Tatted Tikka

And it's all over. The husband returns to work today and though the child is technically on vacation for more than two more weeks, I'm putting her back to work today as well. Not full time or anything, but the routine must be reestablished before chaos becomes the new routine and I lose complete control. So, what did I work on yesterday? Well, I did a little cleaning and I took down Christmas early due to escalating cat related incidents. We usually leave it up until the 6th for Little Christmas, but I began to fear the worst so I erred on the side of caution, but I did also tat.

I know I am going to have to wait until I get in the last stiffener before I really start to work on that idea, so in the meantime I thought I'd tackle another of your ideas, a simpler one. I decided to have at the Indian hair jewelry that I've since learned is called tikka, or at least the pendant portion is. I'm still a little fuzzy on it, but it seems the pendant is suspended from a short chain that ends in a hook that is attached to the hair, either to a braid or bobby pinned in. This is the prototype pendant I tatted up based on the last necklace design I came up with.

Next up I dug though my findings feeling pretty confident I had a hook or two on hand to make the first one with. Well, I did, but they were gold toned. I figured the best way to utilize what I had on hand was to make the piece up in brass. I made the final piece up with brass bits and dark brown thread. I think that the basic design could work with different embellishment options as well. I could hand bits from the bottom as well as bead the outside edge. So if this one is well received, I'll try to source some silver hooks and get a few more versions made up. I'm also thinking I should treat the back of the lace so that spirit gum can be applied to it. I read that is often done to keep the pendant in place while belly dancing. Luckily I've already run across just the product for that purpose.

Hopefully I'll get this and my newest mask listed today after I get some photos. Of course that depends on the sun and my ability to remember how to get good photos. I's been quite some time since I had to do ones that featured my face so predominately. I was enjoying all the simple pieces that I didn't have to get dolled up to photograph. So, that will likely be the whole of the day, unless of course inspiration strikes or someone actually makes the first purchase of the year...I'm still waiting for that one.

Weekend Wrap Up

Let's see, Again, I'm afraid there is not much new to share from around these parts. It seems I am keeping busy making spiders for the time being. I was asked if it was possible to simple purchase them and so I made up a listing for a batch of 10 plain ones and once the customer picked those up , I made another just in case.  Then my brother-in-law requested some with beads, so after I picked up some comparable beads at Michaels I made a bunch more. I've got thread spiders coming out of my ears.

Most of the weekend was family time though. We took a trip to the zoo a few towns over. We bought a membership this year so we could keep going back without feeling like we were spending too much money to do so. Then Sunday was mostly a lazy day except that's when we went to Michaels and came up with all sorts of Halloween things to paint and adorn. Just a piece of advice, never take a family into that store without a specific and firm agenda especially around Halloween or this sort of madness is bound to occur. The rest of Sunday was spent painting things and finishing the first trilogy of the Star Wars Blu Rays in an attempt to fully indoctrinate our youth. I think it worked, next it's onto the next trilogy and by that I mean the second set made, we started with the classics.

So, what's on tap for this week. I have no clue. I've managed to keep the store pretty well stocked, so there are no major projects that direction. I did get in another supply order complete with grab bag, so perhaps a stroll through those goodies for something inspiring. Anything, but another spider...well, maybe a few more, it is October after all. I might even put together an instructable for the beaded ones...we'll see.

I'm A Shark

Just in case you were concerned about the daughter's grasp of math facts, I thought I'd tell you straight away that just another day of flash cards along with a few tips and tricks seemed to have done the job. She is by no means all of a sudden a number expert, but she went from complete disaster to general competence so I count that as a win. As you can imagine that I accomplished very little in the morning as I focused on the task of math and then school became even more complicated with the construction of science...instruments. She is now studying the weather and wind and this means trips outside with things cobbled together from drinking straws, pencils and paper plates...highly scientific and time consuming.

After all the school business I was able to finish the custom convertibles and the mask I was working on and get it listed. I was also gratified and this point in the day to receive payment for my most recent order. As I started work on yet another mask I got that, 'I don't wanna be doing this anymore today' feeling. I know we have entered that three month magic zone where I can expect an uptick in sales and I will be tatting nonstop for that whole time, so I stopped. I took a break, packed the recent orders and then I cleaned. I know, I know, cleaned? Well, when you need a break you do the first thing that needs doing. Oh, but why wouldn't I just take a break and relax? Yeah, I don't do that much. Most days I'm like a shark. No, I'm not a man eating menace, I just can't stop moving or I'll drown.

Today there's a field trip to out local air museum. We've been there before of course and it is quite the walking tour. It can be lovely in the right weather, unfortunately this October is still behaving like June or July and I'm sorely tempted to bring my umbrella and rock the sun parasol look. When we return, it will be back to the masks and other recently sold goodies. I cannot get lax now, must keep up. So off to it then and sorry about the lack of pictures again.

The Way Back Machine

BeaG & Mamadelic

While reviewing my newest purchases, I thought, too bad I didn't have a blog two years ago when I started my etsy shopping spree. I then proceeded to rush about my house collecting all the various items I could find and began taking photos for a Way Back Machine review series. A great many of them became gifts and I've clearly used and abused others. I still need to find some more things that are strewn about, but I've got enough to start with.

This review series will be different not only because of the time lapsed, but also because I will be focusing on the longevity of the items. These will be short and sweet, so you shouldn't get bored. If I bought something from you in the last couple of years, don't be surprised to see it here.

My first two are from my first real shopping spree back in August of 2006. These items are special because I not only still use them daily, but I couldn't imagine not having them around.

BeaG makes these simple crochet key chain holders for lip balm and Vaseline tins. I do crochet, so as soon as I received these, I immediately tried to figure out the pattern. Then I stopped and realized for the first time that I did not need to learn how to make these. Why? Because she makes them so well, I'll never need another one. That did not stop me from buying more as gifts. Sometimes we must simply bow to the superior skill. Two years later, these are still in my bag daily and have held up amazingly well. I am really hard on my stuff and I have two small kids who play with everything, so when I say they hold up well, it's practically a guarantee.




Mamadelic is an awesome seller too. Back when I bought this in August 2006 , I saw her almost everyday in the forums. I figured it was time to get a business card holder, so I picked one up from her. Guess what, its still in my bag packed with cards on one side and tissues on the other. Did I mention I'm mom.

This was very well made, professionally packaged and again has held up to an amazing amount of abuse. It's just stiff enough to hold up and is made from some lovely fabric. I notice that she doesn't make these anymore, but you can still check out her other amazing products, I haven't bought a tote in a while...




On another subject, lest you think I've stopped creating if favor of deep meaningful blog posts, here's a sneak peek at my entry for the Spring Beading Challenge. Clearly, I am no a beader. It is a challenge for me to simply add beads to an existing tatting design, so I participate in the challenge as a learning exercise. I'm fully aware I have snowballs chance in hell of winning, but I press on.