tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20952515907558250582024-03-05T23:10:27.002-08:00Astraea Designs - Adorn YourselfA blog about more than just jewelry: a place to share my thoughts on creativity, connection, and compassion.astraeadesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16830207946822473976noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095251590755825058.post-40765643405229462212020-01-18T12:17:00.000-08:002020-01-18T12:17:12.273-08:00Writing and RoleplayWell, I've gotten bitten by the roleplay bug again. It was a solid hobby of mine for about a decade, starting in the mid-90s until about the mid-2000s. In college I was introduced to MUSHes -- shared text-based online games that were like being inside a novel with a host of other characters and writing it all as you went. I was hooked immediately. So much so that I eventually created my own game, which ran for four years and attracted players from all over the globe. I still have many fond memories of that time.<br />
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But gradually, life happened and I drifted away. I missed the collaborative nature of that kind of writing, though. Roleplaying was set up to where you'd operate your character, and the other player would operate theirs, and you'd volley back and forth. Like being in a novel where you're writing half the action. I didn't have time to dedicate to the games anymore, but I missed the immediate gratification of writing with a partner, so recently I discovered Reddit forums like <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Roleplay/" target="_blank">Roleplay</a> and <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/WriteWithMe/" target="_blank">Write With Me</a> where folks could advertise for writing partners. There are even some dedicated sites like <a href="http://barbermonger.me/" target="_blank">Barbermonger</a> with more of the same.<br />
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So it wasn't long before I answered a few ads and posted some of my own, and found myself dipping back into that old pasttime. Except now there's even more freedom to it -- you're not tethered to a specific game or theme. You can just make up whatever storyline you want and dive right in. There's a whole wealth of possibilities at your fingertips!<br />
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I'm like a kid in a candy-store. Goggle-eyed and greedy at all the rich variety. Of course, there are downsides. Not many of these potential storylines "stick." Typically you'll exchange a few e-mails with a prospective partner and start brainstorming characters and scenarios, but most of them seem to die on the vine before you even get to the writing part. Or, you might start and be truckin' along, only for the momentum to fizzle out, or they (or you) get busy with life and the storyline comes to a screeching halt.<br />
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Or sometimes you just don't mesh. Your writing styles differ, or your ways of collaborating don't quite click. I suppose as with any partnership, there are a million reasons why it might not work out. That seems to be just part of the gig, and I'm trying to just roll with it and not take anything personally.<br />
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When it <i>does </i>work out though, oh, then it's just intoxicating! Think of the most compelling novel you've ever read, and then imagine getting to read it only in tiny installments, a few paragraphs at a time. Then imagine that you've got to <i>write</i> half those paragraphs yourself. There's definite work involved -- it's a challenge. You've got to muster your creativity and try to keep up, hold up your end of the bargain. It takes two to tango, as they say. You've both got to be committed to keep it going forward.<br />
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So far, I've managed to find a couple of steady partners. At best, we'll manage maybe 3 or 4 updates a day. Maybe just 1 if we're busy. I find myself on tenterhooks, checking my e-mail frequently to see if there's a new post for me to read. If I can time it right, I'll save my response for work, so I have something creative to focus on in the wee hours of my overnight shift. It gives me something to look forward to. A little creative "oomph" when I'm burning the midnight oil.<br />
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It's a fun and familiar creative challenge that I'm enjoying. At the very least, it's getting me back in the habit of writing regularly, which is exactly what I was looking for. I even enjoy the process of brainstorming and coming up with characters and plotlines, even when over half of them don't seem to work out. I figure nothing's wasted. Maybe those ideas could pan out down the line, somewhere else. I can squirrel those characters and ideas away for some future story. Like a hoarder, never knowing when something could come in handy. I'll just tuck those characters and stories away into my neverending cache of mental pockets and hope they might one day bear fruit.<br />
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So yeah, that's what I've been up to lately. Getting my writing on through roleplay!astraeadesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16830207946822473976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095251590755825058.post-62635106390926187812019-10-23T00:40:00.003-07:002019-10-23T00:46:16.171-07:00Putting it Out ThereI haven't had much time to write lately. Lots of drama at the job. Which, since no one really reads this, I can probably admit that I work at a shelter as the overnight advocate. It's a relatively recent position -- less than a month, although before that I was the driver. Whole new change of pace and career shift for me, as I'd never really considered getting into social work before, but now I find that it gives me a sense of purpose and fulfillment.<br />
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But it's also really hard and challenging. There's so much I don't know and am working on figuring out. I want to expand my skills at de-escalation, mediation, counseling, and helping people through tough situations. Of course, many of them have ingrained patterns of reacting with anger, violence, passive aggression, pettiness, and distrust. Some of them are dealing with mental health issues as well. So far this month, I've had to try and break up 3 fights; 2 in which the cops were called. It's draining both mentally and emotionally. When I applied for this position, I had to commit to a year. I really hope I can make it that long.<br />
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But I'm determined to do my best. I've been reading up on Non-Violent Communication; I've taken trainings and workshops, I ask the staff for their advice and counsel. I'm trying to get more tools in my proverbial tool-belt so I can handle these situations better. I just wish I could fast-forward a year, or 3, or 5, to where I'm <i>really </i>good at what I do. It's going to take time and I'm not always patient with myself.<br />
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Another part of me is convinced that there are other skills I could be teaching. I get so focused on trying to do little activities for the clients, like meditation, self-care, dance, and fitness. I want to encourage them to practice gratitude, to indulge their creative sides, to try bonding and team-building exercises as a way to defuse the tension that seems inherent in throwing a bunch of strangers (most of whom are stressed out already) in close quarters together and expecting them all to get along.<br />
