Featured artist: Irene, FancyKnittles. Miniature dolls

Are you familiar with that feeling when you see something really cute, all you can say is: aaaaawh! That's how we feel when we visit FancyKnittles shop. 

All miniature people, animals, flowers, vegetables, holidays ornaments and toys are crocheted by Irene, the owner of the shop who really reaches the top of cuteness in her work while keeping quality at a high level also. These little dolls are full of fancy details and, like Irene says, you will never be bored with them!

 

Naturally, we wanted to know more about Irene and her inspiration. Here is what she shared with us:

 Why did I choose to make miniature crochet dolls? I am a practical person. Miniature  requires less time, materials and money. 

... JUST KIDDING! 

 In reality, I love all things mini since my childhood. I knit & crochet all clothes for my dolls since I was 5 years old. Later I started making miniature toys also. 

Why did I choose to crochet a miniature? Simply because I love to do it and I do it well. I feel happy while I am having fun. No one said the dollhouse miniature have to be 100% realistic. You are a creator of your own perfect little world. Besides, when else can you feel like a Gulliver in Lilliputian!

It is still winter and the weather outside of my window is dark and gloomy right now. What do you usually do when you are bored? Watch a movie, drink hot chocolate or read a book under the blanket?

I miss the sunshine so I decided to crochet a bunch of miniature colorful hyacinths. Then, I  build a little corner garden with a little bench, a garden tools and a watering can... oh, look! Someone forgot their little hat over there! 

 

I took a photo of my miniature garden and I got a sunny happy picture. It made me feel like spring is around the corner.

I hope my little miniature world will make someone else's world a little brighter also. Maybe, one will smile and think: spring is almost here! 

Visit Irene's shop on Etsy to see more of her creations. You can also find her on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.  

Interview by Tanya (socksandmittens)

Featured artist: Yelena, LenaMer. Boho and steampunk jewelry

Yelena from LenaMer is a great artisan jewelry designer and a silversmith from Israel. Her favorite styles are steampunk and boho.

She loves to play with shapes and textures, colors and materials. Her works are unique and inspirational and if you already own a piece made by her you will want to get another one.

It has been 4 years since we published an interview with her here on this blog  so we were interested in what's been happening since. We contacted Yelena and are happy to see that she is working hard on creating new beautiful designs.

Here is what she told us about herself and where she stands right now:

It's been four years since my last interview. I remember that time as if it was yesterday: after several years of silent watching, I finally found the courage to open my Etsy shop and share my favorite designs with this crowd of amazing and talented people obsessed with the same passion of creation and appreciating the uniqueness of handmade. It was a difficult and scary step to take, as the process of jewelry making was always very personal and intimate for me. 

It begins as an idea, or, more precisely - an echo, a shadow of a thought, that slowly forms into something more tangible and then gets transferred to a paper. Sometimes it took months for this thought to transform into a real thing. And to share something so personal is never easy. But I met a group of amazing people who were incredibly supportive and helpful. They answered my questions and gave me tons of great advice and just hugs when I needed them. I am very grateful to our wonderful Russian Artist Team! :)

Today, I feel much more comfortable with my Etsy shop. Through those years I had some ups and downs, I met a lot of talented people, began to teach once again, tried some different styles and techniques and learned more about myself. As of now, my main feeling is that only the sky is the limit, when I really want to achieve something.

Currently I keep working on my "Copper and Silver" collection. Another piece of news is that I have a brand new site. You are welcome to visit, and this is my new post about my studio: www.lenamer.com/blog/tour-my-workspace

Interview by Tanya socksandmittens

Galafilc feauture at the handmade tapestry exhibition in Bydgoszcz, Poland

Congratulations to our team member Gala (galafilc) being featured at the bi-annual non professional handmade tapestry exhibition in Bydgoszcz, Poland!

 Non professional weavers from all over the country submit their works. Only 120 tapestries from 200 sent were exhibited this year.

As always there are tapestries made in traditional Polish weaving style from Podlasie area. But most of the works are hand made gobelin tapestries. Those take a long time to produce. One gobelin sized 1 by 1.5 meters takes a year or even two to weave. Main yarn is wool or wool blend, but sisal, strips of textiles, small branches and herbs are used to embellish it as well.

One of the favorite inspirations and tapestry themes is of course nature. You can see flowers, trees, birds and whole landscapes on the gobelins. Every artist chooses their yarns and style of work. There is jury that takes into account not only quality of weaving but the art value of the pieces. This year first place was taken by lovely tapestry which used semi precious stones for embellishments.

High recognition is given to pieces woven from fine yarns with good color gradients and details in the picture.
This year some felted art (unwoven tapestry) were exhibited as well.

