I didn’t know when I posted a quip from ‘Blazing Saddles’ a few days ago, how poignantly topical that would become. We just lost Gene Wilder, a devastatingly funny, wickedly honest, profoundly wise man. The signal-to-noise ratio of the world just got a bit stupider, meaner, and more callous with his passing.
Read More In memoriam: Gene WilderA month or so ago I posted a progress report on a scarf project. It’s finally finished. I may or may not sell it, but I’d like to wear-test it first. Materials: natural gray-tan linen, bias-cut cotton, cotton-polyester thread, rectangular mother of pearl beads. It not only came out close to my initial sketch, it’s even…
Read More Linen Pearl Scarf – Done!Nobody’s perfect. That we all make mistakes is no excuse for not trying to prevent them, or fixing them afterward. It’s certainly not a reason to go on the offensive and try to deny there was ever a mistake in the first place. Own up, early and completely: most sane people will probably forgive you,…
Read More The importance of proofreadingAfter looking at my old 1st attempt at a fossil mammoth-ivory needle, I decided to re-create the second needle I made back in the mid-80s. Ergo, the new needle is here: This is a fossil mammoth ivory needle 62 x 4 x 3mm, hole 4 x 1.5mm. Inlaid plug of stabilized turquoise. Anchored with DevCon…
Read More A new needleSo, since I didn’t get Singer In Rhunshan into PitchWars (and knew it would be a longshot), I’m back to the revisions on Moro’s Price. For those of you who didn’t know, the latter is a big space opera-ish M/M erotic romance set against a futuristic but by no means scientific background. When wrote it…
Read More Valier, digital pastel, 8-26-2016I thought I’d step back from dire politics, horrendous wars, and unimaginable natural disasters for a look at an amazing artifact just announced to the world. This bone needle. Of probable Denisovan origin, it dates to around 50,000 years old, and was found at a very information-rich cave site in Siberia. What’s so cool about…
Read More The oldest known bone needleBecause sometimes, simple is good. Materials: Champagne SoftFlex heavy duty beading wire, sterling silver lobster clasp, heavy jump ring, crimp tubes, crimp covers, and wire guards from Plazko.com. Orange carnelian nugget beads from the Tucson Rock & Gem Show 2016. Length: 18″ I do have an ulterior motive for making this piece, which you’ll see…
Read More Orange Carnelian NecklaceThis will be an elitist rant about metal wire. First, soothe your eyes by looking at this piece: (Lisa Barth: ‘The Perfect Marriage’ bracelet, photo courtesy of Lisa Barth and Bead & Button Magazine. Link: http://www.firemountaingems.com/resources/gallery-of-designs/f761) Now that I have your attention, let’s talk about wirework jewelry. Sometimes known as wire-wrapping, wire-weaving, or tension…
Read More Etsy Showcase: some twisted wiresIt is that lovely time of the summer when the Hugo Awards are happening. In just a few minutes, we’ll see what kind of debacle this will be. Livestreaming here: http://www.ustream.tv/hugo-awards Added: congratulations to the deserving winners, the deserving nominees, the suffering announcers, and the sweaty audience of Hotel Debacle. And jeers to the sad…
Read More 2016 Hugo AwardsFaith and Freedom Coalition Survey, Part 2 of 2. Question 8: What is your opinion of the fact that Hillary Clinton says she wants to use the full force of the government to change the beliefs of Christians to conform with support of same-sex gay marriage and support for abortion-on-demand? I’m given, predictably, the choice…
Read More Faith and Freedom Coalition Survey Part 2 (political rant)Part 1 of 2. Summary and warning: I get harsh with certain evangelical Christians. Why did Dr. Ralph Reed and his evangelical Christian Faith and Freedom Coalition send me an advertising pitch disguised as a voter survey? Maybe because I was a registered Republican for many years? I’m a 50ish female Independent voter in Arizona, which…
Read More Faith and Freedom Coalition Survey, Part 1 (political rant)I’ve entered a manuscript into the 2016 Pitch Wars. I’m one of about 2000 writers vying for 128 slots, to be mentored for two months while I revise the mms. In early November, the mentee authors get a chance to have their work considered by a large group of agents and publishers. I have a…
Read More Writer’s Dilemma: 2016 edition(And a bonus Craft Credo rant!) I had forgotten how much fun wire wrapping can be. After a clunky start, I’m picking up on skills I left dormant a decade or more ago. Ear cuffs (aka ear jackets, ear couplings, etc) are a fun but ambitious way to jump back into this technique. 1) Here’s…
Read More Silver Ear Cuffs, revisitedNearly any fantasy writer knows someone who cosplays the Lord of the Rings* movies. It may actually be a rule of fandom, I’m not sure. The jewelry, props, and costumes were that damned good. I draw the line at some of the ‘elf ear’ pointy earcuffs, because I’ve only seen a few that were magnificent.…
Read More Blackened Silver Ear Cuffs