The way I write my 5/5 newsletters is that I collect links whenever I see something interesting. I save them on Instagram, add them to my project on Notion... the point is that I don't have a central place where all the links live. So when I start writing, sometimes a theme inadvertently emerges. That's what happened this week! I'm sharing many 3D embroideries—including a new book coming out. Scroll down to see them.
👉 ICYMI: This secret word embroidery was the most clicked link in the last 5/5.
✨ 5 creatively inspiring things
1️⃣ I admire embroidery artists who incorporate three-dimensional elements into their work, as I am not one of them. Zena of NuLand Crafts utilizes this style with the addition of a secondary hoop. The smaller inner hoop is a hiding place for Basil the Badger! Here’s a peek at it in progress.
2️⃣ If you’re local to the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay area, you’ve still got time to check out Stitched: Contemporary Embroidery at the Bedford Gallery. The exhibition looks great—it features the work of some of my favorite embroidery artists, including Caroline Harrius whom I featured recently on my blog, Brown Paper Bag.
3️⃣ I discovered this site recently. It’s not new (as far as I know), but it’s new to me: The Craft Atlas. Browse the map to discover heritage and contemporary crafts around the world!
4️⃣ Artist Nneka Jones is stitching a three-dimensional portrait. And I’m not talking about stumpwork (which itself is amazing!), but embroidering over a three-dimensional face; the base is a lightweight form with holes she’s putting her stitches through. I can’t wait to see how it turns out. Here’s the beginning of the project.
5️⃣ I've shared a couple of three-dimensional embroideries, and here’s another! Laura McGarrity used stumpwork to recreate a real image of a polar bear lounging in purple flowers.
🪡 5 ways to DIY
1️⃣ Are you familiar with junk journaling? It’s a great and creative way to use excess paper, food labels, receipts, and more in a way that’s meaningful to you. Watch one junk journal here.
2️⃣ It’s quickly becoming that weird in-between time when spring is around the corner but it’s still a little cold. Get the best of both worlds with the Jazz Up Your Jumper Kit. The kit has everything you need to stitch florals on your sweater.
3️⃣ More 3D embroidery! My pal (and Camp Craftaway co-host) Melissa Galbraith has a third (!!) book coming out: 3D Botanical Embroidery and Stumpwork. I’ve seen the finished project pieces and they are gorgeous. Pre-order it here.
4️⃣ I’m trying to buy secondhand as much as I can this year. If you’re in the same boat, or just like the thrill of the hunt, here’s an extensive map of secondhand fabric stores in the U.S. and Canada. This is particularly helpful in light of the Joann closing.
5️⃣ The good thing about fabric plants is that they’ll never die. I had a prayer plant at one point in my life, but it didn’t last long. If only I had found Lia Griffith’s tutorial first!
6️⃣ I finally uploaded my stick-and-stitch patterns in my studio shop, Bear&Bean. If you want to embroider wild animals, check out all the creatures I have available.
Try all the crafts this summer!
Tickets are now on sale for Camp Craftaway, the three-day adult craft camp I co-host with Melissa of MCreativeJ! We'll have 30 different workshops throughout the weekend. Join us August 1 - 3 in Des Moines, WA.
Talk to you next week,
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Sara Barnes
Embroidery illustrator and writer
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