Queen of the Cat People: Class with a cult following

Coming Out of Hibernation!

2011-09-13T15:12:00.007-04:00

Hello! I am still alive.

Actually, I feel a bit more alive today than I did in August. Not sure if its the weather (not all that much different yet), the return to my normal school-year work schedule, the receding of allergy season, or my new vitamins. Either way, I hope it lasts.

Since my last posting, I have:

Learned to use my sewing machine. Sewing became very satisfying (albeit time consuming, OMG) in the midst of my creative block. As long as I was pattern sewing, I didn't have to be any more creative than "What color fabric do I want?" and yet I was making things. I may show off a few items I've made here as soon as I figure out how to photograph them.

Started writing a web-radio series, and then dribbled to a halt due to heat melting my brain. But I'm picking that up again too! It has much potential to be awesome.

Left my improv practice team. I really like performing teh improv, but it is very time consuming, and I miss my other projects. I also miss going to watch improv as a humble audience member. But I'm still on their mailing list, so I look forward to seeing them perform in the future :-) I am in a short term class right now (which actually relates to the web-radio show), not sure if I will take more classes in the future. Cash is a leetle tight right now.

Picked up a folding table for my sewing habit, but it also looks like a good set up for the light box I photograph jewelry with.

Recieved some conical shaped bud vases which may work well for photographing bracelets. One of the reasons I don't make more bracelets is that I find them tough to photograph.

Taken lots of naps.

Attended DragonCon. I was somewhat sick, stressed, and sleep deprived, but I still had a mostly good time. And the con itself helped me realize how I want to prioritize my non-job time for the next few months.

A big theme in my life now is whether I can balance *making* art with *performing* art. I like doing both, but I think now I want to focus more on the making.

I took all of August off from social activities, with a couple exceptions, to rest. There was a really crazy late winter-into-spring period that I hadn't given myself a chance to recover from, and August usually melts my brain, so I just holed up in my Chantry and watched Star Trek. Once allergy season blows over, I hope this helps renew my stamina.

And thanks to a month of reflection and a weekend of DragonCon, I am going to prioritize jewelry, my writing project, and starting Tai Chi classes. After that come sewing, watching improv, and getting back to the cultural activities I used to enjoy (costume parties, readings, etc), cash flow allowing.

But this blog will of course be devoted to the jewelry :-) If I can start this week, I should have photographs up by October. Yay!

Right now I'm planning to do some work on a gothy color palette (I have a ton of onyx in storage), develop a new polymer clay project, edit an old polymer clay project, make more Game of Thrones pieces, and work on more talismans.

Last night I dreamed of buying magic crystals and gemstones, and will take that as a good omen.

<3 Chrysilla
aka Queen of the Cat People

Summer Vacation!

2011-06-22T11:02:00.006-04:00

Its been a rough 2011 so far. Was very busy with life for the first three months, and overwork and overstress quickly segued into the worst allergy season ever. Including some of the worst spring colds ever. And now it is summer in NYC, which is well known for brain-melting heat and humidity. I've made only a couple of new pieces over the last several months.

I'm very sad that I've lost the yen to bead, but until my health improves I don't see how it will change. I am having some fun with a writing project, however, and would like to focus on that for a while. So I'm going on a summer vacation from jewelry.

With luck, I'll be back on my feet in September (after Dragon Con ;-D) with new energy and new shiny things. I can't fathom that this isn't a temporary situation, as jewelry has been a large part of my life for over a decade. But we all burn out sometimes.

My Etsy shop will stay open to customers over the summer, but I can't guarantee that I will be available for custom orders until September.

Thank you for your interest and your support! I will be back :-)

Star of the Evening - Blue Goldstone Necklace

2011-05-10T10:00:00.001-04:00

I've all but stopped purchasing new blue goldstone because it turned out to be really hard to sell. Online or in person. Photos can't quite capture the glitter, and neither can the lighting at cons, clubs, or craft fairs. I do like the subtlety, but subtle doesn't always come across well. Like the piece Pearl Wings [on Etsy!] which I still can't quite *get* in photos.

Of course I still use it in my own jewelry ;-)

Blue goldstone, beads and a carved rose. So sparkly! Not directly inspired by Kushiel's Dart, but when I had both book and necklace completed they were a clear match :-)

This stone is man made, technically a sort of art glass. But glass is useful in amulets and talismans depending on its colors and shapes.

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

Quartz and Fluorite Necklace

2011-05-05T10:00:00.003-04:00

Unfortunately, I've hit a bit of a creative/energy block for the last few weeks, and have run out of new jewelry to post. I way over-scheduled myself with other activities from January through March, and was sick for most of April, and am slowly starting to bounce back. This happens, especially when you have multiple hobbies and creative outlets on top of a 9-5 job. On top of that, I'm starting to work on updating the photos on my gallery website.

So to tide my fans over until I get over work, allergy season and hibernation, I'll be posting photos of some of my personal not-for-sale jewelry items :-)

To start, this is a necklace I made to test out the wire wrapping techniques that eventually made my House Dayne [on Etsy] and Tranquility [on Etsy] necklaces:

Instead of amethysts, I used fluorite and clear quartz. Fluorite is one of my favorite stones :-) Good for balancing heart and mind, helps with inspiration, ideas, and balance. And quartz makes a good battery. Hopefully my own batteries will recharge themselves soon.

Queen of the Cat People, class with a cult following.

Petunia Bracelet

2011-04-28T10:00:00.002-04:00

Petunia Bracelet
[For sale here on Etsy]

Violet seed beads spiral together with fire polished Czech crystals in pink with AB an finish.

This bracelet is adjustable, from 6.5 to 8 inches long, with a simple hook clasp. All seed bead weaving is made by hand.

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

Violets Necklace

2011-04-26T10:00:00.002-04:00

Violets Necklace
[For sale here on Etsy]

Purple seed beads spiral together with blue goldstone and pink fire polished Czech crystal.

This necklace is 16 inches long, with a simple hook clasp. All seed bead weaving is done by hand.

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

Hyacinth Bracelet

2011-04-21T10:00:00.002-04:00

Hyacinth Bracelet
[For sale here on Etsy]

Light purple seed beads spiral together with fire polished Czech crystals in pink and lavender.

This bracelet is adjustable, from 6.5 to 10 inches, with a simple hook clasp. All seed bead weaving is made by hand.

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

Metal Luv, a Necklace of Gunmetal and Pearl

2011-04-19T10:00:00.002-04:00

Metal Luv Necklace
[For sale here on Etsy!]

Metallic black seed beads spiral with freshwater pearls and hematite hearts.

This necklace is 18 inches long, with a simple hook clasp. All seed bead weaving is made by hand.

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

Gilded Age, Woven Seed Bead Bracelet

2011-04-14T10:00:00.003-04:00

Gilded Age Bracelet
[For sale here on Etsy]

Bright gold rocaille seed beads spiral with fire polished Czech crystals in blue and AB finished clear.

This bracelet is adjustable, from 6.5 to 8.5 inches long, with a simple hook clasp. All seed bead weaving is made by hand.

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

Eye Spy, a Steampunk Inspired Necklace

2011-04-12T10:00:00.002-04:00

Eye Spy
[For sale here on Etsy!]

A magnifying glass, mounted in an antiqued brass colored setting, hangs from a necklace of firepolished Czech crystals in antiqued metallic finishes and freshwater pearls.

This lariat necklace is 27 inches long with no clasp, and the pendant is 1.5 inches long.

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

Lady Bronze Bracelet

2011-04-07T12:58:00.003-04:00

Lady Bronze Bracelet
[For sale here on Etsy]

Bronze seed beads spiral with freshwater pearls, and fire polished Czech crystals in metallic colors and finishes.

This bracelet is 7.5 inches long, with a simple hook clasp. All seed bead weaving is made by hand.

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

Looking Glass, a new lariat necklace

2011-04-05T10:00:00.002-04:00

Looking Glass
[For sale here on Etsy!]

