Hey there everybody! You know, after Friday’s post on Beastie work accessories, and reading about Tierney’s recent studio update (seriously, take a look! I have such storage envy) I thought I’d do something a little different this week. So, let’s have a rare behind-the-scenes post… How about I introduce you to the hard-working tools, equipment and knick-knacks that help me perform the alchemic transformation of wool into monsters?
And because the internet loves a top 5, I’ve picked the 5 tools that make my crafting life so much easier. Let’s go!
1. Swiss Army Knife
Not even one of the biggest, fanciest ones either! I think this is the most basic model out there, but I use it ALL THE TIME. The scissors are super-sharp, and they’re great for getting into awkward corners. I also use the tweezers to unpick threads, tie knots, handle small pattern pieces and push stuffing into narrow or hard-to-reach places. The toothpick works for that too, and the nail file is great for smoothing off the wooden dowels that go inside some Beastie accessories. All that, and it folds up to the size of a pencil eraser! Genius!
And while we’re on the subject of cutting…
2. Rotary Cutter
Pictured here with its lovely assistants Cutting Mat and Metal Ruler. I’m still a fan of scissors for cutting out, but for the many, many pattern pieces that call for crisp, straight lines, you can’t beat this handy trio. They’re especially good for dealing with thick, unstretchy fabrics like wool felt (my craft material of choice), so any new project will probably see me wielding my yellow cutting wheel at some point!
3. Magic Magnifying Lamp
Otherwise known as “the reason I’m not blind”. After enviously looking at the supersize versions in the labs of technicians on “Forensic Files”, imagine my delight when one of my very own appeared in my Christmas stocking a couple of years ago. This thing is brilliant! The magnifying lens shows up every stitch in glorious detail, and the circular daylight bulb means that I’m not working around the shadows cast by my hands. It’s also probably cut my electricity bill in half while I’ve been working from home during quarantine!
4. Circular Knitting Needles
These are the reason I became hopelessly hooked on knitting again. Circular needles allow you to knit tubes, rather than flat bits that will eventually need to be sewn together. Now, I don’t mind sewing. But if I can knit and have something that is already almost finished when I cast it off, that’s definitely a bonus! What you see above are my most-used sizes, but I have… um… a few more that aren’t pictured.
Anyway, moving swiftly on… I’ll distract you from my knitting needle hoard with magic disappearing pens!
5. Air-Erase Markers
Well, full disclosure – it’s the ink that disappears, not the pen. There are lots of options out there for marking your pattern pieces onto fabric before cutting them out, but these are far and away my favourite. They’re thinner than tailor’s chalk, don’t rip up felt like chalk pens do, and the marks fade away all by themselves. Or, if you’re in a hurry, you can help them along with a spritz of water. The lines are also easy to see on most colours, apart from the very darkest ones. I’m still looking for something that draws well on black felt!
Did I miss anything out?
Oh yeah, Beastie assistants!
Hmm, then again… Perhaps not, if you actually want to get anything done.
What makes your creative life easier? Be sure to share the tools of your trade with us in the comments! And we’ll be back on Friday with another look at Beasties past – see you then!
This set of hammer, torch and pocket knife headed off to Illinois with 
… And the pocket knife opens to reveal a sharp(ish) felt blade!
Next, some of the more unusual work related items I’ve created – a Beastie-sized micropipette and cell culture flask!
Honestly, these little monsters can (and do) turn their paws to just about anything! You can find out which Beastie left Beastie Towers with this lot 
As I said in the 
(I also kinda love her tiara… It’s probably not workplace-suitable attire, but let’s give it a mention anyway!)
This Beastie-sized needle-felted croissant and hand-embroidered newspaper celebrate the way 
… And a scan through the news of the day!
Phew! After that lot, you’d almost need to take the weekend off and put your feet up! Did I miss any favourite Beastie accessories out in my round-up? If I did, be sure to give me a nudge in the comments!
“Exploring some interesting places, by the look of it!”
“Wow! You’re right, we should go and visit her… I wonder where she is now?”
“This place looks nice. I wonder if anyone’s in?”
“Oh, look! Is that… The kitchen?”
“Yes! I think I’m going to like it here.”
Now, I know that June Beastie’s ever-present rolling pin has raised a few eyebrows throughout her travels. Did she have trouble getting it through airport security? And why would she need it on a visit to a National Park?
So… Many… Rolling… Pins! And look at all those recipe books, too.
“…I’ll whisk them up a tasty snack!”
