A Happy New Year!

I don't know what the new year will bring for me and also for all of you. I am crossing my fingers and the cats' paws for 2014 to be a good year for all of us. Healthy, peaceful, creative ... let's be helpful to others, open-minded and don't forget to be good to yourselves.

I'm quite sure there will be headdesks, though. I practically ended the year with them, and I'll tell you why.
Earrings. I like them. A lot. Dangly ones mostly. I like to wear them and I like to make them. That's not completely true. There have been many times when I loved earring #1 and went crazy over #2, and not crazy in a good way, from excitement how wonderful it was. Because sometimes #2 just doesn't want to be wonderful, but does everything to make me hit my head on my desk.

Cabs can only be so small to be used if you crochet or knit with wire. They need to be safe in their bezel which means you can't make it too loose, but you don't want to cover all of them with wire, either.
Sometimes I challenge myself to see what I can do. I grab out the 1.4 mm crochet hook (I broke the 1.3 mm one, shame on me or rather the wire) and go to work. For smaller or narrower cabs I found wire knitting to work better than crochet as the structure is more open, so the wire doesn't take over, also it is easier because your wire "mesh" is more flexible.
I started knitting a bezel for this aventurine. The hard part is to knit high enough, but not too high, and then to hold your small cab in that bezel while closing it up with the last row. More than once a cab decided on a last second jump to freedom. This one was quite cooperative. Being on a wire and pearl path at the moment I added some pearls all around, and I was really happy with it.
Then came #2. It didn't like me from the start. First it refused to sit still in its bezel. Maybe it felt hurt because I was "watching" a documentary about the Hope diamond at the same time. There's not much that a little aventurine can hold against a diamond of that kind. We finally came to terms with each other regarding the bezel, but when it was time for the pearls to appear on the scene, suddenly the wire didn't want to play along anymore. Can you believe it broke three times until I decided we all needed a break until the next day? The (not so) funny thing is that I don't like to add wire in a piece like that which meant the cab spent its night in a bag with the other cabs, but in relative freedom after I took the bezel off again ... which was probably what it had planned all along.

A new day, a new attempt. This time we were all playing nicely, and so here the earrings are now, in my DaWanda shop. Phew! Maybe not a bad way after all to end the old year.

Interview with the artist - Ashton from Craft Crater

It's time for another interview with a friend from deviantART. Please welcome Ashton and let's dive right in as always.

Tell us a little about who you are and where you are from.

My name is Ashton, and I'm from Canada, specifically a little town called Mattawa, Ontario. I'm 21 years old and a recent grad from the University of Guelph, in the field of Microbiology. While my science background isn't too obvious in my crafts (I haven't got any bacteria or virus plushies - yet), the principles definitely influence how I work. My lifelong loves are reading (particularly fantasy) and animals (particularly my pets) though my interests have expanded over the years to include gaming, certain TV shows and of course crafting.

Soot sprite treats necklace

What's your craft and how did you get to do it in the first place?

My main craft is crochet though I dabble in knitting, engraving and origami as well. I first started looking into crochet around the end of my second or third year of University, when I wasn't finding the time or inclination to read for pleasure, and had started watching more movies and series to relax and satisfy my cravings for stories. But I was so used to multi-tasking (and had rewatched the same things so often) that I wasn't finding it fulfilling enough, so I started browsing the internet for things to keep my hands busy. I had brief flirtations with embroidery and origami, but neither lasted very long. Then I stumbled across a picture of an amigurumi Chinese New Year Dragon and fell absolutely in love, wanting my very own. So I decided to learn how to crochet, and I haven't looked back since.

I think this is one of the most asked questions - where does your inspiration come from?

At this point a lot of my inspiration comes from my books, shows and games - I create a lot of fanart though I am slowly transitioning into wanting to create original works as well. Another important source of inspiration for me is to think of how I can make my creation useful, as well as aesthetically pleasing. Moving around much of my life, combined with living in small dorms and apartments during school, has given me a dislike for too many purely ornamental things - they take up space, collect dust, and are a pain to move, often being fragile and easily broken to boot. Obviously the largest break in this ideal are my amigurumi, likely why I've moved away from making them as much lately, though I'll never stop of course.

