Wish upon a star

Crystal Star charms

I first taught this little pattern in 2006, and have carried on teaching it pretty much every winter since then. In 2008 it was among the patterns on my first little webshop and continues to be hugely popular. It is quick and easy to learn, and a really useful thing. I like useful, by which I mean it can be worked up in lots of different ways, in different quantities and used to make things from the most (last minute) simple tree or parcel decoration, to a bag or phone charm, used as a festive pendant or grouped together for a bracelet or necklace.
It is also the best fun design for playing around with colour combinations as it doesn't take many beads, or too long to make... another useful aspect.
Here I've been inspired by things Nordic. For the photograph I found myself painting twigs white, this is an excellent time-waster and hugely satisfying in a 'let your mind wander' kind of way while you fill the missed bits. It is only later that you notice a fine mist of white emulsion freckles all over you and the surrounding area... Oh look, permanent snow!
If you are in the mood to enjoy a quick to make festive design,  the printed version is called Stars here (allow extra seasonal posting time) or the download version for instant gratification is called Crystal Star Charms which you can find here.

Jolly Holly Charm

Holly helping with a crochet project

I often get asked if people can use my work to raise money for charity. And before I start let it be known that I work quite closely and extensively with one or two charities, so I am not a total curmudgeon, nor insensitive to the needs of others.... but, sigh! It is so hard to hesplain that lovely though the idea is and honourable though the intentions may be, it is sending out a really mixed message about copyright if it's OK for some to make a design to sell (for fundraising and charity) and not others (for personal/commercial profit or gain). There it is said.

But, I'm also keenly aware that there is a real pleasure to be had in making something for love, of donating time and skill for the benefit of others. There is also an honest enjoyment in purchasing something lovingly made, whilst knowing that the proceeds will go to a good cause.

Beaded Holly Charm

Holly is part of a series of new designs called Pattern on a Postcard and to celebrate it is a copyright free design. Hopefully you will make many and raise heaps of money for your favourite charity.

All the profits from the sale of the design will go to our local animal sanctuary where they do amazing work every day, as a memorial to my beloved rescue cat Holly. Before things get mawkish, Holly was an amazing character who taught me a lot about the purr-suit of happiness. We were life long friends, a cat life, well lived of 12 years, three months and five days.

So if you are in need of a fairly quick and easy pattern for your fundraising, you can download it here, as a single A4 size pdf, or order the design as a printed 'pattern on a postcard' here.