Shiny Things Gallery | Search

Total matches for beadwork: 187

Better Than Chikin

Better Than Chikin

It was absolutely time that I finally got around to doing this. I've had the idea for a couple of years, but... 2020, man. I had to get it done by the end. Feel free to check out the legitimate cost breakdown in the Etsy listing I just figured out and don't know how to feel about, too.

Actual information about all of this: Chick-fil-A’s many controversies, explained.
(For Sale.)

Date: 29 December 2021
THE COMMISSION

THE COMMISSION

This is... so much. And better known as: Six FFVI-inspired Beadwoven Panels, Two Displays, and One Storage Box.

A long time in planning, a long time in making, and a couple of tricks discovered. Mainly that I can make little wooden boxes! The beadwork was already a thing I did, clearly, and this time I sort of had to force myself to actually keep track of how much time they took to make. "A lot", is the answer that everyone else knew and I refused to think about, but once I had a little working system in place, I enjoyed the challenge. And very much the demon chocobo.

The easel stand is a modified mini-easel with a solid panel for the (otherwise floppy) panels to rest against. Tiny black wire loops keep them from sliding off.

The hanging holder was a bit more of a process, since my first iteration was an "over-design" involving a hinged panel with a clear vinyl window. I'd still like to do that for something, but I'd have to figure out how to keep the vinyl from getting scratched up from being breathed upon, let alone actually used. This design was the better option: a solid curved backing acting as a counter-weight, three thin black wires to hold the panel against the backing, and two padded clips on either side to actually keep the panel attached to the board and also to serve as a point to hang the displayed panel from interchangeable chains.

The storage box was the one thing I was least certain about, but turned out to fall together easily once I actually started figuring out how all of the pieces fit together with some reinforcement and so much sanding. I also put a bit of wire at the bottom front and embedded two tiny magnets into the lid so that it snaps closed and stays that way until enough force is applied to open it.

Date: 02 December 2020
Pleasant Non-Threatening Plastic Customer Service Smile

Pleasant Non-Threatening Plastic Customer Service Smile

This sure is a real piece that I sure did spend weeks working on. Not to mention developed another technique regarding the way weight is distributed through the netting itself, so it ought to be a lot more stable while remaining flexible. (I mean, I haven't had complaints or breakage reports, but this is just sort of what I do.)

If nothing else, this is a prime illustration of channeling one's rage into creative endeavors. As much as the creation of this piece was inspired by this Vox article, the feelings have been around for a long time. I joined Etsy in 2007, when it still felt like a real agent for artists and artisans. Now it feels like a farm run by people who have only ever seen an animal on television. All hail the venture capitalists, etc.

I wanted to mention here that the clasp is, not so ironically, from an Etsy shop not at all involved in the rest of this. I was looking for something different than what I've used before and I just... happened across this. There are still good things there, and many good people selling their wares and supplies to make more wares. But we're all being crushed under a company that no longer wants to be unique and serve its user base, but to serve their board and be Amazon Lite. Art Ebay. So yes, I say wholly and sincerely, fuck Etsy. And fuck whatever survivorship bias bullshit is sure to be tossed in my general direction. I'll crawl along as long as I can because really, what are they gonna do, fire me?

Of course they could, in a way. But I'll bet the chunk of cash they'll get if this ever actually sells is more important. After all, I won't pay extra to be in searches. And nothing else will ever get free shipping. Consider this being me metaphorically shitting in your blueberry field, Kalin.
(For Sale)

Date: 18 October 2019
Reminiscence

Reminiscence

So I've only been thinking about doing a tiny Journey pendant since I first did the large cuff bracelet... er, some years ago. (Don't make me time and math.) I was finishing up the 2019 Desert Bus for Hope chocobo when the MP3 player randomly selected a track off the Journey soundtrack and then I listened to more and... nostalgia. Even if I really should have been concentrating on something else. I'll get there.

I hadn't really been thinking of adding the drape at first, but I was already digging around for beads. You know how it is.
(For Sale)

Date: 03 September 2019
Fondly

Fondly

"I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night." - Sarah Williams

Kind of couldn't help but think of the quote while I was finishing this. I needed a little something different, again, and I'd been picking and different kinds of layered bracelets lately, so this happened. I really wanted something to showcase that "cheap plastic ring" which did not in any way look cheap to me. The blue highlights are so subtle that they're hard enough to pick out in person depending on the light, nevermind trying to get decent pictures of them, but I hope I've succeeded enough for folks to be able to adjust their monitors and marvel. Or something like it.
(For Sale)

Date: 29 May 2019
Me and My Kingdom of Three

Me and My Kingdom of Three

Made as the development cycle of Final Fantasy XV winds to an end, but conceptualized long before, this is something I made for me. Four crystals inside one ring, surrounded by a total of 13 skulls, on a band 13 beads wide, color splashed between black and silver. I'm very, very happy with it, and it means a lot to me.

That said, wow was getting the Swarovski crystals spanned between sides of the ring a "challenge". But I did it! Another dumb idea that worked! Ridiculously. Like making the ring an open centerpiece. I'd tinkered with the pattern for the beaded skull for a while, trying to get it as small as possible but still retain the feel I was going for. ...Admittedly the sizing was luck and a shot in the dark, and the arrangement of two magnetic clasps with another little silver skull inbetween was an alteration to the original thought. It would have wound up too long to be comfortable with my original concept, but this way it's just right, with just enough slack to slide and move comfortably. It's also got a little weight to it, as the ring itself is surprisingly heavy stainless steel with some really solid magnetic clasps and a decently heavy small skull bead as a counter-balance. It actually feels quite good on, and rather matches my... aesthetic. (As does most Insomnian fashion, I must admit.)

Date: 27 December 2018
Gatekeepers Be Advised

Gatekeepers Be Advised

One of those ideas I'd had in mind for a while, but didn't really get to designing and then completing it for a bit. As soon as I saw that glow in the dark seed beads were finally a real thing that I could buy, I knew what I needed to do with them. ...I only realized later that I'd designed a 2,550-bead panel centerpiece. Welp. That explains why it took so long.

Not that it's exactly noticeable, but I tried another technique for the diamond webbing that both went faster and actually turned out to be a little bit stronger than what I'd been doing. Learning experience + glow in the dark beads + STATEMENT = win.

There's no one specific reason for me to make this beyond it's a universal truth and I felt like it. Nothing better to do with annoyance than make something neat out of it, right?
(For Sale)

Date: 10 November 2018
Cecil the Dancing Paladin

Cecil the Dancing Paladin

My girlfriend's been "a little into speedrunning" of late, and so a tiny shiny Cecil from FFIV seems like just the accessory for that, doesn't it? Also I still think it looks like he's dancing, hence the title.

It's always a bit of a trip; even working from the sprites to make a pattern, it's impossible to see what I've actually made until I take a step back and see it from a slight distance.

Date: 13 February 2018