A couple of weeks ago, I celebrated a Birthday. Something I am not very good at, as a general rule. This year, having suffered endless confusion as to what age I actually am, I came out a year ahead in the Birthday game. Yes, folks, I just got a year younger.
As if that was not enough of a gift, one of my dearest cyber friends surprised me with a present that positively took my breath away. She commissioned the stunning shuttle you see below from a New Zealand jeweler of some renown: Frances Stachl. First, I must draw your attention the presentation: the shuttle arrived exactly as you see it, attached to this copper thread, which is wound on a very interesting paper spool (made from a magazine page?).
What is totally amazing about this silver shuttle the fact that Frances is not a tatter and, when she made the shuttle, wasn’t even sure exactly how tatting was performed. Working with a few sample shuttles as templates, she succeeded in crafting a shuttle that is perfect in every way. It is compact: 5.3 cm long by 1.4cm wide, and weighs 10 grams. At ten grams, it has heft, but is not too heavy. Frances was concerned that it might be too heavy. I have not found it so. The fascinating surface texture prevents any butterfingers fumbling or dropping of the shuttle. Thread capacity is generous and the tip gap perfect for thread sizes 30 to 80. I have tatted with the shuttle, and loved it!
That said, I have spent a good deal more time just holding it, turning it over in my hands, and smiling.
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December 22, 2011 at 3:34 pm
stella Lange
I’m so pleased that this ‘hit the spot’ – as while I can tat – I am not a tatter, Francis is amazing, I only wish that you could meet her. When you do end up in New Zealand I would love to introduce you to each other.
December 22, 2011 at 4:23 pm
Suzanne
Soon…I’ll get there eventually.
December 22, 2011 at 4:24 pm
jeanne
Congratulations on getting a year younger, what an accomplishment. and the gorgeous shuttle. while post style shuttles aren’t my thing, I can certainly admire the one you received. have fun using it.
and the copper thread is a pretty color
December 22, 2011 at 4:34 pm
Suzanne
Hi Jeanne,
Thanks for the comment. I see that you were recently the lucky recipient of a trio of pop-a-bobbins: enjoy them! I find that I usually use both post and bobbin shuttles in any given project. Tried to stick with just one style, and found that I couldn’t! Each has its attributes.
December 22, 2011 at 4:42 pm
jeanne
yes, I am lucky.
they are wonderful to use. I have several pop-a-bobbins, and with these, I have some wonderful shuttles to use.
what metal is your new shuttle made out of?
December 22, 2011 at 4:46 pm
Suzanne
Silver. It is a jewelry grade shuttle. My photo does not do it justice. I will wear it as a pendant on occasion – the hole through the post is large enough to pass a number of different necklace treatments through.
December 22, 2011 at 8:02 pm
Jeanne
wonderful, you will have an awesome piece of jewelry and a great conversation starter.
I have a fossil ivory shuttle pendant carved by Grizzly Mountain arts, and fossil ivory shuttle earrings also by them. I wear them on occasion with pride.
December 22, 2011 at 7:19 pm
jon
That is a lovely piece of shuttle/jewelry. I wouldn’t stop smiling myself if I receive something like that. You are so lucky.
December 22, 2011 at 9:40 pm
Suzanne
Hello Jon,
I have been thinking of you often as I tat my way through a number of different snowflakes because your attraction to them had always puzzled me (it doesn’t snow where you live). Now that I have a growing collection of the little darlings: I get it. Snowflakes are both pretty and addictive.
Yes, I am very lucky. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought to have such a shuttle; and knowing that it was made specially for me makes it even more precious.