making things for your big day will not only save you money, but it guarantees that in a sea of bridal

uniformity your big day will be totally unique. Now no one is suggesting you drive yourself into an early grave attempting to create every aspect of a wedding yourself. That would be madness! Why not consider a few of these simple ideas which take no time at all to make and will ensure your craft stamp goes through your wedding like a stick of rock:

Hair fascinators. A glue gun, hair comb, a few feathers and you can create beautiful hair adornments for your bridesmaids and flower girls in a few hours. Get them around and have a bridal craft party. Throw in some cocktails and it could even become a mini hen celebration.

Cake stand displays. Using cake stands as table centres looks absolutely fabulous and other As you can see the only limit when it than sourcing the old plates is as simple as drilling a few holes. comes to wedding crafting is your imagination. Whether you are the bride to be, chief bridesmaid or mother of the Candles make great wedding favours and can be used to add bride, lets get crafting and make home made the wedding must have of 2012. twinkle to your wedding reception. Fill china cups or You can find step-by-step instructions make floating candles using on how to make many of the projects soap moulds and then dot them mentioned on Betty’s blog www.talesfrombettybeetowers.blogspot.com around in water filled glass bowls.

Name cards. When creating name cards for your tables you don’t even need to use paper. Collect pebbles from a beach and simply write your guests names on in gold or silver pen. Alternatively bake cupcakes and stick little home made flags in each one using stickers and cocktail sticks. The cakes can be part of your sweet course and will add some pastel coloured decoration to your tables.

Ensure your female guests dance all night by providing a basket of flip-flops. You can decorate these with rhinestones so they are extra special.

Bunting is such a doddle to make. The look doesn’t have to be vintage as you can choose any fabric to complement your theme and even attach crystals or beads to the bottom so your entire reception is festooned with sparkle. 17

Unique & Unusual Shabby Chic & Country Style Gifts & Home Accessories Handmade In Britain Meet the lady behind the creations. Martina; Sparrow Primitives is based in very rural surroundings. Prior to this we lived in areas with amenities and transport links, and I could manage without running a car. When we were thinking of moving here, we asked about buses etc. and were assured that there was a bus service. What we were not told, was that the bus is not a daily service but runs twice a week, taking people to the nearest town and picking up two hours later. And that is it! Our village does have a parttime Post Office service twice a week too – so posting our parcels has never been an issue! And it is pretty...

When did first begin creating your designs, and why? I have been making things ever since I can remember. My parents are both creative people. My mother used to do the most beautiful embroidery and would buy high street children’s clothes for me and embroider them to make them unique. She is also a fabulous knitter and taught me as soon as I was old enough to hold the needles! I love knitting traditional Aran wear and used to make them to order. Sparrow Primitives began as a hobby, selling handmade jewellery, our own greeting card designs, wreaths and our distinctive signature shelf blocks and as more and more people wanted them, it grew into a small business. I came across the American Primitive dolls and animals while researching historical toys, and discovered a whole

new art form which had great appeal! Handmade dolls have a long and interesting past. Mothers made dolls for their children from scraps that were not usable for anything else – a reason they were so primitive looking. When times got better, rag dolls evolved because mothers were able to afford to use better quality cottons, embroidery threads and pretty buttons. Some of the earlier Primitive dolls have survived and can be seen in museums – so many of the modern Primitive dolls have been based on these pieces. They are designed to look old and worn and many are created to museum standards. The Art form evolved to include the comical and charming animals loved by collectors and the seasonal dolls were a easy and inexpensive way to add

decoration and are even more so now! I was drawn to them – the whimsical animals reminded me so much of the quirky handmade toys my own children adored, so I began making them. I found that so many people wanted them that I ended up with a waiting list and so added them to our product list! At the moment the focus has been on our signature shelf blocks, wooden signs, American style Primitives, bunting and rosehip hearts but we have been asked by long standing customers to re-introduce our hanging decorations, knitwear, cards and jewellery! So I guess I will be adding more product lines as soon as I am able.

What is it that you enjoy about your work? The vast majority of us like to add little quirky touches to our homes and people are able to add humorous and whimsical touches without spoiling their overall look. Our shelf blocks, for example, are an effortless way to bring in seasonal changes or a homely touch, as they can be put anywhere, don’t require any nails in walls and can easily be moved around the house! People love them, describing them as “elegant and classy with a country feel”. It is lovely to hear them described like that! Our Halloween

range is also really popular - people have discovered an alternative to plastic decorations and they love them, which is great for me as I love making them! And don’t forget Louie and Pete! There has always been something really appealing about homemade dolls and critters! Most children have at some point in their lives favoured a funny-looking homemade toy over the more elaborate shop bought ones. Think of the current craze for sock creatures...there is something about the expressions and the designs just

not found in manufactured items – though there are a number of massproduced Primitives out there. Many adult fans love the quirkiness of the Primitives and they really don’t look out of place in any modern decor either. I love bringing the animal persona to “life” – you never know how they are going to turn out. Some end up looking so grumpy,which amuses me too. So I guess it boils down to being delighted by the fact that someone likes something I’ve made enough to put it in their home!

