Wire Crochet: Round One

A while ago I stumbled across this great tutorial for learning how to crochet with wire. It makes it look so easy, and I already had some ideas on how I could use the technique for jewelry. Before we dig into what I learned though, here' are a few reasons I wanted to learn.

 

 

I will say that the tutorial is deceptively simple. It's thorough and easy to follow, which I love. It’s a simple matter of hook, twist and pull.  There were two things that weren't addressed though which left me frustrated.

The first is that when you try to pull the wire through the loop, it has a tendency to slip away. It gets away from the hook, and doesn't want to come back. I think this one can be fixed with practice, although I'm not certain yet.

The second is that unless you're lucky, the holes seem to vary  in both size and level of kink. I want to say this can be fixed with practice, but I'm just not sure. Despite hunting all over the internet, I had no luck finding someone who could answer these questions for me. I suppose I"ll have to keep practicing, and put together a trouble shooting guide on my own for everyone else. (I can't be the only one having these problems right?)

Here I come, wild blue yonder?

MiaBella Studio will be moving to Texas during the week of June 23-28.  What this means is due to packing and household organization, I won't be taking orders for one week prior to or after the move. So June 16th through July 5th .
It also means that I won't be updating the shop till after July 7th . What's in the shop is what will be in the shop for the time being. I f you order prior to June 13th  (and it's not a Sunday)  I will ship as soon as payment clears.
There will be two new mini-lines for you to look forward to when the shop reopens in July! :D
Thank you all for being patient during this exciting time! I'll see you all come July!

Cast in Peril

 

The cover for this week's book has me rather excited. Kaylin is in a dress and holding an egg. I'm going to assume it's our mysterious egg from the last two books?

It's rather pretty and the dress is a shade of green that puts me in mind of peridot. It's a gorgeous strapless dress, leaving her neck and shoulders bare, which immediately has me thinking "Jewelry is needed!"  Given the color and the background I'd go with a forest theme, done in peridot and gold.

     Two ideas spring to mind, one rather simple, and the other more ornate. The first is just a simple branch, with leaves of peridot. The other  is a front piece, gems set within the branches of the tree, split to form the collar, which narrows down into a chain. The top half of the 'plate' (geez, I really don't know what to call it D:  advice anyone?) would have peridot, the bottom half would be chasing, repousse, and texturing.

Poor Kaylin, you don't ever do well with perky morning people do you?

Diarmat is considering giving up? O.O Kaylin is more stubborn than Dragons. Holy moly. And she's been /trying/ at these things.

Woo! Go Kaylin! Finally got the blasted thing lit!

Poor Kaylin, I can just imagine the bore of having to learn all of their titles.

Did Grammayre actually use sarcasm just then? Even though he's exceedingly pissed?

I find it amusing that 8 weeks of Kaylin's time is less than what they'd usually pay for information like this. I wonder what she gets paid?

Elide- 1) To leave out, suppress, omit or ignore. 2) To leave out or slur over in pronunciation.

Assassins? Well. This is a new one.

An Arcane bomb. Hells bells.

The egg hatched in the middle of an Arcane bomb. And it's eyes are opalescent. I love this series.

A familiar? I thought that that was just a term, not an entire species. Interessant.

O.O Kaylin. You're floating in a sphere of magic and someone just tried to kill you and the only female Dragon. I don't care how cute the little opal thing is, focus woman!

... why would Teela and Tain be displeased by a familiar? I thought most Barrani  wilded magic to some degree?

How does one look vaguely regal? I want to master this look, it could be useful.

Sorcerer, now capitalized. Different than mage, Arcanist, or Chosen?

It squeaks every time it tries to roar. Yeah, ok, it's cute.

And Diarmat shows up. Shoes.

Only a few hours old, and he's got a definitive opinion, I like ^^.

When Dragons snort smoke.... what color is it? Since smoke implies that /something/ is being burnt, what would that be?

Arkon! That was mean!!

And that completely makes up for it.. Stop being so confusing Arkon.

Small, translucent, shaped like a dragon, and has the attitude of a cat . "I do not belong to you. You belong to /me/." 

