Little Grassbird | Public figure
Little Grassbird
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23.01.2022 Black glass seed beads, a sewing pin, and a felting needle; three things used in needle felting. Would you like to have a stab* at felting? I have an Easter flavoured workshop at @castlemainecommunity on the 29th from 1pm to 5pm. Spaces are limited so hop on over to the booking page to make sure you get a spot. The link to book is on the Little Grassbird homepage (link in bio) or you can head straight to the booking page here https://cch.weteachme.com//1034516-3d-needle-felting-easte *Pun definitely intended. Just like every other time I've used it. What can I say, I love a good pun! Do you have any good puns you care to share?
23.01.2022 The masks have arrived! Head over to my shop to snap some up! Link in bio. Because of the delay getting them online I'm offering custom orders until 11:59pm tonight (July 21). After that I'll be stopping custom orders so I can focus on mask making and on the needle felted commissions I have. Masks will still be available on my shop. You'll still be able to choose which one you'd like, and how you'd like them to attach to your head.... You'll be able to choose from a surgical style mask or a closer fitting one (pictured above). Large, medium, and kids sized will be available. There will be all cotton, cotton and poly chiffon, and the DHHS recommended fabric combination to choose from. There is also the choice between loop ties, regular ties, ear loop elastic, and headband elastic. All fabric is having its second life as a mask. I'm making these masks from off-cuts, or second hand fabric. It's all washed before I make them, and steamed during and after. Please note these masks are not N95 masks. They're the washable cloth masks that we've been recommended to wear. They're more to help you stop spreading infections than to stop you from getting them. Image description: A fitted cotton face mask with loop ties. This mask has a green scaly pattern on the outside, and green on the inside.
23.01.2022 Mask update midday tomorrow, August 4! All masks come with a nose wire to help with fit. There are three fabric combinations: DHHS recommended poly/cotton blend/cotton (some masks have a poly-cotton blend on the outside instead of a pure poly), cotton/chiffon/cotton, and just cotton. All combinations have 3 layers.... There are pleated and fitted masks in large, medium, and kids sizes. You still get to choose if you'd like ear loops, loop ties, or headband elastic! Please note these masks are not N95 masks. They're the washable cloth masks that we've been recommended to wear. They're more to help you stop spreading infections than to stop you from getting them. These masks are made in a smoke free home with two supurrvisors (cats) Image description: Two piles of face masks waiting to be sewn up. There are pins visible in the pile on the right (they're the pleated masks). The pile on the right is smaller, but still mighty. These are the lighter coloured masks. The darker ones prefer to be sewn after dark
22.01.2022 Goodbye, 2019 and the 2010's! Wishing you a safe and happy New Year, especially for those in fire affected areas. See you in 2020 . Image description: A needle felted labrador cross puppy by Little Grassbird. The puppy is curled up sleeping.
22.01.2022 Are you a plant parent? I so want to be, but I'm not very good at keeping them alive. I had a polka dot plant kokedama for a while, but then it got mouldy. I had a calathea for about as long, but then I think I kept switching between overwatering and underwatering so it died. My best successes have been spider plants (ok, one did look like it died off twice, but it came back both times and is doing great now!), and cat grass. I guess I just need more practice Or I can just keep ones like this around. Needle felted plants can't die, and the cacti aren't spikey Image description: A needle felted fuzzy cactus in a small terracotta pot. The cactus is in the middle of the frame, and was photographed on a green background.