What is your biggest crafting achievement? This is a difficult question to answer. Sparrow Primitives began as a hobby and is now establishing itself as a business. I have been thrilled by the response to our products. This business was set up without any grants or start-up funding – just sheer hard work and determination to achieve something! Our products have been accepted by a number of curated online outlets, we have supplied independent gift shops around the country and in Europe. Our products have also been sold to customers around the world and I

have been particularly thrilled to get American customers for my Primitives, given the choice of items available over there! Our products have also been seen in various national publications, including Country Living, Bella, Sunday Express,Sunday Mirror newspapers, as well as regional newspapers and magazines. I was also thrilled to have caught the eye of Theo Paphitis when we won his Small Business Sunday on 1 May 2011!

Other than your crafting, what else do you like to do? That’s easy – Read! I’m never without a book and you can always tell “my” spot in a room. It usually has a basket of hand sewing and a teetering pile of books next to the chair.

If you had to choose your favourite from your creations which one would it be? May I be greedy and choose ALL the Halloween products? I love making them and keep some of the not overtly Halloween items out on display all year round! I’ve said it before, but I am so pleased Halloween is gaining in popularity here in the UK – it gives me an excuse to make more! We have always decorated our house for Halloween and put up the decorations a week or so before . Children love a sense of occasion and anticipation and mine were no exception.

Where does your inspiration come from? I am inspired by craftsmanship, especially from the past. Mass production and machine manufacturing has led to people taking things for granted and many have lost touch with how difficult and time consuming it is to make something. I am really keen to show that handmade can mean gorgeous

items made with care and attention to simple clean lines and heritage colours detail by people who take a great deal of the American Colonial and Shaker of pride in what they do. I have been styles. so pleased to find a community of people online who feel the same and I have found that inspirational too. I am also inspired by the quirky and whimsical â&#x20AC;&#x201C; hence my love of the fabric Primitives, but I also love the

If you could change one thing about what you do, what would it be? Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m working on the temptation to begin a new project before finishing the one in progress!

Do you have a favourite website? Amazon ( I can never have enough books!) and Etsy.

Has any person helped or supported you more than any other? My daughter. She designed our website and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d never manage without her computer skills.

Tell us a random fact about yourself! Although I seem to make lots of cats and mice, I actually prefer dogs and birds in real life!

You can find Martina and her beautiful creations in the following places: www.sparrowprimitives.co.uk twitter.com/sparrowprimitiv www.facebook.com/sparrowprimitives plus.google.com/105982922593236149911

Written By Elderberry Arts

rtz

Q u e a s

Earrings Rose Quartz is commonly regarded as the stone of unconditional love and peace. It is an important crystal for the heart and heart chakra. An excellent calming and reassuring crystal for self love, healing and releasing heartache and past pain. By placing a piece of rose quartz by your bed or in the relationship corner of your home (furthest right left point from your front door or door to an individual room) the rose quartz is said to draw love towards you or help with any love and relationship issues you maybe facing. Physically Rose Quartz is said to strengthen the heart and circulatory system, increase fertility and aid chest and lung problems.

http://www.mysticearth.co.uk

http://gemstonejunk.blogspot.com

6 6 6 2

x x x x

1/2 inch headpins 6 mm Rose Quartz beads 3 mm silver beads ear wires

Round nosed pliers Mandrel - such as a marker pen

Step 1. Hold all six headpins together and wrap them round the mandrel to curve them.

Step 2. Take one curved headpin and thread on a Rose Quartz bead and then a silver plated bead. Now bend the end over using the round nosed pliers to create a loop in the end of the headpin. Step 3. Take a second headpin and thread on a Rose Quartz bead and then a silver plated bead. Thread the end of this second headpin through the hoop you made in the first and then create a loop in the end as in step 2. Step 4. Repeat step 3 with a third headpin. Attach an ear wire to the top loop. Step 5. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to create a second earring.

y c n w a ri t i n o r F f g CREATIVE Crafting magazine?

Make 2012 your new adventure as a writer!

Fantastic rewarding opportunities are available at Creative Crafting Magazine. We are always on the lookout for more projects, features from crafters, just like you! Ever fantasised about having your work in a magazine? Well now could be your chance! 2012 could be your year to start on a new adventure as a writer. For more information, please check out the Creative Crafting website.

http://www.creative-crafting.com/write_for_us.html 22

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Tina in the Garden

i! I'm Tina

Well, Christmas and New Year celebrations are over and I hope you all had a great time. I am so pleased to welcome you all on your first visit of 2012 to the Garden. Do make yourselves comfortable and we will enjoy as always a nice cup of tea and maybe the occasional biscuit. The garden has kept well this year into winter and if this weather continues we may have an early spring. Some plants are still flowering and a lot is going on under ground, but as we have done in past years, I would like to take this opportunity to share a trip which my better half and I have made. This time it was to visit with some very dear friends, at their home on the shore of beautiful lake Michigan.

