Sunday 14 July 2013

Shuttles and Cross Earring

It is fantastic at the moment here in the UK as we are in the middle of a heat wave, but I do realise that for some, it is causing health problems. Obviously we are not used to such weather in this part of the world.   Yesterday I was outside in the heat all day at a Beaver Scout Fun-day and came home exhausted and a little dehydrated.  
  
The garage is also very hot, such a contrast to the extremely cold days of Winter.  But here are the latest batch of shuttles that have been made and they are now at Jane's home, soon to be in her shop.  The bobbin wound with green thread is for testing.  Every shuttle has to be tested for tension, although sometimes the general conditions of the countries they go to (heat and humidity) can make a difference.



Over the last few weeks I have also been working on a cross earring design.  I was very impressed with Tatting Box's lovely design and tried it adding beads, but then decided to create my own version of a cross earring.



The earrings are photographed resting on what is known as a 'Penal Cross'  made from Irish turf cut from the bog lands and then kiln baked.  The cross was a powerful symbol in the face of adversity when there was much hardship in Ireland. It is so shaped that it could be hidden up a sleeve. 

9 comments:

  1. I live in the U.S. How can one purchase a shuttle from you, and what would the price be?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your earrings are lovely! The info about the penal cross is fascinating too, maybe you will show the whole thing sometime?

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm sure the shuttles will go in a flash and a blurr. Lovely cross earrings! Interesting background you put them on, thanks for telling us about that, I learnt something new.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Actually Jane it is always sad to say goodbye to the shuttles everytime, would love to keep them all!

      Delete
  4. Those are pretty earrings.
    Thanks for the lesson about the Penal Cross.

    ooohhhh more shuttles.
    Tell "I'm in the garage" thanks for all his hard work and craftsmanship.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh, dear! I am sorely tempted to purchase another Pop-A-Bobbin, which I don't really need... but I do love them!

    The cross earrings are wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm not trying to tempt you Diane, honestly! Just wondering whether to share the cross pattern if enough people are interested.

    ReplyDelete

Another Heavenly Comment