Pray for the One-Winged Angel

And so two fascinations come together: prayer beads and Final Fantasy 7. ...No, I didn't think the connection existed before now, either. It was all because of Pray for the Planet's beads that I got this idea in the first place. These particular beads are black and beautifully textured, with tiny silver "cracks" running through them. Much more beautiful in person. So is the rainbow obsidian "black materia", which actually manages to have a silver glowing accent to it. Awesome.

And in case you're interested in the symbolism... Three groups of ten beads represent the three pillars/columns/"the three lines", and the ten steps/branches of the Sephirot. The black materia is just that--but the drop from it represents the "11th step/branch" which represents the abyss (but it's kind of blasphemous, ha ha, but then so am I). It seemed... appropriate for Sephiroth's symbol to rest on the edge of the abyss.

The original is sold, but I can take commissions for more.

Dancing Chocobo Cuff Bracelet

I took way, way too long figuring out how many beads were used here. 1,802 delicas, 6 "materia beads", and 1 random lovely purple glass bead. Many a four-letter word was uttered after. Then I poured myself a drink. But look upon the dancing chocobo cuff bracelet and be happy, for they are dancing chocobos!

Yeah, this is completely insane. But it started out so innocently with just one FF4 chocobo sprite... which became two... then six. Then I can't really explain what happened. The chocobos made me, I swear it. ...Anyway. I really like how the dark purple background turned out, which is good--I wasn't so sure at first. And of course, well... chocobos. This actually successfully combined three requests in one: 1.) beaded chocobos, 2.) sized for a larger wrist, and 3.) a metal-free clasp. Well, I feel successful.

(Sold)

Smiling Carbuncle Bracelet

There is simply no way that you can look at a smiling Carbuncle and be sad. It's impossible. Carbuncles are nifty little critters/summons/GFs/things from the Final Fantasy series of games that actually aren't out to tear your face off. (Alright, fine, except in FFIII. But that has got to be a serious misunderstanding.) In fact, they can be incredibly adorable. And, as you can see, shiny!

In the middle of two more projects, I decided that I needed a little pick-me-up. This little guy definitely worked. I also decided that I wanted to experiment a little with materials, hence the yarn instead of my generally standard silk ribbon lacing. It goes perfectly with the playful little Carbuncle, don't you think? Alright, fine: there's a total of 1,152 beads here. Now I'm going to try and FORGET that, thanks.

(For Sale)

Dissidia Charm Bracelet

And now that the gift has found its way to its owner, I can talk about the hell I went through to make this bracelet. *grin* Well, it was... a trial. A very, very big trial. I was juggling techniques, trying to figure out exactly how I wanted to do this and what I wanted to make it out of. I was actually disappointed at first, because a few things couldn't be exactly accurate due to what the clay kept doing/annoying me with, but now... yes, I've had time to step back and appreciate it. I want to make more, but the charms will have a slightly different style. This is definitely one of a kind.

And because I am me, and have to interpret everything, I rather liked the idea of the silver wire wrap around each crystal. It sort of represents Cosmos' energy and influence, the silver working its way through the chain and the eternal loop. ...Yeah, stop looking at me like that.

If you're not familiar, Dissidia is a "Final Fantasy fighter" that I keep meaning to take breaks from but keep picking back up for "just another couple of battles", so that should tell you something.

Lil' Bunkie

So I've been picking at needle felting for a while. This is my first finished 3-D critter, and of course it had to be a geeky Carbuncle of Final Fantasy fame. Sure I lost count of how many times I may or may not have stabbed myself with said needle, but the important thing is that I never bled on the figure! ...And also if I ever wind up with diabetes, I'll know what to expect.

Anyway. Lil' Bunkie here is 4.5 inches tall with a single siam Swarovski crystal in his forehead and two little blue beads for eyes. He's comprised completely and totally of wool roving, so he's soft and fuzzy and... well, he needs a trim. But I'll get to that.

(Sold)

Granny Tonberry

Not all Tonberries (Tonberri?) are out to wish you a stabby death. No, some of them are kindly old grandmothers who make better use of their Chef's Knives by slicing a great big piece of boysenberry pie to share with the wonderful grandchildren. The very same lovely grandchildren who made their apron as a surprise gift for their dear old granny. All Tonberries love boysenberry pie, you know. If adventurers would just keeps some boysenberry pie on them, there would be a great decrease in stabby deaths.

If you're not familiar with the Tonberry, they are evil stabby bastards in the Final Fantasy games. Vicious, horrible things. ...But kinda fun, too.

No, there's... really not much to explain here. This was another totally random project that just happened to become even more random. I made the head, then made the body, then thought, "Hey, this looks like a Tonberry!" And then, um... I have no idea what happened. Then I was making and apron. You see, at some point I wondered if all Tonberries were vicious, stabby little bastards. And then I came up with the theory that clearly they could not be. There had to be kindly old grandmotherly Tonberries putting those knives to better use. And grandchildren who would gather together and make their granny a nice apron. STOP LOOKING AT ME LIKE THAT.

Ahem, anyway. Talk about a lengthy project. Completing the crocheted body alone happened over three days. That is definitely (obviously) hand embroidery on the apron, and then beading on top of that. Lost track of how many days that took, and I'm happy about it--even if it looks horrific. (In my defense, the leaves on the bottom right-hand corner were done first. I then deemed them far too neat and ruined the rest.) Her spectacles only took a couple of minutes, luckily--I've been cut by wire enough times to know how it works very well. The pie and knife accessories are constructed of fleece and painted with fabric paint. Her hair was the last thing. You can blame my partner in geeky crime Schala-Kitty for suggesting that little detail. (I love it, though. She really is much more granny-like now.) The end result stands (or, I guess, sits) at 7 inches in height. I'm going to go take a break now.

(Sold)

Felted Plush Carbuncle

Another experiment with the same-ish Carbuncle pattern that I've been playing with--only this one has some needle felted details! Exciting, I know. I wanted him to have a "fuzzy" look, and so... I have succeeded. But not before breaking two felting needles. It's my own damn fault for felting directly to fleece, but... geez. You wouldn't think this sweet little guy would be capable of snapping metal, but he is. "Strong enough to BREAK METAL, yet gentle enough not to crush my hand."

Of course, the jewel in his forehead is a large gorgeous Swarovski crystal, and the eyes and lovely little glass beads. Those fuzzy accents are hand-dyed Merino wool from Flights of Whimzy, and it's soooo soooooft.

(Sold)

SOLDIER Bracelet

I come up with the most creative titles, don't I? I... am proud of this. Too proud. But it makes me so very happy. In case you did not know, this is the (modern/Compilation) version of the SOLDIER symbol. And SOLDIERs are--say it with me, folks--from Final Fantasy 7. And now it's a very shiny, very stylish bracelet. Stylish because I said so, of course.

For the most part, I'm not willing to think about how long this actually took. "A long time", as most beading projects will. What... insane devotion. But insane shiny devotion. So it's okay.

Available by commission, though I'm pondering a little design change.