It has, in fact, lost some of the angularity given by the bugle beads because of the shape of elements I added around the beads but I still think it's worked out interesting.
This may not be for the faint-hearted: I used thrown rings, mock rings, even loop-tatted rings and some slightly unusual joins. But after making a series of loop-tatted rings, I've decided they're not difficult either really. As with everything, it's just a bit of practice. I wanted a straight up bugle bead with a ring on top so that's the technique I needed to use.
This is my first sample but I will be playing with it some more. I'm going to try it with a larger ring on top of the bugle for one thing and I already have other ideas I want to try too... it's finding the time! I could also have a few seed or delica beads around the edges to add even more sparkle. As always: so many ideas, never enough time. And I definitely need to re-do it in different colours.
And finally, I just had to bring to your attention this wonderful little tool I just rediscovered and how perfect it is for tatting!
I've had this tiny latch hook for years, using it when making Honiton lace, which is worked with some of the finest cotton there is. I don't know what made me think about it all of a sudden but I was finding it fiddly to get the bugle beads on the thread and my other hooks were way too big to get through the hole... so I had to use a bit of thread to get the bead onto my tatting thread... but this little hook! What a marvel! It's so tiny, it gets through most beads, including bugle beads. Wonderful.
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| Tatted in size 20 Lizbeth, Ecru |
Best wishes,
