For the Mamas

I've been pondering a mama's necklace for a long time, now. I wanted a design that could easily be added to, for all the mamas out there whose families may not yet be complete. This is the sweet result! A mama dandelion puff with little seed charms bearing her children's initials. Charms are completely hand made and drawn, so no two will be identical.

Dandelions have a special place in my heart - I have many memories of my son, and later, my daughter, out in my parent's large garden plot in the early spring, racing around and picking all the dandelion puffs to blow in the wind. My parents always viewed this with smiles and slightly gritted teeth, watching all those seeds fly all over their yard. But, the delight of their grandchildren always kept them from stopping the fun.

The Dandelion and Seeds Mama Necklace has been listed over at my silver jewelry shop, Purple Blossom Studio.

Have a wonderful weekend, friends!

Spinning

I've been on a real spinning kick, lately. First with my spindles, and most recently, on my wheel. I have always before spun roving, but thought I would try spinning up a batt.

 This art batt came from Nunoco on Etsy. It was actually a freebie they gave me because I was their 100th customer - so neat! This was a random small batt, that they call a "batt dropping", as it is made up  of all the little bits and pieces left over from the art batts they make.

 I simply divided it into four long strips, still quite wide, and started spinning. It was great fun to draft from different parts of the batt and watch the colors and texture of the yarn form and change. I think I'm now addicted to spinning batts on the wheel, and I'll keep roving for just my spindles.

 The batt was 50 grams, and made 58 yards. It will become something small, like an earwarmer headand, or it will be added in to a larger project. 

 This is my way of drying the yarn under tension after soaking it to set the twist. Hanging from cup hooks in the kitchen, and weighted down by my daughter's filled water bottle.

 It made such a pretty skein of yarn! I'm content to just admire it for a while :)

Have a lovely week!

(As before, I purchased from Nunoco, and shared my happiness with their goods. I do not do reviews on products, I just like to share the Etsy love sometimes.)