Special Features of the GR-8 Shuttles Each GR-8 Shuttle is a hand-crafted tool of exquisite beauty and functionality that will last a lifetime and surely become an heirloom. Because each are handmade, no two are exactly alike. The GR-8 uses ordinary sewing machine bobbins. GR-8 shuttles may not necessarily be for everyone. The shuttle is a new and different design and takes some practice to discover all of its advantages. No "clicking". The solid construction keeps the shuttle from "grabbing" the thread as with traditional shuttles. The design of the GR-8 Shuttle makes it easier to pass over the knotting (ball) thread quicker and the non-snag hook makes joining and un-tatting easier. Works with any size thread, even wire. No need to space beads on bobbin when winding, because they are easily pushed back around the bobbin. Common woods: Alder Almond Apple Ash Apricot Cherry Crabapple Hickory Juniper Lilac Locust Mesquite Mountain mahogany Oak Pacific yew Pecan Plum Red cedar Walnut, black Exotic woods: American Holly Bloodwood Bocote Bubinga Coco bola Dzalam Ebony Goncalo alves Featherwood Ironwood Kingwood Koa Ligum vitae Maple, Birds-eye Olivewood Osage orange Paulopee Pink Ivory Purpleheart Rosewood Satinwood Thuja burl Yellowheart Zebrawood Zircote Other: Deer Antler Elk Antler Specialties: Inlays Scrimshaw Shuttle prices: Single bobbin $35.00 Double bobbin $45.00 For exotic woods add $3.00 For antler add $10.00 Call for pricing on specialty. Note: Prices are subject to change. For more information, contact Randy at the following address: GR-8 Shuttles Randy Houtz 128 Eagle Drive Ignacio, CO 81137 USA (970)884-9232 (evenings) or [email protected]

• Jennifer Moore, Seattle, Washington, USA writes:
  

  I purchased the Mock Ring book and a Mulberry Tatting shuttle. The shuttle is extremely light weight and easy to manipulate. The first day of tatting with it I had to fiddle quite a bit with the tension, but now it's second nature to use. I keep the tension fairly tight, and when it's time to let out more thread I hold the top and bottom parts of the screw still and pull out the thread, so I don't inadvertantly change the tension. I can say I am looking forward to adding more of the GR-8 shuttles to my collection!

• Carol Lawecki, Pennsylvania, USA writes:

  I just love my two GR-8 tatting shuttles that Randy made for me. The GR-8 shuttle has become my favorite to use. The bobbin makes loading the shuttles quick and easy. The shuttles feel great in my hands and are also like a piece of art work. Sometimes I'll stop tatting and will just look at and admire the GR-8 Shuttle that I am using.

  I had Randy make me one out of Elk Antler with a Coral Heart inlay and on the sides I had him scrimshaw my initials and the year.

  I also had him make me a shuttle I call my Mother's Birthstone Shuttle. I bought some gemstones of all our birthstones and had Randy set the gemstones in the shuttle. He used Honeysuckle Burl wood and I had my initials and year carved on the sides. These shuttles are very special to me. I plan on getting another one made soon.

  I have pictures of these shuttles on my web page and also a few GR-8 Shuttles from other tatting friends.

  http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Acres/8622/tatting.html

• Doretha Albee, California, USA writes:

  I'm not biased, I just happen to love the GR-8 shuttles a lot. I have quite a few, including one of the first ten made (without the "8" on it!0 and use and enjoy each and every one of them for their uniqueness.

• Nancy (Nell), Co. Springs, Colorado, USA writes:

  I have only one (sob) of the great GR-8 shuttles. It was a birthday gift to me from my husband. Mine is made from black walnut and has my name inlayed in Abalone shell. It is very very tiny (which I requested)--only 2 1/2 inches long. I LOVE my GR-8 shuttle; it's made beautifully and there is something about a smoothe wood shuttle that just doesn't compare to anything else. I love the bobbin feature because I'm constantly changing thread colors and this makes it so much easier.

• Hope Green, Miami, Florida, USA writes:

  I have a small collection... and love them--but have not found the time to learn to use them and be comfortable with them... so much faster to use the aero. If seems so fiddly to loosen the screw to let out thread and tighten.

  I sent charms and earrings to Randy to set into 4 of my shuttles... and they are so georgous that it is a crime. He made me a double bobbin abalone one, and an elk antler with an abalone heart inset.

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