A magnifying glass, mounted in a finely detailed pewter colored setting, hangs from a necklace of fire polished Czech crystals, vintage style glass cathedral beads, and black vintage pearl beads.

This lariat necklace is 26 inches long, with no clasp, and the pendant is two inches long.

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

Midnight, a Seed Bead Bracelet

2011-03-31T10:00:00.003-04:00

Midnight Bracelet
[For sale here on Etsy]

Dark iris blue seed beads spiral with blue-black fire polished Czech crystals in an AB finish. Beads all woven by hand.

This bracelet is adjustable, from 7 to 10 inches long, with a simple hook clasp.

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

Black Jack

2011-03-29T10:00:00.001-04:00

Black Jack
[For sale here on Etsy!]

Elegantly carved black cinnabar hearts hang from a delicate necklace of red garnet spades and black onyx.

With sterling silver findings and heart-shaped toggle clasp, the necklace is 17.5 inches long.

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

Blueberry Bracelet

2011-03-24T10:00:00.002-04:00

Blueberry Bracelet
[For sale here on Etsy]

Cobalt blue seed beads spiral together with sky blue catseye beads.

This bracelet is adjustable, from 7 to 10 inches in length, with a hook clasp.

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

Iris Necklace

2011-03-22T10:00:00.001-04:00

Iris Necklace
[For sale here on Etsy]

Dark violet seed beads spiral together with fire polished Czech crystals in blue, violet, and AB finishes.

This necklace is 17 inches long, with a simple hook clasp of sterling silver. All bead weaving made by hand.

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2011-03-17T10:00:00.004-04:00

... And a metric ton of green and Celtic pieces live here in my Etsy store ;-)

In fact, we are still having a giveaway contest for a pair of aventurine, onyx, and dice earrings! Enter now, contest closes tomorrow March 18th at midnight! Click here for rules and details.

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

Privacy Somewhat Broken on Etsy

2011-03-15T10:22:00.004-04:00

I sell primarily through Etsy, so I wanted to give my customers the heads up on Etsy's latest not-so-great idea. Go check on your privacy settings!

Etsy users irked after buyers, purchases exposed to the world.

Also, I haven't looked around at their forums in a couple of years. And now you're only allowed to discuss Etsy's own website and its features. Srsly? No more forums for promotions or technique trading. I don't know how much work it took for the company to maintain that part of the website, but so many buyers and sellers used it that it seems like another not-so-great idea.

On the other hand, I remember when an Etsy listing cost ten cents for six months, so I guess these sorts of things are inevitable :-/

Ocean's Depth

2011-03-15T10:00:00.002-04:00

Ocean's Depth Bracelet
[For sale here on Etsy]

Dark blue iris seed beads spiral together with freshwater pearls and small beads of blue goldstone.

This bracelet is adjustable, from 7 to 9 inches, with a simple hook clasp. All bead weaving made by hand.

FYI, We're still having a giveaway contest for another pair of wire worked earrings until March 18th :-) Check out contest and details here! Remember, you have to comment to enter!

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

Pennies

2011-03-10T10:00:00.003-05:00

Pennies
[For sale here on Etsy.]

Pennies from Great Britain, wrapped by hand in copper wire with Swarovski crystal. Elegant, yet frugal ;-)

Each earring is 2.5 inches long, with sterling silver ear wires.

FYI, We're still having a giveaway contest for another pair of wire worked earrings until March 18th :-) Check out contest and details here! Remember, you have to comment to enter!

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

First Jewelry Giveaway! Lucky Earrings!

2011-03-08T13:00:00.007-05:00

Having seen these all over the internet, and how fun they can be, I'm going to give it a try :-)

Up for grabs, my new Enchantment Earrings!

Each cluster of semiprecious stones, glass beads, and wire is designed to help focus on a particular desire or goal. And look great doing it!

In theme with a giveaway contest, this is a pair of Luck Enchantment earrings :-D

Aventurine attracts luck, abundance, and financial health as well as correspondence with the heart chackra for love luck. Onyx attracts good vibes while filtering out the negative, and also enhances intuition and instinct (To know when to hold 'em, and know when to fold 'em ;-}). Plus glass dice beads in black and silver. On sterling ear wires, with silver plated copper wire wrapped by hand.

This giveaway will be open until Friday March 18th, called on Saturday, and mailed early the next week. The winner will be selected via Random.org. Please include your email address on all entries, so I can ask you privately about your mailing address if you win.

The Rules!
Basic entry: Become a follower of this blog (if you haven't already). Leave a comment on this post, with your email address and a link to your favorite piece in my Etsy shop ;-)

Bonus entries:
+1 entry = "Like" us on the QOTCP Facebook page! And leave a separate blog comment saying you are a new/old Facebook follower.

+1 entry = Follow us on Twitter via QOTCPcf! Leave a separate blog comment saying you are a new/old follower and include your Twitter name.

+1 entry = Spread the word on this giveaway via Twitter! Leave a separate blog comment saying you have done so, with your Twitter name, but I can only count it if your account is open/visible to me. You can do this up to 3 times for extra entries.

+3 entries = Spread the word on this giveaway via your blog! Livejournal, Tumblr, Blogger, etc. all blogs welcome :-) And leave a separate comment here with a link to your blog entry so I can confirm.

+5 entries = Add Queen of the Cat People to your blogroll, and leave another comment saying as such with a link to your blog.

ADDITIONAL- Readers from outside the USA are definitely eligible to play :-) Also, if I didn't mention already I will cover shipping!

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

Brimstone

2011-03-08T10:00:00.001-05:00

Brimstone Necklace
[For sale here on Etsy]

Black seed beads spiral together with bright red beads, dark gray matte catseye beads, and dark gold fire polished Czech crystals.

This necklace is 18 inches long, with a simple hook clasp. All seed bead weaving is made by hand.

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

Gump Gump!

2011-03-03T10:00:00.002-05:00

Gump Gump
[For sale here on Etsy!]

Adorable ! Little black stone frogs with Czech crystal, clear quartz, and snowflake obsidian beads.

Earrings are two inches long, with sterling silver ear wires and findings.

Frogs as totems and spirit animals teach lessons in rejuvenation and replenishment, healing and learning through osmosis, fertility, balance, creativity, and metamorphosis. Snowflake obsidian is also a stone that encourages balance, and black stones often have a grounding influence.

These earrings could be used as a "go with the flow" talisman, to help ground oneself for a period of transformation. Good for changing habits and learning new life patterns.

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

Lavender and Pearls

2011-03-01T10:00:00.003-05:00

Lavender and Pearls Necklace
[For sale here on Etsy!]

Purple seed beads spiral together with large freshwater pearls and pink fire polished Czech crystals.

This necklace is 18 inches long, with a simple hook clasp. All seed bead weaving is done by hand.

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

Underwater Expedition, Steampunk Sale!

2011-02-24T10:00:00.002-05:00

Underwater Expedition
[On sale! Here on Etsy!]

Subtly Steampunk!

Watch movements and freshwater pearls hang from stamped and glazed polymer clay charms, clay mixed with gold leaf. 2.25 inches long with sterling silver ear wires.

Marked down to $10 from $25 :-D!

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

Lily of the Valley

2011-02-22T10:00:00.001-05:00

Lily of the Valley Bracelet
[For sale here on Etsy!]

Jade colored seed beads spiral together with small freshwater pearls. Bead weaving done entirely by hand.

This bracelet is adjustable from 7 to 10 inches long, with a simple hook clasp.

For those of us that wish May would hurry up and get here already ;-)

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

Ultra Violet, Steampunk Sale!

2011-02-17T10:00:00.001-05:00

Ultra Violet
[On sale! Here on Etsy!]

Subtly Steampunk!

Watch movements and delicate Swarovski crystals hang from stamped and glazed polymer clay charms. 2.25 inches long with sterling silver ear wires.

Marked down to $10 from $25 :-D!

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

The mirror crack'd from side to side...

2011-02-16T11:00:00.002-05:00

What I'm wearing to Wicked Faire this weekend!