22.01.2022 You might remember the time lapse I posted back in June of the unnamed animal. Well, here it is finished, a slightly cheeky Tasmanian Tiger! Thylacine fun facts: Their heads look too big for their bodies. They have quite a straight, angled line from their back legs to their stiff tails. There are a few different shades of fur colour from a light fawn, through a slightly ginger brown, right to dark brown, but always with a cream belly. They have 15-20 stripes down their back.... They're not tigers. Or dogs. They're actually marsupials making them more like a kangaroo, or a Tassie devil. They also have thumbs (kind of)! Well, had. Or is it have? Do you think there are secret Thylacines still around? I custom blended some wool for this friend. It also has a full wire armature so it's slightly posable. It also has proper little toes and paw pads (pictures 3 and 4) which were fiddly to make, but it's details like that that I live for! Image descriptions: All five photos show a needle felted Tasmanian Tiger. The first photo shows the Tassie tiger in full. It's facing the right and is at a slight angle. It's taking up the full frame. The second photo is also slightly angled, but this time the Tassie tiger is facing away showing off it's stripes, tail, and tough as legs. Photo three shows the front paws in more detail. The toes stand out more in this photo. The fourth photo is a detail shot of the bottom of the paws. It shows the paw pads, and the little thumbs. The fifth and final photo is another full view, slightly angled photo where the Tassie tiger seems to be walking away. It's tail is down the bottom right of the image, and it's head is around the middle at the top.
21.01.2022 I have see through bags for my cards, and guess what? They're not plastic, AND they're home compostable! Another exciting bit of news is that the @castlemaineartistsmarket is back, and the November market is on this Sunday, woohoo! It's a twilight market for November and December, running from 3pm - 8pm. How lovely will that be? The return of the market is one of the reasons I got off my bum to get some clear bags for my cards. It feels more COVID safe, you know?... The bags are from @buyecogreen and they're real cellophane bags made from lovely compostable cellulose, and not that awful faux cellophane made from polypropylene. Boo hiss boo to plastics! The cards were printed at @printtogether on 100% post-consumer recycled cardstock. The envelopes are from @envelopesolutions and are 100% post-consumer recycled too. Video description: A hand is holding three Little Grassbird card designs and moving them against a leafy background. The movement helps to show off the new cellophane bags that hold the cards and envelopes snugly and safely together. From top to bottom the images on the cards are - a needle felted koala, fox, and owl (the koala is in a teacup!), a needle felted puppy, and an illustration of a deer fawn.
21.01.2022 Washable Little Grassbird face masks will be arriving on Monday! I've been researching, prototyping, testing (thank you to my testers!) and refining fabrics, patterns, and ties/elastic to start making them. You'll be able to choose from a surgical style mask or a closer fitting one (pictured above). Large, medium, and kids sized will be available.... There will be all cotton, cotton and poly chiffon, and the DHHS recommended fabric combination to choose from. There is also the choice between loop ties and regular ties or headband loop elastic, ear loop elastic, and headband elastic (until my elastic stocks run out). All fabric is having its second life as a mask. Previously it may have been scrap fabric, or second hand fabric. It's all washed and steamed. Please note these masks are not N95 masks. They're the washable cloth masks that we've been recommended to wear. They're more to help you stop spreading infections than to stop you from getting them. . Image description: Beth with Ziggy the cat on her shoulder. Beth is wearing one of the Little Grassbird prototype face masks which will be available on Monday. Ziggy is giving the mask a once over before he gives it his tick of approval.
20.01.2022 What a baa-utiful day it is today! A baa-rilliant time to show you this green sheep I made last year, don't you think? I thought I'd posted this rosy-cheeked friend up already, but I can't find it anywhere. That seems appropriate for a green sheep I made this sheep at Craft Hatch. I love felting at markets. It's such a good conversation starter, it gives people a chance to see how the pieces are made, and sometimes I even let people have a go themselves if they'd like to.... I've been really missing markets and workshops. I've been thinking about running an online workshop. Is that something you'd be interested in? Maybe I should do a little demo on here first, just to see how teaching online would go. Image description: A little needle felted sheep with green wool is standing on a hand. The sheep has rosy cheeks and floppy ears.
20.01.2022 Super fast mysterious animal felting! I've recently been able to bulk purchase some lovely Gorz-Beckert felting needles (they'll be up in my shop soon!) so I thought I'd give them a whirl. This is one of the new 42 triangle needles felting up a mystery animal at 20x speed. Now that's fast felting! Do you have any guesses as to what animal I'm felting here? I'll give you a hint: it's an Australian animal that may or may not be around nowadays.... Video description: A time lapse video showing Little Grassbird needle felting colour (and a bit more shape) on a mystery animal's head. She wishes needle felting could actually go this fast!
