Not slowing down yet...

Well, things have been busy and promise to only get moreso! The medieval festival is a mere 2 weeks away, and my booth, as well as my myriad responsibilities are bearing down on me. Not that I'm complaining of course, I just need to get into gear.

This weekend I did a custom deluxe Boleyn necklace with a D for a wonderful repeat customer, a lovely knotted green pearl necklace and earring set, a quite nice knotted necklace with hot pink pearls and swarovski crystal, and a piece for myself. These next two weeks...work, work, work!

New York...Long Island...check it out...

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Busy, busy.

It's been quite a busy week. With dad's (very successful) surprise birthday party today, things are finally settling a bit. In addition to everything else going on, I had a bunch of orders to complete, and a necklace to make for my cousin based on one of mine she loved. In between the beading, sculpting and weaving (of course), I actually painted as well. I've not worked on canvas in probably nearly 2 years, so it was an interesting change to go back to it. I also made a few new sets to go in my shop, including the below, which uses the most gorgeous blue freshwater pearls.

The Creed concert was last night, and I couldn't be happier that I went. They were better than I remembered last time I saw them. Really unbelievable. I just absolutely adore them, and I'm so excited for the new album in October!

Home again...

Well, it was quite a week. Pennsic is very honestly, like nothing else. There's no way to adequately explain it or understand it, unless you've been there. Shooting stars, fire breathers, musicians, friends both old and new, giving and receiving lovely tokens, and wonderful brews are only a handful of the things that made this year memorable.

Close up of some action in the field battle.

All my photos can be seen here.

On the craft front, I got to play with metal stamping and hand engraving, and I have finally had the opportunity to expand my fiber knowledge. I picked up some lovely red wool to spin on my drop spindle, as well as viking weaving sticks and finally, my very own inkle loom (as an early birthday gift from my fiance)! I'm just thrilled with my little "inky", and have been weaving away!

A few of my pretties draped over my loom.

The left two were some of the first I did, with slightly thicker fiber (it was all I had access to), done without my glasses, just getting used to the loom. The right two were done at home, following a pattern, and came out wonderful. I get about 5 feet of trim out of a completed warp.

We came home to some sad news which we are currently in the middle of, so I'm trying to keep myself occupied. I find I feel better when I keep busy. Between my new projects and the custom orders from my incredible customers, I think I'll be plenty busy this week.

... the riveter

One of the brothers hit his thumb today while trying to fix his armor, so while he was seeing to that, I went outside and finished the riveting for him. I felt very accomplished.

8.5 hours until we leave for Pennsic 38. I think I'm actually all packed, which unfortunately includes my camera (so no photos of my pretty new earrings I made to bring along today (as a break from the last minute sewing and packing.)) Also made a few chainmaille holders for site tokens. I'm hoping for good weather, and looking forward to great battles, wonderful shopping, and unforgettable times with my favorite medieval re-enactors.

Duchessa and Prints by Duchessa are both on vacation mode, but everything will be back as soon as I return next weekend. Once Pennsic is done with, I'm planning for some new stuff (maybe even including new things I learn this week!)

Woad is me!

Leaving for Pennsic in just about 27 hours! Pennsic being the weeklong medieval camping trip I've been making myself crazy preparing for.

Today I went digging through everything in an effort to find some accessories. I found some, and also the woad powder I bought at Pennsic last year. Needless to say, my hands got very blue!

Below, our camp chicken, roosting on the underdress I made for Mel. He was a quick project, probably under half an hour. We needed livestock for camp, so...chicken!

Even with my vast collection, I suddenly got self concious about my jewelry. I decided I needed some medieval jewelry fit for a queen since I'm sort of playing one. I made a lovely necklace with pearls and coral barrel beads, with sterling silver accents, and am working on another with moonstone so bright it nearly glows. Did some wire linking with snowflake obsidian and lovely black and green stone I forgot the name of, to support a pretty cast pewter key (bought last year at Pennsic, found in the bag with the woad.) I also made my man a gift, which I hope he likes, but won't be offended if he doesn't (see below.) His very own viking treasure necklace, with a center pendant I made, as well as two beads (the red and green to either side of the center) which I made as well. I thought he could use some accessories, and these are just too much fun!

REAL pearls

Came home today to a shipment of lovely genuine freshwater pearls for my Queen Anne Boleyn style necklaces. They're just so pretty, I can't imagine using faux when these darlings are available.

Deluxe Anne Boleyn necklace, hand sculpted letter, freshwater pearls individually knotted on silk cord, gold plated findings.

Available at Duchessa on Etsy.

Paternosters on a pretty Saturday

Paternosters (literally meaning "our father"), are strings of prayer beads which have been in use since at least 1000 A.D., as a devotional item or method for keeping track of prayers, much like modern rosary beads. For a pious Christian of the middle ages, having a paternoster (often work looped around the belt as an accessory) was a must!

To the left is an example of this, a detail from Osuna's "Adoration of the Magi" shows a man holding a paternoster in loop form. The gentleman in the background of Rogier van der Weyden's "The Magdalen Reading" is holding a linear rosary, and if you look closely at the background of "The Arnolfini Wedding" by Jan Van Eyck, you'll see a paternoster hanging on the wall!


My newest is made on silk cord, individually knotted, with white mother of pearl and larger onyx beads, finished off with a handmade tassel and a small decorative cross. As a re-enactor, I find these very intriguing, and asthetically I just find them so pretty! This one will likely not find its way into my shop (as my blue jade and sterling silver one has), but rather wait for the medieval festival in September.

And just a note,

I will begin promotions and such once I think there are enough readers to make it worthwhile!

Happy birthday, Miss Avealina!