Farore's Wind Bracelet Again

Where do I start?  Hmm... I'll start with this.

I'm back to making some small jewelry things, taking my time, trying to make sure I've got a really solid design and am using materials I already have to pull together something pretty rather than wasting time, energy and dexterity on something on experiments and trying to come up with new techniques. 

I had a few of these awesome green beads left over in my stash.  I wanted to make a necklace with them laced together with wire, but I couldn't logically see that working out well. It only works well when you have something to lash the beads against or they're big enough to be the focal by themselves.  So, I opted for a frosty looking white and green motif.

It's really simple, but it works very well with a nice cocktail dress.

Finally Photogenic.

I've been a moody miss as of late.  Partially due to the fluctuating weather.  Partially due to inexplicable exhaustion.  Partially due to having to deal with near constant pain from my ridiculously temperamental nervous system. 
I don't know if I've mentioned it before, but autoimmune conditions often come in threes and often the symptoms are linked to complex and inexplicable body phenomena.  Mine are Reynaud's (my body thinks it's freezing to death in 70 degree weather and shows symptoms of hypothermia, including shutting down certain organ groups if I get too cold), intense vertigo, and horrible migraines.  Just those things make me a moody miss, but add widespread pain and I turn into an irritable harpy.  I'll admit it.  My death glares rival a cockatrice's. 

In spite of this, I try to do some things to help me stay positive.  Unfortunately, Chicago's recent tempremental weather has kept me from photographing my projects. 

I managed to get something on film for you guys, though.  Take a look.

It's actually an old design from when I was first acquainting myself with the joys of E6000 glue.  Thankfully, I've gotten better at composing pendants and the like, but this one is still pretty.  It includes brass filigree, onyx beads, silver plated brass beads, hematite, swarovski crystals and a plastic button.  This is the first time I've taken photos of it that actually came out well.  Surprisingly.   Ha!  Well, I'm going to curl up under my blanket again.  See you guys.

Knee Deep

I happened into one of the more gentrified areas of Pilsen a couple weeks ago.  Don't ask what I was doing there because it's not any of your business.  Let's just say I was meeting a Dark Haired Stranger for lunch after a morning of boutiquing the jewelry I made.  As is our usual, we had lunch at a moderately priced restaurant and went for a turn about the park.

What can I say?  We both like walks, it gives us an excuse not to run home immediately, and it's a good way to lengthen any outing and prevent 2 pounds of Mexican food from sticking to your thighs.  I'm not trying to make the Twerk Team any time soon, so, yeah.  Walks.

As we walked, we passed by some interesting new shops that had opened in the area.  Being a social person, I try not to be horribly rude, but I was so entranced by the vintage high waisted shorts in the window, that the Dark Haired Stranger noticed and immediately suggested we go inside.  The name of this shop was called Knee Deep.

It smelled like a well-kept attic and was chock full of clothes, trinkets, and accessories from the 50's onward.  Everything from authentic Chinese jackets, embellished jackets from the 80s, and jewelry so old the companies are no longer in operation.  The items I wanted were too small to fit my rear hindquarters, so despite my intense desire to waltz out wearing an 80's prom dress, it wasn't going to happen.  I settled on two brooches that I absolutely adored...and the Dark Haired Stranger made sure I didn't leave the shop without them.

Lorule Low-down

While I haven't played a Link between worlds, I've watched a bit of the Let's plays available on youtube to keep myself from turning in fits over the fact that I can neither afford a 3DS XL or the game itself.  Not only does it have solid gameplay mechanics reminiscent to the ORIGINAL Legend of Zelda game and Ocarina of Time, but it's got a nice feel and the whole concept of a mirror-image shadow world plays into the affection for books like Journey to the Center of the Earth and old theories that the world was composed of layers of vastly different 'worlds' with slightly different mechanics and creatures living within them.

That aside... the aesthetics of Lorule, the dark version of Hyrule, are really easy to get into.  Even though the motifs are similar to Hyrule's bright, shiny filigree and scrollwork, they are decidedly dark and cold.  I like dark, cold colors.  So here's the first bit of fanart I've made for the crumbling kingdom of Lorule.

Almost a perfect color match for the purple elements in the Lorule side of the game.

Reminds me of Lorule's incarnation of Zelda..

Disapppointed again

Well..  I tried again and ruined another set of filigree... I guess I'll have a red necklace too. 

Bleh.

Disappointed

I hate when something I've spent a lot of time on doesn't come out the way I wanted it to.  I put a lot of time, effort and supplies into making these pendants.  I was feeling super inspired and energetic.  I vowed that I'd do it correctly and it'd be awesome and beautiful!

Ooooh!

Ahhhh!

...Oh.

It's CROOKED.  Not woefully so... just a tiny bit.  You can barely even notice it if you're looking at it in person.  But in the photos at a ridiculous magnification like THIS.... you can see it.  I know I'll never be able to sell anything I make from this pendant.

