Knitted Beasties – Page 12

Beasties at the Flea - CrawCrafts Beasties

Festive Flea Market Fun!

Posted on December 13, 2016June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Crafting, Knitted Beasties, Life at Beastie Towers

Woweeee! It really has been all systems go here at Beastie Towers lately – and in between getting Christmas commissions ready and starting a new job, I haven’t been able to go to half as many of the festive markets as I would have liked. Fortunately, I booked my spot at the Dublin Christmas Flea at the end of October, and I decided that come hell, high water or complete sleep deprivation I was going to be there!

It’s one of the markets I’ve been hoping to go to since I first became a Maker of Monsters, and this year they annexed an extra space in the Point Village in Dublin’s Docklands to make it their biggest event yet. So many stalls of crafty goodness… Plus some excellent vintage and food sellers as well!

Oh yeah, and the Beasties and I were there too!
Here we are, all set up and ready for Day One… And then a few more Beasties and beanies arrived throughout the weekend…
…Then it was all paws on deck come Sunday! Hallowe’en Beasties don’t usually hang out at Christmas markets, but the prospect of new friends and a new home was too good to miss…
By the time 6pm rolled around on Sunday, almost every one of my little monsters had toddled off with their new family!

Thanks so much to everybody who stopped in to visit us over the weekend – it was lovely to meet you all, especially those of you I already know a bit from your blogs, or from Instagram and Facebook! And a big thumbs up for the Dublin Flea team as well, who put in an immense amount of work to beautify the venue and let all of Dublin know that the market was happening. Best of all, they gave me a spot right next to the tea stall! You guys are the best!

Right, I’m off to start getting ready for next year’s market now… And for anyone who left the Christmas Flea with a new monster friend in tow, please feel free to share photos of your Beastie’s adventures with us back here at Beastie Towers! You can post to Facebook, share your Instagram pics with the hashtag #beastiesofinstagram, or email photos to crawcraftsbeasties@gmail.com to feature in a blog post in the new year!

Theeeey’re Heeeeere!

Posted on November 22, 2016June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Info, Knitted Beasties, Life at Beastie Towers

2017 Beastie calendars, that is!
This year’s calendar features all-new photos – for those of you who are proud owners of the 2016 version, there won’t be any repeats in the coming year! Explorer Beastie is hogging the limelight as usual…
…But I snuck in a few of my favourite Beastie friends from the last 12 months as well!
I’ve chosen a slightly different layout this time, which I think looks clearer and allows more space to write in the details of your busy life. Now all you have to do is decide how to spend your year!
If you’d like a Beastie calendar to call your very own, head to the Contact page and drop me a line, or PM me through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!

The Science Bit…
A single calendar will set you back a mere €12, and postage anywhere on the island of Ireland is free! If you live elsewhere, P&P will be an extra €3 for one calendar… Or if you’d like a few, I’ll calculate the postage based on the total weight of the parcel. Ping me over payment by PayPal, and your calendar(s) will be in the post that same day (Post Office opening hours permitting, of course)!

Oh, and get your order in soon – I’m only doing one batch this year!

And while we’re on the subject of time management and busy lives, Silly Season is now officially in full swing! So much crafting to do… and since most of my latest Beasties are destined to spend a little time under the Christmas tree before meeting their new families, it’ll be New Year before I’m able to share their photos with you. With that in mind, the BeastieBlog will be scaling back to just Tuesday posts for the time being. Normal service will resume in 2017!

Among Fading Colours - CrawCrafts Beasties

Explorer Beastie’s Wintry Ramble!

Posted on November 18, 2016June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Explorer Beastie, Knitted Beasties

So, the clocks have gone back and the evenings are starting noticeably earlier every day. And, after a slightly rainy start to the autumn here in Ireland, the sun finally showed his face – fortunately at a time when Explorer Beastie and I were away in the countryside for a couple of days!
The bright sunshine made for some great photos… although the slight nip in the air was a reminder that winter is very much on the way! Care to join us on our stroll?