Here are some of the pieces:

 

 

 Story by Gala (galafilc)

Translated by Nadia (LuNaViFelt)

Pumpkins

Autumn is a season of falling leaves apple cider and pumpkin patches all over the country side! In countries of Europe to North America people grow their own pumpkins for yummy pies and to carve out for Halloween. Jack-o-lanterns will meet you by each door very soon, but even before that you can pick some great pumpkin items from these shops.

Here are a couple of pumpkins for home decor:

 Halloween pumpkins decor by katuasha

Farmhouse Pumpkin box by alenahandmade

Pumpkins for your baby:

Baby teething ring Pumpkin by MiracleFromThreads

Coconut ring nursing pendant by bysiki

Pumpkins for yourself to wear:

 

Polymer clay bracelet Pumpkin by YaTomkaStore  

 

Felted scarf cobweb by Roltinica 

Knit hat pattern honeycomb by katerynaG

 

Going to visit someone? Bring your wine gift in a stylish pumpkin wine bag:

 

Knit wine bottle cozy pumpkin by socksandmittens

or just stroll in the park with the pumpkin purse on your shoulder!

Wool felted purse by crafts2love

Written and item collection by Nadia from LuNaViFelt

Octoberfest

Octoberfest is one of the fun folk Fall events. It started in 19th Century in Munich, Bavaria, Germany and is now celebrated in many places around the globe!

Austrian Dirndl Dress by VintageDreamBox

 

For approximately 16 days (about mid of September to the first weekend in October) its all about beer, food and fun!

Budweiser Ceramic Pewter Lid Stein by KissedByAge

 

If you will go to one of your local events, you should probably expect live polka music, German and local craft beer brewers, German  bratwurst, potato salad and delicious pretzels! There will be dancing and contests like the one for yodeling or brat eating.

 Black & white party sign by MisterMustache

If this sounds like fun to you, grab your favorite beer stein, get your taste buds ready and go to your local Octoberfest, its food and a fun time!

Wooden mug by WoodCraftStudio

 

Maple leaf brooch by CityCrochet

 

Felted net scarf Leaves by Galafilc

 

 

Pretzel necklace by AnechkasJewelry

 

Loden Sport Coat Jacket by LettersInMyPocket

 

Folk festival sarafan by founditgreat

 

Story by Tanya Socksandmittens

Traveling Through Time with Vintage

Time is a fascinating concept. Some imagine it as a river that flows past; others see it as a transparent amber or glass where events are preserved and you can see them, but not touch, and they become more vague as more layers grow between them and the observer. There have been many attempts at explaining the nature of time, some of them being so complex that I cannot even understand them. In any case, whatever it is, I love items which seem to capture or even manage time. Time machine, anyone?

The most obvious time machine is, of course, a clock. This one is a particularly fine exemplar.

Junghan alarm clock by GeorgiVintage

Perfume is another kind of a time machine. Who does not know the feeling of being taken back in time when feeling the long forgotten fragrance? Something your mother or grandmother used to have many years ago... and you have that strange feeling in your chest... will it be a smile or tears? These perfume bottles offered by Vintageer are perfect tiny devices to go back in time.

Vintage glass perfume bottles by Guerlain and more by Vintageer

I find that sering items are also great for storing time. They have a lot of character, they are very time-bound, and they can tell stories.

Set of four vintage dessert plates by OldTimeStories

Teacups and saucers. Remember tea-party at the Mad Hatter's? There is something magical in tea, cups and teapots. When you are having tea with a dear friend, time flies by.

Vintage Tuscan tea cup and a saucer by A Garden Cottage  

A jewelry box is an important element of capturing time - a ring bearer box is even more so, as it is related to an important milestone in a person's life. Do you remember your fascination with your mother's jewelry box? I just loved it - it was full of marvellous sparkling items which I was not allowed to take out, but I could lift the lid and peek!

Black Mercedes jewelry box by NataliaDecor

A key is an ancient symbol, and a beautiful one. It has many meanings. This one might well be the key to the past, with its mysteries and revelations.

Vintage French Skeleton Key by frenchfelt

A candle is another beautiful symbol. You can watch the flame endlessly, and memories will come without effort. Light and warm memories they will be, without bitterness and pain. 

Antique Pewter Candle Holder by MillysCollection

A book is one of the most powerful instruments of time travelling. 

Vintage books by ProjectSarafan 

A shawl is a timeless piece of clothing which can wrap around you like warm cocoon, seeming to protect you - not just from the elements, but from all fears and sadness of the world. Let the wind rage, let the snow fall - while I have my wool shawl, I feel protected and confident, just like my fore-mothers did. 

Russian shawl by MulberryWhisper

Story by Eugenie MulberryWhisper