Gifts to Make for the Holidays

Poinsettia by Marla L. Niederer

We decided to simplify the holidays a bit this year and focus more on the things that really matter like family, friends, love, laughter, and good food.  So instead of rushing off to the mall for Black Friday this year I chose to spend some time hand crafting gifts.

 

Angel Ornament by Marla L. Niederer

We had an abundance of apples this year from our old apple tree and peppers from our garden. I hadn’t made jelly in quite a few years, so I decided to make a few batches of jelly to gift during the holiday season.   I started out making apple jelly.

 That was pretty fun so I made wine jelly too. 

Then I decided to use some of the peppers and make some hot pepper jelly. 

I then decided to make a really hot batch of hot pepper jelly!

Since I wanted to package the jelly gifts in a festive way, I decided to create some ornaments to add along with the jelly.

Mermaid Ornament by Marla L. Niederer

 I always like to make a few new ornaments each year for the holidays.  They make lovely gifts and are a fun way to keep my needle sculpting skills strong.

Sea Spirit Ornament by Marla L. Niederer

If you would like to join me in the fun of ornament making, I am teaching two holiday ornament classes on AforArtistic.  

Mermaid Ornament and Brooch by Marla L. Niederer

You can sign up for the Mermaid Ornament class here

 http://www.aforartistic.com/classes/mermaid-ornament-brooch-with-marla-l-niederer.html

Poinsettia by Marla L. Niederer

You can sign up for the Poinsettia class here

 http://www.aforartistic.com/christmas-in-july-poinsettia-with-marla-niederer-cloth-doll-artist.html

Mardi Gras Tassel Doll Ornament

Or if you wish to join me in a live class I will be teaching the Mardi Gras Tassel Doll Ornament at the Quinlan Philadelphia Artist Doll and Teddy Bear Convention this spring.  You can find out more about it and sign up at the link here.

 http://www.quinlanmuseum.com/convention/agenda-details.html

 The Quinlan Philadelphia Artist Doll and Teddy Bear Convention is really is a sweet deal.  If you are a doll artist you get wined and dined, a sales table, presentations to attend, numerous networking opportunities, all for the small price of $95.00!   There is also an optional day of workshops to attend (one of which is the Tassel Doll Ornament Class I will be teaching).  Hope to see you there!