Oregon Cascades Myrtlewood Signature Tatting Shuttle #15

We've just added number 15 of our signature Oregon Cascades Myrtlewood Tatting Shuttles to our Etsy shop!

What is Oregon Myrtlewood?

Oregon Myrtlewood is a broadleaf evergreen native to Southwestern Oregon and Northwestern California. Although different, Oregon Myrtlewood has a lot of similarities to the Myrtlewood growing in the Holy Land. Oregon Myrtlewood became popular for making gift items back in the early 1900’s. Oregon Myrtlewood possesses a wide variety of beautiful colors and grain patterns and is noted by many as being one of the world’s most beautiful woods. The colors range from blond to black with many shades of honey, browns, grays, reds and greens in between. Oregon woodworkers have developed a small cottage industry making handcrafted Myrtle wood products and gifts for visitors. Many beautiful gifts and works of art crafted out of Myrtlewood. In the Bible, the Myrtle tree is of special religious significance, representing fertility and life.

Fossil Walrus Ivory Oghams

We've just added some new fossil walrus ivory Ogham pendants to our Etsy shop! The Ogham design on each fossil walrus ivory shard was carved by Dave. The shape of each Ogham was made by the Earth.

This photo is of a "Protection" Ogham which measures about 2 1/4" in length.

The Celtic Ogham alphabet dates from the fourth century. The alphabet is named for Ogmos, the Celtic god of knowledge and communication. The alphabet consists of twenty letters, each named for a different tree believed sacred to the Druids.

Thumbelina Matchbox Tatting Shuttle

This is for that shuttle collector who does not have EVERYTHING yet! This miniature ivory shuttle is nearly the size of a thumbnail and fits nicely in the accompanying matchbox which we decoupage’ with the tiny THUMBELINA theme. The shuttle is approx 1 ¼ inch long and I color scrimshawed THUMBELINA hugging a rose that is larger than she is. The ivory is ancient wooly mammoth from Russia. Mammoth have been extinct for 10,000 years. This shuttle is currently up for auction on Ebay.

Spalted Maple Lace Bobbin

Dave turned this 4 1/8 inch Continental style lace bobbin out of stabalized Spalted Maple with True Stone turquoise and vegetable ivory inserts. Spalted maple is wood that shows patterns of fungi rott. Unstable it is usually soft and "punky". This is maple wood that has been impregnated under high pressure with resin that goes into every wood cell, nook, crack and crany and is very hard and high density. This one of a kind bobbin is currently up for auction on Ebay.

New Vintage Button Cameo Rings

We have added four new vintage button cameo rings to our Etsy shop!

This 1 1/8" diameter adjustable ring features a mother-of-pearl vintage button and a blue vintage bakelite button. A vintage brass finding frames a beautiful resin cameo.

Celtic Tranquility Earthenware Ogham

There are about as many variations of interpretations of the Celtic Ogham symbols as there are interpreters. We hope you enjoy ours!

This "Tranquility" Ogham features a Tibetan Yak bone bead that has been inlayed with coral and turquoise. The earthenware pendant measures about 2" in length.

The Celtic Ogham alphabet dates from the fourth century. The alphabet is named for Ogmos, the Celtic god of knowledge and communication. The alphabet consists of twenty letters, each named for a different tree believed sacred to the Druids.

You can view this and other earthenware Celtic Ogham pendants in our Etsy shop.

The Watched Clock

Dave has been wanting to try his hand at creating a Steampunk design using fossil ivory, and this mammoth ivory grandfather clock is the result!

This piece measures nearly 2 1/2" in length and 2" at it's widest point. The main body of the grandfather clock has been carved from fossil mammoth ivory, as has the inlayed round clock face. The clock's face has been scrimshawed by Dave. Vintage watch gears adorn the front of this unique, one of a kind piece. This piece has been signed and dated by Dave, the artist and can be found in our Etsy shop.

A Wonderful Surprise in Yachats!

