Use a Kit to Cross Stitch a Piece of Jewelry

I get a subscription box (the Introvert’s Retreat Box, which is run by a friend of mine but that isn’t an affiliate link) that sometimes has little craft projects in it and the one for this month had a lovely little bamboo pendant kit from Red Gate Stitchery that you could cross stitch a heart on.

I made mine in the 20 minutes or so I was on a conference call that should have been an email, and my daughter promptly took it to wear.

The kit includes the bamboo base with pre-cut holes, three colors of thread to choose from, a couple of sewing needles, the necklace chain, a chart and basic instructions. (The kits she sells on etsy seem to only have one color of thread.)

This is easy enough for a new stitcher to do and would be a great gift for a young person — or any person — you’re trying to encourage to get into cross stitch. Then of course they can keep the necklace or gift it to someone else. How’s that for some good crafty karma?

Have you ever used a cross-stitch jewelry kit? I’d love to hear about it!

Sometimes it can be hard to distinguish yourself as a cross stitch designer. Most designers do holiday designs, they often do florals, have text designs that are a little snarky. But if you can find a niche you love and people can come to know you for it, that’s a great strategy.

I don’t know if the designer behind Living on the Rainbow originally set out to do really cool three dimensional cross stitch patterns, but that’s a lot of what’s available in their shop and I think it’s super fun.

There is, for example, a whole set of Christmas village patterns that are assembled in a circle and topped with fabric that makes them look sort of like carousels. There are three dimensional mushroom houses, tiny stitched books, and spring themed designs including 3D eggs, teapots and bird houses.

Some of my favorites are the tiny campers, like this Gothic caravan that looks like something Beetlejuice himself would ride around in. The cross stitch portion features Gothic windows on the sides and back, a striped top and vampire fangs on the front. It’s finished with button wheels, bats and bat wings in the photos, but you can add whatever accessories you like to bring your caravan to life.

It’s shown on 18 count fabric and comes out to about 1.8 by 2 inches, or 4.5 by 5.5 cm. It’s stitched in three pieces that are assembled and stuffed, and the pattern includes instructions for how to do that. It’s meant to be a pincushion but would be delightful as an ornament as well.

There are also designs that are assembled as cubes, some of which are seasonal while others have themes like different crafts. There’s also a stunning section of Alice in Wonderland patterns you’ll want to check out.

In addition to the dimensional designs, there are some more conventional Halloween patterns, a series of mini ghosts, Christmas themed patterns that look like envelopes, and a few Christmas patterns, too.

Do yourself a favor and go check out Living on the Rainbow. Even if you never stitch any of the projects (though I’d love to know if you do!) they’re sure to make you smile.

[Photo: Living on the Rainbow]

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