My name is Kristina and I am a practicing bicraftual living in Toronto. (actually, a lapsed multicraftual, but that’s another story for another day).

What, you may ask, is “bicraftuality”? Well, let me answer that with another question (did I mention that I practice law to support my craft habits? I really should have warned you up front). Have you ever looked at a piece of art and thought “I wish I could do that, but I can’t draw/sculpt?” Or perhaps you’ve yearned to try your hand at a different craft but talked yourself out of it because you’re too busy knitting?

I know, I know – that was actually two questions. However, if the answer to either was “yes”, there is a strong chance that you are a latent bicraftual. If so, fear not. There are other crafts out there that you can combine with knitting in order to make fancy, shiny and unique works of non-wearable art (and, unlike your knitted gifts of scarves, mittens, and gloves, suitable to all-season use and not all that easy to lose!).

Today’s example: mosaic art. The art of mosaic involve sticking objects to surfaces to create art. Combining mosaic with knitting can yield this type of result: in far less time than you might think and with little to no experience in either mosaic or knitting. This piece, by the way, is called Serendipity at Sunset.

Or, perhaps you’d like to try something like my 3-D Eastern Promise using freeform crochet or knitting:

“I can’t do that!”, you may be thinking. Aw, come on - sure you can! Although I’m experienced in both mosaic art and knitting, the techniques used in this piece are basic level in both crafts.

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Our new forum is slowly gaining momentum - there is lots going on over there - the Oct/Nov whiplash - mixed media and fibre jewellery competition thread has some great entries in it - go and check them out and then upload your own entry - read more information here.

biscuit bear is offering magazine giveaways - the what are making forum thread is super popular - tell us what you are doing and you may get featured here at whipup. Polyrific is asking for sewing tips - she is a beginner and would like to know some basic how-to’s sewing maching tips and reading a pattern etc. links to sewing sites would be good.

There are some great ideas about future feature posts at the forum thread - ideas include exhibition reviews (doing more), art quilts (yep doing that too), how about unusual crafts? Like the guy that makes eyeball prosthetics or “glass eyes”, or those who polish those weird dirt balls (sounds like fun). Historical crafts and polymer clay (anyone want to contribute an article - read our submission guidelines)