12.14.09

Universe is hitting me again! Help!

Posted in GoldenCircleDesigns.com at 5:51 pm by deRomilly

You remember a few months ago, when I said that when the Universe yells at you, you should listen? Well, I tried, really I did. I started focusing on cleaning the studio. I even found a patch of floor that I didn’t know I had. The shelves are still falling over, though, because they need to be emptied before I can fix them… and and and…well, things got busy. We had a software release at work, then there was the new beta to get started on, and Thanksgiving, and friends who wanted to see me before I die, and my father, who also wants to see me before EITHER of us dies… and so on. I worked on designs. I worked on the studio. Sporadically. I didn’t get the first newsletter out, although it is mostly written.

Well. The first week in December the Universe got tired of my wimbling. It pulled out a two by four and smacked me over the head about not pursuing my dreams. You see, I think the universe really wants me to succeed in Art and Design, even when I would much rather pull the blanket up over my head and hide from the world.

That two-by-four? It’s called a layoff. Suddenly I have all the time in the world to focus on the business, getting this pile of designs I have finished ready for you wonderful folks to buy and stitch and love, and the book on how to design your own needlework done…

And then the day after, my Dora-kitten got sick. (OK, she’s four. But she’s still my kitten. And she features in the design book, so she’s even more special!) Very sick. Sick like “in the hospital for three days with kidney failure” sick.  I’ve been spoon feeding her, running her to the doctor, and trying to keep her warm in a cold house ever since (they shaved her for an ultrasound). In true family fashion, they know what’s wrong, but they can’t figure out WHY.

But you know? Through it all, I’ve managed to get my butt in gear, edit another chapter of the book, almost finish the model stitching for the snowflake pattern (Which means, that if you want it at the pre-release pdf price before the model is done and in the pattern shop, you should order it now at the Snowflake Mat pattern page! It’s an instant download, and the individual snowflakes make for great quick ornaments/gift tags!)

In addition, I put several of my beaded chatelaines on Etsy for last-minute gifts. If you’re within the US and want them by Christmas, I know I can get them there if they’re ordered by Friday the 18.  I can’t guarantee  if they’re ordered by Monday, but I’m sure there’s a pretty good chance they’d still make it. :)

So. The Universe is calling. And I’m making an attempt to answer it. Now if it would stop throwing sick cats at me in between steps… !

02.23.09

Pins on Etsy!

Posted in Uncategorized at 7:00 am by deRomilly

I have put several needleworked/embroidered pins up on my Etsy shop. The original intention was to get them up early enough to be available for the holidays. Unfortunately, life really intervened! I thought you might like a few details of my thought process on these -

The first three are embroidered beadwork. The purple ones were created a couple years ago as I bean playing with found objects. The main purple focal point cabochons are rescued from a vintage pair of earrings. For earrings (posts, no less!!) they are huge. but re-purposed into a brooch for someone’s jacket they work beautifully.


The cameo at the center of the white piece was a gift from an artist friend years ago that has been looking for a home ever since. I like how it fits here. The surrounding beadwork on all three of these grew organically, which is a very different method from the very structured way I usually work embroidery. Mostly I just added beads until encrusted. With the asymmetric purple pin I spent a lot of time forcing myself to keep it asymmetric, because my personality always leans me toward perfect symmetrical balance; something that can become boring over the long run. I’m working on it!

The off-white and green triangle I’ve decided to keep. It’s more symmetrical, less organic, and more my typical style, and I’ve fallen in love with it.

As a bonus, here are photos of a work in progress – it’s a commission for a local tribal-style dancer and drummer who loves copper and can’t have anything up near her throat – it will sit at the collarbone when I get the band on it. It still needs assembly and then drops or fringe added. I’m inordinately proud of it.

11.19.08

It’s official!

Posted in GoldenCircleDesigns.com at 7:00 am by deRomilly

I’m putting some of my jewelry up on Etsy.

bluemoon.jpgRight now there are only a few of my id/flash drive lanyards, but I’m hoping to add several bead-embroidery brooches and goldwork pendants soon. Textiles are, after all, my forte.  I feel a little silly that my first foray back into business has been strung beadwork when it really isn’t what I’m known for!

icegrass.jpgBut within a week Golden Circle Designs will be back up and legal. This weekend I’m going to layout all the existing designs into a current publishing program. And I’m still playing with website design. I’d REALLY like people to be able to download the designs in pdf form immediately after payment. But I’m thinking that might not be workable right now. So I’m still doing research…

In any case! Etsy! http://RomiPaws.etsy.com