In my last post I shared a doll-sized drop spindle. Today I'm going from small to smaller with my new Drop Spindle Earrings. My thought process was not terribly involved. I think it went something like, "If small is cute, than smaller would be even more cute."
So I set out to made tiny drop spindles which turned out to be pretty fun. One night I sat in front of the TV just sanding the ends of at least 50 little spindles. It was almost meditative. During that time, I took one of my favorite pictures. Here they are, my little spindles. They seem to be floating or falling through space.
Now that I had all of these cuties, I had to figure out how to turn them into earrings. They are much too small for any cup hook to be attached. I'm using fine wire to simulate the yarn. The wire allows me to create a centered loop at the top so that the earrings hang in a straight and balanced way. You can see that I have wrapped the wire at the top as though it is hitched into place above the cone of "spun" fiber.
They can be challenging to make because they are small and call for precise work. The spindles are only one inch long. The end result is a nice little dangle earring. Maybe people will recognize it for what it is, maybe not. The spinners will know and that's what counts!
I have a few pairs made in my Gift Section at Wind Rose and more colors on the way.
Hello. I have pieces and thoughts on my mind today. How's that for a strange theme? By pieces I mean the little bits of tatting and crochet that I tend to carry from room to room these days. They are components for my Fiberpunk™ Jewelry which I find oddly satisfying to make. I say oddly because individually, they are such tiny, little projects. I think that's what I like about them. I can take little rest stops in my day and make a piece or two and feel a sense of accomplishment. It has become how I transition from one activity to another. I am currently planning to amass a huge assortment in every color and shape and then I'll have endless possibilities with which to design and play, like raking up a big pile of autumn leaves and then jumping in!
As for thoughts, well, that's less specific. I guess I've just been thinking about how I miss blogging regularly. I like the mental exercise of putting words together and seeing how they sound. There are times when I talk myself out of writing because I'm certain I have nothing to offer and the reality of that is halting. I have decided to not let that stop me anymore. Poignant or pathetic, I think I'll go back to sharing the bits and pieces that comprise the day to day life of this fiber loving person that I am.
I wore myself out writing a pattern yesterday, so today I'm having a little fun with show and tell. A few weeks ago I made the mistake of clicking on an ad in the right margin of my Facebook profile. Not only was I breaking one of my personal rules about ignoring such ads, but I also ended up stumbling upon a site that has become a major weakness. That website is Fab.com and I think I'm addicted.
Fab is like an ever changing, international bazaar of eclectic and fun stuff. They feature items ranging from handmade to techy, from jewelry to housewares and even furniture. I can't resist taking a daily peek at the sales and one day I just had to buy these amazing earrings by Amira Jewelry. These are macrame, but as you can see from her website, Amira also creates canvas and assemblage jewelry. You can find her work in her store on Etsy as well. I'm particularly drawn to her macrame pieces. I love the colors she chooses and the clean, yet interesting designs. The quality of work in my earrings depicts an attention to detail that you only find when someone takes true pride in their craft.
I know it's uncool to draw others into your addictions, so beware of me today! I'll let you decide whether or not to explore the enticements at Fab.com. On the other hand, I would encourage you to check out this wonderful artist, Amira Mednick. I notice she sells her work at the Portland Saturday Market. I love the Portland Market and it makes me wonder if I've seen her work before. This is just the sort of thing that would typically catch my eye. Of course the Saturday Market is huge, so I guess I could have missed Amira's jewelry. I'm glad I've found it now!
I was looking for earrings to match my outfit this morning and picked these from my collection. Then I got to thinking about when I made them. After a little mental math I realized that these earrings are about 23 years old. I made them when I was single, living in an apartment. A mattress on the floor was my bed and I waited tables to make ends meet. I had pillaged other jewelry for the beads and ear wires. I used a regular sewing needle and thread to piece them together. I remember having fun making them and though they are just simple wooden earrings, I've always enjoyed wearing them.
I guess at 23 it's safe to consider these vintage, but vintage what? Vintage me? These are me before marriage and kids, before I started crocheting again and years before Wind Rose Fiber Studio. One of the reasons I'm attached to them is that I made them long before I thought of myself as a person who makes things. It makes me wonder about my crafting friends. Do you have anything like this, that you made long ago and still wear today? What's vintage you?
Yesterday I was working on my Tunisian crochet project when I got to thinking. I really like making things, but my handmade items tend to get lost among all the roving in my shop. The truth is, I do focus on selling fibers in my Etsy store and that's my intention. Still, I have a studio full of designs that need a good home.
