Tuckasegee Crafters Guild

Don't Bug Me: Natural Bug Repellent Spray & Soap

The club members made melt and pour glycerin soap with essential oils useful in repelling insects such as gnats, flies, and mosquitoes. While the soap set, we made bug repellent spray by mixing the same essential oils in a base of witch hazel. After we enjoyed a wonderful snack, we turned out the soap from the molds and packaged it in shrink wrap bags. To finish off, we placed the soaps and spray in a small basket covered in cello wrap and embellished with colorful ribbons. It is a great gift idea or a useful product at home. It sure beats the chemical alternatives.

Swerve Scarves: Hand Crochet

The Kountry Krafters model their scarves

made by hand crocheting Red Heart Swerve Yarn.

Claymates After Firing

Betty's Breast Cancer Awareness Mug

Carolyn's Dalmation Cup

Kathi's Ornaments

Arbra's Necklace Made From Glass

Becky's Chicken. Remember, it was green at first.

Dianne's Owl Cup

Kari's Charms

Juli's Leaf Dish

A Night Out at Claymates

At our February meeting, we gathered in at Claymates in Dillsboro to create a unique piece of painted pottery. We pondered and fretted over our clay selections, and then our palettes of paint. Then we settled in to painting, chatting, snacking, and making arrangements to pick up our fired pieces later. It was great fun meeting at a different venue and welcoming new friends to our group. Here are some pictures "before" firing. Coming soon, the "after."

Believe it or not, this pale green chicken will be black & white spotted.

This nubby mug will be smooth and shiny.

This little girl will be spotted and smooth.

We worked and snacked.

Juli painted an egg tray in springtime colors.

Kari painted ornaments.

Shelves laden with greenware tempt you to make future visits.

Upcoming Events for Kountry Krafters

Got the winter blues? Come out to Kountry Krafters and create some great crafts. In February, we are going to Claymates in Dillsboro. In March, Betty is going to show us how to make the lovely Swerve scarves shown above. They are finger-crocheted and work up very fast. Bring enough yarn to make several.

Making French Memo Boards

You start with a blank canvas, literally. We used an 11" x 17" artist canvas purchased at Walmart. A two-pack costs around $8. Next, you cut a piece of quilt batting a bit larger than your canvas. Then place an ironed fat quarter of fabric atop this and fold under edges on back and staple them securely. We used a heavy duty stapler. After the fabric and batting are secured to the canvas, take ribbon and go diagonally across the center and staple on both ends. Space two more lengths of ribbon diagonally one way, and then two more the other way. See Pictures.

To finish, pierce all layers with a sharp instruments and insert decorative brads in the 5 center positions. Take a small bit of ribbon and make a hanger for the center and staple securely. The total cost for materials is around $8. The only thing not available at Walmart are the brads. You can get them at Michaels or anywhere scrapbook supplies are sold.

Carolyn used the black fabric with white ribbon. Becky turned the same pattern fat quarter to the opposite side and used the back with burgundy ribbon. Both were beautiful. Just shows you how a different perspective on things can produce interesting effects.