Happy Winter, everyone!

Now that I have a keyboard that works, I can post. ^_^ Huzzah!

I have been busy making some Christmas commissions, and in general preparing for the holidays. The shop will be closed for two weeks starting Dec 20th and will open again on January 3rd.

Here’s hoping that all of you have a warm, safe, and fun-filled time. ^_^

Later,
Bran

Sadly, we are NOT going to be able to make the Wild Rose Renaissance Faire this year. We had been looking forward to it since April, but we’re just not able to do it for a variety of reasons. The main reason is that I haven’t been able to restock since the Little One arrived, and I think it would look unprofessional to show up at the Faire with a single table’s worth of appropriate items. Not even a maille coif! I couldn’t call myself a mailler.

Not to mention that our white pop-up tent wouldn’t look that good, either. :/ I want a Panther Tent.

But that don’t mean you shouldn’t go! We’re disappointed mainly because we know we’re missing out on three weekends of fun and good food (Trust me, I’d go for the food ALONE). The Wild Rose Renaissance Faire runs the first three weekends of October, with themed weekends delivering fun for everyone, with only $5 admission! Visit the Wild Rose website for all the details. I’ll try to get in next year, so if you plan on going back in 2010, check here and see if we’re going.

That said, right now I’m concentrating on getting ALL of my current chainmaille items into our Etsy shop. I may not have had time lately to make a full coif, but I DO have time to snap photos here and there. I’ll put the newest things in the “Featured” box in the corner, so check back if you’re curious. I have yet to photograph pocket watch chains, chokers, keychains, and some other things that I had previously offered only at in-person shows. Ooo, the mystery!

And in case anyone is wondering, I will not be able to make any large costume commissions in time for Halloween. But if you need something smaller, like a chain or a handflower, or even a simple headdress… That I can do. ^_^

Those poking around in the Shop might have noticed but in case you haven’t, we’ve got precious metals! ^_^ Add to that a ton of gemstones and Swarovski crystals, and you’ve got the makings for some very fine jewelry. I’m considering making a special section of the shop just for items made of silver and gold. What do you think?

I’m currently working on a nice CIR weave necklace in sterling silver. If I didn’t have a plan for the gold rings I have in this size, I’d be capturing those in the center to set off the weave.

In-progress sterling silver CIR weave necklace

I love mixing the two metals, though. I especially like when the silver gets to age a bit. The tarnish sets off the gold even more and makes for a higher contrast.

In other news, I am hunting for a proper anvil (or chunk of railroad tie) so I can try my hand at riveted maille. Anyone out there in internet land have anything like that cluttering up a corner of your garage or shed?

All right, I’ve got my orders out, the Etsy shop re-opened, and I’ve updated the items to reflect what has sold.

What I have yet to do is add all the items I made prior to the show! This involves taking pictures of each one, resizing and cropping said images, and then uploading them to Etsy. Add to that the fact that I’ll have to add a description and measurements for each one, and you can see that I’ll be busy on it for a while. I will add new items to the “Featured” area of my shop, which means that they will appear in the upper left hand corner here as I add them. So if you didn’t see their public debut at the show, peek back here or check the shop for them. BUT I did take a few quick snapshots of things I made before the show so I could upload them to my deviantART gallery in case they sold. This means you get a sneak peek at two of them!

Keep an eye out!

This weekend is Tekkoshocon, Pittsburgh local anime convention and celebration of pretty much all things geeky!

This year it’s in the David L. Lawrence Convention Center located in downtown Pittsburgh, and it looks like they’re using all of that space to it’s fullest. We will be in the Artist’s Alley, which will be right across the hall from the Dealer’s Room. We will be at table number 23, with our webcomic-drawing and chibi-sticker-making pal Maqqy of MHHO.com right next to us at table 22.

AA Map - Marked

Here’s the map they gave us, along with a few of my own modifications showing where we will be. Click for the larger version. We should be easy to find because we’re right by the exit, so don’t miss us on your way out! For all the fellow BJD lovers, Roland will be there as well, manning his own little table of doll wares.

But of course, since I will be sellng my maille at the con, I will be closing my Etsy shop on April 1st and re-open it on the 8th. This gives me a few days to prepare my stock beforehand and a few days to update my shop to reflect what sold.

See you at the con! ^_^