Star Wars Amigurumi Crochet

Amigurumi is the Japanese art of creating small-scale cuteness by knit or crochet. Fantasy crochet patterns abound at LucyRavenscar on Etsy. Whether you are looking for your favorite Star Wars character, rabbits, wizards, or other fantasy folk, Lucy has the roadmap to creating your own amigurumi. The little gnomes, or any of these wee wonders, would make such a fun hide and seek game. The seeker leaves the room while the gnome is hidden, but part of it must be visible from the center of the room. I played this fun I Spy game as a child with little pocket rabbits my mother knit.

Her patterns range from beginner to intermediate crochet level, and I can only imagine the hours of trial and error that have gone into creating them. I was once asked how I create crochet patterns: simply write each row down as you work, and when you make a change, tear it out, cross it out, and continue on. Did you know that crochet nomenclature differs between the US and UK? Lucy provides both terms in her directions.

Lucy has painstakingly crafted her patterns in the United Kingdom, can be found on Facebook, and by e-mail her patterns are available via PDF worldwide. Visit her blog where you will find darling little eggs to delight any egg hunt, as well as free patterns and links to free patterns that you can try your hand at. Keep in mind that her pattern designs are available for personal use only. She has spent great time and care in preparing them. I wonder what she will come up with next!

Paper Cuts

Few things are quite as exciting as passing down the skills of a traditional art form to the next generation. This gentleman was fortunate enough to have grandparents mentor him in the art of paper cutting and painting, and the amazing results can be found at swipxa, on Etsy. When my husband saw the country road, he thought it was an ink work.

Steady hands and painstaking attention to detail allow this artisan to create his delicate paper lace designs, which come ready to be framed and will certainly be the conversation piece in any room. These incredible art works can be prepared in a single color or hand painted to please after they are cut out. Zhang can turn a photo into a paper cutout to commemorate a special person or event, so be sure to contact him for custom orders.

Zhang skillfully maneuvers those sharp blades in China and ships internationally. You will also find him at Bonanza, where I am in awe at the zebras through a chain-linked fence.

See him at work in a YouTube video, although the audio is in Chinese.

I have admired this artist for quite some time and have seen great growth in his shop offerings. I hope he will be able to continue his family heritage and pass this craft on to his daughter.

What's Bugging You?

Well it certainly won't be any of these cute little bugaboos from the LuckyBugs shop on zibbet. Daresa has populated her very own colony of Lucky Bugs in a charming array of colors and designs. The flowing antennae and lacey legs give each insect an elegant appearance, and those little faces staring back are precious!

Camouflage bug has got to bring a smile, and the Silver Bug lapel pin is an eye catcher. Every one of her handmade creatures is a true one-of-a-kind work of art with personality, sure to be enjoyed and treasured for many years to come.

This lady absolutely loves playing with polymer clay, and her cheery creations are evidence of her joy. Discover her second shop on zibbet, Daresab, for more examples of her inventive creative energy. She truly upcycled a tobacco tin in a stunning beach themed trinket box, and the hummingbird is amazing!

Daresa models her menagerie in South Carolina, ships internationally, can be found on Facebook, and also has an Etsy shop. Would you like to see a Lucky Bug in your favorite, school or team colors? She enjoys the challenge of custom orders, and will gladly work with you bringing your unique ideas to life. Here is a wonderful surprise for the avid gardener on your gift list – bugs that won’t need spray!

Plarn Creations

As many of you know, recycling is dear to my heart. Anything we can do to keep materials from our landfill is a benefit to all, and the creative recycling and upcycling of these materials, turning them into beautiful and useful items, is very satisfying.

There is a shop on ArtFire doing just that, KConkle.
Karen crochets a line of beautiful bags and totes made from 100% recycled plastic shopping bags in a range of lovely colors and designs. Her husband Terry offers wonderful support and collects bags from coworkers who know of Karen's marvelous creative talent.
 
