Tatsmithing IV

Tatsmithing IV

     This one is my favorite so far.  My husband, my best and worst critic, suggested to use two stones.
     The round stone is a carnelian agate and the tear drop is a banded agate.  The thread is two strand of silver sewing thread.  The total pendent is 2" long.

     The silversmithed versions:

 10 X 12 mm Abalone

 (for sale, click on the blue words for the link)

10 X 14 mm Paua Shell

 (for sale, click on the blue words for the link)

Petrified Wood

Tatsmithing III

Tatsmithing III

     Here is an attempt at scroll work.  I was able to get half of the scroll.  I need to work on the other side.
     The cabochon is Chinese Writing Stone and the thread is two strands of silver sewing thread.  The finished piece is 1.75" X 1.5".

     The silversmithed versions:

Red Moss Agate

 

Cats-Eye

Petrified Wood

12 X 16 mm Jasper

 (for sale, click on the blue words for the link)

 15 X 20 mm Turquoise

 (for sale, click on the blue words for the link)

19 X 25 mm Turquoise

(for sale, click on the blue words for the link)

Glass blown Leaf Spoons

Glass blown Leaf Spoons

     A few examples of my leaf spoons.  They are about 9" long and made out of Pyrex glass.  The leaf is made with a leaf press.  I use them for honey in my tea or to stir my hot chocolate.  When they are dirty, they go into the dishwasher.

     Pyrex if considered "Hard Glass", the same stuff cooking glass is made of.  "Soft Glass" is what your soda/beer bottles are made out of.  Many lamp work blowers (glass beads)  are made out of soft glass because they melt at a lower temperature.  But we'll get into the chemistry of glass blowing another day.

     OK, a little chemistry.  Believe-it-or-not, the color in the top spoon starts out amber.  Once it hits the flame, it comes out amber and purple.  It has something to do with an oxidizing and reducing flame.  But more on that later.

Next Lesson

Tattsmithing II

Tattsmithing II

     

The cabochon is a 22 X 30 mm, unakite stone.

The thread is two strands of metallic gold sewing thread.   The finished piece is 1.5" X 1".

Below are my silversmithed version of the tatting.

16 X 12 mm agate

(for sale, click on the blue words for the link).

Agate

 7 X 12 mm malachite

(for sale, click on the blue words for the link).

Snowflake Obsidian

Tiger Eye

Tatsmithing

Tatsmithing

     Lately, silversmithing has not been an economical hobby.  Last year silver stayed around $40/ounce.  Lately, it's been around $32/ounce.  It used to be about $6/ounce. Thankfully string hasn't gotten that out of hand.  
    I have a tin full of cabochons, a garbage can full slabs, and more garbage cans/crates full of rough rock.  I've decided to tat the cabochons, as if, they were done in silver.
     Below are some of the designs I've done in silver and then tatted (tatsmithed).  

17 x 23 mm jasper stone 

(for sale, click on the blue words for the link).

12 x 16 mm jasper stone 

(for sale, click on the blue words for the link).

Paua shell

Jasper

20 X 35 mm jade, with two strands of metallic gold sewing thread. The finished piece is 2" X 1.5".   I finished this one on International Tatting Day.

Strawberry Jewelry

Strawberry Jewelry

     Finished designing and tatting this last week.   When the light hits the red bauble just right, it looks like a drop of strawberry,  um mm!!
  Makes me hungry just thinking about it.
     The smaller baubles are from my new book:  "Baubles and Motifs II".  The larger bauble is a the same pattern, with a larger string and bauble.  The pattern is called "Small Flower Bauble."

The baubles are red glass, with grass green and strawberry pink thread.  The necklace adjust from 14 - 16.5".

 

Matching earrings with gold filled ear wires.

 

Estate Find

Estate Find

     Found this wonderful, miniature sewing box at an estate sale for $1.  It is sitting on the end table, filled with tatting supplies.

  

The bottom holds size 80 threads, vials of beads, and little pieces of paper with diagrammed patterns.

One side holds the scissors, paper clips, floss threaders and tatting essentials.

The other side holds the shuttles.