How Did I Miss That?

When I first started making tatted jewelry I was using edging patterns from one book. The simple modifications needed to turn them into chokers was about the extent of my skills. As I got better, I moved onto new books, more complex vintage patterns and eventually my own designs. I still went back to that first book every so often to recreate a sold item or just to get inspired, but I did not dwell on it.

Yesterday I sold one of those chokers from that book and I sat down to make a new one. I no longer need the pattern so as I tatted I just looked at the lace and I realized something incredible. There was inside this design another design just waiting to be snatched out and created on its own. In fact I saw not one but two new pieces just waiting to be created. I thought, how was it that I did not see this before. I've made this piece perhaps a dozen times and I never saw it. Now I can hardly wait to start on these new pieces inside the choker. Was the design simply waiting until I had developed the skill to see it? I also wonder how many of my other early pieces have gems waiting inside their rings and chains waiting for the moment to emerge.

All this happened just as I was trying to not design any new pieces. I just wanted to stock up for the holidays and rest on my laurels, but I guess my creative side has other plans for me. So in the next week or so, I should have new pieces to show you and hopefully they will be as amazing as the look in my head right now.