Future Outlook

So it looks like things may be coming to a head soon with the moving issues.  I really have to start busting my behind to get things finished packing up since it looks like if all goes well, we have a closing date of just after the new year.

I still have a ton of work to do before then.  I did at least work on the chainmaille initial for my friends son and it came out amazing.  I can't wait to make the final piece in stainless steel rings.  It'll end up being a keychain since he really gets uncomfortable with necklaces and well, any chain around his neck.  I still need to start working on my other friends pieces but I am at a loss as to my exact design plans.  

I can't wait to get into the new home and especially into the new studio!  This will be an excellent feeling and then I can open my two other shops, Gothic Gypsy Photography and No Restraints Maille.  I am so excited for both these ventures and the expanding business.

Once I get the finished pieces for each projects, I will post photos. 

Christmas Pressies

So I have been working on an order for a great friend of mine and decided to throw in some extras for her. Being that her son is an amazing teenager, I figured I would do something sweet for him too. The designs are hopefully going to come out right and I will be able to finish then and get them out by the holidays. 

Not only am I working on that project, I am also working on one for my other bestest friend. She has a special, very distinguishable, look for her travel gear and I thought I would add to that by making her some jewelry that would match and she could have a whole ensemble for when she travels. 

Now, on top of all that, I am working on a custom order from a repeat customer. This lady brings me some of the most interesting and gorgeous designs to make for her and I am truly honored that she thinks f me each time.

So, as if this wasn't a normal work load, I am working with limited supplies as most of my stuff is already packed up and sitting in a storage unit in Myrtle Beach, SC. While I am sitting in Virginia, working on a move to Tampa, Florida. 

I have a feeling that this is going to be a busy month for me and as I finish projects, I will post pictures of them as I can, as long as they won't ruin the surprise of the giftee. 

On top of all of this, I am still going to be shooting photos for my Gothic Gypsy photography studio as well as working on building up supplies for my Chainmaille Bondage studio, No Restraints. So, a busy little bee, I will be for a little while. But things are in the works and pretties will once again populate my life.

Aquamarine

Do you love the color of aquamarine? Do you love things made with it? Do you know what it really means or what people have used it for?

Then you might like to read this article from HandmadeNews, Aquamarine - Crafting With Gemstones.

This article will tell you all about it. Even that people centuries ago have used aquamarine to ward off pain. How about the fact that people wore this stone to insure safe passage while traveling the seas.

Enjoying the series, well there are more to come. Next weeks article will on Aragonite!

New Stuff Coming

I can not wait to start listing the new stuff that will be coming soon for my studio. There are a ton of cool brand new designs and even a new product line. That's right, I will be starting to list pendulums. I am working on my first one now. If all goes right I should be able to get it finished today and then get pictures within the next couple of days. I'm trying to fit it in with a custom piece I'm working on too.

I do have some projects that are currently in the process of being finished. One is about 95% done and there are some that are still in the design phase. I just have to wait until I can put in a ring order. I have a slave bracelet that is finished and I just need to get pics but I'm not sure if I'm going to list it, only because of the sizing.

I am also gearing up to start my line of men's and unisex jewelry. This will be wonderful mainly because that means my husband can actually model stuff actually made for men... I am going to be adding copper, brass and even bronze to this line.

My fine jewelry pieces are going to start adding up quickly. I already have one in my studio now and will be adding more. I have a beautiful piece beginning but I am working it in aluminum right now so I can get a ring count and then it will be made with Argentium and Rainbow Moonstone. This is going to be an "Icicle Necklace". Its going to be so cool since it will look like snowflakes and icicles. I can not wait to get the materials for this. Of course its going to be a higher priced piece but that's where the Fine Jewelry line comes in.

Of course you will be privy to the sneak peeks of the pieces that are in the works as soon as I get pictures. So don't get too antsy and they will come soon enough. Trust me I am antsy enough for all of us.

Crafting for a Cause

Well here it is, I wrote a special article that is near and dear to my heart. As I am a big supporter of many different charities and awareness causes, I decided to make that the topic of my article.

So you can read about it here at Handmade News.

It is a very touching article and I really wanted to show how supportive the handmade community is. We create from the heart and this is something that shows it. Each cause is just as important as the next. I only wish I could have touched on more.

Angelite

Today's installment of Crafting With Gemstones is a beautiful stone called Angelite.

Most of you know that stones produce natural and metaphysical properties, well this particluar stone is a great tool for contacting your angels. Angels are around you every moment and act as a guardian. But did you know that you can actually meditate with this gemstone and be able to communicate with these angels? Well it is actually true. Your spirit guides and angels will be drawn to you stronger if you possess and use Angelite in your meditations. You can use it to boost your natural communication strength to aide in bringing them to you.

The full article can be found here: http://www.handmadenews.org/article/index.php?id=4526

New Items Being Listed!

I have finally been able to get new pieces listed today and will have even more if the weather cooperates with me tomorrow.

Okay, let me show what I was able to get listed. First is an amazing bracelet that is perfect for Valentines Day or just something special for your significant other.


This bracelet is made with a byzantine chainmaille weave in silver with touches of red. It also has Swarovski crystals in the color Siam and a beautiful stone with the word "Love" on it. This is a great piece as it is also adjustable in length.

Any special girl would love to see just how much you love her and this would be a great way to show her.






