Going Goth, or Victorian, or just having fun. May 11, 2008

One of the things I love MOST about SL™ is the ability to change your look to whatever you wish! At the same time, I love being able to build things that strike my fancy. I adore all things vintage, as you’ve probably seen from the absolutely lovely story that Thalia Jie did about me on the Faces blog (THANK YOU!). Any how, I love the Victorian era, all things Victorian and probably would live in Caledon if I could see my way to renting land….So I started this necklace and felt the inspiration flowing back after feeling a bit fed-up with SL due to all the borkedness of late. I love this necklace, so I’m releasing it NOW. You can find it in my shop, Whimsical Creations, on the new releases wall. It also inspired me to dig through my inventory to see what I had to create a sort of goth/victorian look, and what was really interesting was that the outfit I put together was mostly freebies! Ah serendipity. Credits from top to bottom are after the picture!

Hair - Bonita - Black ETD

Skin - Cream - Indigo Freckle LF CHAI Skin

Tattoo - Grumpy Skull Tatt Bryce

Necklace/Earrings - Vintage Victorian Set Dark Mouse at Whimsical Creations

Outfit - Helene - Black PixelDolls

Boots - la venetian The Laughing Academy

Working hard, or hardly working…. May 8, 2008

Well, I’ve spent the whole week (and I do mean ’spent’) shopping instead of building. Suffering from serious builder’s block. I managed to finish some things, but honestly they were things I was working on already, prior to the lack of inspiration rushing in. As I’ve mentioned in the past, I’ve spent the last year learning to use Photoshop, and something tells me, I need a few more years, LOL. My friend Avi tells me that you really never learn it all. I struggled all week with building, so I decided to focus on improving some textures, and seeing if I could get the look I was going for with new ones. Metal is a difficult texture to mimic. I’ve created a new one to mimic marcasite, one of my all time fav’s. My RL hubby, before he was my hubby ;-), used to shop at this little vintage jewelry shop next to his store in San Francisco. He’d pick up little pins and earrings and such for me, and I loved them all. I have a lovely vintage pin in the shape of a jaguar (no, I didn’t build this, just not possible for me at the moment!). I did however make a really cool marcasite and diamond pendant necklace, and some earrings to match. Then I made some bangles with big hoop earrings, again, focusing on textures and seeing the effects that I could get. And last week, prior to builder’s block setting in and sending me on an SL shopping spree, I did a lovely vintage ‘art deco’ inspired pendant necklace with matching earrings. Oh and also finished last week is a lovely necklace to match my mini chandelier earring that I had free last week. I’ve decided that the matching necklace with earrings will be my freebie this week, since I hate ‘creating’ something purposely to ‘be’ a freebie. It seems we are a freebie SL these days. I recall when I first started playing SL (back in the day, lived in a shoebox, walked to natoma through ten miles of snow and all that), it was really rare to get freebies, and actually, something of an occasion - in some ways, this made getting a nice freebie really special. I hope everyone who grabs one knows that I’m not putting junk out there, this is a nice freebie that will be full price next week. Not that I’m complaining (much) since I just scored the beautiful new Chai skin from Laura Fauna (Indigo) which I’ve not taken off since, I’m so in love with it. Here is the newness. Please stop by the shop and take a look, or just sit on the beach and stare at the ocean.

Here is the slurl to my store, Whimsical Creations.

I just don’t think I can be more whimsical. May 1, 2008

I’m really hoping that those who read my blog will take the time to stop by the shop this week. I’ve created some new pieces that I’m particularly proud of. The jewelry has a whimsical quality to it - okay so most of my stuff has a whimsical quality to it (note to self, must make some skulls and barbed wire stuff asap) - I’ve got three new releases and one freebie.

Lately I’ve been focused on the combination of colors in my jewelry pieces - I’m really not offering them in a myriad of different metals, because usually the metals I’ve chosen are what I believe to be most complimentary to the colors of the gems.

This week I have my ‘Caught in Amber’ necklace and matching earrings set - only $100L is a very distinctive piece. Reminiscent of a butterfly, it features amber and onyx textures along with a deep silver that I feel turned out well from conception to creation. I love amber, it’s one of my favorite stones. I’ve also made a lovely ‘Vintage Pearl’ pendant, in antique gold that would look lovely with a wedding ensemble (but could definitely go casual with the right look). There are earrings and bracelet to match the pendant. I also made some cute hoop earrings and a beaded necklace, I’m calling ‘Silver Curves’ - I confess the hoop earrings design is inspired by my kids issue of teen Vogue LOL. And finally, I’ve been working on a new design but I don’t have the full set this week, only a pair of earrings inspired by my love of jade and all things pretty and delicate. I made a pair of ‘Jade and Gold Mini Chandelier Earrings’, which for one week only, will be available FAH-REE in my shop. Please stop by and grab a pair! I will make these part of a set for sale next week, so come by soon.

