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Felted Art to Wear by Inken Gaddass

July 21, 2012 By 2 Comments
Felted Art To Wear

DSCF0005 2 e1342892832856 Felted Art to Wear by Inken Gaddass

Inken Gaddass is a self-taught felted couture artist.  Inken’s style is graceful and quirky, fabulous and fun!  Candace the Muse fell head over heals for the designs on Inken’s Facebook page and asked if she could share them with you, dear reader.   Enjoy!

DSCF0003 3 e1342893642580 Felted Art to Wear by Inken Gaddass Here is Inken’s story:

I always loved working with wool and I was fascinated by strong and rich colours and different textures. About 10 years ago just after I moved to the UK I came across a beautifully felted scarf which I fell in love with immediately and I got curious on what felt is and how to make such a beautiful piece and it all started from there.
P1020830 300x225 Felted Art to Wear by Inken Gaddass I bought books, magazines and I searched the Internet for information about felting and taught my self the art of wet felting.

Felting opened new doors for my love of colour, pattern and textures. For me felting is like painting with fibres. I love the amazing process of transforming loose wool fibres into the most beautiful and unique textile whilst leaving scope for my imagination to run wild.
P1020747 e1342893813993 Felted Art to Wear by Inken Gaddass Felting is so versatile, it is fun, it keeps me fit mentally and physically and it is also therapeutic!Over the years I developed my own quirky style. Sculptural jewellery, clothing with raw edges and odd shapes rich in colour and texture and my ever favourite: felted flowers and all sizes, shapes and colours.
P1020195 e1342893897895 Felted Art to Wear by Inken Gaddass Born and grown up in Schleswig Holstein North Germany an area of open farmland combined with a coastline that is full of empty beaches, warm in summer and ice covered in winter my felted pieces are inspired by my childhood years, the alternating and ever changing moods of the sea combined with the myriad of colours from endless fields of blooms in summer.
P1020779 e1342894006946 Felted Art to Wear by Inken Gaddass Felting makes me happy and I can’t remember the last day I was bored. I can’t just sit around not doing anything. I am always creating whether it is hands on or in my mind thinking about the next project. It just seems as if I’ve found my craft.
Thank you for sharing, Inken!  Your felting makes me happy, too! And I am in love with your outfit!

1 Candace Signature Felted Art to Wear by Inken Gaddass
You can find Inken’s work here:

http://www.facebook.com/FeltedArtToWear

http://www.etsy.com/shop/FeltedArtToWear
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Alana’s Articulated Skelly

July 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Alana Lowe Articulated Skelly

photo5 e1342663473541 Alanas Articulated Skelly

A while back Candace the Muse shared an articulated skeleton project.  It was fun and whimsical and caught the eye of a young woman in Brisbane, Australia.  Alana built an adorable skeleton and agreed to share.

Yea!  I love it!  Here’s what Alana told me:

Well my name is Alana, I’m 22 from Brisbane Australia. Iv been working with polymer clay for only about 6 months but iv been making jewellery for as long as I can remember :D my mum taught me everything I know about jewellery crafting. I recently opened up a little shop just on Facebook called Amity Apparel that sells cute, creepy and geeky items as well as custom made chibis. I try keep the prices as low as humanly possible. The URL is www.facebook.com/amityapparelshop

Thank you so much for sharing, Alana!  I just love you work!

1 Candace Signature Alanas Articulated Skelly

 

I hope you’ll check out Alana’s Facebook page, it’s really charming!

Click here to see the articulated skeleton tutorial

Do you have a project you’d like to share?  Email me – candace@cool2craft.com – with photos and stories and I’ll post them here on the Creative Community Blog

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Catherine McEver and a Shoe Made From Cabbage

July 16, 2012 By 2 Comments
cabbage shoe by Catherine McEver

cabbagecl e1342490197115 Catherine McEver and a Shoe Made From Cabbage

To say that Catherine McEver is a traditional artist is to say the Mona Lisa is a painting of a woman.  Layer upon layer of whimsical, Wonder-Bread-embroidering goodness makes up Stuff You Can’t Have – That’s Cathy’s blog.  So pull up a chair, kick off your shoes made of bologna with green olive buckles and open your mind to creative genius.

flowr 300x275 Catherine McEver and a Shoe Made From Cabbage Here is Cathy’s story:I’ve been creating art ever since I could wield a pair of scissors, cut of a lock of hair, and combine that with a rubber band and a pencil to make an ad hoc paintbrush.


