DIY Hoop Kits by Heidi Boyd

A few years ago, I used to embroider but gradually I started to find less and less time to pursue my interest and eventually, I realized my schedule left me with no time to make even a few stitches.

When I see embroidery kits I think they are truly great for people who are beginners or those of us who want to make something fun without spending too much time. Heidi Boyd's lovely hoop kits are easy enough so that you can whip out a piece in no time at all! It's as simple as cutting the template pieces out of felt and embroidering them onto the fabric. The kits are available in several adorable designs including - owls, loons, chickadees, fox, deer and more! Take a look at all the products on her website where she also offers kits to sew your own soft toys, tea towels, make your jewelry and fairies.

Have a great weekend!

Shivani

Forest Friends and Floral Design Kid's Dinnerware by Circo

Circo kid's dinnerware collection Owl and Friends will surely be loved by your little one! The plates, tumbler, sippy cup, cereal bowl, divided dinner plate and placemats feature guitar playing bear and a geeky owl. The collection is BPA free and dishwasher safe, plates come with non-slip foot so you don't have to clean up the mess. The pieces are available to be purchased as a set or separately from Target. You can mix and match with floral and cat designs to make a fun dinnerware set.

Puppets by Japanese Artist Sota Sakuma

Sota Sakuma is a Japanese puppet maker who lives in Prague. He studied textile at the Tokyo Art and Design University and puppet design at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague. He designs and carves quirky wooden puppets also known as marionettes. Marionette according to Wikipedia "is a puppet controlled from above using wires or strings". Sota's puppets fit into the palm of your hand measuring about 13cm in size, beautifully painted in bright colors.

Sota had his first solo show in Puppet House Gallery, Japan in 2009. Since then he has shown his marionettes and done Butoh Dance performances in various countries such as in Japan, Czech and Korea. He also conducts workshops on carving marionette and masks. You can see more of his work here.

Porcelain Hand-Painted Pendants by Jean Cotton

A few weeks ago, I received an email from Jean Cotton introducing me to her work. I am so glad that she contacted me because as soon as I saw her work I feel in love with it, her work is exquisite! She is a freelance illustrator based in Rhode Island who has designed greeting cards, giftware and jewelry for several manufacturers.

She took pottery classes years ago and soon discovered that she could "combine her interest of ceramics and painting subjects from nature. As a jewelry designer, it has been a perfect match!" she shares.

She makes these stunning, one-of-a-kind porcelain pendants based on her original sketches. The porcelain pendant shape is hand cut so that they coordinate in size with the subject she chose for the pendant. Tiny brushes and ceramic glazes are used to complete each piece, fine lines and details are done under a magnifying glass.

She shares about her inspiration behind her work: "Birds have always been my favorite subject, especially owls. My studio in rural Rhode Island is surrounded by woods, so there is plenty of inspiration on hand."

Folklorica, her online store, currently has over 30 hand-painted pendants in unique designs including owls, birds, cats, mermaids and swans. Every pendant is signed by the artist and comes with a black cord ready to wear!

You can view more of her pendants on her online store www.etsy.com/shop/FolkloricaDesign and to get update on her new work join her on https://www.facebook.com/folkloricadesign/

Amazing Paintings by Marion Peck

Pop surrealist artist Marion Peck was born in Manila, the Philippines and grew up in Seattle, Washington. In 1985, she received a BFA from The Rhode Island School of Design. Afterwards she studied in two different MFA programs: Syracuse University in New York and Temple University in Rome. Her oil on canvas paintings are done in rich palette often depicting googly eyed characters. She paints animals, birds, humans and sometimes hybrids with women head on a body of a rooster in cartoonish style and a bit of humor. She currently lives in Los Angeles, and has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions. 

To see more of her amazing artwork visit her website and her profile on Instagram.