A Mask Returns

Yes, I did spend a little too much time playing with the new phone. I swear I waiting until after schooling to do it. Then the children went of with Grandma for the afternoon and I wondered what to do with my time.

I thought on working on something new, but decided to instead work on something that I haven't remade is probably a year. I loved this mask, but since I stiffen it, there is an extra step involved in its creation. Apparently that was all I needed to put off remaking it until I couldn't even remember how to do it.

So I pulled up all the pictures I had on hand and tried to work out the pattern again. Yes, I am aware none of this would happen if I would just write down the damn patterns when I create them. You know that's not happening anytime soon, so why bring it up.

There were a couple of false starts, but they it all came back to me and I whipped though the piece. It does help when the kids are out and there's nothing too interesting on the television to distract me.

It should be all dry from the stiffening stuff this morning, but I did list it last night. I really didn't think it would sell overnight and it didn't. I might dig though my sold pieces and see if there is anything else I can get remade that I've been putting off. I've been getting lots of questions and wholesale inquires yesterday, but since I don't do wholesale and the small discount I can offer a bulk sale is apparently not so appealing, none of them has led to sales. Somehow it's hard for folks to grasps that making more of something individually handmade doesn't make it easier or faster to create, so why would I want to do more work and make half per piece so someone else can make some money on it, especially if they just sell online, potentially creating competition for myself. Oh well, at least I get nice compliments when they ask.

Yikes

What a day I had. Right after I finished writing here I went to exercise as is my way. Only at some point I stretched wrong and my lower back screamed in agony. It remained pretty annoyed with me all day long hampering many of my daily tasks. Of course this morning is seems to be almost all better, so whatever I did wasn't all that bad.

But wait, that's just the beginning of my odd day. Then I received an email meant for someone else, another tatter based on the pattern requested, which was weird enough by itself, but the request in the email was to use tatting designs as machine embroidery patterns. Honestly, I'm glad it wasn't for me, I would have said no quite quickly. I went over to intatters to share and discuss because I was curious about the prevailing opinion on this sort of thing. I was also directed to a conversation that had already taken place when these machine embroidery "tatting" patterns were discovered by others. I just think it would be silly to give someone permission to easily recreate your designs with a machine, even if we, as tatters, can tell the difference, the public may not. But I don't need to get all into this again, it was weird, that is all.

I also got the new mask all photographed and listed. The stiffening worked just as I hoped. It is comfortable on the face and holds it's shape well enough to put it on over glasses. I even used the last listing photo to demonstrate. Of course I was wearing my glasses and my contacts at the same time so I can't see a thing, but I swear it worked. I just looped the ribbon around the arms before tying it on as usual and the mask hugged my glasses.

Next up was the other weird moment. I received an email with an offer for a possible major magazine photo shoot that requested the use of my fancy Masquerade mask, the one that I have on hand. I had to say no though. I know, I know, why would I do that? Well the request had conditions attached to it. I needed to be able to say I could reproduce the item in multiples and ensure its availability after a certain date. With the length of time it takes to create those masks, there was no way I could honestly claim that. They also needed the mask today on the other coast which would have meant some seriously quick overnight shipping. I know my husband is disappointed that I didn't do it, but it just wasn't feasible. The person I talked to was quite understanding and said that they'd keep me in mind for future projects. I certainly hope that's true and I haven't just blown a once in a lifetime sort of thing. Sometimes we just have to say no even when we really, really want to say yes.

Well, I think that was all the weird for the day. Well that and my shop has just broke 300 items listed. I'm not sure that's a good thing at all, but slow sales or not I have to keep making things, it's what keeps me sane. I don't have any specific tasks in queue for today, but I'm sure I get the bug to make or remake something. Man, how can it only be Thursday?

Mask On A Stick

It worked. That's right, I did not destroy the mask, not at all. The mask was just flexible enough for me to further shape it yesterday morning. I get the impression that if I had dipped the tatting into the fa-brick stuff, as is one suggestion on the bottle, that it would have been rock hard. I painted it on either side using a dabbing motion to really get it into the lace. I am quite pleased with the results. There was no discoloration of the lace once it was dry and it gave it a nice shine without taking away the texture and as a bonus when I placed it on my face, it wasn't scratchy at all. This means I can stiffen a mask meant to be worn on the face with it should I need to. I do still prefer my lace soft though.

