Cameos and Stash Organization

Pearls & Lace

Good morning, dear readers!

I decided that I had better get today's post done as we are supposed to have some scary, severe weather this afternoon & evening.  That also means I will have intermittent internet access.

 

I have been getting things gathered up and ready for serious tatting work in the Atelier.  The plan is to have all new original pieces available in May.  Here are some of the cameos I've acquired at auctions and estate sales:

 

 

It was hard to get good images due to the glare this morning, but you can get a general idea of what the "before" cameos look like.  The earrings are screw back, but I plan to cut off the backs, file down the rough and use them as pendants.

 

 

These two ladies need a good cleaning, but I expect they will dress-up quite nicely.

 

The intaglios and vintage brooches have been sorted, catches & mountings checked, and are neatly organized on my jeweler's bench in the Atelier.

 

Now, I am awaiting the cultured pearl order that was placed a couple of weeks ago.  Oh, yeah- I also need to order more Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk.  Lots to do to add to the Romance of the Piney Woods & Olde West Collections!  I'm off to inventory the Valdani threads.  Have a great day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

 

 



Early Autumnal Transition Inspiration

Good morning, dear readers!  Hope you all had a wonderful weekend.  Mine was full of creative stimulation and inspiration.  It is that time of year when my Piney Woods begin the transition into Autumn colors.  Leaves are just starting to get a tinge of color.  With each walk in the woods, my mind whirls with tatting design possibilities and color inspirations.  After a stroll, I went into the Atelier and grabbed several balls of Valdani pearl cotton and luxury pearl silk along with several vintage jewelry pieces.  One color caught my fancy- M80 "Distant Grass".  It perfectly reflects the initial transition colors of my Piney Woods.  Then, I was fortunate to have a gorgeous vintage Tara aurora borealis brooch that seemed to be just what I needed for the next project.

 

 

The brooch is exceptionally sparkly, making it difficult to photograph.

 

 

Here is an example of why I chose this particular thread color.

 

 

And another example.  This was taken at the entry to one of my trails into the Piney Woods.  There are lots of these little yellow flowers mixed into the grass and pine straw on the ground.

 

My suggestion to those of you who have asked about creative development advise:  look around you, become more aware of your surroundings.  What catches your eye?  What are you drawn to?  Be inspired by the everyday things you might normally overlook or ignore.  Each day presents you with unlimited opportunites to explore your own creativity.  Take a chance and play.

 

Well, I am off to do just that- play in the Atelier.  My hot cocoa is ready; the dogs are spinning at the door, ready to run in the woods ahead of me and my fingers are itching to get back to work on that brooch.  Have a great day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

 

 

 

 

 



Next Brooch Project

Good morning!  It was nice to get back to my regular routine, although I did not get much tatting done.  I spent a good deal of time sifting through my junque jewelry stash in search of a part to repair a friend's brooch.  After doing that, I looked through the vintage pieces awaiting embellishment.  There is one piece that I've been wanting to enhance for a while, but simply have not taken the time to do it as it is a piece I intend to keep.

 

 

I love this little pine cone brooch and have been looking at it for a while- trying to decide what I should do.  I think I will embellish it with Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk (in Subtle Elegance), Swarovskis, seed pearls and perhaps some Czech seed beads.  The openwork pieces on the front could provide anchors for some ruffled tatting or special bead accents.  The back presents many anchoring options and I am contemplating which way is the best to go.  So... this is my project today.  IF I don't get sidetracked!

 

What tatting projects are you working on?  Anything special?

 

After getting the kid off to school, I plan to spend the morning on the front porch tatting on the pine cone brooch before it gets too hot.  The afternoon will be spent cleaning, brushing and plotting how to re-do my cloches.  I'm still mulling over adding the Parchment motif and accents to the brown one.  Hope you have a wonderful day.  Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

 



Back Views

As requested:

Here is the back side of some of my pieces- 2 circle style brooches and 2 cameos.

This is the flip side of the "Shades of Bark" brooch featured earlier this week.

Working in between navettes is easy.  One can really cinch the work in neatly with practice.

This is the back side of "Eustacia".  As she has an exceptionally tightly spaced filligree rope setting, it was difficult to add beads and tatting to her in the initial rounds.  It took a number of hours to dress this lady!

For those who were curious, I hope this helps you better visualize how to add accents to vintage brooches.  I look forward to hearing from those who give it a go!

This is going to be a CRAZY day for me!!!  I'm taking Jocelin and her best friend (who is also her cousin) out for a day of shopping and "fun".  They will shop 'til I drop and probably make the pizza joint regret their "all-you-can-eat" lunch buffet.  Wish me luck and patience as I face the day.  I plan to pick up the last few goodies for the blogversary prizes today, too. 

Be sure to check back this weekend for the blogversary announcement!

Well, I am off to the Atelier before the insanity begins.  Until this weekend~

Happy Tatting!



Working with Vintage Brooches

Good morning, dear readers!  I have received several inquiries about the vintage brooches I add tatting to and decided to do a post that will, hopefully, answer most of your questions.

