Tatting

I really got to work yesterday. Well first we went on what we're now referring to as a Pokéwalk. I'd complain, but not only do I like playing too, it really does as advertised and gets the kids out of the house and moving around. We even interacted with other people, albeit in a somewhat minor fashion. Once back home it was reading and tatting.

The order I got was for a pair of ankle corsets and a pair of barefoot sandals. The ankle corsets I have no issue remaking as I've done it dozens of times, but these particular barefoot sandals sell far less often, so it was in my best interest to remake them while I still had the existing pair right in front of me. This is just the center and the first arm of the piece. I actually finished one of them and then started on the second before the day was out. I knew this was going to happily give me tatting to do for a few days at least.

That family stress event I mentioned a couple of days ago is, I fear, just beginning and may possibly cause quite an upheaval. It's still quite fresh so I feel the need to vent strongly, though I'll try not to and I'll keep what I do say purposefully vague. Suffice it to say, a sizable amount of money falling into my lap from a secret millionaire reader or fan to fix it is my primary daydream at this time. I'm not fool enough to think it would actually happen, but one can dream. I'll just keep making lace hope for the best and try to prepare for the worst.

Ummm...

We had the day off of schooling so we took a nice long morning walk and I managed to finish reading yet another novel all before lunch time. After lunch I took care of the most recent day of the TIAS. I have to tell you I am now utterly boggled as to what this is becoming. Seriously I've got no bloody clue right now. I've also been seriously fudging the bead sizes recommended because I don't have any the proper sizes. I hope they're close enough to work for whatever the heck this is.

After that I got the barefoot sandals finished and listed in the shop. The sun didn't want to cooperate, so I think the pictures are a tad inferior. I also didn't bother to paint my toenails and that's bothering me about them as well. I suppose I can always redo the pictures later if I feel so compelled. The important part is that they are now in the shop and I think they turned out pretty good. I think that also means I'm done with the Black Star motif for now. Maybe I'll have some inspiration today and start something in a new direction. More likely I'll read a lot more and relax a bit. Here's just hoping I have something remotely interesting to share on Monday.

Feet and Read

We had an online teacher meeting yesterday morning for my youngest and it lasted forever. It was also terribly frustrating as we only meet with this particular teacher online. Communication is awkward and we enter that realm where 'why say something in five words, when you can use a hundred to belabor the point', exists. I much prefer emails, but there's nothing for it. We do what we must.

Once all that was over I did get to tatting. It turns out the barefoot sandal idea may just work after all. After this photo I went ahead and gave it straps and went onto it's twin. It should have gone faster, but I was distracted. I should manage to get them finished today. I might even get them listed in the shop.

I was distracted because I decided to finally sign up with goodreads. I was having a hard time keeping track of everything I've been reading lately, so I thought I'd use it for that purpose. I then spent much of the day inputting all the books I've read recently and some on my shelves at home. I've only made a dent in the list of all the books I've ever read, but I really don't think I'll ever even try to do that. I just figured the more I listed the better the recommendations would be. I haven't even thought about reviewing anything yet. I suppose I will eventually. I can't imagine I will use much if any of the social aspects of the site, but I'm relieved to finally have a nice visual list that makes me feel like I'm actually accomplishing something when I finish yet another book.

Another

Another busy day in the books. I started the day getting all the orders I had over the weekend into the mail. Then it was straight to remaking them for the shop. I started with this Medallion Hex. I designed this one about a year ago I think. I like it better in more than one color, but the one that sold was solid black, so that's the one that I remade.

After that was done it was back to the barefoot sandals I've been
working on. They are a much bigger project so I kept putting them down to do smaller ones. I still haven't relisted them in the shop yet, but I did manage to get them done. After that I still have a pair of ankle corsets to make. I always keep two pairs of them made because they take so long to tat up.

Yesterday wasn't a particularity busy sales day, especially compared to the weekend, but I did sell one necklace. I'll work on getting that one remade today as well as the ankle corsets. I'll also keep posting shameless self promotions all day in an effort to keep the ball rolling. Here's to another busy and productive day!