Crocodile cowl

Tell us a fun thing about yourself.

I tend to pick up accents when I read or watch certain things - I always come out of a Forgotten Realms novel or Lord of the Rings marathon sounding like a dwarf.

Do you do other crafts, if yes, what?

I dabble in knitting and glass engraving, with some occasional origami on the side.

Engraved glass

Which one of your pieces is your absolute favorite? Which one was the hardest to make and why?

Choose between my babies?! What madness is this?! Just kidding, of course I have my favorites, like any creator. So far I think my amigurumi Charizard is my favorite piece because he was the largest thing I had done to date, had a lot of parts to sew, and it was my first time with working with wire of any kind, yet with all that he came out looking like he flew right out of the anime and onto my shelf. I even won a competition with him, and I don't win competitions!

Amigurumi Charizard

Is there someone whom you admire and who inspires you?

There's a long list, and it grows every day - Catrin Maier is there for one. (Cat: Oh my, I swear I did not pay Ash to say that!!! ;-))

If you had free choice of just one supply you can use for your craft, what would you be dreaming of, no matter how expensive?

Furls luxury crochet hooks, mmm .... pardon me while I get a tissue to wipe the drool off my keyboard.

Do you sell online, if yes, where we can find you?

Yes, I have an online shop at Storenvy, Craft Crater. I also take commissions on my deviantART page, for other people who are members there.

Broomstick lace scarf

Is there anything you feel you need or want to tell the world outside now?

Respect each other, love all life, and don't run with your spears.

Thank you for sharing with us! Now, guys, go and explore Ashton's pages to see more!

Quote of the week

A last bit of Christmas mood before we walk on into a new and hopefully better year.
I doubt I have to say much about this movie.

A little bell on the Christmas tree is ringing.
Zuzu Bailey: Look, Daddy! Teacher says every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.
George Bailey (smiling at her): That's right. That's right! *winking towards heaven* Attaboy, Clarence.

It's a Wonderful Life, USA, 1946

Have you had yourself ...

... a merry little Christmas? Yes, I know I am late. I'm giving up on explanations or excuses why my blog is neglected. Sure I am hoping it will be better next year, but who knows?
Anyway, I hope you had a great time and most of all I hope you got a bit of peace and rest, on the outside and the inside.

What I want to show you today, doesn't have to do with Christmas, though. It's just another one of those posts that are sadly overdue.
There is this friend of mine, you know. She's crazy, she's lovable, she's funny, and she made something for me that made me freak out when I had to pick it up at customs.
Sharon is a bead loomer, too. Actually that's how we first met. Not in person (yet?). I'm not even sure if the planet would be able to survive us meeting in person. The way it is she's in California and I'm still in good ole Germany.

I don't want to keep up the suspense any longer. Meet Denis, my Cat's Wire logo loomed from Delicas in a beautiful and very personal tapestry. Can you imagine my gasp at the office customs when I pulled it out of its envelope? Can you imagine me telling the clerk more than once that this was my logo? From beads? Made by my friend? For me? My shop logo?

Thank you again, Sharon! You really made my day with this!

To remind you, this is the original logo that my dear friend Denis (hence the kitty's name ;-)) designed for me.
 

Sharon does not have a shop at the moment (if/when she does, you'll be sure to find an interview with her here), but if you want her to make a tapestry or anything else for you, you can contact her via e-mail sjkrauss@gmail.com
You won't be disappointed!

Interview with the artist - Jenny from Bug Eater

"I have been knitting since my mom taught me years and years ago when she got tired of seeing me sitting around and doing nothing."

Well done, Jenny's mother, I say! Please welcome a dear friend I met on Plurk years ago and let's jump right in.

Tell us a little about who you are and where you come from.

My name is Jenny and I am an Alaskan Native Yupiaq Eskimo, I grew up in a very small Yup'ik village on the West coast of Alaska. I now live near Chicago with my husband and family. I've lived down here for 13 years now.

