Free Art and Commercial Art

I've been busy updating my Free Art blogs here and here. Its one way I can pay it forward as an artist, and also, what good is art if it's just going to sit in storage because I can't sell it. Maybe at least someone can get some joy out of it and just for a moment feel like the universe isn't a hard scary place to live in.

I also started working on my Pigglewiggins shop again on Etsy. I want to have it filled up by March 1, 2013.  I for sure won't sell anything if I never list anything to sell. I checked it this morning and it only had one active listing. Now it has 3, but I want to put new things in it, not just keep renewing old entries.

Crochet Techniques: Circle Into a Square

I am going to try this for my new granny square vest, maybe as the back of it. http://signedwithanowl.blogspot.com/2011/06/squaring-big-circle-tutorial.html Do you know how to turn a crocheted circle into a square? I think it would break up the squares I already made and add more interest to the garment.

New Knitting Loom Tutorial

I just finished a loom knitting tutorial.

It shows how to get started on making a flat panel on a round knitting loom. If you have the KniftyKnitter looms this is the yellow one that is too big for a hat. Perhaps you never knew what to do with it before.

Three of my friends just had baby boys. And my daughter is expecting a boy too. So I need to make baby items. I better get busy.

Win Custom Earrings By Fayme Harper

To thank my readers, my commentors, and my followers, I've decided to give away ten pairs of my original right angle weave earrings, one pair to each winner. If you win you will get to pick the colors and silver-toned or gold-toned earwires. There is no charge to you, I even pay the shipping.

U.S.A. addresses only please.

How to win:
Leave a comment on this post. That will automatically put your name into the hat. One entry per person please, though you can comment as often as you like. On August 2, 2010, I will draw the winners from the names on the list. Then I will announce where those are going to. No need to send your address yet, until I announce if you've won. Follow this blog to keep up with what's going on.

And good luck on winning. You have a pretty good chance since I'm giving away TEN pairs, ONE pair to each winner.

About the photos:
The earrings are for sale in my shop right now. They are not the prizes but are shown here to give you an idea of what your earrings could look like if you win.

Ning Will No Longer Be Free

For those of you that have NING networks, I just got an email that says as of July 2010, there will be no more free Ning networks. I think I have six of those, but none of them are all that active. I do most of my posting to Blogger. If you have a very busy NING that you've invested a lot of time into, you'll either have to start paying or make other plans. I guess everyone needs to make a buck, but it sucks when they lure you in and then close the trap on you. If they ever start charging for Blogger, I'm going to cry. I have so many photos and posts on this thing its not even funny.

Chemo Caps Always Free

If you need one for you or a loved one, email me at Pigglewiggins (at) gmail.com. and let me know your favorite color. Also, do you prefer solids or stripes or anything goes. Make sure you tell me if it's for a child, teen, or adult so I get the size right. And I'll need a complete address to send it to.


And if any of you are in the Anaheim area I also accept donations of yarn and knitting and crocheting supplies, as long as they are from a smoke free environment. That way I can keep the caps coming, and you can get your closet cleaned out of all the yarn Aunt Martha left you. And if you could never figure out that new fangled knitting loom, I'll be happy to have those available too. That way I can put the local teens to work making hats as well.

Dave

Watching Dave the Painting Guy right now. Because you can always learn how to paint better. And his humor amuses me. I tried to embed it for you but having no luck there so here is the link: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/dave-the-painting-guy

Free Felt Star Ornament Directions

I was writing an article for Hubchallenge on making ornaments and thought I'd put some instructions on making a felt star ornament so I put it here: http://hubpages.com/hub/Making-Ornaments-for-Special-Occasions If you make one send me a photo and I'll put it in this thread. It's designed for someone that has beginner skills in embroidery or sewing. Or read it just to see other ornaments I have made.

Gypsystones

I just painted new gypsystones to give away. After they dry a bit I'll put a protective finish on them and sign the back. Last night I thought I'd do a spring theme. Then this morning I thought I'd go with a Valentine theme. But the minute I picked up a paintbrush my subconsious mind had another idea altogether. When I download the photos you'll see what I mean.

I have company today so I figured if any art was going to get done I'd better do it while I was alone. I know some artists like to work in groups, but I get too distracted and end up getting everyone a drink or schmoozing and hours go by and I realize I haven't done a whole lot of art. Art for me anyway is mostly a solitary pursuit. Even so I found I was losing patience about an hour into it so I wrapped up the ones I had started and took a break. I realized I was getting a headache. My eyes aren't as good as they used to be so I need to do detail work in small batches.

Vintage Book and Knitted Headband

Here is the headband I made for the free tutorial. I just have to sew the narrow ends together and weave in the ends.

And this is a vintage knitting book I got from Nadine's estate.

Headband

I just got this vintage knitting book from Nadine's estate. And here is the headband I made for the tutorial. All I need to do is sew the narrow ends together and weave in the ends.

Free Head Wrap Pattern for beginners

Today I am knitting a head wrap out of Homespun that is 2x2 ribbing and 14 stitches wide. You can make one too.


Supplies:
Pair of knitting needles in a size you are comfortable with
Yarn that feels soft against your face
Yarn or tapestry needle.

Stitches you need to know: Knit and Purl
You must also know how to cast on and cast off.

Cast on 14 stitches.
Knit 2, Purl 2 until you reach the end of the first row.
Turn
Purl 2, Knit 2 until you reach the end of the 2nd row.

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until the piece is long enough to form a tube around your head.
Cast off.
Use yarn needle to sew narrow edges to each other using an overcast stitch or your favorite joining stitch.

Optional: Sew on an artificial flower or decoration.

Put head wrap on, take photo, and send me your picture and I'll add it to my blog.

Pattern copyright 2008 by Fayme Harper
For non-commercial use only.

Need help learning to knit? My favorite site is http://www.knittinghelp.com.


Update: http://craftaday.blogspot.com/2008/11/vintage-book-and-knitted-headband.html

Amigurumi Bunny

Free amigurumi crochet bunny pattern on Joann.com http://joann.lionbrand.com/patterns/80018AD.html

Nearly Free Bubble Kit a Tutorial

I wanted to do bubble photos for my self-portrait a day pool on Flickr, only problem though...no bubbles.


My first thought was to run to the nearest store and get a bottle of bubbles. But whoa! I had all the knowledge and tools to do it myself, and I bet you do too.

First I found an empty pill bottle. The type I picked doesn't leak when turned upside down either. I rinsed it out, dried off the outside and labeled it with masking tape and a permanent marker. Always relabel bottles for safety's sake.
Then I filled it 1/4 full with bargain store liquid dishwashing detergent. I filled the rest with tap water. Do not shake. Put the lid back on and carefully turn it upside down a few times or stir it gentle with your bubble wand. You don't want it to get all foamy.

Then I found some wire for the bubble wand. I've even used clothes hanger wire in the past, but this time I chose a thin copper wire. I made a medium loop on one end and a small loop on the other. Then I taped the middle to cover the sharp wire ends. Make sure your loop is small enough to fit into your bubble bottle. The bare wire worked okay when tested, but not great. Then I remembered commercial bubble wands have little spikes that stick into the loop to hold more solution. So I used crochet thread and wrapped the bubble loop and tied it off with knots. This made it work perfectly.

So here are some of the photos I took with the new bubble wand.

I made this kit in under an hour, but I can see the potential of a hand-beaded bubble wand decorated in peyote stitch or wire wrapped in sterling silver with gems and beads on it.
A little tip: Bubbles like humidity and will last a lot longer on a foggy day or near a lake or pool.
Another tip: No matter the shape of the wand the bubble will always be round because that is the physics of surface tension.