This wasn't what I was supposed to be working on?

Okay so I did an extra thing for myself. In my defense I was working on the bracelet at the same time. This is an honestly dorky thing as it comes from an incredibly anime/manga series called Claymore. Each person gets their own symbol and this one happens to be my favorite. Actually after posting it on tumblr people have now been asking where they can buy them, so maybe when I have some more time I can make some of the other symbols, but who knows. We'll see how things go.

Oh yeah. Did I mention I found this growing just outside of the studio?
It's bittersweet nightshade. This stuff is toxic, but it won't kill you. Probably just make you seriously ill. But anyway Those berries up at the top on the bittersweet, unlike the deadly that turn black, will eventually turn bright red as they mature.
Since I took this picture though maintenance cut the plant down, so I can't even show you what the berries would look like which is disappointing.

The photo is sideways, but these were my experiments with my leaves.
As much as I love the color on the heat patina, I can't get it to stay when I seal it. It's kind of a bummer, but unless I can find a lacquer that won't take that away I'm just going to have to deal.

Bracelet Progress

So here are the progress shots of the bracelet for Illiana's set.
Since I took these shots the solder has been cleaned off of it and the links that go around the back have been soldered on. So the basic form of it is pretty much done. It needs one jump ring, one more vine and a clasp, then just the leaves and berries and it will be done. That's honestly not a whole ton of work left to do. Once this is done I can start assembling the Tiara (the main part of the project and I'm doing that last. It's like I have a death wish or something) and I can focus on working on the other stuff.

The Goddess

I think it is about time that I introduce you to the next character I have been working on: The Goddess.
The Goddess is a woman of many names as she likes to make herself present in many people by gracing them with accelerated talents. She is one of three sister Goddesses, but we won't get too much into that because it doesn't really play into the design of her crown.
The Goddess Tiara is made to look more like a circlet. It encircles the head with hammered silver centering itself on the forehead with a pair of wings wrapping themselves around an Amethyst cabochon. It's a very simple design overall which makes sense for the character. She is reserved and the main voice of justice and reason within her world. She doesn't need elaborate things to live, unlike some of the others.
While the crown belongs to the Goddess it isn't actually worn by her. Sounds like a contradiction right? What I mean is she did once wear it, but she decided that it would stand as a relic that is to be worn, along with the matching amulet, by her human counterpart. The counterpart is basically a girl (It's very rare that a man be gifted by the Goddess) who has been graced so much that she is practically the human embodiment of the Goddess herself.

I have been slacking in my duties here. I suppose it's time for an update. Okay so, having realized how much time I actually had left this summer I eliminated a project. Instead the two tiaras I am doing are going to have a smaller piece to go with them. Illiana is getting a bracelet and the goddess (who I just remembered you haven't met yet) is getting an amulet. I've already started on the bracelet and intend to hopefully finish that today or perhaps tomorrow. And I will try to get photos of that for you. I will also have to do the progress shots for the tiara thus far as well as the post about who the goddess is and what her tiara will look like.
So much work to do. So little time.