Hexagonal

Sure, I spent the morning surrounded by cheese and kids, but when I got home, I got things done. Go me. First up is the latest circlet/headpiece. I initially wanted to make it more of a wedding piece with crystals or pearls, but I had these little brass bits lying about after a failed necklace creation, so they were recycled instead. This one has five tatted motifs around the side modified from an antique edging pattern. I am also getting a bit better at this chain length business. That being said, I think I'm done with these for a spell. I tend to get ahead of myself and make tons of things with a new idea before I even have any clue whether they will sell or not.

Once that was done I was in the mood to find something new to make with some of the beads I recently acquired. So I began flipping through my pattern books for something I hadn't yet tried to leap out at me. This process can sometimes be slow as I 'm not looking for anything in particular, but rather something that tells me it wants a new life as something that can't be seen on the page. I stopped on a hexagonal groundwork motif. It's simple, dense and can be worked up in countless configurations. The first being this bracelet that kind of has the feel of a link bracelet.

I didn't get either of these pieces all the way to finished for listing so that's my task for today. I just didn't feel like taking pictures by the time the afternoon rolled around. I've also been playing with other configurations and stitch counts for the hexagon. I made up a circle piece with them that might become a pendant and I'm testing out an undulating design for a potential necklace. Honestly though, I'm not sure why I'm doing so much with the design since joining the last ring together with a needle in these sort of motifs is always such a pain.

Which reminds me, I need to answer another email with that question in it...if you're reading and you're curious, here's how I do it. First I make the last ring up to the final join, then I pull those stitches off the needle being careful to not pull the thread all the way through. Then I use a crochet hook to make the join and work the last stitches. Pull those stitches through, finish and close the ring. Yes, it can get fiddly and remember to join the working thread and not to let the stitches get twisted around. I think this is one of those times when the shuttle tatters have it much easier without that long needle in the way. I probably should add this little bit to the barefoot sandal pattern as that's why I get asked all the time. Yeah I'll do that today too.

So Much New For You

I am noting if not impressionable. Okay, maybe that's unfair, I'm not impressionable, but rather I tend to take suggestions to heart and run with them. To wit, Crazy Mom Tats! asks in the comments on Friday if I'd ever thought about making headpieces. The answer to the question is yes, I had, but there were others out there, I didn't have any chain laying about at the time, inspiration hadn't quite hit right...you know the usually list of reason why one abandoned an idea. Well the suggestion came at the right time this go round, combined with elements I had on hand and a little inspiration via Crazy Mom's link and this was born. I must admit that getting the chain lengths right and the attachments to the lace perfect was much more of a challenge than I had imagined, but I think it turned out beautifully.

Of course I couldn't just stop at one, so I dug through my existing pendants to find something that would make a nice center piece. I had actually made up two of these embellished tenebrous pendants so I didn't even need to do an more tatting before I started to play with the chains again. The fist one is an adjustable piece with the lobster clasp at the back attacking directly to the chain. It also means that one can be worn as a necklace as well. This time I decided to make a fixed size with the chain that sits on the head. If I thought chain length was a difficult task with the first piece, this one took it way up a notch. I used a heavier chain and they all attach together in the back. I do have plans to try out a few more designs of these using more tatting, but really it's the chains that make them, so I probably won't do any made entirely of tatted chains.

Why though, did I have all these chains on hand in the first place. Well you remember on Friday I was still working on a new collar design and I went to the store Friday night to get more chains. I wanted nice light aluminum ones in gunmetal and bright silver so I could combine them to make this collar. I do like the way it turned out, but man was it a task to figure out all the attachments and lengths. What looks good lying down or even on my mannequin head does not necessarily look goo draping on a real neck. Of course after all that work I didn't write down a single measurement. So I guess all of these pieces, particularly the choker, are one of a kinds. Though it shouldn't be too hard to replicate the headpieces I guess.

So that and a snow trip was my weekend. The chains left my fingers sore and the snow trip left everything else sore. I won't even get into the epic bruise on my hip. Today is still a vacation day so I  likely won't get anything too interesting done, but who knows what inspiration your comments will give me today.