Chicago Park

Chicago Flower Beds

It was in July and the weather was just wonderful when we left from dear old Heathrow. We arrived in Chicago. We had not visited before and it was just unbelievable. The buildings,the parks, the shops, and so clean. I know that this is a gardening article but I just must show you this sky line. If you are familiar with it I hope you enjoy it again. If you have not been there well maybe you should go, I know we would love to go back. Flowers were just everywhere, this is a photo in just one of the many parks. These enclosed flower beds were everywhere on the sidewalks - on the sidewalks - did you notice - not â&#x20AC;&#x153;pavementâ&#x20AC;?? I did try with the language!

We spent three great days riding the open top bus, just getting on and off as we liked. One stop was the Museum of Science and Industry. You would need at least two weeks to explore the whole of this building, and it also has a garden, as you can see. Then a short flight, I like those the best, you all know how I love flying. We were met by our friends and after a short drive, and lunch where we had a great view we arrived at their home. There It was all made of wood, like a Hansel and Gretel house in the woods, on the shore of the lake, in a beautiful bay. It just took our breath away and not just the house but also the garden. They gave me a real gift, permission to share these photos which I took of this lakeside, woodland garden. As you can see it blends so beautifully into the natural woodland, which to me is how a garden should be a - companion to nature.

Tahquamenon Falls

We enjoyed a few days seeing the surrounding area. There are so many lakes. We took trips on some of the smaller ones. They were all so blue, words cannot describe their beauty. There were roadside stalls selling really good fresh fruit and vegetables; what a wonderful area. They took us to the Upper Peninsula. There was so much to see that if I told you of all the unforgettable scenery and showed you all the photos, I would take up the whole magazine. So here are just a few. The first is Tahquamenon Falls, there are two, an upper and a lower. It is just spectacular, but you really need to have sound for the noise of the water to experience the full impact. Then we travelled further north to the shore of Lake Superior. Did I say lake? It just did not relate to me coming from our little island, it just went on for ever! We stayed for a night at the Shipwreck Museum at

Magic Woodland Garden

So much colour

Peaceful Patio

Blue Heaven

Peaceful Area

Snow White

What a tree!

Pictured Rocks Lakeside Garden

White Fish Point. When you learn of all the ships which have perished on this lake and the terrible storms which it has all the time, it does sound a dangerous place. So the next day arrived and we were due to go on a sightseeing tour by boat on (guess where!) Lake Superior. After the museum visit and seeing all about the shipwrecks and not liking water, I was a little nervous. But the day was just gorgeous, the sun was shining and the lake was like a millpond, so I boarded happily. We were going to see the pictured rocks, just one more wonderful sight, and once again I am amazed by the mixture of colours in nature. I just had to photograph this tree. You would not think that it could survive but it does and seems to thrive. Sunset over Lake Michigan

For the next night we stayed at a small hotel right on the shore of the lake, and here there is another unusual garden. We travelled back to spend a few days with our friends, followed by the short flight back to Chicago. At this point please bear with me as I would just like to say to our friends, who are also readers of the magazine, thanks guys for a great vacation. We will never forget it. One more day in Chicago and then we set off home to Blighty. Well I have taken enough of your time for to-day, so I will leave you with just one of the many photos which I took of the sunset over Lake Michigan. It just takes your breath away. See you all again in the next issue. Your green fingered friend,

Tina 25

Coffee Break Crafts

Coffee Break Crafts Coffee Break Crafts Coffee Break Crafts

Swishy Heart Earrings A Fingerprint ‘Bird Bath’ Magnet Cross Stitch Fabric Card

eak e br e f f co e! ivin ictly d r t s k loo not do , so y y e a h t Ok but es, l b nib

Coffee Break Crafts

Coffee Break Crafts Coffee Break Crafts Coffee Break Crafts 26

Coffee Break Crafts Written By Pookledo

Coffee Break Crafts

Coffee Break Crafts Coffee Break Crafts Coffee Break Crafts

Swishy Hearts

2 glass heart lampwork beads A pair of silver earring wires 2 long silver eye pins A pair of silver end spacer bars 6 berry beads (or substitute with seed beads) A length of fine silver chain 8 small silver jump rings Set of pliers Wire cutters

Step 1. Thread the heart lampwork bead onto the eye pin, followed by 3 berry beads. Step 2. With your flat nosed pliers, hold the eye pin as close to the beads as possible and bend the eye pin to 90 degree angle. Step 3. Now using round nosed pliers, hold the eye pin as close to the bend as possible and wrap the wire round the pliers to create a loop. Step 4. Using one hand hold the round nosed pliers in place to keep the shape of the loop, and use flat nosed pliers to wrap the wire closely around the eye pin above the beads to create a wrapped loop. Step 5. Trim off any excess wire using your wire cutters. Step 6. Open the loop on your ear wire using your round nosed pliers, attach your wire wrapped loop, and close the ear wire loop. Step 7. Next cut your fine silver chain into 6 equal lengths, depending on how long your would like your earrings to dangle. Step 8. Attach one end of each piece of chain to the silver end spacer bars using a jump ring. Step 9. Attach the other end of the spacer to the partially made earring with another jump ring. Step 10. Repeat for second earring.

