Viking Knitting is really addicting.

I had some time to try my hand at viking knitting – which is working wire into a tube, using wire. Apparently that type of work was given this name because archeologiests kept finding silver bracelets in viking tombs that had an intracate knitting like pattern.

No fancy tools… just a wide wooden spoon handle, a pair of plyers, and wire…. I made my first viking knit tube of a gold toned copper wire, and it looked amazing… but i could not leave it alone… i had to add cha-cha bead dangles… and that took my bracelet to the next level.

I need to spend some time with my camera and post these pictures for you… But the bracelets are not done yet… have to finish the ends and add hook and eye closures.

In other news, spent part of Memorial day in Hartville Flea Market and I am so excited to say I scored big. I went with the intent of finding a rack for my purses to be displayed and came home with a wrought iron stand intended as a standing shepherd’s crook for plants – but it is perfect for my merchandising… and this handsome find was… brace yourself… $3.00. OMG. Such a deal!

My neighbor and I wandered about as our husbands sat in a cool and shady spot. And in our wandering we also found a stand that was all sorts of jewelry – beads, beads and more beads… I scored a big bag of beads for $10.00 – another wonderful deal.

And one more amazing find was discovered at a stand where a lady selling old table linen – wonderful stuff from the 30s and 40s – hand crochet lace, delicate cutwork, amazing craftsmanship from a generation or two ago… We both scored some amazing deals – I have a big bag of linens for $5, and my neighbor also got some wonderful things for cheap. We both felt bad because this woman was selling her family stuff for nothing – all that history, all that work, all that detail – at bargain basement prices. We each mentioned to her that her prices were unrealistically low – she just wanted to get rid of the things. Then I began wondering how those women who put their love into these delicate pieces would feel to see their work go for pennies. Oh well, it was a deal. Hartville is worth the trip… take a friend, a hat, some water and a few dollars and you a re guaranteed to go home with treasures.