Embellishments (Last Part)

Turquoise Pendent (Part 3 of 3)

      This is the final piece.  I used a size 16 crochet hook for the beads, size 14 for the picot joins.  Since I didn't start out with any picots, I used a stiff needle to slightly raise a picot between the desired DS. 

      Most of the rings were 3-3 and the most of the chains were 4-4.  This piece looks great with two rows.  You could also make a third row.  Usually, I'll make the second row consisting of chains, first then the third row.  Thumb through my previous post to get an idea, on how to proceed with your doo-dad.  There is no written pattern for most doo-dads, which makes them so unique.

Once you are done tatting, block and stiffen you piece.  I use hairspray (probably another no-no).  It was always the old stand-by for drawings when Fixative wasn't in the budget.  Next add your jump ring.  I always add a small dab of fingernail polish where the ends of the jump ring meets to prevent fraying on the tatted part.  

Another note:  I don't like to add jump rings to picots!!  I want my piece sturdy and a picot is a single strand on string...won't wear long.  I prefer a sturdy tatted ring or chain to add my jump ring to.  A good number of DS, in a ring is 12 DS.

      Good luck and have fun!!  Remember, I'm here to help...don't be afraid to ask.  Hope to see all of your embellishments on your blogs.

Embellishments (Part 2)

Turquoise Pendent (Part 2 of 3)

 One of my high school art teachers made us draw out three designs for every project.  She would choose which one would challenge us most.  

Start out by drawing around your "cleaned-up" doo-dad.  Look at the designs and colors in the doo-dad.  This doo-dad has scrolls, turquoise and silver for color.

I like to incorporate the doo-dad into tatting.  I'm using Lizbeth, size 40, Ocean Teal Dk; silver, glass seed beads, and part of the scroll design from the doo-dad. 

 

     

Now you are ready for the base layer.  I want my pieces sturdy, so I rarely do any fancy tatting in this step.  If you tat tight or a beginner, you may want to make a picot every two or three DS.  

Tat around your piece connecting when ever you can (don't connect, if it will cover your doo-dads pattern.)  When I connect, I use the Catherine Wheel stitch.  As you can see from the picture, I don't have any picots.  I make my picot-joins very small and I don't tat extremely tight.  This allows me to insert a needle, between the DS and raise an very,very,  small picot.  I'm sure this is a HUGE NO, NO.  But it works for me!!

 

 

Embelishments

Turquoise Pendent (Part 1 of 3)

      I'm continually asked, how I go about designating and tatting around old jewelry.  I'll repost this section, in hopes it will give you some insight.  Don't be afraid to ask questions.  If you have a special piece of jewelry, I'll help you design something special.  I will not design it, but will help you think it through.  This is how I go about designing and making a pendent around a doo-dad.

 

 Find a piece of old jewelry.  This was a single earring.

 

 These are the tools I use:  dikes, dremel bits (grinding stone, diamond grinding bit, rubber polishing point, and polishing brush...don't need the last bit); and a dremel.

 

Using your dikes, remove any appendages that would interfere with your tatted design. 

Use the grinding stone bit to remove most of the leftover appendages.  Next, use the diamond bit to bring the appendages down, level with the surface of the doo-dad.  Finally, use the rubber polishing point to smooth the surface down.  NOTE:  When using a dremel, hold it in your left hand, if possible.  This way, causes the dust to fall towards the floor and not your face.  Also, wear safety glasses. 

NOTE:  A metal file and 800 grit can be used instead of dremel bits.

Carefully clean you finished doo-dad.  I like to run the soft, rubber polishing brush over the piece to give it a shine.  A soft, damp clothe will also work.  

Finally, check the stones.  Replace missing or loose stones.  Use 5-minute Epoxy for glued in stones.  Make sure the packaging said "colorless" for the dried color.  Otherwise, the glue may dry yellow.  Use the outside edge of your dikes to gently push prongs back in place.

      Jane is doing her "Tat It And See".  Here is my day 1 with variegated crochet thread.  Lottie made me the beautiful green shuttle, using removable Tattoos.

TIAS 2014

TIAS 2014

     Jane, is starting her TIAS, for 2014, TOMORROW!!!!!!  See her site and get your two tatting shuttle loaded for tomorrow!!

Sparkly

Sparkly

     Can't remember where I found this little pin.  It was tatted with Lizbeth, size 20, blue river glades (one of my favorite colors).
 

For Sale on West Pine Creations.

Gold

Gold

     This pin, I found two years ago at an antique show.  The tatting was done with two strands of sewing thread.

For sale on West Pine Creations.

Dragonfly

Dragonfly

     This is another pin, I found at an antique show.  The tatting was done with Lizbeth, size 20, azelea.