Back from Vacation

...And it was perfect.

...complete with trees and beautiful sunsets...

Slowly getting back into the swing of things, now that we're home...  You know, the usual: doing a multitude of laundry, unpacking, grocery shopping, making doctors appointments, staring at the backlog of store things that I have yet to post.

Heh.

But!  In other good news: My husband's ankle is healing straight and strong, and surgery might not even be necessary.  We go back in two weeks for another x-ray...  If things continue as they have been, he'll be able to start bearing weight on it.  I am so, so relieved.

And so, life is busy.

...And so, life is lovely.

Going on Vacation...

I am so, so happy!

Two Things

1.  My husband broke his ankle 10 days ago, and will be having surgery soon to help fix it.

2.  I am exhausted.

My husband's foot, as we wait for his CT scan.

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My last few weeks have been downright overwhelming and disheartening...  To that end, I'm looking for happy and encouraging things--trying to stay positive.

Have anything happy you'd like to share?  I'd love to hear!

Wednesday's Table

And now to answer the pressing question: since my display table has been set up, what have I been dedicating my time to?

Heh.

Why, learning another creative medium, of course.

Now, what is this spaceship doing here?
Oh, that's right... it's a not-so-subtle hint as to what I've been doing!

That's right, folks, I'm back to trying my hand at 3D modeling.  

And that is my spaceship.

Here it is again!

So, what prompted me to once more play around with hexagons and textures?   

A custom order.  

Someone asked me to create a necklace for them--a necklace with a very specific pendant, something that cannot be found at a bead store.  So, while I'm trying to make a representation of it using my standard tools--beads and filigree and polymer clay--I also thought I'd try my hand at creating a 3D image.  After all, there are such things as 3D printers nowadays!

So, I was having fun rendering images of my spaceship.  Don't judge.  ;)

And not only did I create a 3D image--I created one that I'm extremely proud of!  

(And one that I'm not posting here yet, since this item is going to be a gift--don't want to spoil the surprise!)

My success with that project has made me extremely interested in learning more, practicing more...

Today a spaceship...  Tomorrow, the world!!!
*cough*
Ahem.

...And hopefully getting to the point where I'm not only creating custom beads and jewelry ('cause that's pretty cool), I'm also creating models for the games my husband is working on ('cause, that's also pretty cool).

Not bad for just starting!

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Soooo...  I've been working on spacecraft and beads...  Any suggestions on what my next 3D modeling project should be?

Business Spotlight!

It's time, it's time!


Here is what I have been working on, quite incessantly, for the last few weeks:

Hark!  It is my jewelry display table!

Complete with new hairsticks...

...make your own necklaces...

...and pre-made lovelies!

Overall, I created over 120 new inventory pieces for this table--including 27 silmarils, 13 pairs of earrings, 3 rings, 32 necklaces, and 60+ hairsticks.


...In addition to sewing the table cloth, painting the mirror and necklace display, completely crafting the book centerpiece, and making fabric bookcovers for 10 books.  Oh, and using mod podge to transform three of those glass containers from clear to colored.


July was very busy--and, I am very pleased with the results!


Hurray!


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The table is currently on display at Stonekry Books, in Andership Township, Ohio.  If you're in the neighborhood, feel free to check it out!  As wonderful as the pictures are, it is much cooler in person.  :D

Sneak Peak

My display table is almost done.

     ...the tablecloth has been sewn.

     ...the fabric bookcovers have been made.

     ...the mod podge has been cleared from the bottom of the oven (long story).

     ...and just what have I been doing with paint?

I guess you'll just have to wait and see!

I suppose now I should start working on the inventory I'm going to be selling on this table.  Heh.  Fun times!

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...And, of course, during all of this I have been trying to develop a true writing schedule.  So I've been working on Landus Fantasticus with fabric glue on my hands, paint in my hair, and random beads on the floor.  Never a dull moment! 

Wednesday's Table

...is taken up with all sorts of preparation!


Preparation for what, you ask?  


Why, for my August jewelry display!  Hurray!  Indeed, for the month of August I will be setting up a table at a local bookstore to sell my wares.  This will be the first time I have ever done something like this.


I'm so excited!  :D

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...and I am also ridiculously busy, so please pardon me for not posting much here.  Hopefully there will be pictures once I'm done putting everything together--both my display AND the things that I'm going to be selling.  I am basically building up everything from scratch--and, knowing me, nothing is simple.


...and now to clean up the mod podge from the bottom of the oven...


Hope you're having a wonderful Wednesday!

Tuesday's Table

What I've been doing: the extended mega-post edition!

1.  Watching birds at my bird-feeder

Stylistic shot of the bird-feeder.

I really love the design--it reminds me of a lantern.

  

Look!  It's a goldfinch!  ...It's a lot clearer if you can maximize the picture.

I have been ridiculously happy with this bird-feeder--and the plethora of birds that come and use it.  Apparently watching birds has the same effect on me as watching small furry pets--I become completely excited and enamored and act like I'm four.  

So far, I've identified: chickadees, cardinals, tufted titmice, house finches, goldfinches, a red-bellied woodpecker, and a mating pair of bullying blue-jays (who want the entire thing to themselves).

2.  Knitting!

Look, look!  Blanket panels!

The top-most one is rainbow colored, while the middle one is made
using: red, rainbow, yellow, pink, pink/blue ombre, orange, and purple.

...This means that I am now finished three panels for my blanket!  And I have one more that is literally three inches from being complete!

I have a few more panels started...  my most current one has stripes based on the Fibonacci series.  Whee!

And, yes, this is rapidly becoming the Blanket-of-Doom.  Based on how things are going, I think it's actually going to be big enough for a California King bed.  Yeah...  I guess I can always fold it!


3.  Working on Custom Orders

Woo for shiny swarovski bicones!

Several months ago, I was asked to make a pair of custom earrings for a lovely friend of my mother, using pretty little swarovski crystals.

The first iteration of the design was not quite what she was looking for--too long, not quite the right look--so I've been researching and experimenting with other ways to do what she wants.

Currently, I have come up with seven more designs, and am excited to see if she likes any of them!  :D


4.  Writing!

I am so glad to report that I am actually writing.  I am currently ping-ponging between three main projects:

I carry a notebook with me wherever I go--always prepared!

Landus Fantasticus
This is the story that is connected to my Etsy store.  It is also not anywhere close to being finished.  I am currently doing two things: writing new material, and converting what has already been written from first person to third person.

Dry erase board in action!  ...Believe it or not, that's a map.
A map that needs major work, but a map nonetheless.
Also, "Boo" = the Haunted Forest.

Out of the Cold
This story is the closest to a straight-up novel as I apparently get.  It is also rather close to being completed--as long as I don't get carried away.  I am, however, rewriting it from third person to first person.

The Telling
A collection of short stories!  I'm working on these to remind myself that I actually can finish writing projects.  I have currently finished two of the stories, and am working on a  third.

Yay for actually getting a chance to put pen to paper, and creating worlds!


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Of course, there are a lot of things I missed in this post.  Such as: 

--knitting a baby blanket for my sister-in-law who is due near September
--making new hairsticks to post
--getting ready for a jewelry show in August
--teaching a good friend how to sew from a pattern
--reading, reading, reading...  I honestly don't remember the last time I have read this much!


...Have you been working on anything creative recently?