Treasury: Victorian Jewel Box

Lace, frills, buttons, patterns, pearls and filigree, put those together, and what do you get? Victorian clothing and this month's second treasury! :D 


This lovely necklace trinketsforkeeps, is both ornate and simple. I love the  filigree at the top.

I love the color in this pin. pegasus22’s description is great too, talking about how the brooch is great for “ hats, fascinators, decorations, centerpieces, and more”. I had to go look up what a fascinator was afterwards though XD

While technically not a piece of jewelry, Blackpin’s hat is too lovely to leave off the list!

LeBoudoirNoir ‘s choker makes me think of heading out to the opera or ballet for the night.

This cameo from RemoteLuxury brings  to mind the Victorian memento mori jewelry.

These earrings from Arabescque are so cute! They look like the side of a teacup.

The Victorians had a love of travel, and many styles of jewelry and artifacts from around the world were given a revival due to that. BoxOfLostSouls’s neo byzantine ring fits the bill.

I’m not usually one for lace, but this set  by DIDIcrochet is just stunning. I especially love the arched shapes on the necklace.

Baronyka’s  raven earrings are absolutely lovely. The edging is so intricate, and I can’t figure out how it was done D:

A common thing in Victorian times was to carry around smelling salts or potpourri to keep away smells. Curiosities212’s necklace brings that to mind. 

A lovely pair of earrings of a woman with a bird from  luvintage.

Ricksonjewellery has taken what was mourning jewelry, and turned it into a beautiful, personal piece.

While leather was not exactly the go to jewelry choice for those of the Victorian times, the swirls and curls of this gorgeous cuff bring to mind the elaborate dresses of the period. For me at least.
by TomBanwell

This chased heart from chicfragments is an antique scent box and rosary. I love the design, and how it’s not quite perfect.

Cute earrings by gooseberrystudio based on the show Downton Abbey.

Mazes, locks and keys, and riddles were all common pastimes during the Victorian era (and well past it really) and this cute locket by iluxo brings that to mind.
Like the treasury? Have comments? Feel free to post below!

Cast in Chaos

Before diving into the book, allow me to start with the cover. Wow, do I love it.
It shows Kaylin in a very threatening posture, her arms spread  wide, and sort of bent, you can just imagine her knives in her hands. Her hair is whipping around her, and her face is the type that we best imagine in Cast in Shadow "You've hurt my children, and now I'm going to obliterate you." I cannot wait to see what happens. ^^


