tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41498289608325348182024-03-08T07:53:00.419-06:00AmyvilleA blog about beads, life and everything in bead-tween.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034055128582493418noreply@blogger.comBlogger176125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149828960832534818.post-86425410614079518552011-11-14T18:23:00.000-06:002011-11-14T18:23:07.104-06:00Long Time No SeeHello the blog readers!<br />
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It's been a while, hasn't it? Sorry? And don't get attached to this updating thing, either. I just came by to show off that I've learned a new beading stitch!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gyNZ1Bn3gD8/TsGt7_FOtRI/AAAAAAAAAt8/fo-Y8YgNMxM/s1600/IMG_1435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gyNZ1Bn3gD8/TsGt7_FOtRI/AAAAAAAAAt8/fo-Y8YgNMxM/s320/IMG_1435.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Yes! That is correct; I have finally been bothered to learn the peyote stitch.<br />
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I also did not make that pattern, but borrowed it from someone on DeviantArt, the link for which I tried to keep track of, but it seems to have vanished. Sorry person who didn't mind if I used their pattern, so long as I gave them proper credit; I can't credit you. Blame pintrest.<br />
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Okay, so. My adventures in peyote stitching:<br />
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There must be some trick to starting them because my up-row was supposed to be a down-row or something, which threw a few things off, and eventually necessitated me dropping one bead on the left side--resulting in the awkward lump there. Somehow dropping this one bead made the opposite side of the pattern too short by a row, but only <i>sometimes</i> by a row, other times it was fine.<br />
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I also had a hell of a time reading the pattern. First it had those 'realistic' effects that make it so hard to see what you're looking at--like the shine on an apple, but on <i>every single bead</i>, and each bead is smaller than an apple, by the way. So between that and the fact that the original pattern was missing a grid, which I had to create and add, I was already a few hours in, and I hadn't even picked up a needle yet.<br />
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But the whole one-off grid, which I'm sure has a real name, but I do not know it, that whole thing was a headache to follow. You'd think 'oh, you just go to the next bead' but it wasn't the next bead. It was the bead AFTER the next bead. Yeah.<br />
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Eventually I sorted that out, too, and could actually follow the pattern, which allowed me to work pretty fast. I'm not entirely sure it's faster than the square stitch, although I've always assumed it would be. More experimentation is clearly needed on the subject.<br />
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And now that the poor thing is finished I can say that I don't really care for the look of the peyote stitch, either. It shines in a weird pattern that I'm not used to, and also the feel of it is stiffer than the square stitch.<br />
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So...can't say I'm a huge fan. I'll give it a few more tries, see if I can figure out what went wrong with my first/second row, but then I'll start trying to work on 3-d peyote, which is really what I want to do. Since my attempt to bypass the flat stitch didn't work all that well for me.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034055128582493418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149828960832534818.post-55470206631782618062011-08-08T14:11:00.000-05:002011-08-08T14:11:49.881-05:00Knot Dragons<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QP35YXuq6vk/TkAywRNxORI/AAAAAAAAArY/kq9kCI4qGkk/s1600/Celtic+03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QP35YXuq6vk/TkAywRNxORI/AAAAAAAAArY/kq9kCI4qGkk/s320/Celtic+03.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/79248126/pattern-celtic-knot-dragons"><span style="font-size: large;">Celtic Knot Dragons Beaded Tapestry Pattern</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Dragons forming a Celtic knot was one of the very first beaded tapestry ideas that I had. And I actually made one way back when I first started all this beaded nonsense. It's still one of the largest tapestries I've made (though it's been inching down the list). I can't sell that pattern because of all those pesky copyright rules and the fact that I based it on someone else's image without altering it a whole lot (some, but probably not enough). Also, the dragons don't really look a whole lot like dragons--they are more like a mutant cross-over between hummingbirds and snakes.<br />
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So I decided that I'd make a second Celtic Knot of dragons, this one wholly from my head so that I can sell the pattern. Although I did end up using a common domain Celtic Knot image for the base, but the heads and tails are ALL MINE.<br />
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It's funny, too, because I'd planned to spend a long time working out the heads of the dragons and getting them to be <i>just right</i>, but then I drew something fast so I could remember where the heads went, then I adjusted the size because it was too big--and amazingly the heads were perfect, just the way they were. Which is pretty awesome. The red head is better than the green one, though. Not that I want them to be identical, but it's still better.<br />
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The other long debate dealing with this was the colors. I have VERY strong associations with red and green being Christmas Colors, which is fine, but I didn't want this to look like Christmas. It doesn't, and I'm quite pleased that I went with these two colors in the end, since they are acceptably from that region of the world, and also are the more traditional colors for dragons.<br />
