Cottonwood Cottage

As a creative individual, I have ventured into various professions throughout my career journey. Initially, I delved into the world of fashion, creating clothing for renowned musicians. Later on, I transitioned into being the proprietor of an advertising agency. Subsequently, I honed my skills as a proficient web and graphic designer. Notably, I have also ventured into the realm of literature, publishing a book named "Grandma's Drugstore." All in all, one could say that I possess a diverse range of talents and expertise. My upbringing was marked by the influence of my German great-grandmothers and my mother, who possessed extensive knowledge of various needlecrafts. Under her guidance, I learned a multitude of these crafts, although my attempts at mastering tatting with a shuttle proved to be less successful.

I started working with polymer clay about 25 years ago and it's been my favorite outlet for creating items with a modern twist. Since tatting has been making a comeback, I developed a method for enhancing metal (with a bobbin) as well as plastic (with a post) shuttles. This was no small feat as polymer doesn't like to stick to metal, and plastic melts during the curing process. It took several months before I could create the shuttles and each is either a faux stone or textured technique with color variances such as color shifts. 

So, why specialize in tatting shuttles, you might wonder? Well, due to my own interest in giving tatting with a shuttle another go to make lacy, beaded jewelry, I wanted a cool shuttle. I mean, if you're going to go through the pain of learning tatting with a shuttle, you might as well have a GREAT shuttle. Too, tatting has been making a major comeback and I'm not the only one after an awesome shuttle no one else has. 

I often work real stones and crystals into their design as well. I also developed a way to make it so the metal shuttles, in particular, could be worn as pendants. This works because it can be unclipped and tatted with vs. having the tip or hook get hung up in a purse. Recently, I have designed shuttles that are created using all clay using molds and templates I also designed. These tatting shuttles are especially good for beaded tatting thread because the post is taller and the entire shuttle is smooth.

My tiny (yet full) studio is in the corner of the bedroom of my and my husband's 5th wheel, which sits comfortably in a resort outside of Sedona, Arizona.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions, and thank you so much for stopping by! 

~Shawna Nero Newton

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