          "An Arcanist, but with actual powe

Sorcerer as defined by the Arkon.r."

Kaylin you're temperamental and in possession of a familiar that wants to protect you. Do you really think that you can be involved with the investigation into who bombed your home?

Teela, bruised?O.O What in the seven?

This one one hell of an attack.

          3 Barrani dead

          1 Aerian dead

          2 mages (not Arcanists) dead- so bad thing

          Clint injured

          The Arcanum (the building) was also damaged, though it's still standing.

So Teela is inviting Kaylin to stay within the High Halls.... why does this sound like a VERY bad idead?

If Evarrim was there...why wasn't he involved in the fighting/ Did he betray them? Is that even possible?

          I have realized after rereading my notes that I was mixing Barrani Evarrim and Dragon Emmerian. Evarrim is the Arcanist, and Emmerian was said to be meeting the Hawks at the Arcanum to be aiding them, hence my mix up.

So ... It has to be a Barrani that attacked if we are assuming that Bellusdeo was the target.

     If that's the case, it had to be a Lord for them to have the power, both politically and magically.

     The Emperor is pissed because the Barrani Hawks hadn't a clue about this. Got it.

I'd like to do a piece based on the familiar, when it was in it's egg and just a hatchilng. Perhaps a carved amethyst over an opal slice ala David Brackna

          Do research -Optical Inlays- David Brackna

                              Tony Geonnotti

                              Earl Montgomery- Space Gems

Rooms within the Tower of Tiamaris (that we've seen and had named)

     Formal Dining Room

     Maggaron's Room

     Mirror Room

     Morgue

     And now Tiamaris' War Room.

Why were familiars considered auspicious? (good omens)

Tiamaris is allowing Barrani to retain property rights in the fief? Interesting.

"Actually a wall...and looked like solid stone. GIven Tiamaris was running at it head first, Kaylin wasn't too concerned, if it failed to open, it was unlikely to hurt him."  Buuuut... What about you and Severn on his back? O.o

No one else with him? Is he speaking with a ghost or a Shadow perhaps?

There are spaces within the fief borders, actual spaces of their own?

What in the seven hells is Severn's chain made of that flame and magic do nothing to it?

Sooo... this thing in the fiefs is connected to the bombing of Kaylin's apartment... to me, this suggests that the bombing was focused on Kaylin, not Bellusdeo (heretofore just called Bell to save space.)

Great. Just Dandy. An entirely new scary place. "The outlands"

ahh. they seem to be doorways within a world. Rather than the doors between separate worlds, they are doors which lead between 2 places within a world.

     An example for us (were it possible) would be between NYC and Paris. Step through a door rather than an airplane. (Wow, that would be lovely.... and make getting to shows so much easier.)

"If they anger, annoy or bore me, I will send them home; if they attempt to remain, I will send them home in pieces." Tiamaris, I wish I could do this.

What would these portals have to do with the embezzling? Why would it be needed?

When will you accept that he will always be aware of you?

I hate when you're like this Nightshade >:(

I want someone to threaten Nightshade at somepoint, just so I can see the Castle eat them. Omnomnomnom

Even given his involvement in this, he is trying to protect her. It's confusing.

The familiar is trying to protect her from Nightshade. He has actually gone and attacked him, some sort of opalescent smoke? And... Nightshade acting like an acrobat? XD

Teela <3  "I can't tell whether you're warning me off Nightshade or telling me not to judge him."

     At least we have total confirmation she has feelings for him, and vice versa ^^

The Eternal Emperor visited the High Halls? O.O

     I didn't know he even ever left the Palace.

Fittings. Oh joy.

Teela is outfitting Kaylin both due to her kyuthe ties, and her title, interesting.

An armed escort... this looks bad.

Kaylin, I love when you let your temper reign, and arm it with words.

O.O A Barrani... being tried by Imperial Court....holy..... (for those just joining us, we learned in Cast in Courtlight, that this NEVER happens. If a Barrani commits a crime (and is caught...) then the only Court that tries them is the Barrani Caste Court.)

He's giving her the pendant again? Aww Sanabalis, that's sweet.