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I feel like encouraging them to try these little practices every day could help alleviate some of the stress. That it could prompt the beginnings of healthier habits, self-care, and mindfulness. I know it's worked for me and I want to share that. I know I can't "fix" anyone, but maybe I can guide them along with baby steps toward changing ingrained patterns into something more positive.<br />
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But it's tough. The staff here, while I like most of them, seem burned out and disinterested in such ideas and improvements. Many of them are working second jobs, so I can't imagine they have the energy to pour into this one. Which is discouraging, because the turnover rate is high, morale is low, and sometimes it feels like this whole place is just held together with duct tape and a shoestring budget. I keep trying to build momentum but end up getting discouraged and frustrated myself.<br />
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But I'm not giving up. I like to think that there's a reason I found my way to this job. Or rather, that the universe put me here for a reason. That maybe I can do some good. Just by trying, just by being me, by bringing my sensibilities and values to this workplace and hopefully, slowly and subtly, bringing about some change.<br />
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Because it could be so much more. We're sheltering people from harm and providing them a safe haven. It's only short-term, yes, and we have limited resources, but maybe we could at least expose them to new ways of doing things, new ways of thinking, new practices that they can take with them when they go. That's my goal, at any rate.<br />
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I just need to try to stick to that, focus on ways of introducing self-care, meditation, creativity, connection, and gratitude to this space. Maybe over time, I can bring about some changes. I don't want to get too daunted by the overwhelming sense of inertia and indifference that seems to permeate this place. I don't want to let that snuff out my optimism and determination. I want to swim toward a goal rather than tread water.<br />
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That is my intention. I'm writing it here so I can put it out into the universe. These are my goals; this is what I'm striving toward, and I want to remain true to my purpose.<br />
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Any help along the way would be much appreciated!<br />
<br />astraeadesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16830207946822473976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095251590755825058.post-55806229083935335402019-10-10T00:05:00.003-07:002019-10-10T00:05:19.259-07:00Baby StepsMight as well try to keep the writing thing going, here in a blog that no one reads! It's a good habit to maintain, if nothing else.<br />
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I'm here at work, trying to keep busy at 2 am. Alone with my thoughts and wired on coffee. The daytime sleeping thing is still a challenge. I've got blackout curtains, a sleep mask, various herbal supplements like melatonin, Valerian root, CBD oil, and a Headspace app on my phone that plays soothing, ambient tones. And yet, even with all that, it's a challenge to sleep for more than 2-3 hours at a stretch (if I'm lucky). I try to cat-nap while I'm at work in the wee hours, just since I figure I might as well grab any sleep when I can, but are those late-night "naps" interfering with my "real" sleep? Ugh, I don't know. It's only week two, and I know it'll take time, but I'm eager to establish a regular schedule. I don't want the rest of my life to suffer due to lack of sleep, which I understand is essential for mental/emotional well-being. But there's nothing to do but wait and see how it all plays out.<br />
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I've been reading more. Checking out lots of books from the library lately. Gone through four of Liane Moriarty's novels already, and got another one on hold. Maybe I ought to intersperse her more with other authors, but when I get obsessed (such as with food), the obsession is ALL I want and nothing else will do.<br />
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But maybe reading is just an excuse to avoid writing. So much easier to read someone else's words than try to put down my own. I tell myself that I'm soaking up inspiration, but maybe the real truth is that I'm just procrastinating.<br />
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Still, baby steps and all. If I try to write <i>something </i>each shift, even just a blog entry that no one'll read, it's a start. Gotta try to look at the positive and not beat myself up too much.<br />
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Maybe I'll open up one of my various works-in-progress and stare at it for a while and hope inspiration comes.<br />
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Or I'll just read something.astraeadesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16830207946822473976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095251590755825058.post-50025105807998601072019-10-02T23:19:00.002-07:002019-10-02T23:29:18.087-07:00Time Enough at Last<span style="font-family: inherit;">I recently transitioned to a new position at my job -- doing overnights. Which is a bit of an adjustment, to say the least, and may be challenging for the first few weeks. Hell, the first few <i>days</i>. I think I've gotten about 3 hours of sleep in the last 36 hours, and I still have to get through tonight and tomorrow's shifts and hope that I can find some sleep somewhere along the way. I'm cursed with being a ridiculously light sleeper, and napping during the day has never been my forté. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But still, I asked for this. I chose this path, knowing it would be challenging. I had a host of reasons, but deep down one of my personal goals was to use the time to write more. Figured I might as well start with the occasional blog entry. Baby steps, and all.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ironically enough, ever since I started at this job back in February, I've put exactly 0 time toward my jewelry-making hobby. Maybe I was burned out, or maybe it was just high time I switched out one creative pursuit for another. But in any case, I haven't had the energy or inclination to pick up my jewelry tools in the last 8 months. It's like the switch just got flipped off.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I do miss having some sort of creative outlet, though. Which is why I'm hoping to jumpstart the writing again. I dabbled in a project with a friend, revisiting one of our old shared-hallucination settings, but that fizzled out after a few months. As they so often do. I keep thinking that the key lies in finding a writing buddy, but even when I'm successful, the projects eventually peter out. I'm left wondering how to sustain it. How do I keep the writing going? Sheer force of will?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">At least I've got the time. Buckets of (mostly) uninterrupted time to write and fill the wee hours. It's why I chose this gig. A gift to myself, or a kick in the pants, depending on how I want to look at it. Maybe both. If I can keep trucking away, a little at a time, then surely the sacrifice of sleep will be worth it?