Friday, February 27, 2009

Pictures of Palimpsest

Wow, what an awesome party :-D Reading, singing, dancing, burlesque, suspension art, bondage, chocolate, tophats, tea. I don't think I can frame it all in words, so hear are my pictures:
May not be safe for work.

The best part:

The Authoress and the Songstress
P1170941
Book + Music = OTP

Cat even signed my copy,
For Cris, whose jewels live and walk.
Yep, that's the idea ;-)


Second best part:

People recognizing me by my necklace ;-)
P1170832


Last I heard, the first printing of the book is almost sold out, after barely four days. So go read the short story for free, get hooked, and clamor to Amazon for the book. (I'm too tired right now to hunt for the links again, they're on a post earlier this week.)

With luck, I'll have some small Palimpsest themed pieces on my Etsy store by early next week. But I'll have to hold out on more until after I move. *angst* At least I can sketch them down in my little notepad until I have the time.


Also, I've decided to give up purchasing beads for Lent. I had my party on Ash Wednesday instead of Fat Tuesday, but it works. Even though I'm not a Catholic, or a Christian, I respect the art of sacrifice in daily life. And with my home problems, its a financially sound idea.

Thus the earliest pieces of Palimpsest will be made out of items from my formidable stash of craft supplies. Or out of other things than beads. Ironically, I'll be out of town during the New York Whole Beads Show, on a train trip with CMV and Sooj ;-)

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Polymer Clay Necklace SALE!

@ my Etsy shop: http://queenofthecatpeople.etsy.com

All polymer clay pendants and necklaces are on sale for March. I'm getting a head start ;-)



Most include Swarovski crystals, check crystals, pressed glass beads, and vintage elements. Discounts range from 20% to 40%.

I'm moving next month, and once I have my new workshop set up, I want to start putting a whole new line of polymer clay art together. But first, I need to clear out the older pieces ;-)

But no worries! I have all stock on hand to mail out with my usual speed. It's just my raw supplies that have been packed up. And I think I'm starting to go through withdrawl...


We've also lowered shipping costs in our shop, in a neatly tiered system. Check out "Policies" for more info.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

I have often relied upon the kindness of strangers...

There is a new gathering place for crafters, compatible with every sales platform I know of, and a few more to boot. So far, all done for love of the community and not for profit. Like... wow. The creators are VERY dedicated to this vision. They have tons of nifty gadgets, a community blog, and a great forum!

What exactly is Byhand.Me?

Why exactly is Byhand.Me?

Innovative Window Shopping!

And look! I've made a Spotlight of my Victorian Art Pendants! And a profile, of course ;-). It's easy.

There are a lot of people on the internet doing a little (or in this case, a lot) something extra for us needy artist types, in the face of economic recession and recovery. Thank you all for your help to our community.

Come along and play!

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Enter the Dreaming City

Not only is it Mardi Gras, it's

PALIMPSEST DAY!!!

Palimpsest, a novel by Catherynne M. Valente, is finally available in stores.

I've made so many pieces of jewelry based on her books, and I've already made one based on the short story of Palimpsest from Paper Cities:
P1170448 - Casimira
Casimira, dressed in green. Handmade chains of green goldstone, semiprecious stones, buttons, bones, wood, sticks, a copper magnifying glass, and spiraling green seed beads. Featuring polymer clay creature molds.
(Forgive the picture, I need to unpack my light box!)

Once I'm done with moving, I suspect there will be many more Palimpsest shinies to follow. I can't remember the name, but one reviewer applauded her use of "jeweled language," in all of her stories. That's probably why her work is so inspiring to jewelry artisans ;-)

Now that I think of it, the necklace I made custom for Catherynne is also very Casimira-like...
098a - Copper Mountain
In Malachite, copper, glass, steel, and sterling, with a happily curling lizard.
(Wow. My photo skillz have improved drastically over the years.)


Tomorrow is the Palimpsest launch party, with C.M.V. AND S.J. Tucker, at the Brooklyn Lyceum in NYC. Tickets are $10 (You can buy them online, follow the link!), and I'll be selling literary-based jewelry at the event, including pieces based on C.M.V.'s books The Orphans Tales, and a few "tickets" to Palimpsest ;-)

If my words and pictures alone can't move you to attend, listen to Ms. Tucker's new album Quartered, based on Palimpsest. It will be even more awesome live, I promise! And this is just the beginning of their book tour, so check out C.M.V.'s website for more shows in your area!

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Dream yourself to death

What am I wearing at Wicked Faire this weekend?

CASIMIRA
P1170448 - Casimira
Wood, glass, seed beads, bone, polymer clay, green goldstone, multiple metals, various stones, single magnifying glass. Hand made bead-chains, hand made creature "molds" of small creatures. Will she stroke my head if I bind myself in chains?

[Not for sale, but I'm available to make similar items.]

Based on a secret city.

From a not so secret book.

And after Wicked, I'll also be vending jewelry at the Palimspest book launch party. Also in chains.


I miss my old photo rig. There's a hold on my moving date, I should unpack it and photograph some of my new stuff anyway.

<3 Me

Friday, February 13, 2009

Happy Valentines/Singles Awareness Day!

Whether you have a someone or not, Feb. 14 is about love. If you are a single person confused by this statement, stop by my other blog The Sassy Spinster for my Singles Awareness Week Blogathon!

Hearts and loves are definitely in season, so let me share a few of mine:
P1160909 - Royal Glow (C001)P1160899 - Black JackP1160896 - Sea LionsThe Lapis Tree - P1110427P1150755 - Dark HeartP1130301 - Steampunk Charm BraceletRosie114_P1090297103_P1080909

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Wicked Faire! Hooray!!

I'm in the middle of real estate hell, but there is one gleaming light of hope to look forward to:

The Wicked Winter Renaissance Faire, February 20-22nd in Whippany, NJ! Now open on Sunday!

Attractions include ME ;-), other awesome vendors, and lots of great performers and artists. The Lazersword Continuum, Voltaire, White Elephant Burlesque Society, and Repo: The Genetic Opera, with Terrance Zdunich in the flesh! Plus author Catherynne M. Valente, and spectacular steampunk events!

This year's theme is Wicked Chocolate Factory ;-), and I'm totally prepared.

Unfortunately, with all the packing, I am without my usual awesome photo setup. But here are some raw clues to what special pieces I'll have at the fair:

P1170364

P1170401

P1170410

(Please don't eat the jewelry.)

Furthermore, I'll have some fine pieces based on The Orphan's Tales: In the Cities of Coin and Spice, one of Cat Valente's latest books. And by request of the author I'll have several of these:

Djebah, coins from the city of Marrow:
P1170456 - Djebah

I was a little ... bored the night I made these, so they also glow in the dark. Yay for polymer clay.


For my online onlookers who can't make it to the fair this year- what I don't sell at Wicked will eventually end up in my Etsy shop. Also, I can make more tasty looking pieces if there is interest and demand. Just ... not this month.

Right now, my stock is still accessible, but my craft and jewelry supplies are all packed up. I'm so bored.

<3 Chrysilla