I also got photos of it and got it listed yesterday. The only hitch was figuring out the shipping cost. It is barely heavier than my other pieces, but that stick is kind of a game changer. Not to mention the shape of the mask requires that I not put it in an envelope. I admit I got a bit frustrated with trying to work out the international shipping costs so I left them off the listing entirely. I made a note at the end of the listing that I would ship anywhere, I would just offer a quote to prospective out of country buyers. That way I can be more specific and won't accidentally undercharge. These are the times I wish I wasn't every department of my micro business, but that's was way it is.

I did begin work on a second mask with this pattern with the intention of lightly stiffening it to be worn on the face. However,  I also discovered with the stiffened mask that it would be easier to wear it over glasses that way. So it may get fully stiffened after all. I'll get that finished today and figure it out when it's done I suppose. The shop has been as quiet as a ghost for days now...again, so I don't have any other tasks on tap. I might still play with that hat I was writing about yesterday. Yeah, I still don't know, but the mask on a stick is done and I'm at least happy with that.

New Mask!

Good Monday morning world or the small segment of it that reads this. I really tried to have a pointless weekend, but I needed to do something new. To that end I first tried something only slightly new on Friday. I added crystals to the extra wide ring design, mostly to see how it would feel and work. It gave me something to do and talk about online for a spell and I think that's what I really needed, you know, some point to babbling online. It did turn out comfortable by the way. The crystals sit on the outside of the lace so it's really no different to wear than the other version on the wide ring.

After doing our normal Saturday errands and an extra walk around the creek I had a bit of an epiphany regarding the potential mask on a stick. Since it will be on a stick and doesn't have to sit perfectly on a face, I have more leeway with design. So I started with a completely new eye shape and then started working on a new design. I know I've said that I generally make up designs as I tat, but usually I at least have an idea of where I'm going with it before I start up. This was completely off the cuff the entire time. With the new eye shape I had no idea where to begin or what I wanted. I just started, made it up as I went, unmade it a few times around the first eye and then attempted to recreate the same thing on the second side. The center was another drama as I still needed to get a bridge wire in there, but I didn't plan for one in advance. So, I guess what I'm saying is I'm truly shocked that this seemed to have worked out.

Next up was the truly frightening task of stiffening the mask so I can put the sucker on an stick. Those details still have yet to be fully worked out either, but I did know that I wanted the mask stiff first so that what I started on last night. I used the 'Amazing fa-brick' and painted it on straight while the mask was shaped on a cheap plastic mask base. This stuff dries to the touch pretty fast except that I did both sides so by bedtime it was still sticky. I still wasn't certain that I wasn't really just destroying the mask, but nothing ventured nothing gained. It seems okay this morning upon a cursory examination, but later I'll really get to play with and see if it was a success and what else needs to be done to finish the piece. Once that's done I may make this design up again as a wearable mask because I'm kind of in love with the shape. Don't worry, you'll get all the details on the success or failure of the stiffening as soon as I've formed an opinion.

So the mask is the plan for today though I also ran across my tatted hat yesterday. It was the first project I shared on this blog and it never sold, so I'm thinking about getting new pictures and listing it again or if the stiffening works, maybe turning it into a sculpted bowl, maybe paint it or something crazy and artistic...who knows. The hat is shown here and I'd love your opinion on the subject if you have the time. Alright, off to it then.

Done And Done

I'm pretty proud of myself today. I managed to do exactly what I said I would yesterday. I finished up the embroidery on the second mask then got both of them photographed and listed. Usually I like to spread listings out to get more attention, but honestly I just wanted to have it done. So they're both listed with the same name, 'You Have No Power Over Me' and maybe I can move on from this glut of mask masking.

Once that was done I got to reading the review book and I am currently about 80 pages from the end. Hopefully I can knock those out today and write up the review tomorrow after I look up how to write a book review. I know I might be taking this all a bit too seriously, but I figure it's better to give it my my full attention than treat it like a bother if I ever want the privilege again.

