Expanding The Empire continues

A handful of posts ago, I mentioned meeting an antiques dealer who was interested in my work. We have been in contact over the last few weeks and I have decided to take part in her pop-up market. This will be my first booth, first sale, first a lot of things as far as lace is concerned. I am incredibly nervous.

As a result of this decision, I have begun tatting away at a brisk pace (roughly completing a piece every two days). So far I am enjoying the challenge of the project. I do not know where it will lead, but I feel good about it (despite the nerves). My focus right now is to get the tatting portions made and then team with my sister to complete the pieces. She has a great eye and I trust her taste in all things.

I have no illusions as to this marketing becoming more than an occasional thing. It was the persistence of this dealer, and perhaps a touch of my own vanity, that brought me to this point.  I have no plans involving Etsy or anything like that at this time. I intend to leave that to the pros until I have something to show for myself.

So, here's to a hectic couple of weeks! All prayers, good vibes, advice, and assorted happy thoughts appreciated.

Busy, Busy, Busy (and motifs 10-14)

My apologies for what has seemed to me like an interminable silence. I have been concentrating on things other than blogging. Nonetheless, I have been tatting; no idle hands here.

I had neglected my TIAS in an effort to complete a few other projects but have gotten caught up and finished it.  In need of a serious blocking, here is my completed Piccadilly Express:

As I predicted early on, I have had to learn a few new skills. First came split rings, then in one swell foop came the floating ring and onion ring, followed closely by the shoelace trick. I was able to tat the onion rings on my first try (very happy about that). I'm not saying I made this without any mistakes, for that would be a major fib; I am saying that I made much fewer that I had expected. I believe I missed a switch shuttles at least once and I'm not sure if one of my chains is going in the right direction. However, since it resembles the completed sample posted by the designer, I'm going to take this as a victory.

I have completed my first Tat It And See and learned something new along the way. I acknowledge that I have a lot more to learn and this has given me the confidence to pursue it.

In the meantime, I have completed the tatted portions of some bracelets, a snowflake, and another heart.

The bracelets are based off the bookmark pattern in Jeanette Baker's Learn To Tat done in Lizbeth size 20 black and size 20 Jellybean.

The heart is 'Tattered' Heart from Lindsay Rogers' book Tatting Collage made in Aunt Lydia's size 10 victory red. It will go to our departed uncle's longtime love.

I am working on a heart for his sister as well. It is a two-part pattern so I will abstain from posting it until it is finished (hopefully in the next few days).

This is Birgit's Small Star tatted in DMC size 5 white and ecru. I really like the sheen and the color combination more than I thought I would, although it does not show well in this photo. I hope to make a few of this combination in size 10.

I also starched the cross for pastor using cornstarch. That was fun. It is fairly stiff now and only in want of a thread to suspend it. I found that the cornstarch was rather thick and gooey. Did I overcook it? I had read where it may be kept in the refrigerator for a while. How do you then make it liquid enough to use again without significantly diluting it? Any advice would be appreciated.

Time Out!

Life has been busy these past weeks, lots going on, lots coming up. I have been tatting but have nothing to show for it as yet.

But I will take the time to say this. My little darling turns seven years old today. She is a tender-hearted little child with lots and lots of energy.  My sister calls her Foxy Loxy because she has a lot of moxie. She is the apple of my eye, the grin on my face, and the chuckle in my throat. She makes me smile on a regular basis and makes me growl all the same.

I love her with all of my heart and that's all I'm going to say.

Tatting to Help Mend

My husband's uncle passed away on Sunday. While it was not altogether unexpected, it is still a shock to those who loved him. His daughters' hearts are breaking right now. I'll give these hearts as a reminder that they are so loved by him and the rest of us.

Birgit's Quick Heart in size 10, unlabeled sun-faded ball of variegated pinks.

Poppies, poppies, poppies... (Motifs 5-7)

Okay, maybe just one. I have been tatting Birgit's Small Star in Aunt Lydia's size 10 Victory Red and white, and finished two before deciding to take a break. I made one five-pointed because I was running out of thread on the shuttle. The ring on the other one isn't really twisted, it just flipped when I put it down and I JUST NOTICED IT NOW and I'm too lazy to take another picture.

I used the remaining shuttle thread to make a poppy from Tatting collage by Lindsay Rogers. I made the stem extra long to use up the last of the thread but I think it will find a purpose. I have a plan for this one which I will not reveal at this time. In the meantime, here's the poppy in Aunt Lydia's size 10 Victory Red and green:

I have had the pleasure of working on the TIAS we started last week. I think I'm doing pretty well so far. I've learned split rings and lock joins. My picots are a little big; I'll adjust them in the next go round. Here's Day 4:

And I'm back to work on the cross for pastor. I had thought it would be sewn to vestments and left it natural. It turns out he intends to wear it as a pectoral.  I'll be looking into means of starching it this week. I want something that will hold the shape and not dull the color or sheen of the piece. After that, I figure I'll add a jump ring and let him decide on how to string it.