Not the Tat It And See blog!!!

While everybody's having fun (I hope!) with the TIAS I'm playing too!! Remember the earrings? Well, there had to be a bracelet to match!!! Here it is.
I'm going to work one more to check the pattern out and then I hope to put the whole thing together. I just hope it hasn't been 'done before' as it's not too hard to make. Just found the matching earrings - in the stupid place I'd 'filed' them. (For filed - read lost!!!).

What a waste of time!!

I can't believe how many hours I wasted making this. It was going to be an earring but I doubt it'll ever have a partner!!!
The metal outer rings are fine. The motif (well, the central part) is fine but once the two are put together with a chain and a wing and a prayer - it's not fine!!!! Well, I don't like it at the moment but perhaps it'll 'grow on me'.
The only good thing about this experiment is that I've found a way of putting that central bead into place. The rings are all facing outwards but the bead is integral to the centre.
I've had another inspiration while I was going to sleep last night so I'll work another motif up using this idea of the bead in the centre and then draw up how it's done.
There should be a place for all these 'bits' that I experiment with. Somewhere in tatland where they can go to live. A place for 'displaced' odds and ends.
Actually, perhaps I should go there cause at times I feel at odds with the world!!!

Playing with earrings

I'm still playing with earrings!!! The one on the left (below) I made using 3 strands of quilting machine sewing thread that I got in Amerrica last year. It's a bit tooooo thin for using singly - unless, of course, your name is Mark Myers!!! I like this little motif but it's too ugly for an earring IMHO.
The smaller one is again using the same sewing thread with two strands AND a strand of sparkly Madeira. Now this is a lot better as I've reduced the stitch count! Since working this one I've found a way of adding beads to the centre as I go along (not between the rings as the one on the left) . I will add one spectacular bead to the middle of the next one. I will also put another round on this motif as I want it to fit in the larger metal ring on the left! These rings I again bought in America and have been longing to get to play with them too. Joannie also gave me a packet so I've been waiting for another 'earring urge' to hit.
These are going to be the 'best ever' earrings. I always say that, though!!!!

I've gone off the rails!!

I've had some earrings admired several times lately by friends and have promised to make some for them. I've made these two pairs. One for a friend and t'other - well, either for me or to sell and because the first pair turned out so well!!
The thread I've used is Oren Bayan metallic which I bought from Lyn Morton at Tatting and Design.
The pattern is adapted from the snowflake on my site - I have the notes on this if you want them. Please just drop me a line and I'll send you the file. I'm going to make another two pairs with other sparkly threads and then I promise I'll get back to the new idea and the patchwork!!
The new idea is smouldering in the brain as I walk in the afternoons. I usually find that walking gives me the time to plan and plot things!!!

Kangaroo and trees

My adopted son, Mark Myers, suggested that the joey should be facing sideways. I'm going to try to make him look upwards at his mom when I do another draft. Thanks, Mark.
Last night I made brooches. I started late afternoon and used the Christmas tree earwig pattern. I made the last chain slightly longer and have added small coilless safety pins to the back. I want to give one or two to the ladies who work and smile all the time at the local Post Office. They're always asking me what I'm sending out in my ebay packages and finding me the cheapest way to mail them too. Here they are.

'Glam' earrings!

Now I don't 'do' glam (glamorous) as anybody who knows me will tell you!!! I'm strictly a jeans and t-shirt sort of person and always have been. BUT for some reason I do allow myself 'glam' earwigs!! This is the last in this session of making earrings. Again if anybody wants this pattern, just shout!!

Ah, just before I go - a warning. The design 'bug' has bitten again. Do watch this space!!!

New earrings

These earrings are again based (even more roughly!) on the 3D ones on my site. This time, however, I've added a ring on the chain and a large beaded picot at the bottom. I've actually written this down as I made it which surprised me no end!! As it's a simple derivative of a very basic idea (just rings and chains) I'm not going to add it to my pattern pages. However if anybody would like the notes on this please do email me. I will send it as a Word document. I think I'll make some more in Christmassy colours!!

