Tatting Interview No. 1 - Krystledawn Tats

Hope this post finds YOU having a good week! 

I'm off to take another tatting lesson today and so I thought I would feature a small 5 question interview with Krystledawn who I met at the Shuttlebirds workshops this past month, in Spokane, Washington.  I was impressed with Krystledawn's enthusiasm for this wonderful craft - and also a bit curious as to what inspired her to take it up - because honestly from what I have observed is that tatting is largely made up of older women (and the occasional man too!)  So, I asked Krsytle she would not mind to share her story with us in the form of a short interview - and she said yes.  She has also allowed me to feature some photos of her beautiful tatted jewellery so you can see what is possible.  I'd like to eventually be able to do this too. 

(click any photo to be taken to Krystle's blog - links to her ETSY store available there!)

When did you learn to tat?

It was about five or six years ago.  

I tend to migrate between craft projects during the year, and at one point I was wandering the craft store looking for inspiration.  It was there that I happened upon a book about tatting which brought back a memory of a little sweater vest I had when I was a kid.  My mom had tatted a white edging onto the neckline.   That may have been the only tatting she ever did, but at that point I was curious.  

So I took the book and a shuttle home, made a few snowflakes, and then moved onto whatever crafty fancy struck next.  It wasn’t until Jan of 2009 that I dug out my shuttles again, but once I did, I got involved in the online community of tatters, and I have been almost exclusively tatting for a year and a half now.  I guess I’m bitten by the bug.  

There is a certain charm to tatting, isn’t there?

What is the favourite thing you've made?

I would have to say the Lady in the Garden jewelry set that I made. 

It’s gone already though, sold on ETSY the first day I listed it.  I’ll have to make another one I guess….  My favorite part about it is that I was able to incorporate some new techniques that I learned from Bina Madden at shuttlebirds.

What is the most unusual thing you've ever tatted?

That might be my flipflops.  The edging I attached was actually needle tatted in the first year I learned to tat. 

After that I’d say some of the failed attempts at designs qualify as quite unusual.

 

Who is a mentor to you in the tatting world?

Georgia Seitz

She runs the Online tatting class which can be found at Georgiaseitz.com.  She has been teaching new tatters for years, as well as spurring us all forward to learn and discover and create new things.

What is your favorite shuttle - why is it?

My ceramic shuttle from Ladyshuttlemaker! 

Shuttles from different materials have a different feel to them.  I love how it warms in my hand but still has weight to it. And it’s very individual.  I was able to choose and play with all of her shuttles and this one is like it was made for my hand.  That’s my current favorite.  A close second is the little pointed clover shuttles.  They are my workhorses.

Thank you, Krystle!

I had actually one more question for the interview, about what was Krystle's favorite tatting pattern online, however the link was not functioning when I posted.  I will post it when she resends it.  I hope this interview has given you a small taste of the magic of tatting - inspired you in some way.  You might even find something in her ETSY store too! 

I mentioned that I am going to my tatting lesson today - I hope to interview the lady who is giving me instruction.  Melody has been tatting for years and years and it will be interesting to find out what her perspective is as well.