Coffee Break Crafts

Coffee Break Crafts Coffee Break Crafts Coffee Break Crafts 27

Coffee Break Crafts

Coffee Break Crafts Coffee Break Crafts Coffee Break Crafts Written By FingerTips Designs

A FingerTips

‘Bird Bath’ magnet

Here at FingerTips Designs we specialise in enabling all ages and abilities to make refined Art with your fingerprint! What could be more unique than using your fingerprint to make Art!? 1.

3 & 4.

6a.

6b.

Step 1. Press your little finger into the ink pad. Step 2. Press your little finger over the middle of one of the chicks to create the chick’s body. When you lift your finger off you will see you have brought your chick to life. Step 3. Continue with Step 2 until you have brought all the chicks to life. Step 4. Our design is complete at this stage however, you may wish to embellish your Artwork. We used glitter paint to embellish ours. Step 5. Cut your Artwork out inside the black lines. Step 6. Put your design into the blank magnet and push the casing onto your Artwork. You have completed your mini masterpiece.

Coffee Break Crafts

Coffee Break Crafts Coffee Break Crafts Coffee Break Crafts 28

Coffee Break Crafts

Coffee Break Crafts Coffee Break Crafts Coffee Break Crafts Written ByMcKenzie

Cross Stitch Fabric Card Perfect Mothers Day Card Patterned Fabric Soluble Aida Fabric Embroidery Thread Tapestry Needle A5 Aperture Card A6 Plain Card Fabric/Scrap-booking Glue Pins 1.

Step 1.Take a 7” x 8” piece of patterned fabric and pin on a piece of soluble aida.

Step 2. Embroider onto the aida your cross-stitch pattern and then wash in warm soapy water. Step 3. Once dry, iron the fabric face down and glue the fabric onto the piece of A6 card.

Step 4. Glue the A6 card behind the A5 aperture card window and your card is complete! Step 5. Finish with a silk ribbon, sequins or a coloured paper insert to make your card truly unique.

Coffee Break Crafts

Coffee Break Crafts Coffee Break Crafts Coffee Break Crafts 29

Written By The Sparkly Fairy

Valentines Card Coloured paper Red and white plain paper Square card blank Wire, beads WOW Gold Embossing Powder (Super Fine) Heat gun Glitter 3D Foam Double sided tape.

Step 1. Using a heart shaped punch or die cut machine, cut 9 hearts from different papers. 4 of these should be from plain red and white paper.

1 & 2.

Step 2. Ink up a stamp. I used a text design. Using Versamark ink, stamp on the plain card hearts and emboss with fine detail gold embossing powder using a heat gun. Step 3. Take two of the other plain hearts and wrap with wire threaded with beads. Step 4. Place the hearts in your chosen layout. Step 5. Stick the hearts to the card blank as shown, the wire hearts are adhered with 3D foam tape to create dimension.

Happy Valentines Day! 30

Handmade in Lincolnshire We meet Silvia Sherriff and find out what goes on in the SlowLane. Tell us about the lady behind SlowLane Handmade My name is Silvia Sherriff and I am the owner of www.slowlanemade.me.uk. I am also the sole creator of everything that can be found in the Slow Lane. I have been a crafter for most of my life, making creations from knitted jumpers when my daughter was young, right through to the mix I make now. My own Mother was from a generation of make do and mend and she taught me all I know. She instilled a love for all things creative that drove me, in my late teens to train as a seamstress.

could be loved by others. The thought that each item I create could find a place in someone’s home and heart is a great motivator to me. I love creating for my shop and adding decoration to my own home as well as creating lovely gifts for friends and family. What is your biggest crafting achievement, and why? Branching into my run of craft fairs, selling my items and having the great satisfaction that people who don’t know me, want to purchase and gift my handmade goods to others.

Other than your crafting, what else do you like to do? What is it that you enjoy about I love to bake. I think I am a ‘closet your work? Baker’ or maybe I was a Baker in a The freedom to experiment and create former Life!!!! Whenever I have any items I love, and that, potentially, free time I bake! I love spending time 31

in my kitchen. I find baking relaxing and at the end I get to eat my goodies and my family is only too happy to help with that. You can now share my passion with me through Creative Crafting Magazine as I am joining the publication each issue with some of my recipes. Look out for ‘Recipes from the SlowLane’

Recipes Fr

When did you first begin creating your designs, and why? My very first ever venture in selling anything I created started in 2004, when I set up my very first Website…. now long gone. Sadly Life got in the way and I folded the business, as I could no longer devote enough time to it. But I never stopped being creative, whether it was knitting or just making decorations for my home. I cannot stop being creative in one form or another. Since then I have been making gifts or even custom requests for Friends and Family. In November of 2010 I finally took the plunge again and set up, first my Etsy Store http://www.etsy.com/shop/SlowLaneMade and then in August of 2011 my own Website www.slowlanemade.me.uk.