I drive around town in a 1978 Chevy Nova covered with thousands of beads, pennies, bits of jewelry, baby doll parts, buttons, cocktail picks, commemorative coins, random memorabilia, and found baubles.
I make my own clothes, and some days realize I’ve made everything I have on including my pocketbook (fashioned out a recycled truck tire inner tube).
fmagnolia e1342492158711 Catherine McEver and a Shoe Made From Cabbage My artwork includes assemblage, textile art, installation/interactive pieces and fashioning things out of unlikely materials.
In recent years I’ve engaged in creating objects that are fleeting in nature and photographing them, like embroidered wonder bread, little dresses out of flower petals, or shoes crafted from bologna and swiss cheese.


I like inventing things like living mold jewelry, a “collect-o-rama” garbage game, or a survival doll.
tear4 e1342493808554 Catherine McEver and a Shoe Made From Cabbage I like to play with materials. I like to play with ideas.
I like setting myself challenges, such as transforming little plastic hotel shampoo bottles into as many artful assemblages as possible, or upcycling a basic man’s button-down collar, boring shirt into as many different renditions as I can.
For me, doing all of this isn’t a matter of inspiration or abstract thought. It’s an itch, an urge, a need. I make things when I’m happy, I make things when I’m sad, I make things because I have that deep-down need to make things.

 
charm2a 300x236 Catherine McEver and a Shoe Made From Cabbage My work has been featured in a range of international publications, galleries and museums and I was recently a featured maker at the Exploratorium.
The slideshow, presentation, and Q&A session from that session, co-sponsored by Pixar and Make Magazine, can be seen at

http://tinkering.exploratorium.edu/cathy-mcever/
Thank you so much for sharing Cathy! Your work inspires me more than I can express!1 Candace Signature Catherine McEver and a Shoe Made From Cabbage I hope you’ll take a moment to watch the Exploratorium video at the link above – It will make you smile
You can find Cathy here:http://stuffyoucanthave.blogspot.com
Filed Under: Candace Jedrowicz, Creative Community Blog Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Spiritual Nature of Art Through the Eyes of Marlene Koenig

July 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Marlene Koenig DSCF0121

DSCF0121 e1342297481388 The Spiritual Nature of Art Through the Eyes of Marlene Koenig

Marlene Koenig  combines the principals of Yoga with creative expression, and the result is no less than perfect balance.  Marlene draws inspiration from her travels and the richness and color of many cultures.  Here is her story.

IMG 1905 e1342298054690 The Spiritual Nature of Art Through the Eyes of Marlene Koenig My name is Marlene Koenig, and painting is my artistic medium.   I have been making art for over 20 years, and for the last 9 years or so my work has been involved with the use of encaustics.The pieces I make are created in layers – basically, I create an oil painting and then adhere a water color painting to it  (usually the figures in my pieces).  And then a layer of encaustic medium is then placed on top of that.Then I proceed to alternate between oil paint and encaustic pigments to create a multidimensional effect in my work.I am also committed to the practice of Yoga. Over the past several years my art work has been concerned with exploring my relationship with my Yoga practice.
IMG 1954 e1342298350256 The Spiritual Nature of Art Through the Eyes of Marlene Koenig On one level,  my paintings explore specific Yoga Asanas (poses) in a very special way,  while on another profound level I have been able to examine and explore more spiritually such Yoga concepts as:
Ahimsa  (non-violence),
Aparigraha  (non-grasping),
and  Santosha  (contentment).In creating my paintings, then, I am able to explore more and more deeply what these concepts truly mean to me, and the role they play in my daily life and practices.Having something of a gypsy spirit in me,  I have also traveled quite extensively –  through India, Nepal, Morocco, Mexico,  Brazil, Argentina, Europe, and Thailand. 
DSCF0121 e1342297481388 The Spiritual Nature of Art Through the Eyes of Marlene Koenig Encountering the colors and patterns and objects with which the people of these cultures adorn themselves and fill their worlds has enriched my life tremendously,  and expanded my abilities to adorn and celebrate my own.I am continually inspired by how we animate and decorate ourselves and the way these things play out in how we live our everyday lives.And so,  by layering the spiritual and the decorative throughout all of my work,  it is my hope that the viewer of my art will take away something to enhance their own journey and make a little more beautiful the path they have chosen,  and the world we live in.
Thank you so much for sharing with us, Marlene!  Your use of color and form, spirituality and whimsy speak to my heart.1 Candace Signature The Spiritual Nature of Art Through the Eyes of Marlene Koenig You can find Marlene here:
http://marlenekoenig.com/http://marlenekoenig.com/facebook.php

 

 

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Hand Made Fuzzy Fabulous!