As some of you may remember, Dave and I are in Yachats, Oregon this weekend for the "Pathways to Transformation" show. Well, the show was going very s-l-o-w-l-y on Saturday when a delightful woman walked into our booth! Anna Phillips, from Tennessee, has been reading our blog and discovered that she and her husband would be vacationing in Yachats at the same time we would be here! What a wonderful coincidence! Unfortunately, Dave didn't have any tatting shuttles for sale, but we had a wonderful visit anyway :)

Anna showed us some lovely examples of her tatting and also a selection of wonderful tatting pattern books and hand dyed thread by several amazing tatters. I wish I could remember all of their names in order to give them all a little "shout out" :)

We seldom get the opportunity to meet any of our customers, so this was very special indeed! Anna, it was such a pleasure to meet and chat with you and your husband! Thanks so much for stopping by to say "Hi!" :)

Hand Crafted Fossil Ivory Sewing Buttons

Dave was playing around with several small pieces of Alaskan fossil ivory and turned out these buttons on his mini lathe. They came out looking like gem stones! The photos really don't do these little beauties justice. One is 7/8 inch diameter, and two are ¾ inch. These would be perfect for a handmade purse project or some other needlework piece that needs a unique button.

You can find these three buttons currently up for auction on Ebay!

Hand Carved Bone Tatting Shuttle

Dave hand crafted this little 1 7/8 inch flat shuttle out of bone and carved a total of 4 Roses (2 on each side) on it. It is initialed and dated by Dave, the maker. This little shuttle is currently up for auction on Ebay.

Maple Lace Bobbin

This is Dave's latest bobbin!

Dave turned this 4 inch Continental style lace bobbin out of Maple, Burl Maple and purple celluloid accent rings. This bobbin is currently up for auction on Ebay.

Tulip Wood Lace Bobbin

Dave turned this 4 ¼ inch Continental style lace bobbin out of Tulip Wood and Ruby Red celluloid. You can find this beautiful bobbin currently up for auction on Ebay.

Cocobolo Picot Hook

Dave turned this picot hook using Cocobolo wood, colorful celluloid and a mammoth ivory accent ring. It is 4 inches long and has a #14 steel crochet hook inset.

This picot hook is currently up for auction on Ebay.

Vegetable Ivory Acorn Needle Minder

Dave carved this 2 piece acorn needle minder from a Tagua Nut (South American Palm), which is commonly called “vegetable ivory” because it can be carved and scrimshawed like regular ivory. With time and use it will develop a patina like regular ivory and the relief carvings will become even more pronounced. Each piece has a strong rare earth magnet inset into it. The acorn goes on the front of your work and the small finger pull goes on the back side holding the magnets tightly together on your or needlework. You could also use each piece as a frig magnet.

This acorn needle minder is currently up for auction on Ebay.

"Green Earth" Yarn Ball Winder Nostepinde

This nosty turned out so earthy looking Dave decided to call it "Green Earth". He joined a variety of materials to make it; Oregon Myrtlewood, Leopard wood, Re-cycled ivory and colorful green celluloid accent rings.

Dave recycles some of his mammoth ivory dust by mixing it with resin and pegment, and casting his own turning blocks. As you can see , he has also hand carved a leaf whorl design around the ivory ring. This nostepinde measures 10 1/2 inches long and is currently up for auction on Ebay.

Vegetable Ivory Acorn Pattern Pricker

Dave carved this acorn needle pricker/vise from a Tagua Nut (South American Palm) which is commonly called “vegetable ivory” because it can be carved and scrimshawed like regular ivory. With time and use it will develop a patina like regular ivory and the relief carvings will become even more pronounced. The overall length in 2 inches.

This pattern pricker is currently up for auction on Ebay.

Picot Hook with Case

This is Dave's latest little beauty! This handmade picot hook case has been accented with beautiful purple celluloid and recycled ivory. The dainty picot hook has a bone handle with the same accents as the case.

**I forgot to add that this is a commission piece!

New Fossil Ivory Necklace

I've been busy making some new pieces for our upcoming "Pathways to Transformation" show in Yachats, Oregon. I have previously posted some photos of my earthenware clay pendants, so I thought I'd post a photo of one of the fossil ivory pieces I just completed.

This piece features three stunning shards of fossil ivory, carved bone beads and turquoise.

Finally Finished!

All she needs is a final coat of wax!

Thanks to the wonderful encouragement of my blog friends, I finally finished my piece titled "She Swims Towards the Sun". Now, I'm not sure if I want to sell her or not at the upcoming "Pathways to Transformation" show. I have about a week to make up my mind!

Handmade Colorful Celluloid Tatting Shuttle

Clyde!! Look what Dave did!! Ever since you mentioned that you would like to see a post tatting shuttle made out of celluloid, Dave has been "at the drawing board" trying to figure out how to make one that would meet his strict requirements of clicking ends.

