DaWanda Sellers Blog Group is Launched!

I have just launched my DaWanda Sellers Blog Group, which is a webring of Artists, Designers and Crafters who sell on DaWanda. I hope this will become an extra advertising tool for sellers who wish to promote their shops and their art. I am new to running webrings, so please bear with me while I learn on the job. I would love for you to join me...

Here's where to join DaWanda Sellers Blog Group All you need to do is add your blog details, I will then check these and approve them as soon as I can.

To join you must have an active DaWanda shop and related art/craft/design blog with working links to your DaWanda shop. I also request that you add the Ring code to your site, this will allow readers to view all of the members of this ring. I will check that the code is present before accepting you to the group. Blogs that do not display this code, or remove it will be removed from the ring. General note - blogs must not be of an offensive or adult nature.

The ring code will look like this on your blog - please insert it onto your side panel so that it is a permanent feature.

DaWanda Sellers Blog Group Join List Previous Next Random Previous 5 Next 5 Skip Previous Skip Next Powered by RingSurf

This ring is run through my blog, so do check it out for occasional updates and news on the webring Sara's Texture Crafts - Crafts of Texture Blog

For a list of current members view this page DaWanda Sellers Blog Group - Member List I will update this and repost it in my updates.

For those of you who want to know more about DaWanda, please visit the store at DaWanda

Craft product Guide #1 - Texture Craft Packs

A few years ago I got into the habit of creating small textile artworks in between each of my major projects, as a way of breaking the cycle of heavy concentration and stop my creativity from feeling as if it were drying up! I found that a quick change of pace and project theme did wonders.

So early this year, when opening my eBay store stores.ebay.co.uk/Saras-Texture-Crafts I decided to make and sell kits for fellow artists' small intermediary projects and so was born Sara's Texture Craft Packs. Each Kit Contains;

• 1 x 30cm square (approx.) fabric - plain, printed or textured
• 3 x 15cm square (approx.) fabric - plain, printed or textured
• 1m of fancy yarn
• 20 x small beads
• 30 x sequins

Kits vary in theme and colour scheme and there are a number of craft ideas that these could be used for. Here are some of my suggestions;

• Small textile artworks
• As part of a larger textile piece
• Card making
• Doll and toy making (including their clothing)
• Machine and hand embroidery
• Appliques on weaves
• Quilting

They are also great value for money at only £4.50 and remember I offer worldwide shipping and postage discounts on multiple buys. So why not try a pack? I also sell scrap packs (£2), to compliment you projects and if bought together with a Texture Crafts Pack I will pick a complimentary colour scheme.

Here are a few examples of Texture Crafts Packs in store now and here's the link for my listings, Sara's Texture Craft Packs

DaWanda Sellers Blog Ring - Coming Soon!

I am in the process of setting up a blog Ring for DaWanda Sellers, as an aid to promote what we sell, create and blog about. Please keep an eye out for news of membership dates and applications.

Sara x

eBay Craft Guide #1 - Tips for using computer printable fabric

New Feature! My aim here is to share some of my knowledge about the craft products I sell on eBay. Do pop back again soon as I will be updating features from time to time.

eBay Craft Guide #1 - Tips for using computer printable fabric

Ever used computer printable fabrics? No, well they are very simple to use and give stunning results... Sheets come in A4, which is perfect for your home computer print outs and require no special set-ups or procedures. You can also purchase different sheet options, for example;

1. 100% Cotton - plain fabric
2. Peel and Stick 100% Cotton - simple adhesive option
3. Iron-on 100% Cotton

The fabric can be used for a number of things too. Here are some of my suggestions.

textile artwork, including appliques and machine embroidery

clothing

accessories

bags and purses

furnishing

doll and toy making

scrap booking

card making

Ever wanted top tips on how best to use your computer printable fabric? If so please visit my eBay craft guide at Top Tips for Using Computer Printable Fabrics Please let me know how useful you find this guide too, as it will help me to write better guides in the future.

I always carry stock of these items in my eBay shop at Sara's Texture Crafts eBay Shop - Computer Printable Fabric I offer worldwide shipping and postage discounts on multiple purchases.

Gallery Slot #1 - "Bubble Knit"

Welcome to my new feature - The Gallery Slot! This is where I will be featuring some of my own work, with a bit of explanation on techniques and style.

My first feature is "Bubble Knit".

I created "Bubble Knit" in 2006 after taking a short course in Surface Textiles at the London College of Fashion. I had become very interested in learning how to machine knit and different felting processes and in particular how they could work together to create texture.

It also happened as a bit of a mixed wash accident! Yes, we are all prone to missing that jumper rolled up in a pair of trousers!! But something interesting happened... There must have been a buckle or something on the trousers and as the jumper shrank in a normal wash it left an imprint of the buckle. So I got to thinking...

I knitted a length of 100% wool (don't use the superwash or treated type) hand stitched beads and buttons into the back. I then washed it in the washing machine at 60 degrees. Once dried I took out the beads and buttons and was left with a 3-D woollen 'bubbles' effect. I decided to extend the texture by adding tonal sequins and beads to the surface to catch the light across the surface.

So I guess there is a top tip here too - don't throw away those old wool jumpers!

If you would like to see more of my gallery pieces, please visit my website at http://www.sarastexturecrafts.fusiveweb.co.uk/

Member of the UK Etsy Sellers!

I've just joined the UK Etsy Sellers Street Team... I've listed their blog below on the right-hand panel, do take a look as they have some great shopping ideas.

