Shuttlebirds, sans pictures.

I've come to grips with my loss of pictures from my recent trip to Shuttlebirds tatting workshop, and I'll push through my reluctance to post about it without pictures, to tell you a little of my adventures!

Our initial plans were to drive all together: myself, my Mom, Gram, and our friend Barb. Due to unforseen circumstances, Gram wasn't able to make it after all though. We were terribly sad to not have her company, but we drove to spokane without event, or speeding tickets. After last year's episode, religious use of the Cruise control was prescribed and adhered to.

At the event, I was given a table to sell my wares. I brought along all those batched of thread I had slaved over in the preceding week, as well as the kits and patterns for my classes, and small selection of my jewelry. I was on the fence about bringing jewelry to put out, but in the end I sold more of that than I did thread! Go figure! All of my things were well received, and I even took a custom order for a set of jewelry.

My first class was with Karey Solomon. She offered a pattern for a small tatted bag built onto a large button. It is all chain work, very relaxing. (honestly, this being my first year as an instructor, I was saving my energy for the classes I would be teaching, not knowing exactly how things would go). Once I get the bag finished from that class, I will show you.

Next that day was my first session teaching my Sweet Pea earring pattern. I had around 5 or 6 students, making it an excellent first attempt at sharing a technique with a group. We laughed, they caught on real quick, and most students finished one of their earrings....some even came the next morning wearing a complete pair! Nothing makes you feel quite so good as seeing your "students" succeed!! That was it for friday sessions, afterword the "tat off" competition was held. I chose to abstain this year, but I will join in next year for sure.

Many vendors were there, and I had to behave myself in order to be a responsible business owner and show a profit after all was said and done.....but I did pick up some Lizbeth from Debbie @ DS9. And a little yellow owl print drawstring tatting bag. Pictures to come. :-)

And Lauren Snyder just happened to have the most perfect horn shuttle at her table. It had my name on it, I swear! (well, after I stuck a lable on it for her to hold until the end of the day for me :-)

Saturday brought a class taught by Jessica Spaulding. She had these awesome little purse frames, and was teaching the pattern for a coin purse. Tatting directly onto the frame was the biggest challenge, so I didn't get all that far in the class....but I do intend to finish it and put it to use.

After that I taught Sweet Pea earrings to another group, this time 10 or 12 tatters. Everybody had good things to say about the class, I am so thankful!

My last session was teaching my rhinestone swirl bracelet. Now that class was a hoot! Everyone did well with the technique.... now there will be blingy wrists with tatted lace and rhinestone everywhere! I was a little worried about having been scheduled in that last time slot of the event, brain fatique caught up with me last year by that time... but the pattern/idea wasn't too complicated and it turned out to be a pretty relaxing project for the end of the road.

All in all, I had a great experience. I plan on going back with new patterns and techniques next year!