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The pattern is up for sale. I might put the tapestry up, since it's not too complicated, and is something that I could easily recreate (after buying more cream-colored beads, anyway), but for now I'll keep it to myself.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034055128582493418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149828960832534818.post-67484665059871542082011-07-31T15:51:00.000-05:002011-07-31T15:51:04.838-05:00Follow, follow follow follow, follow the...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2dlmyWMLAU4/TjW-7_k2WBI/AAAAAAAAArU/J1VfqWRTVuk/s1600/Yellow+06.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2dlmyWMLAU4/TjW-7_k2WBI/AAAAAAAAArU/J1VfqWRTVuk/s320/Yellow+06.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/78798036/yellow-brick-road-bracelet"><span style="font-size: large;">Yellow Brick Road Bracelet</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>This is technically for the EBW Team challenge--but it's the September challenge, and we haven't even made it to August yet, so it's nothing special yet. And if it somehow magically sells between now and then, I might make a second one. Or I might not, since it's not like being in their challenges really does anything for me.<br />
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But regardless of that, this bracelet was fun to make, and even more fun to photograph. See that lego walking down it? So awesome. No sea stones for this bracelet, no sir, just a mossy lump and some tiny plants.<br />
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I fear that it's not all that clearly a bracelet in the picture, and that worries me a little bit, but when I think about how often people do, rather <i>do not</i> buy things from me, I don't think an artsy photo is going to make one lick of difference.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034055128582493418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149828960832534818.post-9948511627242229352011-07-12T18:08:00.000-05:002011-07-12T18:08:20.942-05:00The Whole Wide World<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zXvv9rWvnP4/ThzSMtCyZSI/AAAAAAAAArQ/fcoUbL6tn7E/s1600/Earth+02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zXvv9rWvnP4/ThzSMtCyZSI/AAAAAAAAArQ/fcoUbL6tn7E/s320/Earth+02.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/77666228/pattern-planet-earth-beaded-tapestry"><span style="font-size: large;">Planet Earth Pattern</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Have I mentioned that I was making this one? This is the pattern that I made that I actually had the beads to make when I made the pattern. It used up most of my blue, too.<br />
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I should be able to pair this particular tapestry with a moon tapestry--they are exactly the same size for exactly this purpose--to make a nifty bag. And by "nifty" I mean "amazing and beautifully crafted." There are a few puzzles left to work on with it, of course. For example; the strap. And closure. Closure is always good.<br />
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And after I've made it into a bag, then I need to make a second Earth so I can just have one hanging out on my wall. Along with everything else. I also will choose my colors with a bit more care before making that second one, hopefully so that the land and sea colors are more distinct.<br />
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Now that I have this lovely little tapestry finished, I also have the rather odd problem of mixing it with the World Map tapestry in my head. They are very different, but I cannot call this one the 'world' and I cannot call the other one the 'earth,' which doesn't seem like it would be a big deal, but I usually consider the two words to be synonymous, but in this case they are not.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034055128582493418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149828960832534818.post-85323769544393781182011-07-11T13:09:00.000-05:002011-07-11T13:09:04.823-05:00Don't You Forget my Unicorn<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-49Ibz9wUNds/Ths7ApQ6cDI/AAAAAAAAAq0/LAWCwtIY8dE/s1600/Uni+03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-49Ibz9wUNds/Ths7ApQ6cDI/AAAAAAAAAq0/LAWCwtIY8dE/s320/Uni+03.JPG" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/77584096/pattern-unicorn-beaded-tapestry"><span style="font-size: large;">Unicorn Beaded Tapestry Pattern</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I once recited the entire Irish Rover's Unicorn song from memory. I do know a lot of songs, but I hadn't realized I knew that one quite so well.<br />
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I'm making a second unicorn/lion triptych. So far I just have the unicorn finished because I needed a different red to make the lion. I have the red now, so I am planning to start that later today, but I put the unicorn up as its own pattern listing today. I don't know if I'm going to sell the (attempt to sell the) finished triptych, although I do have one already, so maybe I will.<br />
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What I do plan to do is list the triptych as one pattern listing, and maybe suggest that people can turn it into an amulet bag as well. Or just a fancy bag, but at 3x4 inches, it wouldn't be able to hold much--and it'll be a lot smaller if you use Delica beads, which, of course, everyone and their Aunt Gertrude does.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034055128582493418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149828960832534818.post-73781236330915255232011-07-05T23:08:00.000-05:002011-07-05T23:08:06.637-05:00Mechanical Dreams<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E4rMwkeOWSs/ThPedBvoa_I/AAAAAAAAApo/Ccy7Qdk1JLs/s1600/Steampunk+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E4rMwkeOWSs/ThPedBvoa_I/AAAAAAAAApo/Ccy7Qdk1JLs/s320/Steampunk+01.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SteamPunk Dream Catcher</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table>This isn't for sale yet because it's not quite finished, I just wanted to share it with the world. It's a little bit more colorful in person, I think this picture was taken with the flash, but none of the pictures I got tonight were very good.<br />