July 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment
IMG_7489

IMG 7489 e1341703999277 Hand Made Fuzzy Fabulous!

The mice are everywhere and they are cute as can be!  Frauke A of Hand Made Fuzzy creates adorable knitted mice doing all kinds of peopley things – and that’s not all!  Come take a peak!  You’ll be delighted!

maus 300x300 Hand Made Fuzzy Fabulous!
Here’s what Frauke told me:
“I am a transplant from Germany and have crafting in my blood. I can’t just sit somewhere and have nothing in my hands to work on.
Most of the time it is knitting needles. I love to try out new crafts too, but mostly it involves either yarn, fabric, beads or buttons.
Lately it also  involves mice in different forms. Knitted, sewn from felt or as an application on a bracelet.”
IMG 7041 300x300 Hand Made Fuzzy Fabulous! “My knitted mice started out as a gift for some dance teachers. After that I had all kinds of different fun custom orders for mice.

I love the challenge. I came up with a pattern for my mice but it varies depending on what the customer requested.

So every mouse is a unique creature. And often it is very hard to let them go to their new home.”
IMG 7527 300x300 Hand Made Fuzzy Fabulous! “I can’t exactly vision how the end result will look in detail, it depends on the material.

The material is what inspires me and leads me, so I work on a piece until I feel it has reached it’s full beauty.

Sometimes it means to unravel something and start all over again, but that is the beauty of it. You can turn it into what every your imagination comes up with.”
IMG 7189 300x300 Hand Made Fuzzy Fabulous! “In the summer time it is very hot here so my knitting needles don’t come out as often, but there for I get the chance to play with all my other craft supplies and come up with something fun.

Besides my mice I try to make things that are useful, like scarfs hats, stethoscope socks.”

It’s  stethoscope Sock!  I love it!

Thank you for sharing, Frauke!  Your work is wonderful!

1 Candace Signature Hand Made Fuzzy Fabulous!

 
IMG 7489 300x300 Hand Made Fuzzy Fabulous! You can find Frauke here:

 
 

Hand Made Fuzzy Fabulous!Launched in October 2009, Cool2Craft TV broadcasts weekly internet TV episodes and special live-streaming events featuring industry recognized hosts, reporters, designers, authors and manufacturers. Visit www.cool2craft.com to watch this week’s show via the LiveStream player. Visit our YouTube Channel for project and technique demo videos and check out our current programming schedule for upcoming LIVE-streaming events. Visit www.cool2craft.com for current programming schedule.

Filed Under: Candace Jedrowicz, Creative Community Blog Tagged With: , , , , ,

Lindsay Pastore of Pleydey Dollhouse Miniatures – Wait until You See!

July 6, 2012 By 1 Comment
Pleydey Dollhouse Miniatures ruler table

ruler table e1341254847380 Lindsay Pastore of Pleydey Dollhouse Miniatures Wait until You See!

Lindsay Pastore makes furniture.  Not just any furniture, Lindsay makes the coolest miniature dollhouse pieces with amazing distressed finishes!

front 300x235 Lindsay Pastore of Pleydey Dollhouse Miniatures Wait until You See! Here is Lindsay’s story:When I found out about Etsy.com I was very excited to find a community of such talented people! I’ve always loved creating unique art so when my best friend suggested that I make dollhouse miniatures, I couldn’t wait to try it out!

2 3/4″ x 3″ x 6 1/2″
bird house close up 300x267 Lindsay Pastore of Pleydey Dollhouse Miniatures Wait until You See! I love making miniatures because I can create tiny pieces that I would like to have or be able to make in real size.Lindsay’s birdhouse is about 1″ tall
side2 300x245 Lindsay Pastore of Pleydey Dollhouse Miniatures Wait until You See! I try to make furniture and art that I could picture being in my dream home. I’ve really connected with the shabby chic look.2 1/2″ x 1 1/4″ x 5 1/8″
easel2 300x293 Lindsay Pastore of Pleydey Dollhouse Miniatures Wait until You See! I feel inspired when I see full sized distressed furniture and shabby pieces in magazines and online.The easel was Lindsay’s first miniature.  It’s 6″ x 2 1/4″
side 300x280 Lindsay Pastore of Pleydey Dollhouse Miniatures Wait until You See! I love trying out different methods to make my pieces look aged and worn.I try to make each piece unique so it is special.3 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ x 6″
close up 300x256 Lindsay Pastore of Pleydey Dollhouse Miniatures Wait until You See! I am very proud that my work gets to be a part of someone else’s miniature scene or dollhouse!1 5/8″ x 1 5/8″ x 1/4′
ruler table 300x252 Lindsay Pastore of Pleydey Dollhouse Miniatures Wait until You See! You may have seen this one before…2 3/4″ x 2 7/8″ x 7″

 
DSCN2765 225x300 Lindsay Pastore of Pleydey Dollhouse Miniatures Wait until You See! That’s right!  You’ve seen Lindsay’s work in Julie Western’s vintage inspired mini veterinary vignette!Lindsay made the shabby chic table in the reception area and the narrow table with the microscope/lab work on it.And they look marvelous!Thanks so much for sharing with us, Lindsay!