19.01.2022 This little strawberry sheep thought they'd go on a bit of a walk today and ended up having a rather bizarre accident with a magical woolly rock. I love stop motion animation and I've been wanting to have another crack at it for ages. I made couple of stop motion animations years and years ago. From memory one was called 'Dust Bunnies'. It was an epic adventure of a group of little dust bunny plushies I'd made. I think they escaped a vacuum cleaner, or something like that.... Anyway, here's my latest attempt at stop motion. Have you given stop motion (or other animation) a go? I'd love to see animations you've made! Video description: This is a stop motion animation made with needle felted sheep and a bit of wool. It shows a little red sheep walking from the right hand side across to the white wool on the left. The sheep bumps into it and with a pop, turns white with rosy cheeks. The sheep then turns around to look at the viewer.
17.01.2022 If you've been wanting to come to one of my needle felting workshops, and you're free on Sunday the 9th of February from 1pm-5pm then I have excellent news! I'm running a general needle felting workshop at Castlemaine Community House. The felt friends pictured will be popping back into town from Bendigo for the day before they head back up to the Wonderland exhibition at Living Arts Space. If you're not free then, but still would like to come to a needle felting workshop all is not lost. I'm running an Easter themed workshop on Sunday the 29th of March at Community House too. There will be more workshops later on in the year which are yet to be announced.
15.01.2022 The mystery armature was the bones of another Tassie Tiger! Quite a few of you guessed it which I was really impressed with. Well done, you geniuses! This little Thylacine is smaller than the first one I made which added a bit more of a challenge when it came to doing smaller details like the tiny toes and the toe beans. There was quite a bit of finger stabbing doing those little toes. It was great having the opportunity to make another one of these sadly extinct Australian... animals (or are they secretly still around? ). I'll share some process photos over the next little while so you can see how he was made. Image description: The finished mini Thylacine is standing side on facing the left of the frame. The little toes are visible on the wee feet.
14.01.2022 A fox and a mystery blob Both the fox and the mystery blob are heading off to two different places this week. The fox is ready to go, but the blob will look very different before it heads off. Do you have any guesses as to what it might be? The two little things in front are a bit of a clue. Image description: A needle felted red fox is looking at the viewer. Next to the fox is a mystery blob of white wool with two mystery little metal and glass things infront of it. They're photographed on a green background.
14.01.2022 #blackouttuesday @justicefortanyaday @justiceforwalker #stopaboriginaldeathsincustody
12.01.2022 Always was. Always will be. Made on Dja Dja Wurrung country.
10.01.2022 Unfortunately due to the extreme heat today I won't be at the Twilight Market. . The market is still running, so if you're a heat resilient person I reckon it'll be well worth heading down for last minute Christmas presents or December/very early January birthday presents! . Have a wonderful holiday, and see you at the Castlemaine Artists Market again starting in January. ... . [Image description: A spun cotton toadstool by Little Grassbird hanging on a faux Christmas tree. There are little fairly lights woven through the branches. The toadstool has words above it that read " Sorry! I won't be at the Twilight Market". ] See more
09.01.2022 There's nothing quite like getting out in nature, don't you think? At this time of year it means you get a chance to see gorgeous tiny mushies like these ones @allanevansmusic and I saw on a walk last weekend. Look at how cute they are! I'm no mycologist, but after some research at home I think they're Mycena epipterygia (if you know otherwise please let me know!) If I'm right it means they're bioluminescent! Tiny little fairy lamps!! I really want to go back and check them out at night time now. Hmm, maybe I should make some more spun cotton mushrooms. What do you think?