Oh, but we’ll just have to wait while Explorer Beastie climbs a couple of trees first…
Amazingly, there are still some flowers out brightening up the garden at this time of the year…
…Even if everywhere else is starting to look a little less colourful.
But when the leaves fall, they sometimes reveal hidden treasure among the branches – like this cosy, mossy bird’s nest!
You need to be careful where you perch though… I think you’ve picked up some extra accessories on your hat there, Explorer Beastie!
Further down the lane, we found some natural treats – sloes, blackberries and rosehips!
In fact, the whole hedgerow had become one beautiful natural tapestry, dancing in the sunlight.
But despite the bright sunshine, it was starting to get a little chilly out here! So after a quick pitstop in a sheltered spot…
…It was time to head for home!

How is winter arriving where you are? Or are you somewhere that’s already looking forward to long, lazy summer days? Let us know in the comments!

We’ll be back on Tuesday, when I’m hoping to have a preview of next year’s Beastie Calendar to share with you all! See you then!

Seasonal Market Set-Up - CrawCrafts Beasties

Jumping on the Festive Bandwagon!

Posted on November 15, 2016June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Crafting, Knitted Beasties, Life at Beastie Towers

Uh-oh! Try as you might to ignore it, there’s no denying that it’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas! And while I’m already preparing to be haunted by my least favourite seasonal song (“Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time”) as I wander around Dublin’s city centre over the next couple of months, the ever-earlier arrival of the festive season has its advantages too… Top of the list being CHRISTMAS MARKETS!
I do enjoy going to markets – obviously there’s a Beastie adoption motive underpinning every one I attend, but I also really like the buzz of market day. Not only is it a super way to catch up with other craftspeople (and probably, let’s face it, leave a substantial chunk of your earnings at their stalls), I also love meeting my own customers face to face! For a crafter, markets are a great (and non-creepy) way to get to know the people who admire your work, and to see which aspects of what you do appeal to them most.

This past weekend, I spent Saturday and Sunday at my first Christmas market of 2016 – the Creative Collective Ireland Craft Fair, which is held annually in the Multidenominational School in Ranelagh, one of Dublin’s most charming suburbs.
The Ranelagh Fair is always a special one for me… BeastieBlog veterans may dimly remember my first market update back in 2013, when I launched my Beastie-making career at this very market! And although my stock and setup have changed a bit since then, it was nice to see to see some familiar faces, both behind the stalls and among the punters!

I also thought it was time to crack out the party season finery for my stall… My spooky Hallowe’en setup has made way for bright red felt and cheerful fairy lights on my (only slightly Scrooge-y) black Christmas tree!
There were a couple of festive special guests at the table too, of course…
… And on day 2, I managed to get my banner up behind the stall as well!
By the end of the weekend, we’d found new homes for some Beasties… And a whole lot of cuddly beans!
Hopefully they’ll stay in touch, and share their adventures with us in the new year!

We’ll be doing more markets as Christmas draws closer… Be sure to follow us on Facebook to see where we’ll be popping up next! And don’t forget to call back on Friday, when we’ll be doing some wintry countryside rambling with Explorer Beastie. See you then!

Rugby Girl Beastie Closeup - CrawCrafts Beasties

A Very Beastie Birthday Surprise!

Posted on November 8, 2016June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Commissions, Knitted Beasties

Well, THIS has been a while coming! Today’s new Beastie actually left Beastie Towers back at the end of September… But since I devoted all of last month to Hallowe’en-themed monsters, this is really the first chance I’ve had to introduce you to this little lady! However, now that the days have suddenly got much colder, and tickets for the Six Nations have gone on sale, it seems like a good time for you all to meet Rugby Girl Beastie!
Rugby Girl Beastie was commissioned as a very special birthday gift for a devoted Munster Rugby fan! So of course she’s proudly wearing her team’s jersey…
… Featuring a hand-embroidered crest and a personalised number, to mark the occasion!

Rugby Girl Beastie’s new human friend also LIVES in her Converse trainers, so I made her a pair of her own to match!
And so that she can join in on the pitch if needs be, she got a hand-embroidered rugby ball too!
This Beastie girl’s new human buddy is a busy lady! When she’s not following her favourite rugby team’s exploits, she loves going to gigs and festivals… and so that Rugby Girl Beastie can tag along, I included a special VIP wristband to help her sneak backstage.
Then, as a final finishing touch, an accessory to celebrate her love of travel!
The hand-embroidered felt “stickers” are from some of Rugby Girl Beastie’s new friend’s favourite holiday destinations… and since she often travels to see Dublin band The Coronas play overseas, I’ve included a nod to them on there too!

Now I think we’re ready to hit the road!
Thanks so much to Katie for requesting this commission!

