“Let Them Eat Yarn Cake” 🧁 🍰 👑 is my first ever @unfetteredsupply Expression Mystery Box submission ✨ This piece challenged me in the beginning, but once I had my inspiration I was able to whip it up quickly. I’m a lover of history, romance, historical costumes and cake. Throw in my love of yarn and you have a cheeky, whimsical, political at times, fun conversation piece.

What is the Mystery Box Challenge? Straight from Unfettered Art and Supply‘s website:

“Like ‘Chopped,’ but for Fiber” (and without recipes). The Mystery Box is an opportunity to challenge your creativity while building community. It’s a puzzle in a box that comes with no instructions (outside of a few winks and nudges). Three times a year, we band together at Unfettered to concoct a mystery. We work to design a custom metal frame that corresponds with a one-word hint and a few playful clues. We curate a series of fibres that may be used for the mystery project (but certainly don’t have to be). And then we host an inclusive event on Instagram @unfetteredsupply that forments community, highlights discussion, and organizes a competition. Each mystery box is equipped with a deadline, and makers who wish to submit their creations to our competition have the opportunity to win the next mystery box for free! The mystery box is a maddening bit of fun. You’ll stay up at night thinking and re-thinking your design ideas. You’ll question your project at every step. You’ll push yourself to learn new skills and take your art practice in unprecedented directions. You’ll get to do all of this with a supportive group of makers who know exactly what you’re going through!

Fun fact: Marie Antoinette never said “Let them Eat Cake.” The phrase is often attributed to the queen of France during the French Revolution, but there is no historical evidence that she ever said it. The phrase is thought to have originated from the writings of Jean-Jacques Rousseau in 1765, 24 years before the French Revolution.

So in summary: Don’t believe everything you hear. Get to know someone first before you judge them. Give back to your community and support those less fortunate than you. Eat the cake. Make the art. Find joy and beauty in the world around you. Get out of your box and take a chance. I’m so glad I took a chance on this mystery box ✨🧁👑

I didn’t win this art challenge, but I won in a so many different ways. I met so many amazing artists. I got to learn so many new techniques. But most of all, I got to create something I love and I’m proud of. If you want to see some videos on how I made my mystery box submission, head over to my Instagram and look under my Mystery Box 2024 highlight!

I can’t wait to do the next mystery box!

You can now purchase these unique pieces of art! Click below for all the details.

If you are still here, below is my official entry write-up.

PROJECT TITLE: LET THEM EAT YARN CAKE

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: I have always been a history buff, romantic, Bridgerton fan and historical costume lover. When I was brainstorming what to make out of the materials given for this Expression Mystery Box I stumbled upon some photos of 18th century wigs. A lightbulb went off in my head. A wig. An outlandish, stylish, over-the-top wig that even Marie Antionette may have worn at a ball or soiree — now that is expression. Throw in some “yarn cake” and my theme was complete. Let Them Eat Yarn Cake is not a political piece comparing the “Haves” and “Have Nots” — although that would totally fit in this modern world. It instead is a cheeky, fun-loving take on my love of history and yarn. I hope she makes you smile.

On the Technical Side: I used one of the two large metal frames included in the Extreme Expression Box to make my wig. Woven onto the wire-warped frame is luscious wool roving from Unfettered Supply. I made the macrame feather from turquoise cotton cord that I had on hand. I needle-felted the layers of the cupcake accessory and used wool roving and wool craft sheets to make the cupcake come to life. I added some beautiful hand-spun art yarn from Peace and Thyme Fiber Arts. Using the pretty velvet ribbon and mesh tubing from Unfettered Supply’s Mystery Box, I finished the wig off with a pretty bow. I then mounted the piece on a fun, historical-looking bulletin board I got on clearance that I painted. Voila, a fluffy, sweet, magical masterpiece!

My Bonus Piece: I really wanted to use the smaller circle dome frame that came in the Mystery Box. I decided to make a giant cupcake sculpture which could also be worn as a fascinator hat. I wove more of the pretty wool roving “frosting” onto the wire-warped frame. I topped the frosting off with more of the pretty hand-spun art yarn from Peace and Thyme Fiber Arts. I then added a wool icing flower. Next, I cut some cardboard as the cupcake wrapper. I wrapped it with the rose colored cotton cord from Unfettered Supply. I assembled everything together with thread, glue and sugar dust. I think even Marie Antionette would approve!