09.01.2022 Look at this fluffball! This is what long haired needle felted pets look like pre haircut. Swipe accross to see Popsie post haircut, and then pop over to @rolopops to see the real Popsie and her sibling Rolo. They're super cute! . In related news, the next block of commission spots are open! Get in touch if you'd like me to make you a needle felted pet portrait, or (almost) anything else you fancy. . Image descriptions: ... Image one - A very fluffy needle felted portrait of Popsie the cat pre-haircut. The only features visible are her eyes and nose. Image two - A needle felted pet portrait of Popsie by Little Grassbird. See more
08.01.2022 It's another mystery creature! What could it be? I'll give you a clue: I've made one of these animals before This is one of a few orders I'm working on at the moment. I've used two different gauges of aluminium wire to make the armature. The smaller gauge didn't want to stay put on the larger one, so the next step is taping them together with some florist's tape. After that it's core wool time! Image description:... A wire armature of a four legged animal is standing on an aged polished wooden surface. There's a strand of wool fibre clinging on to the creature at its shoulders. The armature has very odd proportions at this stage. See more
06.01.2022 This is Rascal. I was commissioned to create this felted version of Rascal by his human's partner. Look at those amazing eyes! I don't think I've ever seen another black and white cat with such saturated orange eyes. Sadly this is a memorial piece of Rascal. I always feel so honoured when I'm commissioned to make memorial pieces. The thought that my work might help people feel connected to their pets who are no longer around is just so special. Rascal's portrait is in a s...hadow box. Framing these portraits is something I've been working on for a little while. What do you think of Rascal's frame? It's my favourite so far. Image descriptions: The first picture shows a needle felted head of Rascal, a black and white shorthair cat. He has fiery orange eyes and the snowy white fur of age is showing in his black patches. His name has been embroidered underneath his face. The second picture is a zoomed out version of the first one. This image shows the square black frame Rascal is in.
06.01.2022 Just look at that lovely stack of fabric in the gorgeous spring light! Can you spot the genuine 90s fabric in there? This is just a tiny teaser of the fabric I'll have up during Craft Swap (this Sunday the 18th of October - pop it in your calendar!). I'll also have some beads, old jewellery, and 20 vintage patterns (ranging from 1979 to 1997, what a weird coincidence!) in the Craft Swap category in my shop. I'm just one of many people selling/swapping, so there will be pl...enty of crafty goodness to look at (and buy!) on the day. The event page will go live at 9am, and from there you can browse through the seller profiles (I'll be on there!) and if you like what you're seeing you can click through to their website where you can get some fresh second hand supplies. New to you, and environmentally friendly, what a win! Image description: A stack of fabric sitting in a white wire basket (which is actually a wire drawer I pulled out to use because *aesthetics* but that's neither here nor there). The whole lot is sitting on a weathered wood step with luscious green ivy behind it. There's dappled light throughout the image.
06.01.2022 Three stages of a needle felted sheep First up, the potato phase Although the potato phase isn't the first stage it is a joyously weird one. This sheep potato has moved on from sheep cocoon with the addition of a head and tail. Next up, the fluff phase This is where it all starts, with some gorgeous undyed core wool from the rescue sheep @ewe_ethical_wool in Daylesford. Local and ethical!... Finally, the sheep You might recognise this sheep. It's the first sheep I made, and I love her. She's always around at markets and workshops Image descriptions: Image one - a needle felted sheep in progress in the middle of the frame. It looks a bit like a weird potato. Image two - Some fluffy white sheep's wool that looks a bit like a cloud. It's sitting a bit to the left of the frame. Image three - the first needle felted sheep made by Little Grassbird. She's standing face on in the middle of the frame. She has little pink cheeks
05.01.2022 Which one of these new spun cotton ornaments describes you best at Christmas? Are you a can't wait candy cane (there's no candy cane emoji!), a bothered by it all bulldog , or a meh mushroom? I would mention that you can grab them at @castlemaineartistsmarket this Sunday, the 6th of December from 3pm - 8pm, or by getting in touch with me if you just can't wait/aren't in town, but I'm sure you're sick of people selling you things at this stage so I won't. Image descriptio...n: Three spun cotton ornaments - a mushroom, an English Bulldog's head, and a candy cane - hanging next to each other from a piece of twine. They're patiently waiting for their individual strings. See more
05.01.2022 Exciting news! Like a lot of people I haven't really been sure what to do now that markets and workshops aren't running. After some time mulling it over I had the thought "market stall, but make it digital", so I've opened an online shop (link in bio)! Woohoo! These five sheep (Baabra, Sheila, Molly, Doris, and Dolly) are up for sale, along with an option to order a custom coloured sheep and five different card designs. The five sheep pictured all have a little blurb tell...ing you about their personalities. My favourite is Doris, but don't tell the others! If you'd like a cute little something to cheer up someone in your life (a gift for someone on Mother's Day, for example ) I reckon one of these sheep would do the trick nicely. Is there anything you'd like to see in the shop? P.S. I hope you're coping alright in these strange times P.P.S. if you're part of the mailing list family you'll already know about the shop from the email that went out yesterday. For those who aren't part of the mailing list family, why not join? You'll get first notice on new things, occasional special offers, and sometimes even exclusive early access to items! Plus, it's free! Image description: Five cute little needle felted sheep with rosy cheeks. Their names are Baabra, Sheila, Molly, Doris, and Dolly.
