Back to Work

I've been working hard on a mask that was ordered during my sale. It was the only piece that needed to be made before shipping. I just finished working it up despite the best efforts of the cat to distract me, so I should have it in the post to its new owner tomorrow morning.

I have a few cuff bracelets that also sold that I should get tatted up so I can put them back up my shop. I was just waiting for new hook closures to come in the mail before I could start on them and they've just arrived in the mail. I'm going to take a little break this afternoon and then get to work on them as well. Hopefully those will keep me busy and give me some tatting to share here and elsewhere over the next couple of weeks.

I Was Found

Well, I planned on giving you all the stats from my day in the Etsy Finds email, but it turns out that means I would have to do math. Me and math do not get on very well so it will take a little longer before I can offer up those numbers. What I can do is give you the easy numbers.

The mask that was featured in the email started the day with 388 views and this morning has 1181. It also garnered 89 new hearts for a total of 106. I started the day with 2008 shop hearts and this morning I have a whopping 2137. I know that already seems like a lot of numbers, but hearts and views were littered all over the store and I wanted to go through and see what these new eyes gravitated towards. This is the first time I actually had the forethought to go to majaba and get all the numbers before and after an "event" so I could really get accurate numbers.

If you have an etsy store and you haven't yet discovered majaba's heart-o-matic, you must go try it out. Of course it will just give you yet another thing to be addicted to, so I do apologize to your families for sharing.

I did also make a couple of sales and I even sold one of my other masks. All in all it was a pretty good day, now we'll just have to wait and see if any of those who hearted the store return to buy anything or if it was just a case of, ooh, that's pretty. All the activity of the day gave me that antsy feeling that preceeds the holidays. I'm both looking forward to and dreading the upswing that may occur in the next couple of months. Of course I love to make sales especially since my etsy money has been earmarked as our only holiday spending, but I have actually been enjoying the extra time I've had lately to design stuff without a deadline on other projects looming. I guess you can't have it both ways, so I'll stop complaining and roll with whatever comes my way.

Back To Business

So apparently I was talking to myself yesterday. That's okay, I just needed to vent I suppose. So today I'm back to my creative self. I am of course working on a new mask design. This one is based on my Grand Daisy motif and though I'm certain to make the first one for sale in black, I think this one will be great in many colors for perhaps a fairy costume. I know it's hard to see in the ecru, but that's my prototype thread. I use it not only because I have a mile of it, but also because I can count the stitches so much better with this thread. I have yet to write down the patterns for any of my masks. I know, I should should know better by now. If I wait too much longer, I'll forget the changes I made from the prototype to the final design and they will be lost to the ages, but I'm on such a creative roll that I'm afraid that stopping to write them down will stunt my growth.

Since I'm back on the subject of tatting, I thought I'd share that I finally joined my first tatting community. Why is this a big deal? Well, when I first tried tatting I was using a shuttle and I failed miserably, but I was determined to learn this skill. I went online for help and ran across a small mention of needle tatting, bought a book and learned like lightning. Once the book had no more to teach me, I went back to the Internet for help, techniques and patterns and though I found lots of that, I also found unpleasantness. I ran across people claiming that needle tatting was not only, not "real" tatting, but insinuated that it was akin to cheating. I also found folk who thought that they were the only worthy tatters and they rest of us should just shove off. You can imagine that I tried to avoid all contact with other tatters for fear of being judged and told that I did not belong.

I'm certain that nearly every discipline or craft has the same problems in their communities, but I was so afraid and unsure of myself that I stayed away. It wasn't until I started my blog just a few months ago that I began to develop friendships with other tatters. I've since met some amazingly talented and wonderful people and it is because of them that I finally realize that I do in fact belong. I look forward to using this new resource to learn and grow. It is also refreshing to network where my ultimate goal is not selling something. I don't know how much time I'll devote to this new adventure as I'm stretched pretty thin already, but I've dipped a toe in and water seems fine so far.

Another Day, Another Mask

I caught a bug this weekend and not the good kind. In fact it took out my entire family. I'm tired and less than 100% but I still managed to finish the newest in my mask line. This one matches my diamonds in lace choker. Not that you'd need to have the choker to make the mask work, but I think it really completes the look. I'm having so much fun coming up with these designs and I hope that they are well received so I can justify their further creation.

Part of the reason I started making these pieces was to fill up time that was reserved for stocking my etsy store. Since I've already made duplicates of many of my items and I have a bunch of pieces made for both the Steam Powered convention and the future lollishop venue, I needed to move in another direction just to keep my creative juices flowing. I've decided that a stock of three or four different masks will make for a good "line", so once I've finished those I will have to come up with an entirely new idea.

