I just re-opened my Netflix account-- recs for Renaissance drama, costume drama, Arthurian fantasy, magic-related, etc, are welcome!

Virgo:: In the language of the Hopi Indians, koyaanisqatsi means "crazy life," "life in turmoil," or "life out of balance." It's usually invoked to describe a culture that's in disarray because of corruption and lack of vision. In the horoscope you're now reading, however, I'm using it to identify a chaotic state that each of us periodically goes through in our personal life. It's a phase when we lose our moorings, when we're out of touch with our moral center. On the one hand, it's uncomfortable and disorienting. On the other hand, the brain-scrambling it stirs up is often a blessing. It flushes out mental habits that no longer serve us. It provokes creative innovations by rearranging the contents of our psyche. According to my reading of the omens, this is such a time for you, Virgo. Happy koyaanisqatsi!

Strange, I haven't had any unbalance in my life as of late. In fact, I'd say my life is as balanced as it's been for the last two years or so. Focusing on dance and art, sorting things out with Sky, making peace with things that are no longer a part of my life, not fighting with my parents-- I'm in a good place and not at all experiencing chaos.

Anyway, Athena II is DONE. I finally figured out why it was giving me so much trouble. I was never meant to use a shell plate-- I was meant to use a brass spiral shield instead. And, bonus-- it's sturdier. And it even has a place for a 15mm cabochon, should my client want to add one in the future. I'll post pics of it this evening.

Also, BPAL update:

Singing Moon: Moonlight over grave grass, meadowsweet, marsh hellebore, rock sea-lavender, Irish Lady's-tresses, melancholy thistle, and wood bitter-vetch, with the scent of autumn fires in the distance, sprayed by wind howling over the Atlantic.
The first hint of Autumn. But 'grave' throws me off, and there aren't any notes that really jump out at me.

The Emathides: Gleaming eyes, screeching voices, glistening wings: black amber, black orchid, black currant, olive blossom, wood violet, lavender, blue musk, rose attar, and cedar.
Eeee. Looks good, minus some lavender. Intriguing enough for an imp.

Virgo: Mutable earth: the essence of analysis. Fennel, valerian, maidenhair fern, carrot seed, honeysuckle, and myrtle.
I probably wouldn't use this ritually, and it looks too herbal for use as a perfume. Maybe an imp as a keepsake.

This Athena was to be wholly different than the other Athena I created. The customer gave me Klimt's Pallas Athena as a reference, and specified two strands.

This one was elusive to me-- I started out with a very clear idea of what I wanted from this piece, but the materials had different things in mind. The shell breastplate I'd chosen was thin, and breakable. That one got discarded. The pearls were very delicate, and I had to order specialty pins that meant wiring them end-to-end was out. I went through about three "drafts" until I'd found something that felt right to me-- both aesthetically pleasing and in line with the protective, brave, ballsy and yet warm vibe that the customer wanted from the piece to represent her connection to Athena.

Here is the piece as it stands. Again, pretty hard to photograph. I'm definitely pleased with it in-person, where you can get a real sense of the pearl's luster interposed with the brass's solidity.


Athena II
Two shades of golden pearl, brass, antique brass findings, modern gold-plated findings,
Swarovski crystal, Bronzite, toggle clasp.

( +2.Collapse )

I need one of those neck-form thingies for modeling. Anyway, time to work on packages for shipping. If you bought a piece from me in the last week or so, or I've finished your commission (Nut II, Athena, etc,), you'll have it in the next three business days, unless you're international!