My Favorite Teapot Pattern

My Favorite Teapot Pattern

    This is my favorite teapot, from Martha Ess's Teapot book.  The thread was Lizbeth's Scottish Thistle, in size 20.   The teapot was fused on with Steam-A-Seam and made it though the wash.

This is a very beautiful color, the pictures is washed out.

Sewing Vs. ?

Sewing  Vs. ?

     I don't like the way our beautiful tatting looks once it is sewn on an article of clothing.  The wonderful picots, we painstaking make to look all the same size, always seemed pinched once they are sewn on.  Last fall, many of my quilting customers had  told me about a webbing you could iron on and not destroy my tatted piece.  
     The webbing is called Steam-A-Seam.  I was extremely disappointed!!  My tatted piece came off my shirt and the webbing peeled off.  I went to their web site and watched one of their videos.  Ah, Ha....Make sure you use lots of steam...that's why it is called Steam-A-Seam.  I was using a dry iron and it didn't take.  Once, I used lots of steam, it took!!! 
     I've worn my article of clothing and it has been through the laundry cycle.  All of the tatting is fused on tightly and my beautiful picots still look beautiful.  I bought the webbing at Jo Ann's fabric store for about $4, plus I had a 50% off coupon!!!  What a deal!! 

     The package said to outline your motif with pencil.  Word of caution, make sure you cut away all of the pencil line.  At the bottom right of the dragon, there is a pencil line.  

The finished dragon is 6 mm x 7 mm and made with one strand of YLI thread.  The familiar pattern is Anne B's dragon.

Notice the pencil line, below the tail.

Apple-Green Cats-Eye Earrings

Apple-Green Cats-Eye Earrings

    The Tatsmithed earrings were tatted with two strands of Coats Metallic silver thread.  They measure 1 1/8" X 5/8".

     The silversmithed version:  banded agate.

     Plum Blossoms:

Caterpillars

Caterpillars

Supply List:
Torch set up
Burt's Bees burn cream/q-tip
Fire extinguisher
Size 3 tip for you torch 
Triangle Stand for Hot Glass
Ceramic mat
6 mm Pyrex rod (colorless and colors)
Towel (breaking glass)
File/glass cutter
Graphite paddle
Tweezers

Lighting the torch:
    Use the "POOP" method (propane on, oxygen on, oxygen off, propane off). 
     Have your flame (match or striker) ready and hold it near the torch tip.  Turn on the red knob (propane), and obtain about a 6" orange flame.  Turn on the green knob (oxygen), and obtain about a 3/4" blue flame.
     Turning off the oxygen first (green), then the propane (red).  DO NOT OVER-TIGHTEN THE KNOBS!!!!!  YOU'LL RUIN THE NEEDLE VALVES AND YOUR TORCH WON'T PROPERLY TURN OFF!!!!!!!!!
      Do you work at the tip of the darker blue flame.

Caterpillars:
     Remember:  Hot glass looks the same as cold glass!!  Don't burn the top of your bench, put your hot glass on the ceramic mats. 
     DO ALL YOUR WORK OUTSIDE THE FLAME!!!!  Use the flame to soften your glass.  Keep your glass rotating in the flame, for even heating. 

     Once you start the caterpillar, do not allow it to cool for a long period of time.  If you do, slowly reheat the glass to reduce stress.  
     Make a small bulge (segment) in the middle of the glass with the colorless glass.  These bulges are called Miria's.  Make miria's on both sides of the last miria made.  Continue to make miria's until the desired length. 

Pull off one end of the rod to form the nose. Add the appendages in the following order:  Eyes, spots, antennas, and legs.  These can be in any color.  Make sure the appendages fuse to the glass!!  Otherwise they will fall off.  Using your tweezers, hold the caterpillar.  Heat the rod/handle and pull it off, forming a tail.

Remember:  Turn off the green knob (oxygen) then turn off the red knob (propane).  DO NOT OVER-TIGHTEN THE KNOBS!!!!!  

Next Lesson

Tatsmithing: "Rosey"

Tatsmithing:  "Rosey"

     The stone is not rosey or the thread, the original one is. The stone is an agate (it looks better in person, they always do), measuring 33 x 42 mm.

One of the patterns from my new "Tatsmithing" book.

Tatsmithing: "Doublet"

Tatsmithing:  "Doublet"

The stones are carnelian agates, measuring 22 x 54 mm.

  One of the patterns from my new "Tatsmithing" book.

Tatsmithing: "Elegant Jade"

Tatsmithing:  "Elegant Jade"

     Ok, so this one is not jade.  The original pendent was jade.  This one is a beautiful banded agate, measuring 41 x 52 mm.

