VARious Things: handmade

Showing posts with label handmade. Show all posts

The Journey of The Felted Gnome: Celebrating Love and Adventure

Five years ago, I embarked on an unforgettable adventure to Norway, bringing along a special companion – the very first felted gnome I ever created. This little gnome joined me on a journey through breathtaking landscapes, towering mountains, and serene hikes, capturing the spirit of our travels.

My first handmade gnome

The Norwegian landscape, with its majestic mountains and tranquil natural beauty, provided the perfect backdrop for my gnome's debut. From rocky terrains to misty cliffs, each location added a unique charm to our journey. We hiked countless trails, each one offering a new perspective and a fresh sense of wonder.


Gnome's adventures in Scandinavia

Before this adventure, I crafted a pair of handfelted shoes specifically for the trip. These shoes proved to be incredibly comfortable for the short trails we explored and were perfect for resting in the evenings. They became an essential part of this journey, providing both comfort and a personal touch to my travel gear.

In love with hiking

This trip holds a special place in my heart, not only for the stunning nature we experienced but also because it marked our 20th wedding anniversary.

Our gnome became a symbol of our journey, a tiny guardian accompanying us through every step. It was a trip filled with wonderful memories, breathtaking views, and moments of pure bliss.

Us in Norway, our 20th anniversary - embracing the joy and love we’ve shared over the years

Now, as we prepare to return to Scandinavia to celebrate our 25th anniversary, I'm inspired to create a new gnome – a tiny, pocket-sized companion to join us on our new adventures. Just like our love and travels, these little creations evolve and grow, adding more magic to the journey.

Creating this new gnome feels like a fresh chapter in our ongoing story, a story that began 25 years ago and continues to unfold with each adventure we take. The anticipation of new experiences and the joy of revisiting cherished places fill our hearts with excitement.

Would you like to see where our next adventure takes us?

Looking forward to sharing more moments from our Scandinavian escapades.

Wet Felting and Beyond: A Look Back at My Creative Journey

Well, so what happened in my creative journey from 2016 to 2023 (yes, my blog has been silent for that long, seven years, can you imagine?!). I lived. I dreamed. And I worked. A lot.

Many of you know my love for wet felting. This unique technique, where wool fibers are coaxed and sculpted with water and soap, has always been a cornerstone of my creations. Over the past years, I've delved deeper into this art form, honing my skills and exploring its endless possibilities. This has allowed me to expand my product line and offer even more unique and beautiful felted pieces in my shop: VAIDAPETREIKIS.etsy.com

Some new things were born during this time, as you might have seen in my last post with the adorable bunny egg warmers. But those aren't all – my absolute love so far has been creating these tiny felted acorns, same could be said about the gnomes, and baby shoes, for sure.

But my creative journey hasn't been confined to wool alone. While photography isn't a new passion, I've found myself taking countless photos during this period of time. Guess without this passion it would be much more difficult to show my works the way I like. So here they come, some works of mine:

P.S. If you're curious about wet felting or photography and have any questions about the techniques used in my work, don't hesitate to ask! I'm always happy to share my knowledge and inspire others to explore their own creativity 🤍

Unwrap Your Unique Gift: Part V

One more time, maybe the last before Christmas - some ideas for gifts. Maybe - something handmade? Something unique? What do you think about that?

The participation in the #etsygifts holiday marketing campaign goes on...

Let's start preparing for Holidays! Let's say - Unwrap your unique gift!

Eco Fire Starters by LessCandles
Handspun wool yarn for knitting by kadabros
Linen Towel by LinenLifeIdeas
Cashmere and silk shawl by VAIDA PETREIKIS
Felted Wool Brooch by MusiuMuse

Unwrap Your Unique Gift: Part IV

Christmas, Christmas, Christmas.... What about gifts? Maybe - something handmade? Something unique? What do you think about that?

The participation in the #etsygifts holiday marketing campaign goes on...

Let's start preparing for Holidays! Let's say - Unwrap your unique gift!

Felted kids slippers by DressInFelt
Minimalistic shawl by VART
Christmas tree pattern by Heartclay
Necklace from ceramic beads by Mudrenko
Black color cashmere hat by Iveta Stasiulioniene

Unwrap Your Unique Gift: Part III

It's really not too much time before Christmas... Thinking about gifts? Are you ready???

The participation in the #etsygifts holiday marketing campaign goes on...

Let's start preparing for Holidays! Let's say - Unwrap your unique gift!

Brown wool capelet by BVLifeStyle
Brick red stud earrings by VART
Assorti / 12 Candies box by SunnyChocolate
Black extra long winter socks by JolantaKnit
Amber Heart necklace by MagpiesShop

Unwrap Your Unique Gift: Part I

All around the world, people are getting ready to unwrap gifts from their loved ones. Therefore I've decided to participate in the #etsygifts holiday marketing campaign. I promise to feature some of my favorite works found on Etsy every week.