Current Etsy Shop Sale: 25% off with the code HOLIDAY25. Code is good through Nov. 6

Almost Busy

Well, let's see on Friday I did get up to some tatting. I searched through my sold items that I haven't yet remade for something that I should have gotten back into the shop. I found these barefoot sandals. The main structure is based on a classic single shuttle pattern, but since I generally hate thread spaces, I turned it into a woven chain design instead. I've used this same motif to make a neck corset as well, but for the barefoot sandals I just add some more rings a the top along with the other necessary bits for that kind of piece. Really I just remade them so I'd have something to tat and something to visually share.

The rest of the weekend I worked a tiny bit on the pattern for Wednesday. Don't forget I will have a new and inexpensive pendant up for sale for the holiday as well as the matching pattern and at least one more pattern besides. They will all still be for sale after Wednesday, but the special price will be for International Tatting Day only. I kind of got away from the weekend recap there, sorry, though it was mostly just family adventuring. This weekend was the annual plant sale at the local community college and as always we picked up several new plants to attempt to grow at home. If they live, it was meant to be, if we kill them, it wasn't. It's nice to pick up native plants though, especially since we're in a drought and plants that can survive with less water are definitely our choice now.

So yesterday I sold a pair of ankle corsets and that made my weekend really. I already had two pair made, but I'm working on another because they take some time to create and I like to have them always listed in the shop. I also need to get off my lazy butt and finish everything for Wednesday. I kept telling myself that I was far ahead of the game on this project only to realize that I have managed to procrastinate myself all the way to having almost no time left. I leave you with a picture of uncomfortable cat. I think his face beautifully illustrates the panic I'm just now beginning to experience.

Again

It might seem impossible, or perhaps just improbable, but right before schooling the kids yesterday I got two more orders in my etsy shop. Yep, and I was working on making up the black linen earrings at the time as well. So not only was a working on what I said I was going to do, I was also granted an unlikely repeat of the day before. I guess crossing fingers in text works better than I thought.

So I had plenty to work on after schooling. I started with this beaded, woven bracelet. It's a fiddly one to make not only because it has the woven chains which require that I work with a cut piece of thread, but also the base has lock chains that like to twist the ball thread. That mostly means that this bracelet takes twice as long to tat up as another it's size and length, but without those details. I also like it about twice as much as the others I've done in similar sizes.

Even though it takes twice as long, it's still just a small bracelet, so soon I was onto the next piece. This one is much bigger, a pair of barefoot sandals. Not the usual pair that I've remade so many times I could probably make them with my eyes closed. No, these ones are much larger and I think I might have made this design twice, ever. So it definitely required a lot more concentration and at this point I've only managed to finish one of the pair.

Today's tasks include the second barefoot sandal and getting back to the black linen earrings.  I actually made a supply order yesterday since I had had enough sales in a row to justify finally doing so. If I hadn't there would be a lot of necklaces without clasps and earrings without ear-wires in my lace pile very soon. Of course the very fact that I ordered supplies will probably preclude me having another repeat day of sales today, but I'm going to go ahead and cross my fingers for it again anyway. This working on tatting all day long thing has been a treat.

Still Tatting

Another day full of tatting. I know, I can hardly believe it myself. The oldest child finished the novel she was reading for school and I think just having the television on after that put me in the mood for lace making. Seriously, I just seem to concentrate on making better when there is passive entertainment around me. I got a pair of white barefoot sandals made up first. Actually these I made while the child was still reading, so I started yet another novel. She finished reading about the same time I finished making. I'm trying to stop and take pictures just to lively up these posts even though they don't look great unpressed.

Once the television was back on, I was remaking a bracelet that sold quite some time ago. The matching necklace sold as well, so I had to use my listing photos to remind me of the pattern. Unless I've made something dozens of times, I tend to forget the exact patterns. Luckily all I usually need to remember is those pictures. Anyway, this one took a couple of shows to finish and after that I was going to start on the necklace, but I got a custom order in the shop. You have no idea how happy I was to get one of those!

