If you had the time/money, what new craft or art would you like to try this new year?

It's time for another blog Merry-go-round, a little game between myself and some blogging friends...

If I get the time and money this year I would really like to extend my fibre art, as I mentioned before in a previous blog Merry-go-round... the coming Spring for me will be a time when I want to learn something new and not re-invent, but allow those new shoots of inspiration to grow through and follow their own path to the sun. I have a few things in mind, one of which is learning to dye my own fibres (I do fabrics now, but not wool and silk yet) and maybe try making carded batts for my Craft Supply Shop, the other is learning how to use the curious Drop Spindles I also stock... I do have instructions, but it would be nice to have a go. Maybe I'll invest when I make my next order? Don't tell D he'll roll his eyes at me again and that's never good!

I would also like to extend on my needlefelting skills and maybe try making some different shapes... I did make a fabric fairy back along http://sarastexturecrafts.blogspot.com/2007/09/gallery-slot-3-rag-doll.html... I've just looked at the date and by 'back along' what I really meant was 3 years ago... ('I'm sorry, did I fall asleep, where did that time go?!?'). Not really sure where to start, but I know a group of people who might help! (http://workingwithfelt.ning.com/)

If I do get the chance to try... I'll let you all know!
Sara x
Visit my Main Website here

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This post was part of a blog Merry go Around, where I have got together with some friends to talk about a similar subject on the same day... a nice way to meet people!

Sara (me) from http://sarastexturecrafts.blogspot.com/
Ruth from http://insidetheartisan.blogspot.com/
Charlotte from http://fancypicnic.blogspot.com/
Lily from http://lilypangart.blogspot.com/
Marian from http://florcitasart.blogspot.com/
Fabs from http://www.freewebs.com/easterya
Anna from http://halfanacreblog.blogspot.com/
Agathe from http://lebarduvent.blogspot.com/
Andreanna from http://blog.glamasaurus.com/

Don’t forget to check the website!

You can catch up with my latest products and business news at www.SarasTextureCrafts.com, I’m going to add an RSS feed from the site to the side bar here on the blog, so you can grab the headlines when you next drop by.

Sara x
Visit my Main Website here

China Town London…

A bit of colour inspiration for you today... I past China Town in central London a week or so back on a DIY photo run (with D, bless him) and was struck by the colour of the lanterns for Chinese New Year. So I thought I’d show them to you.



Sara x
Visit my Main Website here

Shows

Part of my plan this year is to take Sara’s Texture Crafts back out on the road. I enjoyed the Olymipa Exhibition last year, so why not do it again? However, with things changing and the business becoming more about supplying products to fellow fibre artists, road shows are going to be less art and more ‘try it yourself’ inspiration. Therefore my choice of shows will be slightly different.

If you want to catch up with me this year, then keep up with the blog and my main website as I hope to bring you more news shortly.

Sara x
Visit my Main Website here

Blogging Slowly!

I have loads of ideas… I promise! Just need a little time to catch up with some other things right now. So unfortunately for a while I won’t be posting quite as regularly.

I am around though and the shops are open, so do contact me if you need anything. In the meantime, check out my craft store for some new fibre supply ideas… http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Saras-Texture-Crafts

Sara x
Visit my Main Website here

A reader's project based on a Crafts of Texture Tutorial.

It was some time ago when Tana Dixon one of my guest writers gave us her tips on How to block your finished crewel work, but this hasn't stopped people dropping by and taking a closer look at this easy to follow tutorial.

Here's some examples from Elsbeth, one of my readers. Elsbeth had been waiting some time to pluck up the courage to mount this wonderful example of Crewel Work... almost 30 years! So thank you Tana for your advice!


I've also enclosed some close ups of this work too, I think it might be a version of the Tree of Life which is a popular theme in crewel work as we are told by Tana... 21st August 2007 - Tree of Life article

Thanks Elsbeth for sharing this with us and great job on that blocking... It looks perfect!

Sara x
Visit my Main Website here

London College of Fashion

I studied at London College of Fashion a number of years ago now, so I always knew that they had really great machinery and tutors to help you through the short courses they run. So it was only natural that it was my first choice for learning something new in my spare time, back when I was freelancing.

I’ve picked a number of courses, from surface textile design to free machine embroidery and computer aided pattern cutting and I’ve never regretted my choices. So I thought it was about time that I recommended their short courses to you! Here is some of what is on offer;
Why not learn to become a Fashion Stylist, or a Make-up artist?What about business start up courses for the fashionista?There’s fashion design too, including knitwear, pattern cutting, historical costume and millinery.Or if you are more textile minded, the try beading, printing, or surface design.

But whatever you choose, don’t be intimidated by the name on the door… you will meet a lot of down to earth people there who just want to learn! Enjoy!!

www.fashion.arts.ac.uk/shortcourses/16339.htm

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This review can also be found at as part of my contributions on DIY City Magazine

Sara x
Visit my Main Website here

Customer Photos: Fred and Lil

Made shortly before Christmas, Fred and Lil were crafted by the lovely Kate of 'I Felt Like It' whose work you can find at ifeltlikeit.co.uk

Aren't they adorable?! Always lovely to see another triumphant felted wonder using my Merino stock... Thank you Kate for sharing!

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Here's where to find the Merino used to make the dolls... Sara's Texture Crafts.

Get your shop advertised here!

It's a new year, with new possibilities and here's one that you can join for free to promote your handmade craft shop... Crafts of Texture: What is a 'Sara's Texture Crafts Mystery Bag'?


Sara x

Press: A Textile Directory Mention!