So let's start preparing for Holidays! Let's say - Unwrap your unique gift!

Baby's first Christmas ornament by RedPin
Felted fingerless mittens by VAIDA PETREIKIS
Linen table runner by LinenLifeIdeas
Handmade geometric bluish grey candle by LessCandles
Women house shoes by kadabros

Mad about Buttons

Felt can be different. Simple handmade buttons - my new passion.

Some of my works using such kind of buttons are available at vaidapetreikis.etsy.com

May Flowers: Sun Thirst

photo by me

So the month of May has begun. Together with a month long flower festival coordinated by artist Roxana Villa. Huge thanks to her for the invitation to participate! You can follow all the entries by various artists from the whole world here, at the Illuminated Perfume Journal.

Sunflowers... Maybe it is not the right flower for May. Maybe. Anyway, I've chosen it. Why? The main reason is this cold spring in Lithuania. Just too much rain, too many cloudy days, too much piercing wind and too little sunshine. Any person can feel thirsty for sun and warmth… And sunflower is the one that over the course of the day follow the sun from East to West.

So - sunflowers.... Some information about them:
"Sunflower plants are of the genus Helianthus, of the family Asteraceae, and are native to North and South America. They are an annual plant with availability year round, but the peak period of enjoyment is from June to October. The blossom is actually a composite of multiple flowers crowded together, with “ray florets” forming the outer petals that surround a large brown or yellow disc. Their thick, leafy and hairy stems often grow more than 4 feet in height, although dwarf varieties are available for ornamental gardens." (found here)

This flower is often used as a symbol of green ideology, as well it is the simbol of Vegan Society. This flower was the subject for many paintings, including one of the most famous still life paitings of Van Gogh.

It is said that sunflowers are the happiest of flowers, that they have the ability to provide energy in fhe form of nourishment and vibrance. It is bright, it is cheery, it is warm, it is just like a small sun and its petals are lilke bright yellow rays of sunshine, which evoke feelings of warmth and happiness.

So it is not surprising that people enjoy this flower - as a gift or as a source of inspiration. It sends us cheerfulness and sunny thoughts.

Just have a look and enjoy what forms of art can be expressed using this beautiful flower...

Sunflower earrings by bunnylogic
Sunny felted slippers for a small child by me

Sunflowers Field reprint by rebeccascreations
Handmade satin flowers for crafting by JujaCrafts

Sunflower inspired bolero by bonzie
Sunflower pendant by donart

Sunflower fimo ring by fanoulala
Sunny contrast earrings by me

Just Nuno Felted Ruffle Shawl

Some words about my nuno felted ruffle shawl:

"... I was impressed with the couture quality look of the shawl and styling of the photography...."
Thanks to Morningbird collective for featuring!

To say the truth the photosession was a little bit extreme...

place - my balcony
weather temperature -about 10 degrees of Celsius
photocamera - on a tripod, connected to the computer
more than 40 shots without seeing the result (me - as a model)...

But it was worth it! I'm quite satisfied with the result: both felting and taking photos.

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One Rainy Friday...

It was just one more rainy Friday in this cold spring season...
Rain rain rain...
Everywhere...
She felt a little bit lonely and sad...
She searched for something that could brighten up her day – some flowers, some accessories, something special...
She searched for happiness...

Search for those beautiful items that can give you at least a drop of happiness on Etsy:

onstail, TheBroochBoutique, anakim

moonovermaize, vilte, vart (me)

PaulaArt, kaleda, carlossantiago

kraplap, nauliknits, AureliaLT

Sweet Friday

I really love Fridays! The day when you can feel the weekend coming...And this Friday from European Etsy Week I want something really cozy, something sweet, something just beautiful...... Enjoy...

Feel wild! - nuno felted bracelet by jezek from Ukraine

Yummy miniature by PetitPlat from France

Handsome cat by DonataFelt from Lithuania

Gorgeous corsage flower brooch by amoronia from Greece

Another Day in Europe

Another Day in Europe - pink, light and beautiful!

Magical peony print by JKphotography from the Netherlands

Timothy doll by Elze from Lithuania

Perfect tote that will brighten your daily life by iragrant from Switzerland

Beautiful pearl bracelet by AMIdesigns from Ireland

Enjoy....

Wednesday in Europe

Let us celebrate another day of European Etsy week!
With all the tenderness, coziness and elegance of handcrafted items from different countries.

Nice and useful shopping tote by JBWorld - from Lithuania
Fabulous ring with coral by Jealousydesign - from Sweden
Funky Space Age earrings by amoronia from Greece
The feel-good apple by lapomme from France

Tuesday in Europe!

If we can have Monday Moodboards, so why not to have Tuesday Moodboard! Especially when we can celebrate the European week on Etsy! So just wanted to share some great finds.