Then it occurred to me that I already link to the patterns I sell here on my blog. You can go to the Crochet Patterns page and not only find free patterns, but the ones for sale as well, so why not have a shopping page?
I already have my handmade accessories available for purchase in my Etsy and ArtFire stores, so I've created a new page that is simply called Shop. It's a gallery of pictures so you can browse through a selection of my favorites. If you see something that interests you, like this cute Autumn Baby Beanie for instance, you can just click on that photo. That click will take you directly to the product listing where you can view more images and all of the important details.
So far I have 21 handmade accessories available on my Shop page. Over the next couple of weeks, I'll be working to add to that list. If you love handmade and giving handmade gifts, or even if you just like to window shop, I hope you will enjoy this new feature here on the Wind Rose Fiber Studio blog.
I made this necklace a couple months ago and I'm just getting around to listing it in my shop. This is a needle tatted Rosette Pendant and chain made from recycled cotton. All the sizing details are on the listing, so if you would like to learn more, click the link or the photograph. I love fiber jewelry and I think this cotton necklace is a wonderful, summery piece.
I just finished this tatted charm bracelet. It's meant to be a little Easter gift for my mom who is coming to visit. Of course I probably just spoiled the surprise, but I'm hoping she's too busy packing to think about my blog today.
This is just my third charm bracelet. I started making these during my last vacation. I was on the plane and started to tat little shapes. The shapes made me think of charms, so I gave them stems and leaves so that I would have a loop by which to hang them. Finally, I designed a simple vine chain and my tatted charm bracelet was born.
For my mom I went with two shades of pink. She's likes pastels and I thought the two colors looked pretty together. When it's on her wrist, it will hang so that the light and dark pinks alternate. I used size 10 crochet cotton so they are dainty , but still showy enough. The charms measure just over half an inch at their widest point.
I also think it's interesting that my magic number turned out to be 8 for this project. When I'm designing anything, a number usually emerges. I end up calling this my "magic number" in my head which I guess is silly. It begins with a base number. Let's say I decide to make a flower with nine petals. Then I have the number 9 in my head. Thereafter, I'll find myself making everything for that project in either factors or multiples of nine. If I stray from my magic number, things start to look wrong. "You have to stick with the magic number!" I remind myself.
My magic numbers are almost always odd, but now that I think about it, I'm not surprised to have a even magic number for a tatting project. Especially when I'm making split rings that are even on both sides. I also kind of like that the number is 8. My mom was born on the 8th day of her birth month and her bracelet has 8 flower charms. It's seems only fitting that her magic number turned out to be 8.
Now that I have revealed some of the odd workings of my mind, I will run and hide. Actually, I need to go dye some sapphire blue Merino. Oh no, not hiding at all!
I'm pleased to offer this new free pattern today. The Summer Cotton Crocheted Bracelet was inspired by a trip to Virgin Gorda. It's perfect for those casual, carefree days of summer when only the feel of cool cotton will do. This bracelet is so fun and easy to make. You'll want to design one for all of your friends!
This pattern will make a bracelet that is 7 inches long from one end of the clasp to the other. This is a medium size. At the end of the directions, I will discuss how to make the bracelet a little larger or smaller so that you can customize it to your needs. I will also suggest some fun variations to spark your imagination. 
You will need:
Aunt Lydia's Crochet Cotton Size 3 (Natural)
32 Size 6/0 Glass Beads
Crochet Hook US D3/3.25 mm
Beading needle
Sewing needle
Scissors
Clasp (I'm using a lobster clasp with a closed ring)
Threading The Beads
Before you begin to crochet, use your beading needle to easily slip your beads onto the cotton thread. You may want to thread a few extra in case you need to increase the size of your bracelet or just so you don't have to worry about miscounting. It's fine to have too many beads, but you don't want to be a bead or two short. Slide your beads a couple feet down the thread and you are ready to begin.
