Tag: crafting

How to make your own scented candles: simple tutorial – Growing Family
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Do you like the idea of filling your home with the cosy glow and gorgeous fragrance of candles you’ve made yourself? If you’ve been wondering how to make your own scented candles but don’t know where to start, you’re in the right place.

DIY candle making is nowhere near as complicated as you might think. In fact, once you’ve got the basics sorted, you’ll be hooked.

There are so many benefits to making your own candles. For starters, it’s a lovely way to save money – those boutique jars don’t come cheap, do they? You can also choose natural, eco-friendly ingredients, so you know exactly what’s burning in your home. And it’s such a relaxing craft; there’s something very satisfying about blending your favourite scents and creating something beautiful (and practical) with your own hands.

How to make your own candles

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to making scented candles at home. Whether you’re a complete beginner or just looking to try a new hobby, you’ll find everything you need to get started – from the essential ingredients and tools to the method. There are also a few tips to help you make candles that look – and smell – like they’ve come straight from a luxury shop.

The essential oils in this simple candle recipe will create a beautiful floral scent with musky undertones. The lavender is a recognisable scent that adds a touch of floral and sweetness, patchouli oil is a great base oil that adds depth, and clove bud oil delivers on warmth and spice.

TheSoapery has a great range of candle making supplies

Equipment you will need
- Digital scales
- Thermometer
- Heatproof bowls
- Measuring spoons
- Silicone spoon or spatula
- Glass candle jars
- Pre-waxed candle wicks
- Wick stickers
- Wick holder
DIY candle ingredients
- Soy wax flakes 250g
- Clove bud essential oil 3g / 3ml
- Patchouli essential oil 13g / 14ml
- Lavender essential oil 9g / 10ml
Making your own scented candles

Step 1. Prepare the container
- Place a wick sticker on the bottom of your wick and position it in the bottom of the jar. Try to get it in the centre as this will help the candle to burn evenly.
- Lay the wick holder on the top of your container, with the wick sticking out of the centre hole.
Step 2. Heat the soy wax
- Place the soy wax into a heatproof bowl.
- Place your bowl of soy wax over a saucepan of boiling water.
- Use a spatula or spoon to stir the wax continuously until it has fully melted.
- Once the wax has completely melted, remove the bowl from the heat and leave to cool.
Step 3. Add the essential oils
- In a separate bowl, combine the clove, patchouli and lavender oils.
- Test the temperature of the soy wax; it needs to be about 57°C.
- Once the melted wax has reached this temperature, add the essential oils and mix thoroughly.
- Stir the mixture regularly while it cools to avoid it solidifying at the edges.
Step 4. Pour the wax into your container
- Test the temperature of the wax regularly. Once it has cooled to around 40°C, slowly pour it into your jar.
- Hold the wick holder in position as you pour the mixture, this will keep the wick centred.
- Leave the candle to cure for 2 weeks if possible to deliver a stronger scent.
Using your homemade candle
- When you’re ready to use your candle, trim the wick to about ½ an inch before lighting it.
- The first time you burn your candle, ideally you should let it burn until it has melted right to the edge of the jar. Doing this will help it burn evenly every time you use it.
Making your own scented candles is one of those crafts that feels indulgent, but is actually wonderfully simple once you’ve had a go. Not only does it save you money, but it also lets you create candles that suit your style, your home, and even your values if you prefer to use natural, sustainable ingredients.

So, why not spend a cosy afternoon making your own candles? You’ll have a beautiful batch of homemade creations to enjoy – or to gift – and a new hobby to keep coming back to.

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Catherine

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September 4, 2025
The art of woodcraft: exploring the beauty of DIY wooden creations – Growing Family
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Woodcraft has existed for centuries, and is still a popular hobby today. Each wooden piece tells a story of its own, showcasing the creativity, patience, and skills of its creator. Whether it’s a handcrafted cabinet or a pretty bowl to decorate your coffee table, wooden crafts present a timeless elegance.

Let’s dive into the world of woodcrafts and find out how you can use various crafting processes to make your own unique creations.

The charm of wooden artistry

The natural warmth of wood makes it a favourite craft raw material for many artisans. Each type of wood offer its own unique charm in terms of colour, grain, and texture.

