I LOVE packages!

I finally got a new package from my sister from Germany with all these great new felt building blocks! I'm soooo excited. She really outdid herself this time. There are over 40 swatches with some really cool new designs. I can't wait to make them into fun jewelry. My mind already started racing and I made a few sketches. And since I'm having so much fun with them. I will also list a few just the way they are - as swatches - so someone else can have fun creating with them too!

Meanwhile, I have been working on a little pattern booklet of all the different embroidery designs we have. I thought it would be great to offer a how to on our designs for all of you who like to do it yourself! It will be accompanied by a quick reference on the stitches used and available as PDF. Would anyone be interested in that?

Feature Artist: Art 2 the Extreme

Can you guess what this is.. Candy, drops, colorful soap?! At least those where the things going through my head when I first saw this picture. But those are actually Crayons ! Isn't that the neatest idea to just put all the colors together and make some nice rainbow crayons out of them. These look like they would be so much fun, even I want to take one in my hand right now and let the creative juices flowing. Just imaging what your children would say. And I love the idea of using them as party favors. What better thing to give and get!

This is only one item available at Art 2 the Extreme - a shop with all kinds of different goodies from these crayons, over ceramics, to clothing, all the way over to fin art prints. First I thought that this must be a collaborative shop, but it actually just showcases the work of one creative and versatile elementary art teacher. She loves to create with ceramics, printmaking, and fibers most of all, but also creates art to share and sell, as well as scrapbooking.


One more thing that caught my eye was this Llama Lovers Shirt. I really like the strong lines in it and yet the Llama just looks so friendly. You can't find that in a department store! And there are sooo many more things to find and discover at this shop.


http://art2theextreme.etsy.com
http://art2theextreme.blogspot.com/

Another Felt Necklace

So I'm still working all on the felt. Just love all the designs and colors my sister chose for the last ones she sent. It is so much fun that I don't have any time left to work on my silver jewelry. And I keep saying that I will get back to it any day now, but I'm just too caught up with the felt!
Here is my latest Necklace. It has 3 yummy looking leaves on a double stranded handmade necklace. This is a very bold creation - nice and big as it is in style now. I made the necklace using a little wooden figuring that we call *Strickliesel* in Germany. I used to work with it a lot when I was a kid. And because you go round and round with the yarn on it, there just never is a good time where you say: "OK, I can stop now and come to it later." You always feel like you have to do one more round or so. So now I made a few in different yarn thicknesses and colors for many more necklaces and bracelets to come. I should take a picture of that little helper and post it later. I'm sure all of you crafters had one when you were young!

Feature Artist: A Pretty Rock

It is always fun seeing what other jewelry artists do with their wire! I’m especially intrigued by this Bracelet. It looks like it would be so much fun to wear with those vibrant pearls and curly clasp. I also love Yazmin's (that's the jewelry designer behind A Pretty Rock) mantra "Oh Shiny!". And honestly, who doesn't like to own something shiny and gets all excited about those things. Well, I guess some people like it more than others!

The other thing that caught my eye in Yasmin's shop was this Ring. It displays a very interesting, fluid way of wire wrapping with a rather subdued but stunning mother of pearl focal. I just love how this comes together. There are also more rings like this one with different motives in her shop. Definitely worth taking a look!

http://aprettyrock.etsy.com
http://www.aprettyrock.com/blog