Found normal at last

Well I finally managed to get my nearly last batch of Christmas tree earrings up onto ebay yesterday (two more to add later today!). In the end I wrote to ebay support and had a very helpul answer. They told me to do all the things I'd already done so I did them again and this time it worked - on both computers in spite of the fact that I only performed their recommendations on one!!!
SharonC left a comment on yesterday's post (please email me privately) about the pattern for these trees. This got me thinking (sometimes this does happen) and later in the day while talking to SueH 'live' on the phone we got to discussing this. The following are my opinions and dear SueH listened to them!!
I devised these trees way back in the very early 1990's and the pattern was published in it's 'then' form in a UK craft magazine. SueH mentioned that they'd also appeared in a Workbasket magazine too and we've seen them in various other places. As they are a 'generic' pattern (i.e. one anybody could have devised) this is the reason that I've not added them to my pattern pages. (I do have a copy of mine if people wants it - email me privately). It would, of course, be interesting but impossible to find out who first devised this idea and mine has morphed over the years as I've learnt split rings and split chains. Remembering, of course, that at the time mine were published in the UK the internet was a mere baby (if it had even been born!) and I had never heard of, let alone seen, Workbasket magazines!
Another interesting pattern is the one that I've used below. This little generic 'baby' came about after doing the 3D one. Chicken and egg syndrome. As this FLAT little snowflake is so simple I do not consider it as a pattern in it's own right but when it's taken to the 3D state then I consider that part as being my copyright.
This makes me ask myself the question of what we can call original and thus being somebody's copyright and what is 'generic'. By generic I mean that it is a complete pattern which is easily arrived at by a relative beginner to designing. Nothing at all wrong with that and any designer is to be applauded BUT by putting a copyright notice on everything then are we going to come to a stage when everything 'belongs' to somebody. Will this stifle creativity? Will this cause arguments? Do you follow me? Have I lost the plot? Time for a cup of tea, I think!!!

Tatted Christmas Tree Earrings

I made these earrings yesterday. Well, I made one and a half pairs as that darn thing - time - ran away from me yet again!!!

The first pair are white and silver and have red beads. Why am I telling you that when you can see for yourselves? Duh!!!

The second pair (when the other one arrives!) is/will be black with a silver filament running through. I would love to know anybody/everybody's opinions on these as I am thinking of putting some in my Etsy shop and/or on Ebay. I shall make some more in traditional green but want to try something different. Maybe even bright pink next?????!!!!!!!!!!

I have to finish these off as you can tell by the lack of findings and the 'tails' running from the bottom bead!

Another pair

Here is another pair of earrings using the same pattern as yesterday with a different lower dangle! I've scanned on black and white to try and get a decent picture! This time I used the invisible thread and I'll admit they are stunning in 'real life'. The lack of colour inside the beads makes them shine even more. Just a pity that the scanner doesn't do them justice. I'll try a photograph later - if the sun keeps shining!
Each time I finish working with this thread I say 'never again'. Then I look at the results the next morning and am sorely tempted to get it out again. There are many 'snags' to tatting with it - mainly that you can't see it!!!!! Still, I suppose that's why it's called invisible!!!

More Earrings

I made another pair of these earrings yesterday. Using a number 80 thread and size 11 beads (same size as delica ones). I keep making (and wearing) this style as they never 'bend' or change shape. If you use an 80 thread then the beads really do help it keep shape. Sometimes I double the thread but this time I didn't. However much you stiffen some 'fancier' styles they still tend to 'bend in the middle' after a few wearings. These stay as 'fresh as a daisy' forever. I'm still wearing some I made years ago. Oh, the pattern is the one on my site (click the title!). Next project is to try and work these with invisible thread. I do like a challenge!!!
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Bling A Ding Ding!!!

Still working on my preparations for the Palmetto tat days and using their theme of flower gardens - here is the same simple earring I made the other day using just rings. I still need to finish these off (cut a few ends, glue a few knots as I used invisible thread, etc) but couldn't wait to share!!!!
Oh, forgot to mention - there are a few beads used in this design too!!!!!!!
Long live the bling!!!!

Rings and things!

Teri Dusenbury (http://theloversknot.blogspot.com/) sent me some thread and delica beads last week so the last two days I've at last had time to play!!! I made one of my finger rings and a pair of earwigs with it.
It's a lovely firm thread which displays each stitch well. You can probably see that from the pictures below. The thread is made by Coats and is their Dual Duty Plus one The beads just sparkle and sparkle. Thanks, Teri, I really appreciate the opportunity to play with these.
Hey, Teri - I promise I won't kiss the frog!!!

Earrings for a friend

I try and I try to make other 'sorts' of earrings but I still go back to this design! These are for a friend but I'm very tempted to keep them!!! I've told her they're ready just so that I'm not tempted to!!! I'll have to make another pair for myself. Oooooh, remembered I've got THE brightest pink beads from ebay so perhaps ANOTHER pair using these might happen. Still working hard on 'secret' stuff but should be back on a new design soon. I feel one 'coming on'!!!

