Brr!

I've started working on a new series of pendants, and this is the first:

I made the pendant itself from a swirly, sparkly blue polymer clay, then hand-painted a couple of snowflakes.  The word "brr" was printed in a type-writer style font, then torn out to get that nice, ragged edge and decoupaged to the pendant.  The whole thing got several layers of Mod Podge for shine and durability.  Then I made a bail from silver-plated wire and strung this little beauty onto an adjustable-length black hemp cord along with a few blue and crystal glass seed beads. 

I'm currently working on a Valentine's-inspired pendant in the same style, so if pink is more your color, keep your eyes peeled.  I should have it listed later this week.

In the meantime, let me know what you think!

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Back to Business

Well, Folks, I did it.  Yesterday afternoon, around 3:30, I reached my goal of 50,000 words and became a NaNo winner.  Actually, my grand total was 50,162 words, and I did it in 27 days - not to brag or anything...

Oh, heck.  Who am I kidding.  Yes, I'm bragging.  But I like to think I've earned it.  =P

The funny part?  I had my whole plot outlined beforehand, but before I could get to the main plot, I had to do some setting up and explain some things.  In the process, I discovered a whole host of new characters and subplots, and I didn't wind up getting to the plot I had planned until a couple of days ago, about 45,000 words into the story.  So it's starting to look like I might be writing a trilogy rather than a single book.  Which would be pretty cool, actually.  I kind of have a thing for trilogies...

But I digress.  I bet you're wondering what's happening on the crafty front.  More than you might think, actually.  Yes, I've been focusing on my writing, but I have made a few things as well.  And I took a lovely trip to Hobby Lobby a couple weeks ago to stock up on supplies, so I have plenty of new stuff to work with.  And boy have I got ideas! Here's a peek at what's coming:

• Zipper Pulls & Keychains - I'll be listing these in the next day or two, and I'm quite excited about them, so I'm keeping the details secret until then.  Suffice it to say, they're another dose of geekery for the shop, and I think they're really cool.  

• New Polymer Clay Pendants & Necklaces - I say polymer clay because that's what the base will be, but I'm actually envisioning these as sort of a mixed media mini-collage.  They look really cool in my head, and I can't wait to actually experiment.  Hopefully, I'll be able to whip one up in time for the holidays!  

• Monthly Freebies - This is an idea that's been bouncing around my head for a while now, and I've finally decided to do something about it.  In fact, I'm going to get to work as soon as I've finished writing this.  As a way of saying "thank you" to all the awesome folks who read my blog and/or subscribe to my newsletter, I'm going to offer up a themed set of printable freebies every month.  One sheet will be up for grabs here with a second available only in the newsletter - so be sure to subscribe!

So there you have it - a taste of what's to come and proof that no matter how busy I may be with other things, I'm always thinkin' crafty.  :)

Now tell me, how was your November?  Did you eat too much turkey?  Go turkeyless?  What have you got planned for the holidays?  Talk to me people!

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Monday Motivator: New with a Dash of Geek

I believe I've mentioned before that there's nothing that motivates me quite like new stuff- whether it's new items or new supplies or just new ideas.  And these week, I've got all three of those!

If you're a "like"-er (can I just call you fans?) on Facebook, then you've probably already seen my latest creations.  If you aren't, well, what are you waiting for?  Go!  Like!  Now then.  If you haven't seen them, here they are:

Excited yet?  If you're a Tolkien fan, I bet you are.  Because soon you too shall be able to own your very own personalized, hand-lettered and illuminated bookmark, featuring your name translated into Elvish.  Gotta get some protective sleeves to ship them in, and then I'll get them listed.  So keep your eyes peeled!

And expect to see more calligraphic goodies making their way into the shop too.  I just got a new set of calligraphy markers in the mail today (from Your Fabulous Finds - which is a great shop with great prices and quick shipping), and I intend to put them to good use!  I'll be doing personalized bookmarks in English, as well, along with some larger decorative pieces, greeting cards, and much, much more.  If you've got an idea, just drop me a line.  I love doing custom work!

Also, the Nevermore Necklace will be available very soon as well! 


In the meantime, I've got work to do.  So I'm off, for now.  Hope all of my lovely readers are having a wonderful day!  Ciao!

Tutorial Tuesday: Earwires

I recently came across a set of brief, simple instructions for making your own earwires and thought, "Gosh, that's handy."  Sure earwires are rather inexpensive and available in large quantities, but it's always nice to have an alternative.  After all, there are few things more frustrating that running out of a necessary component and being totally stuck until you can get more.

Now, as I'm fond of video tutorials, I thought I'd see what Youtube had to offer on the subject.  This video is a little more in-depth than the aforementioned tutorial, but the basic idea is the same--and just as simple.