Decided to Steampunk (It should be a verb by now, right?) a poem called The Lady of Shalott for one of my costumes. As per usual, I started with jewelry and props will come later ;-)

Crackled glass shards, small glass cabs, copper wire, and silver plated copper wire.

I'm not sure that I really like these glass shards. The package was correct and they are not sharp, but they do make a crunching noise when I work with them that worries me. Very fragile materials. I might use the rest in personal pieces, but not for the Etsy store. Although if anyone has alternative products I'd be happy to hear :-)

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

Tranquility

2011-02-15T10:00:00.001-05:00

Tranquility
[For sale here on Etsy.]

Dark and light colored amethyst, nestled in gold colored wire, with more amethysts and clear crystal quartz.

Amethyst is one of the favorite stones of the New Age and NeoPagan movements. It encourages and enhances inner peace, tranquility, concentration, and spiritual love. Clear quartz give energy and clarity, making this necklace a helpful addition to any meditation, ritual, or other magickal practice.

This necklace is 17 inches long with a hook and eye clasp. All wire wrapping is done by hand.

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

Hearts!

2011-02-14T14:33:00.003-05:00

Its just that time of year again :-)

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

Treasured!

2011-02-11T10:00:00.000-05:00

Here are some lovely Etsy Treasuries I've been included in over the last few weeks!

Sepia, by BoHoArtists. Includes my necklace Sepia Curio and lots of other great pieces.

Sweet Tooth by Nikilee766. Includes Blueberry Bracelet and soooo many tasty treats ;-)

Black Swan Redux by Wellwornpassport. Includes my Lavender Swan necklace and many more elegant items for home and body.

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

Fleur de Zap, Steampunk Sale!

2011-02-10T10:00:00.001-05:00

Fleur de Zap
[On sale! Here on Etsy!]

Subtly Steampunk!

Watch movements and delicate crystals hang from stamped and glazed polymer clay charms. 2.25 inches long with sterling silver ear wires.

Marked down to $10 from $25 :-D!

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

Bead and Release

2011-02-09T14:12:00.004-05:00

Some items that have gone off to happy homes over the last few months:

And there are plenty more where those came from, here at my Etsy shop ;-)

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

House Stark

2011-02-08T10:00:00.001-05:00

House Stark
[For sale here on Etsy.]

Inspired by the book A Game of Thrones, by George R. R. Martin.

Heavy black stone, wrapped in cold silver colored wire, hangs from a chain of white agate, zebra jasper, faceted black onyx, and sharply cut black glass beads.

This necklace is 24 inches long with a clasp, and the pendant adds 2 inches. All wire wrapping done by hand.

*I'm afraid I don't know what kind of stone the pendant is made of (yay for finding mysterious boxes in the back of my closet). I suspect it is either an onyx or an agate.

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

April (Rabbit!) Moon

2011-02-03T10:00:00.003-05:00

April Moon

[For sale here on Etsy!]

Coral, Czech crystals, Chinese wood pendant, sterling silver findings. A basket of bunnies hanging amidst the branches of an early April night. Wood dark with mist and frost, budding with the first pale colors of early spring. 18 inches long at the collar.

Based on the song April Fools Day by S.J. Tucker!

Carrot casts the circle round
and Rabbit rules the afternoon.
Keep your leaping summer fires--
We revel 'neath an April moon!

If you aren't buying anything from my shop today, please go to S.J. Tucker's website and purchase some fantastic music ;-)
http://www.skinnywhitechick.com/

And have a happy Chinese New Year! Today starts Year of the Rabbit, or Year of the Cat depending on your tradition ;-)

Also... I really wish it was April already. Even though we sometimes get April snow in NYC.

Queen of the Cat People, class with a cult following.

Swish!

2011-02-01T11:00:00.001-05:00

Swish

[For sale here on Etsy!]

Art glass beads, wrapped by hand in silver colored wire, with delicate Czech crystals. Modern and elegant!

Each earring is 1.75 inches long, with sterling silver earwires.

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

Rose Red

2011-01-27T10:00:00.001-05:00

Rose Red
[For sale here on Etsy!]

Dark and elegant. Obsidian roses with onyx beads and Garnet Swarovski crystals.

Earrings are 2 inches long, with sterling silver ear wires.

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

Embers and Ash

2011-01-25T10:00:00.001-05:00

Embers and Ash

[For sale here on Etsy!]

Dark and bright red Czech crystals glow between ash grey catseye beads, in spirals of gunmetal black seed beads. 18 inches, all woven by hand.

I've fallen pretty far from my roots of seed bead weaving. And after reorganizing and cleaning up my supply bins last season, I still can't find my collection of beading thread. I did find a TON of seed beads, so I'll have new gear made eventually :-)

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

Petit Fours!

2011-01-20T10:00:00.001-05:00

Petit Fours
[For sale here on Etsy]

Light, dainty earrings! Perfect for any tea party. Art glass with beads, wrapped by hand in silver wire.

Earrings are two inches long, with sterling silver ear wires.

Queen of the Cat People, class with a cult following.

Steampunk Sale Continues!

2011-01-19T10:00:00.000-05:00

All items in the Steampunk section of my Etsy store [Link Here!] are still on sale!

30-40% off earrings and pendants!
Just in time for Wicked Faire ;-)

I will not be a vendor at Wicked Faire this year (I finally get to go out and enjoy the con!) so you'll have to order your steampunkery from me in advance ;-)

Queen of the Cat People, class with a cult following.

Copper Scarab

2011-01-13T10:00:00.004-05:00

Copper Scarab

[For sale here on Etsy!]

Sky blue ceramic scarabs hang with glass beads from sterling ear wires and wrapped copper wire. Each earring is about 2.5 inches long.

Queen of the Cat People, class with a cult following.

October, a Job Hunting Talisman

2011-01-11T11:11:00.002-05:00

October,
Job Hunting Talisman!
[For sale here on Etsy]

A light piece of turquoise colored howlite, wire wrapped, hangs from a chain of Czech glass beads in greens, blues, and browns. Also includes bronze pressed glass leaves and findings. The necklace is 17 inches long with a lobster clasp, and the pendant adds 2 inches.

Howlite works with the fifth chakra, at the base of the throat, which corresponds with communication and expression. It is also said to relieve stress and anxiety, calming the mind. Thus it would be excellent to wear at a job interview ;-)

Queen of the Cat People, class with a cult following.

Mythpunk Volume One, an Etsy Treasury!

2011-01-07T10:00:00.000-05:00

Mythpunk, Volume One!

Mythology, magic, & mayhem, for home and body.

Treasuries are a lot easier to put together now than when Etsy first launched them. Didn't they used to only have a limited number of slots available?

I'll probably make a few more before long. Its refreshing to hawk someone else's work instead of my own. Comment with a link to your Etsy shop if you'd like me to consider your work for future Treasuries ;-)

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

Gold Scarab

2011-01-06T10:00:00.002-05:00

Gold Scarab

[For sale here on Etsy!]

Sky blue ceramic scarabs hang with glass beads from sterling ear wires and wrapped golden wire. Each earring is about 2.75 inches long.

Queen of the Cat People, class with a cult following.

Stringing Beads, Lighting Candles

2011-01-05T10:00:00.001-05:00

For the past couple of months I've been working on jewelry again, but also looking around the online "scene" at what's been going on while I was on hiatus.

At the very beginning of my tenure as a jewelry businessperson, I worked mainly with Pagan jewelry and making talismans. It didn't work out so well at the time, unfortunately. But now I'm a bit older, maybe wiser, and it looks like there is a community that might be more interested in that kind of "craft" work ;-)

I spent a few years researching stone, gem, and metal lores. Followed by alchemical study in college. I also have some knowledge on color therapy, chakra work, and totem lore that could use some polishing up.

Like sterling silver, knowledge can tarnish if you don't wear it often enough. So I'm going to start putting these techniques back into practice.

Keep an eye out, I'm probably going to reorganize my Etsy shop a little bit, and edit some of the item descriptions along these lines.

