Being Koi

(Sold this weekend at WisCon) I had this black agate carved koi fish for a while, but when I found these white and orange agate beads a few weeks ago, I knew that I had to combine them. Goldfishy-fiffic!

Copper patina (verdigris) recipe

Want to "age" copper to that great grey-green verdigris patina quickly? Here's a simple recipe:

-2 parts white vinegar
-1 1/2 parts non-detergent ammonia
-1/2 part non-iodized salt.

Clean your copper/remove any lacquer with steel wool and rinse thoroughly with water to remove any residue.

Mix the above ingredients together in a misting bottle.

Lightly, but thoroughly, spray the mixture onto the copper and allow it to dry 1 hour. Reapply to any areas that you may have missed. Allow to sit overnight to develop. Brush a bit to remove loose particles before sealing with clear spray lacquer. If you want a bit of the bright copper to show through, sand raised areas before sealing.

Adjusting the salt ratio in the mixture will affect the shade of the patina. More salt=more boldly green. Less salt= more greyish.

Image via www.123rf.com

Atropos

One of the pieces that went off to WisCon.

In Greek mythology, Atropos was the oldest of the Three Fates (or Moirae), and was known as the "inflexible" or "inevitable." It was Atropos who chose the mechanism of death and ended the life of each mortal by cutting their thread with her "abhorred shears." She worked along with her two sisters, Clotho, who spun the thread, and Lachesis, who measured the length.

(Forgive the less-than-stellar photo quality. I just wanted to get a quick shot before the con, should the piece sell this weekend.)

Local (Chi-Waukee-ish) crafty folk!

Denise from Mouse0403 on Etsy let me know that Pleasant Prairie (first town north of the Cheddar Curtain on I-94) is having a farmer's market/craft fair on Sat July 23rd (Prairie Family Days Market/Fair). The registration before 5/1 for a 10 x 10 booth space is only $10. It is juried and, because it is outdoors, they do stipulate that you must have a 10 x 10 canopy.

I don't know the size/attendance of the event, but since the registration price is so low, it might be a good inexpensive opportunity for crafters to fill out their event schedule this summer or as a first non-Etsy vending foray for someone looking to make the leap to a real live craft show.

New earrings

Since last night was so rainy and cold, Matt and I stayed in and watched Mel Brooks movies. During Young Frankenstein, I had decided to fiddle around and make some new earrings. Take a peek over in my Etsy for some of the results...

Because gamer grrrls rule

My charms are going to ChiKalb at the end of the month! Look for them in Rachel Henderson's booth (which is chock-full of her own awesomesauce, BTW) in the dealer's room.

WisCon!

I found out last night that my application for the art show at WisCon on Memorial Day weekend was accepted.
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Wiscon or WisCon, the Wisconsin Science Fiction Convention, is often called the world's leading feminist-oriented science fiction convention and conference. It was first held in Madison, Wisconsin in February 1977, and is held annually throughout the four day weekend of Memorial Day. Sponsored by the Society for the Furtherance and Study of Fantasy and Science Fiction or (SF)³, WisCon gathers together women and men: fans, writers, editors, publishers, scholars and artists from around the world to discuss science fiction and fantasy, with emphasis on issues of feminism, gender, race and class.

Guests of Honor have included Eleanor Arnason, Iain M. Banks, Lois McMaster Bujold, Emma Bull, Pat Cadigan, Avedon Carol, Terry Carr, Suzy McKee Charnas, Buck & Juanita Coulson, Samuel R. Delany, Charles de Lint, Beverly DeWeese, Gardner Dozois, L. Timmel Duchamp, Suzette Haden Elgin, Carol Emshwiller, Karen Joy Fowler, Jeanne Gomoll, Nicola Griffith, Barbara Hambly, David Hartwell, Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Nalo Hopkinson, Ellen Klages, Nancy Kress, Ursula K. Le Guin, Elizabeth A. Lynn, R. A. MacAvoy, Katherine MacLean, George R. R. Martin, Maureen McHugh, Vonda N. McIntyre, Patricia A. McKillip, Judith Merril, China Miéville, Pat Murphy, Trina Robbins, Mary Doria Russell, Geoff Ryman, Jessica Amanda Salmonson, Pamela Sargent, Melissa Scott, Stu Shiffman, Sheri S. Tepper, John Varley, Joan D. Vinge, Elisabeth Vonarburg, Howard Waldrop, Connie Willis, Terri Windling, Don & Elsie Wollheim, Susan Wood, and Chelsea Quinn Yarbro.

The James Tiptree, Jr. Award, an annual literary prize for science fiction or fantasy that expands or explores our understanding of gender, originated in a discussion at a prior WisCon, and the Tiptree Ceremony is often held at WisCon. Broad Universe, an organization with the primary goal of promoting science fiction, fantasy, and horror written by women, also originated in a discussion at a prior WisCon; as did the Carl Brandon Society, which is dedicated to addressing the representation of people of color in science fiction, fantasy and horror.