What does that mean? That means that there is a FREE SHIPPING SALE at my store!
Yes, indeed, there will be free worldwide shipping available the entire month of March at my little section of Etsy.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Another Ouroboros... and updated pictures!
I have posted another Ouroboros necklace to my store! This one is made in shades of copper and green and purple.
A sidenote: I have always been partial to this color combination. It is actually featured prominently in one of my stories--not Landus Fantasticus, which is the basis of most stories that accompany items in my store... Instead, it is featured in a story that I've been working on since 2003. I am a bit more close-lipped about that particular one... perhaps, when it's published, I will be more inclined to divulge details. :)
And, back to the topic of Ouroboros necklaces, I have also changed out the pictures for the other necklaces... I have been having issues getting the lighting just right. It is very possible that I will change them yet again!
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| New Ouroboros, shown as a double-stranded choker |
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| Detail of the Ouroboros, worn as a single-stranded necklace... Notice the alternating purple and green Czech fire-polished glass beads |
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| Detail of the dangle |
A sidenote: I have always been partial to this color combination. It is actually featured prominently in one of my stories--not Landus Fantasticus, which is the basis of most stories that accompany items in my store... Instead, it is featured in a story that I've been working on since 2003. I am a bit more close-lipped about that particular one... perhaps, when it's published, I will be more inclined to divulge details. :)
And, back to the topic of Ouroboros necklaces, I have also changed out the pictures for the other necklaces... I have been having issues getting the lighting just right. It is very possible that I will change them yet again!
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| Ouroboros in silver and blue, shown as a double-stranded choker |
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| Close up of the toggle clasp |
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| Close up of the blue iris Czech fire-polished beads |
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| Ouroboros in lavender and brass, shown as single-stranded necklace |
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| Close up of the dangle |
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| Another close up of the dangle |
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| Ouroboros in Phoenix-Fire and Brass, shown as a double-stranded choker |
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| Close up of the Phoenix-Fire beads, also Czech fire-polished glass |
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| Last but not least: shown as a single-stranded necklace |
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Launching a New Necklace Line - Ouroboros!
Today, I have posted three new necklaces, all of which are made in my new design.
I introduce: the Ouroboros necklaces!
Why call them Ouroboros necklaces? Read on...
The Ouroboros is an ancient symbol, depicting the snake eating its own tale. It has shown up in myths from ancient Egypt and Greece; it has been connected to the Aztec God Quetzalcoatl and the Norse serpent Jörmungandr. To every culture, it means something slightly different.
To the people of the Landus Fantasticus, the Ouroboros is a special symbol indeed. To them, it is a positive representative of a cycle which begins anew as soon as it ends. Like the Phoenix, the Ouroboros is thus a symbol of hope; although life changes, there are new beginnings and new opportunities.
These necklaces can be worn two ways: over the head as a single-stranded necklace (approximately 30 inches long), or as a double-stranded necklace with the toggle clasp in the front (approximately 15 to 15.5 inches long). When worn with the toggle clasp in the front, it reminds me of an Ouroboros—and that is why I have chosen to name this style after this symbol of hope.
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Interested in more about the Ouroboros? Check out Wikipedia for its background, or dictionary.com for its etymology.
I introduce: the Ouroboros necklaces!
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| Ouroboros in Phoenix-Fire and Brass |
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| Ouroboros in Phoenix-Fire and Brass |
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| Ouroboros in Silver and Blue |
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| Ouroboros in Silver and Blue |
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| Ouroboros in Brass and Lavender |
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| Ouroboros in Brass and Lavender |
Why call them Ouroboros necklaces? Read on...
The Ouroboros is an ancient symbol, depicting the snake eating its own tale. It has shown up in myths from ancient Egypt and Greece; it has been connected to the Aztec God Quetzalcoatl and the Norse serpent Jörmungandr. To every culture, it means something slightly different.
To the people of the Landus Fantasticus, the Ouroboros is a special symbol indeed. To them, it is a positive representative of a cycle which begins anew as soon as it ends. Like the Phoenix, the Ouroboros is thus a symbol of hope; although life changes, there are new beginnings and new opportunities.
These necklaces can be worn two ways: over the head as a single-stranded necklace (approximately 30 inches long), or as a double-stranded necklace with the toggle clasp in the front (approximately 15 to 15.5 inches long). When worn with the toggle clasp in the front, it reminds me of an Ouroboros—and that is why I have chosen to name this style after this symbol of hope.
---
Interested in more about the Ouroboros? Check out Wikipedia for its background, or dictionary.com for its etymology.
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| Drawing by Theodoros Pelecanos, in tract titled Synosius (1478) |
Friday, February 4, 2011
Valentine's Day!
...it's not that far away!
Kind of scary, isn't it? It's already February, right when I was just getting used to January. Sheesh. But, there are lots of happy things about February--including my mother's birthday, the anniversary of when my husband first asked me to date him, and--of course--Valentine's Day.
Here are my few, select offerings for Valentine's Day this year.
There are, of course, other items in my store that involve love stories... such as the Blackdew Necklace and the Gift to Emily Hairsticks (Twilight inspired). Be sure to check them out!
Kind of scary, isn't it? It's already February, right when I was just getting used to January. Sheesh. But, there are lots of happy things about February--including my mother's birthday, the anniversary of when my husband first asked me to date him, and--of course--Valentine's Day.
Here are my few, select offerings for Valentine's Day this year.