Warning: There is some yelling in this post.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you were reading along at the very end of last week's post, you'll remember my comment about 108 requests for promotion. Sadly, upon opening, Kaylin is still a Private. (Well, maybe not so sadly XD)
Off topic note: Trying to balance coffee on the arm of a chair, book in the other hand and shifting in said chair, bad idea. -sighs- One of these day's I'll learn.
Tanner smirking, Severn waiting in the Aeria.. what's going on?
Imperial... courier? Oh shoes. This is not going to be pretty XD
What idiot messed with the window?? Wait. Who in the Hawks has the capability to mess with the window? Isn't the only mage-ish employed by the Hawks Teela?
O.o What type of advice could a window possibly give Marcus?  I am utterly baffled. Seriously, what could it offer? How to rip people's throats out more efficiently? Wait, that wouldn't work, it's the 'polite' window... How not to carve furrows into the desk?
I love, love, love that the table in the West Room might as well be a reoccurring character in this series. XD I don't think there's a single book that's gone by that hasn't had it show up, and be commented on at least once.
O.o they want her to go on off duty nights? WHO IN THE SEVEN BLEEDING HELLS  APPROVED THIS?? What slack jawed nitterbrain thought "oh yes, we know she's got healing abilities, and regularly gets called in by the Midwive's Guild, but we're going to have her working nights! On Ettiquette!" Seriously?? I hope they get eaten by the Emperor >>
Oh, back to Elani Street! Hi Evanton!
     And.. apparently I'm slightly mad. Even though I've got seven other things I'm doing, I want to try doing a Painting (all artsy and good and what not) for this series. On top of business, blogging and making jewelry. Oh and packing. =sighs= Some days.
Weather Vanes for magic? Oh now that just brings all sorts of crazy ideas to mind...
"She spoke clearly and calmly but her voice carried about as far as if she had shouted. It was one of the more useful things she'd learned in the Halls of Law."
1) Does learning to kill and not be killed, not count? 2) I WANT to learn this.... I have siblings, and nieces and nephews, this would be sooooo useful. That and for Black Friday crowd herding. XD
Stravaganza. I miss when a) there were merchants and b) they could get away with making up names like this.
SEP= Somebody Else's Problem. I might just start using this.
Oh la di da. Fancy lady in a tiff. =sighs= Kaylin tried to be polite even, and she decides to take it out on her. Poor Kaylin.
"like most of the wealthy families in Elantra they sported a mock-Barrani name." I find this highly amusing. The Barrani must have no end of laughing at these people.
Real magic on Elani, other than Evanton? Oh this is strange. I almost feel bad for Margot. Although she'll probably find a way to spin it to her advantage.
:D Kaylin got to keep the cloak from Nightshade last book! Sweet! I wonder if Evanton put anything interesting into it?
A shift in the magical potential... so...The lines we learned about in Silence are shifting?
Blue in Aerians has the same meaning as blue in Barrani- BAD, anger or fury.
     I want to write a "Guide to Not Getting Killed in Elantra" at some point. An illustrated guide.... it could be interesting. A post for another day though.
I want a hoard. Actually, I have a hoard, I'm just unable as of yet to define fully what it is... erm, that and I don't have huge point teeth, claws and wings to support that claim.
     Quick quiz! If you've been reading along, which race in Elantra would you want to be?
     Barrani
     Dragon
     Leontine
     Tha'alani
     Human
     Some unnamed race that everyone seems to fear.
     Leave your vote in the comments ;D
I love that Marcus really does sign with a paw print. XD 
Kaylin always says Dragon can look like aged wise men. Does this imply that they have some choice over how they appear? Can they think "Oh, today I want to look like I'm 35, but tomorrow I'm going to appear 67"?
1) Sanabalis using magic. Scary stuff. 2) I didn't know they could make Mirrors that don't look like mirrors! That pretty stained glass window... well, I suppose it would make sense for Sanabalis to have something like that in his 'office'. 3) Dragon voice :D (although if I was there, I probably wouldn't be so happy about it if the ground is shaking from it. )
O.o I'm feeling a little dense here. Why does the growing of a representation of Evanton's shop, show a problem? his shop uses magic yes, erm, well, he uses magic within the shop, but his shop also contains the elements. Would it be possible that the 'map' is showing that more magic is collecting there? So.. not only is this representation different than what's actually there... but there's something more. On top of that, why is Sanabalis assuming that there is a zone between Elani, the Halls and.. wait. Ok. If his magic is haywire at the palace, it went haywire at the Halls and on Elani street, it's safe to assume that it's haywire everywhere in between. That took waaay too long for me to catch up to ><;; I feel mildly embarrassed now.
Sanabalis? Speaking colloquially? This is an emergency.
O.o how much of  a... hardheaded frump is Kaylin's etiquette teacher that he wouldn't let her out of classes when it's quite literally a magical emergency?
It is rather odd that the Oracles don't seem to have any tell in this. Oh, wait, scrap that. Sabrai does seem to have had some idea.
Everly and the Book Girl ! Oh joy. ^^  I guess we don't get to see them though.. Fiddlesticks.
Raining...blood? O.o And since when are storm clouds green gray, really? Mine are normally blue gray maybe, but not green....I should find out about other areas though...
Didn't Sanabalis say...oh, wait. That was Records. XD Oops.
Anyway! Large, angry Leontine, looking like it got doused with a blood bath. That is one frightening image.
O.o XDD Severn, you're attempting to teach Kaylin to budget? Kaylin?