     (So apparently AutoCorrect thinks that 'Sanabalis' is 'Canabalism'... I have issues with this.

"I hate being the only mortal in a gathering full of Immortals who think killing each other cleverly is the height of good manners."

Sneaky Severn...

The Arkon, asking a favor? What strange land is this??

Oh... this is both the best and worst idea possible.

     Teela+Tain+Bell Oh hells bells.     

     "I haven't been bored for weeks." XD

     And it's a high compliment XDDD

I admit, I did not expect this to happen in this book.

     And we're off to the West March, lands of the brother of the High Lord & Consort, and kyuthe to Kaylin.

Yes! This is the way a dress should be! "Soft, light and long, while still allowing for full freedom of movement."

Why did they not describe Teela's jewelry? D: Screw it, I'm making up some anyway. White, gold and green, dripping from wrists and fingers...

Kaylin, why would you immediately think that you have to think like Evarrim, when there are 4 other Barrani you like far more that you could think like? 7 if you count the Royal siblings.

O.o Once again I realize why I draw the parallel between Barrani and the classical ideas of elves.

"Please tell me we don't have to bleed on the tree? " Sorry Kaylin

"I do not believe the Barrani. And they're worried about signing a guest book?"

Blasted hatchilng! That was important to him...

     and it's not hot? what type of magic is this little one?

O. how did you manage that? I really hope you didn't break it little hatchling.

That is a rather well acomplished bow Kaylin, well done.

Mr. Small and Squawky XD

I wonder why? Would the tree devour the blood and do something odd?

Well, that's certainly a way to discourage visitors.

     " You'll find the room either too hot or too cold; you'll find everything slightly off.. If you remain in the room you'll begin to notice unpleasant, small details... An excess of insects. Spiders, small beetles.... But the air gets stuffy, and if you can' or won't take the hint, it becomes absent. It's not unlike being buried alive, but without the dirt."

          Trust the Barrani to have magic tree houses, pardon waystations that can tell you to gtfo.

Darn it Severn... I don't want to like the idea of you and Kaylin being together. Stop  being so ..real. =grumbles.=

Ok. Grudgingly, I like you Severn. Grudgingly, because of this line.

     "I made a life that has space for you in it, but it's still my life."

....Furniture that chooses your clothing. Interesting.

I want these boots. Anythign that Kaylin would whistle at, I want. Practical and pretty, I'm all for it.

Gahhhhh. Badbadbad. But if it's so simple in comparison to even Teela, let alone the Consort, why is it bad?"

"The blood of the green" why does this sound like the forest has recognized her as Chosen the way Water did, or as a match (or equal) to the Lord of the West March perhaps?

What the hell is with this dress. It absorbed the light and bloody changed colors? I want!

Soo.. the dress has significance because you are a Lord of the Court that holds his own name? O.o Andellan that makes no sense.

Blood of the green is important to the regalia, and the person wearing it is also important. In that they have to do something.

Evarrim being... nice? This is highly suspicious and if he hadn't saved both the Lord of the West March and the current High Lord, I'd say kill him.

New words- Harmoniste & illuminations

     I'm assuming that the harmoniste is whoever gets the blood of the green outfit, and the illuminations are whoever gets bonked on the head by a ball of light.

This implies that Teela does now control her families lands?

I take back my commentary about Barrani and elves. They make waystations anywhere and everywhere apparently. This evening's choice is a cliff. I wonder if the hatchling will try to bite it?

Less territorial friends? Where's the fun in that Teela?

So it seems the interior is shaped by the exterior.

     Tree station (to use Kaylin's term) = rounded and oval shapes

     Cliff station= hard, solid lines

     I like the tree station more.

Ooooh Nightshade...=chuckles=

I'm thinking these robes are important. And any other male of Kaylin's acquaintance in a tiara would be amusing. Since it's Nightshade, I'm sort of... expecting it? Its a tiara with an emerald in it, obviously I have to draw it. I also want to try and fit something to the robes that he's wearing. They're cream edged in blue, with both colors shifting between all possibilities suggested within those.

The waystations, they are the 'hearts' of the green and somehow have the capability to summon people. Why am I not surprised?