As visual charms and cues go, jewelry can be a huge kicker. Regardless of whether or not it is actually blessed or charged. Its an everyday sort of magic that I think people take too much for granted.

Strategic Sorcery just wrote up an excellent post on the subject, with men's fashions rather than jewelry, but the same general idea: The Magic of the Necktie.

Stay tuned for more shinies!

Queen of the Cat People, class with a cult following.

Aventurine Dream

2011-01-04T10:00:00.002-05:00

Aventurine Dream

[For sale here on Etsy!]

A nicely speckled piece of tumbled aventurine, wire wrapped by hand into a fine pendant, hangs from a chain of bronze colored pressed glass, dark green Czech glass, and more aventurine beads. The chain is 18 inches long, with a lobster clasp, and the pendant adds 2 inches.

Aventurine takes its name from the Italian words "a ventura" meaning "by chance" and is often used for good luck, gambling, and to attract wealth. As a green stone, it corresponds with the heart chakra, wards off anxiety and encourages positive attitudes.

Queen of the Cat People, class with a cult following.

Nile Flight

2010-12-23T10:00:00.002-05:00

Nile Flight

[For sale here on Etsy]

Lapis birds and beads, with Swarovski crystals and gold toned wire. Each earring is 2.25 inches long, with sterling ear wires. All wire wrapping done by hand.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! :-D

Queen of the Cat People, class with a cult following.

House Dayne

2010-12-21T10:00:00.001-05:00

House Dayne

[For sale here on Etsy!]

Inspired by the book A Game of Thrones, by George R. R. Martin.

Amethysts rest in delicate cages of silver wire, set among brilliantly faceted quartz crystals, on a chain of more amethyst and quartz beads.

This 18 inch necklace is finished with a sterling silver clasp. All wire wrapping is done by hand.

After all, "Winter is Coming" ;-) Actually, winter is here. Whups. Happy Winter Solstice!

Also, as you can tell I've started reading these books, too. Very fun so far! I'm looking forward to the series this year :-)

Queen of the Cat People, class with a cult following.

STEAMPUNK SALE for New Years!

2010-12-20T10:00:00.002-05:00

All items in the Steampunk section of my Etsy store [Link Here!] are on sale!

30-40% off earrings and pendants, to make room for new stock in 2011.

Follow this and other promotions, pictures, and events on our new Live Journal feed!
Click here to subscribe via Live Journal.

Queen of the Cat People, class with a cult following.

Autumn Rose

2010-12-16T10:00:00.003-05:00

Autumn Rose

[For sale here on Etsy!]

Obsidian roses, with bronze colored pressed glass leaves, and Swarovsky crystals. Each earring is about 2.25 inches long, with sterling silver ear wires.

And if I hadn't been so busy making the shinies, I would have posted them earlier than the end of autumn. New Years Resolution #1: Must work on my timing. I suppose I make a better artist than business-person ;-)

Queen of the Cat People, class with a cult following.

Autumn Nest

2010-12-14T10:00:00.002-05:00

Autumn Nest

[For sale here on Etsy!]

Black marbles nestle into nests and thickets of hand-wrapped wire for the winter, among obsidian roses, bronze pressed glass leaves, Czech crystals, black lava and onyx.

This 18 inch necklace closes with a copper colored toggle clasp. All wire bending, wrapping, and twisting done by hand.

Proof that I have been experimenting with new mediums while not blogging ;-) Yay for wire bending!

Queen of the Cat People, class with a cult following.

Celtic Movement - Steampunk On Sale!

2010-12-09T10:00:00.003-05:00

Celtic Movement

[For sale here on Etsy!]

Stamped polymer clay charms hang from recycled watch movements, along with Czech crystal beads. The earrings are each about 2.25 inches long, with sterling silver ear wires.

This pair has been marked down from $25, after many long months lost in the back of my store room ;-)

Queen of the Cat People, class with a cult following.

Expanding the Empire

2010-12-08T10:34:00.002-05:00

Hallo Livejournal!

At least, I hope you are watching this from Livejournal, that was the idea of syndication.

If you have a Livejournal account and would like to follow me there, look for QOTCP_jewelry, search by the "Atom" feed linked on my sidebar, or look here http://syndicated.livejournal.com/qotcp_jewelry/

If you are checking this out from LJ Land, I am a jewelry designer and artisan. So far my work involves polymer clay, semiprecious stones, seed bead weaving, and wire wrapping. And I am available for custom work.

My other websites are QueenoftheCatPeople.com, and an Etsy shop also called QueenoftheCat People.Etsy.com.

Enjoy the shiny things!

Opera Dress

2010-12-07T10:00:00.001-05:00

Opera Dress

[For sale here on Etsy]

Inspired by the novel Palimpsest, by Catherynne M. Valente.

"Casimira's eyes move appraisingly over November, who feels very much like a child in her lavish clothes.
'The dress will do, I think. Next time I will know better what suits you.'
'Do for what?'
'I am taking you to the opera. How else shall we get to know one another? That is why you needed a dress. I do not care much for fashion, but a dress is like a sail, it must be held before one, colossal and dazzling, if one is to get anywhere at all.' "

Onyx, cobalt blue and golden glass crystals, bees and black cinnabar pendants shine and glitter amid royal blue ribbon. The necklace is 20.5 inches long, with a sterling silver toggle clasp and findings.

Queen of the Cat People, class with a cult following.

Still Treasured :-)

2010-11-03T16:02:00.003-04:00

I'm in a lovely Etsy Treasury today, among such illustrious artisans as Parish Relics and Emblems! Wow! Go look!

New jewelry content to update ... argh, I can't promise anything right now. I'm still making new shinies but its slow going, photography is becoming a problem, and there are a LOT of other things going on in my life right now. Balance continues to elude me.

Rest assured, I'm still mailing out all ready-made pieces in a timely manner, and there are plenty still up on my Etsy store.

Present and accounted for!

2010-10-07T13:40:00.004-04:00

I'm still here! I just needed an extended break from most of my usual habits and responsibilities, so I could build them back up into something more functional. Beadwork got heaped into the "keep" pile, thank goodness.

I also had a creative block for a couple of months, but divine intervention and financial pressure is getting me back into gear again. I'll feel that much better just working on work to sell again, even if my sales don't actually increase. Every little bit helps these days.

My latest project is experiments with wire wrapping. I own a variety of un-drilled objects, collected over many years, that I would rather see added to jewelry than collecting dust in a bowl on my dresser. Mostly semiprecious stones and the like.

And wire is kicking my butt so far, especially free-form. The more exact a pattern I have to work with the nicer the outcome.

It is often a good thing to run into an artsy technique that you suck at. Builds character and if/when I finally get it, I will understand it that much better.

I tried putting my seed bead kit back together last night, but could not find my thread. I don't remember the last time I made a new spiral necklace. But I've completely scaled back on in-person sales, and they haven't been at all popular on Etsy, so there is not a big rush to work on them again. Although I would like to finish up all of my seed bead supplies. The seed bead kit was also convenient to take to work for my lunch breaks. If only I could find my thread...

There was a big push in my life to clean up my home. It has remained very tidy for weeks. Setting up my light box for more photos will not be as big of an ordeal as it used to be. But first I need to make more shiny things to photograph.

Cya soon!

Vacation, all I ever wanted!

2010-08-19T14:08:00.005-04:00

I am in the middle of a sort of stay-cation from my wide variety of pursuits and hobbies, including jewelry, photography, and blogging.

Its so hot in NYC that my jewelry muse seems to have fled for cooler climates, leaving me on my own. Instead I've been reading, cleaning house, and decluttering my life and work space. So when she gets back we can return to worshiping shiny things.

Don't worry, after Labor Day weekend (and DRAGONCON!!) things will return to normal around here ;-)

To tide you over, this is me in a spiffy Egyptian inspired collar and earrings I will probably wear at the con:

Polymer clay, gold leaf, stamps, metallic glazes, garnets, and sterling findings.

Queen of the Cat People, class with a cult following.

Lavender and Silver Horn Ring

2010-07-29T10:00:00.002-04:00

Lavender and Silver Horn Ring

[For sale here on Etsy!]

