Another Tatting + Wire-wrapped Pendant

 Experimenting again! 
The basic procedure I've been using for my tatting + wire pendants does seem to always work, with random, asymmetrical, organic results. Generally, for these pendants here's what I do:

First, I form a frame of 18 gauge wire. Any shape seems to work, as long as it forms a base of at least 2 wires to attach the tatting to (so that the tatting stays securely in place and doesn't spin around the wire.)

3 colors of thread on shuttles. I like to use hand dyed thread of size 10 to 20, sometimes mixing the sizes.

Mostly I use Josephine rings for the flowers, but throw in normal rings and dimple rings for variety. Encapsulation technique for the chains (stems), wrapping over the unused colors with un-flipped stitches.

Then 28 gauge wire in basic wire-wrapping techniques to attach the tatting, beads, and cover the frame wires. I think the tatting is strong enough to stand up to the wire, as long as it's over double stitches, not over a single thread.

I have a YouTube video showing this type of work HERE.

I sell pendants like this and other original tatted jewelry in my Etsy shop.

The back side

A bit more industrial, and "Peace"

Well, I tried all last week to come up with a new "manly" or "unisex" tatted accessory design, but got nothing but a mess of knots! Inspiration doesn't turn on like a faucet for me! The best I could do so far is this Celtic Triangle variation, which is based on the pattern in my Next Steps In Shuttle Tatting class. I put it on a 2mm round leather cord, and I like the "industrial" appearance. I need to buy more leather cord and metal beads!

For my Etsy Shop I also dyed a new batch of "Peace" thread, which is based on the colors in a Peace rose.

Greater Milwaukee Tatting Guild meeting today! To find out more, see the group blog.

Book review and giveaway at The Beading Gem

It's such an honor, I'm absolutely thrilled! The Beading Gem has a book review and giveaway featuring my latest pattern book! See her article and enter at The Beading Gem.

Only wire for today

These pictures show my results at trying Sarah Thompson's "Chalice" pendant design in wire weaving. I followed the instructions in her article in "Step by Step Wire Jewelry" magazine, Oct./Nov. 2016 issue. This project was quite challenging for me, but I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Christmas was filled with music for me this year, since I sang in the Choir and for some songs played cello in the instrumental ensemble. I loved it! Looking forward to more music in 2017!

Internet access went down here for a couple days, but today a new modem was installed and I'm "knocking on wood" that it'll keep working well now.

Still no tatting to show, but ideas are simmering. I think for 2017 I'll try to come up with some men's tatted jewelry designs. Some of my previous designs are quite suitable for the guys, such as the "Atom" pendant and the "Celtic Triangle", but I'll see if I can come up with more.

New batch of "Snowflake" hand dyed thread

Just added to my Etsy shop, this colorway has pale blues with some light purples and pinks to give a frozen winter effect.

Here's a photo of the dyeing process in progress, so you can see that each skein of hand dyed will be unique, with subtle color variations:

The colors always look much darker when the dye is wet. After the thread is painted with the dye, I wrap it in plastic to let it cure. After it's cured (set), then I wash the skeins with a special detergent called Sorbitol to wash out any excess dye and rinse thoroughly, then lay them out to air dry.

I've no finished tatting to show today, but I hope you've enjoyed seeing this little peek at hand dyed thread being made!

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