I felt the need to get back to tatting after all that focused reading and that bracelet that didn't want to be made the other day flew off my needle with no mistakes at all. I've got another bracelet waiting to be remade today and unless another project presents itself, I might just look and see what else I have listed as custom pieces and get them worked up as well. That or I might do a little sewing as I have a couple of t-shirts that need to be girl fitted if I actually want to wear them ever. I guess what I'm saying is I have absolutely no idea how today is going to shape up, but I have to throw all the possibilities out there to see what sticks. I've also been told I might want to clean up my space in our 'computer' room if I don't want the husband to clean it his way. This is a real threat that should not be ignored. I suppose then that I take my pick of the tasks and hope for the best.

Why Not Make Two

When I asked all my Internet acquaintances about the embellishment of the new mask, I added a third option to make another mask to embellish leaving the first plain. This is the choice that seemed to garner the most support. Honestly I found it a great idea because it gave me an excuse to make the mask again right away and not only work out the best wire placement, but also help me remember the pattern I just created for the next time. Often when I sell something, I spend the hours before I ship it using the piece as a template to make its replacement. Sure, I write down some of my patterns, but rarely the masks. I do have some of them completely memorized, but that takes repetition and now the new mask has been repeated.

So once I finished covering the wire on the first one, I started on the second mask. This time around, I made the eye wires with extensions to the sides and worked a portion of all three rounds over the wire. This is quite a fiddly process, but it gave the pointed corners all the support they will need and it looks much neater on the back side. Then it was onto the crystals and embroidery. I decided to go light on both of those. The crystals you can see here and the embroidery just goes around the perimeter. I still need to embroider around the eyes today and then I'm done. The very simple bottom edge of this mask helps it work up quickly and once I perfect working around the wires it will be even faster.

Hopefully I'll get the rest of the embroidery done quickly this morning  and get both the plain and embellished mask photographed and listed today. I barely did any reading yesterday in favor of mask making, so I really need to read at least 100 pages of the review book. So far its pretty good, but the language is rife with complex sounding made up words and that makes speed reading very difficult. I have to pay a lot more attention to ascribe the intended meaning. Regardless, those are my tasks for today. Reading, embroidery and photo taking, oh my.

Yet Another Mask

Progress has been made, but not until after some serious fail and we'll start there. So I'm happily remaking some small pendants. I even get new pictures of one of them to replace the sad ones I had been using. Then I take  bit of a break from tatting to get the Wunderkammer scheduled and waste some time online. After that I start to remake a bracelet. Three motifs in, I realize the centers are all wrong, so I cut my losses and start again. Three motifs into the second try I realize that I messed up the second two motif, so I cut those out. At this point I've begun to start reading and tatting at the same time. Apparently the Wunderkammer landed on some Steampunk blog list that scored me a review copy of a book. So I feel I must read it quickly and you know, review it so perhaps I will get more sweet free in the future. Anyway, I'm reading and tatting and I make yet another mistake that cannot be easily corrected. This is when I give up both pursuits, toss on a movie to watch instead and turned my attention to the mask. That bracelet clearly did not want to get made.

So to the mask. The first different thing about this one is the eye wires. I adjusted their shape to have a more cat eye shape and tried to keep them pointed up at the corners just a bit. Then I added the center motif though the eyes weren't pulled up in the corners as much as I wanted at this point.

Next up is a second row based on the same one I used for the Masquerade masks. I knew I needed to modify that a lot to get the point, but I opted to just start working on it and make it up as I went. The problem I faced was the tips were going to need wire to stand well and though I had anticipated that I was not ahead of myself enough to have tatted it in on the first side in all the places I did on the second side. I worked something out that will be just fine, but the second version of this mask will definitely be a little prettier on the back side.

I still need to cover the eye wires and then decide whether it needs some crystals and embroidery or not. Part of me wants to make it the little sister to the Masquerade masks with similar embellishments and a much smaller price tag. Then there is the other part of me that just wants it to be done. I suppose that when I finish the wires I'll make that decision or maybe I'll ask twitter or facebook for their opinions later. Either way, that's the only tatting task on the agenda today...I think. I have almost recovered all the energy I lost over the weekend so I guess I'll try to get in some speed reading too so hopefully I'll be able to post that book review on Saturday once I figure out how to properly write one...I hope there are no rules I'm unaware of here. Well, off to it then.