I've made hats, scarves, cuffs and now masks. What else can I make with tatting? Something that is unique, quick and wearable? Well, the keyword there is wearable and I think I've got a few more ideas in the pipeline. I was thinking fingerless gloves, maybe a shrug or caplet. Then I was thinking, how else can I use tatted pieces. There are many high priced independent designers using lace to embellish simple tank tops and dresses and getting top dollar for them. I wonder if I have the patience to work with clothing in that manner. Mine would be unique simply because I would be making the lace myself. It's a scary prospect every time I think about moving in another direction. Is that too many product lines for me to ultimately handle? I really don't have the answer, but now that the idea has entered the public arena, I will have to follow through. That's just the way that I roll.

A Kind Of Pale Jewel

I am so late getting tot he blog this morning. This is what happens when a 1 year old gets sick and keeps me up all night. I can't even remember what it was that I was going to talk about today. I had promised myself that I would lay off the mask business for at least a day and blather on about another subject, but since I'm fairly certain that you don't want to hear about how my baby kept me up all night I'll just go back to mask progress and hope you all don't boycott my lack of creative subjects.

I finished the base structure for the Mardi Gras mask, put it on with the matching necklace and promptly decided that it still needed something. I couldn't figure out what, so I've put the design on the back burner. I'm hoping it will come to me as I work on other designs. I do think that it looks great with the necklace so I won't abandon it entirely, but for now I'll be moving on.

I picked up the jeweled version of my first mask and finished it up yesterday and managed to get some photos so I could list it on the etsy. I paired it with my Portrait choker for the photos and I think they look amazing together and I keep wishing that I had any reason to wear them out, but as I rarely leave my home to go anywhere terribly interesting, it's unlikely that I will be soing that anytime soon. Check out the listing for more photos of the pair, I really like a couple of them. This one is called "A Kind Of Pale Jewel" because I've decided all of my masks will have a Labryinth themed name. This has had the unfortunate side effect of wedging the soundtrack into my head for the last week. I've tried, but it just won't budge.

I've now moved on to a mask design based on my Gears of Grace and Diamond in Lace chokers only much bigger. I think this design will have to take on an entirely different look to be a successful mask, but it should still match the necklace. I might have a prototype done by Monday, but my baby brother is coming up for a visit this weekend so I might be a little too busy with that. Well, I'm sure I'll have soemthing for you.

Here We Go Again

I hope that I haven't bored you to death with all this mask nonsense, because I'm afraid that I have more. First, my mask got it's first virtual shout out over on the Access Fashion blog. It's just a little blurb and a picture, but it's always nice to get a little unsolicited praise. I managed to get about halfway through the embellished version of the mask before I stopped to work on my newest idea.

This one was actually inspired by the avatar of a fellow steam teamers avatar, well that and Mardi Gras in general. I still don't know if it's going to work after shaping and I think that I'm going to have to do some sort of border to make it looka little less like a granny square quilt on your face, but I shall work through my doubt. Doing this mask has actually gotten me thinking about trying to make a mask counter part to a few more of my chokers. The picture here is actually my Art Deco Duo necklace laid with some new pieces to see if this idea will fly. Imagine the neckalce worn with mask though. I think it would be pretty stunning. So after this one, I imagine I'll make a least a couple more before I get utterly sick of this mask making.

When I first started tatting bookmarks and doilies, I never imagined that just a few years later I would not only be making such elaborate things, but doing so much of my own designing. I never thought I would be able to translate shapes into stiches, rings and chains. It just seemed like such a mathematical operation. I mean look at my first sale on etsy, which was one of my very first bracelets. It's just a string of simple flowers from a pattern I found somewhere online. I assumed that this was the most I could expect out of my newly discovered craft. Now I know that there are no limits to what can be created with tatted lace and I'm certain that I will come up with many more off the wall ideas in the years to come.

I'm babbling on about this stuff in hopes that it can be inspiring to new tatters or anyone who thinks that they've taken thier art of craft as far as they can. There is always another hill you can climb if only you simply try. I am by no means suggesting that everyone can succeed at anything if they try hard enough, talent is not universal and hard work does not always make up for raw talent. I am suggesting that you don't know, if you don't try as I certainly didn't know what I was capable of before I picked up my needle and thread and simply tried. I used this slow sales time to stretch my limits and I think I will be better off for it in the long run. So that's the end of my inspirational speech. I'll be back tomorrow with more mask news!

Wow, Just Wow!

After I finished my mask, I was proud of myself. I thought,'Wow, I did it', then I listed the mask. I showed it off with all the excitement of a five year old on show and tell day. I assumed that it would, however, sit in my store for a millennium just as my other "art" pieces like my hats and scarfs have. I even awoke this morning overwhelmingly curious to see how many views my creation had received whilst I slept. Instead, I discovered that my baby had already found a very good home. After a full day of wonderful and might I say ego boosting comments, I am exhausted and happy.

