Winterdragons...

[merimask]

The bead shipment came in two days early...yay!   That means I was able to finish my dragons.

kls_eloise's Mistletoe Dragon.

The pearl berries are SO cute.  I think I was very clever constructing them; they're on twisted wire that's looped at one end.  Over the loop I wrapped cemented suede, then glued the suede tabs to the plaque.  Very sturdy &...just pretty darn fun to make!  Never done twisted wire before...it's a technique I need to use some more.

All around the edge, Kris wanted oak leaves, 'cause oak & English mistletoe apparently often grow near each other.  The mistletoe leaves are kinda small and narrow  and shiny, while oak is more veiny & detailed.  I think the contrast looks awesome.

The dragon's eyes are pearls too.


The other winter dragon is a holly dragon.  I think it looks more "wintery"...but also a little "christmas-y".

The berries are carnelian beads.  I used larger beads, 'cause I made larger leaves, 'cause I did a TON of mistletoe leaves & I was sick of making tiny leaves.  I think the large holly makes a bold crisp pattern though...I like it.  Happy accident born of achey hands.


So yeah...THOSE are done now.  *sigh of relief*  On to more stuff.  One more plaque to finish up (wolves this time...it's nearly done), and then I still have a week left to finish my New Orleans order.  WonderTwin powers activate.  Shape of: a leather artist.   Like I was sayin' to John, I need a space monkey as a sidekick & then life would be grand.

Char leaves today for a week-long cruise to the Bahamas.   Going with her Dad.  *shudder*  Considering how things went the last time she got together with his side of the family for a reunion (that was the infamous "let's give all the kids wine coolers!" incident), I'm more than a little worried.  Same rich uncle is sponsoring this trip.  I've put out the word, imposed a curfew (sp??), done what I can to let all the "responsible" people know what I expect.  Rich uncle is actually a pretty decent guy (he was NOT giving his kids alcohol last time, btw), so I hope everything will be ok.   I can't deny Char the opportunity to go on this trip...I've always wished for a cruise to the Bahamas myself!  I just hope she'll be safe.  *worried*

Talked with brother John yesterday.  His life is going SO well...I'm really proud & happy for him.  :-)  He just bought a baby grand piano for Casa De Awesome (John plays a hell of a mean piano); something he's always wanted.  His "Cool Breeze" cartoon commercial is making waves...I guess Skechers boys' shoes sales are up 96% over last year.   They're manufacturing Cool Breeze toys and there's even a dude doing promotions in a full-sized Cool Breeze costume.  It's so surreal; when he was a little kid he was forever drawing cartoons & stapling together makeshift comic books...and now he has his OWN comic book character.   How strange & wonderful is that? 

Well, back to work, kids.  I'm coasting on three hours of sleep.  Hooray for Magic Chinese tea. 

  

Comments

[kls-eloise.livejournal.com]

It's beautiful!!! And it's MINE!!!!!!! WooHoo!

Not quite what I'd imagined, but I love it! The mistletoe leaves are awesome. Just gorgeous. It's subtle, as far as "winter" goes, but I really, really like it.

Now I just need spring. I've got some ideas, but we'll have to talk to see if they're doable. I figure that'll be my I-Con commission next year...

[merimask.livejournal.com]

:-) I'm glad you like it. I'm especially proud of this one.

Yeah, I had to change a thing or two...the circle of oak leaves just looked better as a border, rather than random. It makes a stronger design; the other way looked too messy.

"Spring" has to be some kind of flower, I'm sure.

[kls-eloise.livejournal.com]

Heh, heh, heh. Mine, mine, all mine (dancing around cubicle)

Definitely some kind of flower. I've gotten a couple of ideas as I've been watching my garden, but it hasn't quite gelled yet.

Today is killing me. Allergies kicked in HARD yesterday. I have no idea what just came into bloom, but it's killing me. AND I've got a knot in my left shoulder that pulls every time I try to turn my head (note the word "try.") The massage therapist tells me that it's *under* my scapula. Good luck getting that beast to let go...

Tonight I'll pack all the Pennsic stuff that I've pulled out so that I can start pulling out clothes and linens. I want to have that pulled together by the end of the weekend so that I can do optional stuff next week.

[smillaraaq.livejournal.com]

Allergy woes...wow, it's not just you -- I have no idea *what* is causing it, but I have been utterly miserable for the last week. The sinus pain got so bad on Wednesday that I wound up dipping into the Vicodin left over from a minor fracture a few years back. I swear it felt like someone was slicing into my head diagonally from the eyebrows down to my ears...Not Fun.

[merimask.livejournal.com]

I think the ragweed is blooming. I just paid Charlotte ten bucks this week to pull every last bit of it out of my garden.

Also, freaky cutoff low pressure front has been SPINNING over the Northeast all week...it's playing havoc with my sinuses too.

[zannachan.livejournal.com]

Wow, those are beautiful. I love what you did with the beads. I especially love the Mistletoe Dragon--gorgeous, really. You're work is always so incredible.

I'll send good wishes that Char has an incredibly fun but very safe trip. Hopefully more responsible heads will prevail this time.

That's so cool about your brother. He sounds like a really amazing guy, nd it's great that things are going so well for him.

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Thanks! :-) Yeah I'm happy with them. I think they're going to get me some more custom orders if I can leave them hanging for at least part of the week.

*shudder* Charlotte's trip has me nervous, but I've done everything I can to keep her safe & yet still let her go. You can't keep a teenager in a box just 'cause something might go wrong.

John totally wins at life. :-) It's very cool to see what he does next.

[kls-eloise.livejournal.com]

You may leave mine hanging until Saturday, if you like. It'll be safer on your booth than in my tent anyhow!

If you keep the teenager in a box she'll spend all her time trying to get OUT of the box. If you leave the top off and you've previously done a good job, she'll poke her nose out occasionally but realize that the box is more nicely upholstered and has snacks.

[charismitaine.livejournal.com]

Those plaques look fabulous! I really like the contrast with the oak leaves on the mistletoe one.

What is the Magic Chinese tea?

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm happy with them both, but the mistletoe dragon is especially striking.

Magic Chinese tea is oolong! Go buy some. It promotes weight loss without anything unnatural or dangerous, plus it's a great morning boost.

dragon..

[amandaalon.livejournal.com]

I love, love, love the Mistletoe dragon--what wonderful work you do.

This Sunday is our Katie's bday and one of her gifts is the leaf pin with the ladybug I bought from you. I'm sure she'll love it.

Re: dragon..

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Thanks! :-) They're fun to make...like putting together a puzzle.

Happy B-day to your little one! OMG I feel like she was just a little baby. Kids have a way of keeping you young & making you feel old at the same time.

[smillaraaq.livejournal.com]

Oh my...stunning as usual. (Have you ever read any of the classic Dorothy Sayers mysteries? All the pearls on that first one are reminding me of the one where a priceless pearl necklace is stolen at a Christmas party, and hidden in plain sight by being unstrung and pinned up amongst the mistletoe.)

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Thank you dear. :-) And no, I've never read that writer but I think that's an awesome way to hide pearls because mistletoe berries are almost like pearls for real. I used ivory ones because the off-white was just perfect.

[golden-meliades.livejournal.com]

The Mistletoe one is very striking, love the white outline on the leaves.

Of course what *I* want to do is take some of the leaves off the plaque and stick them in a cutting-rooting dust so I can grow myself a plant of the stuff. It would look so great in my woodland garden...

[rumdiculous.livejournal.com]

Those dragons look so good! I love the holly one. And the little berries are squee worthy.

As for Char's dad...yeesh. Well let's hope he learned not to be so stupid when it comes to children and wine. :/