New pattern: Heart Aglow

New pattern in my Etsy shop called "Heart Aglow".

The idea started as a motif or pendant that would be easy enough for new tatters. Then, I thought that the same pattern in smaller thread and beads would be good for earrings. My test tatter, Sue Anna suggested the bracelet idea, and so now there's a set of matching jewelry.

It's really a simple, one shuttle and ball pattern that grew into an 8 page tutorial! Easy level for tatters that know how to tat rings, chains, and joins, and good practice for tatting with beads. 

The instruction for tatting the basic motif without beads is also included. I didn't repeat the entire written directions since they're the same except without beads, but while designing it I wondered how to make the top more decorative without the bead there. After watching Usha Shah's video for Dot Picots string her innovative technique seemed like a very pretty way to finish off the top of the no beads version of the heart.

I also put this new pattern in my Craftsy pattern store. I think it's a fun heart to make, and I hope others will like it too!

Eclipse sale!

 Sale! 17% off all items in my Etsy shop with coupon code ECLIPSE until August 25, 2017. Or, just follow this link:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/yarnplayer?coupon=ECLIPSE 

Why 17% ? Because in my area the eclipse will cover all but 17% of the sun. Also, it's the year 2017 and I've had my Etsy shop for ten years! 

And, here's a picture of the fun last Saturday at Tollway Tatters! 

Designing a new pattern

Just to let you know that I'm working out the details on a new design that will become a pattern soon! The colors I'm working with for the first sample are in the photo above: Lizbeth numbers 188, 628, and 706. Decoupage shuttle by Lace-lovin' Librarian ~ Diane.

On Saturday, August 19 the Tollway Tatters will be gathering at the Hinsdale oasis. I need to get my tie-dyed t-shirt out of the laundry to be ready!

Turquoise stone donut wire wrapped + tatting

A stone with shades of green and black as well as turquoise blue provided the impulse to seek out thread to match. I used my own hand dyed from the "Pond" and "Adventurer" batches to tat the little flowers, using the encapsulation technique described in a previous post.

 Having experimented combining tatting with wire wrapping for about a year or so, I'm finding that I like to use Parawire for the wrapping. Parawire is 99% pure copper with tarnish resistant, colored coating; lead and nickel free. It comes in several colors and gauges and costs much less than solid silver or gold.

Back of the pendant

The wire wrapping in progress

I've put this one of a kind pendant up for sale in my Etsy shop.