the

Slowlane{

If you had to choose your favourite from your creations which one would it be? Oh dear, that is a difficult one. I love all my creations. But since I have to choose one, I will have to go for my Handspun Scarf. It truly is one of a kind and I loved every minute of its creation. You can find it here http://www.slowlanemade.me.uk/ours hop/prod_1615569-HandspunScarf.html I bought the fleece and cleaned it myself, then hand carded it, spun and dyed the yarn and then knitted the scarf. I absolutely adore that scarf. Where does your inspiration come from? - friends, family, books etc? Definitely my daughter! She inspires me to strive for new and fresh Ideas. But also my surroundings influence me too. Having lived in Yorkshire for 15 years prior to Lincolnshire, I am inspired by the countryside of Yorkshire as well as the City Centre of my current home, Lincoln. The Cathedral alone has my mind in a spin every time I see it or step inside it. If you could change one thing about what you do, what would it be? I think the one thing I would change would be to go Full Time and give up my ‘Day Job’. I only work part time at that; I would like to dedicate my whole time to my craft and business. However, due to the massive home renovation project we are currently undertaking, it is not a possibility…but who knows, maybe 2012 will be ‘my’ year.

Handspun Scarf

Decorative Fabric envelope, Blue Bird

Do you have a favourite website? Ravelry! No hesitation there. I love looking at all the creation that have been knitted/crochet by 100 and 1000 of people from around the world. There is such a wealth of talent and creativity from all corners of the world just in one place.

could ever have imagined. First, my daughter Jessica, who is a Designer/Maker of Acrylic Jewellery. She has become my inspiration; she is my ‘sounding’ board and more often then not my product tester! I think she owns more handmade scarves/bags etc. then any other person I know! My partner David, closely follows Jessica. The poor man has to put up with sewing/knitting and whatever else spread throughout our house. Often the sound of my sewing machine or the clicking of my needles takes precedent over any housework and he puts up with it and smiles. Mind you in return he also gets hand knit socks and scarves. Tell us a random fact about yourself! I thrive best when there is chaos around me! No tidy work room for me. I need to have everything about me and within sight. Yet I know where to find even the smallest tool or button or a certain scrap of fabric even if others wouldn’t know where to begin looking!!! You can see what I mean in this Blog Post I did http://slowlaneblog.com/2011/10/26/ when-bloggers-create

The Name SlowLane came about due to my philosophy on life.....slowly does it! I live my life in the Slow Lane, regardless of my other great Love.....Motorbikes!

Has any person helped or supported you more than any other? Not one, but two people have been more helpful and supportive then I

Written By Slowlane Handmade

Recipes the m o

Slowlane{ Flammende Herzen

or Flamed Hearts are a Viennese biscuit that melts in your mouth. They are fast and easy to make and will delight just about everyone. Because of their German Name I like to make them for Valentinesâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śbut any time of the Week/Month/Year is completely acceptable!

225 g soft unsalted butter, room temperature 100g icing sugar, sifted 1 tbls vanilla sugar* 1 pinch salt 250 g flour, sifted 50 g cornflour, sifted For filling (if desired) Nutella or jam (flavor of your choice) Chocolate for melting I used Dark Chocolate Step 1. Preheat your oven. (190 c or Gas 5) Step 2. Line a baking tray with Greaseproof Paper Step 3. Mix butter, sugar and salt and vanilla sugar, in a bowl until a white creamy mass has formed. Step 4. Mix the Flour with the Cornflour and blend in . Fill this mass into a piping bag with Star nozzle and squeeze 'Flame Shapes' onto your baking tray. Tip: If the mixture is too firm, add some fresh cream or vanilla yogurt

4a.

4b.

Step 5. Bake at 190 ° C Gas 5 for about 10 minutes (depending on oven) until golden and ‘springy’ to the touch. Place on a rack, leave to cool.

{ Step 6. Once cool, with your choice of filling, place 2 biscuits together to form a sandwich( I used Jam). Dip the sides in melted chocolate and place on a sheet of grease proof paper or tin foil.

6a.

6b.

6c.

6d.

6e.

6f.