My friends at the lovely The Textile Directory gave me a mention in their December newsletter at http://www.thetextiledirectory.com/newsarticle/Crafting-for-Christmas:-Making-your-own-Christmas-table-settings/ and also featured a project of mine... funky_Ipod pouch

I'll reprint the tutorial here for you in the next few days, so that you can give it a go.

Thank you Textile Directory!
Sara x
Visit my Main Website here

For the Attention of All Makers of Chilren's Products...

I was asked to pass this information on... I hope it helps?

America have passed a new law for products aimed at Children under 12 in the US (CPSIA), that's products made anywhere in the world and sold to customers who live in the US. This new law basically requires products, or the components of products for Children be tested and pass certain criteria... this includes handmade products. I'll be honest and say I haven't personally looked into this, as I don't sell products aimed at Children... however, I thought maybe some of my readers might, so here's a handy link with more information.

http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/handmade-childrens-items-unintended-consequences-consumer-pr-3056/

http://dawandashopdirectory.blogspot.com/2009/01/cpsia-and-you.html

I hope it helps as a starting point to your research and please take the time to look into it carefully before you feel panic to see how it may effect your work.
Sara x

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Pam Baker - Guest Writer, writing for the causes of small handmade businesses writes;

Well here we go again, just last month President Bush signed into law, the “Consumer Product Safety Improvement Product Safety Act”, also referred to as “CPSIA”. This law will take effect on February 10, 2009. Once again, we are met with the many restrictions the Government is placing on all articles, such as toys, clothing, pacifiers, jewelry, etc., which would be sold to children under the age of 12. The law will also regulate the manufacture of baby bouncers, walkers, and jumpers by March 13, 2009, and for all other children’s products by June 14, 2009. Unanimously passed in both the Senate and the House, it will allow Federal and State Governments to monitor and enforce all such products to meet the restrictions it will be placing on all consumer goods, whether made in this country or imported from overseas. Yes, it may sound like a practical and safety way for the Government to protect our young children from the poisonous content of lead which is found in many products, (the largest of which are currently thought to be imported from China); but once you break down all it’s provisions, it will be the small business will be mainly effected. Etsy, for one, which only sells handmade items, has many shops which make clothing, toys, teething rings, jewelry, knitted caps and gloves, just to name a few of the shops geared for small children. Since each individual item and the contents needed to produce that one item, i.e. dyes for handmade clothing or wools; paints for toys, etc, will need to be tested at a considerable cost to each of these small shops. I have been reading the many different threads on Etsy from concerned shop owners whose whole business will be affected and may possibly have to close due to the high costs being passed on these “handcrafted” items.

According to the “CPSIA’s” guidelines, the cost of testing each item could run anywhere from $300 and up. While failing to do so, the Government could enact penalties up to $100,000 per violation, with an overall cap on penalties will increase to $15 million. Lead content must be reduced to 0.06 by February 2009, and lowered even to 0.009 by August 2009. Also affected will be any product which contains Phthalates, a chemical compound used as a plastic softener used in certain products. It is reported to be a possible cause of reproductive or developmental problems because it mimics a natural hormone. Congress needs to allow an exemption for the testing of each and every individual product as long as they hold certification that the materials they use have already met their legal standards. Without this, the burden of testing products will destroy tens of thousands of small businesses, many of which are right here on Etsy. With the economy as it is now, causing so many to lose their jobs, “CPSIA” will totally bankrupt us a society, and put many of those whose shops are a showcase of “handmade” articles, an already dying breed of American culture. Don’t let “Big Brother” turn our country into a “communist culture” where everything and everyone is mandated by the rules of an overzealous Government.

What can you do? Click on the link below and sign the petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA/index.html
Write your senators, congress people, everyone...share this...get the word out.

A New Year, A New Plan...

I made a little list for myself last year, probably one of the few New Year 'to do' lists I've ever written and certainly the only one I've ever tried to stick too. For the most part I did ok, in reflection... I tried everything on the list even if work actually took me elsewhere by the end of the year (http://sarastexturecrafts.blogspot.com/2008/01/new-year-to-do-list.html).

For me 2008 was a year of experimentation... a fledgling business, big ideas and a need to get out there and explore... and I did. I had my first exhibition and ran my first workshops, I also tried working handmade markets when I could and I learnt some new skills... and by the end of the year I found myself a bonefide supplier to other feltmakers, spinners and fibre artists, rather than solely a fibre artist. I'm pleased to said I enjoyed every minute!

So what about 2009, do I have any plans this year? Yeah, I guess I do... a much more simple list this year, although each part will take a lot of work, but I'm planning for 2009 to be my year of refocus. So here's the list;

1. Work on my supply range and extend it... gently at first though (Sara's Texture Crafts - Craft Shop).
2. Really work on my social groups for feltmaking and spinning (http://workingwithfelt.ning.com/ and http://spinningweb.ning.com/).
3. Learn some basic steps towards Spinning... I'm planning to start with mastering my carders.
4. Get some more workshops going.
5. Show at my first Woolfest... more news soon!
6. Take some time to learn a bit more about feltmaking and expand my personal work.
7. Oh and finish the London Issue of DIY City Magazine

Let's see how we get on! HAPPY 2009!!

Sara x
Visit my Main Website here

Blog Competitions...

It got a bit hectic here late last year, so I missed a few months worth of competitions... Don't worry though they will be back! So keep an eye on the blog for details.

Sara x
Visit my Main Website here

Back for another Crafty New Year!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope everyone had a nice break? I'm back now for another year of craft gossip, so keep an eye out for my next post!

Sara x
Visit my Main Website here