Once I tried making head-wear horns out of polymer clay, but I quickly realized it's been done before. So I invented a way to mount them into rings and other flat woven bracelets.

Introducing, Horn Rings!

This light, curled horn is the perfect accent for any kind of faerie, nymph, or satyr costume.

The claw is made of polymer clay with a light metallic finish, which makes it MUCH lighter than a metal claw. It also won't tarnish. The ring itself is woven by hand out of purple and clear seed beads. Ring size 9.

Queen of the Cat People, class with a cult following.

New Auction for BARCC!

2010-07-27T16:18:00.006-04:00

This week I have a piece up in a Blogathon Auction for BARCC!

Some very awesome people put together a combo auction & blogathon every year. This summer they've asked for pieces themed around violence against women. At the same time I finished reading The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin, and was inspired by similar themes in her wonderful novel. Introducing,

The Death of Enefa
[for auction here!]

And then I heard a voice, except it wasn't a voice, and he asked, "Do you love me?"
And I said, "Come and I will show you," and opened my arms. He came to me and pulled me hard against him, and I did not see the knife in his hand. No, no, there was no knife; we had no need of such things. No, there was a knife, later, and the taste of blood was bright and strange in my mouth as I looked up to see his terrible, terrible gaze...
But what did it mean that he made love to me first?

-The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, by N.K. Jemisin.

Snowflake obsidian, frosted quartz, white agate, labradorite, garnet, sterling silver knife charm. Metal bending all done by hand, and the bead chain necklace is 20 inches long.

It's been up for a day and a half by now and there have been no bids at all. So sad! Hopefully it picks up soon.

From the auction website's intro page:

The Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC) is the second oldest rape crisis center in the country, and one of the biggest, with a staff of 20 and a volunteer corps of 120+ who put in hours equivalent to 19 additional staff members. We have a 24-hour hotline and medical advocacy program (medical advocates go to the hospital with survivors for evidence collection), a community awareness/public education/outreach program (which is really unique and ever-expanding), legal advocacy, legislative advocacy (we helped change the law on restraining orders recently so you can get one if you're not in an intimate relationship with your stalker, go us!), case management, and counseling (up to twelve sessions). BARCC provides all of this and more completely free of charge, and we are able to do so partly because of you.

Every penny of this auction goes directly to BARCC so they can continue to provide these services for survivors and their families and communities throughout the Boston area. Buy wonderfu things for a good cause!

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

Mabon Magick

2010-07-27T10:00:00.001-04:00

Mabon Magick

[For sale here on Etsy!]

The pentacle is a common symbol in pagan circles, relating to the five elements, mastery of the four elements, etc. But it also relates to the orbit of the planet Venus, the five terminating points of the human body, and the five wounds of Christ. This symbol can be found in many different cultures around the world. Like Crowley said, in one of his more lucid moments, "Every man and every woman is a star in the sky."

This rustic copper pentagram is set on a necklace of genuine malachite, brightly contrasted with more copper beads, copper tinted glass beads, silver-toned metal, and a sterling toggle clasp. The necklace is 18.5 inches long. Colors evoke thoughts of both summer and autumn, as the leaves turn from green to red gold, Midsummer through Samhain ;-) For the earthy pagan girl, or guy, in your life.

Queen of the Cat People, class with a cult following.

Ravens in the Library!

2010-07-23T10:55:00.004-04:00

Last week my friend's new album Mischief came out! Yay! It is wonderful and magically delicious!!!! S.J. Tucker is super awesome at everything she does :-D

And most especially, it includes a recording of her song "Ravens in the Library" which is one of my favorites. I've been waiting for it to be available in MP3 format for at least a year. Squee!

&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://music.skinnywhitechick.com/track/ravens-in-the-library"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Ravens in the Library by SJ Tucker&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

And why is their music on a jewelry blog? Well, first it's Friday. Second, I'm in a library. Third, I made a shiny tribute to this song a few months ago ;-)

Ravens Studying Jewels
[For sale here on Etsy!!]

Song inspired, artist approved! :-D

Part of the "Summer Reading Sale!" Marked down from the original price for a 15% discount.

Black agate, reconstituted onyx, frosted quartz, sterling silver, and OODLES of Swarovski crystals! 17 inches long.

Hours of study flying by,
Words soaked up by beady eyes,
Long debates into the night,
Pages flying everywhere.
Seek the language word by word,
Like the black and clever bird,
never let it bring you down,
All the things we haven't figured out.

My friend bids me come and see
The ravens in the library,
setting quiet pages free!

If you're not buying anything from my shop today, please go to her website and purchase some of her amazing music!
http://www.skinnywhitechick.com

Queen of the Cat People, class with a cult following.

Garden Rainbow

2010-07-22T10:00:00.002-04:00

Garden Rainbow

[For sale here on Etsy!]

Delicately carved flourite flowers blend subtly into the thorny rose quartz chips of this necklace. The findings are all sterling, including a toggle clasp.

Queen of the Cat People, class with a cult following.

Copper Infused Glass

2010-07-20T10:00:00.000-04:00

Copper Infused Glass

[For sale here on Etsy!]

Occasionally, after the completed construction of yet another annihilation device, an inventor or engineer will run into a slightly more vexing dilemma. What to wear when raining destruction down upon the nearby city center? What could possibly match both the crisp efficiency of both her bright white labcoat, and the metal monstrosity that dearly calls her "Mother"?

In a word, this necklace.

So when next you come into my town on a wave of terror, if you could conveniently miss my house, I would be very grateful.

18 inches of spiraling glass seedbeads, with Czech crystals in a variety of metallic shades and finishes.

Queen of the Cat People, class with a cult following.

Rose Mint

2010-07-15T10:00:00.000-04:00

Rose Mint

[For sale here on Etsy!]

Another candy colored piece!

This polymer clay pendant is a swirl of light candy colors, blue, green, yellow and white stamped with an elegant rose. The green swirls and stripes glow in the dark and under blacklight. The clay is finished with a light pearly glaze. Includes an art glass bead set with swirly pink roses on black.

The waxed cord is 18 inches long, and the pendant is 2 inches long.

Queen of the Cat People, class with a cult following.

The Lady and the Tiger

2010-07-13T10:00:00.000-04:00

The Lady and the Tiger

[For sale here on Etsy!]

This stunning piece of tigereye, onyx, and sterling adds glamour and refinement to any low-necked outfit or costume. The necklace is 20.5 inches long. You'll feel like the belle of the ball... with just a hint of a wild side ;-)

Queen of the Cat People, class with a cult following.

Ribbon Candy!

2010-07-08T10:00:00.000-04:00

Ribbon Candy and Crystals

[For sale here on Etsy!]

Another candy inspired piece ;-)

This ribbon candy shaped pendant is made out of carefully blended polymer clay in white, green, blue, and yellow, and finished with a light pearly glaze. The green stripes are a UV sensitive material that glows in the dark and under blacklight. Includes a drop of matching Czech crystals.

The waxed cord is 18 inches long, and the pendant is 2 inches long.

Queen of the Cat People, class with a cult following.

Authors Seeking Artists

2010-07-06T10:00:00.002-04:00

I hang out with a wide variety of people in NYC. One social scene in particular is full of genre/SF writers who are all very awesome.

Star of the Evening, inspired by Jaqueline Carey's Kushiel's Dart.

A few months ago I went to the launch party for a friend's new SF novel, and she signed my copy "You owe me a necklace ;-D!"

Later she apologized for being so forward, and clarified that I didn't owe her a necklace, but that she really REALLY wanted to see some jewelry based on her book posted up around the interwebs. Because I do that for a lot of literature that I read, and I guess I've accidentally made a reputation for myself ;-).

Miss Spink, inspired by Neil Gaiman's Coraline.

And from what I've seen, writers love it when a world they've built from words inspires others to create more art based on that world. Folk art indicates that they've truly created a myth cycle that is tying a whole community of artists together.