Sara’s Texture Crafts on DaWanda

I have just started my first DaWanda shop (mid May 2007), so haven’t been on there long. I have decided to sell items in the same product categories as I have on Etsy; jewellery, accessories, rag dolls and textile artworks. Although, I should say if you are looking for a gift from me it is always worth looking in both stores, as each product and store offer is slightly different. My current offer included some of my glass pendants strung on organza and cotton and some of my fabric flower brooches. My store link is Sara's Texture Crafts DaWanda shop



I came across DaWanda through my MySpace site, when I was invited over to start my own shop and explore other artists’ work. I hadn’t heard about it before so was intrigued… DaWanda is fairly new to the scene and is a great buying forum that showcases artist and designer, handcrafted products. Some have described it as a European equivalent of Etsy and for the most part I would tend to agree.

I hope this has given you a better idea about my DaWanda products and store… next up will be some examples of work from my website’s gallery at www.SarasTextureCrafts.fusiveweb.co.uk

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Need to know what DaWanda is, or Paypal? Then visit my “Your Complete Guide to Buying and Selling on DaWanda”, which can be found on the right hand panel, near to the top of the page. I have created this as a useful and interactive reference for new and existing DaWanda users; the site is hosted through a company called Squidoo.

Sara’s Texture Crafts on Etsy

I have been selling on Etsy since early May 2007 and sell jewellery, accessories, rag dolls and textile artworks. Since I have joined I have become a member of the “JET, Jewelry on Etsy” Team. I have also met lots of great artists and friends and am now officially addicted to Etsy! Here's the link for my store www.sarastexturecrafts.etsy.com

The inspiration for my work on Etsy comes from a number of sources: museums, my environment, my peers and people around me. I hope over time to explore these inspirational ideas with you through my blog. My current collection is includes pieces inspired by glassy surfaces and fabric textures.



I hope this has given you a better idea about my Etsy products and store… next up will be my DaWanda shop.

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Need to know what Etsy is, or Paypal? Then visit my “Your Complete Guide to Buying and Selling on Etsy”, which can be found on the right hand panel, near to the top of the page. I have created this as a useful and interactive reference for new and existing Etsians; the site is hosted through a company called Squidoo.

Sara’s Texture Crafts on eBay

I have been running my eBay shop since January 2007 and sell craft kits and equipment worldwide. Alongside the kits that I create, I am supplied by leading high-street names, such as DMC and Twilley’s. I try to carry around 400 items and cover a range of craft disciplines.



Products include;

 Cross stitch, embroidery and needlework kits
 Tapestry and long stitch kits
 3-D hand and machine embroidery
 Sara’s Texture Packs
 Sara’s Crafty Kits
 Knitting and crochet kits
 Felt making and fibre kits
 Jewellery making and beading kits
 Doll and toy making kits
 Patterns, leaflets and craft books
 Fabric – from fat quarters to lengths
 Fabric scrap packs
 Yarns and threads
 CD’s
 Computer printable fabric from plain to iron on, or peel and stick
 Computer printable Decal papers – clear and white
 Craft equipment from needles, measuring tapes to beginner kits and travel bags

I also sell greeting cards for all occasions, so do check those out.

If you visit my shop’s home page at stores.ebay.co.uk/Saras-Texture-Crafts you will notice that there is lots of other information available to you too, from relevant shop policies to ideas for artworks (“My own products” page). There is also a link to my “My World” page, here you can read my eBay blog, see my feedback from previous customers and read my craft guides. These guides are created to give you a little more incite to products I carry and how to use them , such as the computer printable fabrics. They also offer general tips and advice, for both new and existing eBay customers. If you find any of these useful, please feel free to rate them, or contact me with feedback. These are a new area for me, so they are a work in progress at the moment, but I hope in time that they will become a good reference point for fellow crafters.

I hope this has given you a better idea about my eBay products and store… next up will be my Etsy shop.

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Need to know what eBay is, or Paypal? Then visit my “Guide to Buying and Selling Crafts on eBay”, which can be found on the right hand panel, near to the top of the page. I have created this as a useful and interactive reference for new and existing eBayers; the site is hosted through a company called Squidoo.

Welcome to my blog!

This is it, addiction has finally taken over and I have got myself my very on blog spot!

Before I begin I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce my self properly. My name is Sara and I live in London with my partner of 12 years. I have worked as a Fashion and Textile Designer for a number of years now and last year took the plunge into freelance work. Freelance basically means that I work as a Design Consultant to a number of companies on a number of different projects. This way of working allowed me to free up my time to explore my own personal creative projects and so was born Sara's Texture Crafts.

Sara's Texture Crafts is currently a two fold business, firstly selling craft kits and equipment from both leading suppliers and those of my own creation and secondly, handcrafted gifts from jewellery and accessories to rag dolls and textile artworks. You can find me at www.sarastexturecrafts.fusiveweb.co.uk, where I show my Etsy, DaWanda and eBay shops and my gallery of work.

The aim of this blog is to discuss and explore crafts for texture; from my business and it's products to my creative projects and artworks. There is also room for other craft discussion and I would very much like this blog to hold some point of inspirational reference to the reader, by providing tips and guides. Posts will be slow to start with, but I hope in time to work my way through the following subjects;

1. My latest gallery pieces
2. Product previews
3. 'Diary of an art piece'
4. 'Story of a collection'
5. Artist bios
6. Tips from fellow crafters
7. Craft Venues

I hope you will join me in my crafty journey... Until next time, enjoy your crafting!

Sara x

UNDER CONSTRUCTION!

Please bear with me while this site is under construction.

Thank you,

Sara.