A Set, Lost Pictures, and a Printable

A nice little medley for you today... Scroll down for the printable.

Last week, I got put in charge of painting a set!!!

Me. And the set. And the tree. Because there is a funny inside joke with that tree.

Read more....

It's a funny story-- my younger brother was in a play, and Mom told the director that I could come and help paint the set.

Before we began-- this was the painting that was already there

I showed up, was told what the director wanted done.... and somehow wound up in charge! It certainly helped that I had some of the most amazing and talented helpers!

The finished set-- click to enlarge

I'm not used to being in charge of people painting set-- I'm used to being the one who is told what to do! And only a couple of short times, at that.

We were also working with a shortage of paints! I helped paint for two days, and we didn't even have any brown paint until dinnertime on the first day.

Then, on the second day, we didn't have any black, red, etc, because they had not been left at the "theater." It all worked out, though. :)

Look at that lovely wood cottage! One of the dads built it and we painted it. Painting stone is fun-- it's kind of hard to loosen up and let people do it "their way" and not be too bossy, though.

It was a very fun experience!

Here is my brother, Blarney the Leprechaun!

I was having difficulties with getting images to load a couple of weeks ago. Remember this post? I was talking about making some accessories for my Confirmation dress. Here are the pictures: for real this time!

Earrings.... My favorite orbital chainmaille design, Swavroski pearls, and silver earwires (which were insanely comfortable and I've ordered more to use for jewelry in my Shoppe)

A pretty little beaded hair barette.

Shoe clips! Here is when I remind you that I have very weird feet, and the only shoes I can comfortably wear cost alot-- and therefore I can't just buy shoes to go with a couple outfits. So shoe clips are an awesome, DIY solution.

I'll post a tutorial someday. :)

These clips are fabric yo-yos (so much fun!) I made another, bigger, and more-beads yo-yo and attached a brooch clip to the back. As you can see in this picture, I wore it as a decoration on the ribbon belt.

I've had some requests for a printable of the "Messy desk quote" I used in this post about decorating a desk with paper.

Well, I've obliged! Here it is. :) Just print it out, cut it out, and hang it up wherever! I do so love doing typography. :)

(Instructions-- click the image to be taken to the large file. Right click and select "Save Image As." It will then let you download it as a file image. Free for any non-commercial use. :)

EASY Wire Ring Tutorial

Here is the last ring tutorial (at least so far!). It is a super easy wirewrapped ring. You can do it without any experience at all!

As usual, please excuse my UM's and the shaky camera. Gonna get better at that.

You will need:

Wire

A fat marker

Pliers

*optional* beads and other decorations

Click {here} to see my other ring tutorials!!!

Did YOU make a ring using this tutorial? Let me know in the comments!

Linking up at { these } veddy nice blogs.

How to Write In Elvish

 This is a post from my old blog, Nevdroonia. Since I'm on a Lord of the Rings kick right now, I thought I'd share it with all of you!

I don't claim to have this all correct. I wrote this post... when I was 13? 14? and was very confused about the info on Elvish. Please feel free to ask questions or correct me on any point.

And so... may I present to you ladies, gentlemen, and fairies...  

Shaylynn's Guide to Writing English using Elvish letters.

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Well, I don't know the language, but I can write English in Tengwar (Elvish letters)! (JRR Tolkien made an entire Elvish language, did you know?) I taught myself, peicing together snippets I found in various places. Most likely I have it all wrong, but... it looks impressive! These are the pages from my notebooks where I wrote notes on it.

The first page shows
1) the Elvish letter
2) the symbol that I think symoblizes the sound,
3) an example of how that sound is used in a word, then the name of the Elvish letter. It has only consonants on it.

The second page has more notes, and the vowels. I am still confused on those, but I use the symbols that say "typically these" by it, and I do not do the "y", as I write more phonetically.

Page three has more notes, esp. explaining that English can be written in Tengwar phonetically (based on sounds, like shorthand) and letter-by-letter (which is generally more confusing to write but easier to read).

These are two visual aids I made, to help you see how the letters fit together. The top one is Sindarin mode (which I use the most) and the bottom is Quenya. You cut out the peices, and arrange them into words. It helps you see how the vowels and consonants fit together.

Why Artfire?

I've had several people ask me why I sell on Artfire instead of Etsy or other platforms (well, I do have a just-getting-started Etsy store, but focus on Artfire). So I wanted to share some of my favorite things about Artfire...

