Saturday already?

woops, I haven't blogged in a week. I've been busy looking for a job, helping my boyfriend move out of his apartment, reading about craft blogging and SEO, and stuff and things and all that. My boyfriend is a gamer and he got me hooked on this one computer game he gave me and I'm stuck right now trying to fight a boss without dying, and on top of that he's now lending me his PS3 with a game while he's moving and told me to play it and see what I think. But this past week I've been mostly working on other stuff. I played the PS3 game for about an hour this week and that's it.

Face to Face

I found out a couple days ago that my Christian rock ministry can no longer play or practice at the church we've been using for the last 7 years, so we have to find other places. So far the other places we have are in Azle, which is a slight problem for me because it's half an hour away (assuming I can find the place), and I have a very old and beat up car and very little gas money. But we'll see how things work out. Right now I'm just sad we have to move but happy that we're not quitting.

Chainmaille

I finished the silver handflower and the necklace, I'll put pictures up as soon as I get some taken. Now I'm working on a gold (brass) handflower, and I'm thinking of making a brass and blue-copper ring for myself to hold the place of my lost class ring, since my school colors are (were) blue and gold. but I don't have enough rings or wire for that right now so I'll have to do it later. I do have some 26 gauge blue wire and I wonder if I can try to make some micromaille. I wonder if a toothpick will make the right size rings. and should I use tweezers instead of pliers? hmm probably. this is definitely something to think about trying. I also have 32guage silver wire, I wonder if I can do anything with that. hmmm.

Improved Blogging

As I mentioned I've been reading about writing good blogs, and I'm planning on trying to actually do it. Today is just a quick update though. I was about to post one more of those "points about chainmaille" videos, but I think this post is long enough. Although it would be better with some pictures or something.

ah, here's a really nice photo I took in my backyard:


ok, hopefully next week I will blog about the finished necklace, post the last "points about chainmaille" video, and then start writing better blog posts about handflowers and chainmaille.

Finally working again

I'm pretty much over my cold and I'm making some chainmaille again. It's nice to be back.

I'm making a silver chainmaille handflower with colored copper wire rings. It's about halfway finished now.


that's not the best lighting but silver chainmaille is just SO pretty. Making it makes me happy. Actually just looking at it makes me happy. :-)

After I finish this one I'll make a brass one which looks gold. By the time I'm finished hopefully I can start listing things. I have two fairly new and really pretty blue bracelets I still need to list, but lately I've had to renew some expired things so I haven't gotten to the new things yet. I'm trying to keep my Etsy fees spread out over time, but I wonder if I should list new things before renewing older things.

About the necklace, I was thinking about making a Celtic Visions star, but I'm not sure I can make one small enough. Still seriously considering using the fluer-de-lis. Also I still need to feature some shops on here. I'll get to that soon, I promise. ;-)

And in other news, tomorrow I'm going around with my boyfriend to look at a couple houses, since he's going to buy one soon after moving out of his apartment. That should be fun. And I'm looking for a job lately. That's not so much fun. Most job listings I find are either assistant manager positions which I don't have experience for, or very very extroverted jobs. Like "good with people, outgoing, enthusiastic!". I'm fairly social and I like helping people when I can, but I'm an introvert, which is not those "outgoing" things. Although I have a book of introvert jobs, apparently the only ones actually around are Etsy selling. I wouldn't mind assembling bikes at ToysRUs, but that would probably be a nightmare come Christmas shopping time. Thinking about it though. Oh well, I'm still looking and applying at places. A craft store like Joann's would be lovely, but even though Snagajob says they're hiring, someone I know who works there says they aren't. Well basically I'll just keep looking and applying and making jewelry. I'll have a craft fair in October and it's a good idea to build up some more inventory.

On Sunday some people came over and we all watched Taking Chance. We got it from Netflix after Dennis Prager recommended it on the radio. It's a really lovely movie. We all cried through the whole thing and I totally recommend watching it. Seriously, go watch it. It's an HBO movie.
Trailer:

Some points about chainmail

a video from lindybeige. This guy has some really interesting videos.

Saturday Blog Shoppers

Spring has Sprung (yay!)

Hey, it's the weekend again! Time for Saturday Blog Shoppers. Visit everyone's blogs and post comments, please! Thanks for supporting.

Well it's Spring, finally. I think I said that a week or two ago, and then it snowed again. I think it's really here this time and I'm happy about it. Spring brings the break from cold weather (hopefully), my birthday, my boyfriend's birthday, and our dating anniversary. So for a little "Spring theme", I'm going to feature some of my green and yellow and blue earrings this week.


Green Byzantine Earrings

Yellow Byzantine Earrings


Green and Yellow Byzantine Earrings



Green and Blue Byzantine Earrings

All of these earrings are $12 each pair.

Thanks for visiting! Don't forget the other blogs!

Saturday Blog Shoppers

I've only been to a few craft fairs so far, but one question I almost always get asked is "do you have anything for guys?" At first I didn't; or at least, apparently I didn't, or they probably wouldn't have asked. My problem is, the guys I know don't wear jewelry, even if I give them some, so I don't know what guys like; so I wasn't sure if I had anything or not. But I have seen a few things worn by guys, so I've tried making a few things I think some guys might like.

So this week for Saturday Blog Shoppers I'm featuring one of my guy's necklaces.


Guy's Chainmaille Pendant Necklace

The weave is mostly random: basically I just took some black and silver 16 gauge rings, sat down to watch Ironman, and worked until this came out. Then I put it on this thick necklace cord that a friend gave me.


So, there you go guys (or girls who are shopping for guys)! Hope you like it. If not, I have a few other things in the "For Guys" section as well.

Don't forget to check out the other blogs in the Saturday Shoppers group. Happy Saturday!

Saturday Blog Shoppers

I am now participating in Saturday Blog Shoppers! After looking at my item and my shop, please visit the other blogs by clicking here or on the button on the right.

Today I will feature my Black and Red Chainmaille Handflower:



A handflower is a Medieval-style piece of jewelry made of a combination of bracelet and ring, which fits over the back of the hand. Chainmaille (also spelled chainmail or chain mail) is originally a medieval under-armor made of lots of chain links or rings woven together in a pattern. Today it is mostly used for jewelry.

My chainmaille handflowers are made with the European 6-in-1 chainmaille weave (E6) and a weave called One Hour Less Sleep for the wristband, with chain finger-rings and toggle clasps. I use tarnish resistant colored copper wire for the rings.



I also have bracelets, earrings, chained handflowers and a few rings in my shop. Please take a look: shadowcutter.etsy.com

Thank you for visiting my blog. Please post a comment, and if you purchase anything from me after reading this blog please put "Saturday Blog Shoppers" in Notes to Seller so I can report results to the blogger group. And don't forget to check out the other blogs!

Saturday Blog Shoppers