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">That's what I'm telling myself anyway. I made myself time to do something I want to do. Now I just gotta do it.</span></span>astraeadesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16830207946822473976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095251590755825058.post-90822017159160546522019-03-07T20:11:00.001-08:002019-03-07T20:13:08.925-08:00Words on a Page<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-1e22e5f5-7fff-3b59-4a0a-3e914b461986"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Words create our reality. That is why they are so powerful. The words we tell ourselves forge who we become. We manifest our own destiny.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Perhaps this is why I shy away from words. I’ve been avoiding their power. But maybe it is time I step into mine. Through words.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-16322d43-7fff-bf54-d033-2c9f92c049d6"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I write to bolster myself. And to bolster others. In a way, they are one and the same. I find that the words I say to others are often the ones I need to hear.</span></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-23b1f687-7fff-6ea8-60ba-5905f2fd1084"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is a vein of gold in words, a chord that strikes. I’m drawn to the rhythm and the flow. Words are like a dance. They move and pause, rise and fall, find a pattern all their own.</span></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-ce02aefe-7fff-1e86-c4b6-97b4bb42df4c"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They can be a meditation. A benediction. A prayer. A spell. A prophesy. We can create an entire fantasy with words. We can be the heroes of our own tale.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-895561b9-7fff-f25c-2837-ae52e84a1f0c"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Better yet, we can </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">write </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the tale.</span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-795a1cca-7fff-0de7-b805-a6a19b51167f"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How will you write yours?</span></span></div>
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astraeadesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16830207946822473976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095251590755825058.post-33266375254909817852019-03-01T21:03:00.000-08:002019-03-01T21:10:02.920-08:00In the Hole<span id="docs-internal-guid-1307008f-7fff-fb3f-fbf7-105af023634a"></span><br />
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-1307008f-7fff-fb3f-fbf7-105af023634a"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was watching a show the other night, and there was a scene where several women were imprisoned in a hole. There was a shot from above and I could see them all arrayed around the perimeter, like they were in a big, deep well. The main character was trying to get out, and her friend started bemoaning the fact that they never would. My mind launched off at that point, as it often does when I’m watching late-night Netflix after having smoked a nice green bowl, and I started problem-solving the women’s plight. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-afb786f5-7fff-f60e-c084-b56592fd3da9"></span></span><br />
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-c19aa974-7fff-0ce8-2062-689427970b7a"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I was a kid, I had a friend with a big, four-story house that included a laundry chute that connected from floor to floor. So one time when he and my brother and I we were playing hide and seek, I hid in the laundry chute with my back braced against one wall and my feet on the other, so I could inch down between the floors. Incidentally, it was the best hiding spot ever and no one ever found me!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-1ef39905-7fff-1d7f-d81e-044928b42617"></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-538c96f4-7fff-7c8b-3708-2c9dc7ed8420"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I remembered that and wondered if it could work for these women. What if they all linked arms and used each other’s legs and feet to push off of, and kinda inched their way up, out of the hole? If they could use each other as a literal support network?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-13d65a33-7fff-f4c8-6ed4-cbe795aa80f4"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It became such a firm image in my mind that I really </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">wanted </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the show to go there -- to have these women triumph and free themselves. Of course it didn’t. They were eventually rescued by a man. Naturally, because that’s always what happens.</span></span><br />
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-1307008f-7fff-fb3f-fbf7-105af023634a">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-8437061d-7fff-771d-5e81-366a18f65d7f"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">But I was really taken with my idea, and it became a metaphor in my head for feminism in general. I absolutely believe that male allies are crucial, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have so many amazing men in my life (not the least of whom is the one I married!), but I feel like the key lies in each other. The other women in the hole. We’re all down there, and only we can get out of it, but we all have to work together. We have to use each other’s strength and determination as we link arms, brace ourselves, and lift each other up.</span></span></span></span></div>
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</span>astraeadesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16830207946822473976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095251590755825058.post-83810681004777922482019-02-23T07:20:00.003-08:002019-02-23T07:21:03.000-08:00Use Your VoiceI've had an epiphany. Partly it was reading the book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Pussy-Reclamation-Regena-Thomashauer/dp/1401950248/ref=sr_1_1" target="_blank">Pussy: A Reclamation</a>, by <a href="http://mamagenas.com/" target="_blank">Regena Thomashauer</a>, but that was really just the final grain of sand that tipped the scales. The book encapsulated so many of the things I'd been thinking, suspecting, discovering -- about sex and sensuality, about wanting to forge a sisterhood, about how we're strongest when we're lifting each other up and supporting one another. It inspired me, and somehow flipped a switch, deep down. I don't want to waste time with fear and insecurity anymore. I don't want to let limitations hold me back. I want to see beauty and opportunity everywhere, I want to be bold and optimistic. I want to quit living small. I want to shine.<br />
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And part of that means speaking up. Making myself heard. I have a voice. But somehow over the years, I just stopped using it. I stopped writing. I used to write blog entries, stories, roleplay scenes -- endless, endless roleplay scenes, back in my MUSH days. Back then, writing and communication were a key component in my daily life, but gradually that shifted, and I want to get that back. I have things to say. Opinions, advice, beliefs, ideas. They're worth saying. I may not be right all the time, and sometimes what I want to say may not be fully formed yet, but that's okay. It's part of the process. The main thing is to just get it out. Speak up. Be heard. Even when you're not sure if anyone's listening.<br />
