Giveaway Feature - Handarbeitskram!

Police Box - Blue Hand Dyed Yarn

I don't remember how I first met Yvonne of handarbeitskram but we have a lot of geekiness in common! She hand dye's yarn (how cool is that?), knits, and sells incredible stitch markers. I love the yarn above because it's called "police box" after Tardis from Dr. Who! Great inspiration huh? Now, to let you get to know her a little bit better ...

1. Where can we find your work and what do you create? 

I sell on Artfire, my shop is http://handarbeitskram.artfire.com. I offer handdyed yarns, stitch markers for knitting and some knit or crochet patterns. And if you don't know how to knit or crochet, you can order a custom made item from me.

2. What's your favorite part about being an independent artist? 

I love that I can be creative without anyone telling me what to do. I don't think I could be creative on a timeline with given themes all the time, with my own shop I decide about the pace and about the designs or colours.

3. Where do you find your inspiration? 

Everywhere... Sometimes it's movies or TV shows I like, sometimes flowers, trees or other things I find in nature. But it can be artwork as well or something that comes to mind when I read a book or listen to a song. There are so many possible influences when you mainly work with colour, everything has a colour or a combination of several colours and might inspire a new yarn.

4. What advice would you give to other artists?

Do what you love to do. And don't be afraid to try new things, it might sometimes lead to the best results. Be willing to break the rules, it's your work, you decide about the rules

You could win a set of 6 Millefiori Stitch Markers!

Here's what she has to say about it :)

The brightly coloured glass millefiori beads I used for this set of stitch markers are an eye catcher. 

I framed them with silvery spacer beads, iridescent black rocailles and black faceted beads. 

I can make them as crochet markers as well if you prefer those 

and if you don't knit or crochet I can make a key chain with the same beads for you. Item value: $6

So how can you win?

1. Comment on this entry
2. Share their favorite item from her shop(s) (scroll up for links)
3. Plurk or twitter about it and leave a comment with link.
4. Blog about it and leave a comment with link
5. Purchase an item from her shop (for 5 entries) (links above)

Important: All entries must be submitted by comments on this blog post.

I'm keeping track of the entries, so telling Yvonne about them won't help :P

Interested in doing an artist feature/giveaway on this blog? Just let me know!

Featured Crafter: TJB Designs

Tommye's craft is something that reminds me of my childhood. My mom went through a time where she did a lot of cross stitch and I even took a class as well and helped organize the rainbow of DNC floss in my mom's collection.

Something I learned from TJB Designs is what a fob was. I saw that in one of her tweets and wondered what the heck is a fob? As soon as I clicked and browsed her shop, I knew exactly what it was, just never knew those were called fobs! I must have missed that day in crafting 101.  She makes very pretty scissor fobs and stitch counters with lovely glass and porcelain beads. Many of her fobs have coordinating stitch markers and pins as well. Who better to know what hardware in stitching that needs bling than a stitcher herself. You'll be a stylin' stitcher with any of her creations.

If you are a stitcher, you must follow Tommye's blog. She regularly posts about her projects she's working on.  I think it would be a great place to watch and share in a fellow stitcher in her craft.  Be sure to become a Facebook Fan of TJB Designs. You'll learn about promotions and sales.

PS...don't feel limited to use one of TJB's fobs for scissors. They would be fabulous on your purse, crafting bags, gym bag or even hanging on a knob.