*Vanilla Sugar can be sourced in the UK but it is not easy to find. The larger Supermarkets do it. But why not make it yourself? 1 whole vanilla pod Granulated Sugar (if you want to use it as a sweetener in tea and coffee) as well or Caster Sugar if you only use it for baking. 1 Air tight Jar Cut the Vanilla Pod in half. Place in Jar. Pour the sugar over it… and you’re done. Leave it for a few days so the vanilla aroma from the pod can infuse the sugar. It is great in Herbal Tea and it gets used a lot in German baking. If you run low on sugar, simply top up and seal the jar again for a few days…..it can last you for months and months….I started mine in January 2011++

{

Silvia Sherriff Handmade Gifts & Accessories www.slowlanemade.me.uk

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Name: Shannon Kaye Genova-Scudder AKA Giggly Mama Medium: Hand embroidery. Satin stitches preferably. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your story? I am the 33 year old wife to the artist, Randy Scudder and the mother to Molly Scudder, age 12, Max Scudder, age 4, and Bobbins the bunny, age 1. We all live together in a little home on the Central Coast of California, USA. Hand embroidery has been my creative outlet for the past 3 years. I enjoy stitching free-form designs, which are very therapeutic, and I also love creating embroidered portraits from iconic images of famous people. I really enjoy the repetitive soothing process of satin stitch and having my completed projects go to loving homes. I opened an Etsy shop in 2010 Giggly Mama in stitches by GigglyMama on Etsy www.etsy.com/shop/GigglyMama

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your favourite piece of work thus far? My Lucy and Desi piece has a special place in my heart. I grew up watching I Love Lucy and it is still a family fave. It was the first time I had stitched a portrait in a color other than black and I was very pleased with the outcome. What do you find challenging? When I get a custom request to embroider a person I am unfamiliar with. Even when I'm embroidering a face I am familiar with, I have a tough time knowing if it will be recognizable through stitches. I have had to decline requests to stitch family members and such. Any advice for newbies? When I was a Newbie, I was completely self-taught in satin stitch. However, I did want to learn some different stitches, and found Jenny Hart's Sublime Stitching books and instructions to be easy and helpful. I also used You Tube instructional videos for stitches like French Knots. Some stitches I have to see in action to learn. I think it's a fun challenge to learn and practice different stitches, but I will always stay loyal to the satin stitch. I would also advise to check out inspiring embroidery blogs like Mr X Stitch and Feeling Stitchy. These blogs have kept me inspired and active in embroidery, as well as discovering so many talented embroiderers that practice all different styles of embroidery around the world.

Lucy and Desi

Robert Smith Lennon Dorothy 37

Written By Udelovich Designs

Celtic Visions For demonstration only, I have used alternating colours in the pictures for clarity reasons. (Although it does look effective!)

You will need For a 7 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7.5 â&#x20AC;&#x153; Bracelet Clasp Pick 50 x inner diameter 7.7 mm Bright Aluminium 1.29 mm 90 x inner diameter 4 mm Coloured Copper 0.81 mm 20 x inner diameter 2.4 mm Coloured Copper 0.81 mm You will be using the large and medium sized rings to begin with, so open the smaller rings and close the large rings.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/nicolehill

http://www.etsy.com/shop/DoktorNix

Step 1. Begin by making a 2 in 1(1 x large, 2 x smaller) chain, beginning with a large ring and ending with a large ring. Attach one part of clasp to a large ring at one end. Make to your required length.

Step 2. Take an open medium ring, slip on 2 large closed rings and attach to large ring on main chain to the left of the first double rings in the main chain. Repeat this process to the large ring on the right of the double rings in main chain.

2a.

2b.

2c. Step 3. Using your pick, flip the top large ring just added over the top of the 2 rings on the main chain.

5a.

5b.

Step 4. Using your fingers and pick, gently ease the remaining large ring underneath, so the main chain is ‘sandwiched’. Step 5. With your pick, find the ‘eye’ then thread an opened medium ring through this ‘eye’ and close. Repeat on the other side. These two top rings should follow the same path as the 2 below.

5c. Step 6. Repeat this sequence from step 2 – 5 all the way along the chain. Step 7. Now open a pile of the 2.4 mm rings. Pick one up and thread it through the bottom 2 rings and do the same at the top. Continue along the length of the bracelet.

And there you have it! This makes an excellent necklace either on its own or popping some ‘dangles’ on. It hangs round the neck beautifully. 7a.

7b.

I do hope you have enjoyed making this and enjoy wearing it! UDELOVICH DESIGNS Courses and Classes in Chain Maille and Wire Work www.udelovichdesigns.vpweb.co.uk

Sculpting needled felted miniature teddy bears, animals, critters & bugs using wool & barbed needles. We meet Lisa, a fibre artist from Wales

Tell us about the lady behind OOAK Tiny Cuddles The Lady behind Ooak Tiny Cuddles is a married mum with 3 wonderful children (2 girls & a boy) & a very supportive & wonderful husband. I am from South Wales & just recently returned back to the UK after living in the Canary Islands for just over 4 years. I am a craftaholic & have to have a try at everything...even if I am rubbish! I have tried almost everything, but the Needle Felting stuck & I am still dong it to this day. When did you first begin creating your designs, and why? I started needle felting back in 2004........that was when I bought my very first kit. I was going through a phase of needle felting & it was an on & off thing. I had been sculpting fantasy dolls with polymer clay a few years previously. That was too time

consuming & it took a long time to get results. I had so much crafting energy, I needed to create quickly. So in between making my dolls, I would also needle felt. The needle felting gradually took over. I have made 2 mixed media sculptures which involve the use of clay & wool. I got into needle felting because a friend that I had met on the internet told me about needle felting (we were on a forum together). She had made the cutest, tiniest blue teddy bear I had ever seen. From that moment, I had to try needle felting for myself & make my own tiny bear.

