The Goldwork Beetle is Back – A Classic Arlene’s Crafts Tutorial Refreshed for 2026

The Goldwork Beetle Embroidery Tutorial is back in the Arlene’s Crafts Etsy shop, with a fresh new look for 2026. 🪲✨

This is a project with quite a history for me. I began creating my stumpwork and goldwork beetles many years ago, and the Goldwork Beetle has remained one of those special designs that I still love returning to.

The tutorial takes you through creating your own dimensional embroidered beetle using beautiful Goldwork techniques, metallic threads, beads and layered embroidery.

Inside the digital tutorial you'll find detailed step-by-step instructions, photographs to guide you through the different stages, helpful tips and stitch information.

Already have your own Goldwork supplies?
You can purchase the tutorial as a digital download and start creating your beetle with your own materials.

Need the specialist materials as well?
I also have Goldwork Beetle materials kits available separately in my Etsy shop, including an option with a 4-inch embroidery hoop.

It's lovely to bring one of my classic Arlene's Crafts projects back into the spotlight — refreshed and ready for a new generation of stitchers.

A Creative Countdown to Christmas – Stitch Your Own Advent Wreath

For Christmas 2026, I wanted to create an Advent calendar that was about more than simply opening a surprise each morning.

The Arlene’s Crafts My Christmas Wreath – 25-Day Stitch & Create Advent Calendar gives you a Christmas project that gradually comes together throughout December.

Starting on Day 1, you'll have your wreath frame, sparkling threads and needles ready to begin. Then you'll open your numbered Advent packages throughout December, stitch the pieces you discover and add them to your Christmas creation.

And you can make it your way. Your stitched ornaments don't have to stay on the wreath — they can also be hung on your Christmas tree.

It's a lovely screen-free activity and something you can enjoy creating rather than another Advent calendar filled with disposable surprises.

🎄 Christmas 2026 PRE-ORDER
Early Bird: $69.95 until 30 September 2026
Regular price: $79.95
Only 20 calendars available
Dispatch begins: 1 November 2026

Once all 20 have been reserved, pre-orders will close.

25 Days of Christmas Creativity – Stitch, Create & Watch Your Wreath Grow!

 Christmas is even more exciting when you get to create something along the way! 🎄🧵

With the Arlene’s Crafts My Christmas Wreath – 25-Day Stitch & Create Advent Calendar, you’ll open a numbered parcel each day and stitch the pieces inside. As December goes by, your Christmas wreath gradually comes together.

It’s 25 days of Christmas creativity — stitching, creating and enjoying a hands-on activity during the countdown to Christmas.

🎁 Christmas 2026 PRE-ORDER
✨ Early Bird Price: $69.95 until 30 September 2026
🎄 Only 20 available
📦 Orders start dispatching from 1 November 2026

Perfect for anyone who loves Christmas crafting — and a lovely screen-free activity to enjoy throughout December.

Pre-order your Christmas Wreath Advent Calendar from Arlene’s Crafts on Etsy.

It’s Here! My Christmas Wreath 25-Day Stitch & Create Advent Calendar

 🎄 PRE-ORDERS ARE NOW OPEN! 🎄

I’m very excited to officially launch the Arlene’s Crafts My Christmas Wreath – 25-Day Stitch & Create Advent Calendar for Christmas 2026!

This is an Advent calendar with a difference.

Instead of chocolates or throw-away surprises, each day brings another part of a Christmas stitching project, giving you a creative and hands-on way to count down to Christmas.

🎁 EARLY BIRD PRE-ORDER PRICE – $69.95
Regular price $79.95

Early Bird pricing ends 30 September 2026.

🎄 Only 20 Advent Calendars are available for Christmas 2026.

👉 PRE-ORDER YOUR ADVENT CALENDAR ON ETSY

How does it work?

Your Advent Calendar contains 25 numbered surprises to open throughout December.

On Day 1, you'll get your Christmas project started with your wreath frame, three spools of sparkling thread and needles.

Then, as December progresses, open your numbered Advent packages and discover pieces to stitch and create.

Stitch each piece your way and gradually watch your Christmas wreath come together.

By Christmas, you'll have created something special that you can bring out and enjoy again.

Make it your way!

One of my favourite things about this Advent Calendar is that you don't have to make yours exactly like mine.

Experiment with your stitching, colours and patterns and make each piece your own.

And your stitched ornaments don't have to stay on the wreath!

Add them to your Advent wreath or hang them on your Christmas tree.

It's your Christmas creation.

A little screen-free time at Christmas

December can be an incredibly busy month, and this Advent Calendar offers something a little different — a reason to sit down, pick up a needle and thread and spend some time creating.

It's a fun, hands-on and screen-free activity that can be enjoyed throughout the Christmas countdown.

Christmas 2026 Pre-Orders

This year I'm producing a small batch of only 20 Advent Calendars.

