Oodles of Updates

I survived my travels, despite delays and detainment. (Awesome! Not.)

I've finally adjusted to the 13 hour time difference. (I'm now a time travelling machine!)

Since being back I've enjoyed many swims at the local lakes and beaches, umpteen BBQs, a fair share of rum and cokes, and a ride around the trail. (And maintained my pale skin so far so good.)

I've got some sewing done, though mostly hems and corrections. I've a new purse in the making but not much to show for it right now. Soon!

I've got a bunch of jewellery made/started that I'm really proud of. (Here and here.)

Although I mostly use tumblr now for general life updates, I figured I'd let anyone who's still following me on blogger know what's what. 

I split my shop into two divisions and opened a new etsy shop for one. Tamed Raven Designs is now for the weird, quirky things. 

Like these.

The new shop, called Eltu, hosts the eco friendly, recycling fueled pieces like the spoons, shells, and some new designs I'm working on. 

Like these ones.

Since I'm only home for the summer I'm currently just working on jewellery for the shops, and will continue with the purses and clothing when we finally settle back in Canada, whenever that may be. A small price to pay to see the world and take part in all these experiences.

I'm thoroughly enjoying spending my days making things instead of running off my feet selling coffee or candy, and spending time with family and friends. I hope all your summers are going just as well. 

Box Set

I ordered some earring bezels before Christmas and have finally gotten around to photographing some of the sets I've made with spoon pendants. I just love how these came out. 

Now if only I wore earrings myself to show them off ;P.

New Stuff

I finally got the chance to finish some things yesterday, and photographed them today. I've been having a lot of fun experimenting with different things. See more photos in the shop.

This and the other puzzle pieces aren't actually finished (they're currently drying another coat of resin on top) but I couldn't resist sharing one.

I also stuffed my pockets with a few pinecones when we were in Gatineau the other day, dipped this one in  epoxy. Don't know what I'll do with it yet but it looks like its coated in ice.

Same spoon from one of my tutorials, but I added another layer of gold and resin.

Then there's these!! What I've been calling my 'Little Planets', I love these so much, I find they're so interesting. I'm trying to make one look like earth currently. I have a close contender drying but it's not quite right.. Once I figure out a technique I want to make all the planets.

I'm also thinking of changing the way I make my plastic jewelry. More specifically, how I seal the artwork. I started out using a brush and modge podge but I found it smudged the colors together on occasion, so I turned to an aerosol sealer about a year ago and have been fairly happy with it until yesterday, when I tried a new technique. It looks amazing, feels amazing, and makes it stronger. I'm torn on whether I should do this from now on, and if so do I go back and dechain all my old pieces to do the same?

Looks better if you ignore my fingerprints on everything, haha.

The ice cream cone and the cherries are done the new way, the butterfly skull the old way. I like the how they look, but it's not me who should decide. What do you all think? Should I do it to the old and new pieces? Or should I keep making them the way I am and offer the other coating as an option?