A dyeing art

Frustrated for years that DMC Cordonnet Special only came in white and blah ecru, I decided to take matters into my own hands! I've begun adding my hand dyed skeins to my etsy shop.

The earrings in the previous post were also made of hand dyed thread I had done some time ago. Very satisfying to have color to play with.

My earrings

These start out with beads dangling below a lock stitch, followed by a split ring.
Then I have my own goofy little way I add a large bead surrounded by a ring. The bead seems to float above the ring on one side and below the ring on the other.






The large circle surrounding the main bead is made of zigzag tatting, otherwise known as set stitches or rickrack tatting.

Another split ring and then the final ring joined to a finding.

This earring has a nice 3-D effect. I am still working out the details for this, and hoping to make the pattern available in the future.

Double the fun

Using 2 colors of thread as one, with one of them solid and the other variegated, gave an interesting effect to this tan and brown necklace from my

"Dream" pattern. I used 2 strands of "Omega" size 30. This doubled thread did not tat up as large as the size ten "Flora" that was used for the red necklace.

Interesting.

Selling original work

Being impressed by the people who manage to sell online, I have very timidly made a start. I have a couple of my tatted pieces on eBay as well as a used book.

Also trying out having an etsy shop. Maybe this will keep me on track for prolific work.

I still feel more comfortable selling through a "brick and mortar" shop or craft fair. Since I am already committed to participating in a craft fair later this summer, I really need to get more inventory done! What I've found works best so far is small, relatively quick items that can be sold for a lower cost and makes a cute gift. Also, people like something unique -- something that has enough variables so that even though it is a pattern, it would be hard to come up with an exact copy.