Well, I couldn't help but play with the centre ornaments that I managed to find at Hobby Lobby on Saturday..or as the inspiring Lace-Lovin' Librarian, Diane, calls them...Doodads! They do make a tatter feel like singing and tatting happily away with them. I'm sure you all knew that's what I would be doing. At any rate, here is what I have come up with...
I really rather like this, it is very pretty on...about the size I typically choose to wear at present as well. This one is done in Lizbeth Antique Violet Med. (Color 640) with silver 11/0 beads...
Now, just so that you don't think it came out this pretty on my first attempt, I will show you what was the first attempt...
Nope...don't like it...not quite right at all. Mushy thread for this application besides, a vintage size 30 Clark's thread. Really needed more of a firmer thread for making these and needed to adjust the spacing a bit and change the top...and that thread was a touch to small to hold that size of beads in place nicely.
So the second go round was much nicer...
This is loosely based off of the arm of the Maria bookmark from Lene Bjorn's Tatted Bookmarks - cross-shaped. Diane, the Lace-Lovin' Librarian, just tatted the same bookmark here...and I happened to have started the same bookmark Sunday morning, but got sidetracked when I thought how pretty an earring shaped the same way would be.
Additionally, I feel this is also inspired by the pretty set of earrings made by Lady Picot here.
I have seen that arrangement of rings and chains elsewhere, the stitch count has been adjusted, as well as the addition of two more rings at the top...so I feel fairly comfortable claiming this as my own creation. If you all agree and like the design, I would happily share the pattern.
All in all, I am very happy with these. I believe the silver beads give it a silver studded appearance that gives it a type of western styling that is currently popular in the Southwest part of the United States at present. Which means this might prove popular as a gift for a few ladies I know at Christmas time.
For now, I am off to make the second earring so that I have a pair...it is lovely, I like it very much, and I have just the shirt to wear them with tomorrow! I might make a pair in turquoise thread as well. Then we'll see what else I come up with...
Your earring design is beautiful! It sure makes me wish I could wear earrings.
ReplyDeleteYes, I've been using the term doodad, but it's not my idea... all the credit goes to Fox... she's the one who got me started on my current addiction!
aaah...then Fox get's credit for this current tatting craze too then :-) They are fun!!!
DeleteI love your earring! Great design!
ReplyDeleteIt seems that Fox and Jane Eborall started using these doodad thingys around the same time early in 2011. I still don't know how Fox came about having a small stash of them, but Jane's adventure started with a pair of cascading earrings that she found at a discount store, made up of several small identical metallic filigree doodads. She then embarked on a marathon of tatting medallion after medallion in all colors, using many as magnets, then making necklaces. A gal named Irma in Chile then sent Jane a whole bunch of different doodads, and she was off and runnung again! It has been an amazing saga!
I do remember seeing the development of doodad thingys on Jane's blog...most fascinating and I enjoyed seeing all that she came up with, Fox's were also lovely and inspiring, Diane though somehow made them seem accessible and available and not at all intimidating and most definitely desirable...and she dared us all besides :-) It has been fun to watch and I am glad to now be playing with them myself!
DeleteThis is so beautiful, and how clever of you to display it like this, it makes it more delicate and beautiful! Shows it off very well!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I have to admit to just trying to find something that showed the color off nicely and was nicer as a background than the messy ball of thread they are currently hanging on...and roses are readily available at my house :-)
Deletevery pretty! I like it.
ReplyDeleteyes, I would like the pattern. Thanks for offering.
Gorgeous earring! Does it have Adair yet? The color is great and the beads go perfectly. Wish I could design. Oh wait, I don't have to! You've generously volunteered the pattern! Yay! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteVery sharp earring!! :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful design!
ReplyDeleteLovely transformation from a bookmark to earrings.
ReplyDeleteI have just got an inspiration - what if you tat that large ring at the end over a plastic/cabone ring?
Beautiful earrings and doodad combination! Love your roses, too! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat idea to turn your doodads into earrings.
ReplyDeleteThat purple earring is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteFox : )
Thank you all for your wonderful comments, I greatly appreciate them. I will get the earring pattern drawn up as soon as I can, I have a girlscout overnight I am prepping for at present...so when it is over (on Sunday) I should be able to find the time for my own diversions again :-)
ReplyDelete