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So this is part of my newfound intention to write again. I've got a blog, so I might as well use it. And what I want to do goes so much beyond just making jewelry. I want to create beauty. I want to forge connections. I want to curate events and experiences. I want to lift up other women, other individuals who've been beaten down and had their light dimmed by life. I want to say no, you are worthy, you are beautiful, you are powerful, you can shine. I want to ignite all the gorgeous souls around me, one candle flame to another. I want to call in my sisterhood. Like calling the bannermen to war, except this battle is not about conquest or killing. It's about love, connection, vulnerability, healing. Ignite your sisterhood, so that they can ignite theirs, and theirs, and so on -- all these overlapping circles, neverending, connecting us all together. Just imagine if we were all lit up? How bright would we shine?<br />
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Together we can light up the world. I'm feeling the call. Who else is with me?<br />
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<br />astraeadesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16830207946822473976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095251590755825058.post-87854025919571317952019-02-18T20:03:00.004-08:002019-02-18T20:03:53.013-08:00Create, Connect, Curate, Communicate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I like alliteration, so when I was mulling over my life's purpose and what I want to do with my time on this rock, I distilled my goals into a series of c-words: create, connect, curate, and communicate.<br />
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Create is easy. I've been an artist all my life, of one kind or another. I used to draw, then I got into writing, then it was graphic design and websites for a while, and now it's jewelry-making. I seem drawn to some creative outlet or other. Perhaps it's simply genetic by virtue of having an artist mother and clever, would-be professor father. But whatever my path in life, I tend to leave it littered with various creative outpourings. There is magic in that. I'm taking materials and manipulating them, or just conjuring pen-strokes or words out of thin air. It's like a kind of sorcery.<br />
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Connecting is another passion and pursuit. I enjoy connecting with people, and facilitating their connections with each other. That was a pleasant bonus of my time with Aether -- creating a shared world for people to inhabit, of which they still have fond memories. I think there was at least one marriage that resulted from that game. I brought folks together who might never have met. And now, when I organize events or host get-togethers, one of my favorite parts is seeing the new friendships or relationships that might develop.<br />
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There's also the rich joy of connecting with other people. Maybe I've been too cautious about that, but I'm trying to deepen some of my friendships. I had a long talk with a friend yesterday and got to delve into some of the deep stuff. Like what I want to do with my life, what direction I want to go in and how to get there. It felt really good and promising to plunge in -- although a little uncomfortable at times. But I guess that's just part of the growth process. If I want to stretch beyond my comfort zones, it's gonna get a little scary. Nothing worth striving for is easy, is it?<br />
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Curating is another pleasure that I would like to indulge more. I like the thought of curating an experience for someone -- of being in charge of what they see, smell, taste, feel. I suppose it reminds me of my MUSHing days, which was so dependent on imagination and conjuring up a world. I'm eager to delve into that again, whether it be with the aforementioned event-planning, or other, more decadent pursuits.<br />
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And last, of course, communication. I dithered on whether I should include it or not, tempted by the magic number of 3. But although some of these categories cross over, communicate is still worthy of its own space. Plus, I've been neglecting it for too long. I used to write blogs, chat online, get into long, late-night phone conversations with friends. Now, I think I say or write only maybe 10-15% of the things that come into my head. I let my voice dwindle down, over the years. I stopped writing. And now it's a struggle just to get through this blog entry. But I told myself to write something today, and plunge back into the "communication" portion of my life's goal, so here it is. A stream-of-consciousness blog entry about the things I want to focus on in life.<br />
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I guess it's like writing a manifesto. Just a really vague one. I should follow my friend's lead, and try to come up with some tangible ways to enact these goals. But at least this is a start. Just putting it out there and declaring the things I want to achieve.<br />
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Create. Connect. Curate. Communicate.<br />
<br />astraeadesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16830207946822473976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095251590755825058.post-68335733299998177742018-08-01T07:51:00.002-07:002018-08-01T07:51:32.145-07:00Dusting Off the Blog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPN0wuSSLsJdmbJlBUyfG-wYnA5ZubSfpp3aEJoX1AmBmfYnatpuYJfxZeyS-UpVUX0zZ5FK0DqaQhczdvx07gNi1Bcme4u4K0y8mV3_6iPp60mXAc-TE2NoWH5KBM1Qgt7m43DlB6w/s1600/astraeadesigns-promo-8x10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPN0wuSSLsJdmbJlBUyfG-wYnA5ZubSfpp3aEJoX1AmBmfYnatpuYJfxZeyS-UpVUX0zZ5FK0DqaQhczdvx07gNi1Bcme4u4K0y8mV3_6iPp60mXAc-TE2NoWH5KBM1Qgt7m43DlB6w/s320/astraeadesigns-promo-8x10.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
Figured I'd dust off this poor neglected blog while I tweak <a href="https://astraeadesigns.wixsite.com/astraeadesigns" target="_blank">my website</a>. I've shifted my focus over the last year and a half toward body jewelry, and I have to say, it's a lot of fun! I get to think in a bigger and broader scope, with a 3-D element as I envision how the jewelry will fit around a person. The canvas is bigger so there's more of a chance to stretch my creative muscles. And what's not to love about adorning one's body in jewelry?<br />
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There's something particularly appealing to me about the idea of wrapping oneself in beautiful beads -- especially now that I've been getting into the metaphysical properties of stones. I like to think of my pieces as magickal, protective "armor" of sorts, that will help shield the wearer from negative energy and enhance whatever qualities the stones embody. Plus, it's an excuse to buy more beautiful semi-precious beads! Ahhh, the possibilities.<br />
