Friday, June 27, 2008

Motifs # 23 & 24, Just a Couple Bracelets

As the title says, my next two motifs, #23 and #24 are two bracelets for my mom. Here is the first one:

This bracelet was inspired by the bookmark I made earlier this year. The pattern is Interlocking Clovers from Mary Konior's book "Tatting Patterns". This has been my main tatting piece for the last four or five days. I made two pieces of lace, one in Flora 20, colour # 204 (yellow) for the inside of the bracelet, and three strands of DFN metallic silver embroidery floss for the outside of the bracelet. I added some gold silver-lined beads for some added sparkle. Of course, I thought the gold beads looked good when I was threading them on (using the method Yarnplayer demonstrated on her blog). After working on it, I realized that red would have looked better (kinda like rubies), though blue would have looked good too. I joined the silver layer to the yellow layer as it was being worked. Before joining the last short end, I inserted a 1 inch brass cuff bracelet (available from BeadFX, I'm sure it can be found elsewhere) then finished the last silver chain, and joining to the yellow layer. I kinda like it; I hope my mom will too. Oh, and please ignore the hairy wrist being used to model both bracelets. I'm going to be giving my mom both bracelets next weekend and if I don't photograph them now, I may forget.

The second bracelet is one I started a few months ago. I was unsure of how to finish the ends, so it was set aside.


This bracelet is called "Pearl Tatting Bracelet" and was designed by Birgit Phelps. For this bracelet, I used C-Lon beading cord in two shades of purple and three Swarovski crystal beads. The pattern was fairly simple to make, though the pearl tatting part was time consuming compared to regular tatting. The thread I used probably added some complications. For those of you unfamiliar with C-Lon thread, it is a heavy nylon thread used for beading mainly, but it does tat quite well. Finishing took a bit of time to get right. I know that nylon thread is often melted when finishing, but I wasn't happy with the results. So, this project has been an almost done UFO. I ordered a larger clasp from... do I need to say where? I tied the clasp onto the thread and secured the knot with Super Glue. This was the most common finishing method for nylon thread that I found. If anyone has any other suggestions, I would love to hear them.

Finally, I have decided not to participate in the latest tagging game. I just can't think of six unimportant things about me. I'm sure there will be more tagging later. Until next time.

9 comments:

  1. I love the bracelets, especially the cuff! I never would have thought of that. I really like the idea of red or blue beads... my mom's favorite color is red, and mine is blue. I'm sure your mom will enjoy your beautiful gifts!

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  2. I like the idea of enveloping the bracelet with tatting. I like the tatting design and adding beads is even better. Your mother willl love this.

    I have a question - once completed can the brass bracelet be removed? How would you clean it if it gets dirty from moisture and body oils? ... ooops that's two questions.

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  3. Thanks for the kind comments Diane and Jon. If my mom likes it and the bracelet works out, I'll have to make another one or two and try red beads. BTW. my mom favourite colour is purple.

    Jon, the brass bracelet could be removed if you sew one end shut instead of joining the picots of the two layers. According to the product description, the brass part does not need cleaning. I guess you could wash the whole thing in warm soapy water and pat dry. I'll post an update if I find out that this does or doesn't work well. If you make the tatted part removable, you could remove it. Wash and dry and put back on the bass bracelet. I hope I answered your questions. If not, feel free to post additional questions.

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  4. The bracelets are very pretty. You have been working hard! I'm sure your mother will love them. I would be so afraid my tatting wouldn't fit the bracelet part!

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  5. So nice of you to make those bracelets for your mom! They're both pretty.

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  6. Jeff, your mum is going to be thrilled with those bracelts! I wish my son would learn to tat so that I could receive such lovely gifts! LOL

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  7. Thanks Marilee, TattingChic, Laura and Linda. Going by all you're comments, I'm even more confident that my mom will like them.

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  8. I especially love the cuff bracelet. Your mum will be so thrilled. I even love the hairy wrists....(giggle).

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