Making The Bracelet
Begin with a slip knot on your hook leaving a 10" tail for sewing on clasp [picture 1]
Row 1: ch 2, sc in 2nd st from hook, ch 1 turn
Row 2: 2 sc in st, ch 1 turn
Row 3: 2 sc in each st, ch 1 turn (4 sts in row)
Row 4: sc across (4 sts) [picture 2]
Beaded Chain 1: ch 3, (slide a bead down close to your hook and ch 1, ch 3) 6 times for a total of 27 chs. Ch 3 more, turn, sc in 2nd st from hook and in next st (beginning of opposite end rows) [pictures 3 & 4]
Beaded Chain 2: ch 1, (slide a bead down close to your hook and ch 1, ch 3) 6 times, slide a bead down close to your hook and ch 1, ch 1 for a total of 27 chains, sl st into same st as the beginning of Beaded Chain 1, sl st in the next st of row 4 [pictures 5 & 6]
*Note: While you should be careful not to twist your Beaded Chains, don't be overly concerned if some of the beads are facing in opposite directions. When the bracelet is done, you will be able to give it a little tug and manipulate the chains so that the beads are all facing up.
Beaded Chain 3: ch 3, (slide a bead down close to your hook and ch 1, ch 3) 6 times for a total of 27 chs. sc into the last two sts (the opposite end rows created in Beaded Chain 1) ch 1 turn, sc in first two sts
Beaded Chain 4: ch 1, (slide a bead down close to your hook and ch 1, ch 3) 6 times, slide a bead down close to your hook and ch 1, ch 1 for a total of 27 chains, sl st into next st of Row 4, sl st into final st of Row 4
Beaded Chain 5: ch 3, (slide a bead down close to your hook and ch 1, ch 3) 6 times for a total of 27 chs. sc into the last two sts (the opposite end rows created in Beaded Chain 1) ch 1
FinishingWorking along the opposite end rows of your Beaded Chains [picture 7], sc dec two times, ch 1 turn, sc dec, ch 1 turn, sc, finish off leaving 10 inches for sewing on clasp. Use the beginning and ending tails of thread to sew on your clasp. Weave in loose ends.
Pattern Notes
1. When the bracelet is complete, I like to give it a gentle tug. Cotton has a little bit of give and this allows the beaded chains to even out and lay nice.
2. Sizing - The best way to adjust the size is to increase or decrease the Beaded Chains by 4. This adjustment measures just about 1/2 inch. For example, if you want to make a bracelet that is 8 inches long, you will add 8 ch sts to the Beaded Chains. Remember to account for the additional beads. If you desire a bracelet that is 6 1/2 inches long, then you will need to subtract 4 ch sts from the Beaded Chains.
3. After you have successfully completed your first Summer Cotton Crocheted Bracelet, you can have fun making up new variations on the pattern.
You could double the pattern for a cuff style bracelet.
If you'd rather not sew on a clasp, you could use the tail ends to simply tie on your bracelet. For a sturdier tie, you could begin and end your bracelet with chains long enough to tie and untie.
You could also make up this pattern with metal wire or handspun yarn.
You could use one bead for every stitch of the Beaded Chains for a striking bangles or you could substitute the beads for charms. You may decide to use no beads at all for a more laid-back look.
I hope you enjoy making this pattern your own!
Related Posts:
Summer Cotton Crocheted Bracelet
Summer Cotton Crocheted Bracelet ~ The Pattern is Coming!
Here's a handy list of knit and crochet abbreviations provided by Lion Brand.
Phew, it feels good to get all that dyeing done, but my husband tells me that I have too much fiber on my blog lately. Now how can a fiber blog have too much fiber???
Seriously though, point well taken. I do have a variety of interests and I like to offer a little diversity here at Wind Rose. A few days ago I asked if anyone would like me to write up the pattern for my Summer Cotton Crocheted Bracelet and a few of you said, "yes", so that's what I'm going to do!
I just made up this new one so I could think about how I'll write the pattern. The first one had amber beads and this time I chose water colors. I also took my pictures inside for a little more light control. In this photo at the top of the post, I splayed the chains so you can see how they take on the appearance of five bangles.
I took a couple more poses just to show the bracelet at all angles. The twisty picture makes me happy. Anyway, before I digress, The pattern is coming. I had a guild meeting yesterday and an art class today, so tomorrow is the earliest I can get started. I just wanted to assure you that I will write this pattern and it's coming very soon!
One final thought today, also in the interest of blog variety, I'm planning on attending (at least for a short distance) a sheep drive on Saturday morning. I've never seen 2000 head of sheep on the move, so this should be pretty cool. I was actually wavering on whether or not to go, but I don't think I should let the opportunity pass. I'm announcing this on my blog because if I write that I'm going, then I know that I'll actually get up in the 4:00 hour, early Saturday morning and go. I need a little motivation to get up that early!