Oh, and thanks to all of you as well! Last week the BeastieBlog hit the 400 followers mark… And we literally couldn’t have done it without you. So… CHEERS!
Join us again on Friday for more overseas antics with Paddy and Plunkett… And don’t forget that this weekend we’ll be at the Creative Collective Ireland Craft Fair in Ranelagh, Dublin 6!

Market Stall Closeup - CrawCrafts Beasties

Monster Market Day – Hallowe’en Edition!

Posted on November 1, 2016June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Crafting, Knitted Beasties

Hallowe’en may be over for another year, but I couldn’t let it pass without sharing my special seasonal market setup with you all! On Sunday I did my first ever Hallowe’en market, and since I brought along some Hallowe’en-y monsters…
… It only seemed fair to modify my props to make them feel more at home! So I strayed outside my usual crafting comfort zone, and had a bit of fun with papier mâché and paint instead. Can you tell what I’m making from this in-progress shot?

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As well as a 3D gravestone, I made some simpler flat ones and a two miniature ones. As it happened, I found perfect headstone-shaped photo frames in Tiger, which cut down on my making time a lot!

So, after covering myself in glue, doing my best Banksy impression in the basement of Beastie Towers and a heart-stopping moment where it seemed like my painted details weren’t drying at all, it was time to set up!

TA-DAAAAAAH!
Other new additions to the table included some spiderweb fabric, to add a bit of a spookier feel to my cheery bright red tablecloth, and I made some creepy flickering lanterns using LED nightlights and black tissue. It was also nice to have some fixtures to hang my banner from – I don’t always get to use it!

And the Beasties seemed happy enough with the changes too…
…Although on reflection, it might have had something to do with this.
Oh Pint Beastie, you know it’s not a good idea to mix your drinks!

At least it meant that everyone slept soundly on the journey home… Hopefully the sore heads will be a distant memory by the time our next market rolls around! We’ll next be popping up at the Creative Collective Annual Fair in Ranelagh, on the 12th and 13th of November – save the date!

I hope you all had fun this Hallowe’en! We’ll be back on Friday with an update from Paddy and Plunkett. Yes, they’ve been on holiday again! I’ll really have to get them to take me along next time… See you then!

It's Dracula Beastie! CrawCrafts Beasties

Beasties That Go Bump in the Night…

Posted on October 28, 2016June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Crafting, Knitted Beasties

Wooooooo! Hallowe’en weekend is finally here, and there are spooky Beasties about! Welcome to a special late-night edition of the BeastieBlog… Now, who’s that shadowy caped figure lurking up there?
It’s Dracula Beastie! And he’s really dressed to kill, in full evening dress and a red satin-lined cape…
But don’t worry, he doesn’t bite. In fact, why don’t we join him in the library? It might be late, but he’s expecting friends…
Oh look, here they are!
Hey there, Jack O’Lantern Beastie and Skull Beastie!
And now they’re ready to head out trick-or-treating! Hopefully they’ll be back in time to join me at my next market… If you happen to find yourself in Dublin this Sunday, be sure to join us at the Smithfield Market Fair from 12-7pm! It’s going to be spooktacular!

What are you all up to for Hallowe’en? And what will you be dressing up as? Let us know in the comments!

A Fitting Backdrop for a Grim Reaper Beastie! N Depping/CrawCrafts Beasties

Grim Reaper Beastie Gets Away From It All

Posted on October 21, 2016June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Beastie Family, Knitted Beasties

Hey there everybody!

It’s been a while since I last received word from a globetrotting Beastie, so you can probably imagine how delighted I was when Grim Reaper Beastie got in touch earlier this week! As it happens, he’s been to Hawaii… but of course he had very little interest in going to a luau or hanging out on the beach in a brightly-coloured shirt (hilarious as that would be). I think you’ll agree that he looks much more in his element here…
… Because as we all know, the Hawaiian islands are a (literal!) hotbed of volcanic activity. And it seems that Grim Reaper Beastie is quite the amateur volcanologist – here he is again, scrambling around among the lava fields around Kilauea on Big Island!
I think he looks right at home here, don’t you? However, not all of the rocks were suitable for such up-close inspection… For starters, there’s quite a lot of red hot liquid lava around.
And if you think that’s awesome, you should see it after dark!
It also helps to get a bird’s eye view… If you look really closely in the bottom third of this photo, you can see a few fine orange specks where the lava is meeting the sea – and the clouds of steam this produces!
Fortunately, the lava around here moves pretty slowly, so Grim Reaper Beastie could watch it bubble up from the centre of the earth without having to worry about getting his toes burnt. Here, have a look for yourself!

