Wednesday, May 11, 2016

More mixed media experiments

 Way out there, I know, but I enjoy the results so far. I do the tatting first, then wire wrap it onto the metal frame which I make myself. Those Craftsy wire wrapping teachers whose lessons I watched probably never expected somebody would use those skills to add structure onto tatting :)
 Actually, I like designing unique things that others aren't likely to do or copy. It frees me up from pattern writing and seems more like "real art" - one of a kind, original, and all that.

My tatting class schedule is getting really full now that spring/summer activities are gearing up. I enjoy teaching but the advanced tatting classes are especially a lot of work to prepare and we're expected to promote them on social media as well. Bead&Button Show and IOLI are coming up fast now, and I need to package kits and prepare in-progress samples. The patterns are all done and test-tatted, though.

I'm also teaching a beginners tatting class at Midwest Beads on May 14.



Wire wrapping the tatting onto the frame.

19 comments:

Michelle said...

I hope you will think imitation is the sincerest form of flattery! My daughter is getting into wire wrapping and I love to tat so we might do our best to mimic yours, if that's okay, because these are GORGEOUS!

tattrldy said...

These pieces are stunning! I want to be as artistic as you when I grow up!

tattrldy said...

These pieces are stunning! I want to be as artistic as you when I grow up!

muskaan said...

Your creativity knows no bounds :-)

God's Kid said...

Love that set!!! :)

Kathy Niklewicz said...

Wonderful concepts and designs here. Beautiful pieces!

There's no rule that says you have to write patterns for everything! Just sit back and enjoy the creative process! I'm actually amazed you have any extra time to sit and create, with your hectic schedule. You have certainly brought a lot of attention to tatting wherever you go!

Madtatter80 said...

Love them both the earnings are my favorite these are great love mixed media!

Fox said...

So unique and compelling with just a hint of Renaissance!

TamaraART said...

This is so pretty..!

Jane McLellan said...

Splendid the way you are extending the possibilities of wire wrapping as well as tatting.

Lace-lovin' Librarian ~ Diane said...

Your wire wrapping certainly enhances the tatting! I may have to sign up for that Craftsy class, although I feel like such a fumble fingers when working with wire.

Marilee Rockley said...

Thanks, everyone!

@Michelle, here's some hints about how I did mine: I finished the tatting first. Then, I wire wrapped it onto the frame using a thin wire of 28 gauge. Mostly I just wrapped the wire frame, only catching the tatting now and then. I wrapped over the double stitches, not through a picot - I think the wire would eventually cut the thread if done through a picot. But, over the double stitches, I think the tatting is strong enough to stand up to the wire.

@Lace-lovin'Librarian, I was a very slow learner with wire at first. It was a foreign substance to me, being a fiber addict! I don't want to admit how long it took me to understand how to do the most basic thing, a simple loop :)

@Kathy, you are always so kind! I may indeed be trying too hard to "keep up with the Joneses" (the well known designers of the better known crafts like knitting, jewelry making, etc.). Next year I really should say "no" to some of the teaching invitations to avoid becoming overwhelmed.

Frivole said...

Oooh, I love love your earrings! I went to check them out in your shop but they had sold already! I'm not surprised. I hope you'll make more? The colours on those were just gorgeous!

Eliz Davis aka Tatknot said...

Wow, Marilee. These are just fantastic.

Koraliki Beaty said...

wow all magical

Margarets designer cards said...

Gorgeous, I saw this on your Facebook and they are beautiful I love the earrings
Margaret

Umintsuru said...

Beautiful design and perfect for your HDTs too. Love, love the earrings. Great idea to use wire wrapping with tatting, giving it more structure. I would love to attend one of your classes.

Barbara Gordon said...

This is the first I have seen these...absolutely gorgeous! You have really gone far beyond what I ever thought could be done in tatting. I sure do still have a lot to learn. Sure glad were friends!

Unknown said...

I love what you are doing. Perhaps it could be a new class. If people see what you are doing they are going to want to learn how to do it because it is not very often that new jewelry designs come along and I think this is a winner.