Felted Coasters and Wallets

I have been invited back to the Holiday Market in Down Town Boise this year, and I am very excited! So I have been hard at work making ornaments, wallets, coasters, and apron sets. I sold out of all my wallets and coasters last year so I knew I wanted to make some again for this year. My applique' skills have definitely improved so making them this time around was a lot easier. Here are two of the coaster designs I have finished. The thing I love about these coasters is that they are double sided, so they can be used on both sides, or displayed on one side and used on the other.

In making my wallets they are so fast and easy, I can whip a bunch out in just a few days. (I love to crochet while I'm watching my favorite TV programs.) I also did a small applique' on each one that is hand stitched with embroidery thread, and a little button completes the look. I'm currently working on a few bigger wallets that have pockets and can hold your checkbook.

The Holiday Market begins Saturday November 6th, and goes through December 18th. I hope to see everyone there! (click on the picture to see a larger image)

Art Doll Ornaments

These are miniature versions of my dolls. I made them into little ornaments, and I just love them! They stand about 5" tall, and are made the same way as I make my dolls. Their arms and legs are also movable. I made 7 of them, and they are all slightly different.

More Applique' Apron Sets

This is an apron set I just made for my cousin's wedding present. I love these color combinations. I always love black and white together, as well as greys and reds.

Two hot pads I made for a special order.

The finished apron, but I am still working on the oven mitt, and hot pad for this set.

Ornaments

Recently I made some ornaments inspired by my two dimensional designs. I discovered paper clay which is like clay but it air dries, instead of needing to bake. It is a fantastic medium and I just fell in love with it. I started out with a wooden or Styrofoam center so that I would have something solid to put my clay on. I also added the metal hoop at the top before the clay dried. It is fairly fast to work with, the only thing that really took time, is waiting for the clay to dry. But as one ornament was drying I worked on another. I layered the clay, and sanded them smooth in between application, and gave them a final sanding before I painted them.

When I thought about how I wanted to paint each one, I wanted them to have a somewhat distressed look. So I thinned out my paints and used them more like glazes and layered them up, so there would be more dimension to them. I also used a dry brush technique, to give each one more of an antique look. Using a paint pen is helpful in making small lines, or dots for eyes. And finally sealing them up with a varnish for protection is the final step.

I used a glossy varnish for the red bird, and a satin varnish for the others. I couldn't decide which varnish I like best. Also the birds have the Styrofoam underneath, and all the others have the wooden, which makes them a bit heavier.

The fox is by far my favorite! I think he has tons of personality, and he looks cute at every angle. I basically started him out as I would for the owls, but added the arms, legs, nose, and tail.