Rosie, inspired by Ellen Kushner's Privilege of the Sword.

I'm not inspired to make jewelry for every book I read, but if you are a writer that wants in on this happy little branch of fandom here are some suggestions:

Include jewels and jewelry in your stories.

If there's jewelry in text, that's the most automatic thing for a jewelry artist to hone in on.

Write strong characters with vibrant physical descriptions.

I know I think very visually, so the stronger an image is in my mind's eye while reading a story, the more likely I am to be inspired.

Trade books to artists for their artwork.

I've been at some conventions where I didn't mind trading finished jewelry for new books. That doesn't work for everybody (mine is more hobby than business so I have more financial flexibility), but it is a way to ingratiate yourself to artists ahead of time.

If you see art inspired by your written work, properly credited to you of course, flaunt it on your blog.

Like everybody else artists like to feel appreciated, and big online displays of appreciation usually make artists pretty happy. It will also encourage other artists to read the works of an art-friendly writer and post their own pieces to the public.

Now go forth and write new worlds! Inspire the rest of the universe ;-)

Lavender Swan

2010-07-01T10:00:00.000-04:00

Lavender Swan

[For sale here on Etsy!]

A black cinnabar swan pendant hangs from a chain of black and silvery light lavender. Matte onyx contrasts with Czech crystal beads and silver colored findings.

Lariat length, the chain is 25.5 inches long with no clasp, and the pendant hangs down 2 inches.

I had to make a copy of this for myself, it is so awesome :-) Matte onyx always looks so nice with pink or lavender.

Queen of the Cat People, class with a cult following.

Gaelic Gearworks

2010-06-29T10:00:00.002-04:00

Gaelic Gearworks

[For sale here on Etsy!]

Bright silver colored polymer clay, glazed, stamped with gears and a Celtic knot! Includes a drop of glittering silver Czech crystal, on a silver colored chain of 18 inches. The pendant is 2 inches long.

Resembles pewter, but much lighter in weight, and will not tarnish.

Queen of the Cat People, class with a cult following.

Sub Rosa

2010-06-24T10:00:00.001-04:00

Sub Rosa

[For sale here on Etsy!]

And all shall be well and

All manner of thing shall be well

When the tongues of flame are in-folded

Into the crowned knot of fire

And the fire and the rose are one.

T.S. Eliot, from Four Quartets

The perfect companion for delving into mysteries both internal and external.

A magnifying glass, mounted in a finely detailed copper colored setting, hangs from a necklace of Czech crystals, onyx, and black vintage pearl beads, on a copper colored chain with two large black onyx roses.

This lariat necklace is 26 inches long, with no clasp, and the pendant is two inches long.

Queen of the Cat People, class with a cult following.

A Royal Treat!

2010-06-22T10:00:00.002-04:00

Royal Treat

[For sale here on Etsy!]

From a series of candy themed pieces I made last year. This polymer clay pendant is a mix of chocolate shades from white to dark. Stamped with a Fleur de Lys, and finished with a metallic gold glaze. Includes a drop of Swarovsky crystals in chocolate and caramel colors.

The waxed cord is 18 inches long, and the pendant is 2 inches long.

Queen of the Cat People, class with a cult following.

Half a Mint!

2010-06-17T10:00:00.000-04:00

Half a Mint

[For sale here on Etsy!]

This charming polymer clay pendant was part of a series I made last year, for a "Chocolate Factory" themed event.

The pendant is modeled after a chocolate mint, molded and detailed by hand in dark brown and light green. The green is UV sensitive material that glows in the dark and under blacklight. The drop is catseye and Swarovski crystal.

The waxed cord is 18 inches long, and the pendant is 2.5 inches long.

Making candy out of polymer clay is so much fun :-D Although not my typical pagan, gothic, or steampunk gear. I wonder who might like something like this?

Queen of the Cat People, class with a cult following.

Tiger Sheen

2010-06-15T10:00:00.001-04:00

Tiger Sheen

[For sale here on Etsy!]

Genuine tigereye beads paired with gunmetal black seed beads creates a striking bracelet, for the office *and* the goth club ;-)

Inspired by Victorian era hairwork jewelry, back when I started working on research for the first Salon Convention.

The ladder clasp makes this piece adjustable, from 6.5 to 9.5 inches long. If that's not quite to your liking, I'm available to make custom bracelets in this style at specific lengths.

Queen of the Cat People, class with a cult following.

Ludmilla's past lives.

2010-06-10T10:00:00.000-04:00

Ludmilla [for sale here on Etsy], was the sort of piece that took a few tries to get right. Originally it was constructed by bead stringing, and I wanted to add bits of scraggly black coral branches but couldn't find any at my usual bead shops. I tried to substitute bits of black ribbon, but I wasn't happy with the outcome (or the picture, but its the only one I have):

After putting it aside for a few months, I got pretty good at making my own beaded chain, so I tried again with Ludmilla. I think the extra metal in the piece really helps tie it together with the key ring. It's not drowning in frosted quartz anymore. I gave up on the look of imitation bracken all together. I like it much better this way :-)

Queen of the Cat People, class with a cult following.

Gilded Cage, IAF Auction.

2010-06-08T10:00:00.003-04:00

I'm involved in a group called the Interstitial Arts Foundation. A few months ago they put out an anthology of short stories called Interfictions 2 and invited artists to make small, portable, and wearable art inspired by the stories. These pieces were put up for auction to raise funds for more IAF projects. And I volunteered to do the photography, of any piece that the artist hadn't already photographed themselves. So much fun :-)

I also made a piece for it, and got it in right under the wire. Here 'tis!

Gilded Cage by Cris Fisher

Inspired by:
To Set Before the King by Genevieve Valentine [read it here!]

Onyx, obsidian, Czech crystal, & gold toned brass.

Elegant Cats Friday!

2010-06-04T10:00:00.002-04:00

Getting back into the habit of boosting the signal ;-)

From the shop Spirited Gifts on Etsy,

Poised Feline

From the artist of Spirited Gifts:

Ancient cultures used bone to make tools, ceremonial objects, and adornments. Whale, moose, eagle, and many other animal bones were used depending on their location.

I carved this feline buffalo bone then applied a gold inlay. The bone has very fine grain and is dense. This allows a high gloss finish. This pendant comes with an 18" antique silver plated chain which has a lobster claw clasp and is packaged in a fine satin gift pouch.

Although I repeat designs, no two are exactly alike. I carve each piece individually and they are all original and signed.

Go shopping, people! It's Friday!

*None of the items or businesses promoted on Elegant Cats Friday are made or owned by me or my business. If you ever want me to take down a piece of yours or shop link, or if I get some of the information wrong, email me right away and I will take it down or fix it ASAP :-)

Quartz Battery

2010-06-03T11:30:00.000-04:00

Quartz Battery

[For sale here on Etsy!]

If crystal based batteries work in machines both large and small, they can also power the appeal of jewelry.

Two large, faceted quartz crystals energize this piece, as vintage pearl-beads glow along conductive lengths of bronze and copper colored pins and Czech crystals. A copper mounted magnifying glass gives it even more weight and function. It is both dazzling and useful.

This lariat necklace has no clasp, and is 24.5 inches long. The pendant is 1.5 inches long from bail to edge.

Queen of the Cat People, class with a cult following.

Sepia Curio

2010-06-02T10:00:00.003-04:00

Sepia Curio

[Click here for the Etsy link!]

This Eastern-styled vase pendant, cast in antiqued resin, hangs from an opulent chain of onyx beads and striking crystal drops in tones of chocolate and sepia.

The chain is 24 inches, lariat style with no clasp, and the pendant is 2 inches long.

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

River Swan

2010-06-01T10:00:00.000-04:00

River Swan

[Click here for the Etsy listing!]

Another elegant black swan pendant! This time, matched with glossy black onyx, some smooth and some faceted. Plus Czech crystal in shades of blue and green.

The beaded chain was made by hand in a lariat style, and is 24.5 inches long without a clasp. The pendant is two inches long including the crystal drop.

