Garden Afternoon

Just finished dyeing more "Garden Afternoon" thread and listed it in my Etsy shop! 

I've been slowly tatting the earrings to go with the bracelet that I'm tatting from the previous "Crocus" batch of hand dyed thread. Both are my original designs, patterns featured in this book. I'm not in a rush, since it occurred to me that now I've learned some basic wire techniques from Lisa Niven Kelly's class and from Aga Kruk's class on Craftsy, I should finish up the bracelet with unique purple findings that I made myself. So, I ordered some purple wire from Edward's Jewelry Supply on Etsy, and I'm waiting for it to arrive. I've already finished the ear wires, though, as can be seen in the picture. I stay with natural niobium for those, because it's hypoallergenic.

If you're looking for a scenic spring vacation destination that includes a learn to tat class in a relaxing, rustic setting, how about my class coming up on May 2 in Shake Rag Alley? Still a few seats left in the class as of this writing.

New pattern! "Devotion" Tatted Jewelry Set

People have asked, here it is!

It's my original design that was featured in the magazine "Belle Armoire Jewelry" Winter 2015. This is a more detailed version, with complete directions and diagrams for the bracelet and earrings as well as the necklace motif. Instant download for sale on Etsy and Craftsy.

The 9 page file includes: 

• Written instructions in English for necklace, bracelet, and earrings
• List of supplies needed, 
• In-progress photographs, 
• Diagrams with stitch counts 

This pattern has been designed for shuttle tatting. It may be needle tatted, but the directions only show shuttle tatting. 
By the way, I teach an online shuttle tatting video course on Craftsy: 
www.craftsy.com/ext/MarileeRockley_89_H 

"Crocus" colors in hand dyed thread

These vigorous spring colors were inspired by crocus flowers. No crocuses in bloom around here yet but looking forward to seeing them any day now. They come in bright yellow and various shades of purple, with orange stamens and narrow, bright green leaves, so I put those colors in thread.

Started a bracelet with my new thread :) 
The design is my own, inspired by the dimensional look of Ankars but is not Ankars method, just tatting with the beads worked in while making. The pattern is called Concoction and is found in my book, Marilee's Beaded Tatting Finery. 

I have just enough purple beads left to make matching earrings. But, I like that purple very much, so I guess I'll have to buy more! They're Czech pearl-coated glass druk, one of my favorite types of beads to use in tatted jewelry.

The Winners!

 Thank you very, very much to everyone that commented on the giveaway post. Your wonderful warm comments actually thawed much of the snow outside! Crocus plants are beginning to emerge!

Winners chosen by random number generator are Maria and Stephanie, and emails have been sent. Congratulations to the lucky winners!

Extremely Very Early Spring Giveaway

So far the only sign of spring here in Wisconsin is that the sunlight is strong enough to melt some snow even when the air temperature is still below freezing. But it's time for a giveaway!!!

You have a chance to win one of the 2 prize packages pictured, by leaving one comment on this post. Make sure that there's a way for me to contact you if you win, either a blog ID or an email address.

I'll draw 2 names at random on Tuesday, March 10. Each prize package will include 2 tatting pattern books written by me, 4 skeins of hand dyed thread size 20, 2 skeins of hand dyed thread size 80, and an original tatted bracelet handmade by me. 

Readers of this blog from outside the U.S. are welcome to enter this giveaway too; the package will be marked "gift".