Artmind Tutorial: Fiber Bowls

Today we're again excited to host a tutorial by the über talented Mitsy of Belgium-based blog and shop, Artmind. She is sharing a how-to on Fiber Bowls made from unspun fiber thread. Mitsy buys hers from her flower/decoration shop in Belgium. Here in North America one should be able to find unspun fiber thread at local craft stores here in North America.

Supplies:
unspun fiber thread
wall paper glue
bowls
unspin silk fiber thread (in a different colour)

Make the wall paper glue according to the instructions on the package. Use your hands to put glue all over the inside of the plastic bowl. Tear the unspun fiber open.



Press it into the bowl and add more glue on top of the fibers. Press them firmly to the sides of the bowl. The more fibers you add, the sturdier your bowl will be but the longer it needs to dry.



You can also use little glass bowls. Repeat the above process. Let the bowls dry overnight and sometimes even longer. I put them on the heater and after a while, the glue will sink to the bottom. Then I press the bottom and spread the glue around a bit. When it's all dry, you can take it easily out of the bowls.



To finish it up nicely, you can add a little touch of coloured silk fiber. Just tear a thick strip. Then add some glue on the side of the bowl and glue the fiber onto it.




You can use them to serve chocolates for example. The tiny ones would do excellent for wedding favors too. Or add a little thank you & chocolate inside the bowl.

I'll be giving these 2 bowls away to the first visitor of my next fair. The only thing you need to say is 'I read your blog' when you come to my table! My next fair is this Sunday the 7th of March in the Cultural Center in Hasselt, Belgium. It's International Woman's day then and the initiative is called Evanement.

Mitsy
artmind-etcetera.blogspot.com
etsy.com/shop/ArtMind

Artmind Tutorial: Wax Decorations

Once again we are happy to host the talented Mitsy from Artmind this friday as she takes us through making these cute little wax decorations, (a fun little weekend project with the kids for Valentines). And you'll notice at the bottom of this post Mitsy is giving away some she made on her blog later today! Thanks Mitsy! (Also stay tuned as we post the winners of The Poppies later today)!

Here is what you need:

wax (you can use candles and melt them), metal cookie lid, cookie cutters, newspaper, nylon thread, ribbon, wooden sticks, needle, plier, crimp beads, beads & findings.



Make sure that you work safe when working with hot wax. Cover the area that you are working on with newspaper. Put the cookie lid on top of it & heat the wax.



Fill the metal cookie lid with wax.



Let the wax set for a while until it is stiff but still feels warm. That allows you to press cookie cutters into it without the wax cracking. You have to work quick now as the wax cools down fast. Press as many cutters as possible in the lid.



You can then remove the wax around the cutted shapes.



When you push lightly, the shape will come loose.



If it's still warm, you can easily put a needle through the wax figure. Or you can heat the needle in the flame of a candle.



Or put the wooden stick in the cut out wax figure but only halfway.



Or you can push a hole from front to back.



All the left over wax can go back into the pan and you can re-heat it again if you need more figures.



Then the figures are ready to make decorations from. Add a little ribbon to the wax decorations. They will look super in flower pots.




Or make some ornaments to hang in a branch or on a gift. Cut a piece of metal wire.



Fold it double and place a ribbon in between.



Then pull it through the hole you made in the wax decoration.



Pull the double pieces of ribbon through the loop and make a knot at the end.

Tada! :)


Or make a nice garland with beads and findings. First make a loop and close it with a crimpbead.



Press the crimpbead with the plier.



Then start threading beads & findings according to your taste and add the wax decorations in between.



End the vertical garland again with a crimpbead.



Here is another garland with the flowers. First add a loop and then knots, wooden beads and wax flowers.



Here are the results:

(Poufiks by evaforeva on Etsy)

I'll be giving these wax decorations away in my blog. So hop over there & leave a comment in the post. And perhaps check out some other tutorials I have featured there.

www.artmind-etcetera.blogspot.com
www.etsy.com/shop/artmind