The holidays are a super busy time for me here at LwTHQ, and sometimes I find myself wishing for just a bit of downtime in between fairs to do some not-for-sale crafting. A quick stroll through the interwebs revealed many awesome and fun Christmas projects, most of which were offered up as free tutorials by benevolent craft masters. I assembled a few of my favorite projects, and held my first ever “crafternoon” here at the studio.

What was planned to be a relaxing afternoon with friends armed with glue and glitter transformed into an awesome 12-hour Mimosa-fueled craft smackdown! One participant said it was better than therapy. I say it is the beginning of a regular occurrence here at the studio. The creativity flowed, the laughs were easy and the finished items were fantastic!

Here are some of the projects we tackled while eating sheep’s cheese and cookies:
Tiny Illuminated Felt House
Ruffly Felt Circle Wreath
Light Bulb Snowmen
Mason Jar Snow Globes

Note: I could not photograph all the finished items, as many of them were gifts. Don’t wanna spoil any surprises!

The workspace here at the Life with Tigers studio, before all heck broke loose. Some peppermint coffee got us all going.
The workspace here at the Life with Tigers studio, before all heck broke loose. Some peppermint coffee got us all going.
Brianna sculpted figurines in polymer clay, painted them and got them ready for their dunk into the salsa jar to become a customized snow globe.
Brianna sculpted figurines in polymer clay, painted them and got them ready for their dunk into the salsa jar to become a customized snow globe.
Jeanne made ornaments for her future Christmas tree out of old shirts, felt and glass. Jeanne claims to be craft-challenged, but I think she is being modest, as a fiber and glue artiste quickly emerged.
Jeanne made ornaments for her future Christmas tree out of old shirts, felt and glass. Jeanne claims to be craft-challenged, but I think she is being modest, as a fiber and glue artiste quickly emerged.
Kate created her masterpieces in two time segments, with a break for a seminar at 3rd Ward. Crafting is always more fun with an Information Architecture class sandwiched in the middle.
Kate created her masterpieces in two time segments, with a break for a seminar at 3rd Ward. Crafting is always more fun with an Information Architecture class sandwiched in the middle.
Jed sculpting an Empire Strikes Back themed snow globe figurine from polymer clay. What started out as something resembling a turd quickly morphed into a downed Tauntaun with it's belly sliced open to reveal an injured, snowsuit-clad Luke Skywalker. I swear, it took him 10 minutes.
Jed sculpting an Empire Strikes Back themed snow globe figurine from polymer clay. What started out as something resembling a turd quickly morphed into a downed Tauntaun with it’s belly sliced open to reveal an injured, snowsuit-clad Luke Skywalker. I swear, it took him 10 minutes.
I have always loved the Felt Circle Wreath. This project is so simple, but produces the most lovely wreath. Circles, pins, styrofoam and some time. Here is my wreath in progress.
I have always loved the Felt Circle Wreath. This project is so simple, but produces the most lovely wreath. Circles, pins, styrofoam and some time. Here is my wreath in progress.
Brianna's light bulb snowman army. Light bulb penguin army not shown. Brianna was a crafting machine!
Brianna’s light bulb snowman army. Light bulb penguin army not shown. Brianna was a crafting machine!
Kate showing off her masterpieces of felt and fabric. Not shown is her unfinished "man-brooch" in the colors of the Green Bay Packers for her man-friend.
Kate showing off her masterpieces of felt and fabric. Not shown is her unfinished “man-brooch” in the colors of the Green Bay Packers for her man-friend.
A little illuminated felt house made from a pattern downloaded from PoopScape! Hiding inside there is a battery operated tea light, which are everywhere during the holidays. I need to make a village of these next week after the Degenerate Craft Fair here in Brooklyn!
A little illuminated felt house made from a pattern downloaded from PoopScape! Hiding inside there is a battery operated tea light, which are everywhere during the holidays. I need to make a village of these next week after the Degenerate Craft Fair here in Brooklyn!
The moment of truth...the capping of the salsa jar snow globe! Brianna made a total of three snow globes that day, with customized sculptures inside each one. That girl was on fire!
The moment of truth…the capping of the salsa jar snow globe! Brianna made a total of three snow globes that day, with customized sculptures inside each one. That girl was on fire!
The workspace, about 3/4 of the way through the craft-a-thon. Coffee gave way to Mimosas. Up front is Jeanne's fluffy felt circle ornament in progress.
The workspace, about 3/4 of the way through the craft-a-thon. Coffee gave way to Mimosas. Up front is Jeanne’s fluffy felt circle ornament in progress.
Finished felt circle wreath...my new favorite decoration in the studio. This took me a while to do, as I kept stopping to be a good hostess and mix the drinks, but Brianna whisked through her own felt circle wreath in under an hour! Those little white balls were once attached to gloves, but fell off in the wash. We re-purpose everything around here!
Finished felt circle wreath…my new favorite decoration in the studio. This took me a while to do, as I kept stopping to be a good hostess and mix the drinks, but Brianna whisked through her own felt circle wreath in under an hour! Those little white balls were once attached to gloves, but fell off in the wash. We re-purpose everything around here!

It’s only the 12th, so plan a crafternoon of your own…you will be so glad you did. If you don’t have time to craft your own gift this year, hit up one of the many craft fairs out there right now and support a local craftsperson while surprising your loved one with a unique, handmade gift. One place to look is this weekend at the Degenerate Craft Fair in Brooklyn. I’ll be there!