 

  One of the patterns from my new "Tatsmithing" book.

Tatsmithing: "Itty-Bitty"

Tatsmithing:  "Itty-Bitty"

     This would make a lovely pair of earrings!!  Soooo Cute!!  The stone is an agate, measuring 28 x 28 mm.

  One of the patterns from my new "Tatsmithing" book.

Ice Sickles

Ice Sickles
 

Supply List:
Torch set up
Burt's Bees burn cream/q-tip
Fire extinguisher
Size 3 tip for you torch 
Triangle Stand for Hot Glass
Ceramic mat
6 mm Pyrex rod (colorless)
Towel (breaking glass)
File/glass cutter
Long nail
Graphite paddle

Lighting the torch:
    Use the "POOP" method (propane on, oxygen on, oxygen off, propane off).  
     Have your flame (match or striker) ready and hold it near the torch tip.  Turn on the red knob (propane), and obtain about a 6" orange flame.  Turn on the green knob (oxygen), and obtain about a 3/4" blue flame.
     Turning off the oxygen first (green), then the propane (red).  DO NOT OVER-TIGHTEN THE KNOBS!!!!!  YOU'LL RUIN THE NEEDLE VALVES AND YOUR TORCH WON'T PROPERLY TURN OFF!!!!!!!!!
      Do you work at the tip of the darker blue flame.

Ice Sickles:
     Remember:  Hot glass looks the same as cold glass!!  Don't burn the top of your bench, put your hot glass on the ceramic mats. 
     DO ALL YOUR WORK OUTSIDE THE FLAME!!!!  Use the flame to soften your glass.  Keep your glass rotating in the flame, for even heating.

   
     Make a ball in the middle of the glass:  Heat the glass in the middle, remove the glass from the heat and push the two ends together. Repeat this until the ball is about 1/2" round.  (Glass is a poor conductor of heat so you can get your hands in close to your work.)  Reheat and let the heat smooth out the ball.

Once the ball is obtained, flatten the ball with the nail head on the graphite paddle.

 Heat the flatten ball until it's pliable (remember to heat both sides of the flatten ball).

  Remove from the heat, pull & twist at the same time. This creates two ice sickles at once. 
DO NOT TRY TO GRASP THE GLASS CLOSE TO THE HEATED PORTION...GRASP NEAR THE ENDS!!!!!

Heat the ice sickle at the thinnest point and separated the glass, such that there are two separate ice sickles.

Let the ice sickles cool on the mat with the cool side (handle) to the right of the mat (on the left if you are left handed)

        Let cool.

Ck the glass for temp by slowly inching your fingers up the glass (from the tip of the ice sickle to the thicker portion of the ice sickle.  Usually, by the time the next ice sickle was twisted and separated, the last ones are cooled.)

 Make the loop:  Heat the glass at the point where the rod and the ice sickle meets.  Remove from the heat, count 1...2...seconds and THEN make the loop.  Heat at the end of the loop and remove the rest of the rod.

Remember:  Turn off the green knob (oxygen) then turn off the red knob (propane).  DO NOT OVER-TIGHTEN THE KNOBS!!!!! 

Next Lesson

Tatsmithing: "Tall Agates"

Tatsmithing:  "Tall Agates"

The stone is a beautiful carnelian agate (the picture does NOT do it justice), measuring 25 x 27mm.

  One of the patterns from my new "Tatsmithing" book.

Tatsmithing: "Stout Agate"

Tatsmithing:  "Stout Agate"

     This is a banded agate, measuring 30 x 30 mm.  (Looks like a fish in the stone).

  One of the patterns from my new "Tatsmithing" book.

Tatsmithing: "7-Sisters Standing Tall"

 Tatsmithing:  "7-Sisters Standing Tall"

     This is another piece of unakite , measuring 26 x 38 mm.

One of the patterns from my new "Tatsmithing" book.

Tatsmithing: "Basic Design"

Tatsmithing:  "Basic Design"

     This is similar to the cabochon from an earlier post.   The unique thing about cutting rock, every cut has a different pattern...no two are alike.   The stone is another piece of mahogany obsidian from Glass Butte, Oregon.  The finished piece measures 21 mm x 70 mm.

      One of the patterns from my new "Tatsmithing" book.

Learning to Work Your Glass (Part I)

Learning to Work Your Glass (Part I)

     This is a reminder:  the glassblowing portion of my blog, is a refresher for my students who has had my glassblowing class or someone who has glassblown before.  If you have not glassblown, I suggest you take a few beginner lessons. 