Wood provides endless possibilities to be creative and make something impressive. However, before you begin a project, you need to select a suitable wood for your craft that will highlight your handiwork perfectly. This knowledge will help you create a piece that lasts for a lifetime.

Types of woods used for crafts

There are two main types of woods used for crafting:

Softwood

Softwood usually comes from trees with cones and needles. It ranges from reddish to yellow. Due to their soft nature, these woods can be easily dented or scratched. However, they can be a good option for many projects like cabinets to outdoor furniture.

Commonly used softwoods include:
- Douglas fir
- Cedar
- Larch
- Redwood
- Pine
- Spruce
Hardwood

Hardwood has larger pores and is sometimes described as porous wood. This type of wood usually comes from trees that grow fruit bearing seeds. This wood lasts longer than softwood and is usually more expensive.

Commonly used hardwoods include:
- Ash
- Alder
- Birch
- Beech
- Cherry
- Maple
- Mahogany
- Poplar
- Oak
- Teak
- Rosewood
- Walnut
If you like the idea of a woodcraft DIY project, you can click here to clear up some space at home first. It’s also worth doing some research on DIY wood projects before choosing your wood and getting started.

The crafting process

Woodcrafting may seem straightforward, but you need specific skills to make a decent product. Woodcraft involves a variety of techniques that require high attention to detail. The more focused and precise you are, the better your finished piece will be.

Here are a few commonly used methods for wood crafting:

Carving

This is a widely used technique for woodworking. It involves the use of knives and chisels to carve the wood into a desired shape. You can use this technique to make ornate furniture or sculptures.

Turning

Another process used to create round objects is called turning. This technique specifically requires precise control and a steady hand. A wooden piece is secured on a lathe, which turns the wood as you shape it. Turning is a great way to make vases, bowls, or spindles.

Joinery

As the name suggests, this technique involves the joining of wooden pieces to make a particular object. Joining can be done by using nails or screws. Some types of joints are easier to break than others; using techniques like mortise-and-tenon or dovetail joints can make your wooden piece strong while adding an aesthetic appeal.

Finishing

The skills used to shape a wooden piece are essential, but finishing is also very important.

The finishing process involved sanding, staining, and sealing to bring out the natural beauty of the wood. Apart from enhancing visual appeal, it also makes your craft long-lasting by providing protection from damage.

Woodcrafting can produce a significant amount of waste that can easily build up in your home. If you need professional help for waste management you can Learn more here.

The Bottom Line

Nothing beats the natural beauty of wood. No matter how modernised our society gets, natural items will still keep their charm. Wooden crafts are timeless pieces that can add a touch of elegance to your home. And of course, there’s something very special about a unique item that has been handmade with love and care.

Are you ready to embrace wood’s natural beauty and bring out your craftsmanship to make a wooden piece for your home?
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Catherine

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July 23, 2024
5 craft ideas that promote fine motor skills in children – Growing Family
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Fine motor skills are crucial for children’s development. They involve the coordination of small muscles in the hands and fingers, essential for writing, drawing, using utensils, and more. As children grow and develop, it is important to encourage and promote their fine motor skills through various fun and creative craft activities.

This comprehensive guide provides six craft ideas that are enjoyable for children and promote the development of their fine motor skills.

Origami animals

Origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, is an excellent activity to enhance fine motor skills in children. This craft requires precise folding and manipulation of paper, which helps improve hand-eye coordination and finger dexterity. Following step-by-step instructions, children can create various animals like frogs, birds, or butterflies, developing their spatial awareness and attention to detail.

Materials needed:
- Origami paper
- Instructions (optional)
Guide:
1. Select a square piece of origami paper.
2. Fold the paper in half diagonally.
3. Create a crease and unfold.
4. Fold the edges to meet the centre crease.
5. Continue folding according to the animal’s specific instructions, ensuring each fold is precise.
Practising origami regularly can significantly support the development of fine motor skills. The activity also encourages patience and focus, as children must carefully follow a series of steps to achieve the desired result.

Paper plate animal masks

Making paper plate animal masks is another enjoyable and beneficial DIY craft project for children. This project involves cutting, colouring, and glueing, which is integral to strengthening hand muscles and improving fine motor skills. Children can use their imagination to create animal masks, promoting creativity and artistic abilities.