Ring a Ring earrings!

This is an idea I've been working on and it's SO simple it really doesn't need any more skill than being able to tat rings. Tat's it, really, rings round a ring. I sort of used another pattern which is on my web site but replace parts of it with beads. I'm using this for earrings but another thought has occurred to me which I won't tell about just yet as I need to play first BUT this is just SO easy. Oh, a love of beads is probably a must too!!! Most of these are for a friend but I shall keep the pink and green ones. The photos aren't really showing them off very well but I think you can get the general idea!!!

Earrings

Two pairs of earrings. These are some of my favourites to wear and to make. The thing I like most about them is that because of the multitude of beads (worked on fine thread) they hold their shape through thick and thin!! I'm wearing some pairs which I must have made three years ago and they are as 'good as new'. I do use diluted PVA as a slight stiffener and protection from body oils, dirt etc. (I do wash behind my ears!!). The brown and pink pair are a gift for a neighbour but the green, blue, orange are - well just for fun. I may list them on ebay.

During the night I had a BRILLIANT idea for a new earring design so once I've tidied up my work area I shall be trying these out. They will have lots of beads too!!!

Phewwwww

Another lot of tatting listed on ebay - oh, and three Aero shuttles. Finally sold the second item I'd listed at Etsy overnight. It's SUCH a pretty site I do wish it would become more popular. http://www.etsy.com/ Listing there is SO much cheaper too. This is only the second thing I've sold in nearly six months!! My only consolation is that other tatters haven't done very well there either. I've re-listed the earrings on ebay and again spent a loooonnnnggg time trying to get a good scan or photo of them. Sadly I cannot do them justice. They really are SO pretty. I love that pattern and my cream and brown ones which I made in 2004 and have worn regularly are still as fresh as when they 'came off the shuttle'.

Back again with thoughts on making tatted earrings

I couldn't get into my blog yesterday so the seahorses are what should've been added then!!!

The earrings are some I made yesterday and I'm VERY pleased with them. They look even prettier in 'real life'. I've listed all four pieces on ebay!!! The pattern is here http://tinyurl.com/yco7pv

Some of my thoughts on making tatted earrings.

Having made earrings for about twenty to thirty years I've found out by many, many mistakes that the design has to be simple and strong. By strong I mean that it has to withstand being worn!!! Obvious, I know, BUT not always easy to achieve. The really pretty lacy looking earrings don't often work for me. After a few 'outings' I find that they bend even when well stiffened. To combat this the addition of as many beads as possible can help! (See my other earrrings which are based on the 3D snowflake). http://tinyurl.com/ylrmef

Using a very tight tension and a strong six core thread helps too. A thread like Flora, Manuela etc. Earrings can be made using a fine 60, 70 or 80 but I find that these work better with an added filament - again plenty of beads. Design is the main part of making earrings. Keep them simple and with clean lines. Slim earrings no more than and inch or so wide work well - length doesn't matter. Adding a split ring (like those you find on a key ring) to hang the finished piece to the findings is also an good idea and this is best worked into the tatting itself. The earrings below have them added into the long beaded picot but with the Christmas tree earrings I actually tat over the ring.

Another suggestion and one which I've used on the white pair below, is to Scotch Guard them to prevent them getting dirty.

The above are only my thoughts on making earrings and I would be very happy to add other people's suggestions to these.

Additional ideas from the comments section and email lists.

Also, as Wally suggests - you can squidge in some PVA to make the earrings not only a bit stiffer but to also keep off the dirt!!

From Sylvia in Penarth (that's in Wales!!). I have also tatted around a four hole tiny button, these make very pretty ear-rings, I used flora and a tight tension, they ended up stiff enough as they were. So keeping clean wasn't a problem, I washed them!!

Gina has reminded me that another thing I do is use PVA glue to 'blob' the piece of tatting onto the finding if a split ring isn't used. I used to do this in the past but nowadays try to 'build in' a split ring as it makes for a safer finished item.

More earrings!

I've got so many different colours I want to make that I've taken a break for a day or so to 'treat' myself and my daughter!!!! Here are a couple of pairs of my Christmas tree earrings too!!!!

Earrings!

My eldest daughter saw the earrings I listed on ebay back in August and asked me if I'd make her a pair. Time has gone on and finally I was in the right frame of mind to make them. I've made two pairs - 1 for her and one to probably list. Not sure!! These are some of the prettiest ones I've made, I think.