Crafty As L

I recently attended a workshop locally to try out something completely new to me.   We received tuition to create a wire and bead heart and was run by Helene at Craft Works @ The Yard . Helene had already made the heart bases for us from 2mm aluminium wire so the first step was to select some beads in our preferred colour scheme. We were issued with 0.4mm wire for the first stage, which was securing the beads onto the frame.   The aim was to avoid being too symmetrical!   The beads didn’t feel that secure at this stage but we were assured that they would be after the next step. The next stage was the decorative wire work, which was done using 1mm wire.   It was attached to the frame by wrapping and then it was just a case of winding and creating collars around the beads, which held them in place. This process was repeated until the entire heart was decorated and all the beads were collared. The tail on the heart was for making the heart into a plant stake but I...

  Later today, I’m heading up to Oswestry to do a 3-day freehand machine embroidery course run by Alison Holt.   I saw her work in a book and was captivated by it!   After searching for any YouTube videos featuring her work, I happened across her website and discovered that she does in-person courses.   There were spaces on one in a few weeks, themed Spring Woodlands, and I was free so I booked it.   Whilst going through the requirements list for the course, it transpired that I needed an extension table for my 30-year-old Brother sewing machine.   I have one for my computerised machine but it didn’t fit the Brother and a computerised machine isn’t suitable for the course – a machine with dials is needed.   It is possible to have a table made but the lead time was 2-4 weeks, which I didn’t have.   They were also priced at over £90!   I started to wonder if I could make my own and saw this blog post which spurred me on.   First of ...

One evening last week, I went to a beginner’s lino print workshop. It’s a craft that I’ve seen and fancied a go at but never had the opportunity to try. On seeing this seaside themed session advertised on Facebook, run by local artist Tom from  Thirteen Eight , had some spaces, I booked myself in.  At each position, there were a couple of pieces of lino, a cutting tool with a variety of blades, pencil, marker pen and tracing paper.  After a quick briefing, we were encouraged to have a practice using the tools on the spare bit of lino. Limited by my lack of drawing skills, I attempted a holly leaf, trying to cut out both the positive and negative parts.  I’d forgotten to Google lino print ideas before I went and had no signal when I was there but fortunately Tom had provided some drawings for us to copy or use as inspiration.  I chose a wave and started by tracing it and then transferring it to the lino. The lino cutting then began in earnest. I started off a lit...