Materials needed:
- Paper plates
- Scissors
- Glue
- Markers or crayons
- Decorative materials (e.g. feathers, googly eyes)
Guide:
1. Use scissors to cut out eye holes on the paper plate.
2. Draw and colour an animal face on the paper plate’s front side.
3. Cut out additional pieces (e.g., ears, nose, mouth) from another paper plate or construction paper.
4. Glue the pieces onto the mask’s face, creating the desired animal features.
5. Decorate the mask with markers, crayons, or other materials to make it more realistic.
Masks are a great way for children to explore different animal characteristics and express themselves creatively. Additionally, children can use their masks to act out roles and engage in imaginative play, promoting social and emotional development.

Playdough creations

Playdough creations help children develop fine motor skills by strengthening hand muscles and improving hand-eye coordination. Kids can practice precision and control while manipulating and shaping the dough, enhancing their agility.

Additionally, this activity fosters problem-solving skills and spatial awareness as children experiment with different methods to create desired forms. Encouraging children to use various tools allows them to explore texture and technique, supporting cognitive development.

Materials needed:
- Playdough in various colours
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutters
- Plastic knives
Tips:
- Flatten the play dough with a rolling pin and use cookie cutters to make shapes like stars, hearts, and circles.
- Form animals by moulding and combining playdough pieces: create a snake by rolling a long cylinder or a fish by forming an oval and adding fins.
- Encourage children to create imaginative figures by mixing colours and using tools to add detail.
This activity is essential for finger strength and manipulation as children pinch, roll, and carve the dough into various forms. Touching and feeling the dough’s texture also enhances their sensory skills. As they experiment with different techniques, they develop problem-solving skills and creativity.

Finger painting

Finger painting is one of the best hands-on educational projects for kids. It promotes sensory exploration and muscle development. Using their fingers to apply paint to paper, children engage in tactile experiences that enhance their sensory processing abilities. This activity also helps in strengthening hand muscles and improving fine motor skills necessary for writing and other tasks.

Materials needed:
- Washable finger paints
- Paper
- Paintbrushes (optional)
Tips:
- Encourage using different fingers for varied strokes and effects.
- Suggest mixing colours directly on the paper to explore colour blending.
- Provide ample paper to allow for multiple attempts and creativity.
Finger painting supports sensory experiences by involving touch, sight, and even smell. The repetitive motion of spreading paint and creating designs also helps develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Additionally, it allows for open-ended creativity, with no right or wrong way to create art. It promotes self-expression and boosts confidence as children see their unique creations come to life.

Button sorting and sewing

Sorting buttons and sewing them onto fabric scraps are excellent activities for developing fine motor skills and enhancing hand-eye coordination. This task encourages problem-solving and categorisation skills. It also provides an opportunity to introduce basic sewing skills and concepts such as threading a needle and knotting thread, which can further promote dexterity and hand-eye coordination.

Materials needed:
- Assorted buttons
- Fabric scraps
- Needle
- Thread
- Scissors
Instructions:
1. Provide a variety of buttons for sorting.
2. Sort buttons by size, colour, or shape.
3. Teach basic sewing by threading a needle.
4. Show how to attach buttons to fabric scraps.
These skills are essential for everyday tasks such as buttoning clothes, tying shoelaces, and writing. Additionally, these activities promote concentration and patience as children work on their projects. Encourage creativity by allowing children to choose the buttons and fabric scraps they want to use. This adds a personal touch and allows for the exploration of different textures and colours.
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Catherine

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May 30, 2024
Tacony Corporation Launches New Baby Lock Sewing Products
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ST. LOUIS, August 24, 2023 (Newswire.com)
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Tacony Corporation has introduced a new Baby Lock product lineup from its Sewing Division. The new product line is now available at Baby Lock retailers and online. The line showcases new products for expert to beginner-level sewists. Consumers who purchase a Baby Lock product will join the Baby Lock community, where they’ll receive hands-on retailer support and customer service, as well as hundreds of free projects, invitations to exclusive Baby Lock online communities, access to more than 1,000 sewing videos, and more.