“…Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…”
But her fishy tail…
… And aquatic-themed accessories…
… Made me realise that it’s a veeeery long time since I was last at the seaside. So, as well as a timely reminder that Beasties are found under the sea as well as on land, I thought I’d take a trip to the coast through some of my old photos.
And while he was living it up overseas, 
That said, not all of their seaside visits have gone so smoothly. In 
How about you lot? Are any of you still able to get to the beach, or are you longing to feel sand between your toes again? Let us know in the comments!
On her way to her new home last Autumn, 
Then again, the reason this geyser is called Old Faithful is because it erupts frequently and regularly – every 90 minutes or so, to be precise.
Well, this looks much more peaceful. Where are we now?
Aha! Abyss Pool, on the shores of Yellowstone Lake. The still waters of this hot spring really do run deep, too… The bottom lies 16m (53 feet) below the surface. So don’t fall in, June Beastie!
“Really?”
“Hmmmm, maybe that’s what these are?”
Unfortunately, our knowledge of US flora and fauna has let us down here – can anyone identify the mystery guest?
… And to take in a few more hot springs before the sun set.
Those colours are quite something, aren’t they?
My very first Beastie dogs were knitted. You know me, I love to knit! But although the technique and yarn worked well enough here, I soon found it quite limiting. It’s hard to capture the huge range of dog body shapes, colours and fur textures with yarn!
… And he makes a special guest appearance in Tierney’s latest blog post, 
…And a Pekingese from a little later that same year.
And of course, because I err more on the side of “cat lady”, I also started making Beastie kitties along the way. My first ones were special editions for my first time selling at the Dublin Cat Fair…
… But I soon started making them to order as well! This Beastie with a black cat was made as a partner for the one in the photo above…
… And then there’s this handsome fellow, created as a gift for a lady who owns a beautiful polydactyl cat called Paddy.
I still love those glasses.
Aha! Looks like they’ve hopped on the gardening bandwagon and are getting into growing their own veggies.
“Check it out, Plunkett! Sustainable jewellery!”
“… Like this. Now, courgettes grow quickly – you might want to stand back a bit!”
“I think we’re going to need a bigger pot, Plunkett!”
The plant looks much happier in its new home, doesn’t it? Plenty of space there to spread out its roots and keep on growing!
“Ah, it’s a bit early for that yet, Paddy. But if you look veeeery closely…”
“… You can see the first flowers starting to appear under the leaves. We won’t have long to wait!”
Hey there Cookie Beastie! Where did you spring from?
I do love a good cactus, and it seems Beasties are no different. That said, it’s pretty hard to relax with all those prickles around… How about we find somewhere else to put our paws up for a minute?
Can there be any better place to spend a tea break?
Um, you might have to put the cookie down if you’re to make any headway with those weights.
I was reminded of this when I looked back at “Definitely Maybeast” in 
Another bit of teeny sewing that somehow fell into the BMML (Before Magic Magnifying Lamp) era. I look at these now and wonder how I’m not blind! This appliquéd felt and embroidery board game was an important part of the accessory lineup for a 
The Beastie TARDIS was made of felt, and reinforced with foam and interfacing so it didn’t collapse in like a woolly tent! I lined the inside with shiny silver material for a space-age feel, and embroidered on the window panes and lettering. The doors also close with velcro so the Doctor can travel in safety.
… I made a second one! And I took more photos that time. You can see the original posts about these commissions 
… And only went a bit overboard by making the lens and strap removable.
Oh well, sometimes you just have to! Laura’s little monster left Beastie Towers with a whole heap of other accessories too – check them out 
… I did end up with the ferocious-looking gold and silver dragon that my customer asked for! You can relive the entire, um, interesting experience 
… Got a Covid-19-era update!
The face mask is made from cotton, pleated and lined with felt for some good woolly air filtration. Then, a pretty ribbon strap with a little elastic helps to hold it in place.
Two needle-felted wool sponge cakes, sandwiched between layers of felt jam and icing? That would put a smile on any Beastie’s face!
She’s also dressed to impress, in a sweet floral print sundress with ribbon ties on the shoulders.
And finally, check out those lustrous alpaca tresses! I really should get the Beasties to share their hairdressing secrets.
Now all we need to figure out is how she’s going to blow out the candle without removing her face mask!
Big thanks to Annemarie for suggesting this fun and timely project! And speaking of fun…
As such, I have been avidly following the daily patrollings of Big Ginger Cat and Little Tortoiseshell Cat, who swing by several times a day to sunbathe, hunt bluebottles and wage war on the magpies in the big tree. It’s nice to see them continuing about their usual business!