Colour Matching from my wool rovings...

Whilst I am unable to 'dye to match' from swatches sent to me, I can provide a suggestion for my closest wool roving which might work for your project. I have two options available to you;


1. Stock suggestion based on your original swatches. If this is something that interests you then please note that I will require the following to be sent to me;

• A swatch of the colour you wish to find... this can be a paint swatch, circled colour in a magazine, a farbic swatch or a lock of fibre. Please make sure these are big enough to get a good colour reading, ideally in squares of at least 5 x 5cm.
• An idea of what fibre base you are looking for.
• I will then be able to inform you by eBay messages of my closest matches, along with the stock item number so that you can find the relevant listings. Please note that there is no maximum of colours submitted from the buyer for this service.

2. Swatch Submission based on your original swatches. If you require swatches to be sent to you for selection then please note that I will require the following to be sent to me;

• A swatch of the colour you wish to find... this can be a paint swatch, circled colour in a magazine, a farbic swatch or a lock of fibre. Please make sure these are big enough to get a good colour reading, ideally in squares of at least 5 x 5cm.
• An idea of what fibre base you are looking for.
• A self addressed return envelope with a large letter (UK mainland), or letter (Overseas) stamp to the weight of 100g.
• A payment for £1.50, if you are in the UK I accept Paypal, or postal orders for this service. If you are overseas I accept Paypal only.
• I will then be able to provide you with 2/3 small swatches (roving locks) per colour submitted. Please note that there is a maximum of 3 colours submitted from the buyer at each time. Swatches sent over this limit, will be subject to further charges.

If you require either service, then please contact me through my website.

Here's a link to my virtual Merino colour card which might give you an idea of my colour selection... http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Saras-Texture-Crafts/Merino-Colour-Card.html

Thank you very much,

Sara x

Customer Photos: No Rainy Post Days at Sunrise Cards!

Tracey from Sunrise Cards never has to put up with a rainy post day again... she has created a wonderful sunny advert for her post bag using the Computer Printable Range of Peel and Stick Cotton from my craft supply shop.

How great is that!

Thank you Tracey for sharing!

Find Sunrise Cards at http://www.sunrisecards.co.uk/

Australian Bush Fire Fundraiser

I just wanted to add this link to the Fundraising idea for the survivours of the Austrailian Bush Fire... http://karensfeltworks.blogspot.com/2009/02/australian-bush-fire-fundraiser.html

I don't normally add this sort of thing to the blog here, but I thought this fundraiser was worth a mention.

Many of you may have read or seen the reports about the Australian Bush Fires that have decimated many towns, villages and farms these last few weeks, as having being the worst in history. Fires have been spreading so fast that there hasn't been time to evacuate many citizens, life stock and wild animals in some areas, leaving many to perish. While Emergency services battle around the clock to save lives and put out these fires, it is now for those who have been saved a time where long-term, after care is needed.

One of our members, Karen (http://workingwithfelt.ning.com/profile/Karen) has come up with an idea to help raise funds for those survivors.

Karen says;
'As we live in a major tourist area (Victoria, Australia) we have organised(and registered in conjunction with the REDCROSS) an ARTIST OFFERING FUNDRAISER to be held in one of our busiest times of the year. Easter Weekend.

We're calling all Artist's to donate a piece of their (felt) art to be sold inthis Fundraiser. I am volunteering to be the collector and co-ordinator of all items. Anything that is sent will be LOGGED and registered and preciously lookedafter.

Anyone wanting to donate items are asked to tag (See link attached for full details, http://karensfeltworks.blogspot.com/2009/02/australian-bush-fire-fu...) everything, with your name and were your from, I think this should make it so much more special and buyers can see items donated from all around the world. The deadline will have to be Friday the 3rd of April to allow me those few days in the next week to set everything up. It will start on Easter Good Friday the 10th of April, and will be run for 3 days. I have had a fantastic Venue Donated by our Masonic Lodge Committee and the Feedback and Support I have received from this so far as been amazing with so many people wanting and needing to help.'

