End of summer sale at Russian Artists

There is an end of summer sale going on right now at some of our team's shops. If you are planning ahead for the coming Holidays and looking for one of a kind gifts, it might be a great way to get them for less!

10% off every item at CasaDeGato shop - use SUMMER10 coupon at the time of checkout! 

Decorative plates, letters and stained glass painting on sale at ShimmerPlace! Please visit Stella's shop to see the selection. 

 

Natural gemstone and sterling silver bracelets at GemBracelet shop - free shipping on every item!

As the summer ends would you like to keep some of it with you? Well, head over to learn2felt shop and pick up a tutorial on how to make your own felted rose or a poppy brooch! Both tutorials are half price now.

15% off on selected items at JannasCraft shop - valid until September 15! Free gift with $50 purchase. See shop for the selection of colorful jewelry.

Great hand knit items at Socksandmittens - please see shop for details.

 

Hurry up while offers lasts!

To see more items on sale, visit Etsy and type in your search window: Rusteam, sale.

Happy shopping!

How to make a pebble traffic game for your child

This game will be loved by all kids who love to play with cars. Nadia from HappyEmotions created this game for her 3 year old son. As she says, he can stay at it for a long time and loves to play it often. He is not always paying attention to the signs but just driving his cars on the roads.

Nadya is using pebbles for this game since children love them and they also keep their original shape and color. Another benefit of this game is nature awareness.

Please note, this game is for kids older than 3 years old due to small parts.

So to make this fascinating game you will need:

1. flat sea pebbles 1-1.5 inches in diameter

2. a set of acrylic paints

3. two thin synthetic brushes: slightly wider for painting and very thin for lining and lettering

4. acrylic varnish

5. soft wide brush for varnishing 

6. magnets

7. magnetic board

8. and chalk for the board

Don't get disheartened if you can't get magnets or the board - just draw the roads on a large sheet of card-stock.

How to:

 1. spread the pebbles out on a working surface 

2. paint the foundations with wider brush

3. when this layer of pint has dried, outline and paint details

4. when dry use wide brush to brush on varnish

5. glue on the magnets on the back with strong waterproof glue (I use epoxy) and leave to dry according to manufacturer's directions

6. on magnetic board or card-stock draw the roads as you please

The game is ready!

Tutorial by Nadia (HappyEmotions)
Translated by Nadia (crafts2love)

How to make a simple teething ring pendant crochet necklace

This teething pendant made by Jana (nihamaj) might be a perfect gift for a new mom and for a little one. It will work perfect to keep little hands busy and not pinching while nursing.

 You will need:

 Fabric yarn. I use baby or organic cotton because babies like to taste it.

Wooden ring.

Scissors

One bead. I use wooden beads, but you can use stone or plastic bead. If you use plastic, be sure that it is safe and the paint does not peel off !

Tape measure

Crochet hook 

Crochet a simple chain about 35"/ 90 cm long. 

Fold it in half and insert the folded end into the ring. 

 Slip the other two ends through the loop made by the fold and tighten it. 

Slip the bead down to the ring and tie a knot above the bead to hold it in place. 

 Then tie a knot with the two loose ends to connect them into a necklace. 

Your pendant is ready. You can wear it short or long by adjusting the knot on the ends.  

By Jana (nihamaj)

Paper dove DIY - make it with your kids!

Here is how to make a beautiful paper dove together with your children. These paper doves could be hanged on a branch and will make a lovely Easter or a Spring nature table decoration.

You will need :

1sheet of white cardboard or watercolor paper for the body

silk paper or calque for the wings

a pair of scissors or a cutter

beeswax crayon blocks or watercolors

1 needle

a piece of string/ thread (golden or silver color looks very nice)

You can leave the body of the dove white or paint the paper with color crayon blocks on both sides. Children will be happy to give you a hand with this. You could also use watercolors to paint the paper.

Cut out the shape of the dove as shown. With the help of the cutter or sharp scissors make a straight cut across about 1.6 inch long.

Fold over the edge of your A4 silk paper , then turn around and fold it again. Go on until all the paper is used as shown on the photo. This will be the bird's wings.

Pass them through the cut on the bird's body.

Bend and lift the wings unfolding them gently and joining the two together with a string.

Make a knot leaving the string long enough to hang the bird.

That's it! Your dove is ready.

Happy Spring!

By Masha (BertyandMasha)

Waldorf toys for children's development

Waldorf toys are traditionally made of only natural materials. They are handmade and that's why they are the most precious. They keep the warmth of the person who made them.

 

Today Masha (BertyandMasha) and Oksana (LaFiabaRussa) are talking about the traditional Waldorf approach to making children's toys and spring seasonal activities.

A child is learning and exploring the world around him through play. The first Waldorf toy for a baby would be a simple cloth doll with a round head and a soft body. There are no facial features to keep the imagination free but there are some details. Like a wooden ring and fists to chew on to comfort and soothe baby's growing teeth. 

This doll is designed for age up to 1 year old.

As the child grows, the dolls become more sophisticated. The head is sculptured and has facial features. The body has well formed limbs and the doll can now be dressed and undressed by small hands.

These bigger dolls are designed for children many years to come.

Wooden toys and toys made of wool or silk are also important for a child's development. They are simple open ended toys that give space to child's creativity and imagination. They are also indispensable in role playing games.

Natural Seasonal toys and activities will allow a child to joyfully live through the change of seasons and the natural rhythm of the year, which is considered essential in Waldorf pedagogy. 