Supply List:
Torch set up
Burt's Bees burn cream/q-tip
Size 3 tip for you torch 
Heavy screen  
Wet/dry sandpaper
Ceramic mat
8 mm tubing
Towel
File/glass cutter

Matches/Lighter

Breaking the glass:
     Using a file or glass cutter, place a small score scratch across the glass.  Remember, the scratch doesn't have to be that long.
     If you are using a file, scratch the glass by bring you file forward or away from you.  Do Not, bring the file back towards you, this will flatten the tines on the file and ruin it.
     Dampen you finger with water, or spit, and wet your score mark.  This may seem strange to those of you who has not done this, but it all has to do with the Chemistry of the glass.  The water/"Mom's magic spit", speeds up the rate of the glass cracking (breaking the silica bonds).  If you don't do this step, your glass won't break properly.  Don't laugh, try breaking glass without spit. 
     Use a towel, for safety, to cover the glass as you break it.  It is very important, when breaking glass to pull out and bend the glass back at the same time.  The pulling out part releases the stress on the back end so the glass breaks cleanly.

45 degree angles:
     Break off about a 6" piece of 8 mm tubing.   Using a heavy piece of screen, whack the end of the glass, at an angle, using quick/hard blows.  Use smaller, lighter strokes to make finer fractures.  This method is similar to flint knapping arrowheads.  Once a rough angle is made, add a little water to the wet/dry sandpaper and smooth the ends and edges (ground glassing the end).

Lighting the torch:
    Use the "POOP" method (propane on, oxygen on, oxygen off, propane off).  
     Have your flame (match/lighter) ready, light and hold it near the torch tip.  Turn on the red knob (propane), and obtain about a 6" orange flame.  Turn on the green knob (oxygen), and obtain about a 3/4" blue flame.
     Turning off the oxygen first (green), then the propane (red).  DO NOT OVER-TIGHTEN THE KNOBS!!!!!  YOU'LL RUIN THE NEEDLE VALVES AND YOUR TORCH WON'T PROPERLY TURN OFF!!!!!!!!!

Bends ("U" and 90 degree):
     Remember:  Hot glass looks the same as cold glass!!  Don't burn the top of your bench, put your hot glass on the ceramic mats.  Using about a 12" piece of 8 mm tubing, heat your glass at the point were you want the bend.  Remember to rotate your glass, to heat it evenly.  Once the glass heats up, it will start to bend.  Slowly bend your glass to the desired angle.  Bending it too quickly will cause the glass to crimp/buckle.  Once you have mastered this turn off the torch.  Remember:  Turn off the green knob (oxygen) then turn off the red knob (propane).  DO NOT OVER-TIGHTEN THE KNOBS!!!!!

 

Next Lesson

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day

     No tatting to show today.  Just saying "Happy Mother's Day" to all the Mother's out there.

 

Tatsmithing: The Art of Silversmithing With String

Tatsmithing:  The Art of Silversmithing With String

   (If you are interested in this book, type out your email address in the comments, below, and I will get back with you. USA orders, only )

  Just in time for Mother's Day.  This book was dedicated to my Mother for Mother's Day.  I am blessed with wonderful parents, who are full of encouragement and praise.  I also thank God, for all the artistic talents He has given me.
     The book is available on Face Book, in "photos", under "Tatsmithing"  and "books".  The book contains 11 Tatsmithing patterns, progressing from the easiest to the hardest designs.  All patterns are diagrammed.  The finished pieces can be used for pendents, earrings, broaches, hanging from a tree or what ever you desire.  The patterns are:  "Basic Design", "7-sisters Standing Tall", "Stout Agates", "Tall Agates", "Itty-Bitty", "Elegant Jade", "Doublet", "Rosey", "Writing Stone", "Heart Earrings", and "Cross".

More Tiny Teapots

More Tiny Teapots

   Here are more teapots from Martha Ess's "Tea is for Tatting".  The book has 4 different tiny teapots.

      The top left has one strand of Sulky 30 wt, #4032 and one strand of gold sewing thread, measuring 1 1/4 X 1 1/2".
      The top right has one strands of Sulky 30 wt, #4016 and one strand of silver sewing thread, measuring 1 3/8 X 1 7/8".
      The bottom has two strands of Sulky 30 wt, #4013 and two strands of gold sewing thread, measuring 1 3/8 X 1 3/4".

    The left has one strand of Lizbeth size 40 in Summer Breeze and one strand of gold sewing thread, measuring 1 3/8 X 2". 
     The top right has one strand of pearl cotton #12 and one strand of gold sewing thread, measuring 1 3/8 X 1 3/4".
     The bottom right has one strand of Sulky 30 wt, #4102 and one strand of gold sewing thread, measuring 1 X 1 1/8".

     These are the two for my resin shuttle.