So today I have that custom order to work on and then it's back to the remaking. The husband has today off work, but the kids still have schooling so it might be a weird one. I'm still going to try and keep tatting all weekend though. I need to get back into the habit and hopefully this will encourage the Universe to send some more sales my way as well.

One final note for today. I was just reading Jane's blog this morning and was reminded of the anniversary of Gina's passing. I couldn't let the day pass by without mentioning something of the influence she had on me. Her encouraging comments and emails were so wonderful to me and I don't think I will ever forget those, so here's to the Tatting Goddess!

Lazy

Well yesterday wasn't particularly exciting, but I did manage to get some tatting done. Of course it took longer than usual because me and the kids, well one kid anyway, attended the first virtual assembly for their online school. It was mostly a waste of time, but the kids saw their names on the screen so that made it worth it for them.

It was well after lunch before I had some time to get to work. I took a picture early just in case I didn't finish the barefoot sandals, but I plugged along all day and got them done late in the evening. I was hoping to wake up to something else that needed doing, but no such luck.

The kids have the day off school, but since we have a field trip on Thursday we'll probably do a little anyway just to make up for that. Either way, it should be a lazy day unless my creativity kicks in. What? It could happen.

Thanks Universe

Well, it turns out that the Universe was indeed reading yesterday and decided to throw me some distractions in the form of sales. Early in the day I sold a pair of ankle corsets and late in the evening I sold a necklace that needs to be custom made. So I just wanted to start today's post out with a thanks to the Universe for it's help.

Between those two events and after the family morning at the school event, I did get my newest bracelet and barefoot sandals ready to list. I did only manage to get the sandals in the shop though. I suppose that means I have something fresh to list today as well.

So today, I have a custom piece to work on, a pair of ankle corsets to get remade, a bracelet to list in the shop and following all of that I have a pendant to make and list from the new motif and a few other ideas to work out with it as well. I think that should keep me pretty busy over the weekend and ensure that I have at least one new photo to show you on Monday. I'm still up for more distractions in the form of sales though, as always.

The Motif Grows

For once I can say that I was pretty busy tatting yesterday. No, I didn't get any orders in, I just actually worked on the new motif pieces like I said I would. I started with the bracelet as I was fairly sure I already knew how I was going to do that one. I figured I'd just link up three motifs and add some hooks to one side. Well, that's mostly what I did, but then the three circles stood out in such as way that they most assuredly would curl up on the wearer all the time. We can't have that. So I went and added an outside edging on each side to stabilize the piece. It's not yet pressed in the picture, but I'm happy with how it came out.

Rather than get that piece ready for the shop I went straight to the next piece. A pair of barefoot sandals. This one took a little more brain power to work out. The original motif needed another round to be a good size and I managed to do the outer rows with split chains. I really do need to practice those some more. It was finished up with various sizes of the motif. I got the first one done in time to share it, but it took most of the rest of the day to get its twin made up.

I have another busy family day, with an 'end of year' ceremony for the kids in the early afternoon, but I'm hoping to get some time to get these pieces up in the shop. I'm also going to list the single motif as a pendant and there's also a chance for a slave bracelet or maybe even a necklace. It all depends on how the pieces decide to work, but I do so love to beat a theme to death before I let it go. I would also love to be distracted by a sale or two, you know just in case the Universe is reading this right now.

Forward

If nothing else I was more focused yesterday. I had schooling to do, errands to run and walks to take with the kids. All those things took up the morning and some of the afternoon, but not all of it. I knew that I just wasn't in the right frame of mind to design, so I opted to remake an older piece.

These barefoot sandals sold in December and I finally decided it was time to get them back in the shop. Not least of all, because I just remade the necklace in the same pattern, so much of it was fresh in my mind. Sure there are some dramatic changes from one piece to the other, but it was still much easier to make it when most of it is in short term memory.

I'm still not quite done with them, but I should be right after schooling today, if I don't eek out a little time before to do it. I'll probably do the same thing today and dive back into my sold out pieces and make something else that I must have stalled on remaking so long I forgot about it. I'm still feeling the sting of failure so hopefully a few days of hard work with reawaken my creative side again. You know, the side that easily forgets defeat and forges ahead unafraid.

It Is Becoming

I'm feeling a bit off as of late. I'm not certain as to why, but it's definitely put a cramp in my creative mood. The entire weekend was sale free in the shop, which is likely to have contributed to the oddness, but it's something more than that and it's driving me batty. I shan't dwell on it though. I didn't do much tatting over the weekend because we decided to do a culling of the children's toys. That task took hours and it isn't even close to done yet. I also got in the school supplies for the youngest child and she has so many more books than last year that I decided I best get a new bookshelf before her sister's things arrive as well. It looks like the school year is going to be a time consuming one.

Late Sunday afternoon sore and tired from all those physical labors, I did finally pull out my tatting and get back to modifying the new pattern into things. I got one barefoot sandal done and then moved onto the slave bracelet design. I had wanted to start with the necklace, but the prototype taught me that there would be many more significant changes with that design. The feet and hands were much closer to right, though I did have to do many more changes. More joins to strengthen chains, a new ring toward the bottom for stability and several more stitch changes to make the piece lay right on rounded body parts.

Today I have the second barefoot sandal to finish and if all goes as planned, I'll get both new pieces listed. Then I'll get back to designing the necklace version. I think I know what I need to do to get it into the shape I want, but I already have an immense pile of prototypes and I just hate having all that wasted lace. I'll probably do a heck of a lot of thinking about the pattern changes before I put them to the needle. I'm also going to need to write up the stitch counts for this thing because they are all over the place. Usually I try for similar counts throughout a piece, but this needed so many changes that I fear even I won't remember if I don't note them.

I'm also hoping that the oddness works itself out today. Maybe I need to sell something or maybe I just need to get out of my head a little bit. Whatever I actually need, here's to it happening for me today so I can get back to what passes for my normal.

Feet

Well, yesterday was decidedly less productive that the day before. I made my feet as pretty as possible in the morning, after months of hibernation, in anticipation of finishing the second barefoot sandal and getting pictures of them, but I didn't get that done until well after noon or so. It was a pretty dreary day and I was terribly unmotivated, but at least they were a success. They are probably the densest barefoot sandal design thus far. I'm, still deciding whether or not to list the slave bracelet version. I most likely will, but I'll go back and forth a bit on it first.

One thing I am certain of is that the necklace version I worked on much of the day was an unmitigated disaster. I mean it was a complete wreck. The saddest part is that I had to make the whole thing up to make that decision essentially wasting hours of the day on a failed experiment. I guess they can't all be winners right out of the box, right?

Looks like I have day 5 of the TIAS to do this morning and then it's back to schooling today. I have no idea why they decided to start the school week on a Thursday, but what are you gonna do? So then after that I might get the slave bracelet listed or I might get working on something else. It's also possible that I'll actually hear back from the customer who left a note on their order to make something in white 'or' teal. Why, 'or'? I don't understand why you wouldn't say something like 'I'd like them in white and if you can't do that teal would be fine.' Now I'm stuck waiting to hear back on which they'd prefer because they are of course both equally possible, before I can get the order made. Obviously I'm crossing my fingers that I hear soon so I can get that knocked out quickly. Man, it's been an odd week.

Back To Work

Perhaps I was subtly influenced by other tatters without realizing it, but when I went on a hunt yesterday morning for an interesting old pattern to adapt, I ended up in the pages of the Priscilla book No. 2. Of course I didn't realize that's what everyone else was doing until I was browsing blogs this morning, so maybe it was a psychic connection. Anyway I ended up picking a triangular motif that belongs to the center mat. First I always tat patterns as written because I've found with these older patterns that they always end up looking much different that the pictures so I can't make any modifications until I see what it 'really' looks like and how each element of the lace behaves.

