Save Our Cat!

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.

Live and in person, May 3rd in Astoria!

I'd resigned myself to chilling out this April, but I'm already signed up for a local Queens craft fair in Astoria on May 3rd ;-)

The Astoria Events Spring Fling Market!

Sunday May 3rd, 2009
10:30-4:30

32-33 31st street
Astoria, NY 11106
Omonia Cretans Association

(Indoors, footsteps away from the N train.)

So if you want to see my work in person, plus items not yet available on Etsy. I will definitely have my polymer clay items on sale at the event, plus my "bargain" section of pendants and earrings :-D


And wouldn't you know, I move away from Astoria and suddenly they have a craft fair. Lol. I'm also trying to get in contact with the Brooklyn Indie Market, but for some reason they're not getting back to me. Will look into it now that I have some time.

Did my business taxes last night. Not the best outcome, but I'm glad that my book keeping skills have improved. It makes taxes go faster. I would have finished them months ago, but the house-moving got in the way.

Also, I gave up beads for Lent, and now Lent is over. And I'm getting a tax refund. I really hope I don't lose the self control I've been working on... Although I do need other non-bead jewelry materials as well. The craft area is now neat and organized- I can get back to work.

The Salon Convention!

So as I understand it, there is lots going on this weekend. Fannish events, fighting events, cosplay events. However, many of these seem to be out doors, and in the tri-state area (NY, NJ, PA) September is a tricky month for weather.


So if it's too wet for you to wear your silk and chain mail outside this weekend, come down to Sommerset NJ for The Salon Convention on Saturday September 13th!

Corsets! Kilts! Kimonos! Evening wear! Day wear! Underwear (pls check the dress code on that one)! Ballgowns and masks! Victorian! Goth! Lolita! Steampunk! Art Noveau! Pleather and lace!

Not to mention a whole day of programming. There will be salons, readings by famous authors, a performance by NY Jedi, a performance by the White Elephant Burlesque Troupe, a BPAL meetup, concerts, a cream tea, a masked ball, and horseshoes! Furthermore, a hall full of vendors of fine wearable art and decorative objects!

Catherynne Valente! Abney Park! Queen of the Cat People! ;-)

Why not you?

It's better than catching consumption out in the rain. TRUST me on this.

http://www.salonconvention.com/

See you there :-)

Crazy, Crazy Summer

Soooooo... Yeah, I haven't been a very good blogger the last few months. But lots of things have been happening! Really! Most of it is real life issues, but plenty of jewelry and experiments as well.

For starters my gallery is almost complete! Muahahahaha! It's been a lot of work to rephotograph pieces, and then get them organized in some cohesive fashion. But I'd like to think my photo skillz are improving.

Second, I ran a photoshoot where many of my friends modeled jewelry in a variety of costumes and outfits. I wanted to drive home that I can do work for the office and the masquerade, and some can be worn for both. (Go to the gallery website and check out "Models" ;-)

Third, I've been experimenting with a LOT of polymer clay. Plenty of evidence of it on my website, but I'll give you some shots of my polymer clay work on Etsy:





There was also the Totally Normal Event in June, and now I'm working on the Dances of Vice Festival in August and The Salon Convention in September. I have some really interesting creations coming together for these :-)

After that, nothing scheduled until Wicked Faire 4 in February, but real life is going to get craaazy busy again.

So please enjoy the shinies :-)

Luv, Chrysilla

The Totally Normal Event [For Weirdoes], this weekend!

Totally Normal Event - a charity benefit for www.SPARCSummer.org,a summer program for gifted kids.
http://www.wickedfaire.com/TNE/index.html
This Saturday June, 28th, 2008,
Noon to very very late

Get your tickets here :http://www.wickedfaire.com/TNE/tickets.html

1401 Route 10 E, Whippany, NJ 07981
http://www.wickedfaire.com/TNE/hotel.html

Performing,
The Dresden Dolls (http://www.dresdendolls.com/main1.htm)
Freezepop ( http://www.freezepop.net/)
Voltaire (http://www.voltaire.net/)
DJ The Mighty Mike Saga ( http://www.myspace.com/mikesaga )
Luminescent Orchestrii w. Sxip Shirey (http://www.lumii.org/)
Barry Louis Polisar ( http://www.barrylou.com/ )
Whip Demo and many more.
http://www.wickedfaire.com/TNE/bliss.html

*Zombie Movies * demonstrations * Human Bingo * human statues * auctions,* swap meets, and Henchman Championships

With a costume contest
costume contest for steampunk,mad scientist and neo-Victorian.
It will be judged by author G. D. Falksen (http://www.myspace.com/gdfalksen)
Include prizes such as from
*Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab(http://www.blackphoenixalchemylab.com/)
*Weird Tales ( http://www.weirdtales.net/),
*The Willows Magazine (http://www.thewillowsmagazine.com/index.htm)
*Death Rock Magazine (http://www.deathrockmagazine.com/)
and many more.
Prizes will be given for three categories
* best costume male
* best costume female,
* best costume couple.
Come dressed in you best and most imaginative costumes, and prepare to
show off and admire each
other's creations.
http://thetotallynormalworld.ning.com/events/event/show?id=2097238:Event:7358

Get your tickets now at http://www.wickedfaire.com/TNE/index.html

Many vendors
http://www.wickedfaire.com/TNE/bliss.html

Get your tickets here!
http://www.wickedfaire.com/TNE/tickets.html
So next week , we will see you there!


And yes, "Many vendors" includes me ;-) With lots of new shiny things, including a new line of polymer clay work! Join us!

Snaaake! Snaaake! Aaaah, it's a snaaake!!

When your natural response to nerves is to work, it's hard trying to convince oneself "You don't have to make any more shinies for the cons this month, take a break!" So this is part of me trying to convince myself, bear with me ;-)

Here are some more pieces with those nice wood pendants:


I thought snakes would be a good theme for the goth-ish conventions I like to do business with, though I usually use an earthy color palate for the wooden charms.


I'm gonna need a longer display board for all these lariat necklaces. But I guess that fits the snake motif.


This one isn't a lariat, I thought this cute compact little bat would suit a choker lenght necklace. And you can't go wrong with onyx and garnet, it's a fruit bat! ;-)

I still have a few wooden charms that I just can't figure out. One is a pair of kitties playing, another is a mommy and baby seal cuddling. Sometimes it just takes a while for a piece to come together, other times a piece or material just comes unbidden to your mind.

In other news, I've decided that after my September events I'll be moving all my stock to Etsy, because my website just isn't working out as a store. I'll still have this blog, and the website will become my portfolio, all neatly linked together.