Turn, Turn, Turn
It's alllllmost August! August 1st is Lammas / Lughnasadh, the first of the three harvests in many Pagans' calendars. While it's not as Autumn-specific as say, Mabon or Samhain, the second and third harvests, it is about that time when I start to work on my Aututmn collection, to be released late August to early September. Actually, I've already started working on prototypes, seeing how various sealants work on real pressed autumn leaves for use in resin. It's been interesting looking at a pendant day after day to check for very subtle changes-- basically what I've seen so far is that the colors deepen and get more purpley, which is a cool effect. I just want to know for sure that the colors won't get gunky after I put something up for sale, so: pre-testing.
There is, however, an update coming later this week with Earring Wardrobes, Elven Tears, wings, and a few labradorite pieces, as well as a SLEW of earrings I made with my patina inks. And I got a new camera for work-only stuff, so hopefully the pictures will be awesome. I hope to have the update up on Friday-- there is a viewing on Thursday I must attend and possibly a funeral on Friday, so my timeline is a bit up in the air.
Anyway, I find that it really helps the creative process to think Autumn even in the sweltering Baltimore summer (because really, it's like a sauna out there with that humidity). I've been wearing some of my favorite fall perfumes while I work, so that includes BPAL's Shub Niggurath (GC-- I have a precious little of the original LE left and I don't want to squander it), Arcana's Sleepy Hollow (which performs wonderfully in the summer-- it's more of a light apple and pumpkin cream than something heavy and spicy... I *always* get compliments on it), and now Haunt's Cinnamon Girl, which smells like Villainess's GingerSnapped's softer, snugglier cousin with extra brown sugar.
I also have been burning Autumn-y candles-- right now, I have a pillar from Magickal Cupboard burning with Ember votives from Pier One on either side. It's time to do the yearly re-stock on Yankee's Autumn Leaves. When money starts rolling in again (as summer is always slow in the jewelry biz), I think I might just splurge on ReWined's Merlot candle. Pomegranate, plum, violet, rose & vanilla-- my toes CURLED when I smelled it in Trohv. Actually, I liked their entire line, not a single solitary stinker or single-note. The downside is that they're really expensive, even though I love their recycled aesthetic. So we'll see.
Oh! And also!
Flissy and I will be performing as Verve-- a sword improv and a re-worked choreography. We spent some good time with the video for the "Touched" choreo we performed at CCT, and I think we have something stronger and more dynamic after a firm editorial hand. Plus this event also supports House of Ruth.
“The House Of Ruth Maryland is one of the nation's leading domestic violence centers, helping thousands of battered women and their children find the safety and security that so many of us take for granted.” Please visit their website to learn more: http://www.hruth.org/