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

September

2010-05-28T10:00:00.000-04:00

September

[Click here for the Etsy listing!]

Just on the edge of Autumn, when the leaves are starting to turn ;-)

A carved aventurine rose hangs from a dainty chain of Czech crystals in many shades of green, complimented by bronze colored leaves of pressed glass.

The beaded chain is made by hand, at 26 inches, and the rose pendant is about 1.25 inches wide. The necklace is lariat style, without a clasp.

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

Ludmilla, The Locksmith's Ghost

2010-05-27T10:00:00.001-04:00

Ludmilla

[Click here to see the Etsy listing!]

The river is milky and thick as before, the cream in it a long golden ribbon. Ludmila sits primly at the head of their craft and it drifts tranquilly downsteam. She neither steers nor rows, but they keep their course. She gives him a smile like a present wrapped in red.

"I will take you anywhere you wish to go," she says brightly.

Oleg touches her foot with his foot. Her color is high in the honey-sweet wind, he has never seen her like this. She is beautiful, he realizes, she grew up to be beautiful.

Red dress, crimson lips, snow and frost woven into her red hair. The locksmith's secret sister, ghost, and muse. Inspired by characters in the book Palimspest by Catherynne M. Valente.

A key ring dangles from a chain of frosted quartz, and Czech glass in rich red, gold, and iron. From the ring hangs a blackened key and a bright gold colored lock, seemingly mismatched and yet still calling for each other, as if paired by Oleg himself.

The chain is 24 inches long, lariat style without a clasp, and the keyring and pendants hang 2.5 inches down.

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

Gearface!!

2010-05-26T10:10:00.000-04:00

Silver Gearface

[Click here for the Etsy listing!]

A polymer clay pendant, molded and stamped with gears, glazed and finished in bright silver. Includes a drop of Czech crystal, and a silver colored chain of 18 inches. The pendant is about 1 3/4 inches long.

Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

The Leopard of Little Breezes

2010-05-25T10:00:00.001-04:00

The Leopard of Little Breezes

[Here on Etsy!]

Inspired by The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making, by Catherynne M. Valente. Entirely crowd funded, now partially available to read online while we wait for it to be published ;-)

"I’m not dull or anything, I know about geography and chess and I can fix the boiler when my mother has to work, but what I mean to say is: maybe you meant to go to another girl’s house and let her ride on the Leopard. Maybe you didn’t mean me at all, because I’m not like storybook girls, I’m short and my father ran away with the army and I wouldn’t even be able to keep a dog from eating a bird."

The Leopard turned her prodigious, spotted head and looked at September with large, solemn, yellow eyes.

"We came for you," she growled. "Just you."

The big cat licked the child’s cheek roughly. September smiled, just a little. She sniffed and wiped her eyes with the sleeve of the green jacket.

The undeniable affection of the Leopard of Little Breezes. A crystal heart hangs from 19 inches of deep green agate and frosted white quartz beads, woven through with leopard spotted ribbon. Includes a heart shaped sterling toggle clasp.

Boleyn

2010-05-24T19:02:00.004-04:00

Boleyn [here on Etsy!]

For the Steampunks who enjoy traveling back to the Tudor period on occasion ;-)

Intrigue, clockwork machinations and manipulations, in green with gold.

Green vintage beads, gold colored findings, and a polymer clay pendant studded with watch movements.

This lariat necklace has no clasp, and is 27 inches long, and the focal hangs down an additional 2 inches.

Queen of the Cat People, class with a cult following.

Back again!

2010-05-24T18:58:00.002-04:00

Hi guys, sorry for the extended internet silence. Real life gets in the way, often for long periods of time. But I'm back now!

I moved house over a year ago, and started taking improv comedy classes, so I've been in a bit of a life/habit overhaul. Jewelry fell by the wayside a bit, but I'm trying to get back in the habit of shameless self promotion ;-)

Prepare yourself for an update on what I've been working on while I was gone! Or check out my Etsy shop, Queen of the Cat People, to see it all at once ;-)

<3 Cris
Queen of the Cat People

Bold as Brass

2009-09-29T16:21:00.002-04:00

Wow, I haven't posted since July. Sorry! I needed to take a break for a couple of months, from everything that wasn't my day-job. But I am getting back in gear for an awesome event next month!

This was a truly epic event last year, but I was unable to go. Based on the amount of Steampunk I saw at DragonCon, I think this year will be even bigger.

I will be there with my army of shiny things! And a corset! Come on down and see us ;-)

Blogathon Auction!

2009-07-07T15:46:00.000-04:00

My friend Shira is organizing a blogathon and auction for the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center on July 25th. She is a wonderful writer, and asked her cadre of creative peeps to donate work based on her stories.

Inspired by her online novel-in-progress Shayara, I put something together this weekend:

House Tamra

A green dichrotic art glass pendant wrapped in silver wire hangs from a cord of green and gold Czech crystals, woven with bright green ribbon.

I got the pendant in a trade, and it very much wanted to be involved. I have no more pendants of that kind, so this is a one of a kind necklace ;-)

Here's more info on the blogathon, with more artisans and stories to come!

Return of the Elegant Cats!

2009-07-06T14:20:00.004-04:00

I am not the most consistent blogger, as you've probably noticed. But every week is an opportunity to get back on my feet even if I don't land there :-)

This week's artist just friended me on Twitter, with very good timing.

Lola Lynn makes lovely jewelry and prints for her Etsy store, including these adorable paintings:

Emerald Kitty
&

Kubist Kitty Bleu

Go forth and enjoy!! (Also, buy her stuff ;-D)

Silk & Opium: New and On Sale!

2009-06-29T19:13:00.002-04:00

For sale on Etsy [link], just marked down from $42 to $33. Part of the Summer Reading List Sale :-D

Silk & Opium

I stood on a boulevard paved with prim orange poppies, and suddenly I tasted brandy rolling down my throat, and pale smoke filling up my lungs. My green-scarved quarter was savoring her snifter and her opium somewhere far from me.

Inspired by the short story Palimpsest, free to read online:
http://www.sensesfive.com/samples/palimpsest.php

A pale green ribbon flows around and over beads of green aventurine and golden yellow glass. 18.5 inches long with a 14k gold toggle clasp finishing the ends.

This is actually the first Palimpsest item I was inspired to make. There will be more ribbon necklaces, and bracelets, in the future. Possibly without the arcane associations ;-)

My dress, my sail!

2009-06-26T16:14:00.002-04:00

A new serialized novel by Catherynne M. Valente. Technically free, but donations are luv ;-)

Follow September into Fairyland:
Livejournal | Facebook
Updates every Monday!

I forsee much, MUCH jewelry makings in my future ;-)

Social Experimentation

2009-06-25T16:49:00.004-04:00

I've hit a lull. Not quite a rut, because I don't feel stuck or unhappy with my crafting. I just can't buckle down and get it done. It's not exactly like a creative block, because I have the ideas and write them down for later. Am I distracted? Depressed? Disoriented by the rising pollen count?

Eventually I should snap out of it, and I am scribbling down lots of new plans and ideas. I just need to be more patient with myself.

As far as the craft fair experiment goes, Brooklyn Indie Market is really wonderful. The lady who organizes it is very sweet and accommodating, the other vendors are nice, the neighborhood is quiet (if somewhat sleepy) and safe. My ploy to lure in younger customers with the $5 pendants is working out great, and next time I'm going to bring even fewer high ticket items. My friends have been really awesome with helping me out, too. I highly recommend this market both to buyers and sellers, especially new sellers who want to find their feet in a happy, safe environment.

So the fact that I still don't like selling at craft fairs indicates that it's not them, it's me.

Sci fi cons and kink fairs are different. I sit at my table and chat with other weirdos, and get to watch the con wander by. The audience in Brooklyn is lots of nice normal people, very very kind and complimentary but ... I just don't know how to relate. It's not you, it's me! You are wonderful for oogling my beadwork, and your kids are very awesome! Thank you for stopping by!

