Merimask Goes On And On

This is a test...I'm checking out the new Dreamwidth digs.  The toolbar looks familiar enough, which is a Really Good Thing since I'm a luddite and technology gives me a rash.

I don't know if this will crosspost back to my LJ account.  I don't know if all my new LJ entries will keep showing up here or if I'll have to import them too.  So much I don't know...

I do know one thing though.  It's sort of my cardinal rule; "If you can't be competent you should at least be entertaining".  So, here's a pretty picture.

That's one of my Persian masks, which I sold at my Etsy Shop a week or so ago.  I need to make more.

So!  Pictures work, links work...this is all Good News.

More coming soon, I'm sure.

First things first... I just want to say to all of my LJ friends who spoke up in my f-locked entry yesterday ; you guys are incredible & really, I'm so lucky to have such amazing friends.   Did you all read eachother's responses to that entry?  Because it was truly touching.   Thanks, every one of you.  *big heartfelt hug*

Now!  On to the pretty stuff!

I do not think I have properly shared the AWESOMENESS of

golden_meliadeshairsticks.  I know I go on & on...but that's not the same as a picture...& this one has crossover value, too.

Those are called "Amazon" & you can find them at her Etsy shop...right here!   She made those particular hairsticks with a couple of leather leaves I sent her once...aren't those great?  I own a couple (ok...four sets!!) of her hairsticks & I can honestly say they're the best-made, most unique sticks I've ever had.  If you're looking for something feminine & unique & frankly very affordable, give her sticks a try.

 

So I have a mound of boxes to mail and a mound of masks to make.  Back to work!

Yeah, that Lockport Art and Craft Show that I did over the weekend...kind of a bust.  Having never done it before, I saw the "A" word and thought "hmm!".  But really, it was mostly the "C" word there.   Lots and lots of stuff painted with cow spots, doll clothes, silk flowers, and wooden signs ("Welcome to our 'ool'...notice that there isn't any 'P' in it?")  *shrug*  Oh well.  It was a lovely weekend and I did ok I guess.  Besides...look!

I won a prize!

Well, my trip to visit my brother in Vegas has led to inspiration;  Venetian masks.

These are the "birds".  Don't ask me what kind of birds they are 'cause I don't know.  Venetain birds I guess.  Italian birds.

The designs are all very embarrassingly derivative of the masks I saw in the mask shop at The Venetian.  I liked them so much that the next day I was sketching and everything I did had gold piping and lots of swirly swirls.  Like moko_mokosaid at the time;  "It's not like you have them in front of you...so you were just inspired by them".

So yeah... here they are.
 

Well, I finished them.  My Kirin.  It turns out that the one I did totally as an experiment is my favorite.   This is the black kirin.



*smooch*

I finished the new Haku mask and it was a lot more complicated than I thought it'd be.  For some reason, it turned out to be a HUGE mask.  He's a river dragon with a long dog-like face and long flowy horns and he just needed to be grand and sweeping. 


As an aside, I'd just like to add that I risked my life to take these pictures.  Only outdoor light would do, but OMG it's 25 below outside, today!  I was out there for maybe a minute and by the time I came in I couldn't feel my fingers.  F-f-f-ff-frrreaking COLD, people.

Well, I finished my newest mask, Spriggan, and I'm pretty happy with it. 
   
I did it three times, with three different shapes, and I did it in green leaves as well as autumn leaves.   This is meant to be a theatrical mask, for wearing, and constructive crit is VERY welcome as I have to pick the best of these three for an important project.

Haha...oh holy chirping chiapets, people.  You won't believe what FINALLY appeared in my e-mail box yesterday.   Yep, the purchase order from Cirque du Soleil for the rights to reproduce this mask:

I told rumdiculous that I'd have been less surprised if my neighbor's lawn gnome came walking through my front door looking for a cup of coffee.



*smooch*  You're all so wonderful!  Feels awesome to share good news with good people.  :-)

Dum dee dee...I'm online wasting time because my hands are KILLING me...just finished carving a new mask (brand new design) and it was a bitch on my hands.   So, break time!  I took new pics of some of my stuff.  Super high res so you know it'll stay crunchy in milk.

Wave Dragon Redux.

Boo!  I'm HUGE!!  

Dragons, dragons, and more dragons.

It was warm today but not that sunny...oh well.  I bet my brother can tweak these and brighten them up somehow...he's clever that way.

*sigh*  Back to work!  I know I had other stuff to yammer about but my head is fuzzy with all the ideas I've been getting lately.  At least I'm not having a hard time coming up with new designs. 
 
Oooh!  Before I forget, BIG thank you to moonphasedbecause she totally rocks and she made me the FUNNIEST icon!  Based on my Okami fanart and a comment she made in my LJ a week or so ago...I give you...the "poop" icon.
 It kills me every time.  :-)    Those of you who are playing Okami and have the "brown rage" move know what this icon's all about.  Death by wolf dookie!

EDIT:  Holy creeping crap...these pictures really ARE too dark, aren't they?  *scowl*  Un-freaking-believable.  I just took a new batch because the sun peeked out briefly...SO briefly.  This is why I need my suntanning booth in the winter months; you just never get any good happy daylight.

OMG these pics better be okay because I think my hair is starting to fall out over all this picture-induced angst.  Waaah!

By the way, anyone who wants to use the "poop" icon can...just give moonphased credit for making it.  You can give me a mention too (if you are feeling the love) for doing the Ammy artwork.  I'm not fooling anyone...it's just a drawing of my Kiba with a little red makeup added.  :-)