 

Lace weight cowl or nachaq (From the description: "A nachaq is basically the hood of a parka (atkuk). These days it is also a word used for hat since not everyone wears parkas anymore." Bet you didn't know that. I didn't.)

 

What's your craft and how did you get to do it in the first place?

I knit and crochet. My mother taught me how to knit when I was about 12 years old. I didn't get into it until I was about 17 or 18 and at that time I dove into knitting with lace weight yarn and  (what seemed to me at the time) tiny size 3 needles. As for crocheting, I was taught by my grandfather's sister. I made a bunch of granny squares ,but never got to finish the whole thing. After I went off to college my mom asked what I wanted to do with them and I had no idea. She asked if I wanted her to sew the squares together to make a blanket. It was a great idea and as a thank you we decided to give it to my grandfather's sister. She loved the gift and told me that she still uses it!

 

Mix and match crocheted newborn baby hats

 

I think this is one of the most asked questions – where does your inspiration come from?

 

My inspiration comes from wanting to knit something beautiful and eye catching. I love making gifts for people, especially when I know they'll be worn and appreciated! Not exactly sure if that's an answer for "inspiration," but that's it for me.

 

Fingerless armwarmers made to order in different colors

 

Tell us a fun thing about yourself. 

 

No idea!

 

Do you do other crafts, if yes, what?

 

Well, I mostly knit and crochet. Once in a while I will cross stitch. I have so many started cross stitch projects that I would love to finish one day. 

I also bead and make bracelets, necklaces and earrings with seed beads. When I first started I was very young, making single stranded "jewelry." When I got older, I found a necklace that my mom's grandmother made for her and I copied it. I still love making that pattern.

Which one of your pieces is your absolute favorite?

 

One of my absolute favorites I had listed to sell, but after a little while I unlisted it because I could not part with it. It is a deep purple lace cowl that I made and couldn't stand the thought of selling it. I am planning on making other cowls in the same pattern some time soon.

 

Knitted North Star scarf

 

Which one was the hardest to make and why?

 

I don't know if there are any things that, for me, were the hardest to make. Maybe the full fingered gloves because they're custom made to fit the buyers and I have to make sure the  fingers will fit their measurements.

 

Is there someone whom you admire and who inspires you?

 

All the women in my family are crafters of some sort. Almost everyone can do  knitting, sewing, beading, crocheting, weaving. Hand sewing clothes out of fur was the key to the survival of my ancestors. I wish I could hand sew things like parkas and boots like they did way back then, but sadly it has become a dying art. I admire them all because it all ties us together.

 

Men's hand knit fingerless gloves

 

If you had free choice of just one supply you can use for your craft, what would you be dreaming of, no matter how expensive?

 

That would definitely be Qiviut (the wool of the musk ox)!!! I have been telling my husband for years that if he bought me a baby musk ox to raise I would be happy for the rest of my life. Sadly, it hasn't happened- yet. :D

 

Do you sell online, if yes, where can we find you?

 

I have shops on Zibbet, ArtFire and Etsy.

Is there anything you feel you need or want to tell the world outside now?

 

Eat your veggies, drink plenty of water and don't forget to buy my stuff! :D

 

 

Thank you, Jenny ... or should I call you Bug like I'm used to? I bet there's a story behind that, too!! ;-)

Quote ... erm, goof of the week

Today's post is a bit different.
The other evening my sister and I watched one of our favorite X-Files episodes "Bad Blood". I have always been a fan of the "Monster of the week" episodes and if they are funny, I love them even more. I can't say how often I have seen this one already.
Sis was about to doze off when she suddenly said "Hey wait, did you see that??" See what? When? How? Where was I? She went back a few minutes to the scene in which Mulder breaks a chair to get a stake for what he thinks is a vampire (I won't spoil it all for you). And there it clearly was. A hand reaching into the picture to place a stake on the broken chair that Mulder was still stomping around on.