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<br />astraeadesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16830207946822473976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095251590755825058.post-49710757200588929572013-05-04T09:46:00.000-07:002013-05-04T09:48:22.133-07:00Season of the Witch<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Season of the Witch" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pryEf8FNGk8zi0lpiA6k8itoQ12E3dKVDdC_5z4JmW23Tm2-JuNJcZLC7dSmdzRK99FrEGyBlZ4HPk2rnmwK62XqrOjc-_bWu1oUL14Z4-wVwt1WMNV06ICkRuZSx-MdV3ccaiC7LQ/s320/DSC09088.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Season of the Witch" width="229" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah Lynne Bowman modeling Gothic-style<br />
headdress and jewelry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's great being back in Austin, for a whole multitude of reasons, but jewelry-wise, it's great being back among a network of friends who will model for me! This latest shoot features Sarah Lynne Bowman, whom I met years ago through other friends, and who's a LARP afficionado and fond of corsets, costumes, and fantasy. She was all too happy to don various outfits of a "witchy" sort, and showcase several of my headdresses and Gothic-style jewelry.<br />
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I posted an album of our shoot on Facebook; hopefully this link will work even for non-FBers:<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152787438225094.1073741825.146152360093&type=1" target="_blank">Season of the Witch </a><br />
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Enjoy!astraeadesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16830207946822473976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095251590755825058.post-82809877442560946072013-03-15T21:43:00.003-07:002013-03-15T21:44:41.153-07:00Fairy Tales<br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/treasury/Njc0NDA2NXwyNzIxNTY2NTc3/la-belle-et-la-bete" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="159" src="https://img0.etsystatic.com/000/0/6387557/il_fullxfull.294046832.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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I've been captured by fairy tales lately. Maybe it's because we've been watching "Once Upon a Time," based on the recommendations of friends. We got the first season on DVD and we're a few episodes away from the end. It's pretty good, and I enjoy the fairy tale theme... but there's a part of me that wishes it were just a <i>little </i>darker. More surreal. Unsettling. The way Grimm's fairy tales were originally meant to be.<br />
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Today's fairy tales are all watered down and palatable to children. But I miss the edgier versions. The ones where the evil queen is also an ogress who likes the taste of human flesh. The ones where the wolf eats the grandmother. The ones where death is matter-of-fact and where dark things happen to sleeping princesses. I like those kinds of fairy tales, so I've taken to Etsy to make Treasuries along those themes.<br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/treasury/Njc0NDA2NXwyNzI0MTMyNTky/white-as-snow-red-as-blood" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://img3.etsystatic.com/000/0/5820498/il_fullxfull.330213863.jpg" width="151" /></a></div>
I get inspired by images--Etsy and Pinterest have certainly fueled my creativity. It's funny--I think creativity comes in stages. First there's the fertilization process, where you soak up ideas: look and listen and absorb. It's the ingredients going into the stew.<br />
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Then things start to simmer. Ideas form, nebulous and hazy, but if you can latch on, and if you get lucky, you turn them into something. With jewelry, this is where I experiment. Try out designs and see what works, what piques my interest. If I like it, I keep going. Let it <i>become </i>something. Let the idea blossom.<br />
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Then there's a sort of "ripening" stage. Tweak, polish, replicate, perfect. Let it get established. Bask in the afterglow of having made something.<br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/treasury/Njc0NDA2NXwyNzI0MTMzMjA0/let-down-your-golden-hair" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://img0.etsystatic.com/000/0/6343393/il_570xN.312948828.jpg" width="140" /></a></div>
And then, inevitably, the crash. After it's all done, time to rest. Hibernate. Recharge. Before, ideally, you start the whole thing all over again. <br />
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Anyway, what does all that have to do with fairy tales? Not much, I suppose. That's just what I'm soaking up right now. Who knows where it might lead?<br />
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Oh, and if you click on any of the images, you can see the Etsy Treasuries I made, centered around some of my favorite old tales. The darker versions.astraeadesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16830207946822473976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095251590755825058.post-87795013081409842552013-02-12T14:19:00.000-08:002013-02-12T14:23:59.623-08:00Winter Queen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/123457828/winter-queen-headdress-textured-silver" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Victoria Lisi as Winter Queen" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZz8BZ1hOWF-BfltywexwDPSYhZ3B-O5QveVzCGMd_3wj-SU4ZfykuwLuPoYZpJnhahup73tsz0KtRHQOQgsIvHE99Qcg8yK-3HbqagAbgRIg2ATPEbWWVaETSjV3iH5nd-IyoNgP33w/s320/DSC08834-web.jpg" title="Victoria Lisi as Winter Queen" width="240" /></a></div>
This past Saturday, my Mom and I got together for a little photo shoot. Like I said in my last blog, I've been making lots of fantasy-style headdresses lately. By "lots" I mean about eleven, so far, because they take forever! Somehow, marathon bouts of "Castle" on TNT seem to help. ;)<br />
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Anyway, I think the shoot went really well. We did about three different "looks" for my Mom, all as some variation on a "Winter Queen" (that's much preferable to the "crone goddess" theme I initially mentioned to her!) I had two different white/wintry headdresses, and we practiced makeup effects and face painting.<br />
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Hopefully this link works; it's to the Facebook album I put together, so you can see more of the shots: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152547103855094.949021.146152360093&type=1" target="_blank">Winter Queen Album</a><br />
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I hope to do more photo shoots. I have this ambitious idea of putting together a whole calendar's worth of fantasy/goddess photos, then doing a big show at the end of the year. Perhaps that will all be easier once we move back to Austin, in the next couple months. In the meantime, hopefully I can set up one or two more sessions with models here in Fort Collins. Fingers crossed!<br />
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<br />astraeadesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16830207946822473976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095251590755825058.post-32473483067467285882013-01-31T11:51:00.001-08:002013-01-31T11:51:57.423-08:00Fantasy Headdresses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPx2D3x8q7Nsq4oA6QnorAXDWNs_89Aae4oUCerAd1kGV8LPpGDg14my0IRa0vEGfqrcbJxEQQ3JiIjhZJnSrkx_ub2ejNw_NlqC65HGxwNP0Y9PzGvcGsl4wiRs4_O2ntErsvM3DJOg/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPx2D3x8q7Nsq4oA6QnorAXDWNs_89Aae4oUCerAd1kGV8LPpGDg14my0IRa0vEGfqrcbJxEQQ3JiIjhZJnSrkx_ub2ejNw_NlqC65HGxwNP0Y9PzGvcGsl4wiRs4_O2ntErsvM3DJOg/s200/019.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
