Fibre Friday

Hi Everyone

It's Friday again ! - how did that happen ? I feel as of I've been super busy this week and it's flown by but not sure what I've done ? I do know,  I'm talking all about fibre today, no mention of the Trees Project until next week.

I've got good and bad news again on the fibre front  (I seem to say that often ! ). Nothing much to show for my efforts with fibre this week. No completely finished items as such, however, I have spent lots of time on the red Moussaillon Cardigan (to be referred to as M from this point)  and re knit most of it several times. I quite like the completed design ...... but its enormous, on me. I've already reduced the size considerably and although the front looks good - the back is twice as big as it needs to be. The only thing I could do is rip it out and redo the back for the third time. I think, I may have 'lost it' with the cardigan ? I've made the decision (several times) to rip it out and then thought better of it. I'm still a bit undecided. However, regardless of the final decision, I'm making plans for a new garment. I may re-use the yarn (Dovestone DK) if I rip out the M cardigan. 

Moving on - so far, I have a long list of 7 ideas for my new garment. See my list below with links :

Palmetto

Diesis

Canvas Cardigan

Netherton Pullover

Ceilidh

Soiree

Bowmont Jumper

These items are in no particular order, although, I'd like to knit them all at some point ! My main decision is where to start and should I rip out the M ? and use the yarn. It's lovely yarn and I want to make something I will love wearing.

While I ponder that one, I'm going to start the Azurite Mittens from Blacker Yarns , I've already completed my KAL effort (read back last Friday for details of the KAL). I completed the Holt Wrist Warmers (see last Friday for images). I already have the Blacker Yarn for the mittens so will join in and knit another KAL. Incidentally, the Bowmont Jumper  (from my list) also forms part of the KAL, so that would be good too. However, I'm not  sure if I want to commit to the Bowmont Jumper just yet ?, it's quite a challenging pattern.

No spinning to speak of - a tiny little rolag only ! I'm hoping for more next week. I'm excited to be going to a local spinning group on Monday - I've been meaning to join this group for a very long time so Monday's the day ! I'll report back next Friday, re my experience.

Almost forgot, on my needles at the moment is a second Bousta Beanie, and as its Shetland Wool Week this week (I would secretly like to be there !) I think it would be fitting to knit it. I enjoyed knitting the first version and am looking forward to this one. It's quite a quick knit so I should make progress this week.

             

Thanks for calling in today. Have a great weekend. I'll be back on Monday.

Tree Beads

Hi Everyone

We are on day 4 of the Everyday Collection : Trees Project. The beads are here and will be finished today ! The finishing stage is quite a time consuming business. I initially, prepare the holes for threading. I use a bead reamer for this job. Each bead needs to be assessed and the reamer will tidy the holes as well as re shape the entry part of the holes. This process transforms the look of the bead and immediately improves the appearance.

The next phase involves tumbling the beads in a mild soapy water. I use various grades of sandpaper on the lining of a tumbler, changing the sandpaper 3 or 4 times, each time with a finer grade. The beads come out of the tumbler with a rather dull, 'washed out' finish - not very attractive ! The finial stage involves polishing with a felt pad using wax polish. After polishing, the beads take on either a matt sheen or a full shine, depending on how much polishing goes on.

The finishing stage does take quite some time - for the most part,I'm dealing with individual beads. I have just over 70 beads to finish. Hopefully, I have enough beads to make 3 individual bracelets. I will string the beads with stretch elastic, this is the 'Everyday' element of the bracelet (read back each day this week for more on the Project). I want the Everyday Collection to be wearable for most situations and will have this in mind when I put the beads together.

Here's a quick look at the beads, ready for 'finishing' :

                        

I'm happy with the beads, especially the longer beads. I was inspired by actual 'trees' and wanted to achieve an individual 'tree trunk' look for each bead. Although each bead has similar qualities, the shapes are slightly varied and hopefully the finished bracelet will turn out well. 

Thanks for calling in today.

