More Embroidered Pendants

Hi Everyone 

Although a I announced yesterday that we had completed the Embroidered Pendant Project, the Project goes on ! 

I’m planning to spend more time on my orange blank from yesterday. I’d like to develop a ‘tartan like’ pattern for the embroidery , inspired by something I’ve seen on Pinterest. Hopefully, I’ll complete my blank in the next day or so. I’ll be back with a final update next Monday. 

Our Making Workshop produced some lovely samples of the pendant. We will finish the final piece next time with a decision on the necklace choice. Here’s a quick look at some of the pendants to date :

       

       

Most of Makers chose to colour the wooden blanks and all made a great job of the project.

Thanks for calling in today. I’ll be back with Silver Day news tomorrow.

Embroidered Pendant - the end (almost)

Hi Everyone 

It’s almost the end of the Embroidered Pendant Project today (development phase). I’ve creates a few new samples using different coloured base components as well as a different stitch pattern. Sample 3 has beads added to the embroidery and I’ll also add beads to sample 1. These samples are specifically created for a Making Workshop later today and will inform the final kit versions of the project.

                           

I will develop version 1 today but as far as The Project is concerned the basic formula is there. I’m interested in inspiring new ideas for similar pendants and am looking forward to seeing how our workshop Makers will tackle the Project.

I’ve used several different types of necklace with my samples, sample 2 has a flat suede cord and sample 3 has a round leather cord. Both cords use a barrel fastening and a lobster clasp. I did develop a few Kumihimo cords and although I’ve not used them for the samples above, I will go for a Kumihimo cord for the orange version 1 - possibly adding beads (to the cord) ?

As usual, I will share samples from todays Workshop (tomorrow) and there will be a round up of this project in a months time. The ‘round up’ will be a regular feature on the blog and will look at the previous four projects, whenever I get there. So, no time scale as such but every four Making projects. Hopefully, by each round up, I will have a range of kits available.

Thanks for calling in today.

Embroidered Pendant- resumed.

Hi Everyone 

I’m sharing the first completed Embroidered Pendant today. It’s a very basic version using only coloured thread. Read back last week for more on this. The issue of the reverse side of the embroidered pendant was my last issue to resolve alongside which style of necklace to use. Finally, I decided to use a piece of commercially produced Felt to finish the back of the embroidery and hide all the stitch knots. I tried making a felted piece of fabric and it turned out a little bulky. I also tried handmade paper which would have been suitable but the specific colour was not available to me. I decided the commercially produced Felt was just right for the job. The colour is good and the fabric is quite thin, so encloses the threads well.

              

My final issue was all about the necklace. I had developed a number of coloured braids and did have a metal chain option. However, after much chopping and changing, I think the flat, suede necklace cord seems to work well for this particular version of the pendant. I’ve used a barrel end component with a lobster clasp for the closure. I’m quite pleased with the whole design and I think it works well.

Today, I’m developing another version of the pendant using the same shaped blank. This time, I will colour the blank (great idea from one of my creative friends - thank you). I will also add some beads to the pendant. I’m not sure about the necklace - I may try a leather version ? 

I’ll share my results tomorrow.

Thanks for calling in today.

Fibre Friday Update

Hi Everyone

My Fibre Update is very much like last weeks episode in terms of the projects. However, I’ve moved on with each project and am almost finished two of them. Here’s a quick look at my progress :

                    

Looking at my photo story and working clockwise from the top left ; my first slot is for spinning (read back last Friday for the full spinning project). I’ve completed a couple of sessions this week and will keep going for another week or two, possibly three ? The fibre is spinning up into a probable dk yarn. I’ve yet to ply the yarn but I’m reasonably confident it will be a dk. It’s generally going well.

Moving on, I’ve finished the Garland Sweater (almost) and will wear it today. I’m still not sure about the ‘neck’. I quite like the ‘roll over’ neck but the pattern suggests a stitched down version of the collar, on the inside. I think, I need to wear the sweater to see which I prefer. I’ve ‘sewn in’ the ends but haven’t blocked the garment. I think, it’s OK ‘unblocked’ (for now)because of the characteristics of mohair yarn. I’ll make my decision about the collar by the end of the day.

My next story is the new From Scratch Socks. I’m knitting two at a time so they are moving quite slowly. They will be a very plain and simple sock with an AfterThought Heel design. I’m planning on some basic leg stitch pattern alongside a change in colour (combination of purl and plain rows) and I’m writing up the pattern as I go. I’ve made some progress with the socks but most of my time this week has been spent on the Spindrift Shawl. This brings me onto the last story, my Spindrift Shawl. I’m very nearly finished. I have about half of the last row which is a picot cast off. I’m very pleased with the results. I love the colour of the yarn, it’s a WYS dk fleece Gems in the Peridot colourway. Initially, I had thought about adding a row or two of grey but have decided I like the single colour. Perhaps! I need another shawl with the grey ? 

Thanks for calling in today. Have a great weekend, I’ll be back next Monday.

Silver Day

Hi Everyone

A few weeks ago, I started a new Collection which I’ve been referring to as my Pebble Collection. As work has progressed, I’ve changed the name to Pebbles and Tiles. The components have ‘moved on’ from only pebble like components and the idea of adding ‘tiles’ seems to describe the designs. Today, I’m sharing some of the professional photos taken for this Collection. 

                      

These earrings are a small selection of the total Collection. My process has been to develop a prototype piece which is then tested by me, modified if required and then accepted as part of the range. If it’s all successful, I have the pieces photographed. 

The pieces above have passed all tests and are ready for production. My plan is to develop a small batch of each design, as every item is handmade all will be unique but the method and construction will be the same.

I’m still working with new ideas for Pebble and Tiles, I’d like to develop a small earring for the Collection, perhaps two or three designs ? I could make small versions of the designs featured above but feel the ballon hooks wouldn’t quite work with a very small component. Eventually, I’m hoping to have twelve designs in the whole Collection, including rings, earrings, pendant and bracelets.

Thanks for calling in today.