Dave has hand crafted this little 1 3/4 inch post shuttle out of colorful golden/green swirl celluloid. The way that the celluloid is cut the pattern of no two can come out the same. He had noted, that on many vintage celluloid shuttles the blades are thin and very flexible and the shuttle ends tend to open up. To help counter this problem with celluloid, he has made this shuttle shorter with thicker blades that remain more rigid.

This gorgous little shuttle has been initialed and dated by Dave, the maker. You can find this shuttle currently up for auction on Ebay!

GMA #14 Crochet Picot Hook

Dave turned this picot hook using Ebony and bone. It is 4 inches long and has a #14 steel crochet hook inset. This hook is currently up for auction on Ebay!

We've Been Featured!

Thank you, Hare and Drum Decoupage!



Our solid moisturizing lotion bar has been featured in a gorgeous treasury curated by Hare and Drum Decoupage!

Handmade Miniature Mammoth Ivory Tatting Shuttle

I don’t know if this is the smallest working shuttle, but it has to be close to it. Dave made this itty bitty tatting shuttle from ancient wooly mammoth ivory from Russia. It is just 1 ¼ inches long. You can tat with it, use it as a key chain fob or as a necklace pendant (chains not included and are for show and tell only). The design on both sides are hand carved and inlaced with brass. Mammoth have been extinct for 10,000 years.

This itty bitty tatting shuttle is currently up for auction on Ebay with an opening bid of .99!

Don't forget--you can click on each photo to see the original photo!

Sneak Preview!

It's almost time for our "Pathways to Transformation" show in Yachats and we've got a sneak peek of what you'll see from us at this show. We'll have our usual array of baskets, which I'll try and photo soon, and a new line of organically inspired earthenware pendants. We will also have a large collection of Celtic Ogham earthenware pendants!

Don't Hire Us for Your Building Needs!

What happens when you get two artist types together for a deck staining project? You get a deck that takes over a month to stain! :) I have such an appreciation now for folks that do this for a living and I really wish I could have afforded to pay someone to do this project for us. I'm already trying to devise a way to tarp the entire front deck over the winter so we don't have to do this again! (Dave says he doesn't think this is a viable plan! LOL) I am SO glad we decided against building our house ourselves or we'd still be living in the camper!

Handmade Cobalt Blue Celluloid Tatting Shuttle

Dave hand crafted this flat shuttle out of colorful Cobalt Blue celluloid. The way that the celluloid is cut the pattern of no two can come out the same. This shuttle measures 2 1/2 inch long and has been initialed and dated by Dave, the maker. This shuttle is currently up for auction on Ebay!

Black Walnut Yarn Nostepinde

Dave turned this nostepinde (yarn ball winder) out of black walnut. He also added a colorful celluloid insert. This nostepinde measures 10 3/4 inches long. This unique nostepinde is currently up for auction on Ebay with a starting bid of $9.95!

Oregon Ponderosa Pine Needle Button Basket

Oregon Ponderosa Pine Needle Button Basket

We hand make our baskets with Oregon Ponderosa Pine needles tightly stitched with waxed artificial flat sinew. The needles for this little basket have been dyed bright red and a vintage brass rose button has been mounted for the lids centerpiece. The basket measures 2 ¾ inches across by 2 inches high and features a fancy Wheat Stitch binding. The Wheat stitch requires 2 -3 times longer in making a basket than the standard plain straight stitch binding.


The buttons are for display purposes only and are not included with the basket.

Tatting Lace Picot Crochet Hook

Dave turned this picot hook using walnut, bone and colorful green and yellow celluloid. It is 4 ¾ inches long and has a #14 steel crochet hook inset.

This picot hook is currently up for auction on Ebay.

Tatting Shuttle Showcase on Flickr!

Tatting Shuttle Showcase on Flickr!

**This is the same group as before, only the name has been changed**

I have been looking around Flickr for a tatting shuttle specific group, and when I couldn't find one, I thought I'd start one! So many of us have photos of tatting shuttles we've made or have collected over the years and it's a shame not to have them all in one large collection.

If you are on Flickr and have photos of your tatting shuttles that you would like to share with the world, please feel free to post them in the group! This invitation is extended to everyone--collectors and creators!