Everyday Collection - continued

Hi Everyone

I'm on my third day of the Everyday Collection:Trees today ( you can read back each day for more on this project). I've reworked the oblong shaped bead and made them 'thinner'. The new shapes are much more like the 'trees' from my initial inspiration idea.  I was hopeful that I would stumble across the right solution if I kept working and experimenting and this has proved to be the case. I didn't need to drastically change the clay mix, I've altered the shade of red, slightly, but the consistency of the clay is the same as my first batch. I guess the narrower bead is proportionate and therefore more stable in the pre cured form.

Here's a quick look at the new samples :

                          

My job today is to develop lots more beads (the two shapes above as well as the round sample) and write up the recipe/tutorial as I go. I find the process of writing instructions more useful if I literally, jot down every step of production. I tend to review and edit my written instructions the following day and turn the words into a simple step format. I also like to include lots of visual prompts so will also take photos and possibly draw quick diagrams.

Thanks for calling in today.

Everyday : Trees

Hi Everyone

I'm extending my Polymer Clay session for another day, today. Read back yesterday for more on the Trees project. 

I had mixed success yesterday, a few issues presented themselves which have changed how I will make the next batch of beads. My main challenge was the texture of the mixed clay. I used a particular transparent clay (I have used this before and like the post cured appearance), it's a Primo Sculpey brand. The clay is quite soft and I really needed a more solid shape for my chosen design. The soft texture didn't hold the straight lines of my design in the way I had hoped. I'm going to blend up a new clay mix with another brand of clay today - to see if I can alter the final material. I need a firmer consistency to hold my straight cut lines.

I also struggled to decide on the final size of the oblong shaped bead. I'm quite keen to get a much thinner bead which is inspired by the 'trees' (see the image from yesterday). My plan was to make the bead in two halves, fused around the threading hole. My initial bead was too wide and combined with the soft consistency, the bead did not quite live up to my design. I did manage to produce a second smaller, square bead which I think is more successful for the Everyday Collection. I like the square shapes and will repeat the size with a round shape, using the same construction idea.

                       

The current beads are a rather bright red, my next batch will be a darker shade. I do want to produce a mixture of shades with lots of transparent random patches throughout.

I'm hoping for a better production rate today. In my defence, I did have lots of other things going on yesterday ! I'm keen to complete my Trees project this week, so will keep going with it - until I complete. Hopefully, I can have something significant to share tomorrow.

Thanks for calling in today.

Everyday Collection Designs

Hi Everyone

Today, I'm concentrating on developing new additions to the Everyday Jewellery Collection. I've mentioned this range of polymer clay jewellery several times (look back for details) and am keen to keep going with new ideas. The concept behind this range is, as the name suggests, is a Collection of jewellery suitable to wear for almost all activities. I always test out each design for running, cleaning (don't do much of that !), painting/craft, gardening and general living activities. If a design seems awkward or gets in the way of the activity then it's not suitable. I'm confident each design will work as an Everyday piece if it reaches the production phase.

The process for developing my designs usually follows a similar path. I will be inspired by something and a sketch is produced, followed by a workshop session to produce initial prototype pieces. 

My latest additions to the Everyday Collection has followed this process. I found myself cycling through a stunning forest of trees at the weekend and was struck by the tall, compact trees on either side which promoted thoughts about new beads and ways of linking them. Here's a quick look at my inspiration :

                    

These trees created an immediate sense of upright, rounded oblong shapes. As I cycled through the forest, I was surrounded by the shapes and immediately started thinking about bracelets and how to develop individual beads. I'm not sure I did a very good job on the photos, the inspiration was more to do with travelling through and being surrounded by the trees. My photo gives a more distant view, the inspiration was more of a 'feeling'. However, the idea was planted in my brain. Throughout my cycling session, I found myself thinking about how the jewellery could 'look'. When I got home I sketched out these ideas :

                   

I'm hoping to play with the colour mix and develop the first beads for this project later. I'm calling the new set : Trees, so will hopefully have something to share and wear for next week.

Thanks for calling in today.