04.01.2022 Commission spots are opening again this week, yay! . The mailing list family get early access tomorrow and then if there are any leftover spots they'll be opened up to everyone else on Friday. If you aren't signed up to the mailing list there's still time! You can sign up via my website (link in bio). . You might be wondering why I used a photo of a flying pig for the nearly-open commission announcement. It's because these commission spots aren't just for pet portraits (alt...hough they are the most popular), you can commision all sorts, including flying pigs if they take your fancy . This particular flying pig is part of my contribution to Wonderland, a collaborative exhibition that's on until February 29 at Living Arts Space in Bendigo. It's a small space filled with amazing work. Check it out if you get the chance! . Image description: A needle felted flying pig by Little Grassbird hovering above some fairy lights. The pig is light pink with rounded white wings. See more
04.01.2022 Face masks info! Next online update midday Tuesday August 4! I'm making two styles of face mask - fitted and pleated.... All masks have a nose wire in them to help with the fit. The fitted masks are $19 for large and medium, or $12 for kids. The pleated masks are $15 for large and medium, or $10 for kids. You can choose from ear loops, headbands, or loop ties. I do the DHHS recommended fabric combination along with cotton/chiffon/cotton and all cotton. I'm making my masks from offcuts and fabric that was bought ages ago and never turned into anything. It's all washed before use. I send the masks out in compostable mailers to cut down on plastic. I'll be updating my online shop regularly with new masks!
02.01.2022 Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's Super Pig! 2020 is still doing it's thing, so Super Pig wanted to swoop by to check in on you. Super Pig is also celebrating with you magnificent Melbournians and your restrictions easing! Image description:... A light pink needle felted pig is flying through the sky. The sky is covered in lovely brooding clouds. They're the type of clouds that have a mix of really bright bits where the sun tickles their edges, and dark bits where they tease potential rain. Super Pig has their front legs stretched forwards, and their back legs stretched back, making for a more aerodynamic take on the classic superhero pose. Super Pig is wearing a dark wine velvet cape. See more
01.01.2022 Signs of spring! I was out for a walk the other day with one of my oldest and closest friends and her not-quite-grown-up-but-giant-dog. I was looking around at the leaf litter on the ground, as you do, and I noticed a sprouting acorn! I'm not sure I've ever seen one at this stage before. It was a beautiful reminder to notice the good things in life too, no matter how small. Be it sprouting acorns, singing birds at sunrise, or the joy of a dog chasing oak leaves them zoomi...ng into the creek. While hashtag searching for this post I discovered that acorn sprouting is definitely a thing, and there are even special acorn sprouting jars. They're very *aesthetic*. Does anyone else take ages scrolling through potential hashtags getting really distracted at the images in them? No? Just me then? Image description: A sprouting acorn sits towards the bottom right of the image. The tender young oak sprout is bright green and springing up from the ground between the two halves of the inner, mauvish-purple, fleshy part of the acorn. The acorn's shell is still clinging on to the left half of the inner acorn. It's surrounded by rich earth and decaying oak leaves. Behind it is another acorn with a tiny green sprout just pushing though.
