Monday, August 24, 2015

Coming and ongoing

Work in progress on a pattern I'll be teaching at the IOLI Convention in 2016
Feather pattern (from my book, Marilee's Beaded Tatting Finery) that I'll be teaching at the 15th Annual Tatting Days in November at The Tatting Corner, Indiana

Last week's launch of my new Craftsy class, Next Steps In Shuttle Tatting went even better than I had hoped! Already it has over 300 enrolled, a 5 star review, and amazing finished projects being posted! 

Remember, the class includes downloadable PDF patterns for all the projects shown in the preview!



Monday, August 17, 2015

Friday, August 14, 2015

Tatting techniques taught in my new Craftsy class


Click on the following link before Monday, August 17, 2015 for a chance to win my new class for free!

More about my new class:
  • Patterns for the seven original class projects are included with the course as downloadable PDF files. These patterns are exclusive to this class.
  • Lesson 1 has a quick refresher of tatting basics. If you're brand new to shuttle tatting, you may want to see my other Craftsy class, "Shuttle Tatting", for more in-depth instruction on the basics of double stitch, rings, and chains. The projects in this new class, "Next Steps In Shuttle Tatting" are geared toward tatters who already feel comfortable with the basics. 
Lesson 1 continues with demonstration of tatting the "Shell" pendant (project shown upper right on the title card), which teaches the techniques of putting a bead inside a self-closing mock ring, floating rings, core beads, and the Catherine Wheel Join.
  • Lesson 2 demonstrates Daisy Picot techniques as well as lock joins and bead picots, used in the "Key" pendant, which can also be made into earrings.
  • Lesson 3 shows how to tat Maltese rings by making the "Echo" pendant.

  • Lesson 4 demonstrates putting a bead inside a ring and other ways of working with beads in tatting. The project is the "Glorious Blossom" pendant.







  • Lesson 5 covers pearl tatting with the "Meander" bracelet.
  • Lesson 6 is a study of encapsulation, plus several other techniques: folded rings, onion rings, Josephine rings, single shuttle split ring, and another way to work a mock ring, producing the "Garden" necklace (featured on the title card).
  • Lesson 7 teaches Celtic tatting techniques used in the "Celtic Triangle" pendant (lower right on the title card).
As with all Craftsy classes, you'll be able to ask questions and get answers! You can post pictures of your projects, comment on posted projects, and watch the videos at your own speed. Your classes are accessible at any time, access never expires, AND your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed!

I am so excited to see you and meet you in class!

Thursday, August 6, 2015

My 2nd Craftsy class coming soon! A chance to win a FREE class!

That's me on the Craftsy set with a project in progress.
What all the "spoiler" teases were about earlier this year :)
My 2nd tatting class on Craftsy, "Next Steps In Shuttle Tatting" will launch on August 17th, 2015.

My dressing room.
They gave me
star treatment!
Some of you may be wondering how a Craftsy class is made. Well, first you need to have developed a high level of skill and unique, original ideas for a craft that you really enjoy, and would like to help others learn the techniques. Then, submit your idea for a class to Craftsy. If your class proposal is accepted, the Craftsy team works with you via email and phone calls to guide you in preparing to teach your class.

The video filming takes place at the Craftsy Studios by a crew of professionals. All the takes for the video have to be completed in 3 days or less, so there is a lot of work and preparation that needs to be done prior to the trip. I had to prepare each of my 7 projects for the class to various stages of completion, so that all the lessons would be ready to go without waiting. I also designed and wrote the patterns for each of the projects. The patterns are all original and entirely new, not available anywhere else, and are included with the class.

For this class there were 3 cameras, one facing me, one to my left, and one directly above. They had 2 microphones on me, so even though my voice is rather quiet, there should be no difficulty hearing me on the video.

The projects for this new class are not beginner projects, but if you feel comfortable shuttle tatting double stitches, rings, and chains, you'll enjoy this class! I'll talk more about the projects and techniques in another post.
The Craftsy studios are a wonderfully creative place! This is part of their lunch area.

View from the hotel which was very, very nice. This is the Denver Performing Arts Center, just down the street.