All About Needle Minders

Mary Corbet has started selling painted porcelain needle minders (which are unfortunately sold out already but keep checking back).  She explains the various types, how they work, and the sort that she prefers herself and sells.

https://www.needlenthread.com/2023/08/whats-a-needle-minder-and-how-to-use-it.html

If you get tired of waiting for Mary's to come back in stock, you can visit Jenny Adin-Christie's shop in the UK after August 9.  (They are on vacation until then.). She sells ceramic needle minders that are either animal shapes or florals.

https://jennyadin-christieembroidery.com/product-category/hand-made-tools

Or go the DIY route, order buttons from Stockwell Ceramics, and make your own!  The only problem with going this route is that there are too many gorgeous buttons to choose from.

https://www.stockwellceramics.com/en/home

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 6, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Vintage Candy Tins Storage for Needle Minders

Do you have a great many magnets you use as needle minders?  Wheelhaus Needlepoint has a cute video of a vintage hinged metal box they use to corral their needle minders and other tools on their Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CvfkFALM_fh/

Where can you find metal candy boxes?  I think the best place to start looking is Etsy.  Search for "vintage candy hinged tin boxes" and see what you come up with.  (The best boxes I found were Blue Bird Harry Vincent confectionary tins from England.)

I found this charming Whitman's Candy tin box.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1531927419/vintage-whitmans-candy-hinged-tins?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=metal+candy+tins&ref=sr_gallery-1-15&sts=1&organic_search_click=1

This English box is decorated with a reproduction of a French romantic artist.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1385290872/salevintage-english-candy-tin-romantic?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=metal+candy+tins&ref=sr_gallery-1-26&sts=1&organic_search_click=1

Are you an Art Deco fan?  This box is round and doesn't have a hinged lid but I like it a lot.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1104430940/vintage-canco-art-deco-round-candy-tin?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=metal+candy+tins&ref=sr_gallery-1-32&frs=1&organic_search_click=1

Here's another vintage English tin candy container with a knobbed lid that is in good shape and very attractive.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/788441679/vintage-candy-tin-box-made-in-england?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=metal+candy+tins&ref=sr_gallery-1-38&organic_search_click=1

This West German chest type box is decorated with angels on each end.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1498978092/vintage-metal-tin-candy-box-west-germany?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=vintage&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=tin+candy+box+excellent+condition&ref=sr_gallery-1-3&sts=1&organic_search_click=1

Have fun browsing!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 3, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Helena Wintour's Catholic Embroideries

Mary Corbet stumbled across an online museum exhibit about Helena Wintour's embroideries. 

https://www.needlenthread.com/2023/08/helena-wintour-a-story-worth-seeing.html

The embroidery in question was done in the 16th and 17th Centuries for Catholic churches in England.  You'll remember in your history books that this is the time of Henry VIII and his banning of Catholicism.  In other words, this was a time when embroidering ecclesiastical designs for Catholic churches was very very dangerous indeed.  

The Stonyhurst website has a 20 minute video about Helena Wintour, the times she lived in, and the vestments she created.  Below the video are photos and videos of some of her embroidered vestments with information about the symbolism they contain.  Sadly, there isn't much that explains the techniques used.

https://www.stonyhurst.ac.uk/about-us/stonyhurst-college-historic-collections/exhibitions/hot-holy-ladies

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 3, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Needles for Nickel Allergic Stitchers

Recently several folks have mentioned allergic reactions when stitching with needles.  This is probably a nickel allergy so nickel-free or stainless steel needles are a good option to try for those with allergies.

Mary Corbet mentioned The Needle Lady's stainless steel needles.  She also sells easy threading needles.

https://theneedlelady.com/stainless-steel-needles/

Several folks on Needlepoint Nation use Pony Black tapestry needles.  Other types of needles are also available.  I'm not sure all are hypoallergenic, however.

https://maydel.com/product-category/needles/

No, the Pony Black needles with white eyes are steel with no nickel, making them hypoallergenic.  There are also size 28 tapestry needles with black eyes that are nickel free.

https://www.thesilverneedle.com/needles.html

I've not tried either brand, being lucky enough not to have such allergies.  If you do, hope they work for you!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 1, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Exemplary Winners 2023

The National Academy of Needlearts (NAN) has started posting the 2023 award winners on their Facebook page.  First, here are the first place winners in the Professional Original category.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=678161771017343&set=a.562869925879862

Here are more first place winners in two more categories.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=678161771017343&set=a.562869925879862

More winners!

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=704671088366411&set=a.562869925879862

If you want to see all the winners, check the NAN website.

https://needleart.org/exemplary/2023-exemplary-ribbon-winners/?fbclid=IwAR0CzSqa2NVhRyL3-haKp-EEUFQWlWWK6JWIfxNfXA3hCOlNXDovDqsTRrA

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 30, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.