Vanishing doors. Lovely. Apparently the Imperial Palace might be just as much a living place as the Castle or Tiamaris' Tower. We'll have to keep an eye on that one.
O.O That is one HUGE mirror.
Ohhh, so all things can in theory be used as Mirrors, and gain access to Records, if you've got enough magic backing you up. This explains Sanabalis' window. In theory though, this fancy schmancy table should dampen/resist the crazy magical goings on? Good to know.
And hey! It's from the West March.
Sanabalis being considered 'young'? That is funny. If the Arkon is ancient, and Sanabalis is old, I wonder how old the Emperor is, and does he affect that appearance or no?
Fancy new word- abattoir -reaches for the dictionary- Apparently of French origin (gee really?) it means a slaughterhouse. Silky word for a rather messy place.
So.. one area was destroyed, and the other had humans show up? This book, from the outside, probably sounds crazy. Since we're six books into the series, this is going to be one heck of an interesting ride. :)
So.. we've covered the creation of Dragons (sort of), Barrani (definitively) and  Leontines (also definitively). Humans apparently just appeared. What about Tha'alani and Aerians? Were they also created by the Old Ones?
"So... humans arrived here heralded by freak storms and two-headed Barrani babies?" Oh wow. I. I cannot even breathe after that one.
I sort of want to get my hands on those Oracle reports, just because they sound amusing.
Having to evacuate that many people... holy carp.
Need I point out that once again it's Nightshade saving her?
Castle- Changes floorplan on a regular basis, you can make the home you've always dreamed of!
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          Well- Source of fresh water, and a connection to Elemental Water
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Oh, geez, I cannot believe they're having this conversation. I don't know whether I want to love it or hate, and the last book was such a mind-trip! ><
Severn has a weapon that speaks? ohh interesting.. I hope we learn that story at some point.
O.O Nightshade lived in the West March. !! Important stuffs. Also important, he did at one time have family, even extended family, and they were very exuberant about political power plays. Hence why Nightshade is so blasted good at them.
Wait... so Kaylin in some part is the reason why Nightshade is Outcaste I think?
...The Barrani have 'stories' like that of the Leontines. In the Old Tongue, and they can only be told if someone has passed the challenge of Name. Holy Moly. This sounds scary, dangerous and amazing. Ahhh, it's another rite of passage. It changes them. But for reasons unknown exposing children to it is bad bad bad.
NIGHTSHADE! =dances=
I wish you had killed Barren. =grumbles=
Oh shoesohshoesohshoes  Tara!
Hey! Nightshade's heart isn't black >> If it was he wouldn't have saved Kaylin or said that he wanted to kill Barren.
Tiamaris to the rescue! You know.. you think ya'll would have a slightly better grasp on what this "Devourer" thing is... being IMMORTAL and all.
So.. let me get this straight. Once upon a time World A was connected to worlds B-Z. While there ARE doors between these worlds, you can't access them your first trip through? So... There's an emptiness. And that emptiness is between the worlds.. sort of like the filling on a cake? Sits between the layers, but isn't the same? Ok. Makes sense.
Good reasons to visit according to Kaylin: Improved sense of humor, learning to curse in Dragon. Yup.
Kaylin can work wonders. She's got Tiamaris betting. O.O Or Tara does. Or the fief in general... one of those!
Arokon.. breathing fire? Oh shoes. This is.. not good.
"I am considering a permanent memory crystal. For your use" XD Poor Kaylin. Not only are her magical descriptions not 'enough' for the Arkon, he wants to torture her with constant magic, and invasion of privacy.
I cannot believe you actually said that to the Arkon Kaylin. Even in Elantran. Holy. Moly.
...what is the Arkon's name? Not his /name/ mind you, just, why is he only called The Arkon?
Caverns! Caverns everywhere! You get a cavern! You get a cavern! Boom! =points at people behind screens= You get a cavern!
And there's an altar? Dragons don't seem to worship gods.. what about the Old Ones? 
     20 ft across and 8ft high? Yup  definitely a Dragon Altar.
Flight I'm guessing, but I think this is how a group of Dragons is referred to.
Soooo Kaylin is part of someone's hoard, or she has her own hoard? O.o sort of confused...
Truth, Journey, Hoard
Kaylin reacts painfully, to most magics. But, when confronted witht eh language of the Old Ones (which we know is magic in and of itself) she doesn't. Is it that the  marks on her skin can't handle a 'lesser' form of magic?
Now that's just petty Arkon.
Yay Yebelline and character growth!
O.O a) He dropped his brush?? b) Yebelline! c) Oh this is one creepy painting, but the technical skill must be outstanding
Holy shitake mushrooms.
I am thinking Diarmat and TIamaris barely got on before Tiamaris left, and less so now.
I wonder how old the Emperor is? If i lined it up, would it be Arkon, Sanabalis, Emperor, Diarmat, Tiamaris?
O.O what in the seven hells are the two of you doing here?? Won't this start another war??
Kaylin, you don't get paind enough for fighting a Dragon, let alone Barrani politics.
Why am I not surprised to see another cavern?
          Polymer clay galaxy based pendant + earring set.
          A necklace with multiple words? Golden beads and a great topaz or druzy?
               Sort of ended up mixing this one with the onyx necklace, and having the druzy.. attempt on it's own.
Well, this answers the question of "how the Consorts learn everything."
"You either stumble or you fail to move at all." < I like!
Ok, if this is an "Old One" talking, then they seem to have been created, not around forever. "When we woke to the worlds."
     Humans, not created by the Old ONes, and the Old Ones can be destroyed. Is that where they all went?
"Overly intellectualized version of home." XD