“As more and more of our consumers look to Baby Lock to solve their sewing needs, we want to provide sewists with products that will make creating easier and more enjoyable,” said Jeff Fuller, Vice President of Marketing and Global Product at Tacony. “Our new line of products is designed to put our consumers in the best possible position for driving creativity with efficiency.”

Key new products include:

Altair 2 Sewing and Embroidery Machine
- Use the 2-point positioning function to preview the position of your design.
- Includes 9-1/2″ x 14″ hoop.
- Draw directly on the screen, scan in, or wirelessly send artwork to the machine from a smartphone using the IQ Intuition Positioning App.
- Add stippling, echo quilting, or any of the 30 Decorative Fill patterns around a selected design.
Meridian 2 Embroidery Machine
- 534 built-in embroidery designs allow you to create custom.
- Embroider large designs with the included 9-1/2″ x 14″ and 5″ x 7″ embroidery hoops.
- Wirelessly transfer photos using the IQ Intuition Positioning™ app.
Capella Single-Needle Embroidery Machine
- The Capella gives you 7-7/8″ x 11-3/4″ of embroidery space.
- Includes 175 built-in designs, 39 fonts, 1 monogram font, and 120 frame combinations.
- Use the crosshair positioning laser to preview the layout of your design.
Accomplish 2 Sewing Machine
- The Accomplish 2 is a straight stitch machine with 1,500 stitches per minute speed, precision pin feed system and built-in needle threader.
- Built-in telescoping stand can handle large spools of thread for consistent thread delivery.
- The rotary hook bobbin is easy to access and features a built-in thread cutter.
Altair and Meridian Upgrade
- This kit will have all the upgraded features available in the Altair 2 or Meridian 2.
- Enhancements include 15 additional IQ Designer decorative fill designs, a 7″ x 12″ magnetic frame, couching embroidery foot and patterns, 12 new motifs, 2-point position, and more.
In addition to the new machines, several new Baby Lock accessories are available, including easy-to-use magnetic embroidery hoops, foot kits, and more.

To learn more about the new Baby Lock products, visit www.babylock.com.

About Tacony Corporation

Founded in 1946, Tacony Corporation is a privately-held manufacturing and distribution company that provides your world with better solutions for sewing, cleaning, and home. With nearly 340 associates in nine locations around the world, under the leadership of CEO Kristi Tacony Humes, Tacony’s mission is to create long-lasting relationships that are based on trust and feel like family. For more information, visit www.tacony.com.

Source: Tacony Corporation
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August 24, 2023
We Craft Box Introduces New Holiday Craft Boxes and 2022 Themes
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Press Release
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Nov 17, 2021
SARASOTA, Fla., November 17, 2021 (Newswire.com)
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We Craft Box is introducing new holiday craft boxes, just in time for parents and family friends to share, along with amazing new themes for 2022.

The crafting kits, delivered monthly, are the gift that keeps on giving by helping families build and create memories together. Now, just in time for the holidays, receive 40% off the first subscription box with code JOLLY21.

We Craft Box: The Kids Crafting Experience

Each month, for less than $30, parents can open a colorful, turn-key, fun, creative and educational craft experience for children ages 3 to 9. The beautifully packaged craft kits arrive with everything needed for two crafters to complete five crafts – just open and enjoy.

We Craft Box has set up fun, themed boxes for Thanksgiving and Christmas:
- “The Thankful Turkey” Thanksgiving/Fall box
- “A Beary Merry Christmas” Christmas box
New themes crafters will see in 2022 include:
- Hippos Ice Cream Party
- Valen-dinos
- Outer Space
- Pirates Adventure
- Wild West
“Craft experiences give children a chance to use their imagination and experience the joy of making something with their hands,” explains CEO and “mompreneur” Betsy Wild. “For family and friends, it provides the bonus of an easy way to enjoy special time with kids—even from afar. We’ve heard from grandparents who love it because their grandkids are excited to call them and show them their latest creations.”

We Craft Box has earned a slew of prestigious consumer awards for its thoughtfully designed, affordably priced, high-quality, and completely fun craft box kits.