While you’re in the shop, take a look at my fabulous collection of prefab homes, and low prim furniture. I’ve been working on a new piece of furniture, a ‘cuddle’ bed of sorts, it will feature multiple animations in a cool new way to look at and use animations! I hope to have it ready for sale sometime next week.

Here is the slurl to my store, Whimsical Creations.

In the mood for more stuff… April 24, 2008

Sooo if you’re reading this blog in the feed, I’d appreciate anyone, anyone at all who knows wordpress, to tell me why my titles are getting cut out and replaced with ‘Mouse.’ I really do not title all my posts, ‘Mouse’ lol! If the title you see is, ‘In the mood for more stuff’ then apparently I’ve fixed it! I’m technology challenged! Anywho, I do have a few releases this week, despite the numerous downtimes experienced in our beloved world.

A bit about building. I find that I get in ‘moods’ sometimes, where I either don’t feel like building, or nothing I’m building appeals to me, or only one thing appeals to me, or I get stuck on a notion or idea and can’t execute, or I go off on a tangent and do something completely different from my initial idea! I think all the stuff I made this week, with the exception of the new house, started out as something else.

I had a notion in mind to replicate the white tree of gondor (LOTR FAN ALERT). I started out okay and lost steam along the way. I ended up with my Golden Tree Earrings and Bracelet set, which has an ethereal beauty that I quite like. But this is a good example of something that went in a different direction. I then had a notion to create ‘mermaid jewelry.’ While I’m not certain my Jade Curves Earring and Necklace would be appropriate for a mermaid, it does have a curvy wave quality. I then wanted to do something with faux tortoise shell which I love in RL. I ended up with something that would be appropriate with a business outfit, the Tortoise Shell and Gold beads and earrings set. Last but not least, is my Star Feather set, which started out as something completely different, but I found I liked the way the prims came together, and went with it!

Finally - I built a new house. I’ve been consumed with jewelry/accessory/tiny prims creation for a couple of months now, but my first love is creating houses. Specifically houses that are low-prim - so you can have furniture too! My new house is called the Los Padres House, and it has 3 rooms, a front porch and lots of nice whimsical details (i.e., whimsical creations) so that it does not look like a boring box. If you’re limited on prims, you’d like this house. It’s got a great ‘California’ open feeling. I hope you’ll like it!

Last but not least - on freebies. I’m at a complete loss as to what to do for a freebie. While the offer of freebies does drive business to my store, and I ‘like’ that, I don’t know if what I’m giving away is useful and/or needed or just more stuff for a bursting inventory. I’ve decided that the thing to do is to mark something on the wall for free for a week till my next release. You’ll have to find it, and yes, it will be an necklace and earrings set! Not in the new releases! Oh and while I do have furniture and houses at my store, I am also a seller of accessories!”

Slurl to Whimsical Creations.

Catty Eye Glasses and More! April 17, 2008

Soooo, I’m still in computer limbo. I’ve decided to upgrade the memory on my current computer, which should buy me some time till I make up my mind! I’ve had plenty of time to build, as I’ve been home sick! You may not have noticed, but I have this thing about sunglasses. I wear them all the time in SL, and have many, many different varieties and brands. However, I’ve never found precisely the pair that I wanted, which basically was a pair of cateye glasses with some subtle diamond touches. I didn’t want to build these myself out of pure unadulterated fear of screwing it up. I finally got over my fear! And what do you know, I made some pretty cute glasses - I like them so much I’ve not taken the off since I made them! I’m putting them out with my new releases today, and I have them available in 8 colors, in case you’re like a purple (or pink, or yellow…) freak or something…since I didn’t really think about a freebie of the week, I’ve decided to put one of the colors out for free for a week. You’ll have to come by the store to see which pair is FREE!

My other new releases are all jewelry. As promised, I created a set from the pearl drop necklace I made, and I think the rose tinted pearls would look quite elegant with a suit. For a more casual look I also made the silver star earrings and necklace, which features pale blue stone and jade with a basket weave silver texture I’m quite fond of. I also made a great pair of large hoop silver earrings and a silver cross necklace with diamonds that match that I’m calling the true silver set. And of course my feeling blue set with its overwhelming array of sapphire and emerald stones. I’m going for a ‘larger’ earring these days, because I’ve noticed you can’t really see earrings very well under the great variety of hair available in SL™. In any case I’m really pleased with all my new stuff this week, and I hope you’ll come by the shop to check it out!