Next is a piece that I made because it is just so super cold. I am so sick of winter that I really need something to break the doldrums and put me in the mindset to get ready for Spring. I think this bracelet pretty much does just that.


This bracelet is extremely high quality and is very special. Why special? Because I used a special metal for the chainmaille. This piece boasts Argentium silver rings for the European 4-1 weave. It also has Swarovski crystal butterflies in pastel colors and a Sterling Silver lobster claw.

Now if you have never heard of Argentium, let me tell you about it and why it is so special. This metal is a higher quality than regular sterling. It will not tarnish nor turn as sterling eventually will do. It will remain bright and shiny just as it now. How do I know this for certain? I made a bracelet for my mom using this metal and she has worn it for 6 months straight without removing it. It is just as bright as when I made it. With no tarnishing, no turning color, nothing. Just bright beautiful shiny rings. I am totally in love with this metal. It is still very expensive to order but I am planning on slowly building up my supplies and integrating it into my designs.

So that is what I have listed now. I have some sneak peeks of upcoming items that should be listed within the next couple of days.

I have finished a bracelet in a Romanov weave with black and pink Czech crystals inside. This piece is so beautiful and I am working on earrings that will match the bracelet. However, these earrings will stand on their own as well.


This is the piece prior to me putting the clasp on it, which I did today. I will be getting pictures of it tomorrow, hopefully. I really love how this piece turned out and will be making one in black and red as well. It will also be a basis for a choker design that I am working on. The choker, I have not started as of yet but will be starting soon. It will be an icicle necklace and will have clear Czech crystals inside and Euro 4-1 drops with a clear teardrop dangling down. I'm even thinking of using this nice Swarovski snowflake that I have as a focal piece. I am still working out all the details but at least I have something to work with.


There is also a chainmaille charm bracelet that I finished today with an angel theme. It came out so amazing that I can't wait to get pictures and share. It has 3 different charms as well as blueish green swarovski crystals. This should be up tomorrow in my shop. I will be stressing to get this piece listed as it is just so nice.

I have a couple pairs of earrings that are finished. A pair of shoulder dusters with blue swarovski crystals inside dangling rings. These are going to be my waterfall earrings as the crystals kinda look like running water as its coming off a mountain. They are really pretty but I have not been able to get really good pics yet.

Kitty earrings are done as well and is just precious and I thought that they would be good to do because all my other kitty earrings sell really fast so with luck these will too.

So what am I up to now that I have been getting all this done? Well, I'm working on a chainmaille slave bracelet. I have most of it done but am just trying to work out all the details as far as how I want the swags to hang. I am trying to get it so it's feasible to wear and not be too bulky or too tight. That is where the issues are coming because it's so hard to hold the piece at my wrist and measure and mess with the swags. I so need more hands.

I have more supplies coming Thursday so I can't wait to see what I come up with next. I am just glad to have my design mojo back. Having been sick for 2 months and not feeling up to making hardly anything, this creative spurt is just what I needed.

So stay tuned and check out my shop and see the listings as well as a new banner that I made today.

Andalusite

Have you ever heard of the gemstone, Andalusite? Well maybe you have just not by that name. This is a very unique stone and so beautiful in both its tumbled and faceted state. But it has 2 different names. Interested in finding out more? Check out this great article on the stone and learn some great information:

http://www.handmadenews.org/article/index.php?id=4491

Like this? Well then keep an eye out because I will be posting articles every week about wonderful gemstones. Who knows what might pop up.

Happy Yule

I would like to wish everyone a very Happy Yule and share what I have done on this beautiful day.

As winter takes its place in the season now, I am making plans to spend time Wed. with my family. Since my husband works at Busch Gardens and they have debuted ChristmasTown this year for the first time, we are all going up and walk through and see the lights. We will take in a show which should be really pretty. I am trying to get the bedroom revamped so that one of the things that was bought for my hubby will fit. So this will be interesting as I try to clear 1 whole wall space that is currently taken up by a big 6' bookcase. The whole thing has to be taken out. Then I have to repaint the wall so that it matches everything else... All this for a tv but the tv has to be mounted on the wall because of my rambunctious kitties. The tv we have now is an old tube and the poor thing was the victim of an at-the-time-unfixed male cat... Now the remote doesn't work since he decided to pee on the sensor and fry it. Thus why the new tv will be on the wall, I ain't taking any chances...

As far as my work, I did finally list my Gothic Victorian Choker. I really love this necklace and am so glad I finally got it up. Its so pretty and was done in Euro 4-1 weave in black and red rings. This is a pic of the necklace:


I am now working on a black and pink Euro 4-1, which will eventually be 2 bracelets but not sure if I am going to sell them separately or as a set. I am making them with opposite color scheme, 1 is black outside and pink in the middle, the other is pink outside and black in the middle. Of course doing this makes me want to try and find a way to connect 2 strips of weave so I can make a bracelet that is reversible. I will get pics of this as soon as I can.

Welcome!

Well, as it is freezing cold outside and snow expected to start sometime between 5 and 7 this evening, it gives me a chance to kick off my new blog.

This is the home of Nightmaiden Designs and here you will get an inside glimpse of my world. You will see my designs, some even as they are being made. You will also be privy to special coupon codes that can be used in my shop for discounts and sales.

Also, you will get to see the personal side of me and not just my business. So, as I settle in to my new home here, I thank you for visiting and hope you will come again.