Dia de los Muertos

What a productive day for finishing things. First I wrapped up the sequins mask and presented it to the customer for approval. I was asked to make a small adjustment and once that was done, it was packed up and will be off this morning to its new owner. Once that was done I made the decision to go ahead and list the mask as a custom order after changing some of the listing language to reflect that.

The listing is back up, but look at the original photo, there are more in the listing of course and tell me how I did on the reconstruction from photos. I know it seems a bit taller than wide, but I swear it's the same shape on my face. I just wanted it to stand up on its own so I shaped it a bit for the photo. That's one of the fun parts about the wire base. Either way, the customer did like it so I am relieved and am moving on.

I also finished up the sugar skull mask. I did add a few sequins dotted along the edge with beads. I also decided on a string of extremely tiny seed beads lining the outside. These beads are so small, I have no needle small enough except the collapsible eye one I use for stringing beads. So I made a string and tacked it down every few beads. There were also more embroidered swirls as well as embroidery around the eyes and bottom edge. Even when I thought I was done, I went back and added another embroidered swirl. I know they are pretty subtle in the photos, but I think the details make all the difference when you're holding the piece in your hands.

I did also get out the good camera to get pictures of it. In fact I had the goofy thought that it might look good on my skull cookie jar. Yes, I have a skull cookie jar, this should not surprise you. What was surprising is that it lined up with the skull on the jar almost perfectly which was completely unplanned. In fact the only big difference is the shape of the eyes. In retrospect I should have gone for rounder eye wires, but I'm just so used to the cat eye shape. Maybe if the mask is well received I'll make another with different colored embellishments and the eye shape change, but there's no sense in getting ahead of myself. I almost like the cookie jar pictures enough to use them as the listing photos instead of modeled ones. I might try some out today and just see which look better, or perhaps both as I imagine people do like to see how it looks on a person before they drop that kind of dough on a piece.

So today I have a little remaking to do and maybe the afore mentioned photos. I have a lovely weekend planned with too much to do. There's the Captain America movie, a kids clinic at Lowe's and a get together at a friends house for some much needed grown up social interaction. Then I suppose Sunday is for resting so I probably won't have much to share on Monday. I hope you have a lovely weekend as well.

Feedback

I've been selling my creations to people over the Internet for quite a few years now. Even given that length of time and the general lack of negative comments, I still get anxious about how pieces, particularly custom ones, will be received. Since feedback on etsy is optional I often get none and am often left wondering whether they disliked it, but not enough to leave bad feedback. I am forced in these instances to fall back on the old adage that no news is good news. The reason I bring this up is the sweet relief I felt when I received this feedback yesterday for the stick mask I just sent off:

"My Mask arrived today. It is breathtaking. I can not tell you how happy I am with your fast service, your prompt response (even while on vacation!) to emails and the speed of shipping my order to me. Thank you. My wedding day will be that much better with your work on my face and I am so grateful!"

That, my friends is the sweetest relief.  I was very nearly terrified to send that piece off. Sure, I thought it looked good and I had tested the stability of the the design, but when a customer buys something sight unseen you can never know how it will be received until it is. So a big thank you to this customer and all customers that leave feedback to ease my anxious mind.

I did get tons of work done on the commissioned mask yesterday and while I was making it I saw the potential for another new mask design. Each time I make one of these large masks, I work them up in a slightly different way. Usual it's to find the most effective way to make it, this time it was to try to replicate the shape of the first mask without all the split rings I used then. See how the center sticks up and then there is a slight point on each side. It will need some refining and I will likely bring those side point up a bit higher to define them, but this mask is definitely coming in the future.

Rather than get distracted by the potential new creation, I managed to stay on task and got the piece all the way to the embellishment stage.  I had started the mask the night before so this all got done on day two of construction. The center side bits are different than the mask I'm trying to replicate, but the shape is the same. The differences at this point won't matter though since those areas will be covered in sequins. I made the tatting denser to hopefully make sewing those on easier. There were many free floating ones in the first mask and that was a bloody pain in the neck to do. Even with the improvements to the design, sequins are a long and tedious process, so there will still be a few more days on this mask, but barring any unforeseen circumstances it should be done well before the 'up to two weeks' quoted to the customer. Now, I just need to stop stabbing my fingers with the sewing needle and we're gold.