How in the seven bleeding hells is the Consort using Nightshade's TRUE Name??? Outloud???

     Or is there more to it than simply, knowing the name?

"the publicly acceptable form of his name' oooook?

There is a Barrani Wolf??? I want to meet him!

So... is Nightshade wearing a tiara that Kaylin is actually supposed to be wearing?

Next question are these waystations sentient that they are (potentially) placing her in rooms with either one of her theoretical suitors? Are the waystations picking sides?

     Sadly/not sadly she ended up with Teela for the night.

I hope the hatchling  grows to  like Nightshade.

O.o she's staying with Teela?

XD Kaylin and Teela having a water war. I cannot believe it.

O.o Kaylin as harmoniste is so bad that Teela is cool with cutting off the Hawklord's wings before having it happen. This is going to be an enjoyable book.

Teela was subjected to the regalia as a child. Interesting and important. But she seems (mostly) whole and not insane.

O.o Teela....

Why only for Teela? While there don't seem to be any gender biases, why not give the same gift to his sons?

So Teela is the only child who was tested that was not... changed for the worse.

A dozen children lost... wow.

And Lords of the Court as well from the fights? no. After the recitation apparently.

O.o the children killed the Lords. What in the seven is this transformation?

"Worry if you like. But guilt? No. Your guilt is an attempt to deprive me of the ability to make an adult choice- and accept the resultant consequences-"

     This... this is an important passage. Not only within the book, but within human social interactions I believe. Which is funny in that its said by a Barrani.

Pillow talk among the girls. The same no matter what.

Second book where the evil chickens have made an appearance and I cannot help but laugh.

A Teller of Tales doesn't happen without a harmoniste, there can be a harmoniste though and no Teller.

Once again the Barrani see things others don't.

Does the number of illuminations matter? They don't apparently affect the harmoniste either way.

     I'd like to do a set based around the illuminations. Perhaps earrings as just cut stones, and then two different pendants. One with the number of illuminations and a second that is just an encased star.

Nightshade isn't approaching, but he does still protect her.

     Gah, I have a love/hate relationship with everything this book inspires in me.

Wait. Why do the Barrani magics create a Dragon. I know the Draco-Barrani war partially took place in this area buuuuuuut... still?

Crazy hatchling! What in all the Seven are you doing! It's not a threat! And it's your own kind, sort of, you'd think you'd be happy!

Ok, the shape taken by the river is not always the same, interesting.

Nightshade... singing? I wish this was a real thing. 

Hallione Kariastos, a person at one time?

I like this gent! I'm not sure who he is or was, other than a great mage it seems, but I like him.

Severn said that poisons lose their efficacy within the waystations. I wonder if many Barrani carry small poison bottles on them at all times?

Hallione actually means waystation.

Kariastos, despite his Draconic form, is actually a mostly Barrani Avatar.

O.O XD I LOVE Kariastos.

     "Perhaps the young ones have forgotten. And if it is necessary, I will wake my brothers from here to the heart of the green and they will explain our ancient rules more... clearly."

Only half the traveling Court? Where is the other half?

He said it outloud. and really? Only one wants to harm her? Is Evarrim inside? Wait, no. Nightshade would be if he was.

Lord Iberrienne- this is the assassin?

Okay... Hallione, are constructs, but possibly a race of sorts as well?

Karostos is playing fix-it. Holy shitake! <3

It's always fun reading these books because I have to translate what the Barrani say. And those translations vary every time.

"We call them lullabies, but in general, they don't mention gruesome deaths." XD

     Wait. Have you not heard "When the bow breaks the cradle will fall"? ... I don't know if this world would have that song necessarily, but still! That one is gruesome if you think about it.

He's coming with? How interesting.

Oh dear. Teela, are you threatening the Consort?

3 Lords dead? O.o Oh dear. I thought that wasn't possible Kariastos?

Nightshade?

Phew, ok. So the three that died are just idiots. No loss there.

Soo... is Teela on Nightshade's side or his opponents or is she just presenting the facts?

