Check out this great blog post by Laura of The Shop & The Blog of Worldly Delights! She is our newest artist at VK, and her post tells the story of how she got into making her adorable plushies and accessories. It also shows what Vintage Karma is all about — supporting local artists and their dreams!
Welcome, Laura! 
A lot of retailers have already put up their Christmas trees. Well, we are starting to get out the holiday goodies, but Thanksgiving needs some love, don’t you think?
Rushing through a season isn’t much fun, and it seems a shame to not enjoy fall for a little longer.
Here are our Vintage Karma picks for a happy Thanksgiving!
This apron by Leslie Hornaday of Mother of All Design would make a great gift for a hostess. Leslie suggests wrapping it around a bottle of wine! Click the photo to purchase.
This is our most popular offering from Homer Soda Company, but we have more than 20 flavors you can choose from to create your own six-packs and impress your guests. We’ve even got a ginger beer with a cocktail recipe on the back for the boozy types.
Cute and festive acorn earrings by Anne Potter. Click the photo to purchase!
This handmade triangle shawl is woven with Chilean fibers. A soft and warm treat from Carolina-Arellano Grant. The pin it comes with looks like a little knitting needle!
Looking dapper is never a bad idea. Click photo to get all dapper-fied for Thanksgiving dinner!
For the kiddies! By Kelley Englehardt of Posies and Pattycakes.
Laura Davis of VK made this acorn wall hanging. It’s so TEENY TINY! Click the pic!
Or maybe you’d rather put a bird on it? Joellyn Cobb has needle-felted a turkey for this cute little wreath.
Also made with felt, this brooch by Anna Marx of Posies and Pattycakes, means you can wear mums that never die!
Hugh Bridgeford of MudBugs Pottery made this French butter keeper. Perfect for a holiday table!
We have more Thanksgiving goodies in the store, and different versions of the items above, too.
Happy fall and have a happy Thanksgiving!
This week, Vintage Karma’s artist interview series continues with Joellyn Cobb of Hooked on Wool Primitives. The Champaign resident’s unique creations and needle-felted figures delight folks of all ages.
Q: How long have you been creating?
A: I have been working with fibers in one way or another for more than two-thirds of my life. Needle felting has become my passion for the past five years.
Q: How did you get into making your creations?
A: I was holding a rug-hooking session at my home with only two of us showing up. We decided to try something “ewenique” – needle felting. I’m not sure where the needles came from, but we had a ball making Easter eggs.
Q: What was your first piece? What inspired you to create it?
A: My very first piece was the Easter egg. From there I went to felting hot pads and pot holders. They are flat and easy to make. Then I decided to make my 3-D holiday specials: ghosts, witches, pumpkins, Santas, snowmen and angels.
Q: Describe your creative process.
A: A lot of times, I see the basic subject in the rolag of wool I pick up. Other times I know what I want to needle felt, but after felting for a period of time, I end up with something totally different!
Q: What drew you to your chosen medium?
A: I’ve raised sheep or been around sheep all my life. When not showing, I worked with the fibers. I have found it a challenge. “What else can I make with wool?”
Q: What is your favorite part of the creative process? What is your least favorite part?
A: Building a new visual/mental album at new locations. Saying to myself, “I can make that or that would look so cool with my Romney wool. Or, that’s the color I need!” It’s bad when I have a great idea in the middle of the night and don’t get to write it down before I get up in the morning!
Many VK customers are intrigued by Cobb’s eco-friendly, money-saving dryer balls.
Q: What keeps you inspired/what inspires you?
A: I love the holidays and all the collectibles involved with them. I have always liked to create one-of-a-kind figures for people of all ages. It’s the smiles that really keep me going. People like to give “ewenique” things to friends and family, and I love to make those things for them!
Q: What do you do when you’re not making art?
A: That’s a hard one – my brain is always seeing something new. However, I do like to garden, help my husband with his photography, be in Monticello with my daughters and their families, or I might be working a shift at Eddie Bauer.
Check back on June 13 to meet another one of Vintage Karma’s artists and visit our store to check out Joellyn Cobb’s Featured Artist display!
