Monday, May 30, 2011

Tak Unique Designs - Featured Artisan of "On Fire For Handmade"

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - My Handmade Designs on ARTFIRE and ETSY



This weeks Featured Artisan is Theresa Karnes - Tak Unique Designs. 

Teresa has beautiful creations in her shop! 

You can find Tak Unique Designs on:




This Feature is part of a Blog Ring sponsored by ON FIRE FOR HANDMADE at Share The Love - Featured Artisan on Facebook!!!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Cranberry Crafts - Featured Artisan of the Artfire Guild, You Can Sell It!

HSD Spring Promotion Ideas for Selling Handmade Products Online

From Cranberry Crafts, an Artfire Artisan Selling Media they wrote -- a Current Edition of an affordable eBook that could be of great help to someone who wants to - or is Selling Handmade Products!!

This blog article is part of a Blog Ring of the Artfire Guild, You Can Sell It! Please note:  Though I have not read this myself and cannot vouch for the effectiveness of the advice in this eBook, it is written by someone who has sold Handmade and is writing about their own successes at Selling Handmade -- and it is Affordable!! 



Ruth Sandra Sperling  of RSS Designs In Fiber - My Handmade Designs on ARTFIRE and ETSY

Monday, May 23, 2011

Getting Creative With My Crocheting - Today -- A Story!!

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - My Handmade Designs on ARTFIRE and ETSY



I'll be honest -- I don't remember the exact date, or even the exact instance, of when I first picked up a Crochet Hook and some Yarn -- and proceeded to make something -- it was just some time in my teens, I believe the late 1960's.

I had been making "things" with my hands since very early childhood - including those potholders made with loops of yarn on a small loom.  It was always fun for me -- and I have always, always enjoyed working with different Colors!!

Oh - through my teens and college years, I made a variety of things -- I mostly remember scarves and sweaters -- then later a Granny Square bag I gave to a friend -- then a Sweater even and a Poncho -- it was kind of a gradual thing that I just did when I felt like it!!   But I always got patterns and followed them exactly, which I can do!!  I don't remember when I actually "learned" -- never took any classes, just did patterns -- and I am positive that at some point in my teens I even made a small doily in thread and gave it away -- all just for fun and some craftiness!!

In late 2001 though I got serious -- got interested in larger, more complicated projects - I started an afghan and planned out a top.  This continued on into 2002, where I got into more bags, table mats, lapghan, baby clothes -- and even toys, including a stuffed Giraffe (my first stuffed animal), which I donated for a Holiday party!  Then some Hats and Scarves and Pillows to sell even!!

Still though I was following patterns exactly.

---->>>> Then in early-to-mid 2003, something happened that was to change my Crocheting and making things with Fibers forever.

Someone asked me if I had ever done Doilies in Thread Crochet -- and would I be willing to make a bunch to sell.

It was something totally new for me -- I was going to have to learn how to do more than Basic Crochet and follow complicated patterns for complicated designs, but never having a problem with any Crocheting, I just thought "why not"!

So I acquired some Steel Crochet Hooks for Crocheting with Thread -- some size 10 Crochet Thread -- and found some patterns online.  And I just picked up a pattern and started doing it -- the emphasis here, folks, is on the DOING!!  Still just following patterns, I found this wonderful world of complicated designs unfolding as you Crocheted - some Graphic, some Floral -- and then I discovered Filet Crochet and the ability to make Images and Pictures by Crocheting with Threads (I have blogged about this some in the past)!!

This has been going on for years -- about 8 now to be exact -- and in the last Year to Year-and-a Half, I have reached a new level in my Crocheting!!

--->>> Now it is no longer just following patterns -- it is, OK, this is this pattern, but I want it to look "this way" not "that way" and how do I go about doing it???   And it has become more than just adding Colors to a  One-Color pattern.

It has become a matter sometimes of taking one type or technique of Crochet and adding something else to it -- or, OK this design does this, but I need it to do this, so how do I go about getting what I want????