Polite horror at the chain weapon? Why, because he was taught it's use by a Barrani and he's 'merely' mortal?

Shadow creatures... speaking Elantran?

How can opals be repellent? I can't wrap my head around this.

They speak and they can issue orders. Oh shoes.

Terrano... one of the children. I thought the Hallione contained them?

He is all shocked and appalled and  Kaylin is "Pfft, don't give a damn" . <3

Really, did you have to mention the bugs?

Nightshade... a child? Or a sibling?

A graveyard?

Hey! The tree Hallione has a name :D Sylvanne

Huh. I see I'm not the only one that thinks songs have power.

"I have made it clear that they are not to distor their faces or bodies beyond the acceptable norm for Barrani" XD

     I love that this has to be made clear.

Ok, new favorite: Bertolle, that is the kindest thing ever.

Wilson? Only you Kaylin.

Oh... that might prove dangerous in the future.

"You are merely a Lord of the High Court" XD Go Kaylin!

This book is just going crazy and I cannot believe it's going to end where it is. ROAR!!!!

Sooo...

     Iberrienne promises Human Caste Court immortality

     Exchequer embezzles to give it to him.

     Iberrienne uses money to bribe fieflords and buy people.

She can purify them. O.O This might be important.

They ruby has blackened?

That comment earlier about nothing damaging Severn's weapon? Yeah, taking that back.

So... The next book, in some ways will be Cast in Peril, Part 2. =laughs= That is going to be my unofficial title for it now.

I feel that the title for this book, now that I've read the entire thing, is 100% accurate.

Alright ladies and gents! Thank you for following along with this week's book, I hope you enjoyed it, and the designs. I'm sorry for taking Friday off, like I said, I got a 24 hour bug, and could not get out of bed. Next week's book will be up on Friday as per usual. See you all then :D

As always, please feel free to comment below, I love comments. :D (They feed the website gremlins ;) )

Have any suggestions for future books to design around? Feel free to comment below. ^^

Cast in Shadow I & II
Cast in Courtlight
Cast in Secret
Cast in Fury
Cast in Silence
Cast in Chaos

Cast in Ruin

Book Review: Kumi

Title: 'Kumi' Braiding with Beads, Thread, Yarn, Cords
Author: Suzanne MCNeil
 
Pictures: 6/10
Clarity of Instruction: 9/10
Complexity: 4/10
Overall Score: 7/10
This is actually the shortest book I've reviewed to date, with  a grand total of 19 pages! Oh me oh my, whatever will I do with such a ginormous book!? 
While I haven't had a chance to test any of these projects out yet, I can tell you this much, they look really easy, and really fast. Since I make a good amount of pendants that I just don't know what to do with, I love the idea of being able to string them on cords I've made myself. The instructions are clear and easy to follow and it looks like once you get the hang of it you'll be able to work for hours without needing to really pay attention to the work.  Perhaps I am merely uninitiated, but it appears to me as though they all work off the same pattern, and the book only shows you different color combinations and how to arrange themm on the wheel so that your cord ends up looking a certain way. This isn't necessarily a bad thing.
I also like the tips that are given at the front, such as accounting for how much thread you need versus how much cord you're going to get. If you want a 20" necklace, you apparently need to have 60" of each color of thread/cord. The only thing set forward by the book that I don't agree with is the idea of not using it with wire. It states that because the braiding wheel is made of foam that the wire will cut it. I could be wrong, but I believe that using annealed wire to do this would make a very nice cord, and still leave the wheel intact....in fact I do believe I'll try that and get back to ya'll at some point. 
On a side note? While I am all for making things on your own, and not spending money if you don't have to, I don't suggest trying to make one of the boards....I cannot imagine that it would turn out right. Unless of course you are super precise and far better at figuring out how to make this sort of thing than I am.
Do you have any thoughts on this book? Feel free to comment below. :) 

Sorry Y'all!

This Friday's post, and the update to my shop are going to have to be temporarily delayed due to sickness.I'll have everything up and running tomorrow. :)

Design This! 5: Avengers

Welcome everyone to this fortnight's Design This challenge :D
Last time the goal was to design something around The wicked sea witch Ursula. My pieces had me dreaming of the sea and the chance to cool off, that's for certain.