Karen hooks her eco-friendly creations in Kansas, ships internationally, and can be found on Facebook. Like me, she has recently opened a shop at ShopHandmade, and should have it stocked with more of her wonderful recycled treasures shortly.
Plarn is soft, strong, waterproof, and has marvelous insulating properties. Be sure to stop by her ArtFire blog if you would like to know the secret to perfectly cutting a bag into a long usable length of Plarn to crochet or knit your own upcycled item. Thank you Karen, I applaud your efforts!

The Discovered Treasures

My adventure in creative discovery and blogging began April 27, 2010 with my first feature, Rebecca of PeadenScottDesigns, and her delightful pop-up cards. Over this past year I featured 71 amazing artists, and was introduced to several new art forms. Those publicly following my blog have grown to 340, and I average 27 views a day from a wonderful international audience!

This has been a year of growth and change for us all. I recently went through the features making sure all their links were active. Sad to say, but several of the Discovered Treasures have closed their shops, while others have taken their creative expression in new directions. I edit the links in my posts keeping them current when I become aware of changes, since keyword search traffic finds some of my features everyday, and I want my posts to remain relevant.



Your comments encourage me in my weekly hunt for those amazing shops that have gone unnoticed, and I am sure they are very much appreciated by the featured artists. The creative energy I have seen online is awesome, and I hope you have found the Discovered Treasures to be inspiring.

Are you ready for another year of discoveries?

Spread the word - These exceptional artists deserve a greater audience for their unique craft, and if you missed a few, browse the Past Discovered Treasures!

Adventures in Quilling

It is my pleasure to introduce an extraordinary quilling studio, QuillingbySandraWhite, on Zibbet. With nearly 40 years of experience, this artist has distinguished herself in the quilling community by evolving the unique style we enjoy in her shop today. Sandy places a cutout of the shape she wishes to capture over a strategically quilled background. The quilling becomes the brush strokes adding a layer of texture and interest to her one-of-a-kind 3D masterpieces.

Sandy constructs traditionally quilled keepsake wedding invitations and birth announcements, and will work with you to create a beautifully framed, uniquely quilled remembrance. She has an exciting line of cards that combine the elegance of quilling with the beauty of handmade papers and are suitable for framing.


There are also stunning quilled Christmas ornaments that would make wonderful gifts. Your thoughtfulness will be remember each time they hang it up and marvel at its design.

Sandy’s creative corner is in New Hampshire, she ships to the United State, and has her own website. Like me, she sells on multiple venues and additional shops can be found on ArtFire, Bonanza, and eCrater, where you will find a collection of vintage craft magazines and books. To think the magic is all done with paper!

Creative Crochet

The colorful basket weave crocheted afghan at LovingHandsCrochet, an Etsy shop, caught my eye. I have seen this interesting design done before in fabrics, but never knit or crocheted. What a warm blanket this must be, and her stained glass blanket reminds me of one I made many years ago to put away loose ends. Her shop has a wonderful selection of machine washable afghans ready to adorn your rocking chair and wrap you in handmade elegance.

A strong passion for crochet is this lady’s driving force, but I don't know where this homeschooling mother of five finds time to make all her delightful creations. She has the cutest little outfit and animal hat patterns available in her shop, and a very nice shamrock afghan pattern. If you love her designs, but don’t have the time or inclination to make it yourself, she will crochet one of her patterns for you. The elephant hat would be so special for your little one to wear as they tour the zoo!

She magically twists her yarn in Colorado and ships internationally. I first ran across her treasures on zibbet, and she can also be found on Facebook. I can truly appreciate the time she invests in each of her crocheted masterpieces. If you don't see your favorite color, just ask and she will be happy to work with you.

Reindeer Bracelets

Maravilla is a very unique shop on zibbet where I discovered a wide array of interesting items, but the one that made me pause and take notice were the reindeer leather bracelets. Available in five colors of leather, Kelly decorates her attention commanding jewelry with woven pewter and copper wires. These pleasing designs can be enhanced with reindeer antler, silver beads or leather cording.