We hope to more of your work soon!

1 Candace Signature Lindsay Pastore of Pleydey Dollhouse Miniatures Wait until You See!

 

Lindsay will be at  the Lehigh Valley Miniatures Show Sunday July 15th 2012 at the Holiday Inn at 7736 Adrienne Drive Breinigsville, PA 18031.

You can always find Lindsay Pastore here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/pleydey

Lindsay Pastore of Pleydey Dollhouse Miniatures Wait until You See!Launched in October 2009, Cool2Craft TV broadcasts weekly internet TV episodes and special live-streaming events featuring industry recognized hosts, reporters, designers, authors and manufacturers. Visit www.cool2craft.com to watch this week’s show via the LiveStream player. Visit our YouTube Channel for project and technique demo videos and check out our current programming schedule for upcoming LIVE-streaming events. Visit www.cool2craft.com for current programming schedule.

Filed Under: Candace Jedrowicz, Creative Community Blog Tagged With: , , ,

Introducing Reely Creative from the UK!

June 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment
alannah by Reely Creative

alannah Introducing Reely Creative from the UK!

The crafty folks at Reely Creative are a mother and daughter who are absolutely smitten with the art of Irish Dance and anything connected to it.

This adorable handmade Irish dancer doll is Alanna.  She was created across the pond (from me) in the UK, by two lovely ladies!  This is their story:

“We love to shop for items that have the Irish connection and this is where we got our inspiration from.  As we are also both obsessed with creative arts and crafts we decided to make personalized items available for Irish dancers at a feis. Our gifts are small and personal and we try to keep costs down so we can sell to young children and dancers. Feisanna can be a very expensive affair and items often sold at these competitions are way beyond the pockets of young children and their parents.”

back of dress e1340763202430 Introducing Reely Creative from the UK!

How cute is that!

“Our rag felt dolls are all cut out from pieces of felt and hand sewn together. Each doll comes dressed in her practice costume (wearing school colours and logo) but a solo dress, same design as the dancers dress, can also be bought. Every doll has her own pair of leather look ghillies (dancing shoes).”

dress e1340763545396 Introducing Reely Creative from the UK!

“Our cards initially started off as just being made for Irish dance enthusiasts, however, we realized that the market was not big enough for these specialized cards and therefore expanded our audience by creating greetings cards for everyone and for every occasion. Each card is individually designed, no two cards are the same and are created to suit the customers design, they are also personalized free of charge.”

cards and gifts and bbq 027 e1340763729231 Introducing Reely Creative from the UK!

Simply beautiful!  Thanks so much for sharing, ladies!

1 Candace Signature Introducing Reely Creative from the UK!

 

You can find Reely Creative here: Facebook and Reely Creative online

Filed Under: Candace Jedrowicz, Creative Community Blog Tagged With: , , , , ,

Specially Made Quilted Rugs for the Veterinary Vignette

June 24, 2012 By 2 Comments
Julie Western 1

DSCN27721 e1340488288250 Specially Made Quilted Rugs for the Veterinary Vignette

Bettie Pharr’s handmade quilted rugs arrived at Julie Western’s house yesterday and Candace the Muse is over the moon excited!   Just one look at the details and you’ll be planing your own miniature vignette adventures!

Here is the latest news from Julie, complete with links to her fabulous designers and suppliers:

“Two quilt rugs arrived by Bettie Pharr yesterday, Piecefulthings on Etsy.  I send her a photo of the project underway and some measurement guidelines and then she provides the creative genius to design, select fabrics and quilt the rugs.  The photos don’t translate the details in the quilting that she has invested in the pieces, small medallions, floral motifs on some of the central squares, diagonal ovals on one of the rugs, wavy lines on another.  It is a thrill to commission her for the quilts and be so delighted by the beautiful outcomes.

DSCN2765 e1340489262482 Specially Made Quilted Rugs for the Veterinary Vignette

Lindsay Pastore of PleyDey on Etsy, created the shabby chic table in the reception area and the narrow table with the microscope/lab work on it.  She does wonderful distressed painted finishes.  Most of the miniature apothecary and vintage pet food items were ordered through Valerie Claire Miniatures in England.

