beard5

Posted from rufinia
Questions!
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Because there just hasn't been enough *CUTE* on the lj recently. I give to you a dancing otter.


Just doing my job.

Yoinked shamelessly from lady_jade_01

The Belief-O-Matic

1. Unitarian Universalism (100%)
2. Liberal Quakers (91%)
3. Neo-Pagan (91%)
4. Reform Judaism (84%)
5. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (79%)
6. Secular Humanism (76%)
7. Mahayana Buddhism (71%)
8. New Age (71%)
9. Bahá'í Faith (61%)
10. Jainism (61%)
11. New Thought (58%)
12. Theravada Buddhism (58%)
13. Nontheist (51%)
14. Sikhism (51%)
15. Scientology (50%)
16. Orthodox Judaism (49%)
17. Taoism (48%)
18. Hinduism (46%)
19. Orthodox Quaker (45%)
20. Islam (42%)
21. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (32%)
22. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (24%)
23. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (23%)
24. Seventh Day Adventist (19%)
25. Eastern Orthodox (18%)
26. Roman Catholic (18%)
27. Jehovah's Witness (10%)

Well, that was surprisingly accurate O_O!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade beard5.etsy.com

let's see if *this* attempt works

see more crazy cat pics

Organization, part two



This is the "Clean Sweep" staging area for sorting stuff, it's not bad, it's in the garage and is a good way to lay everything out to actually see what's cluttering things up. I'm still trying to figure out a storage solution for the various bags I have, but that'll come. And I'm still trying to determine if I'll make baskets again, or if I should find a new home for the reeds. (So far I'm coming down on the side of yes, I will make baskets again)



And another picture of the staging area.

More will come as more is done.

Fear me, I'm violating a law of thermodynamics by reducing disorder! Woot!

Here are the before pictures of the craft space. The first picture is of the main bookcases and storage in there. I've let it get entirely too cluttered and hard to find things, this winter. The craft space is relatively unheated so it's hard to work in there.



The second picture is towards the desk area. I didn't take a picture of the table in front of it, since there wasn't room to stand. (Yes, this is a problem.) Those cabinets at the window have never been as useful as I thought they'd be. They're too tall to work on sewing, or calligraphy. And too short to work standing up. and the storage in the cabinets is too narrow to hold my sewing machine and serger. They seemed like a good idea at the time. But, they'll get a good home at my brother's place.



The third picture is just to the left of the desk, and would be the spot I'd set up a table to do calligraphy. A casual glance will give you the impression that it's slightly cluttered. A closer examination, however, will reveal the truth...it's very cluttered.




The fourth picture is of the desktop itself (minus the computer which is currently in the living room, until it warms up out there some more)

Well folks, I've done it, I've actually got the Etsy shop set up at
http://www.beard5.etsy.com
I'm still taking pictures of my finished jewelry projects and getting them up there, but now, now there's something there.

Wish me luck!

I just saw these Lighted knitting needles in today's Halcyon yarn newsletter. They're just *too* cool

An update on the new rug...and it's an experiment with using my camera and trying to figure out GIMP to modify images. (so far, trying to fiddle with 'level's' and 'histogram' have been an utter bust)
( Picture behind cut )
If the sun is out tomorrow, I've got some jewelry to photograph.

For those that are interested, punch hooking is a marvelous way to make one of a kind rugs, and use up those yarn scraps that seem to accumulate everywhere. I use basic acrylic knitting yarns for this one. I think it's easier to run through the washer and dryer, there's no danger of felting with acrylic. It does pill a little, but a beard or sweater trimmer takes care of that nicely.

The technique is simple enough once you've done a few. Depending on your backing it can be really fast, or just fairly fast. I've done rugs on burlap, and that moves very quickly, but I find that burlap just isn't as rugged as I'd like, and can tear out before it's finished. So, this one is on cotton monks cloth. It's rugged, holds the yarn loops nicely, but it can be rough on the wrists and takes a bit longer.