The next step for me is to muck with the pattern a bit. First I change small things like the number of picots. For this one, there are just too many decorative ones for my liking. I also change the size of them so the joins are tighter where I think they should be and add joins to increase the stability. Floppy is fine for a doily lying on a table, not so much for a wearable piece. Then it's onto the decision of what it is to become. My first thought was barefoot sandal or slave bracelet and since my feet are firmly ensconced in socks I started with the bracelet idea and began further mucking the pattern on the outside row to give me the shape I needed.

The bracelet came out okay, but a little large and not just in the size of the motif itself, but too big around for my hand. That's not necessarily a bad this as I have ridiculously small wrists and making things to fit other people well is a good thing so it will likely end up in the shop. either way designing it provided me with the base for the barefoot sandals and after employing my daughter as a test foot since she wasn't wearing socks, silly child, I determined it would work well and got to work on that idea.

I did a few more stitch count changes and again added some more joins for the barefoot sandal version, but the biggest difference was simply the crochet ties. I wasn't too keen on pulling off my long, comfy socks to get a picture, but I did anyway. You will note though that I applied quite the filter on the picture to obfuscate the quality of my winter skin. I also sense a necklace in this pattern as well and that, as well as the twin to this barefoot sandal are on the agenda today. If only they could have imagined back in what 1915 that a small motif design for fancy tableware would be abused in such a fashion.

Before I go I wanted to say thanks for all the well wishes regarding my stomach bug. Clearly I was feeling much better yesterday though all this work was done firmly seated in a resting position. We have one last day of vacation from homeschooling so this is my last burst of creativity for a while. I also have one secret project in the works. It's nothing new that's making, but rather...well, I just won't say anything more until it's all finalized. In fact, forget I said anything. I had a good day and I'm looking forward to another one today. Hopes yours is good as well.

New and Now I'm Tired

Man, did I make Monday count and I think I regret it this morning. I did the dishes, laundry, vacuumed and cleaned all the tile floors downstairs. I went on a walk with the kids in the morning and remade two sold pieces for the store. I had a few long email questions to answer and pulled weeds in the front yard. No, I'm not sure what got into me. I suppose I was making up for a week of general sloth, but this morning my back is a bit sore and I'm not entirely sure that I even want to be awake at this point.

I also got the new piece done, photographed and listed. I really like how these turned out. I used actual metal chains on the side of the design instead of tatted ones because I thought it gave it a little decorative touch without taking away from the lace. They also weigh down the sides on the center motif just a bit so it lays better on the foot. Usually I would use silver plated, but since it's on ones feet, I opted for the inexpensive silver toned stuff. It's lighter, but it does the job. These also look cute in shoes as well which is why I'm calling them both barefoot sandals and ankle corsets. Since I used the Ambrosius pattern, I can do them in two colors as well. I might even do that at some point just to have them listed as such, but I still have a few pieces that need remaking that I want to get to first.

So that's my task for today, work on getting some things remade. Since all the housework...OK, most of the housework is caught up on, I think I've earned a good sit on my tush and tat day. Just me, my needle and thread...and the kids trying to kill each other because summer is one month too long. C'est la vie, right?

It's Summer Now

I tried to be lazy, I swear. Of course it was pointed out to me during the course of the day that I might not actually know the meaning of that word. It's true...I mean I know what it is as a concept and I often describe myself as lazy for not doing what I don't want to, but you know that I can't stop moving, or doing for any length of time. Yesterday began with laundry and dishes and then when it would have been school time, me and the girls went on a nice walk. We saw bugs, a freshly downed tree, a ridiculous number of swallows and finally something we have never seen around these parts...a raccoon. Squirrels, rabbits, hares, even evidence of serious beaver activity, sure, but this is the first raccoon.