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I dissected an old clock to make this, and I now have another clock to take apart, although it's a wind-up one, since I'm waiting for it to wind down before I do that. It's in solitary until it stops ticking.<br />
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Once that clock is in pieces, then I will make a second one of these (I also need to track down more chain), hopefully finish off both with bits hanging on the bottom, and then whichever one I don't want to keep will go up for sale. Not sure I should admit that, but they'll both be about the same in terms of quality and construction, although I plan to use all the same chain for the second one, instead of switching it up like on this. If I ever get a third clock (or if the second one has enough bits), then I will try to make one using the coil of copper wire from the first clock to make the webbing.<br />
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And here you thought all I did was bead.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034055128582493418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149828960832534818.post-11422738779921277482011-07-03T18:09:00.000-05:002011-07-03T18:09:08.009-05:00Vikery<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hUQX2EtEqWU/ThD07DSXI8I/AAAAAAAAApk/4InbJyImzYo/s1600/Boat+03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hUQX2EtEqWU/ThD07DSXI8I/AAAAAAAAApk/4InbJyImzYo/s320/Boat+03.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/76954460/pattern-viking-longboat"><span style="font-size: large;">Viking Longboat Pattern</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I said I was going to try and remake this one. Well, just recently I ran out of things to bead, and my one attempt to scrounge up inspiration failed, so I started re-making some of the old patterns I've been intending to remake.<br />
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I made this one, and another unicorn, but then I realized I needed another color of bead to make the lion that goes with the unicorn (it's going to be a remake of my triptych), so I couldn't do that. I ordered new beads, and then I made another pattern, which I also need the ordered beads to make. So I made <i>another </i>pattern, this time one that I currently have all the beads for and started on that.<br />
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Oh, and there's a third pattern that I made a few weeks ago, but have been putting off making because it's more than 50% black. Also, I need some of the ordered beads to make it. BUT! once those beads arrive, I will have even more new things.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IYhWWk0rZsw/ThD03SyAwdI/AAAAAAAAApg/8COLxIkNxVM/s1600/Boat+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IYhWWk0rZsw/ThD03SyAwdI/AAAAAAAAApg/8COLxIkNxVM/s200/Boat+01.JPG" width="200" /></a>I put this longboat up as a pattern, because there's no way I'll ever be able to part with it, even if I could remake it easily enough. I priced it lower than the others, though, since it's smaller than most.<br />
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Plus, no one buys the tapestries, so I'm just going to try selling the patterns for awhile. I've sold what, three of those? as opposed to one tapestry.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034055128582493418noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149828960832534818.post-33902291419509840752011-06-24T18:50:00.000-05:002011-06-24T18:50:52.381-05:00Hubris<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MqjSElHKGtU/TMSn7mnnFoI/AAAAAAAAAA0/q80GYP5ztK4/s1600/Turtle+15+g.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MqjSElHKGtU/TMSn7mnnFoI/AAAAAAAAAA0/q80GYP5ztK4/s320/Turtle+15+g.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/49034002/clearance-turtle-bracelet">Turtle Bracelet</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I've been reading a lot of fairy tales. I've always wanted to read tons and tons of them, but the library only had books of the same old popular ones, told over and over and over and <i>over</i>, so I held off on my love of them, and settled for reading everything else.<br />
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But then I got my kindle. My lovely, delicious kindle, whereupon I can buy hundreds of fairy tale books--<i>for free</i>. And I do mean hundreds, too. I have just over two hundred fairy tales books, all sorted neatly be length. I'm reading from shortest to longest, so I doubt I'll ever really make it to Arabian Nights, but it's good to have goals.<br />
<br />
Anyway, the book I'm currently reading is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Greek-Folk-Stories-Told-ebook/dp/B000JQV3V0/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1308958384&sr=1-1">Old Greek Folk Stories Told Anew</a> by Josephine Peabody. It's as if the author knew the stories and wrote them down, but without any care for actually getting them right--not that they are wrong, just, they aren't exactly faithful translations of the original Greek myths.<br />
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But that's not why I brought the book up (no, indeedy, that all goes in the review I'll be writing as soon as I finish it...). I actually wanted to discuss hubris a bit.<br />
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All these Greek tales--or at least more than a few of them--deal with the idea of hubris, or of arrogance which leads to a fall, also known as overconfidence or pride. And this is an oddly important idea to me, since I'm surprisingly humble, so I like to see the arrogant ones getting taken down a peg of three. But the Greek idea of hubris is entirely different from that which we have today.<br />
