Still alive, promise!

Hello cobwebby web blog, I apologize for my continued absence!

On the downside, my exhaustion, brain fog, and lethargy went on much longer than September. It is actually still going on. I went to the doctor around Thanksgiving to ask if I had a hypothyroid disorder, because those run in my family. After many tests, some of which were botched or gave false positives and had to be done over, she finally called back in early January. "Actually, your thyroid is a tiny bit high. But did you know you had mono once?" Um... no? "Yeah, you don't have it right now, but you tested positive for the antibodies."

Now our working theory is that back in March-April 2011, when I had one very long-lasting sinus infection followed quickly by two smaller ones, I also or actually had mono. And the thing about mono is that there is no real treatment for it other than to stay home and sleep, the disease burns itself out within about a month. When it burns itself out, however, it burns you out with it. Many people get it actively for a month, but then don't feel up to snuff again for six months to a year afterwards. For some folks it becomes a chronic condition. But the good news is that I know what it is (was?) now, and the cause was no where near as bad as I feared.

I am the sort of person that feels most fulfilled, happy, and stable when they are doing things. When I feel stuck in a rut, I go out and do something new and different. Putting me in a situation where I physically and mentally can't go out and do new things, or even keep up with my usual things, is my own Special Hell. In fact, the only treatment for this condition is to not do things! So aside from the physical problems, I'm driving myself 'round the bend too.

I read up on Spoon Theory, and in counting my own spoons realized I had the energy for either jewelry production *or* internet marketing. Not to mention my camera is also out of whack. So I opted to make lots of new stock for Wicked Faire 2012, and that turned out to be a good and profitable decision. Faire was great this year! I'm glad I am getting back in the saddle for vending at events, but I still spent most of it sitting behind my table and let the con come to me.

Between con prep, some anxieties at work, and more anxieties at home, I was badly drained for the weeks following Faire. Again I put aside my writing and jewelry projects and opted for my less brain-active sewing habits (not to say that sewing is not creative, I see lots of people do incredible things with it, but I just match fabric + pattern and press buttons). And soon I will have to put all that away again to make more shiny things, because...


Good news: I have been accepted as a vendor for Steampunk World's Faire this May! My birthday is also that Saturday, so yay for being surrounded by my fellow costumed weirdos on my special day!

Less good news: That means putting production of shiny things over photos, Etsy, and blogging for a few more weeks or months until I'm feeling better.

Hopefull news: At *last* year's Wicked Faire, a fortune teller told me that I'd be sick for most of 2011. This year she told me I'd be feeling better within six months, and back to normal by next year. I was feeling a lot better after Winter Break, actually, but all that energy dribbled away again by late Februrary.


I really can't plan or forecast what's going to happen with my blog, twitter account, or Etsy shop. There is no plan to quit or take anything down, but I can't begin to guess when I'll have the energy and not-foggy brain to keep up with them again. Maybe next week, maybe this summer, maybe not until 2013. But I will still be making the shiny things, off grid for a while :-)

<3 Chrysilla

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

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.

Steampunk Sale Continues!

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.

Vacation, all I ever wanted!

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.

Bold as Brass

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 ;-)

Social Experimentation

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!

Calling all courtiers ;-)

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 ;-)

Dream yourself to death...

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.

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.

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

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 ;-)



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 ;-)

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:

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...

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!

Dream yourself to death

What am I wearing at Wicked Faire this weekend?

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

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:







(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:


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

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 :-)

Dances of Vice, Time Travelers Festival, THIS WEEKEND!!!!!

I'll be there on Saturday and Sunday nite, selling my shiny things.

Dances of Vice Festival Website

Here are some pieces I made especially to debut at the festival:



Why haven't you bought your ticket yet? Get a move on!!

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!

Long time no speakey!

Sorry I've been out of the loop, my Cat People, but life has been one truckload of crazy after another. I'm about to start a graduate school program in January, along with some other hobbies, but I will be at Wicked Faire III come hell or high water (or Elder Gods), and the Dances of Vice Festival will be giving some of my work away as prizes, probably via raffle system. And if Wicked Faire ends up scheduled for the third weekend in February rather than the second, I will be at the Vice Festival as a regular attendee and ne'er do well ;-)

If you haven't yet bought your tickets for Wicked Faire, make sure to give them my name (Queen of the Cat People is fine). It makes it all the more sure that I'll be at their next event, and maybe have a bit of extra cash to throw a room party ;-).

The Etsy migration was a great success, and my main hub-website is currently a place holder, as work begins on a more professional looking gallery. But to tide you over, here's a project I completed a few weeks ago but just haven't had time to show off...


Egyptian Priestess Collar, with matching earrings. Polymer clay, goldleaf, stamps, gold ink, sterling, garnets, various Egyptian deities. I really like working in this medium, expect more polymer fun coming soon!

<3 Chrysilla

Home and safe... phew!

Sorry I didn't post between the events, but I needed to hibernate for a bit. Both SalonCon and Wicked Labyrinth kicked convention butt, and I did very well for myself and for the Interstitial Arts Foundation.

Now the only question is, do I ask to be on the IAF's "friends" page as "Queen of the Cat People", Chrysilla, or my real name? They'll link my name to my website if I ask, but its always fun to be eccentric.

If you're curious:
Here is my SalonCon photo gallery,
And this is my Wicked Lab gallery, including a pic of the lovely lady who won the Other Mother necklace :-D

I have video footage of my booth kittens at Wicked Lab singing songs about selling shiny objects, but those will have to wait for now. First I need to redesign my website and start the Etsy-migration before I can wrestle around with YouTube ;-) And yes, this means I'm about to undertake a major online overhaul of shiny, just in time for the holiday shopping season (I hope!).

That also means there may be a lag in shiny postings, but I'll see what I can do. I'm going to start selling earrings online thru Etsy, so that's some new pictures you my readers have to look forward to. Also, STEAMPUNK!

And expect ... eventually ... more projects from my Bards & Beads community, especially after the New York Whole Bead Show this October. I've got three books to catch up on, yikes.

My next planned engagement is Wicked Faire in February 2008, but I'm currently waiting to hear if I've made it into the Bust Craftacular on December 8, ironically in the same space as the NYWBS.

<3 Chrysilla

Raffles!

So for SalonCon this weekend, I'll be raffling off this necklace, called "Miss Spink"


And next weekend for Wicked Labyrinth, I'll be raffling off this necklace, called "Other Mother"


Both are based on The Bards & the Beads's first book project, Coraline by Neil Gaiman!

Proceeds from both will go towards The Interstitial Arts Foundation.

Rejoice!