Miniature crochet from FancyKnittles

Can you resist cute and tiny? This post is for lovers of sweet miniatures and small dolls. I'd like to introduce FancyKnittles shop today, it is full of charming crochet dolls, animals, flowers, vegetables and holidays ornaments. All of them are made by Irina, miniature crochet dolls designer. She manages to combine the creativity and high quality in a tiny shape. Visit her shop to see for yourself!

I was curious about how this all has started for Irina, so I approached her with some questions to share with my readers.

Please tell us a bit about yourself.

My name is Irina and I live in picturesque South Wales, on the border of a small town in a valley. I love the countryside, traveling and photography and I think I'm quite a romantic person.

 

I would like to do what I love and earn some money at the same time. I was an architect when I lived in Russia and I think this profession generally helps me to see the harmony and beauty all around me. I gave up my profession when I moved to the UK. Here I started to make small crochet dolls and a lot of cute things that make dolls lives look similar to peoples lives. I've been crocheting all my life so it was quick and easy choice. Crocheting was a hobby at the beginning and step by step it transferred into business.

What is it about making small objects that intrigues you?

I don't know exactly why I love small things. Probably it's about my personality. A lot of people love small things, collect and play with dollhouses and little fairies.

How did you get started?

I've been crocheting as long as I can remember. I love small forms and enjoy making cute tiny things that mimic a real big-scale subjects. Every doll I make needs some accessories to give her charm, unique character and tell a little story about her everyday life. 

This is how I start making tiny flowers, potted plants, fruits and vegetables, tiny dolls, bears, bunnies, cats, dogs ... even umbrella and miniature Christmas trees. I love to hold them in my palms and imagine those things are real.

What are your favorite items in your shop?

I love my tiny plants and flowers but dolls will always be my favorites. Sometimes I get so busy with my orders that I don't have time to make new ones but summers are an inspirational time for me. People are busy with their daily lives, vacations and will come back soon for their Fall and Christmas shopping. So I am working on my new dolls right now and my shop's doll section comes to life again. 

 

Have you ever had a custom order that was especially meaningful for you?

I love my customers, they help me create some great things from time to time. Last Christmas my customer wanted to order a group of Angels to give them as a gift to friends and family. What a fun order! I made nine of them, they were all different with their own personalities. 

The other memorable order was four hats, one for each season, for my return customer's felted mice collection.

What are your hopes for the future of your business?

Life is always changing and you can not predict the future. I hope I will continue to create my tiny girls, boys and their fancy stuff and surprise my fans with new interesting ideas.

 Visit Fancyknittles shop on Etsy to see more of Irina's creations. You can also find her on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.  

How to make a leather cord necklace with amethyst druzy pendant

An amethyst druzy stalactite slices are so popular these days for jewelry making. You can buy them as a raw crystal or with the plated edge and ready to wear. They are large, flat and have a free shape bottom what makes each necklaces an OOAK.  

Crystals are pretty and fun to wear but not every chain or cord will work with them. Each time I am putting pieces together I am going through dozens of these. For this large druzy Albina (aroundbeads) and I decided to use a leather cord.

It is not hard to do and it will work with so many other pendants. Here is how to make it:

Materials and tools:

Leather cord, 2mm thick

Cord ends - 2

Jump rings -2

Lobster clasp – 1

Chain nose pliers

1. Measure and cut a piece of a leather cord for your necklace (desired length).

2. Flatten the end of the cord with your chain nose pliers.

3. Place a flattened end  into the slot of a cord end and fold the edge down over the cord. Fold one edge at a time.

4. Using a jump ring, attach a clasp and a cord.

5. Slide a bare cord end into the pendant’s loop(s).

6. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for another cord end. Attach a jump ring.

 

It is ready to wear!

Christmas Eve morning

Good Christmas Eve morning, everyone. It is very peaceful and quiet today.

I just wanted to show you some stitching I've done recently, the Cranberry Tea by Plum Street Samplers.

I did not finish it yet, wouldn't it be nice as a pillow or a framed wall hanging? I will have to think about it.

Merry Christmas, everyone! Lets be safe, cozy and with the people you love.

3 giveaways this weekend!

There are 3 great giveaways are going on right now on the Russian Artists Team's blog. 2 of them are offered by Nataliya (nataliyamalik)and the 3rd one is mine (socksandmittens). So if you are interested please click on the photos below to get to the one you want or participate in all three. 

 Felt flower brooch giveaway

 Washcloth & soap nuts giveaway

 

Knit cup cozy giveaway

These giveaways are held for the annual Etsy Craft Party and will end tomorrow, on June 19th. The winner will be announced on Monday.

Good luck, everyone!

Thoughts on kitchen remodeling and some party decor ideas

Surprisingly, last week was a very busy one. Besides regular work routine, I started to think about remodeling our kitchen. Remodeling is never easy and especially when you try  to do it on a budget. There is also the question, what style to choose.

What would you do with your kitchen if you decided to remodel it?

Thinking of stylish ideas for the kitchen (and for the parties, of course) I made some more of those cute drink stirrers. 

I have them almost for every holiday or occasion now! 4th of July, Halloween, Christmas, baby shower, you name it! 

Some of the designs are pretty universals like the stars or the chevrons so they can be used again and again at almost any type of event. 

I have them listed at agardencottage so please take a look.

Have a wonderful mid June, everyone!

New at socksandmittens, crochet flower brooch

Just listed in my socksandmittens shop: cute crochet flower brooches! 

They will look great on your scarf, sweater or even hat! They are also great as stocking stuffers and small gifts. 

I made these in 4 colors: oatmeal, gold, linen and light grey.

Each brooch is crocheted from soft wool and acrylic yarn - choose the one you like or contact us for a custom order for a different color!

Etsy Crafternoon Hosted by Bloguettes

Every year, people from around the world come together to attend locally organized Etsy Craft Parties to meet new members of their community, create art and inspire each other. So last Saturday I went to an Etsy’s Crafternoon hosted by Bloguettes at their studio in downtown Phoenix. The theme of this year’s Craft Party was Kaleidoscope: Paper Taking Shape.

What a great inspiring event that was! There was several Etsy sellers who were introducing some great projects. I made an origami crane, learned some techniques with paper stamping, made a drink stirrer and a cupcake topper using some printable images and learned how to distress wood with a chalk paint and wax. 

An absolutely great time!

There was also great music and food. We had some delicious snacks and cupcakes by Sprinkles Cupcakes  packed in cute individual cardboard boxes. A great way to present a cupcake!

It was a wonderful craft party and I am very grateful to the Bloquettes for organizing this.

The projects from ThePartyApple, Abubblylife and UrbanOasisDecor were just lovely and inspiring. 

 Absolutely great idea and a wonderful way to connect with our local community of makers!

Blue Christmas, A Christmas tree to cross stitch

While I am making some new small cross stitch patterns for the coming Holidays I'd like to add one to match the previous Snowflake one. You will find it here in my previous post. 

I made both ornaments a long time ago, both ornament look pretty together and continue the theme of a Blue Christmas.

Both of these patterns are very simple and you can finish your project over the weekend.

 

Please enjoy this free pattern. Happy Holidays!