No! She's seen his name twice now! Not once!
Gold surrounded by ebony... sounds like jewelry!  As usual things change when I'm painting the designs, and I ended up with gold and ebony. But it's close!
"We've pretty much confirmed the World's theory."
"Confirmation was necessary?"
Poor Severn, "The last time she wandered around in your store on her own, I was threatened with demotion."
Oh! So it's a puzzle piece? NOt meant to be on it's own?
"The Barrani and Dragons were created from stone, but not all stone lives and walks, and causes endless trouble." XD  Evanton, you are amazing.
     Wait. Were they carved from different types of stone, and this is why they are so different? And yet the same? So... this stuck with me, and ended up being painting practice. >>
I wonder what the actual distance is between the Halls and the Imperial Palace? For that matter, I want a clearer map of the city.
Nope. Nope. Nope. I don't like Diarmat.
"He is one of several people whose existence is critical to the continued safety of the Empire itself."
     Other people on this list include Tiamaris, Nightshade, the other 4 fieflords, and the High Lord and Consort.  That we know of. Are there more?
Emmerian? Have we met him before?
O.O NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Why is a stuffpot like Diarmat the ettiquette teacher?? I mean, in theory this makes sense, but in general it's a stupid idea! Kaylin will end up being roasted! D:
This book just gets crazier and crazier. The Arkon. Leaving the Palace??
O.O  Dragons... NOT in human form?? Oh They're going to be happy. I wonder ho many streets they'll break and people they'll have to eat though?
Wait. If Dragons breathe fire... why do they have to learn the name of fire? Or are they incapable of doing it until then?
...An egg? O.o
"If the Emperor requires access  to the LIbrary, he can make his displeasure known. He is young and in good health. A few miles of city streets shouldn't cause his voice much trouble."
     Arkon, did you just make a joke?
     I wonder who/what lives near the Palace if the Dragons are so loud, and seem only to speak in Dragon unless humans are around?
The last time he left the Palace was before any of them were born... I want his job!!
Cadge- to beg or obtain by begging.
When Evanton wants to relax, he beads.
    The Hawk he gave Kaylin back in Cast in Courlight? That was him relaxing.
I forsee a long and beautiful friendship between these two. Full of jibes, learning, snark and very frustrated couriers, since neither one leaves their domain much.
Is the Arkon... excited? What a strange thought.
I didn't realize Kaylin remembered that....
"Maybe if we tried to drown the candle instead of lighting it, I"d have more luck." XD
Awww Arkon! ^^
XD "Can I interest you in a job?" Evanton, I adore you. YOu actually joked, with a a Dragon. The Arkon no less!
Wow Arkon, that's... See! I said they'd be friends!  :D
A peacock's fan of fire... filigree, fire painted... and enamel?
It sounds like the perfect climbing tree.
:D! Sanabalis in Dragon form! He's a pale shade of grey, almost silver <3
     Are all Dragons metallic colored?
"But before you settle up here, we'd appreciate a lift down." I can't imagine Sanabalis accepting this request anywhere else.
I'd love the Earth shrine during Spring and Fall.. a huge rounded rock, placed in the sun, perfect to sprawl and nap on. Maybe under a tree, near a brook...
I want a building that changes like the seasons.. and I'm not just talking about decor!
"Please tell me you're not worried about the investigation int the Chancellor's affairs. We're facing the end of the world, Severn."
     Always focusing on the now, huh Kaylin?
A long hall of windows, looking into other worlds..
     Also known as a library. Or, alternatively, a writer's brain ^^.
I love how often Kaylin thinks out loud. It makes me feel less crazy when I do it for problem solving.
"You're discussing philosophy with a door."
     "Yes and? If it replies, I'm talking to it." < my response.
Taller than Barrani and broader than Dragons? O.o. wow.
Eyes of the Travelers : Blue, grey
Kaylin's = brown.
Is this a  'roar' like  human roar, a Roar like  Leontine roar, or a ROAR like Dragon roar?
Children, I'm assuming young children that are as tall as Kaylin's shoulder... how tall are these people? How tall are the Barrani for that matter?
Blue in these people means worried (approximately)
Green... surprised?
Eeesh. Giant Barrani. Great.
Gold.. not a Barrani color- surprised?
Mejrah! A name! Finally!
O.o well this is an odd situation..
Her name is the elements themselves? WTH? Just who is Kaylin, and has anyone else in Barrani history ever had this name?
"If you mention budgeting, I'll break both your legs."
^ This is a very me quote.
Emmerian =/= Emperor
Dragon Court:  Emperor- Unknown color
                      Arkon- Silver (after flight, unknown before hand.)
                      Sanabalis- Pale grey (red after flight, reason unknown)
                      Diarmat- Blue-green (Why is the stuffpot my favorite blend of colors?)
                      Tiamaris- Bronze. Period.
                      Emmerian- Deep, deep blue.
The Maker. I like that. Much better than "The Devourer."
Wait!... Does this mean the elements created the Old Ones? Yes! I think it does! Score!
Dang it.. This book is making me cry. Stupid Kaylin.. >>
They're... they're hoard buddies! Bros? Erm.. Something like that.
He offered to make a world for her. XDX <3
     I think I have my favorite character other than Kaylin...
Kaylin, only you could make a joke at a time like this.
Drums that are louder than a Dragon's roar. Sounds interesting.
I think representing the five would be a  lovely design, their togetherness and separateness all in one.
Wait. Wait. Wait! What about the egg? Kaylin left an EGG in her apartment, in a crate. Will it die since the excess magic is now gone?? D:
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Cast in Shadow I & II
Cast in Courtlight
Cast in Secret
Cast in Fury
Cast in Silence