The first thing I did this morning was go into my studio and crochet this bracelet. I've had this design in my head since my vacation to Virgin Gorda a few weeks ago. While I was on the island, I saw a bracelet in a little beach shop that was simple, but cute. I took a couple mental notes because I knew right away that I wanted to come home and put my own spin on it.
Ever since I was a teenager, I have loved what I think of as summer jewelry. You know, those great hemp and cotton bracelets or necklaces that you tie on and just wear until they fall apart. Whether they're knotted or braided, plain or beaded, they just seem to be a part of the summer season. I used to gauge how tan I was by shifting my bracelet and seeing how fair my skin remained beneath. 
The bracelet I saw in Virgin Gorda was actually leather with plain leather straps made to look like a group of bangles. I do love that bangle look, but what really caught my eye was that each end was crocheted. Now I have to admit that there was a time when I probably would have had some difficulty figuring out how to make this bracelet especially in one continuous piece. Now, having made and designed Miser's Purses, I knew almost without thinking how I could create a multiple chained bracelet in one unbroken piece. Maybe it's silly, but I have this thing about having as few knots or joins as possible in anything I make. I just think it improves the integrity and strength of the finished product.
In the end, its just a simple cotton bracelet. It could be made in all sorts of colors. It could have charms instead of beads or no beads at all. It's the kind of piece that's fun to make because you can change it up a little every time. I think I will always love wearing unassuming pieces of jewelry like this and I know they will always make me think of summer.
I'm thinking of writing this pattern up to share here on my blog. As pattern writing is always a bit of work, I like to check first to see if anyone out there is interested. So if you would like me to write this pattern, leave a comment on this post. I don't need a lot of encouragement. Just a little. :D
I'm really in love with tatting these days. It's still new and exciting and there are so many possibilities to explore. I knew I wanted to bring tatting supplies on this vacation. What I didn't know is how the airline would feel about my tatting needle. Tatting needles aren't sharp, but they are long and metal, so to be safe, I packed a tatting needle size of which I have two into my carry on bag. So, for the small percent of people out there who might be wondering if they can tat on their next plane ride, I can tell you that mine made it through security. My bag was examined once, and the security person mumbled something like, "just when you think you've seen everything...", but they let my needle through.
I didn't have any particular tatting project planned, so I just started making little shapes. Then I got to thinking that it would be cute to make a charm bracelet. I could tat the charms and then attach them when I tatted the chain. With this in mind I began tatting little flowers and leaves giving them stems. I created an oversize join space on each stem so it could serve my purpose and look like a little leaf all at once. After I had my charms completed, I strung them onto my bracelet chain thread along with a lobster clasp.
My bracelet is a series of short, curved chains and split rings. I alternated the curve of the chains so that one would go to the left and the next to the right and then back and forth. This way it took on the appearance of a winding vine. I joined my charms in the middle of each chain. Since the chains alternate in direction, the charms follow suit and really give it that charm bracelet look. I ended with a ring so that the lobster clasp would have a place to join. It turned out very cute. I'm already working on a second one. Now that I know how many charms I need to make a bracelet of a certain size, I can better plan my colors and pattern. I'm thinking it will make a nice thank you gift for the neighbor who is collecting my mail.
I just finished this little personal project and I need to play show and tell. This is a needle tatted necklace with the chain made from rings and Josephine chains. I made a joining space in the center of the middle ring. Then, after I tatted my flower pendant, I passed the beginning and ending threads through the join before weaving them in and finishing my piece.
The length of the necklace is 18" which is about my favorite length. I like how balanced it is with 5 rings on either side of the center. The design isn't very complicated, but it was good practice for me just the same. I'm getting ready to go away for a few days and I'm hoping to have some time to experiment with more more intricate designs. Now, the only thing I need to know is, do they allow tatting needles on the plane?
It's kind of hard to photograph this black bracelet so you can see the detail, but this represents a tatting victory for me.
All the experienced tatters out there are probably saying, "Oh, come on, that's easy!" Now that I can do it too, I get to agree. It's not a hard pattern, but I guess I had some sort of mental block.
The first time I saw this pattern, I wanted to make it. I just kept getting turned around, literally. It was so frustrating. I would look at the directions and study the picture and tell myself exactly what I needed to do, and then my hands would do something different. Maddening!
Now that I have triumphed in the battle between brain and dexterity, I will say that this design is a very good exercise in getting comfortable with the direction of curving chains and reversing stitches. I can now picture the direction I need my chains to curve in and make it happen. That feels great!