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See, in the Greek, the heroes will be arrogant, claim they are better than any other mortal, that they are, in fact, better than the <i>gods</i>--which they often ARE. The gods, of course, take offense to this, challenge the mortal, and then, whether they win or lose, usually enact some sort of revenge which ultimately lowers the mortal far below others.<br />
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But in our moralizing tales--and I don't mean fairy tales (not even Disney-ified ones), but rather the wholesome children's TV shows and such--in those tales the closest they get to hubris is when the hero claims that they are really good at something <i>that they are not good at</i>. The lie then gets out of hand, and the hero finds himself in over his head, admits that he was lying all along (or otherwise gets help which turns the lie into truth), and then he looses and receives psychiatric help.<br />
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So when you finish hearing the modern tales, you think, <i>I should not lie about my abilities because I cannot control that lie</i>. But after one of the Greek stories you learn, <i>I should not brag because there will always be someone better than me, or someone I piss off by doing so. Quite possibly someone who can kick my ass to the stars if they so choose</i>. <br />
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The two are very, very different lessons.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034055128582493418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149828960832534818.post-24007759157875410632011-06-23T15:29:00.000-05:002011-06-23T15:29:52.606-05:00ROAR!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QJOIu2ktsO8/TgOhbGQ_CwI/AAAAAAAAAo4/Uj6NO0loag8/s1600/Draco+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QJOIu2ktsO8/TgOhbGQ_CwI/AAAAAAAAAo4/Uj6NO0loag8/s320/Draco+01.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/76415980/dragon-bracelet"><span style="font-size: large;">Dragon Braclet</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I actually listed some brand-new things a few days ago. Be happy for me.<br />
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I was working on a bigger project, which is now finished (and also not for sharing), the pattern I used for this bracelet was a part of that. It's based on the scrolling dragon I've used for other things, but since that was too long to look like anything, I shortened the pattern, flipped one dragon over so it's a two-part pattern, and then added feet. I think he looks pretty good, although I'm not too sure about the red I used here as a background. I should really go find a weathered piece of 'barn wood' in the garage or something. Then it could be flat AND a good background <i>at the same time</i>. A novel idea.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034055128582493418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149828960832534818.post-45980030957423004562011-05-31T14:35:00.000-05:002011-05-31T14:35:07.290-05:00TurtleI've been meaning to catch up here--or to start again, rather, since catching up would be very, very silly at this point.<br />
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Let's see. I've changed the shop-listing to doing a bunch once a week, and then if I have anything interesting to list I'll go ahead and do so whenever.<br />
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Etsy has a new set-up for listing things, which I actually like quite a bit, except that I cannot save the changes I make to 'expired' listings--I either need to renew them Right Then, or I lose my changes. This seems like a rather silly way to run things, but that's pretty much how Etsy rolls, so whatever.<br />
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I've been making lots of things, but aside from a few earrings and pendants, nothing has gone up for sale. My older sister requested a ...series of four fairy tapestries for her birthday, which sounds like a lot, but they were small. It took me forever to finish them, if only because I don't like to put the hanging rods onto the tapestries, and I put that off for as long as possible. The panels themselves only took about three hours apiece. (12 hours isn't very long, right?).<br />
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I'm also working on a something that won't go up for sale, and a while back I made something that I don't think ever got mentioned here: The Turtle Beaded Tapestry<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w37kYc97t5k/TeVB-zFGQgI/AAAAAAAAAnY/zb4NEQa0IqA/s1600/IMG_6538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w37kYc97t5k/TeVB-zFGQgI/AAAAAAAAAnY/zb4NEQa0IqA/s320/IMG_6538.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turtle Beaded Tapestry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I've always liked turtles. Even after I got bit by a snapping turtle, which wasn't very fun at all. This guy is more a frame work for a geometric design than an actual turtle, but I still think he's awesome. I'm still debating putting him up, and delaying on putting his pattern up, although I should go on that. The background is beads chosen at random, which I would not use if I were to make this turtle again--certainly the light blue is far too strong.<br />
<br />
