Free Split Ring Tatting Pattern

I finally got around to packaging another Split Ring Tatting pattern for distribution.

This pattern is from my first book Fun with Split Ring Tatting.

Go to:  www.TheShuttleSmith.com

Click on "Free Split Ring Tatting Pattern"

Another Way to USE Lace

My friend Susan and I were hosting 'book club' a couple of days ago and in the preparation process, Susan showed me a box of crocheted doilies that she had found while cleaning out her parent-in-laws house.  As we were looking through them, I tried to instill a sense of appreciation in her for what she had.  So I grabbed one of the doilies and showed her how to wet it, and block it out on the countertop so that it would look better.  However, the time came when we had to go on with our hostess prep and the doilies had to go away.  So I was looking for a way for Susan to take the (still wet) doily with her and in the process grabbed one of the clear, plastic plates that we had out to use for our party.  It fit perfectly.  Then we got the idea to put another plate on top of the bottom one and the doily....and we realized that we had just created a LACE PLATE!!!!  So we decided to use it for our goodies. 

At the end of the evening, Susan insisted that I keep this doily.  She promised me that she would love and appreciate the rest of the doilies in the box!!!

Susan using the LACE PLATE

Another Blast from the Past--Silver Shuttles 2

These 3 designs were my
biggest sellers.

I was cleaning through some old stuff the other day and came across a folder of my original artwork for The ShuttleSmith Sterling Silver Tatting Shuttle brochure.  I sold these things when the WWW was in its infancy.  So I made and sent out a brochure.  The picture is from my front cover.  I can't tell you how much time I spent trying to get good film-based photos of my sterling silver shuttles!!!!  Again I'm aging myself because this was before digital photography was commercially viable.  The problem was getting photos of something so shiny without getting yourself or some other reflection in the image.  Actually, come to think of it, I used to do alot of my photography in the medical center's (where I worked) morgue/autopsy suite.  They had a photography stand set up and I would bring my special light bulbs (after hours, of course) to get the right color of lighting.  I would set up the shots, shut out the overhead lights, and then run back (in the dark, in a morgue!-YIKES) to take the shot.  This was to keep the time down on my special lightbulbs (that were expensive and not long-lived).

Leather Tatting Shuttles Debut!!!!

The ShuttleSmith Leather Tatting Shuttle

The ShuttleSmith is living up to her pseudonym/name!!!  'Smith' is used to refer to someone who makes something.  In my case this means SHUTTLES. (Sorry, I'm not referring to my Sterling Silver Tatting Shuttles now.)              

 

My newest venture is making:  LEATHER TATTING SHUTTLES

They are Flat Tatting Shuttles.  Look closely in the picture to see the slits emanating from the cut-out holes, this is how the thread is wound on. 

Right now I have one style of flat, leather shuttles: a decorative/colored leather bonded onto a stiffer, backing leather.  (Another style/form is coming soon).

I currently have two sizes ranges: 

• The basic shuttles are 3 to 3.24 inches long by 1 to 1 3/8 inches wide
• The 'smaller' shuttles are 2.5 to 2.75 inches long by 1 to 1 1/8 inches wide

Price should be $15 with free shipping to US addresses, regardless of size.

I haven't figured out yet how to sell these yet on my website.  All the color and size choices make the system fairly complex. 

Ths photo shows the front and the back side of the leather shuttles. I have spent time bevelling the edges of the backing leather for a smooth tool.

 

These are the colors of Leather Tatting Shuttles that I have available now.  There is only one tan and one white shuttle at this time....but more white shuttles are possible
 

 

 

Nightstand Lace--Nanduti

 

Robin asked 'what kind of lace was on my nightstand?'  so I will start here highlighting my 'pretties'.  It is Nandhuti (or Nanduti) Lace.  Made in Paraguay.  It is in the same lace family as Teneriffe or Sol Lace.  I consider it the PHD level of Teneriffe Lace.  Teneriffe lace is made with individual motifs (sols/circles/shapes) that are stitched together into one larger lace piece.  Nanduti is made as one piece, laying down the 'warp' threads onto a cloth base in which the design is drawn and linking the warp threads of the motif designs as they are stitched.  Nanduti can usually be distinquished by the 'palm shapes' on the border of the work (see the upper/first picture) and a filling (seen in the middle of both of my pieces) that is created similarly to drawn thread work in needlework techniques.

These two pieces are my favorite due to the color.   The warp threads are one color and then the weaving/stitching is done in contrasting colors.   In the top piece, the warp threads are yellow/orange, with many vibrants colors used to stitch the designs.  The bottom piece used white warp thread and then red and green to stitch the design.    The motifs in the top piece are varied designs and represent elements from the Paragauyans life (corn, lotus flower, ant hills, etc.)  I have several books on Nanduti Lace, many of which I can't read.  Not only are they in Spanish, but they use native language words of the indigenous peoples who still make this lace.

 

My Bedroom Dresser/Nightstand--Use of Lace

 

This is my bedroom dresser and nightstand and how I USE lace as decoration.  My husband and I bought this dark wook bedroom set and I realized that the wood top was so pretty that I didn't want to put anything on it.  So I came up with this idea to cover it with glass and then not have to worry about what goes on it.  I put some of my lace (collected and handmade) under it and now I have a work of art that I enjoy. I will highlight some of the pieces more in depth in future blog posts.

 

That is me with my kids in the picture on the nightstand

What happened to The ShuttleSmith's silver shuttle business?

I have considered making them again.   I originally took a year off from making them and when I wanted to go back to the business I learned that the company that etched my celtic designs into the silver had quit.  They said that this service was too popular and they couldn't keep up with the demand...so they stopped. (Doesn't make any sense to me!).  I did look into finding another custom etching service but discovered that it was going to be a costly venture to get set up.  Since these were my most popular shuttles, I lost interest in making sterling silver shuttles altogher.  About a year ago, I got interested in making some shuttles again.  I still have some silver stock left over.  However, I soon realized that the cost of silver had gone up 3-4 times what I was paying.  When I ran out of my stockpile of silver, I would have to pay alot more for my basic supplies.  I put ALOT of time and craftsmanship into making these things, and thus I realized that I wasn't willing to take a loss on them.  I still think that financially, people still don't have as much expendible cash to buy such novelties/luxuries at the inflated price that I would need to ask.   So I just haven't gotten back to making them.  My idea is that when I do go back to the silver shuttle making business, the shuttles will be 'one of a kind' art pieces.

I am however, making different forms of tatting shuttles true to my company name.  I will be introducing one form here on this blog shortly!!!   STAY TUNED.