The heat and humidity are ramping up by me, and day dreaming about pieces that spoke of Ursula was a treat.  I ended up running with the idea of tentacles. It featured in several pieces, all primarily made of polymer clay. I tried testing out a mokume gane blend on the bottom, but it just did not work the way I had hoped it might. I guess I'll have to leave that work for on the bench.
I can also say that for the first time, I will have one of the pieces from my designs up in the shop, for those that are interested this Friday. It'll be the piece in the center, crafted from polymer clay and copper.
This fortnight's challege is.... the Avengers! Inspired by this lovely series by kelseymichele over on deviantart, I figured we could give this a shot as well. You can either design around one Avenger, do a group piece, or shoot for one for each team member. Personally, that last option is what I'm going for.

Black Widow



Thor

Hawkeye

Captain America

Ironman
The Hulk





Agent Phil Coulson
And Bonus!

Loki.
If you want to join in on this fortnight’s challenge, just post your work here, in the comments below, and I’ll show my designs in next fortnight’s challenge.  
 

What’s in a Line?

As Shakespeare once said " A line by any other name..." wait. I think I'm making that up ;). After our last discussion on lines, I kept thinking about them. What goes into a line? For me, for MBS, I've determined that a line is a central theme around which jewelry is built.

That leads to the question "well, what's a central theme?" A central theme could be a color or a shape. A specific bead, or a color palette.  It could be a location or an idea. So a central theme it seems, could be pretty much anything.

Well, does a line have to be a lot of jewelry? I'm not sure to be honest. To me, it doesn't make sense to do more than 10 pieces or so in a line, simply because I"m not a major designer. (And I only have so much space.) Also I want to be able to do many 'lines' or 'collections' throughout a year, not just one for spring, and one for fall. That smacks too much of 'fashion' for me.

Do I need to limit myself to one type of metal or material? I don't see why really. If you can meld the 2 or 3 or however many you want to use, why shouldn't you? The thing is, it has to fit, and look like it belongs. For me, this means that I'm sticking to just copper and base metals for the time being.

So, after answering all these questions, I'm still no closer to really understanding what a line is. Merely having a better idea on what I think I can and can't do.

Questions, comments?

Feel free to drop me a line below! :)

Cast in Ruin

Welcome back ladies and gents to our Friday book reading/design. This week's book is number 7, Cast in Ruin.
 