Masks, Masks, And More Masks

Ah, the other side of the weekend. It was a a fairly quiet few days aside from the huge, I must clean the house for no good reason, that came over me on Friday. Okay, so I do know what came over me...I was hitting rock bottom in a rut. These happen periodically, first I get tired of the routine and I start avoiding any extra cleaning beyond the necessary maintenance. Then annoyance at nothing cleaning itself wells up until I snap and spend two or three days cleaning carpets and floors and generally behaving is a mildly crazy way that frankly scares my husband a bit. This usually ends in a rant regarding all the things that annoy me and finally a realization and acceptance that most of these things won't change, but I will still be fine. I shrug my shoulders and get back to work.

So about that work. I spent much of Friday, when I wasn't cleaning, remaking the small things that had sold recently. Saturday I got to work a little bit on the new mask. I've reached the embellishment phase of the piece. Once the wires are covered these masks always take their form so quickly.  They go from a pile of loose lace to a nearly perfect mask form. For this one I've added black and red crystals as well as these silver filigree bits. I've only begun on the embroidery now. I'm using a black thread with a silver filament for this one. It pulls and separates a bit more than the silver I used for the other masks, but I wanted the black to pull the piece together a bit more. I do, however, have to put this one on the back burner again as I have a commission to work on.

Starting Saturday afternoon, there was a discussion with a customer the possible remaking of my first Masquerade mask. I explained that it was a one of a kind creation and that I could never remake it exactly and I pointed them to the newer one. Honestly, I didn't really think the customer was making a serious inquiry as the cost of the mask is so high it makes me immediately skeptical. The conversation went on after that when I further suggested that I could make something similar, but it would not be exact. To my surprise the customer returned Sunday with a thorough explanation of the elements they loved from the first mask and an obvious intent to purchase. So, I now have a commission with half paid up front to create a twin to the first mask. It will be a fraternal twin, but with the information the customer provided, I feel confident that I can create one that will please them. Hell, I wish all custom work came with such details.

I was a little uncomfortable with the idea of invalidating the first mask as a one of a kind creation though. Most of my pieces are easily recreated, but the ones I make with the intent to not remake...well, they are like a piece of art to me. I feel like part of their value is that there is not another one like it anywhere. So my intent with this commission is to create a piece similar enough to please the customer that is still one of a kind. It should be quite the challenge and of course all I will be doing until it is done. That reminds me, I need to buy more sequins.

Stick Mask

One down and one to go. I finished embellishing the purple mask yesterday morning and took a trip to Michael's for the final bits I needed. The customer wanted a longer mask handle so I needed a long dowel, some ribbon, hot glue and my trusty dremel tool. I used the dremel to cut the dowel to length, flatten and smooth the edges and then I started with the ribbon and hot glue. It just took a bit every few inches to keep the ribbon wrapping around the stick. Then it was back to the dremel to drill some holes in the top edge which I used to sew the mask to the stick.

I feel I must also point out that none of the pictures you've seen so far accurately depict the color of the mask because it is truly impossible to capture with my phone camera. In case you were wondering, it is the Lizbeth dark purple that I've used before. If I use my real camera it comes out just fine, but never with the phone and in progress pictures are so much easier with the phone. Since it's not being listed all you get are these phone pics. At least they show you that it was a successful enterprise to make a tatted mask stiff enough to stick on...well, a stick.

I spent rather a long time figuring out the best way to pack the piece. If the stick had been a mere 12 inches it would have been much easier, but luckily I had an old priority box on hand with the dimensions to make it work. Of course this still required creative packing to ensure nothing is bent and extra stuffing to keep the piece in the center of the box away from potential harm. The plan is to get it out this morning.

Once all that was done it was back to the other mask. I've been teasing the facebook fan page with images of it without explanation hoping that at some point it becomes obvious what I'm trying to make. So far no one has gotten it in a way that reassures me that the depiction is good. I'm getting a bit worried that it doesn't look like what it is suppose to, but I'm hoping that the embellishments at the end will fix that. I really would hate to go to all the trouble and have people just look at it and ask, what the hell is that suppose to be?'. That would be disappointing indeed.

