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Sunday, May 24, 2020

Online Tips and Tricks by Gloria

Hello, Lovely Tatters!

I've been thinking I'd like to be more pro-active in posting things that aren't so much about MY day-to-day life but more helpful to those of us that maybe don't have access to, or don't know about, resources and information that are intended to help.

There are lots of videos and tutorials out there, and I don't have the time or the space to list all of them, not even in subsequent blogs.  I'm going to post them as I find ones that I find or have found to be particularly helpful.  For a new tatter, this can mean the difference between learning a new technique and using it with confidence or throwing your hands up in frustration and using words that are not knotty, but definitely naughty!

The first resource to which I'd like to introduce you is from an established tatter named Gloria Nelson.  You may remember her as one of the first "interviewees" from a few months back.  She's a self-taught needle tatter and has made it her mission in this art to ensure that artists new to this tool have as much support and access to resources and information as possible.  While using a needle might not be the first tool you  might think of when thinking of tatting, it's definitely on the rise in popularity in the tatting community and many shuttle-tatting folks who SWORE they would never learn to use it are now realizing that to be a fully "rounded" instructor, they need to at least be passing familiar with both tools.  It's definitely worth learning.  This is the link to her Sparkling Light Creation Studio - Tatting by Gloria Nelson Facebook page, where she frequently posts tidbits that prove useful:


A complete list of what she has researched and prepared is located here (and she's always adding more):

She is also an administrator in the Facebook Group Needle Tatting: for Beginners.  It's a closed group and you do need to acknowledge you know what tatted lace is before you are granted entry to the group, but this kind of "gate" is required.  You'd be amazed how many folks think "needle tatting" is some kind of tattooing ink page.  Hmm...nope, sorry, wrong kind of tatting.

So, I spoke with Gloria and asked her how she would prefer to have her information presented.  I asked if I could post references to individual articles or posts.  She asked that I post a link to her page in general, and to her Tips and Tricks list.  Her logic, with which I have to agree, is very sound. Her words were:

"If I update or modify them, then people can easily see the new version on my Page."

If you're looking for advice, especially for needle tatting, Gloria is amenable to answering questions and will answer you confidently and knowledgeably. She is a dedicated individual that knows her stuff and is very happy to share.

Please don't look at this as a "Needle versus Shuttle" discussion. As I have stated before and will continue to state, your choice of tatting tool is your own for whatever reason you choose to use it. I firmly believe there should be no right or wrong tool choice. Sorry, correction: The only wrong tool is one that is not right for you. My reasons for showcasing Gloria's work here is because I happen to know this lady personally. She is dedicated to the art of tatting, she is very well-educated in what thread will work for what project, she is an award-winning designer and artist, and she is very good at explaining what she wants you to know. She also agrees strongly that the only wrong tatting tool is the one that you are having difficulty using. She might prefer a needle, but that's because it's comfortable for her. She and I have lots of very serious discussions about the uses and benefits of both tools, but the discussions always involve lots of laughter, teasing, and all-round good feelings and that is exactly what tatting is supposed to do; make you feel good!

Give her a look-see! You won't be sorry!

Happy Tatting!

Saturday, May 16, 2020

And Now We're Both Laid Off

Hello, Lovely Tatters!

Yes, again, it has been a while since posting.  It has been a difficult couple of months here as both my husband and I have been laid off our jobs due to the pandemic situation.  He got his notice three weeks before I did, but my layoff came on a day off, and they called me on the phone by getting me out of bed.  

I've been trying to stay busy with tatting, and it has worked somewhat since I have worked up Jon Yusoff's "Threads that Bind" tatalong.  If you've not tried it, here's a link:


It is also called the "14-Day Challenge", so you might see both names floating around.  The link I posted is all 14 days together.

My daughter has requested one of these made in dark garnet red with a touch of pink and mounted in a frame for her wall.  She has decided she wants artwork done by friends to put on her walls.  She asked if I would either paint or tat something for her, so I opted for this.  It's actually easy, just be sure to pay attention to where your joins are.

I've been keeping busy with tatting, making masks for friends and family, and now I've agreed to make masks for my husband's job so they can open.  Well, at least ONE of us knows when we'll be back to work!  My job hasn't even had the courtesy to sneeze in my general direction, so I haven't got a clue.

I've started a vegetable garden, and it's in containers, so let's see how that goes, LOL.  I've even got my husband to build me a "potato condo".  Look it up, it's really cool!  I've not got the greenest of thumbs, so wish me luck, please!

I think the hardest part of all this "isolation and distancing" is the uncertainty.  I don't handle uncertainty and unknown factors well at all.  Cancellation and rescheduling of everything I usually do and count on to add routine that I depend on to help with stability in my life has really been difficult.

If you're having issues with keeping busy, try learning to do a small thing you never thought you'd have time to do.  I'm learning to garden, I'm trying to connect with people both online and at a distance in my community, I've dedicated myself to making things for other people so I'm obligated to at least speak to someone face-to-face so I can deliver them (at a distance, of course). I've decided I want to learn a tatting technique, but I need to find someone to SHOW me because I'm not really good with photos because I need to be able to see what is being done as it's done.  That has been an issue.

Folks, if you're having issues feeling isolated, there are lots of folks in the groups that feel the same way.  Contact one of them and have an old-fashioned knotty conversation.  You'd be surprised at how much good it does for you!

I don't want to get "preachy" here, but if you're finding things aren't as easy as you usually find them and need more than just a few giggles with online friends, there are vast numbers of places you can get advice.  We're all in the same boat, so you're not really alone but some folks need a bit more to get them through troubled times and that is okay!  We all handle things differently, and that's what makes us unique.  Heck, you can even contact me, I've got broad shoulders!

Happy Tatting!