I've been on a kick lately of making fantasy-style headdresses. Partly because I just like that sort of thing, and partly because I'm hoping to appeal to a specific crowd: LARPers, Ren-Faire aficionados, cosplayers, and, well, anyone else who likes to dress up!<br />
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Like most jewelry-making, it's both fun and tedious. How can something be both, you might wonder?<br />
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Well, the tedious part is easy: wire-wrapping all those beads, tweaking everything so it lays just so, and, um, did I mention wire-wrapping all those beads? I tend to watch a lot of TV when I do it, and I can remember what shows I was watching whenever I look at a piece later--little flashes of "Castle" or "Sex and the City" or some cheezy Lifetime flick, as they're ideal since you don't have to pay much attention to the plot.<br />
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The "fun" part comes in when the piece is done. Then you have something pretty to admire, to try on, and ultimately, hopefully, to sell! I like to imagine that my pieces will all find good homes someday--that they'll end up with someone who likes to admire them as much as I do.<br />
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Anyway, that's what I've been working on lately! Eight so far, with hopefully more to come!astraeadesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16830207946822473976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095251590755825058.post-24024182665483834612012-08-31T07:59:00.000-07:002012-08-31T07:59:28.116-07:00Fall Sale!In honor of my favorite season, I'm doing a fall sale in my Etsy shop! Just use the coupon code "FALLSALE" when you check out to save 30%!<br />
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/astraeadesigns">www.etsy.com/shop/astraeadesigns</a>astraeadesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16830207946822473976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095251590755825058.post-5072661258049712672012-08-29T14:52:00.002-07:002012-08-29T14:53:35.626-07:00Craftsmanship<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhwfI-MEmV_d_KL3Zvt87KlrDoModEwTRmOQUM1oTdo8Q-cVArNe_hOzbV0NuOAAMSeuvBTrpM8lrLTxLoH9KPn_BBojb-VSlNLhi_4Z4zf7SWdLAmsM8pQmonTmIaF6rVLATAXWXzQ/s1600/015-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhwfI-MEmV_d_KL3Zvt87KlrDoModEwTRmOQUM1oTdo8Q-cVArNe_hOzbV0NuOAAMSeuvBTrpM8lrLTxLoH9KPn_BBojb-VSlNLhi_4Z4zf7SWdLAmsM8pQmonTmIaF6rVLATAXWXzQ/s200/015-web.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
As tedious as it can be, I really enjoy making pieces like this. It definitely feels like craftsmanship. It's a slow process that builds on itself, and I get to see the work take shape. This one, for instance, just looks like a mess of pearls and chain most of the time. It's only when you get the last pieces of chain attached that it all falls into place -- quite literally. I felt a deep sense of satisfaction once all those little pearls settled into their respective niches. It was the satisfaction of a job well-done. Maybe that's one of the reasons I do what I do.<br />
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Why do you do what <i>you </i>do?<br />
<br />astraeadesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16830207946822473976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095251590755825058.post-4087769140291996362012-04-28T10:23:00.000-07:002012-04-28T10:23:21.076-07:00On the Bracelet Bandwagon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxFvxJPwo1LuUs03Q0KlZ62Pg5wmn6MUicQTtimn1ocfQ0I9jjXNrzPjwdts-0cUVI8MPdgiXxi3BwN4aoA7pjAZw0V6jpzRd1XEeq0G_uWoFJvxs0gHbcttaRWo2POOaAeRwY13p8w/s1600/035-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxFvxJPwo1LuUs03Q0KlZ62Pg5wmn6MUicQTtimn1ocfQ0I9jjXNrzPjwdts-0cUVI8MPdgiXxi3BwN4aoA7pjAZw0V6jpzRd1XEeq0G_uWoFJvxs0gHbcttaRWo2POOaAeRwY13p8w/s200/035-web.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
For whatever reason, I never really wore bracelets much. Same reason I never wore a watch -- I'd just end up fiddling with it all the time. Anything on my wrist was a distraction. But maybe that's partly the point. Recently I've been enamored with bracelets. I've made several, and I find that I like wearing them. I get to admire them -- one of the few pieces of jewelry you actually CAN admire while you wear them. The sparkly, glittery ones throw reflections in the car when I drive, catching the sunlight. Others are just fun to toy with -- I like making charm bracelets with lots and lots of colorful beads, and I like the clinky/clattery sound they make as I move, and I like admiring all the colors. Yep, I'm beginning to see the allure of bracelets after all. I was a little slow to join the bandwagon, but now that I have, I've a feeling I'll be a permanent member. Hurray for bracelets!astraeadesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16830207946822473976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095251590755825058.post-38175271661755985642012-01-03T13:57:00.000-08:002012-01-03T13:57:58.439-08:00Beaded Beads<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_744376559" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAw0sqh8607xkdLkkOs-e3-lwvM_CZDvpYR6-nbqA3wjiep_E6bi3FmaYjbDbB_GMoA3pnTvu8zoAdBGppXMvdmznBgtfRpcUNCvaiCQrdhH7Zd2sOVt3ir1aa7XYvb_sQWHJAujBEA/s200/056-web2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I recently discovered a new love: circular brick-stitch. It's a great way to use up leftover pairs of beads (round, preferably), and embellish them with seed beads. I was sick for a week and ended up making about 12 pairs of these, in a whole array of colors. They're fun, easy, and relatively quick.<br />
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I have to give props to my fellow Nomad and Etsian, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/StickLizardDesigns" target="_blank">Laura</a>, and her "Some Enchanted Earrings" class; I had a peek at the handout to help get me started. She's even got some tutorials for even more intricate <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/80525144/beading-tutorial-enchanted-evenings" target="_blank">bracelet </a>and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/80526211/beading-tutorial-enchanted-evenings" target="_blank">necklace </a>versions. I think I'll stick with the earrings for now... the beads are calling to me to make more!<br />
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Check out the link to the "<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/astraeadesigns?section_id=10734274" target="_blank">Beadweaving</a>" section of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/astraeadesigns" target="_blank">my Etsy site</a>, where I have several of these beauties listed!<br />