Slurl to Whimsical Creations

Only in Vegas, Baby! April 8, 2008

So I’m almost over my whining phase, down to a small whimper here. The basic fact is that I can’t really use my current computer to play SL™ anymore - see my post here on that subject. Sooooo - I spent last week in lovely sin city. That’s right, Vegas, baby! While there, I was inspired to make a new belt, Vegas style, and talked into purchasing a new computer by someone who is oddly, still a friend after I broke the bank on a new computer (hey! that’s what tax refunds are for!). I tried gambling to win enough money but as we all know, that never works LOL. But if you need a tip, go for the megabucks progressive slot machine when its over 19 mil….

I simply had to get a new computer, more memory, better graphics card. The time I spend creating stuff for SL™ is something I enjoy immensely (when it’s fricken working!). The new client was torturing my poor mac powerbook g4. So I have a new computer (well its not here yet…waiting…impatiently). I read yesterday that Nicholas Beresford would not be making a new client - read his post here, it’s really™, really™, really™ a great shame, as I used his client right up until last week, prior to the forced upgrade. Many who have used it to provide a stable playing environment are the losers here. Oh and possibly LL (LL here stands for “likely losers” so no ™ necessary) - some of these people may stop playing altogether.

But enough bitchin from me about it. The truth is that I will continue to play and create content. But I reserve my right to complain!

Well due to the ‘troubles’ of last week, I didn’t make so much. My new releases include a 70’s Vintage jewelry set which reminds me of long straight hair and big earrings, the awesomely cool, Rhinestone and Pearl belt, inspired by a belt in the Las Vegas Airport shops (a black one and a white one in the box for only $100L), a great - low prim living room set in my favorite color, blue, and my freebie of the week, a pearl drop necklace set in antique gold. You should stop by and pick up the necklace asap, as I plan to make matching earrings and bracelet and put it out as a set, soon!

Here’s the slurl to my store, Whimsical Creations!

Well if it’s free…belts April 1, 2008

Hiya!  I have lot’s of new releases this week.  Busy girl.  Sometimes I go into overdrive, especially when I’m excited or fascinated by something I’m building.  I seriously do not know how I managed to get all this done this week, except to say well my studio is at 700 meters, so not too much to render, ya know. And of course, there were no tempting offers of employment from Armidi to distract me. Uploads were crazy, sometime I could sometimes I could not.  But I really like everything.  My freebie this week is a totally fun ‘flower power belt’ in four colors.  I paired it with a denim mini skirt and black tights…

I also have the Aruni necklace and bangles set, which would look great with silks, if you like to wear silks. I have two different sets of ’skinny belts’ which I LOVE so much I’ve been wearing the black one for 3 days straight.   Oh and this cool ’starburst necklace and earrings’ set and an ‘oriental inspired bracelets.’  Stop by the shop and take a look.  Oh and if you’re desperate for some low prim furniture, I designed and built a gorgeous aqua blue silk and ebony wood set - couch, chair and coffee table with poses are only 29 PRIMS altogether. But you’ll have to stop by the store and see this, as well, this is a fashion post, not furniture post ;-).

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Free Mediterranean Trestle Table! March 28, 2008

I made this really cute Mediterranean Lounge Set.  Tomorrow I’m giving the trestle table away for free!  Stop by to pick one up, I dunno how long I’ve leave it at $0L….The whole set can be purchased for $150L.

Spring Flowers March 27, 2008

I meant to save these for next week, but the weather is soooo nice here (northern CA) and its so very springy out, that I’m releasing them early. It’s a necklace and earrings set I’m calling Spring Flowers - it comes in either blue stones with silver or yellow stones with gold, please take a look at my store - where the flowers are blooming on the beach too! (Yes, I edited to update the photo)

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Sparkly Stones March 26, 2008

My new releases this week include another item based on the contents of my vintage jewelry collection, mainly some sparkly, clip on earrings and necklace to match, and a fun, organic looking necklace, I’m calling the Mabon necklace.  I also made a lovely and airy necklace with blue and white stones, which I’m calling the Zephyr.  And what would the week be like without a new freebie to snag - the modern diamond necklace - totally completely free.  I’m really pleased with all my new stuff, especially the Mabon necklace, I hope you’ll stop by and take a look.  The Mabon includes a bonus in the box, the same necklace in silver with rubies.

Slurl to Whimsical Creations