Workshop with Jenny Beal

First we learned basic gold work techniques  

Then we decorated them individually.
The piece included couching different 'gold'
threads and wire to create the Christmas bauble 

I chose multi coloured beads. After cutting out the shape
 it was  appliquéd with padding to a background.

Merry Christmas.

Jill L's Beautiful Little People

Miss Spots and Stripes

These are some examples of 'Art Dolls' that I have made, with a selection starting with my 'first' (large colourful doll ) where I followed the instructions slavishly then of several more and also focussing in on interesting aspects where I started to enjoy the process and play around.

I was inspired initially by some books out of the local library by Patti Medaris Cullea who has written several books around the subject and Jan Horrox from the UK, who also sells specialist supplies on the Internet.

A Little Fairy Dust goes a long way

To complete the dolls  I have mostly used my stash of materials or sourced from vintage / up cycled garments... Never throw it away!!  Useful to know a 'fat quarter'  will do you nicely.

I have parted with one or two dolls but as you might guess the husband thinks they are taking over!

For younger children I have simplified the pattern and used new materials through out with no small parts. Recently I have moved into 'fairies' and 'elves' as you can see... Lots of fun!

Elfishly Cute

The Ice Princess

Cardigan by Joy D

This cardigan is knitted from yarn that is home spun and dyed.
I did not have a pattern for the garment, but it is inspired by domino knitting, where the stitches are picked up from the previous diamonds so there is no laborious sewing up.

Aran Waistcoat by Jan B

I believe the pattern was one I took from a magazine, and like the wool, kept for years to do when I had time! Time occurred over the space of two years three years ago and I was able to start wearing it last winter.  I bought a large amount of the beautiful russet Aran wool from B K Wools of Heckmondwike, Yorkshire when I was a home based rep for them in the 70's and early 80's while my children were young. I also knitted an Aran sweater for one of our boys at the time of purchase, which was then handed down in the family and wore very well.  The children grew old enough for me to go back to work so my wool selling had to stop and my friends were probably fed up with my trying to persuade them to buy more wool anyway! to buy more wool anyway!