Anyway, I got the fill in bits done and the eye wires covered. Next up is covering the larger wire and then it will be onto the embellishment phase. I might take a break on it though as I've been neglecting the business of remaking sold items. There haven't been a lot of them, but they are beginning to pile up on me with the masks and the vacation, so I really ought to buckle down and get the things that actually make me money done. Yes, I'm aware if these large masks sell they will also make me money. History, however, tells me that these masks are art pieces and will be around for a very long time before they sell if they ever do so I can only devote so much time to them. So steady remaking today it is, but hopefully I'll have some mask progress for you by Monday.

Mask On A Stick

I'm definitely back into the swing of things now. The husband had stayed home one more day to recover from vacation, so there were bike rides and errands to run with the family, but tatting got done. I mentioned that I was making a mask on a stick. I wish this were a simple case of make a mask as per usual and glue a stick on the side, but it is not. Since my masks are meant to comfortably fit ones face, they are generally a floppy, unformed piece with wire only where needed. This one needs serious reinforcement to hold itself up when supported by a single point, the stick. First off that meant adding two additional wire pieces across the nose. One I tatted directly over and the other two were put in like normal, but spaced to provide almost solid support.

The second upgrade was a completely reshaped eye wire. This time the wire included a bit straight out to the side that I also tatted directly over to hold up the clover on the sides. You can see just the end of it poking out from the lace at the top of the clover. Tatting over wire structures is always a slower, more deliberate process, but for this mask, absolutely necessary.  Once I got all the tatting done I covered the wires. This too took more steps with the added center wires, but once it was done the mask stands up beautifully. This one is done in the pattern of my 'Such A Sad Love' mask which means there is also embroidery, crystals and dangles to add to it. Then the stick will be acquired, embellished and hopefully seamlessly attached to the side. No, I don't just plan on gluing it on. I have little faith in glue as a primary connective device. I've got a few different ideas to try out, so we'll just have to see what works best.

That was the whole of my tatting day yesterday and it should be much of today as well. I did snap this photo of the other mask I was working on just so you could see how far I got before I started this new one. This should give you a better idea of where I'm going with the design. Once the mask on a stick is complete, I will get those fill in areas taken care of on the sides and cover the wires. The pattern, while seemingly similar to the other fancy mask, differs quite a lot and that leaves me with a different sized hole to fill, but the same basic design should do it I think. It's odd to have two different projects to think about, but they are so wildly different that it is also quite creatively stimulating. So, off to see what I can get made today.

I Am No Model

I started the day playing with the giant square motif like I planned, but nothing was coming to me, so I picked up an old tatting book and played with another pattern instead. At first I thought I was just going to use a small piece of the design as a pendant, so once I was done with that I screwed up my courage and went to taking pictures of my new mask.





 I had decided the way to go with this was really good lighting and a black background. As you might guess, I have no actually photography equipment save for a camera with a remote and a tripod. So I improvised. Usually I take pictures against a black white wall with the window open and the light on. This time I went upstairs with the east facing windows, opened one up and draped a black table cloth over my television. The light didn't hit directly, but was nice and bright. Then I proceeded to take dozens of photos of myself feeling a bit like the fool. After all that, I spent at least an hour playing with the photos in gimp, which is like photoshop, and I emerged with three pictures I felt okay about.

What is actually exciting to me is that I think the pictures actually show the mask almost how it is in person. When I attempted photographs of the last fancy mask everything just seems washed out. There was no sparkle, no reflection in the sequins and you couldn't even make out the embroidery at all. Along with these pictures, I used two that I already showed you for detail pictures and I got the mask listed. I was incredibly nervous about listing it though. I guess because the last one had garnered so much attention. I am anxious to see if my meager photography skills can get that much for this mask. It is of course something I will just have to wait and see about. I certainly believe this mask deserves at least that much attention, but then again that it not up to me.

After all this, I did get back to some tatting. I went back to the design I worked on earlier and made it up into a nice cuff bracelet...that I didn't get pictures of. Then I stumbled upon the use for the big square motif. I added multiple, heavy silver chains to it on the sides to form a short necklace...that I didn't get pictures of. I just wasn't in the mood for more photo shooting. People are always so kind to me in regards to my appearance in them, but that doesn't mean that I enjoy doing them...I do enjoy the compliments though. Today I should get the new pieces up and hope for some sales to busy me. Otherwise I think I will get to making up the embellishment free version of the mask. At least now I know I can get usable photos of it all by myself.

