Back to Blogland?

Oh, you know me - I flit in and out of "blogland" - lately I can't seem to find the time or motivation to post much.  Most of the reason behind that is I haven't done much tatting at all this entire year.  And even with a long time of resting my hands,  I still find my limit to be about an hour of tatting at a time - then the base of my thumbs start to ache.  If I do much more I pay for it for the next few days.  As I planned, I haven't done any art/craft shows this year, although my patterns sell steadily and I do have some tatted jewelry in a little fiber arts store in Reading - Some Things Looming - so I'm technically still in the tatting business.  At a much reduced level, obviously.

I love this thread color from Handy Hands - Charcoal Medium (607) - and have been working with it off and on for a few weeks (fabulous design here by Yarnplayer as well).

Pattern: Nouveau Earrings by Yarnplayer

Pattern: Flora Earrings (top) by Elizabeth's Lace 

Simple Drop Earrings (bottom) by Elizabeth's Lace

It works really well with contrasting thread and beads.  I tend to be a bit monochromatic in my designing, so it can be challenge for me to put different colors together and be pleased with the results.  With this thread it seems to be easier, perhaps because it is somewhat of a neutral color.

Well, it's back to the laundry for me - enjoy this Sunday and be blessed!

Drawing Patterns

Hi all!  Long time, no hear from me.  I will hopefully be sitting for at least part of the CPA exam in November, so studying is in high gear.  Still working full time, still doing art shows, and now teaching tatting as well - in other words, still biting off more than I can chew.  This is the story of my life. 

I have been taking Sharon's "Design Tat" class, although I generally don't post there either and just work on things on my own when I can.  I recommend the class highly (although I'm not sure when the next one is starting); it's very informative and the tutorials on writing patterns with drawing software are extremely helpful.  I've been playing around today with the software and in the attempt, completed a new written pattern for my "Tigereye Earrings" and then came up with a diagram for my mini-cross (the written pattern was originally posted as Motif 24 on my blog here: Mini-Cross).

Pretty cool, if I do say so myself.

And that's all the time I have to share today - must get back to studying.  I do have some "Intro to Tatting" classes coming up in the near future - watch for posts about that in the coming days and weeks ahead.

New Pattern Available

I've managed to get another of my patterns written up and it's available for sale in my etsy shop.  This one teaches you how to do what I call "sewing" on a bead cluster with a focal bead (the sewing is done as you are making the lace with the tatting thread itself, so the bead work is still incorporated right into the lace).  It's one of my favorite ways to add beads, and while it is easier to do on small pieces, I will do it even when I've got a lot of thread to pull through the beads, because I really like the results.

I call this pattern "Flora" because it reminds me of a little flower. 

<-----------Look at this picture!  Another failed attempt at staging!  Why is it so yellow? you may ask.  Well, I told you I just can't seem to get the lighting right.  

Here's another example (below) of "sewing" on beads, but in the middle of a necklace.  As I mentioned, this method of beading on tatting can give you problems if your thread is really long, but the effect is well worth it, in my opinion.  A little bit of patience and steady hands will go a long way.

Anyway, if you're interested, pop on over to etsy and have a look.