Actually, I'm hoping to make him again soon, but using the Czech beads, rather than the Japanese ones, so I can pick from the colors I like and not the colors I have, although he turned out quite well, and he helped me lower the number of Japanese seed beads in my life significantly, which was nice.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034055128582493418noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149828960832534818.post-6023820914929060202011-05-24T21:15:00.000-05:002011-05-24T21:15:03.275-05:00Octopi<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ubMz-xbJ4g4/TdxlWeTiVfI/AAAAAAAAAik/C3eZCQ4B_uk/s1600/Oct+13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ubMz-xbJ4g4/TdxlWeTiVfI/AAAAAAAAAik/C3eZCQ4B_uk/s320/Oct+13.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/74747604/octopus-earrings">Octopus Earrings</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Something new. Earrings, AND octopusesiples. Someone said they look a bit like jellyfish, and I can't completely disagree, but it's hard to make different shapes with this beading technique, so that's about the best I can do.<br />
<br />
<br />
I also somehow look at the dark bead at the end of each leg and see them as shoes, which then somehow magically translates into a tapdancing octopus in my head. Weird.<br />
<br />
I'm pretty happy with them, though. 'course, next time I think I'll make the top loop a different color--maybe the dark color--so it doesn't make the 'pus look so pointy on top. Maybe that'll help with the jellyfish problem.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034055128582493418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149828960832534818.post-49272328217730937742011-05-07T14:53:00.000-05:002011-05-07T14:53:35.924-05:00Penguin Set<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AjW4xMbyJlM/TcWi3WwsjmI/AAAAAAAAAfc/gSOW3igH0DA/s1600/Setpen+04+g.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AjW4xMbyJlM/TcWi3WwsjmI/AAAAAAAAAfc/gSOW3igH0DA/s320/Setpen+04+g.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/73646175/penguin-earrings-and-pendant"><span style="font-size: large;">Penguin Earrings and Pendant</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I told you I made more than one of these, right?<br />
<br />
I got to babysit my niece this morning. She took a lot of naps, which was nice because then so did I. She's taken to growling, which is pretty funny, if a bit strange. Apparently it's just something some babies do, though, so whatever.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034055128582493418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149828960832534818.post-81203365792167531672011-05-06T18:54:00.000-05:002011-05-06T18:54:14.219-05:00MOAR PENGUINS<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o51Mp9X39Dc/TcSIntBCwjI/AAAAAAAAAfY/2mWRJq02gEo/s1600/Earpen+06+g.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o51Mp9X39Dc/TcSIntBCwjI/AAAAAAAAAfY/2mWRJq02gEo/s320/Earpen+06+g.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/73604081/penguin-earrings"><span style="font-size: large;">Penguin Earrings</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I declared yesterday to be Penguin Making Day, and I made two pair earrings, and then a pendant as well. I debated making a few more because it's my one reliable seller, but I was penguinned out, so I stopped.<br />
<br />
These guys are <i>adorable</i>, and I'm likely to start babbling about them, just to warn you.<br />
<br />
My little sister suggested making earrings a while back, but I kept putting it off. Then my friend acquired a box of beading things from another friend, and she had no use whatsoever for the earring backs in with the beads, so she offered them to me. Then I had a suggestion and the supplies, but I <i>still</i> put off making earrings.<br />
<br />
Last night I thought I'd finally give it a try, and since nothing strange or wonderful jumped out of the universe to distract me (sadly), <i>I made them</i>, and I'm so so sooooooososososo happy that I did! Let me enthuse all over you a bit more! They are just so CUTE, I'm liable to break into fangirl squealing and/or use the word 'kawaii' without irony.<br />
<br />
Well, maybe not that.<br />
<br />
I'm just a bit sad that I don't wear earrings like this (I prefer mine to be studs, heh), because then I can't wear my own earrings. But if I <i>did</i> wear dangly earrings, I'd totally wear these.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034055128582493418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149828960832534818.post-24883025745406520022011-05-05T16:51:00.000-05:002011-05-05T16:51:27.505-05:00All Hail the Wiz<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g0ubuSEOt0k/TcMZu1gqK_I/AAAAAAAAAfU/uutlL97_ESI/s1600/Wiz+12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g0ubuSEOt0k/TcMZu1gqK_I/AAAAAAAAAfU/uutlL97_ESI/s320/Wiz+12.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/73535038/pattern-wizard-beaded-tapestry"><span style="font-size: large;">Pattern - Wizard Beaded Tapestry</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>This is clearly the pattern that goes with yesterday's post. It was a rather fun one to make, really, even if I forgot to add my signature. I also went out of my way to make sure the background beads were all matte transparent, and the wizard beads were all...shinier. Except for his skin, which couldn't be helped unless I wanted it to be straight up ivory. I wish I'd gone with my original plan to use a transparent matte color for his staff, but I talked myself into that ...striking gold instead. Also the clouds are shiny color-lined, but again it couldn't be helped.<br />
<br />
And you can kind of see where I made some changes to the pattern between printing and beading--most notably the inside lining of his cloak is green in the beads and blue in the pattern. I thought it would work better this way.<br />
<br />
I'm actually quite pleased with how the background turned out. I haven't done much beaded landscape, but now I'm thinking I might look into more. I do have a TON of greens. I believe I mentioned how it was slightly more difficult than I'd expected to make the background. I guess I just hadn't put much thought into things like aerial perspective recently, so it was a whole new game. Still, aside from some bead choices that could have been a bit better, I think it turned out quite well.<br />
<br />
It did take TWENTY colors to make this, which is way up there, although I can't remember if it's the most I've done or not (my memory says the world map has 12 colors, but it's been wrong before).<br />
