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Jul 30, 2011
Jul 29, 2011
A to Z of Crafts - N = Needlepoint
Needlepoint is a form of counted thread embroidery in which yarn is stitched through a stiff open weave canvas. Although needlepoint may be worked in a variety of stitches, many needlepoint designs use only a simple tent stitch.
The roots of needlepoint go back thousands of years to the ancient Egyptians who used small slanted stitches to sew up their canvas tents. Some needlepoint was found in the cave of a Pharaoh who had lived 1500 years before Christ. Modern needlepoint descends from the canvas work in tent stitch that was a popular domestic craft in the 16th century.
While traditionally needlepoint has been done to create a solid fabric, more modern needlepoint incorporates open canvas, techniques which allow some of the unstitched, or lightly stitched canvas to show through. Needlepoint continues to evolve as stitchers use new techniques and threads, and add applique or found materials.
Here are a few great examples of needlepoint work:
Jul 27, 2011
A to Z of Crafts - M = Mosaic
Mosaic is the art of creating images with an assemblage of small pieces of coloured glass, stone, or other materials. It may be a technique of decorative art, an aspect of interior decoration, or of cultural or spiritual significance.
The earliest known examples of mosaics made of different materials were found at a temple building in Mesopotamia and are dated to the 2nd half of the third millennium BC. Mosaics of the 4th century BC are found in the Macedonian city of Aegae and they enriched the floors of Hellenistic villas and Roman dwellings from Britain to Dura-Europos.
With the building of christian basilicas in the late 4th century, wall and ceiling mosaics were adapted for Christan uses. Christian mosaic art also flourished in Rome although the art gradually declined as conditions became more difficult in the Early Middle Ages.
These days the art of mosaic is once again flourishing as a popular craft - here are a few great examples of mosaic work that I have found:
Jul 25, 2011
Sunday Theme - Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
My theme this week is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in honour of my gorgeous dogs. The dog pictured above is Sasha, my youngest dog, although not for too much longer. She is currently six months old and is so full of fun. She certainly keeps myself and my older dog, Amber, on our toes. Sasha and Amber will, in a few weeks time, by joined by a black and tan puppy, born last Sunday. I'm eagerly counting down the weeks until she is old enough to join us, and trying to come up with a name for her in the meantime.
As a lover, and small time breeder of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, I always love to have a search and see what handmade items are out there that use the Cavalier as a theme. Here are a few great examples of what I found:
Jul 22, 2011
A to Z of Crafts - L = Lapidary
A lapidary is an artist or artisan stones, minerals or gemstones into decorative items such as engraved gems, cabochons and faceted designs. In modern contexts the term is most closely associated with jewellery and decorative household items.
Apart from figurative carving there are three broad categories of lapidary arts. These are the procedures of tumbling, cabochon cutting and faceting. Most lapidary work is done using motorised equipment and resin or metal boned diamond tooling is successfully decreasing particle sizes until a polish is achieved. Older techniques, still popular with hobbyists, used bonded grinding wheels of silicon carbide, with only using a diamond tipped saw.
Here are some great examples of lapidary work:
Jul 20, 2011
A to Z of Crafts - K = Knitting
Knitting has no doubt earned its place as one of the most popular and well known crafts that there is. Knitting can be done by hand, for which there exists numerous styles and methods, or more recently by machine. Knitted products can come in a variety of different feels and textures by changing the size of the needles and the type of yarn used.
The work knit is derived from the word knot, thought to originate from the Dutch verb knutten, which is similar to the Old English cnyttan, to knot. One of the earliest known examples of knitting was cotton socks with stranded knit colour patterns found in Egypt from the end of the first millennium AD. Originally a male-only occupation, the first knitting trade guild was started in Paris in 1527. With the invention of the kitting machine knitting became a leisure activity.
Knitting has gone into and out of fashion many times in the last two centuries and at the turn of the 21st century it is enjoying a revival. The current revival is less about the 'make do and mend' attitude and more about making a statement of individuality.
Here are some great knitted items by members of the Dust team:
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