---->>>>  TODAY, in fact, I had another one of these moments -- I am getting towards the end of finishing a rather large round centerpiece Doily of 41 rounds per the original pattern.  On large patterns, like this, I still use patterns for the basic design, but I can rarely resist making some kind of "modification" or "adjustment" to it.

I had already planned a change before even starting, because the original pattern was all white and I wanted Color in it -- with some Contrast - so that required some minor changes along the way, though I was staying pretty much true to the basic design of the pattern.  But more than that -- I had always thought the Edging for it was rather boring, so I have come up with something new!!



  I had this pattern in mind from an earlier Doily I had make (pictured above) -- a much smaller project, granted, but this was the kind of Edging I wanted -- something more complicated, more interesting!!

So out came that pattern -- and then the computing and counting -- and I had it and knew I could do it -- I could add an Edging somewhat similar to this (couldn't be the same, as the project is much, much larger and quite different - tho still round)!!

Thank You, Thank You to one of the Great Ladies of Crochet Design, Elizabeth Hiddleson -- which was where I saw this type of Edging originally in one of her books!!  You have to see her books to understand -- she has all kinds of patterns and edgings -- and she encourages Creativity in her books -- I wonder if she would laugh at me -- taking an Edging pattern from one Doily and "modifying" it so I can use it on another!!

But it is working!!  The new, rather large project - of course always somewhat different from the original pattern -- should be done within a few days and I will have to show it here on my Blog!!

Moral:   Getting Creative has made my Crocheting even more fun than ever to do!


And some of what I make, people even love to buy!!

Get Creative!!  Your Way!!

(And, Oh, by the way, the photo at the top - the Tree - well that is a Crocheted Tapestry and has become my "Brand" -- created, charted and done by me in all kinds of Colors  -- and Thanks there to DMC for having the variety of colors in Pearl Cotton and Cebelia!!)

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Moonsong Ranch - Featured Artisan of "On Fire For Handmade"

Ruth Sandra Sperling RS
S Designs In Fiber - My Handmade Designs on ARTFIRE and ETSY




This weeks featured artisan is Doug from Moonsong Ranch! Wonderful creations for you!! You can find Moonsong Ranch on:

Twitter

This Feature is part of a Blog Ring sponsored by ON FIRE FOR HANDMADE at Share The Love - Featured Artisan on Facebook!!!

Friday, May 20, 2011

DMC Pearl Cotton - In Wonderful Colors!!

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Get My Handmade Designs on Artfire and Privately



Finished Product - Blue and White Sparkling Doily Available - with Blue DMC Pearl Cotton Threads


Update as of March 15, 2015 --- I have been crocheting with DMC Pearl Cotton for years and years .... at different times people have asked me where I got such-and-such color - and did I know how they could get some.

As all manufacturers - even of Threads and Yarns - DMC changes from time-to-time what they make and therefore what is available.

But I have colors that have been discontinued - mostly in DMC Pearl Cotton Size 8 - and I might be willing to sell some depending on how many I have - and what I need for my own crafting (crocheting, embroidery, needlepoint etc. etc.)

-- And everything is priced Below Suggested Retail Price - On Sale!!!

At the time of this article, I have the following colors in Size 8 Pearl Cotton:


  • Shaded Greens
  • Shaded Pinks
  • Shaded Goldish Yellows
  • Shaded Orange-ish Yellows
  • Copper Orange (looks like the Color of Pumpkin to me!)
  • Shaded Medium Blues
  • Navy Blue


I do have more Colors of Size 8 Pearl Cotton in my own stock -- and  I also have some balls in Size 12 Pearl Cotton and some skeins of Size 5 Pearl Cotton, but not in such quantities at this time that I am willing to sell them.

I also have an account with an official DMC Distributor.

All you need to do is Email me privatly to ask about specific Colors to see if I happen to have some - or if I can get it.

DMC Pearl Cotton is truly a Beautiful, Lustrous Thread with which to:


  • Crochet
  • Embroider
  • Needlepoint
  • Knit


 --  and I highly recommend it!!