What is it that you enjoy about your work? I really love the end result of my work. It's unimaginable that a finished sculpture is created from a ball of raw wool. It's also a very addictive craft & it gives quick results. It's relaxing & therapeutic. You can do it while you are watching TV too, but you really need to keep an eye on where that needle is going to be prodded!

Where does your inspiration come from? - friends, family, books etc? My inspiration comes from anywhere really. If I see something on TV, internet, in a book, when I'm out & about or even just from my imagination, I will have a go at making it, if I want to see it as a soft sculpture. If you could change one thing about what you do, what would it be? If I could change one thing about what I do, it would be to do what I already do, but to make a living doing it. Crafting is my life. I am always creating something. I would love it to be my full time job & to be able to get a good wage doing it.

What is your biggest crafting achievement, and why? My biggest crafting achievement is that I have inspired other people to take up needle felting. They have bought the tutorial I put together on "How To make A Sock Monkey The Ooak Tiny Cuddles Way." I'd love to see this craft more popular than it is & would love to see many more people doing it. I feel I have done my bit to make this craft more popular. This is something that anyone can do. It's not just all about sculpting the wool, there are many ways you can use the wool to make something.

Do you have a favourite website? I have many favourite websites.....too many to list in fact. My husband is always telling me to "tidy up" my bookmarks.

Has any person helped or supported you more than any other? The most help & support I have had is from my wonderful husband. He was there right from the start & has put up with my failures & successes. He has learnt to live with my tantrums when things don't go according to plan & he even throws in his own ideas now & again.

Other than your crafting, what else do you like to do? Other than my crafting, I like to cycle, walk, tease my 3 cats, & bake cupcakes for the kids. If you had to choose your favourite from your creations which one would it be? I have made many favourite sculptures. I think my favourite sculpture - has got to be the Unicorn I made. I was sad when a lady from USA wanted to buy her, but I know she has gone to a loving home, where she will be cherished.

Tell us a random fact about yourself! A random fact about myself - Here's 2! I used to keep High Yellow Leopard geckos (I used to have 3 of them & 1 Egyptian gecko before I moved abroad) & I can count to 100 in Spanish! I'd love to have geckos as pets again if I had the room. You can see Lisa's work at http://www.ooaktinycuddles.com & my wool sculptures can be bought at http://www.etsy.com/shop/butterfae

making, patchwork, quilting, beading and a variety of mixed media techniques, Mary runs workshops, school visits, craft fairs he Centre of England Arts (COEA) is a charity founded by and local community-based projects throughout the Midlands. Julie Hyde for the education and pleasure of people of all ages who For three years running she has led wish to explore their artistic talent. Kingsbury Primary School's entries in the International Festival of It is located in a rural setting at Patrick Farm Barns on the Meriden Quilts, achieving first prize in 2009, second prize in 2010 and a 'highly Road, Hampton in Arden, near Solihull and holds weekly painting commended' award in 2011. and drawing classes four days of Mary regularly runs workshops at the week and a range of one-day the COEA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; often on a Friday art and craft workshops at afternoon. In September 2011 she weekends. showed participants how to make beaded stitched notebooks in a Among the many COEA guest tutors, is the popular and talented three-hour afternoon session Mary Halbert. A fully qualified and costing just ÂŁ20 per person, including materials. Her next experienced classroom teacher, workshop at COEA was a whole day Mary runs Crazy Mary Crafts (six hours) Saturday event in specialising in textile arts and crafts. Skilled in a range of crafts, October during which she demonstrated and instructed the including creative hand and machine embroidery, felt and paper many participants the techniques of making beautiful embellished applique pictures.

As an indication of her popularity with COEA students, Mary returned twice in November with two workshops having a seasonal flavour. Her Friday afternoon workshop showed participants how to make embellished stitched Christmas cards and she followed this a week later with an all-day Saturday session dedicated to quilted Christmas wall hangings.

The Centre of England Arts is at Patrick Farm Barns, Meriden Road, Hampton in Arden B92 0LT. For information about the many classes and workshops on offer and to book your place, go to www.coea.co.uk, telephone 01676 523357 or send an email to coea@live.com

