Japanese Bound Journals

 I started making these hand made journals after researching projects to teach the teens at the Boys & Girls Club. I came across a project for fabric paper making and decided to use recycled burlap coffee  bags instead of fabric. The books are Japanese bound and can be customized by color and size.

Below are some examples of different color combination's. The tissue squares can be checkered or layered. 

Catnip Fortune Cookies

A couple months ago I started making soft sculpture felt fortune cookies.  That idea quickly progressed into catnip filled fortune cookies! I used 100% organic catnip for the cookies and the fabrics are all either found or recycled. I'm steadily making progress to opening my Etsy store called 'A Collection of Hand Made Oddities.'  Until then you can message me or e-mail ashley.e.gustafson@gmail.com if you're interested in buying a take - out carton full of these little delights for your animal friend!

 

Here are fabric swatches for the cookies. Right now I'm working with yellow and black plaid and bright multicolored floral printed fabric.

 

  All cookies have been tested and approved by my cat Creek!

Whistles!

I was looking for a fun lesson to do with kids at the Boys & Girls Club so I started making whistles. I made this batch from oven bake clay, gesso, and acrylic paints. I later took my whistles to a Craft Fair at 10th Street Gallery in Milwaukee, WI to show with Guildess: A Contemporary Womens Art Collective.