The Victorian Needle
Thursday, December 30, 2021
On My Bookshelf: December
Friday, December 10, 2021
A Quick Weekend of Museum/Wedding
Early December isn't usually the busiest time of year for me. Sure, I'm shopping for presents or making them up, but at least it's a calm sort of busy work. I rarely travel beyond the mall, and even then I try to do my shopping online. So this trip was different!
Wednesday, December 1, 2021
A Little Winter Hair Change
Monday, November 29, 2021
On My Bookshelf: November
Thursday, November 18, 2021
The Cold is Here!
Finally, FINALLY, we have frost. That first bite in the air, the lingering cold in our chest when you take a deep breath...Michigan at her finest.
Monday, November 15, 2021
The Edmund Fitzgerald 46th Anniversary
Tuesday, November 9, 2021
A (Bloody) Halloween
I remember Halloween as a kid; I always wanted to be a zombie bride or monster princess or something like that. I wanted to wear a dress AND terrorize the earth with a terrible curse. Is that too much for a girl to ask? As I've gotten older, my tastes have evolved, but only a little.
This year I settled on "Ancient Goddess Who Has Received Sacrifice." I bought a pretty crème-colored dress on Amazon that is adorned with stars and moons. I could have used another outfit in my wardrobe, but I REALLY like how it turned out. I needed something magical, and at the very least I can use it again for other costumes.
Next was my tiara. I needed something spikey and regal, so I headed to Michael's and picked up these crystal beads. The wire wrapping technique wasn't too difficult, though I definitely need more practice if I want to do it again. I attached the stones to a think piece of gold wire, then attached that to a thick black headband. The end result blended in well with my hair and glinted different colors in the light.
Finally, I had to decorate my (willing) victim. I bought a plain white shirt and used different types and colors of paint along the front to simulate the blood. In my CSI fervor I also did tried interesting forms of spatter; large drops, sprays, and even a few pools. As an added bonus I put my left handprint on the side, as if I'd reached into his chest to claim my prize. It was a very Indiana Jones scene, at least how I imagined it in my head.
With the appropriate touches of blood on our faces, the costumes were complete! Considering the fact that I've already "captured" his heart already, is it too much of a stretch for me to consume it? (Ha ha!)
While the whole thing was a very quick endeavor, with only a few hours of prep for the completed work, it reminded me of my many transferable skills. I've worked with wire wrapping beads, face painting, and even have experience from teaching forensics blood spray. I'm impressed with the final product!
Who knows what I can make next with that set of skills?
~Kristen
On My Bookshelf: December
December has been a really rough month. Between what happened in Oxford (not far from where I live...) and just the general pandemic issues,...
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Recently I've found myself fascinated by the jewelry of the 18th century. It just seems glossier, shinier...and you know I love my shi...
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Oh my goodness it has been a busy few weeks! With winter storms, paper deadlines, and squirmy students, I've found little time to play w...
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As I started my research, one particular jewelry material always stuck out. Coral, that bright stone! I was entranced by the many shades wit...