“I’m sure I enjoy it as much if not more than my own child. Love that I can bring this out on a rainy day or have an activity ready to go when I need to get her off the television or computer screen,” says subscriber Ava G. “There are more than enough materials to complete the monthly project, I store leftover poms, crayons, markers, paint/brushes for future projects. Bonus, the directions have cute introductions with seasonal stories that are great for mini story-time prior to craft-time.”

Founded by Wild after the arrival of her second baby, she realized there was a real need for creative, easily accessible craft experiences that encourage self-expression and a chance to bond with a loved family member or friend. Her training as a fine artist and illustrator and prior experience as a creative director means that each box is extraordinarily well-produced, the highest quality, and educational, as well as fun.

Available also as a single-box order, the subscription features new themes, stories, and materials every month. “We like to introduce new materials so that children can learn how to use them,” explains Wild. “And there’s usually some supplies left over, so you get a little bonus of building up your crafting supplies!”

Indulge in the gift of creative expression. Visit We Craft Box to see all the beautiful kits.

Media Contact

Pam Abrahamsson
AMP Public Relations
Pam@amppublicrelations.com
503.298.9749

Source: WeCraftBox
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November 17, 2021
Polyform Products Inc. Sculpey Kits for Girls Night In

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Press Release
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updated: Sep 13, 2019

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill., September 13, 2019 (Newswire.com)
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Grab your girlfriends and start creating with clay. Polyform Products is excited to introduce two new adult crafting kits.

Charm Bracelet Kit – This is a great kit for four fashionable friends who want to create unique jewelry pieces! This kit includes clay, tools and accessories to make 4 Stylish charm bracelets. It features easy to use decals that add beautiful detail to the clay charms.

Wine Entertaining Kit – The perfect kit for four crafty friends to get together, have some wine and create super cute home décor pieces. This kit includes everything needed to make 4 wine bottle tags and 16 wine charms.

Both kits feature Sculpey III which is a soft and easy to use oven bake clay. It won’t dry out and stays soft and flexible until baked in your home oven.

These kits are perfect for four crafty friends to get together, create with clay and make lasting memories. Keep your creations for yourself or gift them to your friends.

“The Polyform team is so excited to be able to offer these new kits which are the perfect introduction to creating with clay!” said Jennifer Courington, Vice President of Marketing.

These kits are available on www.sculpey.com

About Polyform Products Company

Founded in 1967, Polyform Products Inc. encourages creativity with innovative clays, helpful tools, technique tutorials and projects to inspire and excite. Polyform produces and distributes oven-bake clays that stay soft until baked in a home oven. The award-winning family of Sculpey oven-bake clays, manufactured in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, sets the standard for polymer clay and can be used to create beautiful home décor, jewelry, paper craft embellishments, seasonal and sculpting projects. We supply the tools and you supply the creativity. For more information, visit www.sculpey.com.

Source: Polyform Products Inc.

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September 13, 2019
Wallifyer Fairy Garden Collection Launch on Aug. 5, 2019

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Sandra Tornroth of Wallifyer Announces the Fairy Garden Collection, an Original Selection of Hand-Drawn, Nature-Themed Clipart Files for Creative Art and Design

Press Release
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updated: Aug 2, 2019

MARIEHAMN, Finland, August 2, 2019 (Newswire.com)
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Designer Sandra Tornroth of the Finland-based graphic design company Wallifyer is pleased to present her newest collection of digital art, the Fairy Garden Collection. This creatively designed selection of hand-drawn floral and woodland-themed clip art is available exclusively through the artist’s website.

About the Collection

The Fairy Garden Collection features the slogan “Wrap Yourself in Fairy Magic,” evoking a magical touch of whimsy and imagination. The exclusive collection of digital art includes JPEG, PNG and PAT files for instant download. The designs can be used as digital clipart, digital papers, and digital stamps for card making and scrapbooking.

The hand-drawn art in the Fairy Garden Collection is drawn in a vintage fairytale garden style with inspiration from fall gardens, autumn leaves and enchanted forests. Themes from poetry by Edgar Allan Poe are represented in the Halloween sets. The seasonal collection features a dusty pastel color scheme, with softly muted fall colors including brown, beige, mustard yellow, dusty pink and pistachio green.

