Friday, July 1, 2011

Improvised necklace in iris colors

This purple, blue, and yellow necklace sort of just "happened", while I was trying to work out a different design. The first design didn't work (yet!), so I threw the samples into my "ideas bag". Then I got out some hand dyed thread and seed beads, and after a bit came up with an oblique shape that I thought looked pretty good. I then decided to try for a necklace, repeating the shape so there's one for each side and tatting a flower-like design for the center. I chose a solid color for the center for more contrast. I then had 3 separate motifs.

The pieces were put together by tatting around them, mostly chains. It seemed to me that a dark ecru would set off the hand dyed colors, then I outlined the whole thing with dark hydrangea color. I experimented as I went, putting in some "squiggly" chains (not sure about the proper tatting term for those!) and wrapping some chains in a vine-like effect. It was fun to do! Helped keep my mind occupied away from worries. 

12 comments:

Lace-lovin' Librarian ~ Diane said...

Marilee, you always amaze me! The necklace is gorgeous!

Marilee Rockley said...

Thanks, Diane!
I'm surprised myself to see how good it turned out, as the tatting was all sort of distorted while I was working on it. Steaming worked wonders.

Tatfully Yours said...

Very very pretty!!!

Michelle said...

It's truly lovely. I'm glad you found something to keep you busy!

Corina said...

Wow, it looks great!

Evitad said...

You are very talented! Its FAB :)

Lelia said...

Your never ending talents knock my socks off!!!

What beautiful tatting - you rock

Eva Maria Keiser said...

Beautiful designs and colors!
Greetings,
-Eva Maria

Unknown said...

Your necklace is just beautiful. Wish I could do all that intricate work. Thanks for sharing it.

God's Kid said...

Wow! What a unique look! :)

Mosaic Magpie said...

Lovely!
Deb

Marilee Rockley said...

Thank you all very much for your wonderful comments! I think that the basic structure of connecting separate motifs with tatted chains around could be used to come up with many new designs.