Julie Hyde, CEO of the Centre of England Arts, says: "Mary is one of our most versatile guest tutors, which is why she is so popular. People enjoy her relaxed manner and her ability to communicate with participants of all abilities. At the end of her workshops, the participants are always pleased with what they've made – not least because they are unusual and different." The Centre of England Arts deliberately does not run accredited courses or courses that lead to examinations – to keep the costs of places low. The programme for January 2012 until Easter has even more choice than in 2011. In addition to the seven weekly watercolour classes and one weekly acrylics painting class running on Mondays to Thursdays, new tutor, Nick Logan, has a weekly oil painting class on Wednesday evenings. Nick will show students how to replicate the techniques of the Great Masters. There is also a full programme of one-off weekend workshops, including painting, bead work, enamelling, photography and stained glass work. Naturally, Mary Halbert is included in the new 2012 programme, with two workshops. On Friday afternoon 3 February she introduces 'crazy log cabin patched pictures', which she describes as a

modern twist on a traditional design. Participants will use brightly coloured silk and satin fabrics to create a crazy log cabin patchwork square using simple straight machine stitching. Then they will embellish the design by hand stitching with space-dyed threads and by adding beads and sequins. The workshop is suitable for both beginners and more experienced stitchers alike and costs just £20 per person including materials. On Saturday 25 February (10am to 4pm), Mary runs a satin and velvet applique purses workshop. Participants will again use brightly coloured silk and satin fabrics – this time to create a useful wallet-style purse inspired by Indian textiles. Embellishment will be by hand stitching with space-dyed threads and by adding beads and sequins to echo the techniques used in traditional Indian fabrics. The cost, including all materials is £38 per person. You can see examples of Mary's work on the COEA website www.COEA.co.uk and her blog http://crazymarycrafts.wordpress.com. Workshops at the COEA are for people over 18 years of age. Lunch is not included – bring something with you if required. Tea, coffee and biscuits are available all day.

! p u d e l o o T l Al Learn about new tools with Sean The Magnifying glass has been a widely utilised tool since its creation in the 13th century. Since then (as expected) things have come forward quite a lot. Here at Hobby-Tools.co.uk we have received feedback, not only about the quality of our range of magnifying lamps, but also how they have made tasks so much easier. Generally crafters work on a desk or worktop to tinker away, but if (like today) the day is not the best and the light is dull, then intricate tasks such as jewel work, fine metal work or painting can be a real task. Not wanting to ruin their work, many crafters put off the job until the lighting situation is better. A professional standard range of lamps and magnifiers that can be used in any capacity are available. All with a massive 1.75x magnification, a high power, shadow free day lamp and low emissions, these magnifier lamps are used in laboratories, dentist surgeries and now in your work space. 44

The wide range of magnifiers aim to suit all types of crafter, from the occasional user whom may only want to magnify little sections of larger projects, to the full time user whose projects require precision that can only be truly obtained by a versatile magnifier within a well lit environment. It may be hard for you to determine which magnifying lamp is the correct on for you. Firstly I would suggest looking at your previous projects in order to get an understanding of what you may need to magnify in the future. The next step is to look at the space you have to work with. Most magnifying lamps come with a table clamp, but if your workspace is on the smaller side, a wall mounted solution may be the best option for you. For the user looking for a more portable solution, a headband magnifier is ideal for close-up precision work in a small space. It comes with 4 interchangeable optical lenses that cover all focal lengths from semi close-up to very close-up and a built-in spotlight. The headband magnifier is loved by crafters who are working on projects that include many small parts, such as small jewellery making or model making. For those users wanting to take the headband a step further and increase their precision work and flexibility, the LED headband magnifier comes with the same fully adjustable tough plastic headband and includes the 4 precision interchangeable lenses but also comes with an amazing detachable triple LED white light spotlight with magnetic base for separate use. The LED lamp will illuminate almost any project offering the user a better visual on the item in hand but also just making precision work so much easier. As well as selling fixed based magnifying lamps Hobby Tools sell parts and spares for all of our range, from wall brackets to floor stands as these often come in handy.

www.hobby-tools.co.uk/shop/Magnifiers.html

Creative crafting Directory of Crafters

Jewellery

Elderberry Arts www.udelovichdesigns.vpweb.co.uk

www.elderberryarts.co.uk

www.folksy.com/shops/damselflygemma

www.sprinklessparkles.co.uk www.etsy.com/shop/pookledo

www.shimmyliciousjewellery.co.uk www.llittlecraftybeaders.co.uk

MYSTIC EARTH Beautiful Jewellery to help you through life!

www.folksy.com/shops/BodkinandBead

www.mysticearth.co.uk

www.lorrainedowdle.com

For The Home

www.wowthankyou.co.uk/minxtures

www.folksy.com/shops/Cajame

www.floralgifts4u.com

Love Your www.perfectpatchwork.co.uk

Cards

www.bymckenzie.co.uk

Home Arts and Crafts

www.neatecrafts.co.uk

With FingerTips it is YOUR fingerprint that brings the Artwork to life... what could be more unique than using your fingerprint to create Art!? www.folksy.com/shops/thesparklyfairy

www.fingertipsdesigns.co.uk

Creative crafting Directory of Crafters

Gifts

www.zibbet.com/allaboutthebuttons

www.sparrowprimitives.co.uk/

www.slowlanemade.me.uk www.vintagepamperbox.com

www.scrapbookerry.com

Supplies

Baby and Child

www.theverysmallcompany.co.uk

www.colourmefun.co.uk

Knitting & Crochet

Other

www.etsy.com/shop/RockyMountainSounds

http://louiseknits.com

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Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss our Easter issue Out on 1st April 2012

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