Felt to Stitch - Creative Felting for Textile Artists - Sheila Smith - £18.99

This wonderful book on felting simply takes your breath away! It covers every aspect from types of wool dyeing and colour mixing wool, building textures with felt fibres and further decoration, manipulating felt into 3D pieces, Nuno felting, cobweb felting, dry felting and shibori along with many design ideas and patterns. Beautifully photographed and clearly illustrated to inspire you. definitely a must-have book! 

Hardback - Colour photographs throughout 128 pages

Hand Felted Jewelry and Beads - Carol Huber Cypher - £15.99

A very 'arty' look at jewelry felting. Colourful, unusual creations are certain to draw attention and complements. The book focuses on both dry and wet felting starting with bead making through to the finished articles. The felted flowers and feathers would make wonderful corsages or adornments for hats and the felt and glass beads are just 'yummy'. If your taste for jewelry is rather big bold and extrovert, this book is for you!

Paperback - Colour photographs throughout 128 pages

Creative Recycling in Embroidery - Val Holmes - £18.99

Recycling is one of the hottest new trends in embroidery and this is the first book to cover it in any depth. Using both hand and machine embroidery, this book is packed with ideas for creating beautiful and unique textile pieces. Fabric, paper, tree bark, plastic, wood and metal waste are used alongside personal objects such as broken jewelry and other objects. Val Holmes is a very experienced and respected textile artist. Her clear instructions and stunning work will inspire you to use all those 'bits and pieces' you just couldn't throw away!

Hardback - Colour photographs throughout 128 pages

Three-Dimensional Embroidery - Janet Edmonds - £18.99

I love this book and just had to read it from cover to cover as soon as it came in! If you enjoy making 3D forms, this book will take you through a wide range of construction methods including coiling with wrapped cords, building flat pieces, manipulating fabric with tucks and gathers and creating forms with heat-reactive or dissolvable fabrics. Stunning colour photographs, diagrams and drawings will inspire you to create beautiful organic shapes, free-form pieces and beautiful bags, boxes and vessels. A must have book!

Hardback - Colour photographs throughout 128 pages

Beginners Guide to Feltmaking - Shirley Ascher & Jane Bateman £9.99

Felt is a  wonderful material to work with. You can combine wools, silks and yarns in a myriad of colours to create some beautiful items. This book is a good introduction to the art of felt making and has sections on materials and equipment, different types of wool, carding and colour combining along with projects to inspire and encourage you to make your own creations. Step-by-Step instructions make it a very easy book to follow and the colour photographs take the mystery out of this lovely pastime. A good value, simple to follow book for beginners.

Paperback - Colour photographs throughout 80 pages

Crochet With Wire - by Nancie M. Wiseman £11.99

This book was a really lovely surprise. Just the sort of wire work we like and far nicer than I expected! It covers necklaces, earrings and bracelets as well as delicate baskets and even a little evening purse. The author also spends a quarter of the book showing all the basics of wire crocheting, including how to get started, finishing off, including beads, adding new wire and planning projects. There are 30 projects with clear colour photographs and instructions along with a very useful skill  level for each one to guide you through the book. Well worth adding to your bookshelf. Why not combine this with a Spiral Beadmaker (see below) and some New York beads!

Paperback - Colour photographs throughout 88 pages

Micro Beads - 12 Assorted Pots - £5.50

This Lovely little set of micro beads are exceptional value and the colours are superb! I couldn't believe how cheap they were for the amount you get. A full twelve reusable transparent pots filled to the brim with these tiny metallic holeless beads.

Colours included are:- Silver, Gold, Copper, Dark Copper, Fuchsia, Ruby, Emerald, Jade, Sapphire, Russet, Aquamarine and Purple.

Get them while you can because at this price they'll fly off the shelves!   

Opal Dust by Jo Sonja - 60mls - £3.99

A clear liquid yet containing tiny high-reflective, holographic particles which create a truly amazing effect. It can be used alone or applied over any painted surfaces. The beauty is it can be applied to literally anything - including fabric, paper, glass, metal, wood, plastic, canvas - even skin! Very economical as opal dust goes a long way. Brushes are very easily cleaned in mild soapy water. For a real 'wow' factor, try it on kunin felt and zap with a heat gun! 