A Bone to Pick…

I’m doing a book post on  a day that’s not Friday! O.O I've been reading a good bit of urban fantasy lately and I've got a bone to pick. More specifically  I've got a bone to pick with the writers.  What is it with combining all sorts of things that go bump in the night into new and strange things?

Don't get me wrong. There are some I've read that come out beautifully. Damphir are an example of this.

     Damphir- Half vampire, half human, through whatever weird twist of fate. Usually happens when a newly turned vamp isn't quite turned yet and ends up either impregnating someone or getting pregnant.

Or Half-Fae I've seen those too, and they work just fine. Hell, they make sense. A vampini though? Are you kidding me? Half genie half vampire, where the genie isn't even contributing dna? How does that work?  Hell, it makes me think I should be ordering it at the bar.

I'm not saying don't write. (I write myself, so it'd be pointless.) I'm not saying don't mix things up. We need innovation. Please though, put some consideration into how you mix things? Pretty please? =sighs= If you can make it make sense, I'm all for it. If you're just throwing stuff together though, and thinking "Hey this would make an interesting mix!" please, just don't. Cut it out, and leave it in the 'Oops' file.

/ hops down off the soapbox. 
Anyway! In other news, The Band Perry has grown on me since I first heard their music. Their latest song to get hooked into my skull is "Better Dig Two ". I woke up with this song playing in my head this morning. It's rather amusing because I don't normally do that. I like the beat, the lead singer's voice, and the story told in the song. I even like the video, which for me is increasingly rare.  Here, I'll share, and maybe that makes up some for the grrroar over 'vampinis'?

So, what about ya'll? Have you read something in UF that you're just sick to death of? Have any defense for the vampini?

Design This 4!

Hullo again everyone :D

Last fortnight's character was Smaug from Tolkien’s  Hobbit.

Starting with things about Smaug, things that I thought were implicit to his character. His hoard, his destructive power and his scales.

The hoard gave me the idea of different metals melded together, with gems all over. It's not part of the next piece, although it does look that way. The scales brought to mind a Japanese Lace pattern, embedded with different gems, much like his hide.

The last piece was another attempt at a fire gem, although I've tried it before, it's rather difficult to paint.

This fortnight's challenger is Ursula! Twisted and scary, she's a lady with an interesting past. Good luck and I'll see y'all in two weeks ^^

And Ursula in her human form.

Did you like last week's DesignThis challenge?
Have suggestions for a challenge in the future?

Comment below!

Dark Currents

The tag title for this is Daisy Johanssen, reluctant hell-spawn.
And that is absolutely accurate. Unlike Faythe though (from Stray) she's not raging or a wound up ball of anger. She's pretty chill all in all. I find it interesting that the author decided to work in the concept of the "Seven Deadlies" as a palpable force almost that she has to be aware of at all times. Stuff tends to happen when she isn't.
I admit the name Daisy threw me for a loop at first and I had some preconceived notions about the characters personality and looks. They were all smashed within seconds. Which is always the best isn't it?
Anyway, while I'm not getting any solid ideas for jewelry for Miss Daisy of the Pemkowet police, I am getting something from her reluctant partner, Cody Fairfax. Apparently he's a werewolf* and every time he gets upset, the author mentions how there's a flicker of "phosphorescent green" behind his eyes. The color that comes to mind with that phrase.. I'd like to do something with that, although I don't have a clue what just yet XD. Cody is very rough and his werewolf side is very..naturalistic let’s say. I think a wolf pendant, with a little bit of magic to it would fit him. He’d probably string it on a leather cord he made himself.
I can't help it, I love a well written fop, and Casimir is lovely. Shammanic roots and head of the local coven not to mention small town business owner!
Funnily enough Casmir's in town rival, the bead shop, is called Baubles and Beads. Which brought to mind both the online store and the video series by the same name. (Although it turns out after checking later it’s “Beads, Baubles and Jewels. Ooops. Still an interesting thing though. )
Mogwai- Daisy's sometime pet cat. Sort of a stray, sort of not? I love his name, but I'm starting to think that he's something else, although you'd think Daisy would know if he was.
Old Mrs Browne- This little old lady gets jewelry. I don't know what yet, but I like her. She's a baker!:D She's also a brownie unless I'm off or something eldritch anyway. I’m thinking she’d need something easy to clean, so polymer clay or maybe metal, without a ton of texturing, but something colorful.
Lurine- Here's something I haven’t seen in awhile, a Lamia, Green and gold and blue with iridescent crimson spots. I get the feeling that Lurine might be a celebrity on land, but in the water, she's more akin to royalty. And pretty scary when she wants to be. If Lurine has been around for so long, I think she’d have collected certain pieces of jewelry, especially if I’m right and she’s some type of royalty? This fits her.
Mikill- I don't know if he's going to get jewelry or a painting at some point. A frost giant!
ansuz- the 'f' rune. And a piece for Daisy. Even though it doesn’t mention something like this in the book, I could see Daisy enjoying something simple, but a little bit of shiny to make her day brighter.
*It just isn't urban fantasy without weresomethings I suppose.

Blog Parties?

So I've recently discovered something called a 'blog party'. The concept of which was best explained by Carolina Moore, comparing a blog party to a dinner party.The thing is, it seems to be all about 'making' things. I've done a few tutorials, and an anti-tutorial now. I don't really teach much though, since I'm learning so much. Are there blog parties for books? Designs? 

Do any of ya'll care? It might mean more people, more topics and more conversation on the blog. I am in favor of all of these things.
The question is, do I stick to 'geeky' ones, 'jewelry/craft' ones or do I do a mix?
Personally I'm thinking about doing both, however, if ya'll have any experience, it'd be great if you'd share in the comments below.