 

Every season has it's own feasts, colors and attributes, usually something a child can bring back from a walk, a forest or a garden. It can be cones or acorns, stones or flowers, small branches and dry leaves.

 

A Spring nature table reflects all the changes that happen in Spring, the awakening of nature. 

So flower children, light and beautiful fairies, birds, tree branches and, of course, flowers will create a beautiful Spring nature table. 

Here you can also add some animals or spring gnomes. Don't forget about Easter, the most important feast associated with Spring!

 The creation of a nature table can be a lot of joy and fun, especially if done together with children.

This Sunday we'll show you how to make a beautiful paper dove - stay tuned!

By Masha (BertyandMasha) and Oksana (LaFiabaRussa)

Interview with a Star - Oksana (La FiabaRussa)

"LaFiabaRussa" or "RussianFairytaleStory" shop on Etsy is full of cute stuffed toys you'd like to have in your collection. Oksana, the owner of this shop is sharing her story with us today:


I made my first toy when I was 8 years old. It was a teddy bear (My mom bought me a pre-cut set of templates for it). I liked it so much! I can't even tell you how many of these kits my mother bought for me since then... Later were the kittens, penguins and puppies. I just loved to sew! I also love kids that's why I went to school to become a kindergarten teacher. One of my favorite subjects besides psychology and pedagogy while at school was art class where we were making toys and dresses for dolls.


After school I continued making toys for my daughter and my nephews started learning web design. And I put my sewing machine away for a couple of years.

3 years ago I started working as a babysitter for two little girls. One was 1/5 years old and another was 3 years old back then. They were taught according to the Waldorf's technique so I started to read more books in this area and look for more info. I was talking to teachers and crafters a lot looking to find out more about natural materials like cotton, wool, silk and linen that didn't have any industrial dye in it.


My first waldorf's doll was born, then the second. I was making dolls for my students, for my daughter, for my friend's son... Once started I could't stop. I love making my dolls!

It takes about 10 to 20 hours for each doll to create. There is a lot of hand work involved. The head has to be in correct shape, body proportions should be watched, and then stuffing... The materials have to be clean so if I am using industrially made wool I always wash it. The wool becomes soft and smells nice after washing.


The most difficult part in a doll making is hair. It's made with yarn and has to be attached to the head in a certain way. The eyes and nose are embroidered, the face of the doll has a neutral expression.

These dolls are little miracle, you should see how much kids love them! Since waldorf's style dolls are made for kids of different ages and needs I think that the doll making is a very responsible craft.


My world was filled with bright colors of childhood when my son was born. Together with Alessandro I am learning the world again. On August 26, 2011 he will be 1 years old!


And my daughter Katya helps a lot me with my Etsy shop.


I am full of ideas but I don't have that much time as I would like to. I am glad to share my thoughts with you!

Thank you for your interest in my creations!

If you'd like to see more of Oksana's creations please visit her web site at www.lafiabarussa.com



There is also a giveaway of one of her waldors's dolls going on right now on Facebook.

Join the fun if you'd like to receive it for free!


Interview was taken by Lana (BelleCoccinelle)
Translated by Tanya (Socksandmittens) and Marina (ProdigyCrafts)

Interview with a Star - Natasha at Bonbonland

This is not a story about me but about a dream. A successful story about a dream that came true, which I am proud to share with you…


Like a lot of girls, I started to draw dresses and attires from the early childhood. In high school I learned fashion and the textile industry. Later in college I learned sewing and sewing technology, cutting and patterning, sewing machines & techniques and many other special things. I started to work in one of the largest fashion networks in Israel, H&O ™. I worked there ten years and went a long way from a saleswoman position to a fashion consultant and shop supervisor. I am very pleased because the work in H&O gave me a lot of knowledge and experience.


After the 15 years of working in fashion industry I got enough self confidence to start my own business. In 2007 I founded a fashion studio "Shirel". This word is actually my second name and means in Hebrew "God's Song". I believe all my life is the song dedicated to God…


My work day in the studio usually consists of fashion and design projects, cutting and shaping, fitting and trying on, sewing and preparing patterns, templates and samples. Also there are constant negotiations, work with customers and sales. In my studio we made a lot of patterns for evening dresses and outfits, blouses and tops. I am happy to work with leading Israeli fashion designers.


After almost three years of very hard work I started my favorite project – the internet boutique "bonbonLand" on ETSY. Actually I am running three shops on ETSY, also “Bandannas" and Felt scarves and necklaces. But bonbonLand is my favorite project. It allows me to work for the most beautiful creatures - for little princesses, for baby girls.


I am very happy woman. I have lovely husband, typical software "genius". I have two wonderful sons. But my work in bonbonLand project is the thing I enjoy most of all in my life. It gives me such a great feelings that could be compared with the pure real happiness possible only in an early childhood.


Every time I prepare baby bloomers or a small dress for a baby girl, I can imagine a little princess sitting or walking among the flowers or meadows in a gentle summer sunny day. I imagine photo props and bright and beautiful babies in bright and beautiful dresses. I imagine parents and grandparents smiling at a picture of their beloved daughters and granddaughters and tears flow from the depths of my soul…


I love all my small clients. And am happy to have the ability to realize this love. The possibility to give my love, my heart and a little part of my soul to every baby that wears my products, my wares. BonbonLand is not about the business, at least not only about the business. It is about the love, the love I share with my beloved baby clients and models. Nowadays almost a hundred baby girls wear the dress with the "bonbonLand" label.


I had a dream when I was young. I am happy that my dream came true.