Saturday, September 18, 2010

Tools of the trade and more!

As you know, I went on vacation and rifled through several antique stores. I was so very excited to find tatting shuttles. I never thought of buying post shuttles because I've been stuck in my preference to use the metal boye shuttles. That bias was infiltrated by Nina Libin at TAT days. She suggested wonderful wood shuttles made in Russia which are perfect for her beading technique. The shuttles I purchased for her class are wonderful!



Ergo, a new addiction. While strolling through an outdoor antique market on Saturday morning of my vacation, I found a vendor with wonderful antique and vintage tatting tools, crochet works, and the hankies you've already seen. In this picture are three shuttles you probably have seen in the stashes of many tatters. BUT, I went overboard and purchased a sail makers shuttle. I'm thinking it will come in handy for something at sometime. (See, I didn't need it...I need rehab)



The crochet and bobbin lace pieces were in a pile and were being sold for pennies in relation to their value. I chose several which I believed at the time, were of higher quality or quite unique. (I may be wrong...but, I'm still learning)



I have this idea I'm going to accumulate wonderful works by many people in our past and who currently display their love for the art of lacework. I'm going to enjoy them and then, when I'm gone...(bless their hearts) my niece and nephew will have to figure out what the heck to do with it all. I'm already cuing them up to appreciate, preserve, and forward the group of work.



Now, living with a person who prides himself on being a minimalist (personally, I think that's a cover for obsessive compulsiveness), this 'accumulation' does not mesh well. That's where my creativity comes in and with a little help from the ladies at TAT days, I purchased a tatting tool organizer. They are out there. It's a fishing tackle box.



It even has room for a cooler. Large enough for a six pack of my favorite ginger ale or lunch...see?!



Well, I think that's enough a dose of my rambling for another day. I hope your weekend is grand and happy tatting!
j.

9 comments:

  1. Nice tatting bag! It's good of you to think of way to preserve that lace into the future. As for your shuttle addiction -- welcome to the club. We don't even bother with SLA (shuttle lovers anonymous) we feed each others additions. Now I need to find a sail makers shuttle!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh dear.
    Being an OCD, proud-of-being-a-minimalist personality myself, the sight of that hulking tackle box sends a frisson of down my spine.

    However, I also believe strongly in 'to each his own,' so I do heartily hope you enjoy that hmmm... thing.. that is holding all your wonderful tatting supplies. At least it keeps everything in one place. Hope it does the trick for you!

    The lace and shuttles are great finds. What fun to stumble on goodies like that.

    AND just what's wrong with a little obsessive compulsive behaviour anyway? I prefer to think of it as inspired dedication!

    Cheers,
    Fox ; )

    ReplyDelete
  3. hmmmm...I remember those first shuttle discoveries, then the furtive search at every garage sale, thrift store and antique store I ventured in. The online bidding frenzy when I discovered Ebay. What is it about bits of metal, plastic and wood that drives us? Books and threads and beads are not already enough?

    I wish you many wonderful avenues for your newly discovered addiction. It really is how the past is preserved for the future so never feel guilty about it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. That is a fabulous tatting bag! LOVE it! Have fun with your tatting adventures! Love the shuttles! :D

    ReplyDelete
  5. Woe is me - the man's lost in the land of tatting addiction!!! Welcome!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Well, it looks like the perfect tatting hold-all for a man....mine has flowers on it!
    With me, it's not shuttles, it's books - lots and lots of tatting books.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oooo ... I need that tatting tool organiser. I can't find that pack of needle threader when I need it ...hmph.

    I think I am beginning to get into shuttle-addiction, too. Please, somebody! hold me back before I go deeper ..."silence".. hmmm ... that is not good.

    LOL! John enjoy the shuttles. Don't forget to tell us what you finally use that sail makers shuttle for.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Welcome to the group John. I live with my partner and he is also OCD. Like you I have a huge tackle box for my tatting supplies and it works great. Don't worry about the shuttles it is just something we do so enjoy those shuttles. If you go to my blog and search shuttles you will find some pictures of a few of the shuttles I am providing a loving home for. Also if you click on the link to David Reed Smith you will see some of the shuttles he custom makes. You will love them.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Well, it looks like the above Tatters (and this one, too) are luring you deeper into Tatting-Tools-and-Stash-Addiction-world. Go forth and acquire!
    Truly, truly welcome to the Club!
    Hugs, Hegla
    .

    ReplyDelete