My latest technique is braiding wire! I saw this technique used while browsing Etsy and Artfire, figured out that it was just braiding, and decided to give it a go!
But I soon learned that it is not "just braiding". I couldn't find anything to attach the wire ends to... the wire needs to stay flat... and you have to BEND rather than twist while braiding.
This was my very first attempt. I clamped the wire in this thing Dad has in the garage... I'm not sure what its proper name is. I took a picture but can't seem to find it... (EDIT: It's called a clamp...)
Here is the same strand as a bracelet! I cut the ends evenly, folded them over, and wrapped some of the gold colored wire around the ends. It was little, so I gave it to my sister.
My second braided strand-- this time I layered the three colors instead of having seperately colored strands.
Here it is as a bracelet/cuff, in just my size!
And Adelynn Rose posing with her "new favorite bracelet" and a rose.
One thing I found very helpful while braiding was to take each "strand" (which had two or three lengths of wire in it) and occasionally wrap a tie of wire on it. It helped tame the tangles.
I love cubbyholes, secret passageways, keys, old maps, and tiny treasures. And I love books. A hollow book is right down my alley.
If you Google "how to make a hollow book" you will get lots of helpful instructions, such as this website.
Mine is a rather ametuer production. I didn't have a "box cutter" (whatever that is) so I cut out chunks of pages with an Xacto knife. I didn't measure the exact sizes of the box, I didn't Mod Podge before cutting, I didn't file down the inside pages, I didn't glue felt on the bottom....
But I like it. :)
I found this book for 50 cents at a garage sale. Aside from the fact that some of the pages had stains as if someone had spilt soda on it, it was in excellent condition. I felt a little bad cutting out its pages... Mom actually had to remind me that the sole reason I bought it was to destroy it. (I love books a little much, don't you think?)
A nice, respectable, unassuming little book, don'tcha thunk?
Of course, my brothers saw me slaving away, tearing out all the pages... and I am putting this on my blog. So I can't really hide any valuables inside of it. It doesn't matter-- ITS A HOLLOW BOOK. A secret box. And that it just too cool.
For my Sweet 16/Moving Away party, I had a masquerade party at home. My friends love costuming and acting, so everyone dressed up and adopted a character to act as when masks are on. You can see all of the masks on my Masquerade Masks post.
I wore my second sewing project and only costume-- my Elvish dress! Normally I go as Arwen, but changed my mind and adopted the character of Tinuviel Luthien. She is a Lord of the Rings character, although her only mention in the trilogy is in a ballad. She shows up in the Silmarillion quite a bit. (Gosh, now I'm sounding geeky. LOL-- that is because I am!)
First off is my mini-photoshoot (click to enlarge):
Searching for a berry.
With the cape!
Hi!
Running.
Temporarily out of character and being Arwen.
Me, caught unawares by the camera.
Wearing the mask and a fun length of blue fabric.
There you go! Now, here are my accessories. I really went all out. ^_^ But, hey, its Lord of the Rings. Almost all of these have a separate post. Please click those links to see a full post and often instructions.
My mask! I cut, painted, and glitterified it, then sewed the white feathers on. Then I glued and sewed on the flowers, feathers, and ribbons on the side. Next, I attached ribbon to tie it to my head. My friend "L", whose family used to live in Africa, gave me a porcupine quill from Africa for my mask. Hopefully you can see it peeking out the top. :)
See my post on the masks my friends and I made: ( HERE ) And how to make the masks: (coming soon)
As Luthien I wanted to have a little something different than I have as Arwen. Plus I wanted to be able to take my crown on and off without tangles.
I wore my Clay brooch/buckle (a replica of Arwen's, from her Chase costume in FotR) and a criss-cross ribbon on the front of the dress until the safety pins drove me nuts. ( HERE )
I wore my very first Evenstar that I made (which I had made to match this costume). Never mind that the Evenstar as a necklace only existed in the movies, and that Arwen, not Tinuviel, wore it; its Elvish, anyhow. I finally got around to finding a pretty chain for it!
The cape! My mom made it for me back in 4th or 5th grade for a Halloween costume. It just fits. I attached a pretty clasp to it before the party, something I wish I'd done earlier. Someday I would like to make a nicer cape. This one is really flimsy material!
The bag, earrings, and my Evenstar again. So purty. ^_^
The belt and a quill.
As birthday presents I received some beautiful homemade (and not homemade) jewelries from friends that went well (or perhaps not quite so well) with my costume. I wore them the whole rest of the day, and the next, and the next... A ribbon-flower barrette, a pretty flower/cross beaded bracelet, a rosary bracelet, and beautiful earrings. Also, a handmade bag in beautiful fabric. And a belt with 16 crocheted flowers (I think its and African style-- leastways it looks like it and is beautiful!) and bunches of African porcupine quills in multiples of 16. You can make beads with them. ^_^
So not all of it "goes" with the costume, but I wanted to post about it anywhos, 'cause I wore it all with my costume.
So. Much. Fun. We walked around the neighborhood and ran through a bit of wood-- all in costume--, danced to Celtic Thunder, rock, and random music, made pizza, sundaes, and pancakes, talked, sang, played games... Boy, was it fun.
No-smiles old-fashioned picture. Just had to include it. :D
About my character:
This song by the Tolkien Ensemble says it all. :D It is the poem "Luthien Tinuviel" by Tolkien. (The short version in LotR, not the one in "Lays of Beleriand" in Histories.)
Everyone ready for LOTS OF FUN! Haha, I didn't have to blur anyone's faces for privacy because they are all wearing masks. :)
I had a Sweet 16/Moving Away party a few weeks ago! All of my friends love costuming, and with the help of two friends I made some masks for everyone! Here are plenty of pictures to enjoy.
My mask. I put alot of work into it... Please see my "Masquerade Costume Page" for more details!
The Phoenix. One of my favorite mythical creatures, and such pretty, vibrant colors!
The Little Mermaid. The dangling leaves are actually appliques from my friend's old shoes.
Black and white elegance.
(Click to enlarge the following:)
White elegance I
White elegance II
Those are all ones that I made. Here are the ones made by friends:
"Peaseblossom" had a very intricate and blinged-up mask! It was stunning. You can't see it well in this picture, but it has a fake butterfly and lots of handmade ribbon flowers.
Made by "L"
Made by "L" I love the stunning paint job.
Made by "L"
Made by my brother
The mask held at arms' length. :) Made by "L"
Made by "L"
Made by my little sister. Better picture later. :)
Made by my sis and I.
Thilly computer is acting up. Oh well. Here are the the masks laid out, waiting for everyone!!!