• The price is awesome. If you are just starting up and wanting to "test the waters" of the online selling world... they have a totally free basic studio. I did that for several months. And if you get more serious, their PRO shop is only $9.95. You don't have to pay any additional fees (no commission, listing, etc)-- just $9.95 a month. For those (like me) with more than 100 items in stock at any given time, this price is a steal. AND you don't have to play that crazy, expensive re-listing game just to get to the top of the search ranks.
• SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Artfire is really good for this. They teach you how to write your listings so that you can rank high in search engines. I get tons of people coming to my Shoppe through a Google search for "Evenstars." Plus, Artfire submits your items to Google Shopping and automatically re-submits the items after their run.
• Best customer service I've had, hands down. Quick to reply and very helpful. 
• TOOLS! Ok, I go head over heels for the tools. Most are available only for the Pro studios (the Basic only gives you the bare necessities for selling online). My favorite has got to be the Global Editor, which lets you edit bulk listings.
• Customization. The Basic studio only gets a bit of customization-- an avatar and header, just like Etsy and other venues. However, the Pro studio lets you go crazy with colors and HTML coding. I'm still working on it, but I'm going to build some very pretty organization widgets that will make shopping easier. :) You get to be your own seller with your own look.
• You don't have to register just to buy. I've only had 2 buyers who were registered with Artfire. I think Artfire is unique in this...

Ok... this is a bit of shameless advertising for Artfire. :P Just because I loves them, precious. And because they have a contest going on right now... so I'm kind of being shamelessly selfish.

Go PRO and get your 3rd month free! 

(and it also means that I get a free month, so.... if you want to sign up for Artfire's Pro shoppe, please use my referral link! 'Cause we'll both get free months!!!)

Oh, and if you want to sign up for Artfire's daily collection email, you can have a chance at winning a $100 gift card to an Artfire seller of your choice (pick me! pick me!). (They do send out an email every day, though, so if you don't like a cluttered inbox...)

Elven Inspirations

*fangurl squeal*

Have you seen the new behind-the-scenes video for The Hobbit? You can watch it right here if you haven't:

Here is the Hobbit Movie News website. It sounds like they are changing things up from the books a bit... adding in more of the stories happening at Middle Earth during the time of the Hobbit (not just telling the Hobbit story). They started filming a couple months ago. I can't wait can't wait can't wait for this movie!

This brings back so many memories... makes me want to re-watch The Lord of the Rings ...makes me marvel at how much detail is in the set and how little you actually get to see in the movies (just look at that Rivendell!) ...and got me into a full-blown inspirational swing.

I'm now re-addicted to Elvish designs.

Last month was good for sales, so I had a bit of extra money to spend on the Shoppe. I splurged on new (albeit a wee bit more expensive) colors and styles of my favorite Czech glass leaf beads.

I'll take you through a picture tour of some of my new designs! (I say some because these are just the items that I have actually taken the time to photograph and upload to the Shoppe... and I still have plenty of beads left!)

Please have a peek at these new designs! Click each image to see more and larger pictures of the jewelry!

My Evenstar design has always been very popular. I rarely make the same exact Evenstar more than once (unless it is a custom order)... This one is reversible. One side is a shiny gold-green, and the other a pale sage. It features little swirls, genuine Swavroski pearls, and a 3-strand-half-braided ribbons in matching colors.

I've figured out a much prettier and sturdier way to make my second most popular design-- Enchanted Forest Earrings. 

So... I made Evenstar/Forest Earring sets! This one is reversible-- one side iridescent blues, and the other deep midnight tones. Also, check out the star beads on the Evenstar... aren't they exquisite? I was so happy to find them on sale!

Another Evenstar/Forest Earrings set... in Pixie Pink. With pink wire, oh yeah!

And now for some Evenstar variations! Arwen's Evenstar has more of a "droplet" look than my twist on the Evenstar. The above is my attempt to replicate the shape in the original Evenstar.

btw, just for fun, here is a picture of the Evenstar necklace from the movies:

I took the techniques that I use to make Evenstars and combined them with some brand-new and pretty difficult wirewrapping techniques that I just figured out. 

Click for bigger pictures-- I learned how to weave wire, attach beads ontop of leaf beads, and create a "zig zag" wire filler.

When I got the new leaf beads and had so many pretty colors and new techniques to work with, I just had to experiment! The above is a pretty, freeform pink and purple necklace.

Another freeform Elven/fairy necklace... It's all swirly. :)

FYI, several of these new experimental designs are OOAK (one of a kind, meaning I will never make them again)-- especially these freeform necklace. They were fairly difficult to make, using special beads, and there is no way I can replicate them exactly.

So, if you do get one of these, you'll be assured that you'll be the only one with that style necklace! And if one of these designs sells but you want a copy... I can't do it. I can do something inspired by the original design, perhaps similar, but won't be able to replicate it.

Hair combs! I looooove hair combs and was so glad to be able to make them!