When we got home, I tried to be lazy some more, but there was still laundry to do. I did manage to waste some time playing a ridiculous iphone game, but then I beat it and I had to do something else with my time. So I picked up some yellow thread and made another pair of the new barefoot sandals with teal beads. In a wonderful twist, after I showed just this one on facebook the pair was already spoken for and it was purchased before I could even list them. So there is a good chance that I'll be doing up a pair of them again today so I can list them. Apparently the color combination is quite appealing and seasonally appropriate.

So that was my lazy day and now here we are at Friday. We will probably go on another walk very early this morning because it's supposed to break 100º and that means I'm hibernating. Or the opposite of that. What's it called when you hide inside an air conditioned cave to avoid the heat? I'm not sure there's a word for it, but that's what I'll be doing from noon on. Then I'll make up another pair of yellow barefoot sandals and hopefully have a pleasant weekend.

What A Day

What a Monday. To be fair I knew it was going to be an odd day from the start. I try so hard to get normal Monday things done, but when it's a holiday and the husband is home and there's no schooling, there is a limit to what I can do. I managed to finish the teal barefoot sandal and get all three pairs photographed and listed early in the morning. I opted for some outdoor pictures too. I thought they might be received better in context.

Next up was a bike ride with the family as predicted. We live about a block from a nice bike path, so we did a whole circuit around before coming back in time for lunch. I feel surprisingly good this morning despite the exercise. I was certain my legs would be annoyed since I got one of those cruiser bicycles with no gears, but they seem okay with it. I'm sure it helped that I spent much time coasting and stopping and going so the youngest could catch up.

Then we ran a few errands and I bought a bunch of seed beads just in case there are color requests for the new sandals. I have very few colors on hand because I use them so little, but it's always easier to have things on hand than to have to run out should the need arise. After the errands it was home again for the rest of the day. I got a few small sales throughout the day and actually had time to remake much of what was sold. It was quite the day indeed.

So what's on the agenda for today? Well, schooling is in session for two more days and the oldest has her annual doctor visit this morning. Those always throw the rest of the off a bit. I got a custom request yesterday for a half dozen medallions, but the customer hasn't made their purchase yet. If they do, I've got that to work on. If they don't. I might make yet another pair of sandals. I know I should wait until one sells, but they're kind of fun. I guess we'll just have to wait and see how the day goes.

I'm Barefoot Again

Well hello there Monday, it's been another long weekend. Saturday was the last family birthday party for the year. Sure, both me and the husband have birthdays yet to come this summer, but we hardly count. There are no balloons, bouncy houses nor streamers to set up for us and I am so happy to be on the other side of all that for one more year, whew.

What's crazy is I was able to come up with a new barefoot sandal design and make a couple of pairs over the weekend among all that craziness. Let me back up though because this is all a friends fault. I used to do a lot of blog  interviews and they always asked what my influences or inspirations were. I always wished I had some intelligent, educated answer, a list of designers or art movements, but I didn't. I would try to fake it and tell people it was the Victorian era or some such nonsense. The real truth of my inspirations are much more mundane. A stroll through the internet, a random image on the television, a comment or request from a customer, or just flipping through a vintage pattern book with a wandering mind.

This time it was an email forwarded to me by a friend full of barefoot sandals. One detail of one design caught my eye and I proceeded to figure how I could use that one detail to create something completely different. The detail? It was a pair with two toe loops. You also know how I love to beat a pattern to death by using variations of it on as many different kinds of pieces as possible, so I used the same vine like pattern as my last necklace and anklet. Of course all I have right now are these phone pictures of them, but I made the first pair in black without any beads and the second I did in white with silver plated beads.

And before you ask, they are surprisingly comfortable. When I do an entirely new design element, I like to test it out a bit so I wore the prototype pair about the house for a while. I crocheted the loops this time too because I figure while most people are used to flip flops with something between their two big toes, the loop around the pinkie would be a tighter fit and I just didn't think a spiral chain would be comfortable. I also started making a third pair in teal with some matching beads. I asked on twitter and facebook for color suggestions and that was the only repeat color. Man there were a lot of color suggestions though.

