Mussel Runner

To bring you up to date, below is a reminder of my latest project.

This image was introduced to you with my last week's update (Mussel Trivet 24/07/2011). Since then I have found a design idea for it.

All I will tell you about it right now is that it is within the range of dining accessories. The rest will come in images. Is this a teaser or what?...

Update: Saturday, 6 August 2011

'Teaser' revealed

- more in due course...

And now, we can start. The Mussel Runner

This design came out of 'Trial 2', an idea for a trivet to be made out of mussel shells (which still has to be completed). However, this project took over. Partially, because it was easier to take a few balls of string and a crochet hook with me on my holidays rather than the drill (also mentioned in that post). This meant that after my arrival back I had already created the runner. What was left to do was to attach the shells.

For this, the drill came handy. And so I spent a day drilling and drilling and drilling...

To attach the shells a craft wire and a pair of pliers was used. How funny to think that to create a table runner one needs a drill and pliers.

In case you wonder why the mussel shells? The material made crocheting would surely be enough. It runs from one end of the table to the other and it is also decorative. So why the shells?

The answer is (yet again) in multi-functionality. What I did not want to have was a purely decorative piece. What is more, the design of a Mussel Trivet is still on top of my list. This is why I decided to incorporate the meaning of a trivet into the table runner.

Even though the material itself is dense enough to protect the table from any possible heat, the shells add an extra protection. Plus it will not stain&burn the base so much.

Below is to give you an idea about 'without' & 'with'; the 'Mussel Runner' in action.

Which brings me back to the design of the 'Mussel Trivet'. I am off to do some drilling now so see you next time. Kx

New Forest

One thing you notice about this place is the freedom. Freedom of flora and fauna which spreads as far as one can see. This area of eastern England is for obvious reasons a National Park with villages scattered around.

What caught my attention at first were the New Forest ponies. As we were driving around we would share the roads. These creatures seemed to be accustomed to human beings and certainly did not look bothered by our presence. They would be everywhere. On the roads or strolling the fields. Even hiding in the shade of this bridge.

How great it is to see such freedom.





This area is certainly pleasing to the eye. After getting used to the ponies everywhere around me I found myself absorbed in all the colours. The greens, the pinks and purples all within my reach.

I am sure everybody sees such nature differently. Everybody also uses it differently. For walking, riding, even horse riding. What a great place to live in.




Not far away from the open, I was swallowed by this forest. And what a forest it is. The ground covered with branches, the messiness of the place. This place is magical.

At one point, we found ourselves surrounded by blackberries. And we just could not stop picking. They were sweet, they were juicy, they were delicious.

This one outing to New Forest reminded me how much I miss being in nature. I hope to repeat this experience. New Forest will stay with me for a long time.