What do you think? A real goof? On purpose to make it even funnier? And why have I never noticed that before??
I need answers, and I need them now!! ;-)

The X-Files - Bad Blood, USA, 1998

Quote of the week

I don't know what your school library looked like, but I remember ours. It was divided into two parts. The one was for the lower classes at high school, adventure, fairy tales, classics, just for the fun read.
My Latin and biology teacher was in charge of it, and to get some help, she had a system of her own. Whenever someone forgot to do their homework or was caught talking in class or passing along notes, they got a so-called "Schlamperstrich", the opposite of a gold star you could say. She was always very fair and never tried to catch kids just to make them work, though. If you had seven of them, you had to work at the library for an hour.
I spent much time there, putting back books, wrapping books in laminating sheets, helping with the card catalog ... I know what you think now, but sorry, I was a volunteer and absolutely loved it! It had two little rooms and it felt cozy, especially when it was raining, and often my friend was there to help out as well which made it even more fun.
I think I only ever went to the part for the higher classes once to look something up. It was by far not as nice. It makes me wonder if it still looks like that today.

Although I can't remember if I saw others use the library very often I'm pretty sure that none of the two were ever used to hold meetings about how to slay vampires and demons .... which brings us to today's quote.

Xander: Hello!
Two students are entering the school library.
Xander: Excuse me, but have you ever heard of knocking?
Jonathan: We're supposed to get some books. On Stalin.
Xander: Does this look like a Barnes & Noble?
Giles: This is the school library, Xander.
Xander (surprised): Since when?
Giles (towards the students): Yes. Third row, historical biographies.

A wonderful series for librarian quotes! ;-)

Buffy The Vampire Slayer, USA, 1997 - 2003

Why HeatherCats don't have whiskers

Last week I told you about the HeatherCats in a post. So far three of them have come out of the shadows and moved into my shop.
They all have a few things in common. They are fun, they are unique, they are made from beads ... and they have no whiskers.
Now you might ask why I'm pointing that out. There are other whiskerless cats out there. In fact the Bosse brass cat on my desk is one of them.

It has to do with one of the comments I got on Biskit's Bum. Several people told me they had a problem recognizing Biskit right away. Some of the comments were hilarious. I have to be honest, I had never thought it could be a problem as it's a position not unusual for my own cats although I don't have a picture from the same angle to prove it.
Anyway, one of them (not my cats ;-)) said it took her a second and she thought it might be easier to see if the whiskers from Heather's original painting were on the bracelet as well.

This reminded me of the first time I showed the pattern for Grouchycat to some beading friends.

I told them that I tried to include the whiskers, but that I just didn't like them. In this size they are too overwhelming if you work them into the pattern or do them in beads 3D style. The same goes for wire if you have to work it through the beads at several points to make it stay put as I wouldn't want wire ends to stick out.
I experimented this way and that way, but the end of it was that I decided that leaving them off completely was still the best solution.

That's the story why HeatherCats have no whiskers.

Next time I'm going to tell you the story of Grouchycat's yellow bird, and why there will probably not be a HeatherCat version of notquitesogrouchycat!

Quote of the week

I'm living at a place I like to call The Museum - one of these days I'll have to get myself a sign over the door - which refers not only to some of my vintage furniture, but also to my small collections. Let's face it, I'm not the modern kind of person. Tiled floors with a single sofa in one corner and shelves of brushed metal, not for me.
For that reason the following is hilariously funny to me.

While her daughter Saffron is away to get married in Africa, Eddy decides to get her kitchen re-done, again. She brings in her old friends Bettina and Max to do the job which turns out to be not such a good idea.

Max: "How are we doing?"
Bettina: "There's still too much in here."
Max looks around the empty white kitchen.
Bettina (pointing at the table): "I want ... that out of here."
Max: "We can't get it out."
Bettina (exasperated): "Jesus."
Max: "Steady."
Bettina (whispering): "I have to start with white box."
Max: "It, it IS white box."
Bettina is walking over to the table.
Max: "Erm ... what do we think ... over, over here?"
Bettina (looking at the white emptiness): "Do we need anything more?"
Max: "Well, a little, I think ... for the client."
Bettina (yelling and pointing at the table): "I want that out!"
Max: "We can't get it out."
Bettina: "Why??"
Max: "Cos you've taken out the stairs!"

