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!!!

I've lost normal!!

Well I'm fed up. Really fed up. I've been selling the Christmas tree earrings via ebay and managed to add three pairs yesterday. Suddenly today I can't access the selling feature on the site (mind, I did struggle yesterday with uploading the pictures)!!! I've got two (and a half) pairs ready to 'go' and can't get on via either computer (one using XP and one using Vista). I've emptied cache's, deleted 'history' and read all the information I can. The two computers give up in different ways. Now I'm giving up!!! I think I'll list in Etsy instead!!! I've written to ebay and am hoping they can sort it out.
Meanwhile I shall continue sulking!!!
Just to cheer myself up I'll show you the two that are ready to go!!!

Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible!!!

Do all the people who read this blog and live in the UK remember those words from the 'olden days' (Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible)? For others - this was the phrase that used to appear on our televisions when something went horribly wrong in the studios or at the transmitters. Sometimes the 'normal service' would be back with us before we'd had time to read the words but usually there was a break.

Anyway, this is what has happened to this blog!!! Normal service has been interrupted by an influx of orders for Christmas tree earrings!!! I didn't sell all four of the ones I listed on ebay but shortly after had orders for 13 more plus 2 pairs of snowflake earrings. This plus a day (yesterday) of sorting out many personal hiccoughs and problems AND after two night's bad sleep have stopped most 'normal' service at all. Needless to say when I do get a spare moment I've been tatting Christmas trees!!! Once these orders are filled then I shall list more on ebay and on Etsy.

Even more Christmas trees!!

The pink pair are for a friend of mine. Her DIL lives in Ireland and loves all things pink and black! Her bridesmaids wore pink dresses with black spots on this past August.
The green ones are to list again on ebay or Etsy as stocks are dwindling again!!!! I shall finish off the pair (with red beads) that I've started and then go back to giveaways or to finish off my Secret Santa exchange.

Made up with myself!!

Well in spite of many small things (and expensive) holding me up yesterday I finally managed to draw the curtains on the world at four o'clock when it got dark (and very cold) and started in on some more tatting. I decided to do some more of my Christmas giveaways. The two below are done in the same two colours but look very different.

I fell out with somebody yesterday

Yes, I did. BIG time. I was SO angry that steam was coming out of my head. I ranted and raved for the whole of ten minutes and then looked to sort the problem out. No way could I do that so that was the end of that relationship. Who did I fall out with? The easiest person in the world to argue and get angry with. Myself. My own silly, silly self!!!!
Now to explain why! I saw on HBT that there was a discussion going on about Rubi threads so remembered that I'd got two balls which I'd been given at the Palmetto tat days. Out they came. I was so busy concentrating on how I felt about them (and for once sort of watching telly) that I went wrong. Unfortunately it wasn't until yesterday afternoon when I thought I'd finish the motif off that I realised that I'd made a mistake in the first round. Boy, was I cross with myself!!!
Anyway, what do I think of the Rubi threads? LOVE the colours but don't like the thread. Marginally, (only marginally!) better than perle but that's all. Such a shame they're not a tighter twist. The one I fell out with is the first one and after I'd got over my dissapointment I made two others. Same colours but different ways round!!!!

Santa's arrived in Tatland!!!

Martha's latest addition to the Tatbead family has arrived in Tatland!!! Santa has arrived early!! You can see him here with the rest of the Tatbeads. Here he is on his own!!!
Thank you SO much, Martha. Where DO you find the time?
Me? I'm still working on the idea which I shall 'launch' after Christmas and am also making more 'giveaways' which I hope to post again here soon.

More Christmas trees!!

Once I start on these I find it very hard to stop!! I've listed some in my Etsy shop and will also list some on ebay later when it's working again - seems to be having a lie on on this Sunday morning!!!!!! Oh, I'll also list a couple of Aero shuttles.

I think my favourite trees are still the black ones but the new red ones are fighting for top place. I found the small star shaped buttons in a tiny outlet in the town yesterday. Couldn't resist using them.

Sorry, my apologies to ebay!!! It wasn't them that was at fault but my computer!! I managed to get all the other trees listed from my laptop!!!!

Favourite doily

After a remark I made on HBT I thought I'd better post this doily!!! I must have made it about 355 years ago. Well, slight exageration! I bought the Penelope leaflet (number 4, for those who are interested in the pattern) when it first came out - brand new!!!! Doesn't that date me?! In those dim and distant days there were very few things to make that interested a youngster but this always struck me as being particularly pretty. It's called 'Snowflakes' and below you'll find a picture of it as shown in the leaflet (on the left) and the one remaining finished one that I made. This is worked in sewing silk thread which was the only way I could get colour into my tatting in those prehistoric days. It measures a bare 7" across.

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!

Tatting outside the home!!

