If you are near the Corning, NY area and you need to make a glass tumbler go over to Corning Studios. Over the month of March you can go in and have a glass blowing experience…and you’ll get a tumbler. Their technicians will guide you through the process of blowing a glass tumbler. The pictures sure are pretty. At $44, it’s a screaming deal to get the experience and a tumbler. I’m sure you’ll get bitten by the glass blowing bug and have to go back over and over to grow your collection of handmade by you tumblers. I know I would…if only Corning was closer to Los Angeles.
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Designer Spotlight: Niche Stitches
Niche Stitches is a United States based Etsy shop that sells, by its own description, “bookish and modern cross stitch patterns.” You’ll also find patterns related to video games, movies, and more.
There is definitely a fantasy focus when it comes to these patterns, with several designs based on characters and quotes from the A Court of Thorns and Roses and Crescent City series, both of which are by Sarah J. Maas. You’ll also find dragons, a magic rabbit and more designs.
In the video gaming section there are patterns with game controllers and designs from Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing New Horizons.
The designs that really caught my eye were the seasonal ones, because they are heavy on designs inspired by The Muppet Christmas Carol. Here’s one of my favorites, a pair with Gonzo as the narrator and Rizzo as Tiny Tim telling us why they are in the story.
This one is set up as two separate patterns, with Gonzo measuring 106 by 153 stitches, which comes out to about 7.6 by 10.9 inches, or 19.3 by 27.7 cm on 14 count fabric. His design uses 15 colors. Rizzo is 93 by 137 stitches, or 6.6 by 9.8 inches/16.8 by 24.9 cm on 14 count fabric, and it also uses 15 colors. These might be a little big to hang on the tree but you could hang them next to each other on the wall.
There are also a few Halloween patterns and a section of animal cross stitch patterns, most of which are birds, with an elephant and giraffe thrown in.
This is a great shop to visit if you’re into fantasy books and cross stitch, but there are some great designs even if you’re not into that genre. Check out Niche Stitches on Etsy, and be sure to let me know if you have a favorite cross stitch designer I haven’t featured yet!
[Photo: Niche Stitches]