Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Small Oval Pendants


I bought some small oval metal pendants (1-1/2” x 1”) at a craft store for the purpose of putting tatting in them, although I had to remove the oval gem in the center so I could insert my black velvet paper background.   (You can see the original pendant in the last photo below.)

 
PENDANT 1
Lizbeth Spring Garden, size 20
The doodad was sewn on afterwards and not tatted in.

This pendant was a total surprise, as it was not planned at all.  I was merely practicing the basics of making a ‘fluffy’ round rosette with picots (like those pretty ones Allison has been posting about recently at ‘Allison’s Tatting Blog’  http://tattingfarmchick.blogspot.com/2012/09/frilly-rose-pattern.html ).

I stopped after the ‘picot round’ because  I ran out of thread on the ball. (I knew that would happen; I was just trying to see how the rosette is generally constructed, as I’ve never done one before.)   Also, the chain with the picots was not ‘tight’ enough,  so I would have stopped there anyway.

However, I thought that this little ‘scrap’ of tatting would fit nicely into the small pendant (although I had to stretch it a little to make it fit the oval shape), and it looked good  in these colors.  Then I thought I’d add some bling with a little ‘doodad’ which has convenient holes in it for sewing onto the tatting.  

This is what I love about tatting!  What might otherwise have been a scrap piece became something useful and attractive!
 
PENDANT 2
Lizbeth Turquoise, size 20
With simple tatted chain in the filigree ‘rim’
 
This pendant WAS planned and is a tribute to Rachel Jackson (The Piney Woods Tatter http://pineywoodstatter.blogspot.com/),  who inspired me to learn to do the interlocking rings.
In addition, Rachel seems to have perfected the concept of ‘layered tatting’, where she beautifully enhances a tatted motif (or even commercial jewelry),   with several rounds of overlapping and interwoven tatted chains.  She also artistically uses beads to  enhance her designs.   She has a way of visualizing how she will ‘construct’ this layered work, and creates one-of-a-kind pieces!  She especially loves to enhance exquisite brooches (such as cameos) that she finds at estate sales.  Her work is amazing!    

 
I obviously didn’t do any fancy ‘layered tatting’ on the metal rim of my pendant here - just one row of chains to ‘match’ the interlocking rings; but I’m fascinated by the concept and hope to try it sometime.   This would be the ‘foundation’ row.

Here is the original pendant.  I’m always on the lookout for pendants with pretty frames around them,  having empty or ‘removable’ centers so I can put my velvet paper inside as a backing to my tatting.
 I  prefer that the pendants come with bails attached, and appreciate the larger bails, so that a variety of necklaces  can fit through them.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Although I love Fall and am glad to see some cooler weather come in (maybe a little too cool?),  I’m not happy that it’s getting dark earlier in the evening.   It is difficult to believe we’re quickly approaching October!



13 comments:

  1. I particularly like the look of pendant #2. It is very pretty.

    Like you, I am in absolute awe of Rachel's work and visit her site at least once a day!

    I have tried to use her work as a model, and bought a cameo pin - very cheap one - to see if I could manage the effect she does so well. I could not! She really is gifted at the technique she has taken as her own and amplified to get those amazing results.

    Ah, tatting!
    xxoo Fox : )

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  2. Lovely work! Pendents are beautiful. Question of the year: have you had a chance to work on the Victoria Slipper's pattern. You know I would so love to make some for Christmas this year. Thanks in advance!!

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  3. Both pendants are so beautiful!! :)

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  4. These are lovely! I especially like how the scond one turned out, the color choice is great!
    I can't believe how fast it gets dark now too! Last night I walked the dog at the usual time and had to come home early because it was so dark!

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  5. These are lovely! I especially like how the scond one turned out, the color choice is great!
    I can't believe how fast it gets dark now too! Last night I walked the dog at the usual time and had to come home early because it was so dark!

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  6. Lovely pendant, I visit Rachel's blog every day when I can, I am so inspired by her designs but I have trouble trying to do them, I have mastered the ring but to interlock the chains I need a bit work on them. Your pendants are lovely I am like Fox I like the second one. Well done on your rings.
    Margaret

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  7. I love the turquoise pendents. Wonderful job!!

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  8. I agree tatting can make an otherwise plain object come to life. The pendants look very attractive. More and more these days I look for quick and easy patterns because I want to rush on to something else. Not too keen on patterns that are challenging.

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  9. I love both your pendants, Kathy! Very nice!

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  10. Your pendants are beautiful! I don't have any oval pendants, but I do have some oval pins. I'm trying to decide how to use them. I'll let you know when I get inspired!

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  11. Those pendants were a nice find. Your additions are just beautiful! I haven't even tried those interlocking rings yet - great job on them!

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  12. Oh-my-goodness! What can I say??? I am so flattered by your kind words, Kathy! And am humbled that your lovely pendants were inspired by my work. Thank you so very much. Fox & Margaret often leave kind remarks on my page and it really helps- especially when things aren't working out just right. Please keep experimenting, Kathy. I can't wait to see what you come up with next!

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  13. Ohhh, the turquoise one is my favorite....what great idea to use cabochon settings.

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