Yesterday evening I went to a village a few miles outside of the town I live in to give a talk to a group of women - the subject matter was tatting (well, what else!!).
I took my small suitcase full of bits and pieces including the tattysaurus, some pattern books, a few of my shuttles etc, etc.
The meeting took place in a house - it's a posh village with a lot of wealthy people living there and enormous houses. I'd made notes to follow which were my original notes for the last talk I gave - but with a bit more added. Pamela Myers asked me yesterday how I planned this sort of thing and I told her that I took these notes along but usually just 'winged it'. I find I can't stick to a natural progression as things lead me sideways. Again the hit and miss method works well.
After twenty years in a classroom full of four/five year olds I am able 'go with the feel' of the event as it was happening.
After the talk I had about four people who wanted to learn and they all caught on pretty quickly. There's also another group in the village who have craft meetings and they asked if I was prepared to do a workshop for them. Wonder if it'll happen?
Apparently they all enjoyed it but the biggest compliment came from a lady who said she thought she was eccentric but I'd proved that I was much, much more so!!!!
I gave everybody a little butterfly to take home with them - a real crowd pleaser!!!!

Mystery shuttle - continued

A search on google using the key words 'patent tatting shuttle 1915 ' threw up a link on which I found this:- Correspondence with Mrs. Emma Law regarding her patent on a tattingshuttle. 1915. Here's the url for further information.

I had the following email from Heidi Nakayama

Even though the mystery shuttle looks very similar to the Parker patent, the Parker shuttle was made of bone and the 1868 patent date makes its years apart. Jane, I would suggest to the shuttle owner to visit the US Patent website:

http://www.uspto.gov/patft/

Look for the “Issued Patents” box. Click on “Patent Number Search”. Enter 1,173,102

Click on “Images” to see full description.

The Dill Shuttle is the closest match to this shuttle. The application was filed in 1914 and the patent approved in 1916. There’s a possibility they put 1915 on the shuttle because they thought it would be approved by 1915. The best thing to do is read the description and look at the shuttle to see what similarities there are. There's also a possibility that the mark "Patd 1915" was put on the shuttle to discourage copies or it could be an English patent.

Enjoy researching this, please let me know what the shuttle owner thinks after reading the patent.

Heidi Nakayama

For more information on all American shuttles please read Heidi's book which can be found here.

Another message on HBT from Sharren also suggested looking in Heidi's book. See following.

Heidi Nakayama's Tatting Shuttles book has one similar on page 25, with the caption of "1868 E.N. Parker Patent #76,512, Tollinger Collection.

It looks very similar except the bobbin on the shuttle above is wound using a key. Her dad might have adapted it for her, or it might be something new.
Is there a UK patent office? It might be worth calling them or if they are online, looking through the site.

Jeannette wrote this too

I got a shuttle somewhat similar at a flea market last year. When tilted just right in bright sun light, we were able to read "Goddard". I Googled "Goddard tatting shuttle" and had some hits. It seems mine was made in the 1930's and could be a later style from the same company perhaps?

My bobbin does come out and inside the blade tips is a small piece of the same material that reminds me of a lever type spring. There are no holes in the shuttle or bobbin and no pins to hold it together. Try this: Goddard Tatting Shuttle with Bobbin Celluloid 1930's this is what mine is.

Another suggestion was that there may be a hole in the shuttle for a crank. The owner says this isn't so as there's no sign of a hole.

I will add any further information to this blog if any comes in. I tried accessing the patent site but the images wouldn't show up for me. What a nuisance!!!

Mystery shuttle

A lady recently contacted me about the shuttle below. She'd be very grateful if anybody knows anything about it. Here's part of her messages to me. If you do know anything, could you contact me and I'll pass messages back to her? I can be reached via my web site (janeeborall.com).

My father gave me this shuttle and I would love to find out more about it. If you could just point me in the right direction that would be great. It says PATD. 1915. It is a great shuttle and tats great. I would love some information about it. The bobbin appears to come out. however, I have not removed it. The shuttle is not very flexible and I don't want to take the chance of damaging it. There is also a hole in the center of the bobbin to tie the thread. It appears to be made of French Ivory or Cellulose Acetate.

Other things!

I've reached an impasse in my tatting again!!! Thankfully a friend who I do bits and pieces for rang on Thursday to ask me to do her 50 butterflies. I don't like her pattern for these as they are five 'ringers'. I prefer a six ring butterfly as they always lie flat!! Anyway I've done them so hope to get back to designing again today or tomorrow. Here is one of the bundles with an extra at the side just to show you.

Finally the bag is finished!

On Sunday I listed some more Aero shuttles on ebay - I was lucky enough to come across some more.
I also stuck animals all over the bag. I think it's finished although there is still room for more critters on it. I feel that if I add more then it will be too overpowering!!!
Here is the front.

This is another view of the front looking down onto it.

