Unknown Taxonomy

 Remember when I bought that strand of jade cicadas? I finally created something with one of them! Of course, upon further thought I'm not sure if it's actually a cicada... maybe it's a firefly? Stone insects are so hard to identify!

 Have a closer look yourself. What's your vote for its species?

Here it is in the wild, being worn by me at the drum circle at the Arizona Renaissance Festival. I'm dancing with my friends Jen and Mary! Jen is also wearing a necklace that I made.

But the most exciting part is that this is my first piece as part of the Allegory Gallery Design Team! The two sizes of brown beads that I used in the necklace were provided by Allegory Gallery. They're very nice plastic. I don't normally use plastic at all, but I'm trying to overcome my snobbery. Besides, that stone pendant is SO heavy, it was nice to be able to cut down on the weight of the necklace by using lightweight beads. The plastic has a beautiful marbled appearance that makes it look like glass or stone from the distance; very classy.

In addition to the stone cicada (firefly?) and the plastic beads, I also used some antiqued jade beads to match the focal, some Afghani coins (including one that serves as a "clacker" turning the focal into a bell), a little Thai silver and a little red tiger's eye. I love it!

Working at Best Bead!

Please pardon my quietness, it's GEM SHOW TIME!!! I'm working at Best Bead and amassing a pile of new beads, too. If you want to come see me at work and also buy some awesome crystals and seed beads, you can find me at the Beyond Beadery booth, conveniently located in the dance and aerobics room.

Wintry Treasury

I was included in this beautiful treasury by Mermaiden! A lovely winter FAETeam collection.

Mysterious Package

I can't tell you what's inside of this package, or who sent it to me, until everyone who participated in the FAETeam holiday swap has received their gifts and we do the big reveal. But WOW just look at that pretty wrapping job! I love the feathers. I think I'll incorporate them into something to wear when I dance.

(Yes, I am still alive. No, I did not mean to take a 20 day hiatus from blogging. I just haven't been feeling particularly interesting)

New Year Treasuries

Hello there, blog readers! Sorry about the long hiatus. I got really busy getting ready for my last two belly dance performances of the year, as well as finishing up all of the holiday prep. Then I got really sick! Now that the holidays are behind me and I'm mostly healthy, it's really time to get some stuff done. Stuff like making treasuries!

And being included in them!

Happy holidays!

I decided to actually make a Christmas-themed treasury! What is the world coming to? I really don't like red and green together that much, but it's still pretty cute and there are a lot of awesome FAETeam items. Isn't the red yeti just adorable?

I was also included in a holiday-themed treasury by Mermaiden!



I like that we both included the same faerie door ornament but otherwise our treasuries are completely different :)

Holiday Deadlines

Soul Eater is the only red and green item in my shop. Somehow I don't think he quite exemplifies the holiday spirit, but he does illustrate how I feel after fighting holiday crowds in the stores.

Anyway, it is that wonderful time of year when you have to start wondering whether the things that you order will arrive in time for the holidays. Oh no! I'm here to tell you that if you are an international customer, I don't know if your order will arrive before Christmas if you order it now, but I'll be happy to ship it to you anyway. US customers, you should have no worries. However, I will stop shipping after December 15th and may even put my shop into vacation mode.

Local people: I can deliver! And if you're a personal friend or family member, you can even come to my house and shop for jewelry in person, although you will have to pay a horrible price -- you will get licked by the corgis.

One last thing. Sales have been picking up, and everything that I make is one of a kind, so if you have your eye on something don't hesitate! Seize the day!