Still Busy

Shockingly I had yet another busy lace day. I spent much of the morning working on the custom order fascinator. I modified the pattern slightly as I went to get it a bit smaller than the original. It worked surprisingly well and the finished pieces ended up being exactly the requested size. I had to stiffen it because it wasn't going on a hat base, so I did just the underside of the piece. That way it will still look like soft, natural lace. but hold it's shape when worn. I'll be popping this in the post this morning.

Right after I set this out to dry, I got another custom order request from one of my most wonderful return customers. I seriously love my return customers. Anyway, I spent the rest of the day working on that order, though I completely forgot to get photos as I worked, so before I get them completely finished I'll do that so you can see what I was making there.

Then in a stunning finale for the day, just as I was settling in for the night, I got another order in the shop. This time it was for multiple pieces. This means I have a few larger pieces to remake today and I am just pleased as can be with my current workload. The kids still have one day off from schooling, but I think we're all done being lazy in the morning so we're going to get back to it today. This has been a great week so far. Here's to it's continued benevolence.

Busy Lace Day

I actually had a pretty busy lace day. I started by catching up with the TIAS. Okay, this is clearly turning into a rabbit. Of course mine has some issues, namely the mismatched eyes, but that's not the point of the TIAS is it? The point for me is to not only make something I would not normally make, but also stretch my skills by translating the pattern instructions to needle. Normally that's a no brainer, but Jane's patterns always seem to have some element that makes me think outside the box a bit and that's a good thing.

Next up was remaking a tatted heart pendant for the shop. It doesn't take long to make this one at all. Of course it took longer than normal to find the right color of thread. My thread box is getting out of control again. No, not because I've ordered more or anything . In fact I can't remember that last time I got new thread. Since the shop so slow I haven't bought any supplies in forever. The thread box is just an unorganized mess.

After this I got an message on facebook requesting a medallion for a fascinator. There was a lot of back and forth on this one and frankly I was fairly certain I had frightened the customer away with my inability to do what was first requested. Eventually we came up with a solution that would work for her needs and I got to work. I still have a couple of rounds left to do and then it will need to be stiffened. This is the larger version of my woven star pattern and I did not write down the outer rounds. It's proven a little fiddly to copy the existing piece since it's sewn to a base currently and I can't turn it over to count. Yes, I know I wouldn't be in this mess if I would just write all of may patterns down. You know that's not going to happen though. Anyway, I should get this finished today and stiffened overnight so I can have it in the post tomorrow. So I should have a nice busy lace day today too.

In The Shop

Yes, I was lazy again yesterday. I really need to get some more sales, or just consistent sales so I'm forced to stay focused and work most of the day like I ought to. I did however, get the new hair piece/fascinator listed in the shop.

I've been getting a we bit frustrated with messages lately as well, and that's not helping my motivation. I've been receiving custom inquiries and random tatting questions and  after I promptly answer, I hear nothing back at all. Not a 'thank you for answering so swiftly', not a 'sorry, never mind' or even a 'let me get back to you'. Just nothing. Sorry to vent, it's just frustrating. I want to help people, but it just feels a bit like a one way street as of late. Oh well, I'm sure it'll pass.

Again I start the day with no tasks aside from schooling on my schedule. Hoping for something new and interesting to happen during the day doesn't seem to be working so I guess I'll try something different and just focus on something else entirely. Now, if I could only think of what that should be.

Complete

So I was a little lazier yesterday than I had planned. I did get the last row completed on the new motif and it turned out just the right size. I took this photo just as I cut off a length of thread to weave that last row. Someone on the Facebook made a comment that I didn't quite understand, but I'm guessing it was a reference to how this nonsense wouldn't happen if I was a shuttle tatter. Yeah, well...I like my needle too well to ditch it because of one fiddly technique. More importantly I identify as a needle tatter and my skills lie there.

As I was saying, I got the last row done. It did take a couple of false starts to get the right pattern for it, but once I had it, it worked up quickly. The chains on the outside just go over the edge of the hat base, making it just perfect as a hair piece/fascinator. While I did manage to get it sewn to the base. It made it nowhere near getting listed in the shop. I still have to get some good photos on my wigged mannequin head that don't look tacky and then figure out how much it should cost.

There's a slight chance that I'll get it in the shop today, if I can stay focused. Again, I don't really have anything else to do with my day save for schooling in the morning. Here's to something new and interesting for today.

Still On The Doilies

So black on white won the great, 'ask the internet what to do' challenge yesterday. I have to agree that was the way to go with the black thread. I think it has a very 'Old Hollywood' look to it. After that I decided on two more colors to try out, gray on a black base and Victorian red on a black base. Again, my internet social networks were consulted on which to make first and the red won.

I've been working each of these slightly different, playing with stitch counts and the number and placement of picots on the outer edge. I also noted that the different colored bases I purchased have slight size differences and that's making them each come out a bit different too. The red one has already been snatched up so I figure I'll make up the gray one today and then remake the red one to relist. Of course by that point I will have used up my new supply of bases save for an ivory one that I haven't decided on yet. I was thinking a brown one, but not sure whether I should go with chocolate or mocha brown. Also that I know there is a difference between those colors is weird. This is what Lizbeth thread has done to me, I've become a color snob. Albeit a color snob that still prefers black.

So that's pretty much the whole plan for today. I did sell a couple of other small things yesterday that I must also get remade and listed over the weekend. I will likely order up some more bases just so I can remake the other doily fascinators should they sell. I also still have quite a lot of finishing work on my gift project. Lucky for me, I started it early enough that I can take my time with it. Here's to a lovely weekend for you all out there.

