Sweet and Scar Hearts

After a nice two-week break which helped me clear my head, I'm finally ready for action! It's always a good idea to take a break when you feel like your brain is about to reach a meltdown - the best action for me was to change my surroundings, take a trip and to forbid myself to even think about work. So now on return I'm full of fresh ideas for blogging and crafting, but today I'll just post some crafts I've been holding up on.

"Box 'o' Chocolate" brooches and rings. This was my first complex design about two years ago and finally I put it op for sale. At first I wanted to make a necklace but never got around finding the right design. Chains, ribbons - it all looked so off, so the charms just sat in my craft box for month. So recently I dropped the necklace idea altogether and decided that a nice brass colored ring or pin base will work lovely. It's very interesting to work with each, since I try not to make matching candies in the same box.

"Love Letter from Paris" is also one of my very first designs, and I even sold a few when I didn't even set up a shop yet. But only recently I gave it a proper photo shoot and will be happy to finally add it to my stock again. So romantic and it looks so light and airy.

Victory Day

Today is greatest national celebrations, so, even though I was taking a break from work and bloging, I couldn't miss this. For my country this day wasn't only the end of WWII, but of the Great Patriotic War, so it has a very special meaning. The bittersweet day to remember all those who didn't return so that the world would be free, a celebration with tears in the eyes.

Deposition of  Nazi banners in front of the Mausoleum, June 24 1945.

Punk Wardrobe Update

Just wanted to share my latest bargain - it's great to have a friend within the fashion who won't charge you an arm and a leg for items they don't wear anymore. So this week I got a pleasant punk haul of Putumayo and H.Naoto.

A cute Candy&Purin bolero. The pink part actually is like a sailor collar, but I wanted to demonstrate the bunny ears.

The embroidery -my hands aren't steady today.

Putumayo cutsews - a tank top and a hoodie. Both from the same Alice in Wonderland collection. 

Close-up of the print. The hoodie has the same one in white on the back.

Two lovely punk skirts. The shape may not be 100% genuine lolita, but works for me!

Screen print close-up.

A light summer jacket with detachable sleeves.

Screen print on the front. The one on the back is the same as on the cutsews.

Happy Easter!

Just stopped by to wish you all a merry day, before I run of to my grandmother's house for some yummy Easter treats! This Easter is quite special, since both, catholic and orthodox christianity, celebrate it on the same day (usually the dates don't match, due to difference in church calendars). So Happy Easter to all!

 

Something old, something new, something aerial.

Well, wasn't this a long brake! Fortunate or not, the last couple of weeks were really busy for me, so I couldn't find time to post something new. But today I have a fine treat for all those classic lolitas and mori girls out there - not only I have some new items for previous series, but also something completely new.

First comes an addition to "My Old Fairytale Book" series - a phone charm and a ring with a proper matching silver-tone base. Also I made asymmetrical earrings and a three-book brooch!

Fond Memories

It's kinda strange to feel "old" being in your early 20-ies, but for the last couple of years I began to think more and more about the toys I had as a kid, most of with were left behind, when we moved from Budapest in 1996 (we lived there for several years due to my father's work). Some of them were a real challenge to find after all these, since I pretty much didn't remember the brands and names, but I managed! And with my current obsession over spank! I'm sure that I'll be on a never-ending search on Ebay to get the long-lost candy-colored items of my childhood (and some pieces I didn't have, but which are just so cute!)!

Inspiration - Between the Rock and Hard Place

Everybody has their own source of inspiration - some take it from nature, from artists of the past and present, books and movies, and, of course, music. If you take a look at major LF brands, what music do you think inspired them? Mozart and Beethoven for the classics? Cathedral choirs for elegant gothic? Light-hearted J-pop and carnival music for the uber sweet? Who knows.

For me music is an ultimate trigger, but not any music. My main weapon of choice is rock and metal. Hard and fast rhythms, guitar solos and strong voices combined with empowering lyrics - once I you fall into this world, there is no turning back. My personal fave is power metal, both strong and melodic with fantasy, struggle and romance being the common twist.

Headliners in my current playlist are such groups as "Blind Guardian", "Battlelore" (as a hardcore fan of JRRT I couldn't miss these!), "Rhapsody", "Helloween", "Aria" and "Epidemia", the two latter being of local scene. I'm sometimes upset that lolita fashion doesn't have much themes the western folks consider as fantasy - there are the brave knights and dragons? Griffins and chimeras?  Screw Snowwhite, gimme some Luthien! But, I guess, if you want to get a job done, you gotta do it yourself - and that's the reason my sketchbook is full of ideas that, hopefully, will become prints and jewelry.

In sight of my love for some head-banging, me and my friend traditionally go to the concert of "Epidemia", when they come to town every year. 'Course, I have to skip on the frills, since they won't get you far in the mosh pit! But the energy charge will last a year - you leave all your frustration there, by the stage, and the next morning your mind is clear and ready for new achievements (once your neck stops hurting, lol). I'd like to sample my readers with their work, so you could get a taste of what I mean.

Here you can download some of their songs for free, on their official site - my personal faves are Feanor and Black Wizard (based on Dragon Lance). Mind that all lyrics are in Russian, but I hope that you'll enjoy it non the less.

Crappy concert photo - but I found the accidental "pillar of light" effect that appeared only on the photo quite amusing.

Oh, Fun Times...

I, actually, been quite waiting, when this would happen. I was really intrigued to watch how the second-hand market would develop after that. Would there be rage? Hysteria? Dunno, but some drama was to occur. I'm talking, of course, about Sugary Carnival - one of the most priced sweet lolita pieces of the last couple of years. First a replica, and now - as far as I can tell, - an un-modified re-release.

As much as DOL trolled all the owners of the original SC, I think AP trolled all the scalpers and their previous victims even more.

As far as myself, I actually wanted a lavander and black skirt or JSK for some time, but I guess that was the "rare" factor (I like the design and think it'd be a fun piece, but you DO NOT say to me something is a rare or limited piece, lol). And now... Not so much. It seems they didn't re-release a skirt, which I would consider at this point, so I'm not sure I'll use this $330 opportunity.

Shoppe Changes

After much thought, I've decided, that Etsy doesn't satisfy meas a selling platform anymore, due to some not-so-good management. I won't go into details, but right now I'm setting up a new "studio", as they call it, on Artfire. For some time it'll be a parallel store, where you can buy my handmade items, and I'll be comparing pros and cons of both sites, but it's likely I'll be staying on the latter.

And so, to mark this announcement, I'll give you a peek of my Spank! inspired series - simple, but very colorful.

 

Last Seat on the Bandwagon

The thing that bothered me the whole week was the whole "Pray for Japan" thing going on Deviant Art and Tumblr.Though I understand that many people sincerely made re-posts and art featuring this phrase, the speed and amount of it still left a bad taste in my mouth. Like everybody is trying too hard to show their concern, while the events are fresh and awaiting pageviews for this. Especially when the artist said that the made the drawing quickly. I usually don't assume the worst of people, but when I see "Pray for Japan" in rainbow pastel candy heart font - it makes me cringe. And not only me.

Of course I heard that some people felt better from these pictures - felt that the world cares for their tragedy and wants to comfort them. But here are a few links we all should consider more - statement from Pixiv artists and a post of one of the victims. This tragedy, as said in the last one, isn't a fandom. So please, before you re-blog or fave another "J, R U OK?" picture, that doesn't actually call for real action, consider these messages. If you really want to help, help with actions. If you're an artist, you can take part in Help_Japan auctions. I have two lots submitted here and here, if any one is interested in donating.

Art is a powerful tool, and we, was artists, must use it responsibly.