Ooo pretty purple cover this time and Kaylin with a sword. That's a first, normally she only fights with knives.
Poor Hawks, dealing with the aftermath of the 4 Dragons and a small army.
Wait. How can you demand repayment, was anything even damaged?
From the Office of the Halls of Law.
          To save us time, please fill out the below.
               Did you see a Dragon?
                    Yes
                    If no, please stay to discuss the problem you /are/ having.
               Did he  (check all that apply)
                    breathe fire
                    eat people/ large dogs
                    destroy buildings
               How large was he?
                    Giant !
                    The usual Dragon size.
O.o did no one see the FOUR Dragons in the skies?
       I didn't imagine that was possible.
An army of the shambling undead?
The travelers from the last book? Approx 3000 of them made it to Elantra.
               Is that even enough to restart a race?
Approx 8 ft tall in height.
Elani street got some new decoration apparently. A stream, and a new species of hardy flower.
Conspiracy of evil chickens?? O.o People in Elantra are a very crazy it seems.
Margot... joining the Merchant's Guild? XD
And the case against the Exchhequer isn't going well. Great.
Door ward glowing a sickly, pulsing green. This is not a good thing I am thinking.
Now pale purple...
Since when do doorwards speak? In Dragon no less?
The Palace has a stone garden? And DIirmat's office has this view? I wonder if that's one he chose?
Question from last time answered, they don't in fact always speak Dragon. Often they default to High Barrani.
Someone has been keeping an eye on Kaylin's actions and use of magic. This is not going to end well.
Really? You had to mess with the Foundling Hall? If you had just left that report out. =sighs= You'll be lucky if she doesn't strip your scales.
Abattoir- I'm still surprised Kaylin knows this word.
Diarmat is a Dragon and a stuffpot. (Of course he's just as dangerous as the Barrani. )
The egg! And we even now have a size for it! Since Kaylin is (roughly)  my size, I'd estimate that as of pg 34 the egg is between 6 &7 inches.
Is the bracer sentient to a degree? Normally Kaylin takes it off, and it goes to Severn. Maybe it only does that when she's 'getting rid of it' and not just taking it off for the night?
Somehow I don't want totake bets on which job is more difficult, Hawklord's secretary or Hawk den mother?
O.o they have  Forensic Accountants? XD
Absent Hanson, absent Hawklord, pissed off bureaucrat and Kaylin sitting at Hanson's (the secretary's) desk. Well that has to be an interesting story. 
Actual Dragons. Does this mean there are fake Dragons? Or people pretending to be Dragons?
Blue in Aerian is the (same as Blue in Barrani (sort of)) bad.
     Although I still don't get what it means in Leontine.
Hawklord, very difficult job.
>< This conversation. This is going just like one I've had and it's hilarious and slightly creepy.
What type of 'love' are we talking about here? Because I am 99% sure that just a few months ago you tried and nearly succeeded at /disemboweling/ this man. >:( Please be practical.
A portion of me is very glad that this conversation happened. It makes Kaylin so much more real.
XD For once it might actually hit someone?
Her eyes were entirely white? I don't remember this.. ahh, it is the drum magic then. Interesting.
They recognize the marks, but that magic isn't made of true words?
O.O They're /taunting/ it? These people are crazy!
This is /not/ supposed to be happening!
     D: Bad bad bad bad bad bad!
Screaming puddles. I am amused by this.
Is he trying to give his name to her? 
     That would imply some level of reluctance right?
Our first real description of the Shadows (although it still doesn't make sense...)
Of course Nightshade knows how to curse in Barrani.
Nightshade... while I know you're right, I sort of want to kick you.
A silent storm? While I suppose it makes sense since it's shadow and all, it's still not right >>
If the People aren't part of this world, why does everyone seem to recognize the sword? 
While they call themselves the People, everyone else calls them Norannir. (so, Norannir must be what 'People' sounds like in their language.
"And if I do not wish you to leave, you will remain in the Tower for the rest of your natural existence." XD Tara.
Ascendents =/= Chosen
          Somehow the marks still mean Chosen.
The sword really is alive? I'll believe it when I see it.
Tiamaris. You're pushing  off an important discussion for instructions on how to use a fork?
Such a Dragon comment. "If I'm not of a mind to kill them myself, no one else will do so without repercussions."
Wait, it literally broke? O.o that's a first.
What the hell are these women?
     Twins locked in a tower all their lives.
     Magical clones
     Shadow copies!
     Arcanist magic up to no good!
Make that first theory septuplets. Seven of them??
     I'm going with failed magical experiment as my official theory.
Seven bodies, three days, holy... this is looking bad.
     For the record that means this book is taking place 3 days after Cast in Chaos.
     I should create a time line at some point.
If Kaylin ever manages to do a cursory magical exam of the dead, I'll.... I don't know what I'll do, but I'll do something silly..