Can anyone else see a monster face appearing in the hot lava towards the end of the video, or is that just me?!

But not every volcano in this area of Big Island is active. Grim Reaper Beastie finished up his tour at Devastation Trail, which was last affected by the eruption of Kilauea Iki in 1959. Here, shrubs and flowering plants have gradually started to recolonise this stark landscape of stones and cinders!
A perfect end to a perfect day of exploration!

Thanks to Nicole for letting Grim Reaper Beastie stow away in her suitcase, and for sending me his holiday snaps – it looks like you had a super trip! And be sure to join us again on Tuesday to meet some new Beasties, then next Friday we’ll be sharing more Beastie adventures abroad! See you then!

Beer Drinkin' Barcelona Beastie, by CrawCrafts Beasties

Bon Voyage, Beastie!

Posted on October 18, 2016June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Beastie Family, Commissions, Knitted Beasties

Hooray! It’s new Beastie time again… Although today I will be taking a surprise break from the Famous Monsters theme of the last couple of weeks. I’ve been struck down by one of the delightful plagues that’s been doing the rounds lately, so I’ve spent the last few days binge-watching “The Killing” on Netflix and… um… precious little else. Fortunately I got this little monster completed before I buried myself under a heap of blankets on the sofa! He also headed off to his new home in sunny Barcelona this morning (lucky thing!) so what better time to introduce him to you all?
Why hello there!

A friend of mine, who has been living in Dublin these last couple of years, decided recently that it was time to head back home to Spain… Well, who can blame him? I’m sure most of us would choose sipping Sangria by the beach over battling through the wind and rain on a dark November morning! But he did want to take home a reminder of his time in Ireland, and so he requested a special little monster Mini-Me!

So, this guy is made from 100% Irish wool… and of course, he had to be green!
His lustrous locks are made from a different yarn, though… a wool and alpaca blend, so they’re super-soft!

My friend also discovered the joys of a good IPA while he was living here, so his Beastie buddy was obviously going to get one of those, too!
YUM!

Then to complete his look, I kitted this little woolly monster out in the style of his new human friend – a sharp-looking shirt, hoodie and jacket combo!
Look, he can even wear his hood up… Although I’m sure he won’t need that so much where he’s going!

I can’t wait to see how he gets on in his new home in Barcelona! Good luck, Beastie!
“Cheers!”

And it’s a surprisingly good time for Beastie travel at the moment – drop back in on Friday, when we’ll have an update from a Beastie abroad! See you then!

Ghostie Beastie Closeup - CrawCrafts Beasties

She Ain’t Scary… She’s My Beastie!

Posted on October 11, 2016June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Crafting, Knitted Beasties

Wooooooooo!
Hallowe’en fever continues to ramp up here in Beastie Towers, with the arrival of another spooky Beastie! Look who flew in through the window earlier, giving me the fright of my life – it’s Ghostie Beastie!
Although she’s a little less colourful than the other Beasties, she makes up for it by being surrounded by a haze of netting ectoplasm, which I presume is what helps her to fly.
Fortunately, I was able to manoeuvre her towards a darker background to allow you all to see her a little better…
…And unlike most of her phantom friends, she seemed perfectly happy to pose for more photos!
So there you have it – concrete proof that ghosts exist! And, reassuringly, that they are woolly and cuddly!

Do you believe in ghosts? Let us know in the comments!

Aaaand … Not content with giving us a feature in the “Handmade in Ireland” section of their latest issue, the awesome ladies at Olann And also gave me and the Beasties the nicest shoutout on their recent podcast! I’m so glad I finally found a quiet moment to sit down and watch it all – it’s like having a couple of friends over for tea and a chat. I’d definitely recommend giving it a watch, especially if you enjoy the craftier, yarnier things in life!

	tierneycreates: a fu… on We Wish You A Merry Beast…
	crawcraftsbeasties on We Wish You A Merry Beast…
	quietwatercraft on We Wish You A Merry Beast…
	crawcraftsbeasties on We Wish You A Merry Beast…
	The Hidden Spain on (Mer)Made Just for You!