NOW what?

[merimask]

Hmm...what the heck do I do now?  I finished my big fun project, my gifts are all sent, I...have nothing to do!

I guess I'll make little stuff...

Koi barrettes!  Cute, no?  They're up in my Etsy shop.

 

I also spent the day tweaking all sorts of things in Etsy.  I re-listed a few things, dropped prices on a few things (I discounted the HECK out of my steampunk masks, like $30 off "Full Steam").   I took fresh pictures of the Ivy mask...
...'cause the old picture of the mask in the tree was too confusing.  Note to self; do not photograph foliage masks IN foliage.

Oh I know, I can share pictures of things I couldn't share before!  Stuff that was sent as gifts.  Like, this Maneki Neko mask...
 
Maneki Neko means "Lucky Cat"...you see these guys everywhere in Japan.  I made this blue and white one as a gift for my journalist buddy from Japan; she spoiled the heck out of me when I was there and after awhile I said "That's it.  I'm just going to have to send you something really NEAT for Christmas."  So I made this cat for her!  It reminds me of her; cute and happy and bright. 

Little did I know (there's still so much about Japanese culture that I'm unaware of) the maneki neko is a good-luck symbol commonly used during the New Year, so this gift was perfectly timed to become part of her New Year decorations.  So cute!!  I got something right and I didn't even know I was getting it right!  ;-)
 

I feel a REAL need for a new challenge; making tiny barrettes is cute and all but it's just not satisfying in the least.  Does anyone have any cool ideas?  I'm open to suggestions...

Comments

[aoi-tsuki1.livejournal.com]

You know what'd be awesome and totally impractical? Chokers/things to drape about one's neck, like the arm dragons, but with higher risk of lawsuits! It'd look neato...and require measurements of some sort, probably.

(How is Kiba? I saw a husky the other day and thought of you.)

[golden-meliades.livejournal.com]

Putting my rambling comment from a month or so ago (about the gothic spiderweb mask with the extra-large eyeholes and the parchement-like curled edges and the branching bits) HAVE you ever considered doing a series of gothic masks? Gothic stuff is still really popular on Etsy...stuff that feels just slightly surreal. Things that remind you of a Tim Burton movie and so on.

But even barring the gothic, I think a spiderweb mask would be awesome. I also think a mask whose edges are torn and curled (looking) like old parchment would be pretty cool.

Also, masks where only one eye is covered, or masks that are uneven and not very mask-like in shape, more like scarves slanted across the eyes, etc.

Yep, a little weird. But I don't make masks, I make jewellery, so I can't think of practical stuff, just stuff that looks really aesthetically pleasing when it flashes into my brain.

A dryad mask would be nice. People are still crushing bigly on trees.

I also think a mask that itself was wearing jewellery would be awesome...you know, jewelled dangles or circlets or etc. But that's my jewellery-making glitter-loving self kicking in, there.

I could come up with other ideas but they would likely be more bizarre rather than less. :/

[a-hollow-year.livejournal.com]

Some elaborate headress?

Suggestions!

[(Anonymous)]

Dave in Milwaukee sez:

I know I already suggested this idea to you...and I know it's completely ridiculous and impractical...but I'll suggest it again.

Edible masks. Instead of leather, use...oh, I don't know, sharp cheddar cheese; corned beef; taffy. The list is rife with possibilities and endless. You buy them, you wear them for a little while...then you eat them. Edible Masks.

You're welcome. : )

[ramblinsuze.livejournal.com]

Perfect timing! I was going to ask you about this anyway:

Being that I am utterly blind without my glasses, as much as I adore your masks, I can't wear any of them. I'm attending a masked ball/dinner thing next summer and was wondering if you could come up with a mask design that would work with glasses (some difference in molding, mask on a stick, etc.).

Design-wise...red and white roses or something leonine would be my preference, but I'll go with whatever you can come up with.

I challenge! *pointy finger of dooOOOooooM*

[zannachan.livejournal.com]

The koi and the masks are cute--your work is always lovely--but I imagine it's a bit of a come down after the last few masks you made--especially that last one (wow. Seriously. Wow).

I'm not sure I have any clever suggestions to inspire you--your work lately has been so far and above anything I've imagined at least.

But maybe do a mask based on the wave pattern you used for the dragon plaque and for the keychains? Maybe an asymetrical one--so both traditional and modern?

Maybe, if you want to do something not Japanese, you can do something from Russian or European folklore? A selkie, perhaps? Or a Phoenix? Or maybe go to India and base them on one of the deities or spirits there. Ganesh, perhaps, as long as it is done respectfully.

Or other natural motifs... a leaf mask, not one like your half masks adorned by a couple of leaves, but where the leaf WAS the mask. or maybe another flower mask? Your sakura mask is very pretty. Petunias would make a pretty mask. Or Irises, or even a calla lily. Or a lily pad with a flower would be cool (heh, leaf AND flower, heh).

[rumdiculous.livejournal.com]

Those barettes are so cute!

[nazrynn.livejournal.com]

How about magnets?

Or bigger scale... a laptop bag or skin?

[kelkyag]

A river, creek, or waterfall, water splashing over stones?
A storm, clouds and lightening and rain, perhaps a stray kite or bird?
Ivy or grapes or other vines on an stone wall or tree trunk?
Hummingbird and trumpet flower?
A bumblebee on a flower?
A sunflower -- one of the huge ones that'd be the whole mask?
Something along the lines of gothic architecture, cathedral windows, stained glass?
Tree of life?
Something based in Islamic geometric patterns?
Roman mosaics? (Google says: Ox!)
Bristlecone pine clinging to a cliff? Cliff face, sans tree?
Bonsai tree(s)?
Birds on a wire, or on a tree branch?
Something crystaline, like a geode?
A cave, stactites and stalagmites and limestone formations, a bat or blind fish?

I love the pirate map idea. A leaf mask in your style would, I think, be very unlike those by several others on etsy who make leaf masks.

I'd be interested in a non-dragon critter in the verdigris brass colors if you're not tired of them and of critters, though that moves out of 'suggestion' into 'commission' ...

[chibi-kaz.livejournal.com]

I have assets if you can haz Firebird! :D

In fact, I think there's a masquerade ball coming up in March.... I'll need a mask.... :D :D