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| Once Upon a Time - Hairsticks |
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| Once Upon a Time - Earrings |
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| Swirling Hearts - Hairsticks |
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| Mark of the Hand - Necklace |
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| Love Token - Mini Hairstick |
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| GloBerries - Pink Earrings (also available in yellow and orange) |
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| Red Lady of Ilangrath - Hairstick |
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| Red Lady of Ilangrath - Necklace Recently revamped--now hanging on a golden chain! |
There are, of course, other items in my store that involve love stories... such as the Blackdew Necklace and the Gift to Emily Hairsticks (Twilight inspired). Be sure to check them out!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
StarCraft, too
Today is a momentous day! Why is that, you ask? Because tonight I played my first match of StarCraft 2 online. Against a real person.
And, get this: I actually won! I really won!
And now for some backstory. After all, I need to explain why this is such a big deal. To begin with, I am scared of games. I do not know why, but I am. Even playing something as simple as "Go Fish" is enough to make me break out into a sweat. I am brought to tears by Pictionary; I am terrified of dominoes and console games alike. As I said in this post, I never really played games growing up. In fact, I tend to avoid them like the plague.
My New Year's resolution for this year was to tackle this fear. After all, games are a big part of my husband's life. They are a way that he relaxes. (This boggles my mind--games are a way to stress me, not relax me.) And I really want to be able to share that with him--even if that is putting me in a position where I might lose. The horror!
And so, I am facing games. Or, actually, just one game. The one game that I'm working on is: StarCraft 2. I know, surprise surprise. I certainly haven't picked one of the easiest games to learn--it is called a real time strategy game, after all.
But today... today I signed online, and played a game against another person. And I won. I did it.
I have a long way to go in conquering my game phobia, but I think I am headed in the right direction. For tonight, I am content.
---
And, speaking of StarCraft, here is the most recent addition to my "StarCraft 2" accessory line, just recently posted to my store. I call it "Xel'Naga Artifact." I think it is a fitting tribute to today's victory.
And here is the story that I put with it:
“Now, the Xel'naga that forged us all are returning. But do they come to save... or to destroy?”
- Zeratul, a prominent Protoss warrior, on the Xel’naga
The Xel’Naga are an ancient race prominent in the lore of the StarCraft universe. Their name itself means “Wanderers from Afar,” although they have also been called the Ihan-rii, the “Great Teachers,” and the “Makers.” As a race, they have played an important role in the backstories of the Protoss and the Zerg, manipulating the evolution of both races.
In the time of StarCraft and StarCraft 2, however, the Xel’Naga are absent. Their only appearance thus far has been in the form of relics—ancient artifacts with mysterious powers. Yet their return is foretold, and even that is a matter of uncertainty. It is not clear whether the Xel’Naga will come to save those that they created, or if they will come to destroy them.
These hairsticks and earrings were crafted in the colors of a Xel’Naga artifact—glowing blues, swirling silvers, and night-blacks. Although they lack any of the powers of the true Xel’Naga artifacts, they can certainly herald back to this ancient race, and remind the wearer to find beauty even when facing the uncertainty of the future.*
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* - Even if the future holds games online against real people! :)
And, get this: I actually won! I really won!
And now for some backstory. After all, I need to explain why this is such a big deal. To begin with, I am scared of games. I do not know why, but I am. Even playing something as simple as "Go Fish" is enough to make me break out into a sweat. I am brought to tears by Pictionary; I am terrified of dominoes and console games alike. As I said in this post, I never really played games growing up. In fact, I tend to avoid them like the plague.
My New Year's resolution for this year was to tackle this fear. After all, games are a big part of my husband's life. They are a way that he relaxes. (This boggles my mind--games are a way to stress me, not relax me.) And I really want to be able to share that with him--even if that is putting me in a position where I might lose. The horror!
And so, I am facing games. Or, actually, just one game. The one game that I'm working on is: StarCraft 2. I know, surprise surprise. I certainly haven't picked one of the easiest games to learn--it is called a real time strategy game, after all.
But today... today I signed online, and played a game against another person. And I won. I did it.
I have a long way to go in conquering my game phobia, but I think I am headed in the right direction. For tonight, I am content.
---
And, speaking of StarCraft, here is the most recent addition to my "StarCraft 2" accessory line, just recently posted to my store. I call it "Xel'Naga Artifact." I think it is a fitting tribute to today's victory.
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| Close-up of the stick toppers. |
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| Detailed view of the dangle and toppers. |
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| Complete view of the hairsticks. |
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| And here we have the pair of matching earrings! |
And here is the story that I put with it:
“Now, the Xel'naga that forged us all are returning. But do they come to save... or to destroy?”
- Zeratul, a prominent Protoss warrior, on the Xel’naga
The Xel’Naga are an ancient race prominent in the lore of the StarCraft universe. Their name itself means “Wanderers from Afar,” although they have also been called the Ihan-rii, the “Great Teachers,” and the “Makers.” As a race, they have played an important role in the backstories of the Protoss and the Zerg, manipulating the evolution of both races.
In the time of StarCraft and StarCraft 2, however, the Xel’Naga are absent. Their only appearance thus far has been in the form of relics—ancient artifacts with mysterious powers. Yet their return is foretold, and even that is a matter of uncertainty. It is not clear whether the Xel’Naga will come to save those that they created, or if they will come to destroy them.
These hairsticks and earrings were crafted in the colors of a Xel’Naga artifact—glowing blues, swirling silvers, and night-blacks. Although they lack any of the powers of the true Xel’Naga artifacts, they can certainly herald back to this ancient race, and remind the wearer to find beauty even when facing the uncertainty of the future.*
---
* - Even if the future holds games online against real people! :)
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