Fascinating

The morning was as expected. After schooling and some cleaning, I headed to the mailbox where I was happy to discover the new hat bases I had ordered like the one I used for the doily fascinator. A lovely friend on twitter had taken a shine to the design and had requested a white and black version. Sure, I should have asked again if she was sure before I made it, but I was desperate for something new to do. So, it's not completely new, but I really do love working this pattern for some reason. I used a black base to help the white pop and in pictures the black portion is hard to capture, but in person it stands out just fine. This one got a silver embroidered edge and a antiqued silver filigree with a black swarovski in the center. It should be off to a new home soon.

Then since I was in the mood and I have a few more bases, I started a black version. I still haven't decided whether to put in on a black base for the full 'goth' look or on a white one for the contrast. I think they will have two totally different looks so I think I'll post pictures either way later and hope the twitter or facebook can solve my dilemma. Of course I can always do it both ways, but which way first?

So today's tasks include a normal day of schooling followed by finishing up the new doily fascinator and getting it listed. Also I shall be actively crossing my fingers for the holiday shopping season to finally  find my storefront. Yes, I will continue to complain about it until things get in gear. I have holiday presents to pay for...I already shopped! I don't think there's anything else so that will be the whole of the day.

Hats and Grays

It was another long weekend. Of course this time it actually was a day longer than usual. First I will start with the tatting. I sat down to try to make the doily fascinator fancier, but as I attempted to bead it, I realized that I liked it better the way it was. So, I undid the beading I had begun and got it photographed and listed. I liked the result so much that I went ahead and ordered some more hat bases in different shades so I can make a few more.

Then I got a couple small orders, so I spent a little time remaking things while thinking about what to make with the new charcoal gray thread. I truly love this color. I know, it's not really colorful, but it really is a gorgeous gray. Unfortunately, my creativity was on vacation, so instead of doing something interesting with it, I did something tried and true. I did get to use some new colored beads as well though. These are a beautiful light silvery gray that matches very well with the darker gray of the thread. I'm sure I'll think of something more awesome to make with it at some point.

So, other than tatting, there were two birthday celebrations for family and one nice little get together with friends along with the usual weekend nonsense. It was a busy, talkative weekend and I ended it with a ridiculous headache last night. This week should be fairly normal save for a zoo field trip tomorrow. I'm basically all caught up in the shop until I get some more orders or inspiration, so I guess we just wait and see where the day takes us.

A Little Less Drama, The Fascinator

Well, hello Friday, has it been a week already? Let's see, as I predicted I worked on the author pieces and got started on the white motif in the morning. Come afternoon, I got all tarted up, threw on the wing and got the listing pictures of the new fascinator. I should have done it earlier as the light was not all that favorable inside and my new backyard does not yet contain enough lovely plants to use as a backdrop. I don't think a bare fence screams 'fancy'. Half the ones I took turned out too blurry without the flash, which I hate using, but I got enough to get it listed anyway.

Then I got back to the white version. I managed to get that all put together as well, so I'll do those photos later today and maybe get it listed or perhaps tomorrow. I have the authors mask to make today as I got a message yesterday that she will be attending an event at the end of the month so I want to get it done and shipped. I also should be getting my bobby pins in the mail today, so I might try getting some of those made up as well. I'm sot sure how I'm going to put them together until I see the bobby pins. Why don't I have any of those lying around, you ask? Well, it's just another thing that I tend to lose and since I rarely if ever put up my hair, there's not much need.

I do have a question for you though, an informal poll, I suppose. Black was an easy choice and white was a no brainer for wedding, but if I were to expand into other colors or combos, which would you like? I figured for the bobby pins a wide variety of colors is simple with nothing wasted, but for the other pieces, I want to be certain that they would actually appeal before I start the long process of supply ordering and putting them together. Any opinions greatly appreciated and I'm certain to ask on twitter as well for additional data. Alright, off to it then.

What's New In Hair Pieces

So why is it that I am more exhausted this week than last? I mean I am not scheduled tail to head, nor am I running around with my arse on fire, yet I am spent. Perhaps this is just last week catching up with...yes, that makes sense. Last week has caught up with me and I have no energy left. That being said, I did get a few things accomplished yesterday.

After a fabulously informative twitter poll on the hair attachment device of preference, I got to work assembling the new hair piece. It seems the vast majority of people who would respond to my random question prefer the security of a clip. Lucky for me, I stocked up on these things when I tried my first failed hairpieces. I say failed because I think I sold two of them and eventually unlisted the lot. I think what it came down to is they looked too simple to carry the price tag I gave them. Of course they were time consuming and I felt that the price tag was correct, but I agree that they lacked pizazz. I think these new pieces have the sparkle required to look the part.

Anyway, I got the piece finished, but I haven't yet gotten pictures of it save for this quick laptop photo I used for a sneak peek yesterday. I'll get the old wig out again and get real ones a bit later. I just thought I would also share a bit of what I learned about constructing these sort of things. People seem afraid of hot glue's stability, myself included. I used it to stage the clip and then sewed the ends with holes to the feather pad. The rest of the piece is sewed together, but every tutorial I ran across was all about just hot gluing everything together. Just seems odd that there seems to be such a disconnect people d.i.y'ers and those who would buy things. Also this is a really cheap project as far as basic materials go. In fact if I hadn't spent hours tatting, sewing embellishments and had gone with a silk flower or applique and hot glue, this thing would be under $10. Since I did do all those things though it will be much...much more. I'm just saying if you wanted to make your own version, it is totally doable.

Today I'll try to get the white pieces ready to sew together. I am still working on the gift set for the author as well. Still no sales yet this month so I'll try to take advantage of the break and get all these hair things worked out. I ordered up some bobby pins as well, so I can get a few sets of those made up when they arrive. I really hope this isn't just another failed hair clip thing. I really like them and I hope they sell, but I'll make them regardless because that's what I do.