DSCN2763 e1340489721998 Specially Made Quilted Rugs for the Veterinary Vignette
On their way are two miniature guinea pigs by Ginko305 and a rabbit from RuthCreates.  A custom pink cabinet is being worked on by MinisbyJan  to house the small creatures on the third floor kennel.  A pale pink sofa with linen pillows with Paris prints is arriving from LasMinisdeMaini in Spain for the reception area.  All of these sources were found on etsy, my go-to global marketplace for handcrafted wares.  I have discovered so many talented, creative vendors through my etsy searches.  Working on these miniature worlds has been so rewarding, creating the vignettes and connecting with so many wonderful people who craft meticulous tiny wares.

Julies vintage inspired vignettes are fascinating to me!  Don’t you just love all the tiny details?  Do you see the fish bowl in the first floor reception?  The tiny jar of cotton balls in the second floor lab?  The tiny dog bed in the third floor kennel?  How perfectly divine!  I love it when Julie shares!  Enjoy!

1 Candace Signature Specially Made Quilted Rugs for the Veterinary Vignette

 

Specially Made Quilted Rugs for the Veterinary VignetteLaunched in October 2009, Cool2Craft TV broadcasts weekly internet TV episodes and special live-streaming events featuring industry recognized hosts, reporters, designers, authors and manufacturers. Visit www.cool2craft.com to watch this week’s show via the LiveStream player. Visit our YouTube Channel for project and technique demo videos and check out our current programming schedule for upcoming LIVE-streaming events. Visit www.cool2craft.com for current programming schedule.

Filed Under: Candace Jedrowicz, Creative Community Blog Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Camille Short’s Fabulous Flag Card!

June 23, 2012 By 1 Comment
Shortonideas flagcard

Shortonideas flagcard e1340405192538 Camille Shorts Fabulous Flag Card!

This week on Cool2Craft TV, we are celebrating the Red, White & Blue!  Camille Short of ShortOnIdeas shared this lovely card craft on our Linky Party, but there is more to Camille!  So much more!

Camille told me:

“Love the effect of using two different embossing folders to turn a simple card into something fun.  Flag is just red strips glued on white, with a blue square for the star background…embossed with a Swiss Dots embossing folder.  Sand the dots on the blue to make your stars.  Background is embossed with a floral embossing folder, matted in blue.”

Camille’s blog is chocked full of eye candy!  Below is one of my favorites!

short on ideas gcm 0512 01 e1340405814472 Camille Shorts Fabulous Flag Card!

Click here to explore Short On Ideas

Thanks so much for sharing, Camille!

1 Candace Signature Camille Shorts Fabulous Flag Card!

 

Camille Shorts Fabulous Flag Card!Launched in October 2009, Cool2Craft TV broadcasts weekly internet TV episodes and special live-streaming events featuring industry recognized hosts, reporters, designers, authors and manufacturers. Visit www.cool2craft.com to watch this week’s show via the LiveStream player. Visit our YouTube Channel for project and technique demo videos and check out our current programming schedule for upcoming LIVE-streaming events. Visit www.cool2craft.com for current programming schedule.

Filed Under: Candace Jedrowicz, Creative Community Blog Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The Vintage Inspired Veterinary Vignette is Coming Along Nicely!

June 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment
DSCN2732

DSCN2732 e1340395148626 The Vintage Inspired Veterinary Vignette is Coming Along Nicely!

Candace’s friend (and artist extraordinaire) Julie Western is pulling together elements for this charming miniature, vintage look clinic!  Just take a look at the details!  Warning:  This post might make you want to start a whole new way of crafting!

In Julie’s latest letter, she said:

“Just wanted to send you a couple photos of the veterinary hospital in progress.  Bettie Pharr is working on two small quilt rugs for the reception and kennel floors.  She has done such amazing work on the other miniature quilt rugs, I’ve left the design and details completely in her hands.  Also, in the works is a three level, wire front cabinet for rabbits and guinea pigs for the kennel area.  Still waiting on the large apothecary order from England to arrive.”

Now, prepare to feast your eyes!

DSCN2747 e1340395868753 The Vintage Inspired Veterinary Vignette is Coming Along Nicely!

I can’t wait to see when it’s finished!  I still have my mini piece to make, I’d better get on that!  Thanks for the update, Julie!

If you have a project you’d like to share, I’d love to feature it on our Creative Community Blog!  Email me at candace@cool2craft.com

1 Candace Signature The Vintage Inspired Veterinary Vignette is Coming Along Nicely!

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