<br />
I'd originally wanted to just put this pattern up as my EBW Challenge entry, but apparently that's not allowed. So instead, it's up next to it, such that looking at the tapestry will show a thumbnail of the pattern. Hopefully that'll be enough for someone to buy it.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034055128582493418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149828960832534818.post-69845808438107180932011-05-04T20:38:00.000-05:002011-05-04T20:38:17.172-05:00It's a Miracle!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aQxAmVayNtI/TcH9gWaI8cI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/Ajp7DSjXXuo/s1600/Wiz+05+g.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aQxAmVayNtI/TcH9gWaI8cI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/Ajp7DSjXXuo/s320/Wiz+05+g.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/73446378/gandalf-beaded-tapestry">Gandalf Beaded Tapestry</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>What is this? is this something <i>new</i>??!!<br />
<br />
Oh wowie, gee, I never thought we'd get another post, let alone one of an entirely new creation! It's like Christmas!<br />
<br />
So the Etsy Beadweavers team has a monthly challenge, and this month's theme was 'Lord of the Rings' since that's been one of my favorite books since I first read it back in fourth grade, I figured I had better make something lest the geek patrol appear on my door step and confiscate my collection of Munchkin cards.<br />
<br />
This is...well, it's sort of Gandalf the Gray, but somewhat he's just a wizard wearing a gray cloak. It took a ridiculous number of different colors to create, and I can't decide if his skin is ethnic or just very tanned (and I wish I hadn't chosen the gold for his staff), but overall I'm pretty pleased with how he turned out.<br />
<br />
It's all my design, begun from a simple gray triangle (like you couldn't have guessed that one), and decorated from there. The background actually gave me more difficulty than the wizard himself, which is odd because you'd think 'space' was easier than 'person,' but I guess not.<br />
<br />
I also realized today that the 'signature' pattern bit that I so painstakingly created awhile back, I then forgot to include on this guy, dammit. And it would have been easy enough to stick in the background. Ah well. So it goes.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034055128582493418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149828960832534818.post-68043407944110677802011-05-01T18:07:00.000-05:002011-05-01T18:07:55.892-05:00SorrySorry I've been missing, It's been a busy week, what with the holiday, the birthday (mine!) and the getting sick. Among other things. Hopefully I'll get back on track soon.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034055128582493418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149828960832534818.post-57023479226408231092011-04-20T11:14:00.000-05:002011-04-20T11:14:17.927-05:00Wish Apon a Moon<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xnh3sDBZc78/Ta8GGOX_qjI/AAAAAAAAAeI/DImEK05TQjk/s1600/Dream+03+g.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xnh3sDBZc78/Ta8GGOX_qjI/AAAAAAAAAeI/DImEK05TQjk/s320/Dream+03+g.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/54536896/dream-catcher-beaded-tapestry"><span style="font-size: large;">Dream Catcher Beaded Tapestry</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I built a tent out of my blankets yesterday. And then I spent the whole day in it, avoiding everything. It was nice. Too bad I can't do that every day.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034055128582493418noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149828960832534818.post-4456239974808039282011-04-18T13:34:00.000-05:002011-04-18T13:34:00.008-05:00Over the Moon<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4FOAuNiHYM/TQ50iH4L84I/AAAAAAAAAKI/RNdaaxSbvic/s1600/2+moon+14+g.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4FOAuNiHYM/TQ50iH4L84I/AAAAAAAAAKI/RNdaaxSbvic/s320/2+moon+14+g.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/54232800/moon-phases-bracelet">Moon Phases Bracelet</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I had some poignant observation about family I was going to blog about today, but now I can't remember what it was.<br />
<br />
I guess...hey! I know! It's almost rabbit shedding season, and I can tell because my rabbit looks really quite scruffy today!<br />
<br />
Okay, yeah, that's not very exciting.<br />
<br />
Uh...I almost have a group of friends now? I find that exciting. <br />
<br />
I made almost $50 on Etsy last month. That's nearly enough to buy something exciting there. Nearly. Well, I guess it depends what thing I find exciting.<br />
<br />
I dunno. I guess I don't have anything interesting to talk about today. Maybe I'll just go water my orchid instead.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034055128582493418noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149828960832534818.post-89923612516484895092011-04-15T17:24:00.000-05:002011-04-15T17:24:01.618-05:00Something Witty<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4XVQB7JK7eo/TajEB-QpadI/AAAAAAAAAcg/Jpk27rZPMQY/s1600/Bo+04+g.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4XVQB7JK7eo/TajEB-QpadI/AAAAAAAAAcg/Jpk27rZPMQY/s320/Bo+04+g.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62154185/floating-boxes-bracelet"><span style="font-size: large;">Floating Boxes Bracelet</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>It's raining. A dreary, dark and somewhat cold rain. Not Fun. But yet a fitting day for the one on which I realized Borders is forever closed. I think it *actually* a few days ago, but I didn't notice, so today it's like the whole world mourns the passing of a great bookstore with me.<br />
<br />
My friends, a moment of silence<br />
<br />