WTH?? Why are the eyes gold??
Oooo This is a new type of magic, a projection crystal.
     I wonder what goes into it that they're so hard to make?
Oh the Arkon let's humans into his Library? Why is this the first time we've heard of it?
This might be human, but they do work for the Arkon. If you tell them 'don't touch' they won't.
I am soo using that from now on.
How to tell you've really pissed Kaylin off.
     "May your day be full of angry Dragons."  alternatively 'May every Dragon you meet today be pissed off."
How do you say nothing /loudly/? Is it by posture or your facial expressions.
O.o he.... he spat fire at Sanabalis and he didn't so much as blink!
     If Dragon hair can be charred, wouldn't it be burnt off after something like this?
I love how she seems embarrassed about calling it a magic sword. Does she forget Teela is supposed to have had a named weapon?
No, Teela, Kaylin is not Baranni . SHe couldn't survive if she tried to  use intel against Diarmat XD.
Teela and Tain, ne or both holds the others' name.
What's the sword going to do just because it's unsheathed?
Would having a cat tongue help or hidner whistling?
I love that Kaylin thinks Tara has the definition of family confused...
Morgue trainees? Oh dear... I see trouble in the future.
O.O There are portable mirrors! Sort of.
If the "Shadowstorms" are not of the SHadows and the Shadows fear them, why do you call them Shadowstorms?
Not human? What in the seven is she then? Arresting? Whatever!
Why is Diarmat testing her like this? Her knowledge of history isn't going to come into play is it? O.o
O.O! I didn't think it was possible for the stuffpot to smile.
If I didn't know better, I'd think he was pleased at her answers. O.O
The egg turned colors? WTH?
oooo Teela is pissed..
It seems like the sword has finally decided to talk, after a fashion.
Is it wrong that I'm laughing because Severn is uncomfortable?
He's protective of her. It's not whether the case is strange or not, but if she'll be safely out of it.
That... that is well played Nightshade. I am seriously impassed.
XD Marcus. Only you would tell Teela 'no drinking'.
Does she go anywhere without them?
It's a game of Telephone?
Ancients/Old Ones had classes? "Shapers"?
The Shapers offered the Norannir a way into the Library of Ravellon?? Is that what they're saying?
The door though is somehow where Shadows came from?
This woman is the Dragon Queen? Oh, oh.  Bad bad bad bad.
Norannir-green-surprise
So, we apparently now have a distinction. Storms(ancient) and Shadowstorms.
The Arkon is golden? Was he Bellusdeo's father?
Go Kaylin! That is how you use a name! 
I think the Arkon was just.... nice. I'm afraid.
I just witnessed the birth of a Dragon. Holy moly.
THE ARKON HAS A NAME!!!!!!!!!
     Lannagaros.
I'm dying. I am flailing around laughing so hard! I believe my ribs may cave in. Bellusdeo is complaining to Tiamaris about how Kaylin is living, because she wants to fix it!
Oh I like this lady!
     "And he's considered so easily offended that you will face death without these lessons? Does he honestly care how you hold a fork?"
Bellusdeo and Marcus. Oh Shoes.
A living allowance? This sounds slightly troubling.
Oh! New info! The Emperor does not in fact, hold any of the Court's Names.
That is... that is a beautiful ending... ><
So, after typing all of my notes in, I've come to the realization that I didn't come up with any jewelry designs during this book. Oops. Let's see what I can come up with?
We saw a couple of new Dragons in this book, and I came up with some pendants. Granted, these aren't at all what I think the Dragons look like, but the details are still sketchy.
I'm wondering what the egg looks like, or what will hatch from it. Hence the pendants. XD
Cast in Shadow I & II
Cast in Courtlight
Cast in Secret
Cast in Fury
Cast in Silence
Cast in Chaos
Did you like this week's book designs?
Have suggestions for a later book to read and design for?
Do you secretly fly around on giant bat wings?
Image copyright © 2014, Mia Scozzafava
Copying and displaying or redistribution of this image without permission
from the artist is strictly prohibited. Use of designs is strictly prohibited.

Thoughts on Lines

It occurred to me the other day while sketching out ideas, that lines are not in fact meant to enforce rigidity.
Well, that doesn't make much sense does it? Let's back up. I follow several artists on DA and etsy and all of us seem to do the same thing. We make what we want and no two items necessarily follow a pattern.
While I have no issue with this (how can I? I already do it XD) I find myself wanting something more. Not necessarily to take away from creativity, but to give myself structure, and encourage creativity.
That's where that first line comes in. Lines, it occurred to me, are meant to give an artist a specific playground to work in. You have SO MANY ideas and possibilities bouncing around in your head at once that by picking a central theme, it helps to narrow things down. It helps you to focus and to narrow down , for a time at least, what you should be working on.
This is what I've come up with anyway.
What about you? Do you feel freed, or limited by the concept of a line, whether you make jewelry, clothes, or little pillows for dogs?
Like the post? Comment below! :D
Have an urge to discuss lines? Comment below! :D

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!