Another new technique-- I've figured out how to form the Czech leaf beads into a flower!!! This necklace features details all the way up the string, and it is reversible. That means that it was alot harder to make... but I'm so happy to have figured it out! ...it "only" required breaking two of my beads...

This sweet little pendant combines my new wire weaving techniques and the leaf-beads-into-pretty-flowers-thing.

Ohmygoodness. I was so tempted to keep these earrings for myself (I wound up making myself some in a different color).

I figured out a very pretty way to wirewrap leaf beads (leftover ones that I don't have enough of that color of to make other Elven designs).

The ear wires are Elf-style earwires handmade by me. (Yes, I figured out how to make ear wires, harden them, and file the ends!!!).

The earrings look long, but that is just because they are so slender and elegant. They are actually shorter than my Enchanted Forest Earrings-- they are under 2 inches long total.

 I only had a little bit of pink wire left and decided to see if I could make even spirals, coils, and bead cages. Result-- pretty whimsical little things.

 I LOVE THE PARASOL! Is it bad to be so excited about something I made? 

I used all of my new techniques and it's so pretty. Pinks and golds... It looks like a parasol or seashell. And it's on one of of my 4-strand ribbons and hangs fairly long and I was so tempted to keep it for myself...

 A fairy bracelet cuff...

 Wirewrapped bracelet... My little sister called it a Princess Bracelet.

This bracelet features handmade wire beads! It's inspired by Steampunk, but I think it's also very fantasy looking, what'dya thunk?

2 Wirewrapped Ring Tutorials

Today I have two video tutorials for y'all!

I'd like to apologize for lots of "um"s, fumbly fingers, and shaking camera. It's kind of hard to film a film of yourself, all by yourself!

Before you begin either of these projects, I suggest you attempt the Wirewrapped Rosette Ring tutorial { HERE }. These two tutorials assume that you have been able to complete a wirewrapped rosette ring.

Button Ring Tutorial!

Bead Ring Tutorial

Ok, warning. I had learned how to make this bead ring literally two hours before filming this video. I did a lame job in the video. I'm not that bad at at anymore-- I'm only kinda bad at it. This is a very difficult ring to make. :)

P.S. I have one last video for you.... coming soon. It is the easiest ring ever. :)

Questions, tips, projects of your own based on these tutorials? Please leave a comment! :)

The Sky is Up

"What's up?"

"The sky."

I get that answer every time I ask that question.

Today I am giving you one of those super-duper wrap-up posts. Don't worry. Awesome craft posts coming soon. As in, tomorrow.

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It's really disheartening to lose hard work.


Remember that blog linky party I promised you? I spent over 3 hours working on a post for it, getting everything figure out, etc. The wording was just so, perfectly perfect, I had all the photos, links, coding, information, etc... The only thing left to do was hit the Publish button.

And then something happened to my computer and I lost it all. All 3 hours of hard work. I won't go into details because I'm afraid I am going to blow up! But it is all gone and I don't have the time or energy or motivation to re-do it right now.

Please be patient... I'll get the linky up sometime. I need to let myself cool down and then find another 3 hours of spare time... so this linky won't happen for a few weeks. I hope you understand.

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Couldn't access my blog on Thursday/Friday? Blogger had an issue that left literally everyone with missing posts and nobody could get on their dashboard. Everything is back up and working like normal now (except that I lost all the comments on my wrought iron artwork post... but at least I didn't lose all my hard writing work on that post!!!)

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I wanted you to know that I've had some computer hiccups lately-- this has made me really slow on the whole editing pictures for blog posts. My Adobe software is taking up huge amounts of space and basically rendered the computer unusable for any heavy usage (heavy usage meaning photo editing and graphics building, urgh!). I have to wait until Dad can install more drive space. Which will take awhile.

EDIT: Problem temporarily fixed! Now the issue is with my camera-- the computer that reads my card isn't here for a week. 
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Really annoying problems aside...


Thank you all for being so understanding and supportable while I took a blogging hiatus during Lent! I have plenty of projects coming for you soon...

Not to mention an upcoming blog series (on what? leave a comment with your guess!) and a blog linky! (which, as I just explained, won't be coming for a few weeks)


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May's Ink and Fairydust is out!

(Actually, it's been out for awhile but I just forgot to let you know).

(For those who don't know, Ink and Fairydust is a free e-magazine full of faith and creativity. I am heavily involved as a comic writer, webmaster, graphics team member, assistant photographer, occasional article writer...)


This month was one of those that made me realize we must be doing a good thing, or else so many bad things wouldn't be happening!


From computer troubles to time crunches to bad health issues... we've had it all.


This month, my main contributions are the Shea and Bergen comic and the article on Truth in Art (both the article and the graphics!). It is based on a philosophical essay I wrote while studying Plato in 9th grade.