Pretex Fabric and Paper sculpt - from £1.95

I have been searching for a good fabric stiffener for a long time and have eventually found this great product from Holland. It is a water based product that dries to a rain and frost-proof finish. - Now you can put you wonderful creations in the garden! It will not break or crack as it has the feeling and consistency of leather when dry. [The vessel in the photograph was simply made from a kitchen roll inner tube covered in stockinette and knitted string, which I pinned in place before applying the Pretex. I rubbed bronze acrylic paint over the entire form to highlight the textures, added some beadazzles, let it dry and hand stitched some organza leaves and beads on quiet easily using a strong sharp needle and a thimble. I Should imagine a sewing machine with a 100 needle would be fine too.] Pretex can either be mixed with acrylic paint or it can be painted dry with all types of paint and mediums. fabric can also be dipped into Pretex to produce folds and drapes in the cloth. I can imagine all sorts of possibilities using this product and the fact that it comes in four finishes adds to the excitement. possibly combining with 3D fabric medium, Utees and/or Tyvek springs to mind. Scrims, Stockinette, Gauze etc are good cheap fabrics for textures. If you wish to use coloured fibres and yarns to make the form, use the transparent Pretex so the colours are protected but retain their vibrancy.

Three sizes and four finishes are available so please state clearly what you would like.

Colours available:- Transparent, white, Anthracite, Bronze

Stockinette - £1.25 per metre

Cheap fabric for use with Pretex. looks very like dishcloth/bandage material. supplied in tube form 12" wide x double width.

New Multi Special Sheer Voiles - £2.00 per fat 1/4

I recently sourced some really lovely sheer voiles great for layering, bonding and zapping! Two are multi-coloured, one is tonal and one is glitzy! all colours are available by the large fat quarter for £2.00 or by the metre for £5.99

Colours available (starting from the top of the photograph):-

Fuchsia Sparkle, Sunset, Sea Green/Aqua, Autumn Glory

Please state colour preference when ordering

Special Sheer Voiles Scrap Bag - £3.95  

The special sheer voiles scrap bags are still available and are crammed with plenty of colours including the new ones above. great for layering as they are nearly as sheer as chiffon scarves. Add some to your stash cupboard you never know when you'll need them!

Holographic Beaded Sheer - £6.99 per metre

This fabric was terrifically popular in the last newsletter - so much so, I sold out! Its a sheer voile/organza with tiny clusters of holographic chips which give the illusion of stars on a clear night on the black version or sparkling ice crystals on the white version. It really has to be seen to appreciate just how twinkly this is! Nice and wide with a lovely drape and great for layering or burning. £6.99 available in Black are Snow White

Please state colour preference when ordering

Top Quality Black Velour - £6.50 per metre

I've been searching for a top quality black velour velvet and have found the 'Rolls Royce' version! it feels and looks very much like silk/viscose velvet but at a fraction of the cost. a full 160cm wide, this is bound to fly of the shelves. I'm not sure whether I will be able to get this again so order while you can! Please note that because this is a velour it does have a 'stretchy' quality to the fabric. Available in full metres only.

Liquid Gold Sheer Fabric - £3.99 per metre

Another unusual fabric from Ivy House. It is made from 100% polyester, very sheer and coated with a very fine metallic gold which gives the appearance of liquid metal. The gold is not too 'yellowy' - more of a bronze colour and would be ideal for burning and bonding. I think it would look stunning with both metals and UTEE's (Ultra-Thick Embossing Enamels). something a bit different and a very good price. Approx 110cm wide 

Moorland Texture Fabric Pack - £10.50

I've put together some of the latest fabrics to come out of the studio. they all have very interesting textures and hues plus the colours are gorgeous. It's very difficult to reproduce them in a photograph as these colours are actually more natural in real life! the pack contains seven large workable pieces to inspire you. I'm sure you'll love them - rather different to the norm due to the fantastic textures. Most of the fabrics are also available by the metre. please ask for details because they vary in price.

Space-Dyed Silk Tangle - £2.75

A tangle of space-dyed pure silk in the gum. it looks like shredded carrier rods with a flattened cocoon sometimes still attached. Although quite stiff, it can be dampened and worked to produce great textural effects. I'm sure this will be very popular as it is rather different. I draped it around the Pretex vessel to look like plant stems. it can also be wrapped with metallic thread to add glitz if desired £2.75 for 20gms

Two New Angelinas - £2.50 each pack

two brand new Angelina fibres to tempt you. the one of the left is 'Fireworks' a dark base with flashes of all sorts of colours. the one on the right is Silver/Iris - a silver base with flashes of lilac tones. both are really pretty and come individually in 7gm bags at £2.50 per bag or can be requested as part of the Angelina taster pack at £6.99 for six colours.