Karen very much needs our help, to donate any items we wish to be included in the sale. If this is something you can do and want to be involved in, please read all of the details here at http://karensfeltworks.blogspot.com/2009/02/australian-bush-fire-fu..., including how to tag and where to send your work.

Don't forget to log into http://workingwithfelt.ning.com to show off the pieces you send, via your page blog and by pictures too. I have also set up an event at http://workingwithfelt.ning.com/events/australian-bush-fire, to coincide with the Fundraising Sale so that we can mark ourselves in and show our community support. As and when I receive news about the event I will pass information on.

If you are not a member of Working with Felt, but still wish to contribute, please follow the link to Karen's blog and get in touch http://karensfeltworks.blogspot.com/2009/02/australian-bush-fire-fu...

Boutique Shops, now stock supplies for Feltmakers, Spinners, Dread makers and Fibre Artists.

In January I announced that this year was a year of refocus here at Sara’s Texture Crafts and this is one of the changes I am making.

Both my Etsy and DaWanda shops will now include supplies for Felt makers, Spinners, Dread makers and Fibre Artists. I’m going to start with my Merino range and slowly build from there.

Right now you can find my Merino shade packs in store; these are cut from a selection of my Merino’s and arranged into colour options for your projects.

I am also accepting customer orders on Merino in these shops too, so if you have found what you are looking for in my main craft shop, but want to pay through Etsy or DaWanda then contact me… I’d be happy to make you a custom listing.

Here’s a copy of my colour card again, just so you can see what I have readily available to you (please note that I am working on some new additions here, so keep an eye open!)

If you would like more information you can also Email me, with the title 'MERINO CUSTOM ORDERS'!

Sara x
Visit my Main Website here

DMC Mouline Threads – now in stock!

I have just received delivery of a selection of DMC’s wonderful Mouline range.

These are beautiful shaded of cotton embroidery skeins by DMC, called 'Mouline Colour Variations'.

They are 100% Cotton. There are 8m (8.7yd) per skein. It is the perfect thread for cross stitch, hand embroidery and will also excellent for embellishing many fabric/felt and fibre based projects.



Please visit the craft shop to see my full range.







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All of my DMC threads can be found at Sara's Texture Crafts - Craft Shop

Press: ‘Artist’s New website to Champion Feltmaking in the UK’

There was a great piece on Working with Felt in the Textile Directory Blog back on the 15th of January. Here’s the link is you’d like to read it…

http://www.thetextiledirectory.com/newsarticle/Artist's-new-website-to-champion-feltmaking-in-the-UK/

Thank you to Sara at the Textile Directory for publishing the piece, it is great to have the support of such a widely regarded resource centre.

For anyone interested in reading more about fibre ‘fine’ arts and the worldwide issues behind that side of the industry it also refers to an article printed back on the 30th of October 2008… http://www.thetextiledirectory.com/newsarticle/The-Field-of-Fibre---a-mystery-unravelled/. I think it is a great article for debate, as an artist based at home I do feel that fibre ‘crafts’ are definitely on the rise in popularity and is definitely talked about and shared by those who participate… maybe there is a difference between what is happening in the ‘art’ world and the ‘craft’ world? Hopefully one can influence the other for the better?

Sara x
Visit my Main Website here
Visit my group 'Working with Felt'.

eBay Guide: A Beginner's Guide to Fibre/fiber selection - Part 2

Fibre - Merino.

We all love it, with it's luxury feel and it wide array of colour choice, but what do we know about it?

The Merino is the most economically influential breed of sheep in the world, prized for its wool. Super fine Merinos are regarded as having the finest and softest wool of any sheep. Originally from Spain you may be mistaken in thinking that modern Merino sheep are solely Australian and New Zealand breeds, but in fact the Merino breed is spread across Europe too. It is however, the Australian and New Zealand breeds that are most revered today for their fine quality.