The next moment Eddy comes flying down ... after all there are no stairs. It doesn't end well. Bettina has to be put back on medication, and Eddy is sitting in an empty kitchen with her friend Patsy and her assistant Bubbles when Saffron comes home ...

A friend of mine used to say that she wanted a loft with just a chair in it. Makes me wonder if she's one of Bettina's relatives ;-)

Absolutely Fabulous - White Box, UK, 2004

Who are the HeatherCats?

The HeatherCats are a secret project I have been talking about for a while, a project by Heather and Cat.

Heather is a friend of mine, a painter from New Zealand. I met her on deviantART and got to know the Essencestudios. I couldn't even tell you in what group it was, but among her talents Heather has a talent for bright, whimsical paintings, many of which are cats, so how could I not be fascinated the moment I saw the first one?
I really, really wanted one of her paintings for myself, and there was also that little seed of an idea in my head ....

To cut a long story short, I have my painting on the wall

and Heather has a bracelet after one of her other paintings, the Lazy Cat.

That's where it all started.
The HeatherCats are an exclusive line of jewelry bead loomed by yours truly after original paintings of Heather and they are ready to walk out of the shadows now.
Believe me, they are worth watching, both on canvas and in beads.

You will find them on Facebook and you will find them in my Zibbet shop as well where the first of them just made his entrance.
Biskit is a truly happy cat. Who wouldn't like to be able and relax like a cat? In summer, in the garden, on your back, just letting things happening around you.
Biskit was painted after one of Heather's own cats.

Stay tuned because more of them are waiting!

Quote of the week

I'm a little late today. Everything is out of rhythm, and I still have to do this and that and oh no, I totally forgot about ... calm down, calm down. One step at a time.

"One night he was invited to drink unrefined cacao with a pinch of chili, the very same drink the ancient Maya used in their secret ceremonies. The Maya believed cacao held the power to unlock hidden yearnings and reveal destinies ..."

Cacao, anyone?

Chocolat, UK/USA, 2000

Quote of the week

Today's movie makes me sad. One man, two women. I still think he's getting the wrong one in the end although I do understand why.
I guess it has never been easy to keep up a relationship with a dead person. He was prepared to follow her, mind you ... but she wouldn't let him saying he was not hers, even if she loved him.
Don't worry, I have not finally crossed the border to insanity. This is an animation movie, and I think it says a lot about how the characters are done to make me feel like this.
From the start, though.
Victor is supposed to marry. His parents, merchants, want him to marry upper class. That brings in Victoria whose parents are upper class, but unfortunately very broke.
Victor messes up the wedding rehearsal because he can't remember the vows. He runs off to the woods and practises ... and accidentally gives the vows and the wedding ring to a dead bride.

The underworld is fun, much more fun than gloomy life above, but Victor isn't quite ready for that and is trying to keep the dead off his back, with everything he can find ...

"I've got a ... I've got a ... dwarf. And I'm not afraid to use him."

Corpse Bride, UK/USA, 1985

P.S. We are heading towards Halloween, can you tell?

Halloween

I'm getting ready. Are you? As I am still working on something else, I can't plan a bigger piece although a pattern has been waiting behind the curtains for months only needing some color decisions and spots being touched up here and there, but I'm confident I'll have some smaller items ready in time.

If you follow me on Facebook, you might already have seen the pendants, one with an alien, not especially Halloweeny I admit, but that's okay as it was actually a custom order, the other one with a grinning pumpkin.
There will be more of these "I love" pendants with other themes as well.

Maybe I can show you a picture of a finished one tomorrow.
And how would you like the idea of a little Halloween sale? I stumbled upon an old picture for a Halloween special in my files ... let me know what you think!

Lazy or not lazy ...