I wonder if I'd feel better putting more time and energy into making more stuff, taking better photos of said stuff, and hawking it on the internet. For part-time artisans like me, the larger part of our customer base is people we know. And the people I know really enjoy looking at my online listings, jump all over the sales I have, and tell their friends and family all about it.

I'm going to keep on working at BIM, because they are soooo wonderful and I'm doing well there. This may just be a weird kind of stage fright phase I need to get over. They may also have another Steampunk event in October, yay. But in 2010 I may decide to stick with 3 freak-cons a year instead of monthly craft fairs.

There will be firmer plans by the end of 2009, but I'm already looking into some new SF cons for next year. New to me ;-)

Also, I started putting up the last of the clay necklaces, still on sale:

Priestess of Ma'at, $15 [Etsy Link]

Enjoy!

Save Our Cat!

2009-06-11T18:10:00.000-04:00

The state of the U.S. economy is still taking it's toll on our favorite artists, and is now encroaching upon one of my favorite authors Catherynne M. Valente.

What's the best way to help an artist out of trouble? BUY THEIR WORK. And now all of her books are available to purchase online as e-books. The rare first novels, the poetry, her newest book, EVERYTHING. And by purchasing the e-books, the cash goes 100% direct to an artist and her family.

And I'm not just here to tug on your sense of humanity. I'm also here to bait your sense of capitalism.

Most of the jewelry-based blogs I've seen are part of a sales-promotion ploy. There's no shame in that, mine is. Ironically most jewelry blogs are watched by other jewelry makers and crafty types, who are usually less inclined to buy jewelry when they can make their own.

So let me tell you fellow jewelers- this author's work inspires more jewelry to be made than any other writer I HAVE EVER SEEN. By purchasing her books, you are also investing in your own creative reserves.

You would also be joining a larger cult of Cat-fans who really really like jewelry. Looking at it, purchasing it, showing it off on their blogs and feeds. Other crafts as well! In fact, there is also a new online community called Adopting Cat, full of auctions for jewelry, crafts, writing, and a variety of other products and services by the fan-base, FOR the fan base, to help our fave authoress.

By auctioning off YOUR work on the community you will gain more exposure with a new fan-base of your own, plus you help out a wonderful artist. Financially and karmicly, you come out ahead.

Help Catherynne M. Valente

So go forth, wreak havoc, invest in art and artistry.

I'll make this city long for you...

2009-06-11T13:55:00.000-04:00

Palimpsest is a slow, steady stream of inspiration for me these days.

But Quartered, the album inspired by Palimpsest, has it's own charms ;-)

This track definitely influenced the necklace I made by the same name.

<a href="http://skinnywhitechick.bandcamp.com/track/casimira">Casimira by Skinny White Chick</a>

The whole album is available for purchase as a CD, or MP3s. Follow the links ;-)

And if you've read Palimpsest, CMV is launching a cyberfunded serial novel on Monday: The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making. Prepare yourselves for awesome, and more awesome sparklies from here ;-) And I'll put up the serial's address when I find it.

In other news, I had plans to be very industrious this week, but I seem to have the soul flu? I think it's due to the unseasonably cold & wet weather pattern that hit NYC this month. Fie.

Remember to come see me at the Brooklyn Indie Market on Saturday! And if it's still monsoon season, pls bring me herbal teas!

Calling all courtiers ;-)

2009-06-10T16:13:00.002-04:00

I'll be selling my sparkling gear in Brooklyn this weekend!

Brooklyn Indie Market
And I'll be there Saturday, June 13th, from 11am-7pm.

Stop by and say hello ;-)

Summer Reading List Sale!

2009-06-03T21:36:00.003-04:00

Its almost Summer! That means it's time to start combing the book shops for your between-semester reading assignments, or languid beach side amusement.

To celebrate, and because we're in a Recession this Summer (*shrugs*) I'm putting most of the pieces in my Song and Stories section ON SALE for the next few months.

ESPECIALLY the Palimpsest pieces ;-) Casimira, November, and more to come in the next few weeks. Most discounts range from 15 to 20% off.

Enjoy!

Dream yourself to death...

2009-06-01T18:10:00.004-04:00

I have assaulted Etsy with more darkness. Hurrah.

Casimira, Dressed in Green [Etsy link]

Matriarch of Palimpsest, lady, general, temptress, teacher, lost little girl.

She wears a severe dress, just the sort of thing a governess might wear, green-black from throat to floor, clasped by an enormous copper wasp at her collarbone... Her curly hair is piled high, an artful, decorous shade of green, deeper than emeralds or water, a sedate and proper color. It is the exact shade of her eyes...

Deep green ribbon with onyx, green Czech glass, metallic Czech crystals, dainty antique brass colored insects, black cinnabar hearts, sterling heart toggle clasp, and a black cinnabar cameo.

Based on the character by the same name in Palimpsest, a novel by Catherynne M. Valente. And the sister album Quartered by S.J. Tucker.

I ended up getting a lot of them, but I don't think any really captured the deep vibrant green of the ribbons. I've been having a lot of other problems with my camera lately, usually when my photos are either blurry or grainy.

And if you luv Palimpsest, or don't but would like to know what the hell I've been mooning over for the last several months:
Cat Valente and her touring partner S.J. Tucker will be putting on their Palimpsest performance of prose and song tomorrow night in NYC. It's the last show of the tour that started in Brooklyn. But this time it's at South Street Seaport, ON A PIRATE SHIP. June 2nd @ 7pm. How can you miss that and live with yourself?!?
For more info: The New York Review of Science Fiction, Readings

Stay tuned for more Palimpsest pieces, anon.

Things that are left in the morning...

2009-05-28T22:42:00.005-04:00

Last week I completed and cataloged a TON of new stuff. Then I had a party-filled weekend. And I've been home sick for this whole short work week. So no photos. Whups.

Well, now there's some photos. I broke down and picked up my camera to capture one the newest Palimpsest pieces:

November

November available on Etsy!

Enjoy! I'm probably not going out at all *this* weekend, so I hope to have more pieces photographed soon ;-)

Also, two new pieces on Etsy: April Moon and Ravens Studying Jewels ;-)

New Promotion: SUDDEN DEATH!

2009-05-18T18:47:00.000-04:00

Today I am starting up a new promotion.

SUDDEN DEATH!!

Ivy and Faith (049) will be on sale at 10% off for the next week (marked down from $75 to $67). If it does not sell by then, I am going to strip it for materials and/or rework it into something different.

So if you've been waiting for just the right moment to swoop down and pick it up, now might be good ;-) Or stand by and see what it turns into as it seeds later generations of art jewelry!

If you really like this piece, don't *not* buy it to spare me! If this sells, I will be able to purchase more of these materials for my next project. And you will have an awesome rosary style necklace to show off to your friends. Everybody wins!

Also, when going through stock for my last couple of craft fairs, I came upon ANOTHER stash of polymer clay necklaces. So I'm extending the polymer clay sale through the end of May at least. But hey, it's good for you guys ;-) Some of these pieces are even in the Steampunk idiom.

I hope to have at least one or two of them in the Etsy store by the end of the week, but it's also my birthday tomorrow, so I may be distracted ;-)

Dealin' today!

2009-05-17T08:53:00.001-04:00

I'm at the Brooklyn Indie Market today, from 11am-6pm. Come on out and see us sometime!

Welcome Back to Palimpsest

2009-05-10T22:42:00.003-04:00

I've completed my first two of the Palimpsest necklaces. It's a bit late to set up the lite-box, so I just put down a towel and took some lazy pics. There will be better pics when they go up on Etsy... eventually ;-)

Silk & Opium

Aventurine, amber colored glass, light green ribbon, gold & sterling findings. Actually, this one is based on the original short story of Palimpsest, which I linked to at some point in the past. Also, yay for new techniques :-D

Ludmilla

Frosted quartz crystal, czech crystal, metal findings and charms, black ribbon. Lariat style, no clasp, VERY long. Could not find the type of coral I wanted to use for this (branchy and black, like bracken and sea weed), so I improvised with some ribbon, and it finally came together in my head when I thought of the key ring.