A dyeing art

Frustrated for years that DMC Cordonnet Special only came in white and blah ecru, I decided to take matters into my own hands! I've begun adding my hand dyed skeins to my etsy shop.

The earrings in the previous post were also made of hand dyed thread I had done some time ago. Very satisfying to have color to play with.

My earrings

These start out with beads dangling below a lock stitch, followed by a split ring.
Then I have my own goofy little way I add a large bead surrounded by a ring. The bead seems to float above the ring on one side and below the ring on the other.






The large circle surrounding the main bead is made of zigzag tatting, otherwise known as set stitches or rickrack tatting.

Another split ring and then the final ring joined to a finding.

This earring has a nice 3-D effect. I am still working out the details for this, and hoping to make the pattern available in the future.

Double the fun

Using 2 colors of thread as one, with one of them solid and the other variegated, gave an interesting effect to this tan and brown necklace from my

"Dream" pattern. I used 2 strands of "Omega" size 30. This doubled thread did not tat up as large as the size ten "Flora" that was used for the red necklace.

Interesting.

Selling original work

Being impressed by the people who manage to sell online, I have very timidly made a start. I have a couple of my tatted pieces on eBay as well as a used book.

Also trying out having an etsy shop. Maybe this will keep me on track for prolific work.

I still feel more comfortable selling through a "brick and mortar" shop or craft fair. Since I am already committed to participating in a craft fair later this summer, I really need to get more inventory done! What I've found works best so far is small, relatively quick items that can be sold for a lower cost and makes a cute gift. Also, people like something unique -- something that has enough variables so that even though it is a pattern, it would be hard to come up with an exact copy.

Victorian Lace, Luncheon, and Tea

The Prairie Mill Lacemakers outdid themselves putting on a beautiful day full of activities.

It was like being transported back in time.






They greeted us in their lovely Victorian-era costumes at the Historic Chamberlain Hotel in Midway Village, and bade us relax and do our handwork.

Many types of lace were represented: bobbin lace, crocheted and knitted lace, tatting of course, and many varieties of needle lace.



The luncheon was incredibly delicious! All made by the group, nothing catered...a superb quiche, delightful spinach salad, fresh fruit, sparkling non-alcoholic champagne.




We also enjoyed a tea with plates and cups that were collectors items. Even the sugar was shaped and colored like violets to match the decor!

There were homemade scones, candies, a cake baked from an authentic Victorian-era recipe, and other goodies.









Goodies for our lace craft stash were also available for purchase at the trunk sale provided by "The Lacemaker" shop.
We even received a visit from the "widow" in full Victorian deep mourning garb, who gave a well documented presentation on the funeral customs of that era.


















Door prizes were given out throughout the day... I won a stained glass suncatcher that featured violets and lace on it.

We were given handmade parting gifts of a pincushion with a bobbin lace flower, a cute bear pin, and violets and lace decorated cookies.

A day I will never forget!

Butterfly bookmarks

Simple and quick! I took the pink butterfly and some of my other tatted bookmarks and jewelry to the consignment boutique where I sell some of my work. The shop owner, (who loves my tatting) didn't want to carry bookmarks at first -- "I've had other bookmarks here, and they just sit..." but couldn't resist keeping just a few of mine at the shop. I got a phone call a few hours later from the shop owner, "I just sold the pink butterfly! The lady would also like one in purple!"
So I did a variety of purples!
These are done like the flower bookmark here.
R 2-2-2-2. T. Ch 5-5, sj to p of r.
Ch 7-1--1-7, sj to next p of r.
Ch 2---1---2, sj to same p. Ch 7-1--1-7, sj to next p of r.
Ch 5-5. J at the bottom same as the flower bookmark.

For a pdf copy of this pattern Click Here.