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-Astraastraeadesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16830207946822473976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095251590755825058.post-68768161813030560992011-10-20T09:47:00.000-07:002011-10-20T09:48:22.771-07:00October Dreams<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/Njc0NDA2NXw5MjQyNjM0NTM/october-dreams" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" hspace="0" src="http://img3.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.278314887.jpg" vspace="0" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/">Etsy </a>has a wonderful feature wherein you can create your own "Treasuries" -- they're just collections of work that you can put together, usually with a theme (often color-related) to showcase other artists whose work you admire. I'm always pleased when I find one of my pieces featured in a Treasury, so I decided to make one that included work by a bunch of folks who've included me. Just "paying it back," as they say. I opted for a fall/autumn theme; it's my favorite season, and it seemed appropriate timing. So here's my "<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/Njc0NDA2NXw5MjQyNjM0NTM/october-dreams">October Dreams</a>" Treasury -- enjoy!<br />
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</div>astraeadesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16830207946822473976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095251590755825058.post-61551053642235813582011-10-19T11:21:00.000-07:002011-10-19T11:22:13.008-07:00"Red as Blood" Gothic Choker<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrTlKguiwiPj3ac8Zgss3tf3DClH9lkDy4R4Uz31irr29BT_lJz8Sca99hXGXtoRWHNgMT3JRTWNpfqBp2XHbT1GueZowLl4szJ3ifcOsAQi8F_TuOQLdLjBtYC64dKwgFTAXzHgbvg/s1600/035-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrTlKguiwiPj3ac8Zgss3tf3DClH9lkDy4R4Uz31irr29BT_lJz8Sca99hXGXtoRWHNgMT3JRTWNpfqBp2XHbT1GueZowLl4szJ3ifcOsAQi8F_TuOQLdLjBtYC64dKwgFTAXzHgbvg/s200/035-web.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
First, I have to give props to Laura Zeiner of <a href="http://sticklizarddesigns.blogspot.com/">Stick Lizard Designs</a> -- she's the one who came up with the seed-bead pattern for this gorgeous Victorian-style necklace. I took her class at <a href="http://www.nomadicnotions.com/">Nomadic Notions</a> and learned how to make this piece, and so far, I've made three!<br />
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This red & black one is probably my favorite, though. I was inspired by watching "True Blood" (oh yes, I'm a fan). Pam, in particular, has some awesome taste in jewelry (or at least her wardrobe designer does!) and this seemed like the sort of thing she might wear. You really can't go wrong with red and black! I used red velvet Chinese crystal rondelles, along with some black crystals, size 11 black seed beads, and a few sterling silver spacers, then finished the whole thing with some gunmetal chain. It's all Gothic and sexy, and makes me think of vampires, which is why I've called it "Red as Blood." How very fitting, as Halloween looms ever closer!astraeadesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16830207946822473976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095251590755825058.post-80795729362208854552011-09-22T11:33:00.000-07:002011-09-22T11:33:54.647-07:00Tiger Eye Chainmail Necklace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixX4pCPPS5tQUk4yBEsdEbNIrZvXXANf6AUtk7PRrgUqDY2fXnkTBPs_HgbPc2C9NSOxpzyPVpkdiutiHf-rrHryTTpP4lXgypnrkpSqPzJlvOKjPyVyEITSh9lYgWzwz81NVemUfHyA/s1600/006-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="276" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixX4pCPPS5tQUk4yBEsdEbNIrZvXXANf6AUtk7PRrgUqDY2fXnkTBPs_HgbPc2C9NSOxpzyPVpkdiutiHf-rrHryTTpP4lXgypnrkpSqPzJlvOKjPyVyEITSh9lYgWzwz81NVemUfHyA/s320/006-web.jpg" /></a></div>
I finished this piece this morning. I encased a flat brown mother-of-pearl disc in chainmail (nope, no glue or adhesive -- the only thing holding it in are all those jump rings!) and then wire-wrapped a bunch of round tiger eye beads to augment it. I liked the look of this heavy, industrial bronze chain, which I used to finish the necklace off. Not bad for a few hours' work, huh? This piece can be found on my Etsy site, here:
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/82322749/tiger-eye-chainmail-necklace-durga-brown">http://www.etsy.com/listing/82322749/tiger-eye-chainmail-necklace-durga-brown</a>astraeadesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16830207946822473976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095251590755825058.post-9608777981440162652011-09-13T10:26:00.000-07:002011-09-13T10:33:04.272-07:00Spider-Web EarringsA couple years ago, we got these nifty "snowflake forms" in at the bead shop where I work. They're little steel frames that look like stars, with 6 points. The idea is that you stick beads and crystals on them to make "snowflake" ornaments for your tree (or to hang in your window, etc). Well, I thought they were pretty cool, but quickly devised another purpose. I used 'em to make spider-web earrings!<br /><br />Using thin wire (26G tarnish-resistant silver craft wire), I wrapped the frame in a "spider web" pattern, basically until I got tired of wrapping. Then I added some beads, snipped the ends, and attached an ear-wire to one end and a little dangly spider charm off the other. Decorate it with some little red drop beads, and voila -- awesome spider-web earrings just in time for Halloween!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5YCQ1SdXKOs4ddERUsrtuofiGEFEl-rvfukZGkQ2uVY3cOwLaYE_GO8nlXBkqDg1J44VHtz3OAhATYP38cAyKKPRQCJVSUnmwUXNtMF4QZQtq75aIK0ywAKWMqVgPzreGDNxcVHUCg/s1600/013-web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 277px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5YCQ1SdXKOs4ddERUsrtuofiGEFEl-rvfukZGkQ2uVY3cOwLaYE_GO8nlXBkqDg1J44VHtz3OAhATYP38cAyKKPRQCJVSUnmwUXNtMF4QZQtq75aIK0ywAKWMqVgPzreGDNxcVHUCg/s320/013-web.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651898116301164722" /></a><br /><br />You can find these in my Etsy shop: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/81173492/spider-web-earrings-red-black-with">http://www.etsy.com/listing/81173492/spider-web-earrings-red-black-with</a>astraeadesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16830207946822473976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095251590755825058.post-90410854608568478162011-08-22T06:51:00.000-07:002011-08-22T06:59:39.155-07:00Halloween TreasuriesIt's still August, and yet I'm already getting into a Halloween frame-of-mind. Doesn't hurt that it's one of my favorite holidays, and one to which I look forward every year. Already coming up with ideas for our costumes, but that's a whole 'nother subject. Jewelry-wise, I've been cranking out a few more "vampire" themed pieces, along with a couple of werewolfy ones, for good measure. I've also been putting together some Treasuries.
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<br />Treasuries, on Etsy, are a way for you to showcase a collection of favorite items. Often they'll have a theme: a color, or mood, or specific object. It's generally bad form to include your own items, though I have centered a couple Treasuries around pieces my friends have produced. Gotta share the love and all.
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<br />Treasuries are also selected to feature on the front page of Etsy, which is a high honor -- and one I've not yet received. But I'm workin' on it! Maybe eventually I'll get to that point, but in the meantime, I'm just having fun with the whole thing.
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<br />In honor of Halloween -- which is coming up sooner than we think -- here are a couple of spooky collections I put together: one for <a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/Njc0NDA2NXw2MDc5Mjc1Mjk/ghostly-visitor?index=1">Ghosts</a> and one for <a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/Njc0NDA2NXw2MDE0OTQ0Nzg/werewolves?index=0">Werewolves</a>. I'm sure I'll be putting together more like these in the weeks to come. They're great for inspiration!
