Tip of the Day

TEARING PAPER

Using a small paintbrush, draw a line with water on the paper you wish to tear. Gently but firmly tear along the wet line. Using this technique will give your paper a beautiful crinkly edge.

Baby's first shoes.

Hi every one, I have just finished making these first shoes for my grandson William, who is nine weeks old and growing so fast. I have used baby blue and white felt which I sell on my web site. Just click on any of the links which will take you there. I have fifty six gorgeous colour in my range and you can pick and mix your own selection.

How To Make Wet Felted Jewellery Beads.

1) Take a bit of wool roving and tease it apart, fluff it up. I was given this tip and I found it very helpful for an even finish.

2) Tightly roll the wool into a ball, folding in as you go.

4) Gently put your ball into a bowl of warm water and soap. Slowly mould the woollen ball until you feel it start to tighten. When it starts to tighten, then roll it between the palms of your hands in a circular movement. Be sure your hands are wet and covered in soap as this helps the felting process. It will take a minute or two.

5) When your bead has reached a density you wish, rinse it in cold water and dry it. I like to dry them on a sunny window sill. It is lovely to see all the beautiful colours. Once dry, make a hole through the centre and feed elastic or ribbon through, Try using strips of wool or dry felt of different colours to make spots on the ball. I am always looking at vintage jewellery for inspiration.

Flowers in my garden.

These are some of the felt flower brooches I make up and sell. They are very popular with my customers and I though I would photograph them in my garden. One thing is for sure the slugs won't eat them. I'm working on a tutorial to make felt jewellery and will publish it for you in the next few days. Bye-bye for now, must go and water the flowers...

visit my website

art2craft

Hi, my name is Lilian and this is my first blog. It has been so easy to put together, I can't believe it. Thank you Google.
I'm also publishing my website, www.art2craft.co.uk tomorrow, 4th June 2007, which I had professioanal help with but before that, had a very nasty experience with another "professional" website builder, but that's another story for another day.
I live in Hastings, East Sussex, England, which is famous for that invasion in 1066 and the battle that followed. Hastings sits proudly on the English Channel, has a castle, a dwindling fishing fleet and is full of talented artists, musicians and artisans of all kinds.
My first love is art and crafts hence my user name and I've been working with antique and modern textiles most of my adult working life, so I hope to put this blog to good use to meet like minded people.
My website will be selling and showing craft and textile items and I want to make it an alive and vibrant website rather than one of those dead ones. It'll change often and talk to you.
That's enough about me for now, don't hesitate to drop me a line.