On-line needle felt workshop launch

I have finally finished my first online needle felt project and what a 'journey' that has been! It's in my nature to take a long time to do things and this time it seemed to take forever as I agonised over whether to do a 'talking head' video to help pitch it. Breaking news - I became so stressed over it, that in the end I decided not to. Until I'm a little more confident. However, I did get Joe to take an up-to-date profile picture, since my last publicity photo was taken ten years ago.

My first project is a sleepy squirrel brooch, designed for simplicity and ease of making. It contains fifty (yes, fifty) step photos, written instructions and four mini supplementary demo videos.

The normal price will be £15 (roughly $19.60 US at the time of writing) but as an introductory offer it is £10 (roughly $14 US) until Friday 26th November 2018. 

To take advantage of this, or just to have a peek, please click on the link below for the course site.This will take you to the landing page which has a full description, materials list and option to sign up.

SLEEPY SQUIRREL BROOCH ONLINE WORKSHOP

 

Despite everything

 

I've made very few of my own personal creations this year; partly because I am still struggling to recover my creativity after the awful, life changing events of 2013. *Warning* This is an old post that some people who don't know what happened may find upsetting, but I've put it in, as this is to some extent my personal blog and anyhow, it's been 'out there' since it happened.

Grief doesn't just stop once the initial agony subsides; it continues to send out ripples and in my case, this has meant a rather grey no-man's land as far as inspiration goes. Bit of a problem when your only income is creatively based.

So I have been busy flogging whatever I can on eBay, to pay the bills. Once upon a time, this wasn't such an issue, but my circumstances now mean that anything which doesn't bring in an income has to be forfeited in favour of things which do. But I have cobbled together a few things. Just to keep my hand in.

These odd looking beasties - 'Hawses' - were a bit of a self indulgent experiment and a move away from my mainstream cute style. If nothing else, it was good to try something different.

The rest has been more familiar work. I've fiddled about unsuccessfully with different ideas, including the 'Teddy Bear of Doom'. One of the most difficult things I have ever attempted, shown here at halfway stage. Limbless, unloved and a bit wistful. Little blighter.

On another note, my kits have found their way to Berlin, via the gorgeous AMODO shop - I feel as if I have gone international, albeit in a very small way!

  

But sadly, a squirrel and a simple circus bear have been pretty much the only finished work so far this year.  

I continue to weather things out and as always, try to look on the bright side. Despite everything that has happened, and some recent health issues, I have so many blessings in my life and count them every day.

Squirrels at the Queen's Head

My second workshop last month was a smaller all day session at the Queen's Head, Eynsham - one of my previous students returned, which was very nice. And rather wonderfully, a blog friend, Vikki Rose, whom I have never met but have *known* for several years. She reminded me that she had  bought 'Minxie', my devilish little cat from my first year of needle felting (2008). Anyhow, settled down with home made shortbread (thanks Vikki!) and tea, they got started and worked hard all morning, earning a delicious lunch made, as usual, by Jackie the landlady.

Salmon en Croute, pesto mange tout and new potatoes. Followed by sticky toffee pudding and caramel ice cream. Or melon for the virtuous.

 

Then, somewhat stuffed, we returned to needle felting. It was a big ask, to get them to attempt an entire squirrel in five hours.

Another tea break was needed, with Jackie's home made scones, clotted cream and jam.

Despite all this feasting, by the end of the day, they had made amazing progress and two squirrels were even finished. Three of my students had never tried needle felting before, which makes the results even more impressive.

And Vikki Rose made the day even more special by bringing me some of her 'girls' eggs and one of her sweet care-chickens. She also wrote a super write up of the day on her blog, 'Back to the Castle' which includes a photo of me on a bad hair day and showing most of my tattoos. Irresistible!

If you'd like to be participate in the next workshop at the Queen's Head, sample Jackie's lovely food and see my tattoos,  drop me an email and I'll contact you when the date is confirmed. Next one is scheduled for some time in February or March 2014. Price for the whole day, including all food, is £55. Bit of a bargain, really.