Crafty Thread - what are you working on at the moment?

[RubyToogood]

When they embroider on T-shirts etc with machines, they use lightweight iron-on interfacing underneath to stabilise it and then cut or tear off the excess once the embroidery is done.

This is what I'm now doing. It works well because the interfacing sticks well enough to stabilise it, but peels off the fibres quite easily when you want to take it off.

I'm just winging it now, I did get some soluble stabiliser, thinking I'd iron the transfer onto that and sew through it on top of the jumper, but decided I wanted to be freeeee. My mother is an obsessive embroiderer and has a massive stash of crewel wool, so I raided it for all her most lurid colours.


Somehow they come out a lot more subtle when on a grey jumper in a non-solid stitch but I still like the effect. Once I've done the big daisies I'm going to fill in with different smaller flowers and leaves, stems etc. I'm embracing them being a bit ragged. Part of me thinks I should have done robots or "fuck off" or something but maybe next time.

 

[scifisam]

I'm quite pleased with that embroidery bookmark I've now finished. Gift for a friend with all the stuff she likes - Medieval border, X-Files logo and Disney.

(It goes in a plastic sleeve so you don't see the thready edges in real life):

 

[Shirl]

I have been to look at a studio today. I like it but am waiting for my friend to go and check it out Monday. I hope it's a goer.

Not a goer as in daytime the footfall isn't as high as we'd like.

However, I've got a chance of a studio in my first choice space that I thought I'd have to wait for at least a year to come up

I'm currently working on a heavy reticulated bangle but I want to add a bit of gold so I've had to put it on hold until payday

 

[wayward bob]

i have a new project been accepted for an artist's book exhibition in liverpool with a speculative application - so basically i now have 2 months to make whatever i want to make

i knew i wanted to do enamelling but i hadn't been into college since before xmas except to pick up the stuff i needed for matt's book. mental block etc... long story short the maker studio where the kilns are is too busy for delicate work e.g. sifting enamels, so the tech (always been my fave tech ) says i can long-term borrow one of the kilns and set it up in my studio

if there's one thing in the world that would entice me into college it's having my own fucking kiln

 

[wayward bob]

However, I've got a chance of a studio in my first choice space that I thought I'd have to wait for at least a year to come up

:thumbs :

 

[Shirl]

:thumbs :

Not got it yet and I can't view it until next Thursday but I'm supposed to be first in line. Fingers crossed

 

[wayward bob]

fingers and more crossed for you shirl

 

[Shirl]

Thanks bob x

 

[Boudicca]

I see McCalls have ventured into new territory with their early Spring sewing pattern collection: Women's Zippered Bodysuit by Yaya Han

Probably not going to make this.

This is Yaya's latest pattern offering. I quite like it.

 

[Shirl]

Sorry to keep going on about my search for a studio but...
my friend is keen on the studio we viewed last week but she's happy to come and consider my first choice with me next week. She has also come up with the perfect name for our collaboration so that's a good thing. I cant wait for Thursday now as we'll make a decision then it's fucking go ...

 

[wayward bob]

i can has kiln \o/

 

[albionism]

Incense holders made from polymer clay,
and wooden pendants.

 

[wayward bob]

i'm already thinking about raku firing - i had no clue what it was until the pottery off. you basically drop the fresh-from-the-kiln piece into a pile of combustible material and burn the shit out of it. maybe one to keep for out of hours

 

[Yuwipi Woman]

i'm already thinking about raku firing - i had no clue what it was until the pottery off. you basically drop the fresh-from-the-kiln piece into a pile of combustible material and burn the shit out of it. maybe one to keep for out of hours

We used to use an old metal barrel and sawdust.

 

[moose]

i'm already thinking about raku firing - i had no clue what it was until the pottery off. you basically drop the fresh-from-the-kiln piece into a pile of combustible material and burn the shit out of it. maybe one to keep for out of hours

My favourite kind of pottering. I used to do it at college, love the black blacks and the white like old cracked bones.

 

[wayward bob]

We used to use an old metal barrel and sawdust.

i figured with the pieces being so small i could have a go in an old pan. also it can apparently be done by layering with wet newspaper and pine needles, so that's another option. just need to make sure i keep the windows open :thumbs :

oh and today's good news is i've been accepted for the book fair that's running alongside the exhibition - dead chuffed

 

[heinous seamus]

Some recent pottery:

 

[Shirl]

I've just got back from viewing the studio I was offered. Between me being offered a choice of two studios and this morning, one of my friends, an artist, has decided to move into a bigger studio so I'm having hers. It's going to be brilliant and I'm nearly peeing with excitement.
We'll be on the canal towpath side. You can see our studio window from the towpath and there's a cafe outside too. There are two other jewellery makers in there as well as other artists and a man who makes leather goods. The local vintage shop is also moving in.

 

[wayward bob]

first samples :thumbs :

 

[wayward bob]

more samples

 

[8115]

more samples

Are they made of metal?

 

[wayward bob]

copper

 

[moon]

Did you use plants etc as mask/stencils?

 

[wayward bob]

yup, ferns and feathers.

 

[wayward bob]

something tells me the universe wants this book made talking to one of my studio-mates today, didn't realise she did taxidermy - though it makes sense when i see the quality of her work (she makes animals from cutlery) - you can tell she understands all the underlying bone structure. anyway, she has a freezer full of bits of birds, and is fairly sure she has a sparrow wing and some other small roadkill wings. which gives me a chance to practice before using my expensive spanish wings

she also offered feet and i nearly passed out i'm basically phobic about half-dead birds that the cat's brought in. but letting the idea settle a little, a pair of feet is exactly what i need, i just didn't realise it. i have lots and lots of latex gloves, i'm sure i'll manage

no sample pics today but i'm happy with the progress and consciously working in pairs for making smaller items for sale.

 

[RubyToogood]

Not the best photo, but finished the embroidery:

 

[Boudicca]

That's lovely RubyToogood! I've got a long black maxi dress which is too plain so I might try and do something similar around the neck.

 

[RubyToogood]

That's lovely RubyToogood! I've got a long black maxi dress which is too plain so I might try and do something similar around the neck.

I am going to embroider everything from now on.

 

[moose]

Oh, that's absolutely gorgeous! Love it.

 

[friedaweed]

Just finished covering and varnishing a treasure bucket for Narnia so she can collect treasures on the beach without me getting sand and sea water in my coat pockets

Got a job lot of old maps in a charity shop in Inverness last summer so more map projects to come