Tigereye hand dyed

Inspired by the colors of a Tigereye gemstone and earthy autumn colors, I've dyed a batch of this thread. Some of got tatted into "Feather" earrings, and I like how the colors worked out in the pattern. I stiffened them a bit by brushing on some fabric stiffener onto the back only, to leave the natural sheen of the thread untouched on the front. Sometimes I stiffen my tatted jewelry in this way, sometimes I don't - it all depends on if the piece seems to need it or not. Since the "feathers" have a lot of picots and the top chains are not connected to anything, I thought it best to add some stiffening to help them stay in shape.

Loops, leaves, and heart

The loopy earrings above are a new experiment, my original, no pattern. I used a Celtic shuttle (such as the type sold on Handy Hands Tatting) to weave in the loops. I wire wrapped the earwires of niobium myself, a technique I learned in Lisa's Craftsy class.

Actually, the base of the pattern will be one of the classes that I'll teach at IOLI convention in 2016 as a beginner/intermediate pattern, but the fancy loop layer is not included. I think everyone should be encouraged to have their own creative time and the fun of discovering new possibilities. 

The leaf earrings are both patterns that are already in my Etsy shop and Craftsy pattern store. I think hand dyed thread is great in autumn leaves!

The Unfolding Heart pattern is also one that I've had available for quite a while. The pattern itself does not include anything about beads. I added the beads, lock charm, and brass filigree to make a unique necklace. So often people ask how they can make something to look exactly like the picture. But, it's better to take the ideas learned and change things up a bit to come up with something that's different, don't you think? No two leaves, snowflakes, flowers, anything in nature is an exact duplicate of another. Nature loves variety!

Eclectic mix

In this pair of tatted earrings, I added some wire wrapped dangles as well as forming the earwires myself. Skills I learned in Craftsy classes, such as Aga Kruk's beginner class and Lisa Niven Kelly's class. These are affiliate links, so I hope you'll check them out :)

The basic tatting pattern that I started with for this pair is my own "Giddy" pattern, found in my "Tatted Jewelry" book. Photo below of the pink earrings shows results tatted exactly according to the pattern. So, the blue-green ones are a fancified variation. It seems that I just can't stop myself from mixing things up :)

Hand dyed thread "Sugar Maple" is now in my Etsy shop! Next batch to come soon will be "Parakeet", which is what I used in the bluegreen earrings.

Coming and ongoing

Work in progress on a pattern I'll be teaching at the IOLI Convention in 2016

Feather pattern (from my book, Marilee's Beaded Tatting Finery) that I'll be teaching at the 15th Annual Tatting Days in November at The Tatting Corner, Indiana

Last week's launch of my new Craftsy class, Next Steps In Shuttle Tatting went even better than I had hoped! Already it has over 300 enrolled, a 5 star review, and amazing finished projects being posted! 

Remember, the class includes downloadable PDF patterns for all the projects shown in the preview!

Drum roll, please...

My new class on Craftsy, Next Steps In Shuttle Tatting is now live! 

Tatting techniques taught in my new Craftsy class

Click on the following link before Monday, August 17, 2015 for a chance to win my new class for free!

http://www.craftsy.com/ext/MarileeRockley_Giveaway

More about my new class:

• Patterns for the seven original class projects are included with the course as downloadable PDF files. These patterns are exclusive to this class.

• Lesson 1 has a quick refresher of tatting basics. If you're brand new to shuttle tatting, you may want to see my other Craftsy class, "Shuttle Tatting", for more in-depth instruction on the basics of double stitch, rings, and chains. The projects in this new class, "Next Steps In Shuttle Tatting" are geared toward tatters who already feel comfortable with the basics. 

Lesson 1 continues with demonstration of tatting the "Shell" pendant (project shown upper right on the title card), which teaches the techniques of putting a bead inside a self-closing mock ring, floating rings, core beads, and the Catherine Wheel Join.

• Lesson 2 demonstrates Daisy Picot techniques as well as lock joins and bead picots, used in the "Key" pendant, which can also be made into earrings.
• Lesson 3 shows how to tat Maltese rings by making the "Echo" pendant.

• Lesson 4 demonstrates putting a bead inside a ring and other ways of working with beads in tatting. The project is the "Glorious Blossom" pendant.

• Lesson 5 covers pearl tatting with the "Meander" bracelet.

• Lesson 6 is a study of encapsulation, plus several other techniques: folded rings, onion rings, Josephine rings, single shuttle split ring, and another way to work a mock ring, producing the "Garden" necklace (featured on the title card).
• Lesson 7 teaches Celtic tatting techniques used in the "Celtic Triangle" pendant (lower right on the title card).

As with all Craftsy classes, you'll be able to ask questions and get answers! You can post pictures of your projects, comment on posted projects, and watch the videos at your own speed. Your classes are accessible at any time, access never expires, AND your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed!

I am so excited to see you and meet you in class!