...while I go look up directions to Barnes and Noble.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034055128582493418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149828960832534818.post-18164771740562829062011-04-13T13:54:00.000-05:002011-04-13T13:54:12.172-05:00Ladybeetle<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sQ68zx-yWC0/TaXvjcBOvAI/AAAAAAAAAcc/XXhFbp6J1Rg/s1600/p17+02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sQ68zx-yWC0/TaXvjcBOvAI/AAAAAAAAAcc/XXhFbp6J1Rg/s320/p17+02.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/72089345/ladybug-pendant"><span style="font-size: large;">Ladybug Pendant</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I think I need to change some of my descriptions on this blog, since several things in my life seem to have changed. I'm not longer single, for starters. And I seem to have gotten a (very) part-time job. I'm still living with my parents, though, and my job isn't quite enough to help fix that, so I'm still 'broke' for the most part (and if I ever do manage to get monies, the first significant chunk of it goes to fixing my car, sadness).<br />
<br />
I've also got a bike helmet and permission to borrow one for the summer. I was a little unsure about buying the bike helmet, because I hate spending more than $20 on anything, and the helmet was $40, but then I looked at it in two ways: A) <i>this is my brain we're talking about</i> and B) It's <i>still</i> less than a tank of gas.<br />
<br />
I rather like my brain. And I hate buying gas, so I got the helmet. It's a decent one, too, and I've no regrets.<br />
<br />
I do have a misgiving, though, and that is the fact that we live on the top of a large hill. Most of the time I do not think about this, but, while it makes going <i>to</i> anywhere surprisingly easy, it means I have difficulties getting back. Just yesterday a mere ride around the block necessitated a 20-minute nap for recovery. I managed to avoid the nap today, but my legs...let's just say they are not used to the exercise. But hopefully in a few weeks going around the block won't kill me, and maybe after that I'll be able to ride to work--which is at the farthest, lowest other end of this hill. So really, my hope is that eventually I'll be able to ride <i>from</i> work.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034055128582493418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149828960832534818.post-27266932356878737682011-04-11T14:28:00.000-05:002011-04-11T14:28:57.242-05:00Blink<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J2A2bUbfIJg/TQPkCTHkpGI/AAAAAAAAAH4/ZqgKZ7k6RY0/s1600/Avia+05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J2A2bUbfIJg/TQPkCTHkpGI/AAAAAAAAAH4/ZqgKZ7k6RY0/s320/Avia+05.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/59679244/owl-pin"><span style="font-size: large;">Owl Pin</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I read the book <i>Blink</i> by Malcolm Gladwell last night. It must have been good because I stayed up until 2am reading it--something I usually only do with fiction books.<br />
<br />
<i>Blink</i> is all about thinking without thinking. Like how you might make a snap judgement of someone--<i>and how you might be right</i> about it. I was really, really interesting. And it made me reflect a lot on my previous-to-this-one relationship.<br />
<br />
It wasn't a wonderful relationship, but it wasn't horrible, either. It was just filled with scenes that could comprise a list of 'you know your relationship is dull and not going to last when...' anecdotes. One of these was that we didn't fight--except over flowers. Specifically, over proper flower identification. Even more specifically than that, over the fact that I could point to one very prevalent roadside wildflower and identify it going past at 65 mph, <i>and he never believed me</i>.<br />
<br />
I cannot do this with everything, but for a while I would practice my plant-identifying skills every day, and this particular flower (birdsfoot trefoil, although I <i>did</i> have the name wrong at once point) has a very distinctive color and growing pattern. I can identify ginkgo trees from the road, too, and I think I can tell oaks from maples (although it's harder to double check). To my ex this was inconceivable. <br />
<br />
According to <i>Blink</i> all I was doing was looking at something and taking a 'thin-slice' view of what I saw and subconsciously coming to a conclusion of what the flower was. I've always called it 'pattern recognition,' and trusting my gut in cases like that (or when figuring out book plots ahead of time, among other things) is a large part of how I'm intelligent, so when my ex would question that I knew what the flower was, he was doubting a huge chunk of my intelligence, which was why I was unwilling to back down on it.<br />
<br />
Then he claimed I wouldn't back down because I always had to be right, but I think it had far more to do with the fact that he couldn't handle being wrong, since I'm not always right (although I could be wrong about that) and when I'm not, I admit it.<br />
<br />
<i>Blink</i> also had a section about couples, and that one of the best predictors of whether a marriage will work out is the presence of contempt in a relationship. I didn't mean to hold my ex in contempt, but after he doubted my flower-identifying skills (among other things) it just sort of happened. I'm much happier now; good riddance to bad relationships.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034055128582493418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149828960832534818.post-80224731279425603672011-04-09T13:41:00.000-05:002011-04-09T13:41:15.612-05:00Still Watching<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pJzQ65nsHdU/TP6JC_sjFXI/AAAAAAAAAHA/_0xG1FPgfJg/s1600/Nin+12+g.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pJzQ65nsHdU/TP6JC_sjFXI/AAAAAAAAAHA/_0xG1FPgfJg/s320/Nin+12+g.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/63839017/fairy-ninja-bracelet"><span style="font-size: large;">Fairy Ninja Bracelet</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I probably shouldn't have relisted an inside joke, but I <i>did</i>, so whatever. Besides, I <i>still</i> think it's funny. Also, you know how I always talk about how no one can tell what the fairy ninjas are, or they get the wings, but not the essential <i>ninja</i> bit, well, my new boyfriend actually recognized the fairy ninja as being a ninja, but since what he said was 'this ninja's not very good at hiding' I was more focused on that slight slight than on the fact that <i>he recognized what it was</i>.<br />
