November Racing By, Tapestry Gifts?

 Ever since we returned from Texas time has been spinning by. I am sure I'm not the only one to notice this.  Work on the tapestry diary has been progressing but I have been keeping it simple and thinking more about color than content these days. Here is a picture from a couple of days ago.

This time of year I start to think about gifts. I probably should have started thinking about them before now but there it is. Thankfully with all the jewelry projects I  have some gifts ready to go.

I have to admit when I think about making some quick but still nice gifts tapestry is not the first thing that comes to mind.  I think I may have found a way though.

Tapestry and bead pins have been on the loom recently. I was thinking of small pieces of tapestry that could be worn on a coat, jacket or scarf to lend a little color to the season and I have been experimenting with it.

Here are some details of the first ones I have done.

These are made similar to the tapestry bead cuff with brass shapes between the tapestry and the ultra suede backing and then stitched with beads around the edges.

If I wasn't so busy otherwise I could really have some fun with this idea.

 Here is a detail of another one...

and the third.  I wove all three on the same warp. They are about 1 1/2 inches by 2 1/4 inches, set at 10 ends per inch.

I have also been spending a little time learning some new to me jewelry techniques.  I have learned about some pearl knotting, wire wrapping and chain making and hope to be adding a few more metal working skills to my bag of tricks.

 My projects so far have been along the lines of learning exercises.

Here is my first pearl knotting adventure with some wire wrapping. I made all of the components from sterling wire, except for the purchased clasp.

I couldn't decide if this looked better on the light background or the dark.

More wire wrapping practice...

and finally some chain making.

I am hoping to be adding some additional metal working skills over the next few months.

Where am I going with this?  Right now I am seeing a loom woven necklace of hand painted silk warp with a section of knotted beads and amethysts and a hand made silver clasp. It is a lovely vision. We will see.

On the tapestry front, plans for the new year are forming. As of now I am envisioning a much simplified tapestry diary which will leave time for some serious progress on the Mango Hunters.