This post contains some affiliate links. If you make a purchase, Brown Paper Bag may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more here. Subscribe to my weekly newsletter! Orts: Threads of Creativity is where I collect and share small snippets of creativity: embroiderers, textile artists, illustrators, DIY projects, and how we can make time for our creative endeavors. What’s your creative style? Do you follow a pattern or do you like to work freeform? I love a pattern—even if I’m the one creating it. But there is incredible freedom when you break out of a pattern and just let yourself play. But t ..read more

This article was originally created for Orts, my weekly newsletter collecting small snippets of creativity: embroiderers, textile artists, illustrators, DIY projects, and how we can make time for our creative endeavors. It’s published every Friday. Subscribe here! How do we honor the things that we love? That was a question I sought to answer when writing my book Threads of Treasure. In it, I profiled artists who utilize found objects in their work, assigning meaning to things like leaves, animal skulls, and other items of discard. But in writing this part of the book, I knew there were other ..read more

I don’t write in here as often as I’d like. But you know where I publish new content consistently every Friday? My newsletter Orts: Threads of Creativity. Each week I collect and share small snippets of creativity: embroiderers, textile artists, illustrators, DIY projects, and how we can make time for our creative endeavors. The concept inspired the name of the newsletter. You might look at the word ort and wonder what the heck it is. But if you’re a sewer, there’s a chance you’re familiar. Orts are the leftover snippets of threads you collect as you sew. I keep an orts jar on my desk. Layer ..read more

A long time ago, I was on “book leave” from Brown Paper Bag… and sort of never returned. (Yikes!) Well, I’m happy to announce that the text and fiber-arts-focused projects I was working on are now a book available for pre-order! Titled Threads of Treasure: how to make, mend, and find meaning through thread, it’s a craft book that examines the idea of treasure as it relates to textile art. I do this through 13 artist profiles and guided creativity practices. The book, published by Schiffer Craft (an imprint of Schiffer Publishing), will be available on April 28, 2024. Threads of Treasure is di ..read more

This post contains some affiliate links. If you make a purchase, Brown Paper Bag may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more here. Do you look at 3D embroidery and find yourself in total awe? (I’m raising my hand over here.) It’s like those who can do it can work some sort of magic—alchemy with thread. But, techniques like this are more accessible than you might think. Embroidery artist Megan Zaniewski shows you how to create impressive works of thread art in her new book, Stumpwork Embroidery and Thread Painting: Stitch 3D Nature Motifs. In this expansive and beautiful book, Megan shares t ..read more

1/365 Textile artist Jessie Mordine Young is embarking on her most demanding project yet. For every day of 2023, she is creating something new as part of her A Weaving a Day (also called A Woven Year) project. That’s right—every day she comes up with a handcrafted weaving which she then shares on her Instagram. This is an ambitious project—and I say that as someone embarking on their own year-long endeavor. Creating a composed weaving each day and sharing it with the world is a lot to take on, especially when you see how unique each piece looks. I love the results of Jessie’s project so far ..read more

Emily June Handmade This post contains some affiliate links. If you make a purchase, Brown Paper Bag may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more here. Do you celebrate Galentine’s Day? Ya know, when you and your female friends “kick it, breakfast-style”? If you’re looking for Galentine’s Day gifts, spark your favorite ladies’ creativity with modern embroidery patterns. I’ve found over 30 contemporary hoop art designs that you can download now—perfect for a fun, last-minute gift if you need one! Once you receive the files for stitching, forward them with a lovely message to your friend. Many ..read more

This post contains some affiliate links. If you make a purchase, Brown Paper Bag may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more here. 1. Leaping Tiger Hair Clip by Amy Hastings 2. Lavender Gardening Gloves by My Little Belleville 3. Dusty Blue Daisy Ring Dish by Southern Clay 4. Valentine Heart Porcelain Peg Doll by Pretzel Pretzel 5. Custom Pet Portrait Ring by Caitlyn Minimalist 6. Organic Cotton Strawberry Print Bralette by Object Apparel 7. Caught Thread-Handed Sticker by The Knotty Cat Co. The post 7 of the Best Creative Products to Illustrate Your Life This Week appeared first on Brown P ..read more

Felt is one of my favorite fabrics to work with. Because of the way in which its fibers are fused together, it’s firmer than cotton and won’t fray. This makes it great for plush sculpting. Need any proof? Just take a look at Mega Felt. Sarah of Mega Felt creates one-of-a-kind plush sculptures featuring burgers and ice cream. Each element, from the bun to the scoop, has a face with a different emotion. Some are mischievous while others are just plain happy. You get to select the mood of your burger or cone. Through her online shop, you pick every element of the soft sculpture. Want a frowning ..read more

Week 1, a sloth If you’ve been a Brown Paper Bag reader for more than a year, you might know that I love projects with a set timeline. The #100dayproject is one of them. I’ve participated in #1YearofStitches (successfully, then not successfully twice). I love a series and I’m fascinated by how things can change and grow and shift in subtle ways over a period of time. The last time I tried one of these projects was in 2021. It was #1Yearofstitches, in which every month I intended to stitch a pet portrait on an upcycled denim jacket. I made it to about March before I burned out. The level of d ..read more