<br />
He was looking at the fairy ninja beaded 'tapestry' at the time, but there's a chance that he'd seen it on my computer screen (I have all sorts of pictures on constant slide-show in my google sidebar), where the photos of the ninjas are easier to identify. Or I might have mentioned the fairy ninjas before, but I'm fairly sure that I didn't.<br />
<br />
So...I think he's a bit of a keeper, really. I mean, <i>anyone</i> who can recognize a ninja when he sees one, is someone to keep around, right? Even if its seeing in th efirst place that's the tricky part.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034055128582493418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149828960832534818.post-66915074542064787262011-04-06T14:10:00.001-05:002011-04-06T14:10:02.939-05:00Artic Wind<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tgNRYMGu0OY/TPvgibdJUEI/AAAAAAAAAGk/329ESJBUvwA/s1600/Pen+01+g.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tgNRYMGu0OY/TPvgibdJUEI/AAAAAAAAAGk/329ESJBUvwA/s320/Pen+01+g.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/63676170/adorable-penguin-bracelet"><span style="font-size: large;">Adorable Penguin Bracelet</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I had not one but <i>three</i> sales yesterday. It's very exciting, because I've almost made back the money I spent on books yesterday! (um, whoops?)<br />
<br />
Part of me hopes that this becomes a trend, and part of my is grumpily unhappy that it might, because it would mean I'd need to make more things and I've been <i>really</i> lazy about beading lately. I am working on one beaded project for myself, and I almost have another tapestry to put up, but I'm nowhere near producing something to sell every day.<br />
<br />
And I can't sell the thing I'm making for myself because the technique is a new one, and it's <i>awful</i>. Most people won't notice, but I can see all the flaws--actually, they might be bad enough in this case that others <i>can</i> see them. Also, it will involve my collection of turtle-shaped beads, and those are MINE, and no one else can have them, even if I make them into a awesome bead-covered dream catcher. Actually, especially if I make them into a 'catcher.<br />
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I'll post pictures if I ever manage to finish it.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034055128582493418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149828960832534818.post-86627047721126494102011-04-05T13:25:00.000-05:002011-04-05T13:25:03.033-05:00Penguins Again<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zLaBfEQhWaQ/TPlbREkHTMI/AAAAAAAAAGI/nEfkcBgIKPI/s1600/Ping+15+g.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zLaBfEQhWaQ/TPlbREkHTMI/AAAAAAAAAGI/nEfkcBgIKPI/s320/Ping+15+g.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/63554052/penguin-pin"><span style="font-size: large;">Penguin Pin</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I feel like we've been here before...<br />
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And it's a bit silly, since this is now spring. Do people buy penguins in the spring? I usually associate them with winter, but I suppose they might be a year-round thing. Especially in Antarctica.<br />
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Did you know that Antarctica is the only continent without invasive species? That's pretty neat, when you think about it (unless you count humans, but we're only visiting and can't truly survive there). Although I guess if I was an invasive species, I wouldn't even try to live on a continent that freaking cold. Brr.<br />
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But, due to plate tectonics, Antarctica is slowly drifting away from the froze south pole, and some day--in about 70 million years, give or take--it'll be inhabitable for the rest of us. I look forward to that day. Very exciting.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034055128582493418noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149828960832534818.post-45483154607388256112011-04-03T14:19:00.000-05:002011-04-03T14:19:05.049-05:00The Other Blog<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gj9yWLIxIWk/TMh81DlRRkI/AAAAAAAAABE/F7ghe2PtnPo/s1600/Rose+03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gj9yWLIxIWk/TMh81DlRRkI/AAAAAAAAABE/F7ghe2PtnPo/s320/Rose+03.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/60112592/rose-pin"><span style="font-size: large;">Beaded Rose Pin</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Most people don't know this--and really, how could you--but I've started a second blog. It's the <a href="http://stuff-i-own.blogspot.com/">Stuff I Own Blog</a>, where I talk about the objects that I posses (or that posse me), and once a week I've started blogging about other blog articles about owning too much, or too little, and what a horrid toll that takes on our souls.<br />
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So far I haven't gotten very much up--well, there's slightly over a hundred objects, but only a few non-item posts, and only one of those is about another article. And it wasn't even a good article, either, it was a bunch of correlated data mixed with a dash of pseudo-science to sound like it was saying owning lots of stuff leads to mental illness.<br />
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I'm hoping to find better material this Wednesday, but I list a few new objects every day, so you can feel free to check out all the glittery bits of my soul right <a href="http://stuff-i-own.blogspot.com/">here</a>.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11034055128582493418noreply@blogger.com0