Whatever I come up with, I'll be sure to share it in the posts going forward. :)

The Anti-Tutorial…Opals

So, browsing around Pinterest the other day, and I saw a pin saying "Polymer Clay Opal Technique". Being  me, and loving opals way too much (seriously, my etsy wishlist is full of them) I clicked.
I was horribly disappointed. They looked nothing like opals.*
For the record, here's a few options for opals from around the world. 
Black Opal
White Opal
Boulder Opal
 
Mexican Fire Opal
Sadly nothing I could find looked even remotely like that. I wept! There are no opal tutorials. D: What's a gem loving girl to do? 
And then......
I found this.
Those two examples, look amazing! I especially love the one on the right. 
I couldn't find anything close to those though. :( No one else seems to have figured out their technique.
But I came close with this lovely one.
The bottom one gives me some ideas... although it would mean that I'd have to get liquid polymer clay and sparkly bits somehow... 
* I'm not going to link directly to any of these, because, well, that would be mean. 
What are your thoughts on faux opal techniques? Do you have anything to share? Comment below!

Cast in Silence

I can't believe we're already in the fifth book. Wowza.

If you're just coming in to this series, welcome! Feel free to scroll to the bottom click through to any of the earlier posts. This post series on Fridays is me reading a book, reacting as I read it, and then designing jewelry around what I read. Feel free to suggest books for the future.
For those of you coming back to read again, hi there! I missed all of you :D

Let's dig into the book!

I love when a book starts with threats of violence ^^. " Had the cheerful and musical voice belonged to a person who could be easily strangled, it would have stopped in midsentence."

Marcus! :D

Of course Kaylin is out of money. She wouldn't be Kaylin if she wasn't. XD

I wonder how many people have to be included for it to be called a 'smallish' war... a few hundred? Any less and it would be a skirmish right?
Given this description of Margot, I want to meet this woman. Other than the fact that she's a charlatan, she sounds interesting. Tall, statuesque redhead, amber eyes, sinful voice, lots of people attracted to her. Yup, going to have to design something for this... There we go, it would accentuate her throat, and any cleavage the lady has. Kaylin would probably just see it as an easier method to strangle her.

So even Kaylin get's accused of the 'oh it's just that time of month'... I like her threats in reply though ^^.

Grethan! I don't know whether to be happy to see you or want to whack you on the head.  Oh, he's learned to speak more clearly, good. Or just dealing with Evanton for a few weeks and not having his hopes torn to shreds and told he did something positively idiotic helped. XD

Oh dear....wait. If the Barrani called it Ravellon... how did it become a rune. More importantly, how are the true names of different people written on Kaylin. Are they true names in the sense of sybological languages? Where each symbol is a word in and of itself, but could also possibly be used as a name? O.o Ugh.. some of these bits make my head hurt...

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that's the first time it's been mentioned that there are blades at both ends of Severn's chain weapon.

Morse?

What is  a fieflord doing sending people across the river to do business? O.o

Ohhh... Barren. This book is going to be interesting. we get to find out about that six months after Steffi and Jade and prior to her becoming a Hawk maybe? This is either going to be wonderful, or very, very scary. I'm not sure which.

Teela! <3 "You've managed to go drinking with officers and wreck half a tavern!"

This is why I love Teela & Tain. Wait. Are these two lovers or siblings? I can never tell given the way they act with each other. NOT a sibling then... Barrani are scary. Teela dislikes potatoes. =laughs= I love this!  Aw, they're concerned over this. Yay having friends. O.O She... went into Barren when she was BORED??? Holy. Moly.

Seriously Kaylin? How could you accuse Teela of not trusting you? Idiot girl. She might consider you young in comparison (which given that Teela seems to be 1000 years old or so might be something..) doesn't mean she doesn't trust you.

Ok, am I the only one who saw that coming? To some degree?

I love a) seeing Sanabalis, and b) being reminded that Tiamaris was NOT the best student, despite his attitudes now.

Etiquette lessons. If and when this finally happens, this is going to be very, very interesting.

Joey and Timar- First time we've learned about her coworkers! (other than the plot essential ones I mean.)

Severn, you are sneaky and smart as always.

Tiamaris in full uniform? Oh, we haven't seen that since the first book. Goodie ^^

The idea of a Dragon 'seated primly' is rather amusing to me.

Oh dear. Angry Marcus. Lift your chin and keep your eyes down Tiamaris.

I love that Nightshade has an enjoyment of flowers.

Oh. Apparently my understanding of this entire world, has been off. I always imagined the fiefs to lie to the east of the city, apparently they're to the north of it.    Interesting.  You know what? Screw it. We're making a map. Technically it's not a jewelry design, but y'all know me by this point, there's no telling what I could turn it into at some point.  Now, if memory serves, the seven fiefs are arranged in a sort of crescent, and Barren and Nightshade are the only ones that border the Abalayne.... This map might get updated with more knowledge as it becomes possible. ^^;

So.. What Nightshade is suggesting is that although both Barren and Liatt are mortal, Liatt has claimed her fief's version of the Castle, while Barren hasn't, and merely holds the fief by... cunning? Evilness? Some combination thereof? And that apparently the fiefs, the land itself resonates with the fieflord's name.