Hopefully I'll get a few minutes today to finish the teal pair, get them all photographed, and get them all listed too. We picked up some cheap bikes yesterday so we can ride with the kids, so we're certain to do that today. On a side note while you may never forget how to ride a bike, after a decade or so the first few minute on one again are kinda hairy. Though it will certainly beat running along side the kids so they can ride their bikes. There's no schooling today, but we have our last two days tomorrow and Wednesday and then it's technically summer, so be prepared for me to go mad in a couple of weeks.

Hands And Feet

First off, thanks for all the comments yesterday though you didn't really help narrow down the giveaway item much. That's okay though I think I have a fine idea you'll like for it regardless. The giveaway won't be up until tomorrow and you will only have until I post Monday morning to enter...you have been warned.

Yesterday after schooling I got the new slave bracelet all listed. Sometimes pricing these pieces gets difficult though. This one for example is far more complex in design and execution than a similarly sized one, but I'd doubt the difference would be terribly apparent to the average person, so do I charge what it's complexity demands or do I take a small hit on price to keep in line with perceived value. Well, in the end I decided that since I actually enjoy making the design unlike some others that I'm burned out on, so I'll take the hit...at least for now.

At this point I started back on the barefoot sandals and I have to say that I really like the way these ones turned out. I tried them on with heels as well and they look pretty neat that way too. Of course the only downside to making another foot accessory is that my flickr account will soon be deluged with foot fetishist attention. It's not too bad though, only a few of them are really creepy and I really do like making them.

Let's see, what else? Well, I finally got a sale around bedtime last night. I don't mind telling you it was quite a relief. Even when I do everything right, my income is still reliant on other peoples shopping whims and worse their budgets. And that's assuming that I ever to everything right. I mostly just make stuff I like, list it and remain chatty online, but I digress. I think I'm done with new pieces from the scroll design. I will definitely be making more of them in different color variations, but I think I'm done with the line as it were. I got halfway through a brown one yesterday that I should get finished and up today and then I get to remake the sale items from last night which should use up the day.

Oh, and do remember to pop by tomorrow or over the weekend to get entered in the giveaway.

More Scrolls

So the new choker got listed yesterday right after schooling which did go much smoother on day two. I suppose it just takes her a bit to get back into the swing of things. The choker was not nearly as well received as the necklaces that preceded it. Add that to the complete lack of sales lately and I was pretty bummed after that. Though honestly I'm not 100% in love with some of my choices on the pieces either. It will probably end up being a one off with the next version slightly different particularly at the top edge.

Once I finished sulking I had other ideas though and I got to work on a bracelet idea for the design. It too took a little extra work to make happen. I mostly used the choker as a base, but the center scrolling had to be longer and I added the same motif I used on the sides of the choker to the center top. I wasn't sure until the very end whether it was going to be a slave bracelet or not, but if definitely looks better like that. The sun was already nearly gone by the time I finished this one, so it's still waiting for it's shop debut.

As one piece seems to inspire another, so did the slave bracelet get tried on my foot to see if it could become a barefoot sandal. Guess what? It can. Again there were some adjustments to be made to the design, but honestly the fewest between pieces. The main body was already large enough and I mostly had to shorten the bracelets length and add the crochet chain ties. I only got one done yesterday and it was really late by this point. Mind you my really late is much earlier than yours likely is, but still it was the last thing I did for the day. All the new stuff still needs to be pressed and worn around a bit to make sure it's all battle ready, but I should be able to finish the other sandal and get both those and the bracelet listed today.

Last bit for today is an announcement and a question. Friday will be my 1000th blog post here and after some goading yesterday my blog follower numbers just hit 500. Yes, I know that means I have babbled quite a lot in the last few years. The point is I'd like to do something to mark the occasion and a giveaway usually does the trick. So now for the question: What would you like to win? Be honest now, what would make you take the time to leave a comment to enter? I will seriously consider all suggestions and the giveaway will go up on Friday with a winner pulled on Monday.