Deadlines, chainmail, and all other things

I wish there were enough hours in the day.  While I was working on the costumes for Queen Amarantha, I wanted to make a chainmail headdress out of aluminum.  Sadly, because I need to eat AND sleep like a mere mortal, I didn't have enough time to finish it.  However, now that I've properly recovered from Bead&Button (and the unfortunate food poisoning I suffered from there, ugh), I was able to finish it.

Hopefully it'll make an appearance at Bristol Ren Faire.  Or, maybe I'll wear it while I practice belly dance moves to feel a little fancier.

Vanessa
Aluminum jewelry
Handmade chainmail jewelry

Belly dance

I recently started taking belly dancing classes at Arabesque Dance & Fitness in Chicago.  After a long, cold winter, I wanted to start moving again.  After seeing a friend perform at one of their haflas, I decided to sign up.

I absolutely love the classes so far, so much so that I decided to design a chainmail belly dance belt.  I had disks, rings, and chain, and when I got an idea, I quickly doodled it on a scrap of paper.

I started working obsessively on it immediately.  I finished it last night, and I'm so thrilled with how it turned out.

Now that it's done, I guess I'll go back to knitting that sweater I started a couple weeks ago.  If I finish it soon, I might be able to wear it once before it gets too warm.

Vanessa
Aluminum chainmail jewelry
Handmade jewelry

Make Something Beautiful - Day 32

This is the consummation of an idea that I've had for quite a while. I initially made a bracelet with a bunch of beaded claws and when I hung it up, I had visions of a y-necklace. Here is the realization of that vision:

Hopefully between pricing and making inventory for the show tomorrow, I can squeeze in some experiments with gold leaf.

Facere pulchrum,

Vanessa Walilko

Make Something Beautiful, Day 5

Is it bad that I have to check my blog to remember what day I'm on? This is supposed to be my special project, shouldn't I remember? Oh well.

While I can't show all the neat things I've been making for Rebeca Mojica's book, I can show this: a custom ring I made with little 4mm cabochons. I really love it.





Okay, now I'm really going to design business cards before going to bed...

Facere pulchrum!
Vanessa Walilko
Edgy, eclectic chainmaille jewelry, chainmaille clothing and custom jewelry

Make Something Beautiful - Day 4

I'll post the story behind this piece tomorrow, once everything has been sorted out, but in the mean time, here's the ring I made today--fine silver wire holding a 4mm carnelian cabochon in place. I really love the warmth of this stone.



Facere pulchrum.

Vanessa Walilko
Edgy chainmaille jewelry, custom jewelry, fashion and art