Selection of a Brooch:

Selecting a brooch that is "workable" is key.  The brooch needs to have spaces and places to anchor tatting and beading.  The pin back also needs to be sturdy, in good working order and it must not impede the adding of accents.  Some brooches are attached with a V-type support and these can interfere with anchoring spots.  Examine the brooch very carefully- are the rhinestones prong set or glued in?  Are the stones loose?  Are any missing?  Take into careful consideration the overall condition and quality of the piece. 

For those who do not know, I adore vintage costume jewelry- especially Juliana, Regency & Weiss pieces.  Juliana pieces are not marked, but are easily discerned by their superior quality of stones, prong settings and distinctive mountings.  Tara pieces are often mistaken for Juliana, but usually feature the V-type pin backs and are not quite as fine in quality (IMHO).  Regency & Weiss pieces are usually marked.  Do your own research and discover what appeals to you.  Visit an antique/junque shop and peruse the costume jewelry.  I take a jeweler's loupe with me and examine each piece in minute detail.  After examination, I then determine if the price is fair or if I feel it is over or under priced.  Is is worth the asking price?  Use your judgment and select what you like that is workable.

Thread & Accents for a Brooch:

Most of you probably have a bead and thread stash.  Take the brooch and place it near your stashes.  Determine what thread and accents you wish to use.  Be adventurous- try adding pearls and other beads to the brooch.  You never know what you may come up with!

Adding Tatting & Accents to a Brooch:

Take your time and look at your brooch.  Determine how you want it to look and where your best anchor points are.  Adding tatting and accents/beads to a brooch is quite easy for needle tatters, but can be more difficult when using a shuttle.  I typically begin in the center and work out, but in some instances, it is best to save the center accents for last.  Start where you feel the design starts- I know this is ambiguous, but, that's how I do it.  Continue working on the piece until you are satisfied with the results.  I have been known to wear a brooch with accents for a week or even years, then I just up and remove all the accents and add new ones.  The point is to enjoy it & have fun.

Here is a lovely purple Juliana brooch I've had in my stash for a while that I decided to accent:

It is a small star brooch that is being accented with ruffled tatting using Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk in S 541 (Mauve Orchid).  I'm considering adding lavender freshwater pearls and deep purple velvet colored Swarovskis to it.  I'll just see how it looks after I get all of the larger rhinestones surrounded with ruffle work before I make my final decision.

I hope that this has provided you with a bit more insight to my creative process concerning the brooches.  Let me know if any of you give it a try! 

Well, the Atelier is waiting with lots of projects.  The "Glamour" necklace needs more components tatted & beaded, the Juliana brooch needs work, and I have a gorgeous green Regency brooch awaiting embellishment.  So much to do...

May you have a marvelous day filled with creativity!

Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!



Change of Plans

Well, after I got out the pearls, I decided to not to use the silver peacock ones.  They are pretty, but did not seem to be right for the little filigree brooch.  I experimented with green, brown, peach and teal pearls.  The teal pearls looked best to my eye.  This is how the brooch looks now:

Sorry the image isn't the best, but it was VERY early this morning when I took it.  The pearls have 3mm grey AB Swarovski bicones between them.  I will be using Valdani size 8 pearl cotton in M30 for the accent tatting. 

This afternoon, I plan to do some test tatting for a friend.  If she gives the okay, I'll post the results of that later.

It's not even 8 a.m. yet, but this has already been one busy morning!  And now I'm off to pick more blueberries before it gets too hot.  Have a great day and remember:

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY BEFORE THE WINNER OF THE SUMMER VACATION EVENT IS ANNOUNCED!!!  BE SURE TO LEAVE A COMMENT ON THAT BLOGPOST FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN- GOOD LUCK!

Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting! 



Preparing For Summer

I have been busy getting the house and Atelier prepped for summer.  While I would not trade living in  the deep south for anything, the summers are particularly brutal.  The heat and humidity make for a sultry, sticky environment.  So, before it gets really hot (that means before it starts hitting the 100's on a regular basis) we are servicing the AC and making sure the windows and doors are properly insulated.  I require a comfortable, non-sticky atmosphere for my tatting!

While I'm at it, I think I'll go through all of my pitchers and water bottles.  The fridge needs to be loaded with plenty of water, tea, colas, lemonade and jello.

Oh- I recently acquired a couple of cute brooches that will be embellished for my Romance of the Piney Woods collection:

This is a gold filled circle brooch with cultured seed pearls and Persian turquoise accents.  I'm thinking that Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk in S49 "Subtle Elegance" is what I'll use on this one.

This is a simple gold filled filigree circle brooch.  It will have silver peacock pearl and Swarovski crystal accents along with a few rounds of tatting in Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk in S204 "Forgotten Lavender".

DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE A COMMENT ON THE SUMMER VACATION EVENT POST FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN SOME GREAT GOODIES!  THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON THE BLOG THIS THURSDAY- GOOD LUCK!!!

Well, I had better get busy with the summer prep work.  After I get that knocked out, I'll work on a special tatting project.  Have a great day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!