If you're interested in it for yourself, Halcyon Yarns has the tools and supplies. I use the Oxford Plain punch needle for my work.

Have fun with whatever you're creating today.

I've finally got the banner and front page of my shop at Etsy set up! Woot!

In other news, I'm getting the camera figured out. Still nothing worth posting, but that'll change once I figure out the timer option thingie (I don't do well taking pictures when I have to press the button, my hand still tremors too much)

Also, the kitchen is clean, the living room is tidier, and the rug is coming along. It finally looks like something I'd admit to making. (I took out the vibrant lime green and replaced it with red. This doesn't make any sense, I know, but when I have a picture you'll understand ...I think)

If all goes well, I'll have a large batch of earrings listed on Etsy this week, and maybe an ACEO or two (calligraphy from Genesis, Chapter 1)

I still need to work on my profile there, but I'll get it figured out.
Hope your day has been good.

I got that scroll done (Terpsichore)


Also, I got the computer fixed, and started on a new rug. It's fun to be working with yarn again.

Here are some useful documents for any craftsman or artist, from the Society of North American Goldsmiths (wonderful folks!)
http://www.snagmetalsmith.org/Publications/Professional_Guidelines/
it's a collection of pdf's and well worth browsing.

Notes for today:

• finish the scroll for the East Kingdom (a Terpsichore, picture to be posted after Saturday)
• laundry
• try to fix desktop computer so I can get the scanner working again.
  

today should be a productive craft day. If I still have the energy, I'll strip the rug frame and stretch a new rug backing.

And I finally got my Blog running again. Woot!

see more crazy cat pics

Happy Birthday amcnh! Woot!

I try to keep the sarcasm reigned in though.

Happy Birthday to my fabulous twin brickhousewench

And as a special birthday gift I give you music!

Hi Folks, long time no post.
here we go....
Got the prize scrolls done for Northern Lights. And I'm now taking a break from scribal for a week. After that break, I'm doing a Terpsichore, which should be fun.

During the break, I'm working on a blackwork smock. I'm almost done with the collar, and getting started on the cuffs. After that, it's on to the embroidered neck opening, and then assembly. Woot! (I'm getting a new linen smock, wooo hooo!)

After the Terpsichore is done. it's time to start on a prototype doublet, prepping for the blackwork white silk doublet that matches this guy (It's the first blackwork doublet I've seen on a man, and I want it.)I won't duplicate his jerkin, (I think it's leather) but I will be making a black jerkin, probably Janet Arnold's strapwork embroidered one.And that's about it for the updates here.

I've been in post-Birka/Northern-lights-prize-scroll mode. Plans for the weekend.

-Get picked up by Master Harold around 7:30-8 tomorrow morning to head to Novice Scola And yes, I'm already mostly packed.
We should be getting there around noonish, must remember to pack a set of mundanes.
I'm teaching three classes 1)Embroidery basics 2)Ilumination basics and 3)Knotted pearl necklaces. Good classes that I've taught before, but I'm tweaking them a bit this time.
I'm looking forward to seeing everyone down there. It's one of my favorite events of the year (that and Spring Inspirations in Malagentia) It's such a relaxing event. I've nothing to do but be there, and enjoy being around people I like.
--oh, must remember to pack a few gifts for the autocrat and the teacher-herder.

--tonight, (I know this is out of chronological order but it's how my brain is working) go to Kinko's for printouts of class handouts.

I've given up trying to get the prize scrolls done for tomorrow, I'll either mail them up to the Northern Lights coordinator or try to get them hand delivered. I've been learning a lot on these, particularly about decoration within the text, I'm actually rather pleased with them. (for the currently scanned ones check out my Deviant Arts account.)

Well, that's all for now...

Hi folks, I know I haven't commented much, the computer room is mostly unheated....thus, cold.
I picked up this nifty meme thingie from cvirtue

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