The Merino breed is a productive animal developed by man. Therefore the genetic history of the Merino is not a linear history of a gene pool selected over time for superior wool or fleece weights, but a history of outcrossing and the selection of material that is productive in the local environment. This is why some Merinos have a thicker and slightly more dense feel to the fine 64s.

Merino is an ideal quality for both wet or dry needle felting, carding, blending, dying and spinning. Ideal for beginners and those more advanced Merino has a wonderful handle and comes in an array of dyed colours (70-75 in my Craft Supply shop). The details of the Merino I stock are; Count: 21 micron/Bradford 64, Staple: 12-15cm. I also stock a few delicious blends for you too!

(I'd like to thank Wikipedia for their information which helped to bring you this tip today).

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I hope this helps… Here's where to find related product... Sara's Texture Crafts.

If you find this guide useful please vote for it at Sara's eBay Reviews

Leaving the Etsy JET Team :(

I've been a member of the JETs on Etsy for a couple of years, but lately I just don't get the time to participate in many group activities. So now that there is a mandatory participation in events, chats and promos, I'm going to have to duck out. Don't take it personally girls... I loved being part of this group, but now that the supply side of Sara's Texture Crafts is my main business I have to refocus.

If you are a jewellery seller on Etsy, find out more about the Jewellery on Etsy Street Team, aka JETS here... http://www.jewelryonetsyteam.blogspot.com/

Sara x
Visit my Main Website here

Woolfest

Come and find me at Woolfest this June!

Stand Number: TBC
Dates: 26-27th June 2009
Opening Times: 10 -5pm
Location: Mitchells Lakeland Livestock Centre, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 0QQ

Tickets are £6 on the door and Children go for free.

Sara x
Visit my Main Website here

Crafts of Texture: DIY Magazine - London Issue Summer 2009

I still have plenty of room for London artists to be featured in the forthcoming DIY Magazine - London Issue Summer 2009... if this is you, please read the link and contact me!

DIY Magazine - London Issue Summer 2009

Sara x

Royal Mail Services in London Area... Update!

My local post office opened for a short time this morning, so I was able today to send orders from the weekend. As far as I have been told Royal Mail sorting offices are also only open for a short time today in my area, so it is unlikely that items will get very far... but I will do my best to get them in the system at least!

I do ask all buyers to consider that items may arrive late due to weather delays at this time and I thank you for your patience. I would like to let you know that Royal Mail's full policies extend to;

UK 2nd Class - 15 days.
Airmail - 30 days.

Before items are considered lost.

I am here during the week 9am to 5pm, although most of you know I do occassionally log into eBay after hours... so please feel free to contact me with any queries and I will do my best to help.

Thank you,
Sara x
Visit my Main Website here

Snow, snow, snow and no post!!

Unfortunately here in London we have had around 6 inches of snow over night and this has led to the closure of many Post Offices and Royal Mail depots in the SE area alone...I have ventured out today to attempt my usual deliveries, but unfortunately found all of my local post offices and depots closed. All bus and rail services are suspended in my area also, so I am unable to try further areas.

This has meant that there will be delays in my post service until I can find an open office. I am here during the week 9am to 5pm, although most of you know I do occassionally log into my on-line shops after hours... so please feel free to contact me with any queries and I will do my best to help. In the meantime please do keep ordering as usual and I will post items as soon as I can, keeping you up to date along the way!

Who'd have thought 6 inches would make that much difference eh?!




Sara x
Visit my Main Website here

Well we started, but never quite finished...

Do you remember before Christmas I was planning to make a wreath and D was planning to help? Well I'd love to say... 'ta daaaa', but unfortunately time just came and went and we didn't quite make it!

D started work on his elf...

...while I tried making my first needle felt teddy bear... he turned out a bit large and slightly disformed, but hey it was my first time and I was watching the telly!

I have put it all in my work cupboard our plan it to relook at it this year and hopefully rework and finish it! I'll keep you posted!

Sara x
Visit my Main Website here