beady-eyed but dim

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playing with beads and lace

I’m getting better at stringing beads ! So playing is much more fun now. OTC homework for Jan 2017.

Sbrilluccicante
(or Bugle Bead Star)

Ninetta Caruso

Ninetta’s brilliance has always been apparent in her tatting, lacework, designing, and innovation ! Little surprise to see another winner from her.

Materials : 2 shuttles, size 20 Anchor 4054-0241 ; 72 glass bugle beads 5mm from Itsy-Bitsy

Techniques : working with beads, block tatting, reverse stitch (for block tatting and for split rings), split chain.

Dimensions : Rnd 1 – 1⅜” ; Rnd 2 – 2¼” ; Rnd 3 – 3½”  all tatted in one pass.

The video is excellent and really helps. The written pattern could’ve been better, though the images help.

Unfortunately, these are the only bugle beads I have on hand – not as shimmering, but good quality with hardly any jagged edged or broken ones.

TIP : My quick way of choosing similar sized beads – arrange along the edge of a flat-bottomed lid as seen in collage above!

After the first block, I followed my own way, using 2 same half stitches as a riser. The difference is noticeable (see below).

So you think the beads and thread are dull and dim? Wait till you see how dim I am ....

In this inverted V arrangement (Ù) of Round 1, notice how the thread goes under the bugle bead on the left and over the bead on the right arm ? I liked the shadowy effect and deliberately went with it, thinking I will do the same for the split rings in next round. BUT the thread Has to remain Above the bead for following reasons :

Ø      Bead count in shuttles goes awry

Ø      Joining to it in next round is slightly tricky because the picot can turn downwards.

Ø      More importantly, in split rings, the thread just bunches together when trying to close the ring !!!

I fell in love with the pattern at first glance and the tatting was equally fun !

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3D Beaded Flower Earrings

Jane Eborall

Now this was undoubtedly an interesting piece when I saw it on Jane’s blog. 

But at the time I skirted around beads. With Georgia taking it up for the Online Tatting Class this week, I had a go at it. These are listed as Palmetto 3D Earrings here and are sewn up as a brooch here .

Pretty quick and easy. I loved the green calyx shape (sorry, no pic)! One can start the calyx as a mock ring with thrown center ring, too, but it is not required. I like it just as it is. 

I did not, however, add a bead between 2 petals, preferring to join to plain picot, and keeping the petals inside the hollow calyx. I like layered effect in tatting.

Materials : size 20 Anchor 4054-0241 green and 4054-020 maroon ;

Bead Craft emerald green seed beads – 5 ;

Bead Craft golden yellow seed beads – 36 ;

Gold beads size 9 – 5

Pearl bead cream size 3 (10mm) – 1 for inner center

Pearl bead size 6 – 1 for outside.

The finished flower measures just about ½” !

A clever design that makes the beads look like another round of petals, adding interest & texture ! Bead placement can be customized to create different looks. Hence beads in diagrams and tatted models may vary slightly.

This was a fun project and a good one to clear shuttles. I like the look of it as a little tree ornament.

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{ Many thanks to Ninetta & Jane for sharing their brilliance with us  {

{{Happy tatting and come join us in The Online Tatting Class{{