I just listed two new Oversized Tatted Necklaces at Wind Rose. One is Jet Black and the other is a Natural ecru. Okay, that's it for today! :D
I'm almost done listing my Oversized Tatted Necklaces in my shop at Wind Rose. This morning I added two pinks, a Long Pink and a Short Pink chain. For fun I layered them on my dress form almost like you might wear a scarf. I think the more carefree you get with these necklaces, the cuter they are!
I've been having such a great time making my Oversized Tatted Necklaces that I've ended up with quite a collection. Today I decided it was time to start listing them at Wind Rose Fiber Studio.
This one is the first to go on sale. I call it Deep Earth because it's a blend of really deep purple and warm browns. It contains just enough mohair to give it a super soft, almost airy quality. Click on the pic to get all the details.
Okay, one down, a whole bunch more to go!
This year my mom and sister sent me some really cute earrings for Christmas.
These fiber earrings are so cool. They look great on and in spite of their deconstructed appearance, they seem to be sturdy and well fashioned.
I love their funky look and wanted to be able to promote the artist, but my search came up dry. All I have is the name Ma Su Ke. The best lead I can give you, is that if you live in the northern Virginia area, look for her at your local craft venues!
My next show and tell are these cute little Peace Crane Earrings. My photo doesn't really do them justice. It's hard photographing birds! I should have hung them, but now I'm digressing...
I'm happy to report the the creator of these little cuties is on Etsy. You can find your own pair of Peace Crane Earrings and other origami art at Origami Crafts.
Okay, it's safe to say that I have gone absolutely crazy making my big and bold, tatted necklaces. I don't know if I can explain why they are so fun to make, but I guess I'd better try.
I like how they are sort of free form. I've come up with a basic order of shapes I like, but once I'm making a necklace, if I think I need one of the rings or chains to be larger or smaller, I just change it on the spot. I do what makes sense for the yarn I'm working with. It's always fun to let go and allow the project dictate the outcome.
I'm also loving the completed necklaces. They are long, from 30 to 36 inches, so they don't need any clasp. This means that you can choose the focal point and wear the necklace with say a row of three rings in the center for a symmetrical look. Then again, you can go asymmetrical, my fave, and have the shapes hanging off center.
You can also layer them and be super bold. How about letting the length fall to the back for a choker look or even better, a few strands to the front and a few to the back for a funky layered look. Who needs a scarf when your necklaces can keep you warm?I told you I was going crazy! Oh wait, one more! How about wrapping them around a brimmed hat? Uh oh, more ideas are coming... you could interlock a couple for a belt or coil one on your wrist for a chunky cuff bracelet. 
Okay, I'm stopping now. I get a little over excited when I can imagine multiple uses for one design.
What's terrible is that I'm showing you this and I haven't even listed any in my shop. I want to make a few more so I can offer a big variety of color and fiber choices and then I'll start listing. Of course I'll come back and let you know when they are available for purchase. At the rate I'm going, this shouldn't take very long!
You will need:
Threading The Beads
The bracelet I saw in Virgin Gorda was actually leather with plain leather straps made to look like a group of bangles. I do love that bangle look, but what really caught my eye was that each end was crocheted. Now I have to admit that there was a time when I probably would have had some difficulty figuring out how to make this bracelet especially in one continuous piece. Now, having made and designed Miser's Purses, I knew almost without thinking how I could create a multiple chained bracelet in one unbroken piece. Maybe it's silly, but I have this thing about having as few knots or joins as possible in anything I make. I just think it improves the integrity and strength of the finished product.
I'm really in love with tatting these days. It's still new and exciting and there are so many possibilities to explore. I knew I wanted to bring tatting supplies on this vacation. What I didn't know is how the airline would feel about my tatting needle. Tatting needles aren't sharp, but they are long and metal, so to be safe, I packed a tatting needle size of which I have two into my carry on bag. So, for the small percent of people out there who might be wondering if they can tat on their next plane ride, I can tell you that mine made it through security. My bag was examined once, and the security person mumbled something like, "just when you think you've seen everything...", but they let my needle through.
My next show and tell are these cute little Peace Crane Earrings. My photo doesn't really do them justice. It's hard photographing birds! I should have hung them, but now I'm digressing... 
You can also layer them and be super bold. How about letting the length fall to the back for a choker look or even better, a few strands to the front and a few to the back for a funky layered look. Who needs a scarf when your necklaces can keep you warm?
Okay, I'm stopping now. I get a little over excited when I can imagine multiple uses for one design.