The Curious Creator Kit

Welcome to your Curious Creator Kit!

I want to thank you so much for being here and supporting my art through the purchase of a kit. This product has been a dream to create, as one of my goals as an artist is to be able to teach my craft to others.

KIT UPDATE: Starting November 2023, your kit will now come with a needle threader! This will help when threading the small eyes of your embroidery and beading needles. Check out this video for help with using your needle threader.

INTRO:

Now its time to grab your kit, find a cozy spot with good lighting to work, and get started!

MATERIALS + SETTING UP:

About Your Supplies:

Inspiration Booklet - Keep this close by while working on your kit. I will refer to it throughout the tutorial videos. Take a look at the photos for inspiration on colors and combinations to use in your piece!

Wool - You have six colors of Corriedale Wool. This type of wool felts up quickly and is great for beginners. Vivid Vibes is the color scheme for your kit, as I will be coming out with more in the future!

Embroidery Hoop - An embroidery hoop is used to stretch fabric tightly so that it is easier to work, and so your piece does not become warped. It can also be used as a frame to display your final piece.

Felt Backing - Your felt material is part polyester, part wool content. This allows you to be able to felt straight into the material, and is stronger than 100% polyester felt, which could tear and stretch as you bead and embroider into it.

Embroidery Needle - The embroidery needle is the thicker needle that has a larger eye. This will be used for embroidery techniques such as basic stitches and french knots.

Beading Needle - The beading needle is the skinnier needle with a smaller eye. This allows for them to fit through the small beads.

Needle Threader - This tool will help you thread your beading and embroidery needles. Check out this video for help with using your needle threader.

Smaller Seed Beads - Your three packets of smaller seed beads can be used for clumps, stacking, and other techniques. You should have a pink, yellow, and green packet.

Bugle Beads - Bugle beads are the longer, tube-like beads. They are used to create the taller stacked designs that usually incorporate a smaller seed bead placed on top. You should have an orange, yellow, and green packet.

Sequins - Sequins are a type of bead that can be used to create many unique textures when stacked with different types of beads. You should have a metallic purple, green, and pink packet.

Larger Seed Beads - You should have two packets of larger beads in purple and blue. These can be combined with smaller seed beads, or clumped by themselves to create different combinations.

Embroidery Thread - Your kit includes six colors of embroidery thread. There are several embroidery techniques that you can incorporate in your piece. We will learn basic stitching and french knots in the tutorial video.

Beading Thread - Beading thread is a thin, white/clear color. It is stronger than a typical sewing thread and glides through the beads easily.

Felting Foam - The foam is used to place beneath your piece when you are needle felting. When felting, your needle should go through the wool and into the foam below. It is also a great place to keep your needles when they are not in use.

Star Needle - Your star felting needle is the smaller gauge needle. It can be hard to tell which needle is which until you get a feel for them when felting. You can always mark your needles with tape or color to label them. I use the star needle the most for delicate, thin work.

Triangle Needle - The triangle needle has three edges. It is used for work that is a little bit thicker, such as the tubular corals. Use both needles to see which one you like best. I often switch back and forth as I am felting.

BEADING:

Extra Beading Tips:

Have Patience - Beading is a slow process. It really is one bead at a time. Keep practicing and you will become faster!

Experiment - You can copy some of the combinations that I have represented in my finished pieces, but also have fun and experiment with new combinations. Try stacking 5 beads, maybe try mixing different colors in a clump! The possibilities are endless.

Where can I get more beads? - Are you now as obsessed with beading as I am and want to purchase more beads? Check out my new Beading Bundle, which comes with extra beads, sequins, and thread.

FELTING:

Extra Felting Tips:

Be Gentle - Your needles can break easily, so be careful! Poking the wool with more force will not make you felt more quickly; it is all about the amount of times that you are stabbing the wool. Be careful not to poke your fingers either - felting needles are sharp!

Wool Shrinks - Always remember that your shape will shrink as you continue to felt it. It will also become more compact. You can always add more layers of wool to your piece too, so don't worry!

Where can I get more wool/needles? - Are you now a felting master now? Check out my new Felting Bundle, which comes with extra wool and felting needles.

EMBROIDERY:

Extra Embroidery Tips:

Tangling - Embroidery thread can become tangled easily. Make sure you are pulling the thread all the way through so your stitches are secure.

Where can I get more thread and needles? - Do you want to continue to experiment with embroidery? Check out my new Embroidery Bundle, which comes with an extra hoop, thread, felt, and needles.

FINISHING YOUR HOOP:

Extra Finishing Tips:

Hanging- You can hang your piece with a small nail, or you can put it on your favorite shelf. They look great when distributed among different frames on a gallery wall!

Extra Backing - If you don't like how your piece looks on the back, you can always cut an extra circle of felt to cover the back of the hoop. This is also a great way to add some extra embroidery - maybe a name, date, or initials. If you are giving it to someone as a gift, this is a great way to finish it neatly.

What else can I create? - I am so glad you enjoyed creating your kit! I will be coming out with more kits in the future in different color palletes, so keep an eye out! I'd also love to see your finished piece, so be sure to give me a tag on Instagram @felicia_murray !