Fusible Film Taster Packs - £6.99

Fusible film is make from the same material as Angelina fibres, but as a continuous sheet (approx 10cm wide) It has the same beautiful, iridescent qualities of Angelina and will bond to both itself and Angelina fibres. Try trapping lightweight sheer fabrics, sequins, threads, mica flakes etc between layers then place 'sandwich' between baking parchment and iron gently to bond. Be careful not to 'fry' the film. Fusible film can also be used on it's own and for a textured effect, screw up the film before use. try ironing it over a stamp for further effects.

Taster packs include;- 6 colours of your choice x 1 metre each - £6.99

There are 19 colours to choose from as below. Please state colour preference when ordering.

Colours:- Peacock, Mint, Lime, Deep Green, Cobalt Blue, Blue Pearl, Violet Pearl, Purple, Red, Sugarplum, Bright Pink, Fuchsia, Ultraviolet, Green Pearl, Yellow, Gold Pearl, Watermelon, Enchanted Forest, Lemon

Fabric Master Craft Tool - £23.99

Another tool we all want! It is basically a soldering iron but has seven interchangeable tips including the very fine one we are used to for fine cut work. There are also three chisel tips and two further rounded tips plus a shorter pointed end for further effects. Extra tips such as Pyrography, Pattern Transfer and Gems will be in the studio in Autumn/Winter to add to your collection without having to purchase a further tool. Basically, the makers, Antex, wanted to produce a single craft tool that would do everything apart from the housework (sadly that isn't included!). A great Buy with plenty of potential for further experimental work.    

Koh - I - Noor Watercolour Set - £4.50

I've been asked for these over and over again and eventually I've gotten hold of them! A lovely little set of watercolours to take with you on holiday. Unfortunately my limited knowledge of photography does not do justice to the gorgeous colours so please use your imagination! The paints behave more likes ink's and have a high intensity of colour which makes them last a long time. Twelve intermixable blocks of colour will add great inspiration to your sketches and textile work. 

Transfix - 60mls - £1.95

Everybody loves transfer dyes and paints but up till now, they could only be used on synthetic blend fabrics. This new product (Transfix) enables you to use them on natural fabrics such as cotton, linen, calico etc allowing much more scope. Simply apply the liquid with a brush, sponge or spray to any area of natural fabric to be coloured and let it dry. Prepare transfer designs using transfer/disperse dyes on paper and heat transfer onto the fabric with and iron as normal - Magic!!! 

Real Cellophane Pack - £2.95

A fun little pack of real cellophane sheets (approx A4 size) in eight vibrant colours including clear. Great for collage and experimental work. They do not shrink much with heat but will bond to each other. they are made of a glossy cellulose film derived from a renewable source (wood pulp), non toxic and biodegradable so we can all have an easy conscience using these! I did think it might be fun to over-lay and overlap these with iridescent organzas then simply free machine over them all with glitzy thread to produce book covers, bags and perhaps brooches. Cheep and fun treat yourself!

Knitted Wire Tubing £3.99 Metre

I’m so pleased I found this lovely knitted tubing. It is a 0.1mm tight knitted wire, gloriously soft to the touch, with not a hint of sharpness so no need for gloves when handling! It can be stretched and contorted into all sorts of shapes and forms. Place one inside another and trap beads, fabrics and inclusions between the layers. Works really well in jewellery making, bowls, covering purses, applying to projects etc. The wire is not stiff, so it is not suitable for heavy 3D forms, but can be stretched around structures to add that special extra wow factor. Because it is soft, it can be machined into with ease and water solubles can be used to add further free machining off the edges to give a lacey effect. Although I have not had the time to experiment in depth with this tubing, the possibilities seem very exciting. Soldering irons spring to mind with organzas etc.
It comes in 17 different glorious colours as follows:- Dark Blue, Chilli Red, Gold, Aubergine, Bright Violet, Black, Chocolate Brown, Leaf Green, Sunset Gold, Royal Blue, Lime Green, Dull Bronze, Candyfloss Pink, Jade, Turquoise, Copper and Russet. The choice is yours. £3.99 per metre 

Coloured Wireform Packs £5.99

Having looked for ages, I’ve finally managed to track down some packs of wireform in rather unusual colours. Burgundy, Black and Gold. They are light weight so are ideal for machining through and sandwiching between sheers, felts etc prior to burning to produce some lovely effects or combining with the knitted wire tubing above for added strength. Each pack contains three x A4 sheets and you may choose from either one colourway only or a pack of assorted containing all three colours. Please state preference when ordering. £5.99 per pack   

