Fun at Finger Lakes Tatting Conference

 

That's me doing a book signing and feeling like a celebrity☺. In my hair is a colorful tatted lace flower. Hand dyed thread is nearby and more tables for classes are partially visible in the background. 

Variations of the pattern project for the class that I taught, "Burst of Joy".

Some needle tatters were in my class and their work was very impressive, as shown here. I learned some new techniques, too!

Plenty of yummy food each day! This photo only shows some of the desserts.

Each teacher received a gift of a personalized stick shuttle.

Here's one of the commemorative Finger Lakes Tatting 25th anniversary shuttles available from "Shuttle By Design".

Some of the really amazing tatted lace items on display!

A trip to the Finger Lakes region is not complete without visiting some of the beautiful waterfalls!

Tatted Dalek Went to the Maker Faire

That's me with my tiny tatted Dalek meeting a big Dalek at the Maker Faire Milwaukee.
We're all beaming with excitement!

Close-up of the tatted lace Dalek. (A Dalek is a character from the television series Doctor Who.)
Yes, this one is my original tatting design. No pattern......just...no. Exterminate! ☺☺☺
Seriously, I used the techniques of a bead inside a ring and block tatting. I made the gun and sucker arm from wire and a saucer bead. The lights, eye stalk, and globes are beads.

Here I am with my tatting display at Maker Faire Milwaukee.
Many people stopped to ask questions and watch me demonstrate shuttle tatting.
I gave single ring tatted butterflies away to the children.

A collection of big Daleks and the Tardis (Time And Relative Dimension In Space) as seen in the TV series "Doctor Who".
This particular Tardis was not bigger on the inside, but fortunately these Daleks were friendly!

There were many astounding science exhibits. I was able to leave my tatting booth long enough to see this Tesla coil in action.

I don't know the story behind these jelly fish lights, but they were impressive with their size, changing colors and twinkling!

 A Maker Faire is a great event to see amazing creativity in action for both kids and adults. If one takes place in your area, I highly recommend that you go see it! Even better, sign up as a Maker and demonstrate what you make!

Pictures from Finger Lakes

Here I'm teaching my "Atom" class!

Balls of yarn at Karey's shop, Graceful Arts Fiber Studio

Hand dyed yarns by Karey Solomon

Quilts and yarn in Karey's shop

Karey also has roving for handspinning and knitting tools in her shop

The food at the conference was delicious!

We were all well fed indeed!

The auction had many fantastic items, one of which was this treasure box brimming with booty! Many tatting people contributed to the contents. My offering was the blue tatted jewelry set ("Cool Circles").

The view from my vendor's table, where I sold hand dyed thread and books.

Sharon's thread winding service came in handy!

Tatting classes in progress

Pretty shuttles that I purchased from Rita Richmond. Check out her website: Shuttle By Design

While in the Finger Lakes area, I took time to enjoy the natural beauty! Here I'm standing by Rainbow Falls in Watkins Glen State Park.

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit, in spite of the April snowfall!

Hand dyed thread "Peace" and travel plans

Named for the Peace rose, this new batch turned out with a brighter yellow than some of my previous ones. Just like the roses, each one is slightly different!

By the way, I'm busily making travel plans and preparing to teach my "Atom" pattern at the Finger Lakes Tatting Conference. 
Don't forget to register for your classes and choose your food preferences. It's coming up fast: April 6 - 8, 2018. 
Hope to see you there!

Pink squares for the Brussels' monument project

Cathy De Greef is the organizer of this monumental project.  For details, see her YouTube video: https://youtu.be/ez-RSEwQvKE  She also has another video showing how to do the pattern. 

I plan to do as many squares as I can for a while, then I'll mail them in. I think this worldwide project is so cool! 

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! 

The Bead&Button Show class catalog

 In yesterday's mail I received the Bead&Button Show 2017 class catalog, and you betcha I eagerly paged through it to see how my own classes looked! :) No kidding, I'll be teaching 2 tatting classes at this prestigious event, which is quite an honor, seeing as how it's promoted as a gathering of, in their own words, "the best in the biz" of jewelry teachers. Well, as far as I know, I'm the only jewelry maker specializing in tatting who applied, therefore providing the only reason I'm promoted as "best" ;)

To wax philosophical, I believe that tatting should be showcased alongside other art and craft forms, otherwise how will more people become inspired to see its potential?  Oh yeah, and the show is in my town, so no travel expense for me :)

Also on the calendar for 2017 is teaching a beginning shuttle tatting workshop at Shake Rag Alley.

In my life outside of tatting, I'm playing my cello again and singing soprano in the choir. We are preparing a lot of Christmas music. It's nice to be part of a group effort. As tatters/crafters/designers, we spend a lot of time in solitary activity, don't we? Be sure to take time to get out for doing something meaningful with a group. We are all multi-gifted people, and we never know how many people we inspire by sharing our talents.

Steampunk Gear Tatted Earrings

New hand dyed thread "Spooky" and Maker Faire photos

Black, purple, green, yellow, and orange were suggested to me as "Halloween" colors. They do remind me a little of fruity candy with black licorice :)

I demonstrated tatting at the Maker Faire Milwaukee this past Sunday afternoon, and had many people stop by to watch and ask questions about what I was doing. Several children watched me make one ring tatted butterflies that they could take home. One woman even sat down for a half hour lesson! Hopefully she'll be coming to future meetings of the local tatting guild.

That's me demonstrating tatting at the Maker Faire!

A one ring butterfly in progress

There were lots of inventive contraptions at the Maker Faire

Where we'd be now, if the Wright brothers hadn't been successful :)

Sighting of a Dalek at the Faire! I wonder where Doctor Who was?

Pictures from Palmetto Tat Days

That's me with Sue Anna, Jane Eborall, and Tamie.

I was so excited to meet Yorkie Sue from London! 

Shoppers browsing tatting supplies in the vendor room.

LadyShuttleMaker's handmade tatting shuttles!

Nancy Tracy's Be-stitched store display in the vending room.

Sharon with Karey from Graceful Arts Fiber Studio 

Shuttle Brothers GR-8 shuttles

What a thrill to finally meet Sherry (LadyShuttleMaker) in person!

Sue Hanson showing her beautiful coat embellished with tatting.

Sherry and Sue so happy to see each other again!

The building where classes were held and lodging was provided, behind the tall pines.

Picturesque walk to the dining hall.

Lining up for the buffet.

The dining hall during the Friday night banquet.

Dessert, tatting gauge and program booklet. The theme this year was "Tatting is Out of This World!"

Entertainment at the banquet included an impromptu "bell choir"! 

Lovely view of Lake Louise

Karey and Arlene

Holly growing outside. A spectacular plant that seems like a miracle to this Wisconsin girl :)

Patti Duff, Sue Hanson, Sue Anna, and Karey

R2-D2 in front of a quilt covered in tatting

A lovely red blossomed plant that grows in the southern states. I don't know what it's called, only that it doesn't grow in Wisconsin.

Jane Eborall, the Queen of Tatting, waving to her loyal subjects from her throne!

Breathtaking scenery

Classic car seen at a roadside fruit stand along the way home.