About the Company

Wallifyer, owned by artist Sandra Tornroth, is located in the Aland Islands, Finland, situated in the Baltic Sea between Sweden and the Finnish mainland. The woodsy greenery of the Aland Islands inspires Sandra’s original ink pen drawings of nature-themed clipart which she digitizes for scrapbooking, card making, and papercrafts.

The Fairy Garden Collection is available exclusively at https://wallifyer.com

Wallifyer can also be found on the following social media platforms:

http://facebook.com/wallifyer

http://instagram.com/wallifyer

http://pinterest.com/wallifyershop

Subscribers to the Wallifyer VIP email list at http://eepurl.com/goXnnb will receive a 20% discount code to use in the shop, along with sneak peeks, special sales and exclusive coupons for members only.

For more information about the Fairy Garden Collection or to interview Wallifyer owner/artist/designer Sandra Tornroth, please email admin@wallifyer.com.

Media high-resolution photos are available upon request.

Source: Wallifyer

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August 2, 2019
Wallifyer Signature Collection Launch and Grand Opening on April 30, 2019

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Wallifyer, a Scandinavian Digital Art Company, Proudly Presents the Launch of their Signature Collection and the Grand Opening of their Newly Designed Retail Website for Digital Downloads of Original, Hand-Drawn Floral and Fantasy Themed Clipart for Creative Paper Crafting

Press Release
–

updated: Apr 29, 2019

MARIEHAMN, Finland, April 29, 2019 (Newswire.com)
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Designer Sandra Tornroth of Wallifyer is pleased to announce the release of her Signature Collection of hand-drawn floral and fantasy clip art at the grand opening of her newly designed retail website at https://wallifyer.com on April 30, 2019.

Wallifyer is the digital art company owned by artist and designer Sandra Törnroth in the Aland Islands, Finland. The Aland Islands are situated in the Baltic Sea between the Finnish mainland and Sweden.

The beautiful outdoor woodland scenes in the Aland Islands inspired Sandra, a lifelong artist, to create a series of ink pen drawings of fairytale-inspired clipart which she has digitized for crafting, card making and scrapbooking.

After having worked as a bank clerk for many years, Sandra made a bold decision to pursue her dream to become an art historian and artist. Already married and with two sons, Sandra went back to the university to earn her second degree, a Masters in Art in 2017. She now freelances as an illustrator, art historian and fine artist.

Inspired by woodsy nature scenes and enchanting fairytale creatures, Sandra draws her signature doodle illustrations with ink pens on paper. She then digitizes her original ink pen drawings to sell as digital download files for creative use by crafters and designers. Her art style is whimsical with a shabby chic twist.

As a Scandinavian artist, Sandra gives her drawings a minimalist vibe as well, often featuring geometric patterns and swirly lines. Her favorite subjects to draw are fairytale woodland animals, floral wreaths and whimsical creatures.

Speaking of her personal connection to the art of pen and ink, Sandra states, “For me, drawing is meditative and makes me calm and lets me escape into a magical whimsy world.” She seeks to share her art online to allow her customers to feel the same joy in using her whimsical clipart drawings in their own creative paper crafts.

As a way to enhance the crafting experience for other creative artists and designers, Sandra’s brand ideal is all about mindfulness and creativity. Her personal desire is to bring the enchanting magic of digital art with a whimsical fairytale touch into her fellow crafters’ lives.

The Signature Collection features the phrase, “Step into Your Enchanted Garden” and includes JPEG, PNG and PAT files to download as digital supplies for card making and scrapbooking. The art style is whimsical/doodle, and the color scheme for the collection is pastel pinks, blues and greens, along with black and white ink pen drawings.

Wallifyer – For Creative Hands and Hearts proudly launches its brand new retail website which launches at https://wallifyer.com on April 30, 2019.

Social media:

http://facebook.com/wallifyer

http://instagram.com/wallifyer

http://pinterest.se/wallifyershop

For more information about the Signature Collection or to interview artist/designer Sandra Törnroth, owner of Wallifyer, please email admin@wallifyer.com.

Media high-resolution photos are available upon request.

Subscribers to the VIP email list at http://eepurl.com/goXnnb will receive a 20 percent discount code to redeem in the Wallifyer online shop at https://wallifyer.com.

Source: Wallifyer

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April 29, 2019