Yes. I did just say that. I studied Plato-- and loved it, especially comparing it to Christian teachings and seeing where it falls short.

Check it out here:

Speaking of Ink and Fairydust, I've become the self-proclaimed advertising monster! Chesterton magazine was just the first...

We've been featured in Faith and Family Live {here} and St. Anthony {here}. Plus, I just wrote a big article for a homeschool magazine, all about I&F!

Would YOU like to feature Ink and Fairydust on your blog/website/facebook/twitter/etc? Please do! If you want any more information about it, feel free to email me at ShealynnsFaerieShoppe {at} gmail.com. I can get you in touch with other contributors, too.
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I am now on twitter as @ShealynnsFaerie. 'Nother post about that coming soon.
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My Sharpie Easter Eggs have been featured on Suzy's Artsy Craftsy Sitcom! This is awesome... please check it out { HERE }.

The DIY Wirewrapped Rosette Ring tutorial is featured { HERE }!

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The play I was all worked up about went OK. Not the best, but I was definitely impressed with how well we pulled it off, given the time we spent on it! Those kids are talented.

Here I am in my role as a Recording Company Executive Who Gets Accused of Being a Spy in World War II.

And I got to learn how to do the Victory Rolls hairdo. It took awhile to get the hang of, but I think I did OK, what do you think?

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Confirmation was wonderful.

2 of my brothers, the bishop, and me (I look kind of really... fierce in that picture. I also look like I'm about to trip! This is the only picture that I have, the rest are still on people's various cameras)

Not to take away from the sacredness of this sacrament, but I wanted to share my outfit with you! (since this is an arts-and-crafts blog and not a religious one... and I did do alot of DIY on this outfit).

This is my dress, on the website model. NOT on me. :) I love this dress, the fabric is so comfy.

I wore my beautiful new (first) heels. They were very expensive, on account of the fact that I have very weird and pretty bad feet problems. They are comfortable and classy and good quality though!

I wanted to "customize" the shoes for my outfit but obviously can't just go into a shoe store and buy normal shoes. So I decorated them with handmade shoe-clips!

[image]

(Shoe clips... I need to make more and then get a friend with normal, pretty feet to model for me, and then I'll do a blog post!!!)

I made the same type of fabric yo-yo to add to the ribbon belt:

[image]

I made a hairclip:

[image]

and earrings:

[image]
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QUESTION for all you computer people! I am considering building my own website this summer. I will go through Dreamweaver tutorials and teach myself how to make a pretty one. I was wondering whether any of you know good (and cheap) places to register a domain and host the site.

Spring Blog Party

I'm sorry my blog was out of commission for a day! Blogger had some matinence issues-- everyone had problems, posts temporarily removed, etc. I'm back up and running now, though!

Bramblewood Fashion is having a Spring Gala Blog Party! :) Here's my answers to the questionnaire: (rushed answers, because I did this when I had a brain freeze on my literature essay but really needed to work on it!)


1. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Middle Earth. (You cannot make me pick between Rivendell or the Shire-- I just want to visit all of Middle Earth!)

As far as non-imaginary worlds go... I would love to visit Europe. Not just for sightseeing-- I'd love to spend a few weeks in several countries, visiting the ins and outs of local places and everyday life. Get a feel for the culture.

2. What is the oldest item you own?

Ooooh, tough one. Probably one of the many rosaries, medals, and old jewelry that my Grandma gave me:

(The above is a really bad quality picture [sorry] of a small portion of my new hoard. I'm having much fun with it... especially the broken bits of jewelry!)

Or a book that was signed 1910. It's called Virtues and Defects of a Young Girl. What an interesting name... it's very dull and preachy. :( I'm pretty sure that some of the jewelry is older, though.

3. If you had to pick one hero, who would it be?

Oh, dear. How am I to choose?

I'll go with the usual... my parents. :) Who really are that awesome.

4. If you could have dinner with any three people, living or dead. Who would it be?

J.R.R. Tolkien, St. Thomas Aquinas, and G.K. Chesterton.

That would make for some really interesting conversations. But I think I'd be in waaay over my head.


5. Which do you like better, Coke or Pepsi?

Neither! I like myself some root beer, sprite, or juice. Colas just don't... sit right, especially if I have a large glass.

6. What would you rather have- chocolate or a cookie?

CHOCOLATE. GIMME CHOCOLATE.

7. What is your favorite season?

Autumn. Nice and crisp. :)

8. What's your favorite thing about Spring?

The joy of observing the flourishing beauty... :)

9. What's your favorite music?

I like all kinds of music. :) The music I listen to the most would probably be soft 80's rock, pop, and classical.

10. What's your fashion/personal style?

Classy and basic, with touches of the unexpected (be that vintage, fantasy, or bright and bold...)