     The top one strand of Lizbeth size 40 in Summer Breeze and one strand of gold sewing thread, measuring 1 1/4 X 1 3/4".
     The bottom one is an unknown sewing thread, smaller than the 30 wt and one strand of gold sewing thread, measuring 1 1/2 X 1/14"

     Thanks to Diane at "Lace-Lovin' Librarian" for the four samples of Sulky thread. 

     The Shuttle Shop imbeds your tatting, or you can use their tatting, into a resin shuttle.  Your piece can be no larger than 1 1/4" x 2 1/2".  If you are interested, e-mail Erin at   erinhinton@frontier.com


     My husband gave this to me yesterday, it's an early birthday present.  (My birthday isn't until next week.)  It just arrived in the mail and we couldn't wait to open it.

Five of Hearts

Five of Hearts

     Actually it's only three.  This is another bookmark from Karey Solomon, "Tat Marks the Spot".  The bookmark is in Lizbeth size 20, Sherbert Delight. 

Heart and Blossom

Heart and Blossom

     This is a pattern from Karey Solomon's, February 2012, "Tatting Times".  This cute little booklet comes out quarterly.  The "Heart and Blossom" pattern is by Karey Solomon.

 

     The thread was size 30 crochet thread.  This is the first time I'd pearl tatted.  I like the effect of the of thread draping along.

Glassblowing Supply List

Glassblowing Supply List

     I purchase most of my supplies from ABR Imagery and my goggles from Sundance Glass.
     
     Since I blow little things and small scientific glassware, I use a small torch.  The torch I use is a National  3-B-B Premix Hand Torch .  A starter kit is the easiest way to go.  You will also need the stand for it.  I mounted it on my workbench with a ceramic board covering the bench.

     From your torch, attach the hoses and then spark arrestors to the regulators, then your tanks.    My propane tank is a large tank used for a barb-q grill (shown behind the oxygen tank) and a size A oxygen tank.  You can use a larger oxygen tank but this one is easier for me to move around.  A note of safety, secure your oxygen tank with chains or a strap to something sturdy.  This is a safety issue to prevent if from getting knocked over.

     
      Your didymium goggles should be able to block the yellow/orange flare, and block the UV and IR rays. 

     Other things you will need: 
Size 1 and 3 tips for you torch 
Metal can or metal coffee can (glass waste bin)
Borosilicate glass (Pyrex brand or other):  rod in 6 mm, tubing in 8
          and 14 mm tubing 
Triangle file or a glass cutter
Triangular stand for your hot glass
Striker or a lighter
Approximately 4 X 4" ceramic mats (hot blown glass objects to
          sit on)
Long tweezers
Long 6" nail

Graphite paddle    

Hand towel (for breaking glass, safety)
Heavy wire screen (flint knapping the edges)
Approximately 320 wet/dry sand paper
...any thing I forget, we'll get into later.

 Click on the blue, highlighted words to get to the links.

Next Lesson

 

Trillium Bookmark

Trillium Bookmark

     The bookmark is from Karey Solomon's "Tat Marks the Spot".  The bookmark is done in Lizbeth size 20, Sherbert Delight. 

Jake

Tiny Teapots

Tiny Teapots

     These are various tiny teapots from Martha Ess's book, "Tea is for Tatting".  While tatting the tea pots I was having Oolong, one day and Jasmine, the next.  Must have our pot of morning tea to get us girls going.
     The tea pots were tatted in various sized threads, from size 20 to sewing embroidery thread.  I needed a teapot that would be about 1 1/4" by 2 1/2".  I'm sending them to the shuttle shop to be made into a resin casted tatting shuttle.

 "Tiny Tall and Fat Teapot"

Both in Lizbeth size 20, Tropical Punch

The tall is 1 3/8 X 1 1/2" and the fat is 1 1/2 X 1"

 "Tiny Round Teapot"

The top one is in Lizbeth size 40, Sherbert Delight  (1 1/2 X 1 1/8")

The middle is in pearl cotton #8, two shades of mauves (1 1/2 X 1 1/8")

The last is Lizbeth size 20, med Grass Green and Vineyard Harvest (2 1/8 X 1 1/8")

"Tiny Square Teapot"

The upper left is one strand of variegated purple and one strand of metallic silver sewing thread (1 1/2 X 1 1/8")

The upper right is Lizbeth size 40, Summer Fun (2 X 1 1/2")

The bottom is Star size 80, variegated cranberry color (1 3/8 X 1 3/4")

     Lilacs: 

 

 

Hanky Edging

Hanky Edging

     I don't remember the color, I think it was Lizbeth in size 40.  The hanky is cotton and the pattern I made up as I went along.  It is very similar to the old edging patterns.

     Apple Blossoms: