Posts

The Adventure of Making Chain

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 Bead-It (Prescott AZ) and I are offering a class to make a viking knit bracelet in March.   I took the class example in to the bead store and in the process came home with two new (to me) tools to experiment with - a Knitting Spool and a Wyr Knittr. I wanted to know how the chain looked using these techniques compared to the Viking knit and how the processes differed.  Viking Knit Example  Check my post on viking knit to see that technique. http://lindabrittdesign.blogspot.com/2011/10/learning-as-we-go.html  I started with the Knitting Spool – a wooden spool about 3” tall and 1 ½” wide with a hole through the middle.   There are 5 cotter pins on the top and the wire is wound around the pins in one of 2 patterns.   A pick helps put the lower wire over the upper wire at each cotter pin for each row.   The knitted tube is funneled through the center hole and comes out the bottom.       Knitter Spool Example  I think it took me a couple of tries

The Labyrinth Garden

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On my recent trip to Tucson’s Sonoran Desert Museum, I took time to walk paths and really enjoy the scenery.   I was drawn to a garden area with a spiral path.   The path was a labyrinth design and following it I became quietly thoughtful.   I was focused on the here and now as I looked at the rocks and plants beside me.     Quite the Zen experience! Later I read the signage about the path and was intrigued.   A labyrinth is a combination of a circle and a spiral that meanders into a meaningful experience.   There are two types of labyrinth patterns.   The archetypal design is classical – about 4000 years old.   It is a single pathway that loops back and forth to form 7 circuits around a single goal.   The one at the Desert Museum is a variation with 5 circuits.   The medieval labyrinth is the second pattern and is very symmetrical.   It was developed in the 10th and 11th centuries and has eleven concentric circles.   The Chartres labyrinth is an example of this.   Wish I had been

Last Week's Survey Results

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First, thank you to everyone who looked, read and especially a big thank you to those who responded to the survey.    #3 Best Liked Style  I compiled you answers and here are the results: 14 liked the idea 5 liked the shiny 7 liked the patina finish 7 liked #3 (the leaves) 3 liked #1 (the swirl engraved look)  #1 Best Liked Finish 4 liked all of the styles 3 liked a silver chain 4 liked a simple chain 7 either would use their own chain or had no opinion My conclusions: My basic idea was well received and has lots of possibilities. Variety is the spice of life. Chains are an add-on. There are lots more ideas, twists and turns, in my head.   Keep watching for them!  Check out my etsy site: www.etsy.com/shop/lindabrittdesign