You see, as a person who hand-makes things, I get a great deal more scrutiny than a department store.  It's expected that anything I offer will be PERFECT, even if I offer it cheaper than you could get it from a big box retailer.  Top that off with the high standards that I hold for myself and you've got a recipe for a hissy fit.  Still.  This is fine.  I can still use it to make something...for myself.  It's too junky to try selling.  Maybe next time.

A Simple Necklace

Often times we overlook the benefits of simple pendants and necklaces, especially today with the rise in the popularity of loud, statement necklaces.  Your necklace of charms and shiny dangles isn't always appropriate with your outfits.  Take drape neck tops for example.  You can't wear statement necklaces with those...  Lace stuff.  No statement necklaces with that.  It's too much.  You need simple things with a focus on one or two elements.  Like this necklace for example.

The devil is in the details of the pendant!

 I kept it simple.  There isn't even a whole lot of beaded chain.  Another good thing about this necklace is the long chain. That way if you have an embellished neckline, this will draw the attention evenly down your body and help to elongate your torso.  Long necklaces make you look slender.  Grab a long necklace with a detail rich focal to make yourself look sleek and sophisticated.

Elena: Victorian Style Black and Crimson Necklace

I like Victorian and Edwardian styled things.  You know this.  I need not tarry with my explanations simply to placate your simpering for much more than I am properly able to give.  And so, I shall be cruel and leave you cold and wanting. 

I can't even read that with a straight face.  Too serious.

Anyway, I decided to go ahead and finish this piece.  I've been prodding at it off and on for the past few weeks.  The findings I used for it are a higher gauge than I usually use because of the wonderful, GLORIOUS weight of the pendant and links. 

However thick you think those links and such are, they're probably thicker

I love a heavy necklace.  Weight is power!  Weight is Strength!  Weight is Security!

I wish I could get better photos of it, but until I can get proper lighting and maybe a model, you'll have to settle for this..

Faux Patina Tutorial

Have you ever purchased a non-patina'd piece of metal work and wondered how you could give it more depth?  Or maybe you purchased some cheap electroplated resin or plastic findings and you wanted to make them look more like an expensive piece you'd pay much more for?

Anyone will tell you that a patina will add value to a piece.  The aged look of metal gives it more character, even if it's a cheap piece.  Patina makes a piece look more expensive and fetch a higher price.  This is important if you're trying to emulate an antiqued look.  Many patina tutorials I've seen so far instruct you to purchase different chemicals to speed up the aging of the metal, followed by buffing and polishing the metal so that some of its luster returns.

That's a little too tedious for me.  I use a different method.  It's cheap, simple and doesn't require me rubbing on a piece of metal until I get carpal tunnel.  Here's what you'll need:

Black Nail Polish (I like Essie)
A napkin
A Q-tip
Rubbing Alcohol
The metal findings you want to 'patina'
Clear nail polish.

That's it.  Six things, most of which I'm sure you already have laying around your house.  Now on to the process.

Step 1:
Clean the metal finding or bead with the alcohol using the Q-tip.  You want the surface to be as free of oils and dust as possible.

My untreated findings with the Essie Nail Polish

Step 2:
Paint the metal item completely with black nail polish.

Adding the polish.

Fully Blackened

Step 3:
While the polish is still wet, gently dab off or wipe off the excess polish until it only remains in the tiny cracks and corners of the metal finding.  Don't press too hard or you'll end up cleaning it all off.  Allow the item to dry for a few minutes.

Add caption

Step 4:
Apply a coat of clear nail polish.  This will seal the color on the metal and protect it from damage.  I usually use at least 2 coats.  Allow it to dry completely.  I actually apply clear polish to ALL my metal findings whether I patina them or not.  It protects against tarnishing and, if you have metal sensitivities, can prevent you from having a reaction.

The completed Faux Patina

That's all!  Tadaaaaa!

TADAAAA!

Spring Cleaning: Stash Blasting 2

In my last post I told you guys the origin story of this.

Today, as promised, I'm going to show you what I did with it and maybe tell you why I think its current incarnation is much better than any of the other possible ones that were brainstormed.  Ok.  Are you ready?  You sure?  Ok.  Here it is!

I call it the Dragon's Amulet

 I made it into a necklace for a variety of reasons.  Making it into a brooch would have removed much of its Muchness as the Mad Hatter would say.  I rather like 'Muchness', so I'm the last person who'd do something to remove it.  I couldn't make it into an earring set because there was only one and it would rip your earlobe clean off.  I also couldn't figure out how to incorporate it into a bracelet or hair clip without silly things happening. 

Such drama.

Initially, I'd wanted to make it into a necklace anyway.  However, there was the problem of finding components that could stand up to all that was going on with that pendant.  In the end, I had to couple some bead weaving techniques, contrary shapes, careful planning, and math (I hate math, but I swear, I use it more in my hobbies than I do anywhere else in life). 

The result was a piece of jewelry that practically EXPLODES with intricacy and richness. 

Look at how the sun bounces off that antique glass.

Thanks for reading guys!  Happy Crafting!