So... shadows and possibly ferals are getting worse, which is possibly the real reason that Barren wants Kaylin, and not actually that he's wanting to blackmail her? But since that's the only way he knows, it's what he's going with. This is my conjecture anyway.

Tiamaris' correction from High Halls to Barrani High Halls is interesting. Does that mean that there are Dragon High Halls?

I think Dragons have some sort of telepathy between themselves. There are too many instances when it would make sense.

I really need to create a sign or something that says "I am the Arkon.  Touch any of my stuff and you will die horribly."  ^^

"Sanabalis left her abruptly, but his departure wasn't the usual mystery; a Dragon roared, the palace shook, and when the tremors had died down, he was already out the door. Yeesh. I wonder if the Emperor stays permanently in Dragon form? And if so, how big is he? Is he a healthy Dragon, or fat from staying inside all the time and never flying. In fact, we haven't seen any less than fit Dragons, how odd... or Barrani.. or Leontines, definitely not Aerians, but that's a given. Only humans. interesting.

Oh, a lesson in magical theory. Fun stuff. Let's take the Mia version!

Multiple worlds exist

Each one has the potential for magic

Magic runs in lines. Lines can cross making either crosses or knots. (I'm guessing these are squiggly and messy.)

The Castles of the fiefs exist on these knots.

Magic where these lines cross (in either fashion) is more wild than it is when called elsewhere.

Wait. The Dragons know Kaylin took a name don't they? They know at least that she passed the test of the High Halls, but did she tell anyone other than Severn, Teela and the Consorts that she had one herself? Doesn't this mean she's in danger of changing if she goes in there?  Uh oh.

I don't know what she went through, I don't know if she'll live till the end of the book, but DAMN do I like Morse. This woman is harsh.

Six legs, way too many eyes and it TALKS? Eugh.

Go tiamaris! Kill it with fire!!

....did he? No.... ok, apparently I was wrong and he did.

So Morse is really the power in the fief, not Barren. But she doesn't want that mantle, so she hasn't killed him?

So... Aside from being a sick schmuck, Barren might just be slightly interesting.

What are they offering to bring her into? Simply knowledge, or something more? The Dragons built things? I wonder what they built, and if any of it still stands?

Wait.. They said they didn't build Ravellon. buuuuttt, what the Arkon is saying seems to contradict this.

Oh interesting, back to the High Halls. Will we see the Lord of the West March I wonder? And since we're seeing his ring, I"m guessing that's a yes.  Emeralds and ivory, and of course it's got magic on it. (Why am I not surprised. Blasted Barrani.) Wait a sec. How did he get a ring symbolizing the two of them that quickly??

O.O The Wolves.. seconded. Oh shoes.

Consort ^^ Back here again? Oh bother.  I was hoping we wouldn't have to deal with this room again, it makes me twitchy. 
Wait... so Nightshade didn't change because he went for a reason, not because he wanted power and or knowledge? So... is this a scenario of power corupts? Wait, no, it can't be. Because then all the Barrani would be corrupt. XD

There are Baranni fieflords who are not, or at least were not Outcaste? Interesting.

The pacing in this book is slower than the others. It's necessary, but it's still slower and there's a steep learning curve on it.

Okay... what in the seven just happened? A carriage that could make the Imperials look bad? In Barren? 

NIGHTSHADE??? O.O What in all the seven? This book has seriously derailed from what I thought was happening. No! Bad Nightshade! Do NOT attack them >:(

...so the mark works even in this place? Good. NO BLAST IT NIGHTSHADE!

Copacetic? XD

Ok. Either this is a) the past or b) this is one of those different worlds.
How long has Nightshade been in the fiefs that it was prior to the existence of the Empire? ... actually, how old is the Empire?

>< Even in this strange place he's amused by her and cautioning her.

What does a door look like if you add it as an afterthought?

You cannot have Kaylin >:l

I have to agree Kaylin, I too like Younger Nightshade.

Morse: All bark and, yeah, still plenty of bite.

A Tower that unravels the lies we tell ourselves... I would build a place like that, and let all the world go through it. Maybe we'd be a people more at peace then... and the people that died trying to face it, we'd be better off.

Magic is supposed to have logic? I'm pretty sure this whole book has been proving that magic has no logic. XD

Flight, Wind, Fire Breath, Stone, associative words. DUH Kaylin, they're words that describe Dragons.

Imagining a little Tiamaris is amazing. ><

I don't understand what is going on here at all D: This, just, uhg. Brain melting.

It's cool and climactic, and tension, but my brain just isn't gettting it today with this headache ><;;;

!!!!! Tiamaris you amazing, beautiful, crazy Dragon. What in the seven bleeding hells are you doing??? I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Or just. GAH!

"There are shadows and invaders in my domain. There presence does not please me"  Only you.

Oh shoes. That is not going to be a good conversation... That's an understatement. This is going to be ugly.

Tara, with that one line, you have become several magnitudes more awesome.

