Stumpwork Embroidery - Mushrooms Part 2 / Stems and grasses

I have been very lapse with the blog I'm afraid - so I'd really like to remind everyone that I do post more regularly on Facebook and Instagram - mainly because I can add a simple sentence, as opposed to writing a blog that I am convinced is terribly boring...

So, what's been happening? Well, if you missed it we have brought out a little set of stumpwork embroidery tools. The above video is part 2 of a little series to show how to use them with a basic piece of embroidery - and hopefully inspire you to take it even further. Part 1 is of course available over on YouTube :)

We've been busy getting in new stock - expanding our embroidery range slowly (we've some gorgeous Rajmahal embroidery kits in stock), adding fabulous Wonderfil threads, and last week we finally have been able to start stocking Japanese Nori paste - which is the perfect glue for Kanzashi flowers. All of the Japanese craft books use it. 

It is also great for pasting fine papers for journals and fabrics. Just a really nice, non-toxic glue with a history dating back to 1899! I'm personally really pleased we are able to stock this, as I really like the product.

So, there's a quick catch up as I go back to doing paperwork - oh joy!!

Have a great day!

 

Introducing Gina's Grantham Button!

In this video I'll introduce our latest button template kit - Gina's Grantham Button©! 

 Why "Grantham"? Well, simply because we are based in Grantham, Lincolnshire, UK! 

And, if you make these using the right colour of wool they do rather resemble the famous Grantham gingerbread... ;) 

The basic basket weave pattern of the button CAN be found on historic examples. I first published a method of weaving this in my "Buttons, A Passementerie Workshop Manual" book. That method worked directly onto the button mould, and works very well. 

Over the years I've acquired a couple of originals, an the backing made me think that, on these two at least, the method was perhaps a little different (hard to tell, as both have linen thread backs which of course I will not cut!). This led me on to thinking about forms and templates. After a lot of experimentation, Mark & I came up with these. 

And the added bonus, you can make soft, tactile, balls or domes, or button covers.  

I'll also be bringing out a booklet with variations on the basic weave, as I have come up with quite a few! 

How to make a silk thread button / covering a bead with thread - the pro...

Hi! A new video ready to go! Actually, I have uploaded two - the first being a little product support video. So, if you want to double-check how to stretch the fabric in the little slate frames that we supply in our button embroidery kits, so can see how below.

The thread button video above is one I've been asked to do quite often over the years. Usually when there is a discussion about costs paid. With the exception of the very fancy buttons, it is worth remembering that these things needed to be made quickly - otherwise the maker simply wouldn't earn. It wasn't all romantic sitting around in a warm heated room making buttons to relax. This was real. And while I do understand the argument that time was worth far less, particularly where the poor were concerned, it was worth more than 6 small buttons an hour. 

So, have fun!

Tomorrow up with the lark to get to The Craft Store for our 9am show (which means arriving at the studios for 7am). We've got a new kit, Ganutell Fairies, which I really like. 

I hope you'll be able to tune in - https://thecraftstore.com/

How to use the Stitch Ezi embroidery frame now in stock at Gina-B Silkwo...

We are currently bringing in quite a few more products for our shop, many are materials so won't need much introduction, but this embroidery frame from Rajmahal Threads in Australia does - just to show you how neat it is :)

I'm really enjoying using it - especially as when my thumb started having issues I have had to use a hand-free set up. 

So, something different, but hopefully a good resource for you all! 

You can find the hoop over on our website at -

Stitch Ezi Frame

Stay safe and well x

How to make an Almanac Journal (Bat Book) using the Almanac Maker Journa...

This week's video is a long one! You have been warned :)

I wanted to take you through using the new Almanac Maker Journal Tool as I know that many people are more visual - and after all, that's what YouTube is for!

I've also added extras about making different types of pages at the end too, so hopefully the longer video justifies the time you spend watching it!

There are all sorts of "advice" about length of video - oh they should only be short - oh they should be a half hour - but you know, the videos like this are meant to help our customers, so I would rather give them more info, not less.

It has been a busy week packing from the show, so thank you all. The shows were quite a laugh. And next week we'll start planning the next one. Which will be on "The Craft Store" - after 6 years, Hochanda is changing their name. How exciting!

Please stay safe and well everyone. We aren't out of the woods yet.

xx

A bit of sunshine!

 

As I write, there's a bit of sunshine trying to brighten the day. Which is needed! I know it's only February, but the winter has seemed long this year. Probably a result of lockdown.

We are still busy getting ready for our Hochanda shows of course. (Feb 25th at 5pm and 9pm). On our 9pm show the focus will be ganutell, and a new kit highlighting a different ganutell technique. By twisting thread and wire together you can make more unusual - and robust - shapes. All with a bit of sparkle! Ganutell mean winding a lot of wire into kit-ready coils. As you can imagine, this isn't the most favourite of my jobs :)

I hope that you all get a bit of sunshine this week! 

Packing and prepping

Just a short update for today. We are busy busy packing new kits for our first Hochanda shows of 2021 next week. I'll be on at 5pm with buttons - and launching the above kit.

This is a new Little Button Journal kit - "Embroidered Zwirnknopfe". So a really nice addition to your button making skill set. 

At 9pm it's all about ganutell - and a new kits and new tool set which I am really excited about. It took us a while, but I have been having fun playing, so more about that later :)

Have you seen our latest jigsaw?
If the game below doesn't work - click here.

Have fun!

Right, off to wind off more wire for the new ganutell kits!

The week ahead - our Hochanda shows

Our new Little Loom Kit - launching next week. That's a normal sized cup of tea!

I hope that you are all keeping well and following whatever the current advice is in your relevant countries. I know that some of you are in a virtual lock-down, and others are self-isolating. And for the rest of us, a lot of hand washing is happening.

We will be at the Hochanda studios on Wednesday for two shows. Rest assured that we and Hochanda will be taking all measures necessary during the shows. Being live TV, there is of course, the very real possibility that they will be cancelled, should anyone contract the virus. Hopefully that won't happen and we will be able to continue with our work.

At 8am the subject will be weaving, and we are launching our Little Loom Kit - a smaller, MDF version of our Build Your Own Tape Loom Kit. We are really excited about this, it is smaller, and being cut from MDF, allows us to provide a much less expensive option for those of you who have always wanted to try narrow weaving but don't want the expense. You'll need to add your own glue, and thread, and of course being MDF won't have all of the finishing options the larger, beech option has, but it does have full instructions so that you can get started. And if you are stuck - this video on YouTube is relevant to both looms.

The second show is at noon and the subject is buttons. And three new kits - Our Big Button Brooch Kits. For the launch we will have a Star, Zwirnknopfe and Trapunto. Each kit has button moulds, threads, backing felt, needles and instructions. The Trapunto kit makes two (and has some extra fabrics), while the other two each makes 3.

Star Big Button Brooch Kit

The Star kit is a nice wrapping technique, and probably the best if you are starting your journey in button making

Zwirnknopfe Big Button Brooch Kit

The Zwirnknopfe has a ring - this larger size is, I think, a bit easier than working with the little rings. I'd probably place this second.

Trapunto Big Button Brooch Kit

The Trapunto brooch uses a variation on the shadow trapunto technique - so simple embroidery. I really wanted this to resemble lovely paper parchment work, such as those pieces created by the Clarity Groovi team. I adore what they create.

These will all be on our website too on Wednesday. I hope you'll be able to tune in.