Wednesday

Picnik.com's New Flickr Slideshow




I've been using Picnik.com for some time now to edit photos for our Grizzly Mountain Arts items, and I've also used Flickr as an online portfolio of our work. Recently, Picnik.com has created a wonderful new utility that makes slideshows from your Flickr sets! It's all integrated--you click on Flickr from within Picnik, then select the set you would like to make a slideshow presentation from, then Picnik generates the html for you.

The slideshow above is from our Flickr "Tatting Shuttle" set. If you would like to view more of our Grizzly Mountain Arts Flickr portfolio, please click here.

Tuesday

Work in Progress

I finally managed to sneak a picture of Dave's studio makeover! This is a portion that is complete, and the only part I was "allowed" to photograph! LOL All of the walls and work surfaces have been painted white to reflect light. When you have "over 4o" eyes (as in age wise, not like fly eyes), bright light is a necessity! Since Dave needed to take a creative break, the rest of the studio was off limits to photograph for now :)

Sunday

Beautiful Purple Swirl Acrylic Tatting Shuttle


Dave handcrafted this gorgeous tatting shuttle from purple swirl acrylic stock. With the swirling thread design it, looks like it is already busy tatting without you! This tatting shuttle is 2 ½ inches in length, and has been initialed by Dave.

If you would like to view an additional photo of this tatting shuttle, click here to view the Ebay auction listing.

Ruby Red and Black Swirl Acrylic Tatting Shuttle


This little tatting shuttle is as beautiful as Dorothy Gale's slippers!


Dave has hand crafted this ruby red and black swirl tatting shuttle from acrylic stock. It is 2 ½ inch overall length and is initialed and dated by Dave. An additional photo can be found at the Ebay auction.

Masur Birch Bobbin Tatting Shuttle


This rare and highly decorative wood comes from Finland. Birch trees may be attacked by beetles and produce pitch flecks in the cambium layer. These dark markings can produce unusual grain patterns standing out in contrast against the lighter colored background of the wood.
This shuttle is 2 ½ inches in overall length, with a #14 steel crochet/picot hook inset in the nose. Dave has also inlayed a dot of Truestone turquoise in the butt. Truestone is fine powdered turquoise that has been cast with resin making a composite material that can be turned on a lathe or hand worked. The bobbin is a common Class 66 plastic singer bobbin. More bobbins can be purchased at Walmart or any of the many sewing stores. The tension/drag on the bobbin can be adjusted by the brass screw post axle. This beautiful tatting shuttle has been finished with a handrubbed satin bees wax finish.

More photos of this tatting shuttle may be seen at the current Ebay auction.

Buckeye Burl Spool Knitter


Dave has handcrafted this four brass pin spool knitter using Buckeye Burl. He has also burn etched the autumn leaf design around it. This spool knitter is 3 1/2 inches long. The companion 4 1/2 inch needle/loop lifter is made from buffalo bone.


If you would like to view more photos of this spool knitter, please visit the Ebay auction.

Thursday

Double Ended Crochet Hook Set Sizes G-K


This set of hooks may be the only hooks you will ever need! Dave hand crafted this double ended set out of Birch and dark East Indian Rosewood. They cover the most popular sizes for yarn and include sizes G (4.00mm) and G+ (4.50mm), sizes H (5.00mm) and I (5.50mm), sizes J(6.00mm) and K (6.50). The letter size has been burn etched into the stem for each end. They are approximately 7 1/2 inches long and have a hand rubbed bees wax finish. This one-of-a-kind set is currently up for auction on Ebay.

Friday

Four Pin French Knitting Spool Knitter


Dave handcrafted this four pin spool knitter using ash and dark rosewood, then burn etched the floral design around it. This French spool knitter is almost 4 inches long. The 5 inch needle/loop lifter is made from strata-bond dyed birch and dark rosewood, with a cocobolo accent ring. This set has been initialed and dated by Dave and is currently up for auction on Ebay.

Wednesday

Acorn Lace Bobbins


Dave has handcrafted this pair of continental style acorn lace bobbins using birch, oak and olive green poplar woods. They are approximately 4 inches long. These beautiful bobbins are currently up for auction on Ebay.