Next are the two sides.

This is the top at the back which is wider than the front. Yes, tat is a deliberate design feature.

Finally and because I just can't resist a bit of a giggle there's the back!!! Thank you Martha for this pattern and all the others of yours (mainly from New Critters on the Block) which you know is one of my favourites. Hidden because I can show it for a giggle to stop people getting tooooo sentimental over the bag!!!

Gluing onto my bag

I've been gluing the animals onto the bag. This is the glue I've been using. I do like it a lot and am very happy with the results. It really does dry clear although it's a bit 'gluggy' to use. By that I mean it's thick. In a way that's easier than using the ordinary PVA which is toooooo fluid for this type of task. I hope our local craft store continues to stock this glue as I can see me 'needing' it a lot!!

I'm going to test out a sample today to see if it's happy with Scotch Guard and once I've done that and sprayed the bag then I'll be able to use it!!! I will also take some photographs today too.

Last night I did two more Christmas giveaways. See them below.

Luck strikes again!!

In all the years I've been going to the car boot market at the end of the road I've hardly ever seen tatting. I found this yesterday. That's three doilies in two weeks!! I had to release it from captivity!!!! I think I may add the three doilies to my ebay listings eventually and/or my etsy shop. Just really need to admire them for a while, though!!!
I am going to be busy this afternoon as I've got some new pieces of tatting to put on ebay.
A few weeks ago I started making Christmas tree earrings - like the ones I did last year. These proved very popular and I was making them right up til the last few days before Christmas - in spite of having to run (well, waddle quickly) down to the library to use their computers cause our broadband had gone down!!!
I've also got a few more Aero shuttles to list (there are some already on etsy).

Another two

Only two animals got done yesterday. Well it was Friday and a bottle of red wine usually finds it's way into the 'scheme of things' on a Friday evening!!!

I did, however, manage to pin the critters I've already done onto the bag during the afternoon! I raided one of my boxes of completed stuff and found a few more animals to add too. Maybe today I'll get the two new ones on and start sticking them.
Not sure if I mentioned that I got some new glue from our craft store last weekend. It said on the packet that it would stick anything to (more or less) anything but that it was also washable too. Ah, tat's exactly what I needed for my bag!!!
When I got it home and opened up the packet it said that before using you should wash the garment well! Also mentioned that denim should be washed four times before sticking!!! On yer bike, thought I!!! When I made my shopping bag (translated to American as tote bag!) about six months ago I stuck the bits of tatting on with some other glue that I'd got. This isn't washable and I didn't expect the bits to stay on. They're still there and looking just as good as the day they were added!!!
SO, I reckon that I'll just use this stronger glue on the 'virgin' denim and see what happens. After all, if the pieces fall off I can stick them on again AND knowing me - I'll not like the bag in a few months time anyway!!!!
Below are two fishes that got done before the red wine took too great a hold!!!

Playtime!

Well I'm playing. I've still no plan for what is going to go onto the handbag but I'm going to tat lots of bits and pieces. Below is what I've done over the past two/three days. If they aren't used for the bag then I'm sure they'll find a home somewhere else (unless I lose them first!).

I just LOVE Martha Ess's little New Critters on the Block book so that came off the bookshelf too. These are just the right size for the 'in between' places on the bag. I think another evening of tatting should see enough to start sticking them all on. The really, really exciting part!!!

Testing the new handbag!

For the first time in years I've now got a handbag that I like!!! So cool!! The only thing I don't like about it is the fact that it's dull and boring at the moment. So, to put this right I've started to think about decorating it. Well, what would anybody in their right minds want on a handbag?

Tatting, of course!!

As there are many 'facets', sides, ins and outs to this bag this will be a tricky one. So, last night I started on some odds and ends. As usual there is no forward planning to this task - just the regular 'hit and miss' method. I think all those years of planning lessons for youngsters has knocked this skill out of me. OR, did I ever plan that well anyway? Hmmm, won't go down that road!!!
I thought I'd make this an animal bag. So I've started with a gecko and a couple of pigs. There's an owl half done and then I thought I may do a seahorse (or 2). One of the pigs may go elsewhere as a present. Just like doing things in pairs as once a couple of shuttles are wound it's easier to use most of the thread than wind it back onto the ball (ooooooh, I LOVE my Aeros for that!). I always wind thread back onto the ball when I've finished a project so that I know where the thread came from. This also frees up the shuttles. One of the advantages of using a bobbin shuttle.
Anyway, I digress, as usual!!! I may do some flowery bits too but it's early days.
At the only local craft store we have (yes, we do have one - only one) I noticed some glue that they had. This is glue that you can use to stick stuff onto fabric AND still be able to wash the item. I'm going to give this a try on the bag as I doubt it'll need washing that often. Here are the first contestants for a placement on the bag!!!