Of course this just means I have to get off my duff and make those other masks that I said I was going to make right away! So that's enough from me today, I've got work to do. I shall leave you with a couple more photos from the photo shoot with Topsyturvydesign and her lovely model credited below.
Photos: Silent Shudder Photography / Model/MUA Beaux Deadly / Hat & Styling - Topsy Turvy Design

A Mask And Some Hats

So either I severely underestimate my skills or I am just a huge liar. Either way, I have completed my prototype tatted mask. I actually finished it on Friday and took a bunch of pictures. I was so pleased with the way it turned out I didn't even bother putting on my makeup before snapping a few of me wearing it. I say this so you will forgive my appearance in said photos. As I anticipated the person who had made the initial request has decided against the mask, but as I mentioned this project had ceased being about a custom order the second I decided I had to attempt this.

I am already finished with the black version as well, which I will offer up for sale later today. I'm hoping that I will reach the masquerade ball crowd or high end Halloween costume types. As per usual, I am struggling with the pricing for this one especially since it contains more time consuming elements like wrapping the wire around the eyes with thread, I will list with a ballpark price and adjust as i settle in. I sure am glad I opted not to give the perimeter a wire base as I am certain that would have driven me batty. Thankfully it lays nicely without it and is remarkable comfortable. You might also have noticed that I got a bit of a makeover this weekend. I am simply returning to my pre-baby hair. Anyway, after the basic black model, I plan on making one more black one embellished with crystals for an extra fancy look.

Speaking of extra fancy, recently I was approached by Kim of TopsyTurvyDesign to use a couple of my chokers for a photo shoot of her fabulous hats. If you have seen her etsy shop, you know that she has the most spectacular photos and models in her listings. This was not an opportunity that I was going to pass up. So I made up two pieces and sent them to her a month or so ago and I now have the results of the secret alliance. I shall just offer up a couple here today and perhaps I shall dole them out to you in small doses when I've nothing better to share. I'm still trying to decide the most effective way to use them in my listings. She will also be submitting the photos to other sites for publication and the potential exposure for my pieces is really exciting.
Photos: Silent Shudder Photography / Model/MUA Beaux Deadly / Hat & Styling - Topsy Turvy Design

Does It Look Like A Mask Yet?

Progress on my tatted mask is going much smoother than I anticipated. Although I shouldn't be surprised. I develop severe tunnel vision when faced with an intriguing project, much to my husbands chagrin. What is surprising me most about this piece, is how many of my "mistakes" have turned out to be fortuitous. I'm working by using a flat outline and the center section was bowing out. Just before I decided to cut off the whole piece and start over, I decided to lay it over my mannequins face and low and behold, it fits the bridge of the nose like I meant to do it. Wait...forget I said that, I did mean to do it. I am an amazingly insightful designer who makes no mistakes. You buying any of this? Yeah, I didn't think so.

I still don't know how I'm gonna tat the top of the mask yet and I'm dreading the final finishing process a bit. I plan to attach the tatting to a wire frame both around the eyes and the perimeter of the mask so that it is free standing lace. Then I will need to cover the exposed wire with thread, which I anticipate taking about a week itself. Finally I will stiffen the whole piece which should theoretically make it wearable. Then I will turn right around and make the whole piece again in black, providing of course that the entire project doesn't fall flat entirely.

So far, I'm pretty happy with the way it is shaping up and who knows, if it works out, it may just be the first of many masks. Of course then I will have to decide whether or not they are something that I can actually sell and at what price and now I'm just getting ahead of myself. I shall go back to my needle and thread and hopefully Monday will bring much progress to share.

The Tatted Mask

Yesterday I waxed poetic on the downside of a disappearing custom customer. Today, I'd like to share the bizarre upside of this phenomenon. I was asked if I could create a masquerade mask by a customer just the other day. They haven't necessarily disappeared, but even if they did, I was left with a very intriguing project which I'm doing one way or the other. The spark of an idea has entered my head and like my tatted hats and scarves it will not go away until the idea has come to fruition. I know that I said I wouldn't start work on a custom project without payment, but this one I'm doing just for the adventure of it.

These off the way ideas that don't seem to fit well with tatting are like a drug to me. I am not the most talented or skilled tatter by a long shot. I have seen those that create amazing three dimensional objects, animals, perfectly tensioned doilies and countless other projects far beyond my meager skills, but I am creative. My style and taste in tatting is very different than most I've seen and the chance to create something that has not been done before is not something I can pass up.

I've already begun and the process has already yielded yet another benefit. Through the power of split rings, I've re imagined a pattern that I could never do before. As a needle tatter, I am often confronted with a vintage shuttle pattern that I cannot for the life of me convert into needle tatting. While the occurance is rare it is none the less extremely frustrating. My overwhelming desire to creat this mask allowed me to work through the mental block and I have done it! To prove this, I have posted a rare photo of me and my gigantic ball of practice thread.

Here's the beginning of the mask with the vintage motif rescued through the magic of split rings. The final mask will be done in black, of course and I'm hoping to have one done in time for the Halloween season. This is definitely going to be an "art" piece that I hope even other tatters will be impressed with. I hope you won't mind being updated on this project as I'm certain it will dominate my thoughts for awhile.