Universal Loom £9.99

I first saw these at a trade fair in February and was most impressed by the possibilities. They are approximately 9” square wooden looms with notches all around the outside. This makes it possible to do either conventional weaving, rag hooking or circular weaving. I’ve sent one to Maggie Grey and she is considering using it in one of her ‘workshopontheweb’ workshops! Anything can be woven and I rather fancied using wire to string the loom. It would then be possible to weave all sorts of burnable and non-burnable fibres, fabrics and yarns in and out of the wire then ’zap’ with a heat gun. Alternatively, use up all your lovely bits and bobs of yarns etc to produce a small hanging or sides of a bag. The loom is lightweight and portable which makes it ideal to take to classes or when traveling

Hearty Soft Modelling Clay £3.75 Per Pack

Hearty Clay is very similar to model magic in that it is extremely lightweight and dries within 24 hours to a flexible, yet firm,  consistency. It is possible to stitch through the clay providing the pieces are not too thick. Hearty does not stick to fingers, but it does stick to core materials such as wood, glass, wire, paper and plastics so it is possible to trap inclusions such as beads etc. I had a play with this and really liked it - see pic. Once the surface is dry, Hearty is paintable with any type of paint. Try rubbing Pearl-ex over the wax to bring out the embossed images. I used the small Snail shell stamp to create ammonite effects which worked well. Twinkling H2O paints also produce a lovely effect - see the purple/blue part of the photograph.
Ivy House has four colours available at present at £3.75 each.Black, Dark Brown, Dark Green or Purple. Please state preference when ordering

Twinkling H2O'S £9.00 Per Set

These three different packs contain little pots of watercolour mixed with mica in six glorious colours per pack. They are non-toxic, archival and consist of individual solid cakes to cut down on waste. Easy to use, simply take a wet paintbrush and mix to a creamy consistency before applying. The paints reconstitute themselves into solid cakes after use so last for a long time! They can be applied to most non-porous and semi-porous surfaces including rubber stamps, glass, clay, glossy surfaces, paper - even acetate and metal.
Self-blending, semi-transparent colours combine into unlimited shades with a wonderful iridescence created by the addition of ground mica. Create lighter shades by mixing with the iridescent colours. Available in three different packs:-
Set 1 - Evening Primrose, Nutmeg, Razzleberry, Fresh Oregano, Coral Berry, Carribean Mist
Set 2 - Irid Blue, Irid Gold, Irid Green, Irid Red, Irid Violet, Oyster
Set 3 - Black Cherry, Bluegrass, Moss Green, Ocean Wave, Orange Peel, Sunflower

Krylon Real Metal Leaf Sprays £6.95

If you love the Krylon Leafing pens, you’ll want one of these sprays! Real metal leaf in a can. They give the effect of Ultra-thick embossing enamels on surfaces and come in three finishes - 18Kt Gold, Sterling Silver and Copper Brilliance. Can be layered and dry to a tack-free finish in 15 minutes. Once dry, they are non-toxic and can be used on most surfaces apart from craft foam. Each large can contains 227gms of lustrous metal leaf. Please state colour preference.

Metallic Silk Ribbed Organza Pack £9.50

These are the crinkly organzas that everyone loves and are so hard to find! They are invaluable in that they do not fray and are perfect for heat resistant techniques due to the combination of the silk and metallic content. Each assorted colour pack contains five squares of lovely deep colours approx 10” x 12” though they do stretch to a larger size!  Also available by the 1/2 metre for £6.50.

A value for money pack of lovely metallic pleated tissue fabrics. Each pack contains 5 squares of assorted bright colours approximately 10” x 10” and are ideal for layering or zapping with a heat gun. They semi-resist the heat creating interesting effects. £3.50 per pack. Get them while you can at this price. They’re bound to be popular. Also available by the metre. Ring for details

Now this is really special. Probably one of the most interesting materials I’ve seen for a long time. It is a stretch lycra in a wonderful deep turquoise colour with burnt out areas backed with a sheer black fabric. Very soft to the touch and extremely exotic. It is especially effective when iridescent organzas are placed behind the sheer areas. Again, it is very difficult to photograph so you’ll have to trust me on this one! Each large fat quarter is approx 50cm x 74cm for £3.50. Also available by the metre at £14.00

Just a quick note to let you all know that Formafelt now comes in black as well as white. This lends itself to gilding and metallic paints. It is easy to use and can be formed when wet into 3D structures around a forma and secured until dry. £10.50 per metre. Also available by the 1/2 metre at £5.25