🎁 Early Bird Price: $69.95
🎄 Regular Price: $79.95
📅 Early Bird ends: 30 September 2026
📦 Pre-orders start dispatching: 1 November 2026

Once all 20 calendars have been reserved, pre-orders will close.

👉 PRE-ORDER YOUR MY CHRISTMAS WREATH ADVENT CALENDAR ON ETSY

I can't wait to see how everyone stitches and creates their wreaths this December!

Happy stitching,

Arlene
Arlene’s Crafts 🧵🎄

It Launches Tomorrow! My Christmas Wreath Advent Calendar Pre-Orders Open Soon

 Christmas is getting a little more creative at Arlene’s Crafts this year!

Tomorrow I’ll officially open pre-orders for the new My Christmas Wreath – 25-Day Stitch & Create Advent Calendar.

I wanted to create an Advent calendar that was about more than opening another chocolate or finding another little item that might soon be forgotten.

Instead, this Advent calendar gives you 25 days of stitching, creating and watching a Christmas project come together.

Behind those numbered packages are the pieces that will gradually transform into your very own Christmas wreath.

You’ll begin with your wreath frame and stitching supplies, including beautiful red, gold and silver sparkle threads. Then, throughout December, you’ll open your numbered packages and discover the pieces to stitch and add to your Christmas creation.

It’s designed to be a fun hands-on, screen-free Christmas activity, with one little creative project to enjoy each day during the countdown to Christmas.

And the decorations don’t have to stay on the wreath. Many can also be hung on your Christmas tree, so you can make your Christmas creation your own.

This is a PRE-ORDER item. Calendars will begin dispatching from 1 November 2026, giving them time to arrive ready for the December countdown.

Only 20 for Christmas 2026

This first release is deliberately small. I’ll be making just 20 Advent calendars for Christmas 2026.

🎄 PRE-ORDERS OPEN TOMORROW

Early Bird Price: $69.95
Regular Price: $79.95

The Early Bird price is available until 30 September 2026, unless all 20 calendars are reserved earlier.

📦 Pre-orders begin dispatching from 1 November 2026.

Tomorrow I’ll show you exactly what is included and share all the details about how to order.

For today, here’s a little peek at the numbered packages and stitching supplies waiting to begin their Christmas journey.

One more sleep! 🎄🧵❤️

Christmas Advent Calendar, Christmas Crafts, Stitching, Stitched Shapes, Christmas Wreath, Screen Free Activities, Kids Crafts, Christmas 2026, Arlene’s Crafts, Creative Christmas

Something Special Is Coming This Christmas… 🎄

Christmas crafting has always been about more than simply making something.

It’s about slowing down, using your hands, being creative and enjoying the excitement of seeing something come together one stitch at a time.

And this year at Arlene’s Crafts, I’ve been working on something very special for Christmas. ❤️💚

If you’ve been following our Stitched Shapes, you might recognise a few of the little Christmas creations in the photo. But they’re actually part of something much bigger that I’ve been quietly working on behind the scenes.

It involves stitching.
It involves creating.
And there’s a little bit of Christmas fun waiting along the way. 🎁

It’s also designed to provide a lovely hands-on, screen-free activity during the countdown to Christmas.

But that’s all I’m revealing today!

Over the next few days, I’ll be sharing a few more clues before the big reveal.

Can you guess what I’ve been creating?

🎄 OPEN • STITCH • CREATE • REPEAT! 🧵✨

Wondering how our My Christmas Wreath – Stitch & Create Advent Calendar works?

Each day you open another numbered surprise, stitch your piece and watch your Christmas wreath gradually come to life. ❤️

🎁 25 days of creative surprises
🎄 A Christmas project you actually make
🧵 A lovely screen-free activity
✨ Only 20 available for Christmas 2026

EARLY BIRD $69.95 until 30 September
Regular price $79.95.

Christmas countdowns don't have to be chocolate! 🎄❤️

NEW TRANSPORT STITCHED SHAPES KITS!

 

NEW TRANSPORT STITCHED SHAPES KITS!

Love cars, trains and things that move? Our Arlene’s Crafts Transport Stitched Shapes are now available as Choose Your Own 3 and Choose Your Own 4 kits!

Choose your favourite transport shapes and create your own kit.

Each kit includes:

Your choice of 3 or 4 transport Stitched Shapes

One plastic needle for each shape

Approx. 1 metre of coloured thread for each shape

Starting & finishing instructions

Made from durable PETG, with 10 colours available

Stitched Shapes are a fun, hands-on activity designed to encourage fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, concentration, creativity and early sewing skills.

Perfect for children, classrooms, homeschool activities, therapy activities, craft time and anyone who enjoys learning through making.

Choose the shapes you love and start stitching!

Choose Your Own 3 Transport Kit:

https://arlenescraftsshop.etsy.com/.../choose-your-own-3...

Choose Your Own 4 Transport Kit:

https://arlenescraftsshop.etsy.com/.../choose-your-own-4...