Saturday's In the News - New product - Powertex

I went to a Hobby and Craft show at Excel a while back. There was lots to see and many stands with their show specials as well as demonstrations, fashion show and more. They are usually put on a couple of times a year around November and March, and great if you are thinking of trying out a new craft or hobby, or brush up on a new technique.  There is always much to learn and most exhibitors have mini demonstrations going on throughout the day.

I came across a Powertex stand, not having heard of the product before, but seeing the effects, had to find out more about it.  The husband and wife team who demonstrated using the product were really friendly and shared many hints and tips, their display was amazing.

"Powertex fabric and textile hardener is an environmentally friendly water-based liquid sculpting medium. Powertex can replace polyester for fabric hardening and textile hardening. Powertex can harden absorbent materials. Powertex is used for making sculptures, paintings, decorative objects and jewelry. Once dry your artwork can be decorated with oil paints, acrylics, latex or Powercolor mixed with Easy Varnish."

Here are some of the things that they had on display, using fabric and many things that you would probably find around your home you can create some beautiful designs

This was a cardboard box that was decorated with the hardened fabric

You can create bigger indoor and outdoor sculptures 

It can be used for both decorating sculptures and in mixed media projects

It is a bit messy and you will need gloves, though it is non toxic and will wash off your hands with soap and water, your clothes will not fair too well, so you need to cover up.

I brought one of their kits and have been blown away by the versatility of the powertex and other products that you can buy.  It has taken some of the things I have created to another level, I have used it in the mixed media paintings that I create, and I have just loved working with clay and have already used it in creating clothes for some of the art dolls. 

Here are some of the other things that I have been making...

Powertex used to create clothes

Mini Placs

Tea Box decorated with fabric

Mini Dogs

I have created a separate page on the blog with some of my other sculptures and creations.  I really recommend that you give Powertex and other products a try.  You can visit the site HERE

Material Mondays - Crochet and textiles Art Show

It has been a while since I did anything with fabric or wool, so I thought I would share with you the latest thing that I have made.  For a while I seem to be buying a new shade of wool every week, but there is a limit to how fast I can crochet, even on a good day and with all the other priorities that seem to rear their head it has kind of taken a back seat.

Crochet...

I wanted to make something for my 6 year old niece and thought a crochet bracelet would be the nice to try, it could be worn with a variety of outfits and I could make it within a few hours.

Flower and button details

It is made using wool with specks of silver thread, I created 2 flowers one using the grey wool and the other using white as contrast. 

Grey and silver thread running through the wool...

These were then and attached these to another piece of wool that had been crocheted that would fit around her wrist.  A button was added and a button hole in the opposite ends.

Flower button 

A flower button was added in the middle of the crochet flower. The bracelet was straight forward and quite easy to make, yet it looks quite effective.  I have been busy with the flowers and now have a few more to make into bracelets, and maybe a broach or two!

Flowers waiting for a new lease of life

I recently got a couple of tickets to go to the Creative Stitches show, which I am really excited about, as it will also include a look at the Festival of Textile Art.  I have been getting more and more inspired by the many fabric designs, quilting and using textiles in my work.

The Creative Stitches and the Fashion Embroidery show will be held at London, Excel on 3rd - 5th April 2014, and the tickets are £8 in advance and £10 at the door, but it also gives you entry to the Hobby Crafts show at the same venue. It will be a great way to hear some inspiring talks, see new techniques and connect with others, if your going, let me know!