Some days, you’re just sitting around with a couple knitting needles and a few skeins of wool, and you think to yourself, “self, I really should knit myself a viking.” So you go to work, without really thinking about how one would really knit a viking, but you’re a dedicated crafter, and in the end your result looks like this:
And then the entire Reddit world totally freaks out at your awesomeness. (via)
Mrs. Skele Ton has friends — and you can find out how to crochet her hat and make her other clothes — at her home, Minna’s Doll World.
Musical spoon rests? Handmade ceramic spoon rest in the shape of a music note via my friend Ashely of Raisin Bread Studios.
From that 1962 New Ideas For Christmas magazine, “Soapsuds Centerpieces” — an article on using soap or detergent powder to “whip up” holiday decorations.
This bit of ephemera, Artex Hobby Products, Inc. Pattern Booklet No. 731, copyright 1973, illustrates a bit of the history of women working from home.
Artex Hobby Products, Inc., of Lima Ohio, is no longer in business; but it was a member of the Direct Selling Association. The following scans are of the pages outlining the benefits of becoming an Artex Instructor, i.e. selling the Artex product line via party plans, and the pages for the Artex Painting Class hostesses, who receive Artex merchandise as their Hostess Awards.
You can, quite easily, earn $10 to $100 per week in your spare time, without neglecting your family…by joinng the Artex Family today.
A trip to Paris, a color TV, even a new car could be yours as these are just a few of the many wonderful extras that are awarded to Artex Instructors throughout the year.
How? By dressing those wishbones up first.
Since this craft project idea comes from the 1962 New Ideas For Christmas, the Fawcett publication supposes you’ll have wishbones left over from Thanksgiving (How many wishbones does a turkey have?) — and the “wishbone figurine” suggestions are Santas, angels, etc.
But don’t be so limited in your thinking.
Why not save all the wishbones you can this holiday season (and whenever you can get them) and make little wishbone figures that look just like your ex, the guy foreclosing on your home or buying your repossessed storage unit, etc. That way when you break them, it will be much more therapeutic.
This retro craft idea isn’t particularly exceptional — other than the fact that it was published in 1971 and refers to the project as “Making a Coal Glove.” Yes, a reference to coal gloves in 1971, specifically for children. The author, if not a teacher herself, was at least writing to them, perhaps was anticipating lots of naughty children who were familiar with Santa’s list of coal deliveries.
The author’s advice: “Old shoe boxes make excellent houses.” (I think she means for dolls, not the homeless; but in this economy, perhaps we might consider some of the options.)
Wouldn’t it be ironic to make paper furniture for your vintage paper dollhouse from the pages in this book?
From Play With Paper by Thea Bank-Jensen
So I’m virtually strolling through Etsy the other day, and I spot this:
A line art embroidery pattern of Vincent Price?! OMG. What’s not to love?
Turns out, this is an example of the custom handmade embroidery patterns you can have made at isewcute.
“What’s that?” you say with a combination of incredulity and needlework lust. Well, kiddos, let me hip you to the idea…
You want to embroider someone special’s face onto something, so you contact isewcute and June turns a photo into a pattern (in three different sizes) so that you can embroider to your heart’s content.
But as cool as that explanation is, I still wanted to know more about the person behind I Sew Cute… So I suggested an interview, and got it in spades.
June, about the custom work, does the customer sign-off on the finished design/piece before payment, or is it a surprise when it arrives?
The customer is involved throughout the whole process. We discuss what they want. I let them know what I can do… colors/materials… as well as how long it will take to create it. Prices are similar to the items already listed. I don’t charge more for a custom order over a non custom order. Payment up front depends on if it’s something I can sell if the customer chooses to opt out… but, thankfully, that hasn’t happened yet.
I do guarantee that they will be happy with my work & do all I can to make the vision they have in their head become real. I take photos throughout the process & keep the customer updated. They’re a lot more work than just creating whatever I dream up, but they’re more rewarding as well because I know a custom order is going to mean so much to the person receiving it. It’s a very personal experience.
What’s the strangest or most surprising custom pattern request that you’ve ever had?
Jim Ross. He was so fun to draw because he has a very interesting face. I work very hard to capture someone with real expression in their eyes & make them look lively. It’s a great challenge every time.
I don’t want you to think I’m crazy or being negative, but the Jim Ross answer had me snort Diet Coke out of my nose — it’s that awesome! Did they make a dish towel? A pillow? Oh, that’s just too cool!
Not negative at all! I’ll take the diet coke snort as a compliment! I do wish that customer would’ve sent me a customer appreciation photo, because I’d love to see it stitched. I check on Flickr to see if he’ll posted it — and, yep, you read right, it was for a he. I adore my manbroiderer friends!
Do you/have you ever done any pinups or more risque sorts of designs/works?
Sure! I love pinups! So long as they’re coy & playful; I don’t care for truly vulgar designs. I have sketchbooks full of girls in various stages of completeness from thumbnail sketches to finished ink drawings.
These are examples of a couple of things I’ve embroidered:
Do you sell patterns for your pin-up designs? I didn’t see any at your store last time…
I should get some listed, because I haven’t any up now, but do have that custom listing where I would create a pattern for anyone of anything they’d like. I’ll have to work on getting those pinup patterns listed!
What are the most popular patterns you have?
Definitely the personal custom embroidery pattern. It can be anything you want it to be! A favorite pet, family member, or celebrity.
Do you sell finished embroidered works, or just the patterns?
Right now just the patterns, but I do have plans to sell my embroidered art this Spring.
In other words, people, “Stay Tuned.”
You can keep up with I Sew Cute works at the Etsy shoppe as well at the official I Sew Cute blog.
(And I’ve got a number of other interviews with June coming up at other blogs; I’ll update this post with those links as they are published.)
In preparation for Halloween or Guy Fawkes Night (November 5th), how to make a Guy Fawkes mask, from Simple Toymaking, by Sheila Jackson (1966).