She Is Complete

Yes, it is done. Friday was devoted to crystals and embroidery and Saturday I finished with the embroidery and began the slow task of reinforcing the sequins. The bits I had sewn in the center were properly done, but the eyes and the outside edge I had initially done with the stitching going over one side of each sequin. I realized as I worked with it that even though it looked fine, my hands and the thread kept catching up the sequins and that just wouldn't do. I spent much of Saturday remedying that by sewing down the sequins on each second side. My fingers were horrible sore, but it was worn it as everything lays perfectly and when I was done I knew the mask was complete.

I posted some photos of the completed mask on Sunday since I always need immediate feedback when I finish a large project. I got quite a few of these photos, but nothing modeled yet, so it won't be listed until I do.Yes, it will be as expensive as the last Masquerade mask. It did take far less time since much had been learned from the first go round, but it was still five days worth of work, over 50 crystals, hundreds of hand sewn sequins, hours of painstaking embroidery and honestly I think this one looks better that the first one. So the plan is to try and get some modeled photos myself some time this week. If I fail miserably, which there is a good chance of, I will try to outsource the photos. Once I do have some though, I'll get this one listed and move on.

The husband is off for the holiday today, so it should be a down day tatting wise. I do have an idea for a new bracelet using an antique edging I spied yesterday. I wanted to move onto something smaller before I attempt to remake this mask in just lace. I even thought about making a similar mask in white with color accents to mimic a sugar skull mask. I had some initial design thoughts, but there are a few more logistics to work out before I begin since using multiple colors adds quite the kink in my free flow style of work. This one will have to be properly planned out first and that just sucks some of the fun out of it. That also means it goes on the bottom of the pile of projects unless I get crazy inspired or someone gives me a reason to work on it. So that's it from me today, I'll be in the cave hiding from the heat. I hope you have a nice holiday if you're in the States, otherwise happy Monday.

Sequins and Crystals

I got to take a short break from the mask yesterday as I did some housework. Oh, don't worry it was just laundry. Then I opted to remake a necklace that I had sold. The tatting distraction was nice since I really do begin to lose my mind whilst sewing on individual sequins one by one. That fact is just one reason why this mask has far fewer of the sparkly disks than its predecessor. I opted to trace a fill in portion on each side as well as a nice zigzag around the side on the eyes. I also ended up reinforcing the sequins I had already sewn to the bottom edge. They initially warped the scallop, but once I sewed them flatter, the shape returned. I want to say that I'm finished with the sequins, but there is always a chance that once I think I'm finished I'll go back and add some, so I'm finished with them for now.

Next up I started work on the Swarovski crystals. The last mask had them only on the center motif. This was partly because it was a last thought to add them and partly because I only had a small baggie of them on hand at the time. After I made the lace maille pieces I ordered a dealer pack of them, Yes, that's a lot and yes, it wasn't cheap. I like to buy supplies in bulk when I think I will use them often so for this mask, I'm going to town with the crystals. I started in the center like the first mask, but this time I will add them around the entire mask where rings meet. Will this mask be gaudy? Well as one of my facebook friends said yesterday, nothing exceeds like excess!

Once I think I'm done with the crystals, I'll start on the embroidery. On the last mask I used silver filament. It stretches and breaks and leaves an uneven line unless you are very careful. I am not very careful. I work fast and deliberately and I am aware this is not the filaments fault, but it does make us fairly incompatible. I still use the filament when it is the best choice for the look I want, but for this I will use something else. I have this great three ply silver thread. I separate the individual threads and use those instead. Each thread does have a tendency to unravel at the end if I work with too long a piece, but it stands up so much better to my abuses. With the speed I've managed to keep on this project there is a real chance that I will have a finished product to show you come Monday. Just don't get mad at me if I don't. I also thought about immediately remaking the mask while the design is still fresh in my head and leaving it completely without embellishment. Since I made a much more complete design this time around I though it looked lovely just as lace too. If I can replicate it without too much frustration, then the plain lace once can enter the shop as a repeatable design. I guess we'll just have to wait and see on that one too.

