Welcome to Renate Kirkpatrick’s Freeform Designs

Simply put, I love fibre, colour & texture.

I’m an Aussie, who lives in the sub-tropics & my Freeform inspirations come from the natural world around me.

I incorporate all types of fibres into my Freeform work – from natural to synthetics – anything that will help me to achieve the effects I’m after.

Each Freeform piece is a one-off original, takes lots of time to create & can never be repeated

Also check out the more traditional crochet stuff & the free & for sale patterns to download

…for as long as I can remember, I’ve had the need for self-exploration & expression through tactile arts & crafts… If it’s able to be: acquired, amassed and assembled, cut, torn, snipped, or shredded… mashed, pulped, threaded or woven… stitched, folded, pleated or twisted… then, fastened, fused, pasted and somehow glued together, I’m in there. Why? It feels good, that’s all… &, I expect it to go on & on for some time yet… Renate

I have 2 published craft books available world wide ’Crochet Techniques’ & ‘Freeform Crochet & Beyond’ & my personal story of adoption ’Not Without A Backward Glance’  available from Zues Publications

A Special Christmas Offer….

A little while ago I had to make a couple of individual scarf pins for a custom order – I liked them so much & they worked so well that I thought I’d create a few more & add them to some of my selected scarves as a  free Christmas gift

Each complimentary scarf pin, valued @ $10, has been specially handmade to compliment each particular piece & is included in the price

Aussie Creations for the holiday season

I can’t believe it either….. but it really is getting close to that time of year again – the hustle & bustle of finding just the right thing for those special people in your life – so this may be just what you have been looking for….

The Australian Esty DUST STREET TEAM has started a facebook page featuring wonderful gift ideas for the Holiday season so go check out the beautiful handmade items from these creative Aussies this holiday season – you are sure to find something exceptional & unique for everyone

 

Beautiful Yarns ~ Winter Warmers….

over the years I’ve collected some really beautiful yarn, sometimes for no particular reason only that I had to have it…. just couldn’t live without it… yarnies will know exactly what I mean.

I’m especially drawn to the European blends with their vibrant colours & superb luxurious textures ~ & so my stash has grown… out of control some would say!!

OK… I agree, I can’t just keep collecting… it’s time to put these lovelies into action…

Here are some examples of my collection of Winter Warmers ~ each piece is unique using only the finest quality yarn – some are a bit quirky, some less so, while others are as soft as a kitten & lighter than feathers – all are perfect accessories for those who dare to be a little different  - they are available in my Etsy – Zibbet or Artfire Shops with more to come so keep tuned – enjoy

A very lucky day….

Hoopla & whoop-whoop…whoo hoos….. today I recieved wonderful news that I have won a Premium Zibbet Account for life – the opportunity came though a competition promoted  by The Australian Etsy Blog – Nicky has some really interesting jewelery so please, go & check it out in her new Etsy store & also her Zibbet store

Zibbet is proving to be a great venue… not many sales yet but it’s only just starting. The setting up has been a breeze & the whole look of the market is clean & crisp which shows off your items to their full advantage  - if you have been thinking about setting a a little internet shop check it out – it may be what you have been looking for…

can’t tell you how excited I am… & already playing around with the custom features – don’t how many times I’ve changed things around  & back again…… this is what I’ve done with my Zibbet shop for now….. enjoy

Beautiful Rag Rugs

Check it out!!!… had  the honour of being included in this Flickr Gallery  “Rug Hooking Inspiration” - really awesome work - it’s wonderful to see rag rugging is still alive & kicking

Freeform crochet has taken over for the moment  but here are some other examples of Rag Rugs that I created what now seems like a long, long time ….

I love felting too….

No doubt it’s no secret that I love to crochet – freeform,  traditional or exploring new techniques but sometimes it’s just as exciting to play in a different playground –  splashing about in my kitchen with soap & water & beautiful silk fibres I came up with these little beauties… & very pleased with the results

Sell for Free…

For anyone interested in internet selling…. here are 2 sites that might tempt those of you who have thought about it but weren’t sure about charges & the like.

A while ago I set up a ‘basic’ ARTFIRE shop – it has… No listing or final fees – the basic account  has it’s limits but I think worth giving a try.

2 weeks ago I also set up a ‘basic’ ZIBBET shop – it also has No listing or final fees but again, being a basic account has it’s limits.

You can upgrade these accounts at any time to take full advantage of all the benefits  they offer…. but for me, the basic is enough for the moment – I  just want to see how it goes – if you have a moment, go & have a browse you may be pleasantly surprised….

It’s Official……

‘Australia in Colour ‘ is ‘The Spirit of the Land’ – this morning the Postie delivered a parcel with the best trophy I’ve ever received – HOW COOL IS THIS?

and the winner is…….

what a good idea…

I have been wracking my brain for ages trying to come up with something different  - a smallish item that is practical but still stylish & good to look at – I came up with this little Carry Safe – Freeform Crochet camera/phone case – it’s lined with a strong, dark grey commercial felt to withstand the hard knocks – the brain-wracking has been worth the effort, even if I do say so myself

Introducing Freeform Polymer Beads….

I originally created these polymer buttons/beads for my own use in conjunction with, & to be incorporated into, my freeform crochet work mainly because I couldn’t find what I wanted elsewhere – Over that last few months I’ve many enquires about them so have decided to offer some for sale in my Etsy shop

I love making these buttons/beads… it’s a lovely change from fibre… but you will notice that I do not disguise the handmade nature of these pieces & there are some anomalies such as: fingerprints, brush strokes, distress scars & many a wonky edge & of course,  no two pieces are ever the same – & it’s these unique imperfections & differences that I love most, I never really know what I’m going to end up with – so very freeform… just wish the photos would do them justice – they look so much better in the flesh.

All my polymer buttons/beads are freeformed either by pinching the clay into shape or pressing it into one of my own handmade moulds. They are baked at the recommended temperature & roughly sanded. Depending on the effect I’m trying to achieve, each piece is hand-paint with a variety of acrylic/oil/metallic paints/powders then sealed with 2 coats of Polyurethane (indoor/outdoor) water based satin varnish & left to cure for at least 48 hours