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<br />Enjoy!astraeadesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16830207946822473976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095251590755825058.post-71981499649889391172011-08-16T13:18:00.000-07:002011-08-16T13:28:52.355-07:00Expanding my RepertoireYep, the unthinkable is happening. I'm slowly becoming a seed-beader.
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<br />I'm not sure why I was resistant for so long. I suppose because I'd worked at Anthony Nak enough to where I only considered it "real" jewelry if it was made with chain and wire. That, and I'm just stubborn when it comes to trying new things (hey, at least I admit it!). When I started working at Nomadic, it seemed as though beaders fell into two camps: wire-workers or seed-beaders. And I was firmly ensconced in the former, to the point where it took me about 4 years to finally take the plunge with those darn seed beads.
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<br />And y'know what? I like it. I mean, sure, that darn thread gets tangled, and I'm still figuring out the patterns and such, but I'm coming to realize that many of the designs I've fantasized about can be achieved much more easily and with less hassle with a needle and thread (or Fireline) rather than all that wire and chain.
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<br />I don't think I'm going to give up on my beloved wire & chain, or even chainmail (which I also "discovered" a couple of years ago and really enjoy). I'm just expanding my repertoire. Best to know a little bit of everything, right?
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<br />Here's one of my more recent projects, made with fake pearls, size 11 seed beads, glass drops, and some little sea-green stones I had lying around:
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4a0mDRw45Bf2Zhy7QeoYsEgcWfMKRkeOZ0W_uq-2fUky8CD78_RwgcIGLIM8jhKcQDBsF_yvTUu-THImn98mlI1vbGgNrUny325rI3dDKabEc_JyJKEXZm-E0wNj9zMe0xA8fye9qww/s1600/001-web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4a0mDRw45Bf2Zhy7QeoYsEgcWfMKRkeOZ0W_uq-2fUky8CD78_RwgcIGLIM8jhKcQDBsF_yvTUu-THImn98mlI1vbGgNrUny325rI3dDKabEc_JyJKEXZm-E0wNj9zMe0xA8fye9qww/s400/001-web.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641551108637043394" border="0" /></a>
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<br />astraeadesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16830207946822473976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095251590755825058.post-2228025670491381752011-08-12T06:38:00.000-07:002011-08-12T06:48:23.946-07:00Harlequin SeriesNo, I'm not talking about the romance novel, although when I taught this pattern at <a href="http://www.nomadicnotions.com">Nomadic Notions</a>, I <span style="font-style:italic;">did </span>draw a handout cover that looked remarkably like a trashy bodice-ripper, complete with a Fabio lookalike. That turned out to be a lot more fun than writing the handout itself!
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<br />In this particular case, I'm talking about a design for both earrings or a necklace, using chain to suspend little glass drops in a "diamond" pattern -- hence the name, Harlequin. I've got a whole series of these in a variety of colors; like my "Beadmail" pattern, it's an old standby that I never seem to tire of. The color combinations just seem endless, especially when you add in the chain/jump rings.
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<br />I retook my photos of a bunch of these yesterday; I think I'm slowly getting better at the picture-taking thing. That's such a big part of online selling. I suspect there's still plenty for me to learn. Just gotta keep plugging away, right?
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jYibPsiifPmua-vg9RIx600MAclgvnyUBC8vZdYVYyP8tB5E6gnCKKYc1DxM92sWUoGC35gBeQYIK4A344mJKqCZlsukfkxIbRWfTWLCE3jQ6eoehCfRciqfa3NGi0-lf19I7j7OIg/s1600/022-web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jYibPsiifPmua-vg9RIx600MAclgvnyUBC8vZdYVYyP8tB5E6gnCKKYc1DxM92sWUoGC35gBeQYIK4A344mJKqCZlsukfkxIbRWfTWLCE3jQ6eoehCfRciqfa3NGi0-lf19I7j7OIg/s320/022-web.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639964655261883698" /></a>astraeadesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16830207946822473976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095251590755825058.post-28653008368630676442011-08-03T12:32:00.000-07:002011-08-03T12:43:31.050-07:00Pretty Pretty FlowersI went to Hobby Lobby the other day. I was good and mostly managed to restrain myself from buying stuff (other than a couple of necessaries) but that didn't stop me from happily wandering the aisles and soaking up inspiration. One of my latest kicks is flower jewelry. Silk flowers, that is. Hobby Lobby, JoAnn's, Michael's -- they all have bouquets of lovely silk flowers, so very realistic but for the lack of a fragrance, and I've been using them to make Springtime-themed necklaces and earrings (ironic, considering it's well into summer, and well above the 100-degree mark, here in Austin). Maybe I'm just yearning for those not-quite-sizzling Springtime days? Or maybe the inner girly-girl in me just likes flowers. Here's an example:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FT9BFCAmRbeL5tDqD0MrBfLqmeL7CSQz1SkgTTL6_xggaRlu1X5AaxB48EQ2UgfhO3e_Bex1nBgLrfI97jm0JokX0vUTl0S94FCRRIqQrgPVDtgi_LcihdELb4bAQL1YksuQQfcsqw/s1600/orange-pansy1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 161px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FT9BFCAmRbeL5tDqD0MrBfLqmeL7CSQz1SkgTTL6_xggaRlu1X5AaxB48EQ2UgfhO3e_Bex1nBgLrfI97jm0JokX0vUTl0S94FCRRIqQrgPVDtgi_LcihdELb4bAQL1YksuQQfcsqw/s200/orange-pansy1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636716578079016498" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I hope other people like this sort of thing, too, because I really, really want to make more. But I promised myself I'd be good and try to use up my current silk flower batch, before I go hog-wild and acquire any more. I think it shows remarkable restraint on my part! Maybe I should avoid the craft stores for a little while, though, juuuuuust in case.astraeadesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16830207946822473976noreply@blogger.com0