Taking Shape

Still working on the new mask with little to distract me except the most recent freak storm to roll through California. I'd complain, but I enjoyed the cool weather this time knowing that triple digits are headed this way by the weekend, but I digress...back to the mask. I finished up the outer edge working on wire I added to the sides. The shape was great, but it is always a challenge to work in three dimensions. I worked the outside loosely to make sure that the mask rounds over the face. I was stumped on these diamond shaped holes for quite some time. With the last mask I didn't bother with fill in because I was working all those areas with sequins. This time I wanted it whole.

I tried a bunch of different motifs before I recalled another lesson I've learned. Stick with the same motif. Instead of looking outside the existing design, look into it instead and pull out the elements that can be adjusted to accommodate the space that you're working in. I borrowed a clover from the center motif and then used the same vine pattern with some creative attachments. I also added an additional row of scallops on the bottom edge and the tatting was complete. The last mask took a few more days before I reached this point. I guess the lessons learned are really paying off.

Next up was the time consuming task of covering the wire. I wrapped the eyes in the usual fashion, though even that was slow going as getting a good grip on the piece was difficult due to its size. On the top wire I opted to cover it with actual tatting as you would a ring. I did this so that I could keep a constant stitch count between the attached elements. Since they were so loose, I couldn't rely on them to stay where they were put and I needed an even spacing. As you can see, once the wires are covered the pieces seems to have an established shape and despite working on the fly, it fits like a dream.

Now it's onto the sequins. I already started on the eye edges and I will do the outside edge all the way around. Then I think I will added them to the fill in sections and see how that looks. After those it's many crystals and embroidery with the silver thread. After that I get to see if I can stumble upon another fabulous photographer and model to get it properly photographed. I may just ask my brother, because I am ridiculously paranoid about putting it in the mail after all it's predecessor went though. Wow, I am totally getting ahead of myself. Sewing sequins should at least take a few days by itself and I'm visualizing tons of embroidery and that should take some time as well. So that's the plan anyway and we'll just have to see how it goes.

It Has Begun

I worked diligently on an ordered mask much of yesterday. I wanted to be more active online, but instead I got all focused like and though I had the computer up next to me, I only managed a few off handed comments. One of those comments was that I was thinking about starting another 'fancy' mask. By fancy, I am referring to my Masquerade mask, the one that was covered in sequins, crystals and embroidery that I priced so high I honestly though it wouldn't sell, but it did. The comment was sort of a throwaway, but as I finished the mask I was working on, it had worked into my brain and I had made my mind up to go for it.

The first time I tried this mask method, I really racked my brain on how to start and every choice I made taught me a lesson. Even though it's been almost two years since I made it, I remember the lessons. Sure, I don't remember the pattern and even my meticulous picture taking is only getting me so far, but I think using what I learned instead will get me there much faster. I started by making the eye wires slightly larger and used a familiar base to the mask. This time however, I increased the stitch counts. Then I added the same motif I used on the last big mask. You might have noticed if you saw me work on the last one, that I haven't added the large piece of wire yet...that was a lesson learned.

The next step was a complete departure from the first one as well. I remember that adding elements to the empty top sections was ridiculously fiddly, so I decided to start with another row of the same basic edging to fill in before adding the top edge. This filled in more of the top as well as added the bottom edge. I also chose to go over the nose a bit more with the bottom though I might add another row before I'm all done there as well. The next step will be to add the wire for the top edge and start the edging that arches over. This time around I will save the wire covering for the end...another lesson learned. Also this time around the structure is coming along much faster, but I know there will be a slow down when I start to add all the crystals, sequins and embroidery. I have however learned lessons about all of those as well, so hopefully it won't slow down too much. This mask will have fewer sequins as I'm not making it for any other purpose than to make it and I prefer the lace to have the staring role.

This mask will be a side project meaning that if I get orders or simply feel the need to make something smaller for the shop, I will put this aside. Right now I'm free to work on it so I'll try to work fast. If you missed the construction of the first fancy mask, or have no idea what I'm taking about, the posts begin in December of 2009. They continue for a few weeks and the mask was finally listed here after a professional photo shoot when the original requester of the mask disappeared. It was then lost in the mail on the way way to the fashion show and returned in the mail weeks later and then ultimately sold this past February to an author and artist. Hopefully this one will have an awesome an end without all the middle drama. I leave you with yet another kitten, Halo.