Kelly also fashions buffalo leather bracelets decorated with aged bone and sterling silver beads. If Steampunk is to your liking, be sure to see my favorite, the dragonfly necklace. This multi-talented lady doesn't stop there. She has beautiful punched tin and copper work, including prayer boxes holding your notes to the Father. Her copper light covers must look enchanting in the dark. You can even order a custom hatband for your favorite cowboy hat. What a unique and interesting artist!

From a studio nestled on a mountain in northern New Mexico, Kelly creates her treasures and ships internationally. She can be found on Etsy and has a website dedicated to her tinwork, with a second website where you can place custom bracelet orders. If you have any questions or special requests, don't hesitate to contact Kelly. She looks forward to working with you!

Smocking & Free Hand Embroidery

With a smocked dress as her canvas, this artist paints with an array of colored floss bringing incredible scenes from her imagination to life. This self-taught smocker creates fabulous one-of-a-kind frocks at RabbitWhiskers, a zibbet shop, which will have your little one looking elegant and feeling like a princess.

It’s hard to believe that Judy didn’t start with a love of sewing, but thirty years of experience has brought her to the creative pinnacle she enjoys today. Judy's exclusive embroidered scenes are truly remarkable, and she has created lovely note card collections featuring the brilliance of her handiwork. She also knits adorable little lambs that would be so special with a lamb embroidered dress.

These gorgeous art dresses are handmade in California and ship internationally. You will find more of her remarkable designs on her website and can visit her on Etsy. Judy's dresses look too beautiful to wear, but they are made to be loved and worn, and can be passed down to delight the next generation. This is amazing wearable art!

Fatima’s Flowers

Spring is finally here! Now if only the weather would cooperate. I ran across this vibrant shop, FlowersFromFatima, several months ago on Etsy and was waiting for just the right time to present her beautiful creations. Inspired by the wondrous beauty found in nature, Fatima’s floral fashions are bold yet feminine. Headbands, hair clips, sticks, and combs will have you looking chic and flower fashionable with her line of eye-catching hair ornaments. I think her gorgeous Gerbera Daisy would make a stunning brooch, a statement piece for any coat that needs a serious splash of color.

This charming lady makes her sunshine pieces in Ohio and ships internationally. The cheerful colors she chooses will surely warm hearts and provide hope for a bright and joyful day. These pretty posies will get you noticed, so be ready with a smile when you go out wearing one of Fatima’s creations!

Arachnomania

Spiders, spiders everywhere! Don't be frightened by these lovely beaded treasures from JewelReMotion, an Etsy shop. I featured Christmas spiders once before and was very pleased to find another shop offering them. Whether you are looking for a spider for your tree, a unique cell phone charm, or an eye-catching spidey brooch, you will find many colorful candidates in Susan's charming shop.

In addition to her wonderful selection of amiable arachnids, Susan hand fashions a very unique line of true one-of-a-kind steampunk heart necklaces using polymer clay. If you knit, you will enjoy her stitch markers that fit a needle up to size 9. The markers that remind me of Jack Skellington are very cute.

Susan captures our attention from New Mexico, will ship internationally, and can be found on Facebook. She keeps busy with a second shop on Etsy, KnitsNthings, where you will find the most adorable snail and monkey tape measures. She has very nice spider photography too!

Zendoodle Zentangle

Does this title have you thinking of Dr. Seuss? That was my first thought when I read about this recently named art form. Karen has intricate zentangle designs in her etsy shop, IrelandBrady, which are created one tiny stroke at a time, and upon closer inspection, remind me of scrappy patchwork quilts. She has an entire uniquely designed zentangle alphabet series available on white or colored backgrounds. What an impression it would make to spell out a loved one's name in 2.5 x 3.5 inch pocket art pieces!

In addition to her detailed zentangle designs, Karen has many other original artworks and prints available. Whether you are looking for a little ACEO (Art Card Edition or Original) or a full sized work of art for the wall, Karen has a showstopper waiting for you.

Karen doodles in Oregon, will ship internationally, and can be found on Facebook. There is a wonderful study of Celtic knots on her blog. Keep an eye on this amazing artist!