Swaps and Crafts

Cute figures by magicbeanbuyer

Ghene — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 07:07:55 +0000

Oh gosh, it has been a while since my latest post here. I was so very busy with my photography I ended up forgetting other pleasures. So sorry for that! I still keep an eye on all the Flick groups I manage and let me start the summer craft blogging with something really cute. Check out below.

Look what I saw from the group pool!

These cute Mr & Mrs are so nice I am very tempted to make original wedding suppliers list. Created by magicbeanbuyer from the USA and she delivers worldwide! She sells her handmade items on Etsy.com

magicbeanbuyer Etsy Shop

Overlocker needles HA-1SP

Ghene — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 11:48:32 +0000

This is just a little help for those of you who have difficulty finding needles for your Janome overlockers.

If you are in the US, check the two websites below:

Sew Vac Direct

Sewing Supply Warehouse

if you are in the UK, there is only one address I can recommend… this is Sew Essentials

If you know retailers who sell this needles, please do share via the comments so other readers in your area will also find them.

Thank you!

Recycling paper tutorial

Ghene — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 22:31:10 +0000

I wrote on my handmade blog a simple paper make tutorial which I put together with my 6 yr old son who took the photographs and did some of the shredding.

The process is simple and once you’ve done the moulding, you have a choice of pressing your paper dry, couching or to leave it on your mould to dry. You can also use the rolling pin to make your paper smooth.

Anyway, check the links below for the materials and instructions. I ‘ve added several other papermaking instructions for you to choose from. I hope you enjoy this simple activity.

Handigift recycling paper

Homecrafts UK Paper making tutorial A504 (pdf file)

BBC h2g2: How to make Paper

Eco-friendly kids paper making

Books for polymer clay projects

Ghene — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:27:21 +0000

Here are two books I really enjoy which I think some of you will love. Both are full of beautiful projects with easy to follow instructions.

Fairies, gnomes and trolls

ISBN-10: 1581808208

RRP: £14.99

Clay Characters for Kids

ISBN-10: 1581802862

RRP: £8.99

Bracelet watch by mandymoo

Ghene — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 06:51:12 +0000

Check out this beautifully made bracelet watch from mandymoo. Made with fused purple blue dichroic glass. This particular bracelet is called Monet Blue and costs $38.00 and you can buy it from her Etsy shop.

Handhelds: Binky Buddy No.17

Ghene — Tue, 06 May 2008 09:19:55 +0000

Wow, what a cute softy! This is a real beauty and I love all the details. Made by Hasenpfeffer Inc., a two-person venture, very original and very eco-friendly. Buddy number 17 is only $28.25 on etsy, so get one for you now

Their Flickr Page

cute pincushion by kup kup

Ghene — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:16:16 +0000

Photography is taking it’s own life and I am now between my two favourite crafts, busy working to keep up to both. Although I’ve started late on April’s crafty blogging, here is one cool pincushion that is both useful and delightful to the eye, beautifully handcrafted by kup kup land.

Her Flickr Page

Circular Knitting Needle Roll Tutorial by esmecat

Ghene — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:44:47 +0000

One of out creative crafter’s HQ members wrote a tutorial on how to make a needle roll.

Check out her flickr photos

See tutorial here

Japanese Craftbooks

Ghene — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 23:29:43 +0000

For those of you who have trouble finding japanese craft books or have problem buying from an Asian website, here’s good news! You can now find these craftbooks on amazon.co.uk! Check out the list below (you will be forwarded to handigift’s craftbooks recommendations page)

Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts! Amigurumi (Crafts) (Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts)
By Tomoko Takamori for only £6.99

Amigurumi World: Seriously Cute Crochet
By Ana Paula Rimoli only £5.94

Amigurumi: 15 Patterns and Dozens of Techniques for Creating Cute Crochet Creatures
By Heather James, only £6.73

Spotlight: Jen Leheny

Ghene — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:38:21 +0000

Who
Jen Leheny is a 37yr old and very creative mum from Canberra (Australia) WAHM

Areas of interest
sewing, art, collage

Why do you create?
Sometimes I think I have to create just because I have to use up all the fabric, paint and books that I keep buying! Truth is I do it simply because I love it and it keeps me happy and fulfilled.
Favourite materials
I love cotton prints and I love printed paper. I especially love turning them into amazing things with glue or sewing machine.

Source of inspiration
I buy heaps of magazines and books and I have thousands of sites on my Bloglines that I try in vain to keep up with.

Atelier/workspace
I am very lucky to have a large studio attached to the house where I can keep all my stuff and all my books. I have a sewing station, papercraft area, cutting and pattern table and computer area. It seems that I am always tidying and reorganising and I am trying hard not to buy anything else until I use up a lot of what I have stockpiled.

Jen’s beautiful creations can be seen on her blog at www.jenleheny.com and her online store www.redinstead.com.au – She also sell her products and a couple of markets in Canberra ands he have some things at a gallery/store called in.cube8r in Melbourne.