"Cogswell" tatted earrings

These started with split rings joined into a circle. The center lies flat okay, but I'm thinking it might be good to have 1 or so less double stitch on the inside than on the outside. The outer round is zigzag tatting (Victorian sets) with a bead at each change. This resulted in a bumpy, 3-D effect that I thought resembled gears or "cogs", so I entitled the design "Cogswell".

The larger beads were strung by onwinding the shuttles to get the thread through the beads, then shuttles rewound (it was only a little thread, so really not all that much trouble). The thread used was Lizbeth in the color "linen medium".

I was happy to be able to use a couple of the antiqued brass beads I bought at the Bead and Button Show last weekend. At that show I was looking for, among other things, "steampunk" supplies, and did stumble upon a few brass filigrees, tiny keys, and brass beads, which I think will combine nicely with dark ecru thread to give the effect of "Old Victorian" - even though I plan on coming up with designs that the Victorians really wouldn't have tatted. Maybe it is "Alternative Victorian". Yes, I think that's it!

Just experimenting, here. No need to worry that I will lose my affinity for bright colors! I enjoy them all!