Category: beads

Dreamcatchers ~ something new for me…

dreamcatchers

Dreamcatchers… something new & different from me that I’ve wanted to try for some time. I’ve created these Dreamcatchers, not as authentic representations but as my own personal artistic interpretations.

I’m an Aussie, so my interest in dreamcatchers isn’t cultural… I simply love them & more over, I love the idea of them.

Dreamcatchers originate in Native American tradition, believing both positive & negative dreams flow through the night & that a Dreamcatcher, hanging freely over or near a sleeping person, will allow the good dreams to pass through while capturing the bad dreams, which will perish & vanish with the rising sun…

I used patterns from this collection of 16 Crochet Motifs & embellished with wooden, glass & plastic beads & attached swivel cams so the dreamcatcher can rotate freely…

Dreamcatcher 1Dreamcatcher 7Dreamcatcher 6Dreamcatcher 2Dreamcatcher 3Dreamcatcher 4Dreamcatcher 5

Alice Springs Beanie Festival 2015….

Fire & Flood felted beanieHi everyone, it’s been quite a while since my last post… time is just flying…

So, it’s that time of year again… The Alice Springs Beanie Festival… & all the excitement that it generates across Australia… I did find the theme ‘Opposites Attract’ a bit challenging this year but, as it so often happens, in a quiet moment the ideas slowly emerged… These are my 2 entries that I know have safely arrived in Alice Springs, thanks to Aussie Post’s tracking system…

I’d like to wish all contestants much success &, all those lucky enough to be at the festival, a fabulous time…

1) Fire & Flood ~ Wet Felted & beaded Beanie.

Fire & flood 1Fire & flood 2 

Fire & flood 3Fire & flood 4

2) From Coral Reefs…to Tropical Beaches…to Forest Hinterlands ~ Hand-spun beanie, embellished with freeform crochet & wet felted motifs.

DSCF0947DSCF0948DSCF0949DSCF0950

 

 

 

 

Freeform Crochet Lariat, necklace or maybe a belt?…

Rainbow Lariat

Here are 3 freeform crochet items that I hope you find interesting… An assortment of tassels attached to a long crochet chain… no 2 tassels are the same… & the assorted beads gives each necklace, lariat, belt beautiful drape.

Wear these fascinating pieces by draping them around your neck a few times  to become  necklaces… throw them diagonally across the beast & they become something else entirely… & then again, why not tie them around the waist & turn them into a glamorous belts

 

Rainbow Lariat 2

Lariat 2blue purple lariat

Surface Embellishments – Crochet Tips & Tricks Update….

Surface Embellishment: is an important component of freeform, it’s a great way of bringing your personality, your style & your skills to your work & putting your own stamp on your project. There are 1000’s of ways to embellish & I have covered but a few basics that I hope you find helpful & encourage you to experiment…

Rummage through your buttons & beads. Have another look at your embroidery threads & don’t forget those cords & braids that you’ve kept forever & haven’t had a use for; try to think outside of the box; if you’re anything like me & keep stuff simply because you love the colour, texture, sheen or whatever, you won’t have any trouble finding interesting ways to embellish your work.  And, it doesn’t only apply to freeform. A drab pullover, scarf or beanie can sometimes be redeemed with a little extra bling…

So, to everyone who has contacted me asking how to add that extra something to their work, I hope I’ve answered at least some of your questions…

You will find the Surface Embellishment page here – enjoy!

A Holiday Thank You…

It’s hard to believe that another year is coming to an end but 2012 is definitely just around the corner & galloping ahead at that…. As I look back on the year I can’t help thinking about all the wonderful people I’ve met, both in the flesh & on the net, who have supported me in my endeavours in so many ways: your questions, your compliments, your purchases, your trust & encouragement.

And so, in this spirit, I’d like to say a big THANK YOU by offering you, my readers, ‘Free Worldwide Shipping’ in both my Etsy & Zibbet Shops (patterns of course are not included as shipping doesn’t apply) – the offer is valid till the 30th Nov 2011.

So, if you’ve had your eye on one of my pieces, I hope you will take advantage of this once a year offer.

The Coupon Code for both shops is FRSHIP2011 – just put this code in the appropriate place on checkout & it should automatically apply the free shipping for you… (I haven’t used the shop coupons before so, if by chance they don’t work, please let me know & I’ll refund through PayPal)

You can visit Etsy or Zibbet from here or go to any of the Gallery pages, click on the piece you like & you will be taken to that item in one or the other shop.

Happy shopping & many thanks everyone!!!

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