Here are a few pictures of some of my Handmade pieces done in DMC Pearl Cotton!!






Basket of Flowers - Sold!


Finished Product - Multi-layer Rose Motif with Leaves - all DMC Pearl Cotton



Sold Finished Product - 3D Flower Doily - with Flowers in DMC Pearl Cotton



Cornucopia Centerpiece - Sold! - all in DMC Pearl Cottons


Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Colorful Key Chains for Home or Office -- and Handmade!

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - My Handmade Designs on BONANZA and ETSY





If you first just look at the above picture, you might wonder what the Red Rose and Bright Green Leaves are for -- they look like traditional Irish Crochet, though in color, that might be on something done in just that, traditional Irish Crochet!

But this is the Closeup of the Colorful Hand-Crocheted Decorations made as part of a whole KEY CHAIN:





The whole point of making these is to provide something quite Unique and Different - and COLORFUL and CHEERFUL for everyday use!!

Here is another Key Chain I made:







Add a little bit of Fun -- and lots of COLOR to your everyday life - in the Office or at Home -- with these KEY CHAINS -- Handmade by me!!


And if you have some Motif that you would like Crocheted for a KEY CHAIN -- well, I do CUSTOM ORDERS, too -- just email me -- or through my Bonanza Booth or Etsy Shop !!

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Featured Artisan -- Curiosity's Piqued of On Fire For Handmade

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - My Handmade Designs on ARTFIRE and ETSY




This weeks Featured Artisan is Lori - Curiositiy's Piqued. 

Lori creates baby items, purses, bags, household items and Christmas ornaments that she crochets, sews and crafts by hand. 

She also has another shop called Tadasana Tribal. 

You can find Curiositiy's Piqued on:



This is part of a blog ring of On Fire For Handmade -- Share The Love - Featured Artisan !!

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Angel Pearls - Featured Artisan From "On Fire For Handmade"

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - My Handmade Designs on ARTFIRE and ETSY


This Weeks Featured Artisan is Angel Pearls!

Beautiful, colorful crocheted Flowers for Applique,
-- Feminine, Classic, Joyful Jewelry as Vintage Inspired
-- and Angelic Earrings and Brooches, Crochet Flower Brooches and more!

You can find Angel Pearls at:





This is part of a blog ring, Share the Love - Featured Artisan, for "On Fire For Handmade".

Monday, May 2, 2011

Preview of New Flower Design In Fiber -- OOAK Work-In-Progress

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - My Handmade Designs on ARTFIRE and ETSY



I've been working on it for days and days, it seems - on and off!

I decided to do a Design of a White Vase with Garnet and Rose-Colored 3D Roses -- as I thought it would be a nice piece of Fiber Art Decor for either Mother's Day or a Spring or Summer Wedding! 

It could even be used as Applique for a Pillow or used as some kind of Wall Art!!

I got the idea for the pattern from one of my Elizabeth Hiddleson books (one from 1979), though of course I made a few "adjustments"!

The 3D Hand-Crocheted Roses shown in the photo above are a variety of ones I "just made" -- I've been making Multi-layer 3D Roses for years and years now -- and I can just "wing it" to create new ones!

I have been seeing all kinds of blooming Rose bushes where I live this Spring - and I am going to make this design with a variety of sizes & shapes of 3D Roses this time!!

Watch for the completed project to show up in my Etsy Shop - hopefully within a few days!!

June 10, 2011:  Finished Project is in my Etsy Shop:  "Vase of Red Roses" !!

Vase of Red Roses - Fiber Art 3D Roses in Garnet Reds and Mauve Pinks, Thread Crochet

Color, Color, Color - Wild With Color - A New Artfire Collection of Mine

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - My Handmade Designs on ARTFIRE and ETSY





My newest ARTFIRE COLLECTION - including members of the ARTFIRE GUILDS:

-- It's Better Handmade
-- On Fire For Handmade

It is all about COLOR !!

You can find both of them on Facebook, too, where I first got involved with them!