Oh, new Dragons.

Sanabalis

Tiamaris

Diarmat

Emmerian

Emeperor

^ All known Dragons  to date

108 requests for promotion. Yeesh Kaylin.

Normal doors? Gasp!

The piece along the bottom is for Tara, I thought it might fit her role and personality, along with being a reminder of what she is.

Like the post? Comment below!

Want to suggest future posts? Comment below!

Are you a one eyed, one horned flying purple people eater who's miffed about Pluto's demotion? Comment below! :D

Cast in Shadow 1 & 2

Cast in Courtlight

Cast in Secret

Cast in Fury

Book Review: The Workbench Guide to Jewelry Techniques

Title: The Workbench Guide to Jewelry Techniques
Author: Anastasia Young
 
Pictures: 10/10
Clarity of Instruction: 8/10 
Complexity: 1/10 -10/10
Overall Score: 9/10
Let me start off with, I LOVED this book. Now that we've got that out of the way, I'll do my best to explain why. The book is divided into 6 sections. There's a brief history of jewelry at the very beginning with beautiful photos of jewelry from around the world, throughout time. After that begins the actual chapters. Chapter 1 is Work Space, Tools and Materials. I loved this section because it really went into depth on everything you should have when starting off, and then everything else you /could/ have. The info on the different materials was great to read, very easy to follow along with, and I learned quite a bit in this section alone. 

Chapter two is all about Techniques, and here is the only place the book had me ever so slightly confused confused. There would be times, such as when I was reading the enameling section, or reading about making rings, where it would use a term that the book assumed you would know, and yet it's not explained anywhere. 

On the other hand, there were tons of sections that I, being the ditz I can be at times ><, never would have considered including. Examples? Bending acrylic and making catches. It simply never would have crossed my mind. The techniques section is both very indepth and manages to cover a broad range of topics, while also giving only a small amount of information. Each technique is only given two to three pages, but within those pages, there's a wealth of information and at least one series of beautiful pictures. The techniques also range from the 'basic' such as working on a wire jig, or stringing, on over to the 'complex' like chasing and repousse or enameling. 

The third chapter is all about Design. I admit, being self taught the idea of designing a piece of jewelry from start to finish is rather daunting to me. The idea though of making samples and keeping detailed notes on how you came up with something isn't new, but the concept of technical diagrams certainly was. Even though I took drafting in school, I never thought to apply that to my work now. The things you learn.. 
Chapter four is all about going into business, and is one of the shortest chapters in the book.  My favorite section in this chapter was on Photography and the different effects that can be obtained, not to mention how to photography shiny surfaces.  (I admit, I am not the best when it comes to photography.)  The only section I had issue for in this was the pricing. It was more words and 'general' ideas than examples that could actually help you get a working idea for it. (and that's after taking into consideration that jewelry is a very broad range of prices.) 

Chapter five is the reference section, I really enjoyed reading this section, especially the suppliers and galleries listings. 

Final thoughts: Like I said at the beginning, I loved this book. Most undoubtedly, when I get the chance I am buying it and it is going to be a constant companion near my workbench. I highly suggest it for anyone of any level of work. 
Do you have any thoughts on this book? Feel free to comment below. :) 

Treasury: Mom’s Day at the Spa

We're doing this month's first treasury a little early this time, to make sure that it's in time for Mother's Day.
I built the treasury around the idea of having a spa day at home after talking to both my twin and my own mom, and both of them wanting a few days to relax.

Starting off with a little bit of pretty, these vintage hairsticks by uniquedkz  are adorable.

 

Kinies’ purses are solid come in killer colors, great for a woman on the go.

After a long day running around, who wouldn’t like a massage? eSCENTialsAroma makes it easy.

Cute and detailed these are a sweet gift. by ToastedGlass 

An amazing all in one spa set by greenbubbleshome.

Nothinglikeleather adds a nifty way to pull up your hair while enjoying that soak. (Or you know, anything else )

FeathersOnTheGround provides lovely gardenia soaps which are chock full of moisturizing agents to make Mom’s skin nice and soft.

Aromatherapy is supposed to be all sorts of helpful right? goodearthessentials helps you out with a full starter set.

A rough and tumble bag DuDuLeather, perfect for a day out and about.

More and more people complain of sleep loss, CountryFolkSoap aims to help with this lavender & sage spa set.

Does Mom enjoy makeup, either for herself or doing it for others? Why not get her a starter kit complete with brushes from SweetFaceMinerals?

With frankincense & Indian sandalwood this soap is definitely worth a king, er Queen’s ransom!

By amethystsoap

A care kit for the mom that loves getting dirt under her nails, by naturesmuse.

Earthy and lovely ceramic mugs by hughespottery. Perfect for curling up and watching the spring time rains.

Not quite sure which scent best defines Mom? Why not pick a couple of them and give her a choice?  by AROAMAS

One last perfume, by SpectrumCosmetic, the soothing scent of black tea.

I hope you enjoyed this treasury, and Mother’s day when it comes!
Feel free to comment below