... that's the question.
Not lazy, I promise, even if my blog looks neglected except for the finds and the quotes. Okay, okay, it has been neglected, but I did have my reasons.
One of them is a fundraiser I am still doing for a friend of mine and her cats to help out with vet bills. It's the chance to get an original Cat's Wire piece at a great price and get some grateful cats' purrs on top.
You can check out what's still available in the "Perry and his pals" album on Facebook. If you are not on Facebook, but are still interested in a piece, you can write to cat@catswire.com and I'll be happy to tell you more. Some of the pieces were made just for this album.

I have also been working on two orders and I started putting rocks and pearls into handmade wire knit ropes like in these two pieces.
The long one is for me since the rocks were a gift, the other one was made for a JAC challenge that you will hear more about later this month.

The urge to put more things into the ropes is almost overwhelming, I can tell you! It will have to wait a bit longer, though. There is this still very secret project I am working on, one that I am very excited about.
I could really use more time, a few more arms and a huge chai supply!!

Quote of the week

Today I'm going to take you back a family that I introduced to you in June 2012.

The daughter of Phil and Claire, Haley, has decided to move in with her boyfriend Dylan right after highschool. Haley and Dylan are convinced they'll make it, her parents are not quite so convinced, mostly because they know both her daughter and Dylan.
I think Phil makes the best point ever in such a discussion.
For all of you IKEA lovers out there ...

Claire: Um, at first, it's a blast. Buying a dish rack, hanging a sheet up to turn one room into two.
Phil: Allen-wrenching a bookcase called a "Njarnk" because you couldn't afford the "Sklurg".

*gasp* Can you imagine having to do with the "Njarnk" instead of the "Sklurg"??? I don't even want to think about it!!!
;-)

Modern Family, USA, 2009 -

Quote of the week

Someone on IMDb called this movie "comfort food" and that's just what it is. It is hilariously silly, nonsensical and to this day I tell people if I paid something for them "I want my two dollars!" which is really a quote in itself, but not the one I chose for today.

Lane is a typical teenager. He drives an old car, he's trying to get by, be one of the popular kids, and goes out with his girlfriend Beth. His enemies on the road are two guys who not only drive a faster car, but one of which also likes to announce this over big speakers on their car roof, talking like Howard Cosell.

Then Lane gets dumped by Beth and is devastated. He's on his way home when the two pull up next to him.

"Truly a sight to behold. A man, beaten. The once great champ, now a study in moppishness. No longer the victory-hungry stallion we've raced so many times before, but a pathetic, washed-up, aged ex-champion."
Lane puts his (slightly eccentric) racing gear on, yells "All right, let's go!"  ... and drives right into the car in front of him. If only he knew that is just the beginning ...

Better Off Dead, USA, 1985

Give me a pair of lampwork beads ...

... and I'll make you a pair of earrings. Give a whole bunch of artists a pair of lampwork beads each, you'll get some very different earrings.
That's what we found out when we had the lampwork earring challenge at the Jewelry Artisans Community.
Our very own Nicole from N Valentine Studio generously donated the lampwork beads which arrived in an incredibly short time, even from Canada to Germany and the UK!

And here's what we did with them.

Caroline, our Crafty Chimp, says she doesn't prefer her earrings to be too fancy. Nothing like a pair of danglies is what I say!

Our next member to finish her earrings was Michele from MCStoneworks. One of Michele's specialties is to use patinas on her beautiful pieces. To pick up the yellow from the beads, she turned the birdies yellow, too!

I started to get nervous, so I put in an extra shift ;-) I'll show you mine at the end, though.

Dawn from Jewelry Art by Dawn loved how there was blue on both sides of the beads, so she decided to try something else and turned them sideways. She also found the perfect matching lapis beads to go with them.

We are still waiting for two more members to post their earrings, but we don't want to be impatient. Do we? DO WE???
Nah, we are not pushy and I'll make sure that you get to see what they made, too.

And last, but hopefully not least these are my earrings.
I settled for fall colors and crocheted hoops from brown copper wire with a mix of seed beads.

If you are game, you'll find the whole thread about the challenge here. We'd be happy to welcome you in our community and if you are a jewelry artisan yourself, why don't you share your work with us?