2025 Teen Maker Program at the Cambridge Makerspace and Holiday Market
My blog readers will likely remember the first year (2024) of the Teen Maker Program at my local Makerspace in the city of Cambridge in Onta...
READ MORE →
Pearl Blay
craft market
2025 Teen Maker Program at the Cambridge Makerspace and Holiday Market
My blog readers will likely remember the first year (2024) of the Teen Maker Program at my local Makerspace in the city of Cambridge in Ontario, Canada. This is where volunteer mentors as well as the helpful staff at the Makerspace assist and guide young crafters for the city's annual Holiday Market. Well, the city generously sponsored a second year with a table for the children. I again volunteered as a mentor.
The Makerspace is on the top floor of a renovated historic building, the Old Post Office which backs onto the Grand River. It is part of the city's library system so it is free for all to use although users have to pay for the cost of materials.
Pearl Blay
Christmas
decor
seasonal
.webp)
Repurposed Book Christmas Angels by TreeCycledCrafts
.webp)
These amazing Christmas angel ornaments were handmade by repurposing old books. The designer is Judy of TreecycledCrafts. She also crafts all sorts of beautiful designs besides her angels for one of a kind home decor.
I wish all of you a wonderful Christmas and hope everyone have had and will have a special festival and celebration this year. Here is to a crafty New Year for one and all.
Pearl Blay
feature designer
One of my lovely blog readers, Christine, introduced me to a fabulous jewelry designer, T Lee of TheCrimsonBeetle. What a fabulous find! Thanks, Christine.
This designer is an avid and long collector of unique and vintage beads. I have selected my favourites which are her lovely rustic bird jewelry designs. Each of them showcase artisan created ceramic birds or enameled copper.
Gorgeous Rustic Bird Jewelry by TheCrimsonBeetle
Pearl Blay
brooch
fabric
feature designer
tutorial
Adorable Animal Embroidered Brooch Pins and Tutorial by momshoo
Momshoo is the Singaporean mother and daughter team, Shu Ning and Chau Lee behind an adorable range of animal embroidered brooch pins. They also make a range of other fabric designs such as animal inspired cutlery pouches, book covers and potholders.
But it is their wonderful brooch pins which make their shop so distinctive. Tiny and whimsical, they will bring out some smiles for sure!
Pearl Blay
beadwork
feature designer
tutorial
Of Cats and Books : Beaded Patterns for Jewelry and BookMark Projects
There is something about the colder weather I enjoy. Being indoors, in a warm house preferably with a cat companion and a book to read in front of a fireplace. So here is to cats and books which go together so well!
The first 3 beaded pattern designs are by Kim of MyHeartoftheHills. Her library cat design in odd count peyote or brick stitch is shown above.
Pearl Blay
beadwork
feature designer
tutorial
8 Beautiful Beaded Christmas Ornament Tutorials by AsszaBeadingArts
Perhaps it's just me. But Christmas preparations seems to have gotten to a late start this year. Here's a fantastic beadwork collection of beautiful Christmas ornaments to make (frantically)! They are all by one prolific beadwork instructors, AsszaBeadingArts, who hails from Hungary.
My favourites include the big star ornaments shown above as well as the Christmas tree tea lights decorations, both of which use bugle beads. These long beads add strong colour elements to her designs. Also noteworthy are the Christmas bells seen further down. What's your favourite?
Pearl Blay
accessories
feature designer
historical
ornaments
8 Jane Austen Inspired Jewelry, Accessories and Apparel Designs | Celebrating Jane Austen's 250th Anniversary of Her Birth
This year is the 250th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen (1775-1817), one of England's most celebrated authors. Her romance books show her sharp observations and sometimes biting wit on the social divides and mores of her day. The stories she told are still relatable today, hence the continued popularity of her work. There have been many a movie made from her novels.
Not a reader? You can listen to the free podcasts such as this one, narrated by Julie Andrews, of her best known work, Pride and Prejudice. There are other recordings which you can listen to wherever you get your podcasts.
Pearl Blay
tutorial
video tutorial
wire work
8 Christmas Wire Work Ornament and Jewelry Tutorials to Try
Wire work is always popular. Ready to try your hand with this collection of wire wrapped Christmas themed tutorials for ornaments and jewelry? These are not overly difficult and can be made by beginners to those who are more advanced in this technique. So here we go!
First up is the filigree style ornament design shown above by Nadja of @ImbaliCrafts. You can also use the design as a pendant.
Pearl Blay
feature designer
historical
The Regency era is still celebrated today. I have written about Regency inspired jewelry and beadwork tutorials (see links at the end if you want to make your own) before and yet, there is more to be discovered. One such talented artisan who specializes in different historical styles is Italian designer, Lisa of LAcchiappasogni.
Regency Inspired Jewelry by LAcchiappasogni | A Quick Look at Regency Fashion
The historical era known as the Regency marked the time when the then Prince of Wales (the future George IV) had to become the Regent after his father, King George III of Great Britain became permanently insane. The Regency era officially spanned only 9 years from 1811-1820. However, the era and its influence on design, art and culture (for the rich) is generally regarded to be from 1795-1837.
Pearl Blay
beadwork
feature designer
tutorial
Contemporary Beaded Jewelry Patterns by jujujewelrypatterns
What makes contemporary beaded jewelry modern looking? I think the most obvious is the simplicity of the design. Clean lines with sometimes a play on basic shapes and geometry. That's what I found when I spotted the tutorial patterns by the young designer behind jujujewelrypatterns.
I particularly loved her use of long chains to augment her earring designs. Her ring designs were also novel such as the arrow and snake designs which wrap around the finger. Her version of beaded knots, simple butterfly wing and evil eye designs are so refreshing!
Pearl Blay
crochet
feature designer
Delightful Micro Crochet Earrings, Bookmarks and Accessories by MaPetiteFeeGift
Claire of MaPetiteFeeGift is a New York based micro crochet artist who delights with her wonderful creations. She is also talented in resin and polymer clay work but micro crochet remains her main passion.
She has unique earrings which range from flowers to her homage to the famous Girl with a Pearl Earring to adorable bees and hilarious two screaming chickens design.
Pearl Blay
beadwork
feature designer
tutorial
.webp)
Something Different? Brick Stitch and Peyote Beaded Earrings Patterns by BeadWithBugs
.webp)
I have featured Canadian bead artist, Kim of BeadWithBugs a few times before (see links at the end). But as with other prolific creators, there is more to discover in her awesome collection.
This time I picked my favourites from her brick stitch and peyote earrings selection. She certainly delivers if you are looking for something different. I particularly love her kite earrings designs especially the ones with the butterflies (above) and the floral themes.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)