Shiny Things by Orin Drake

Since I’m taking forever under a pile of projects, maybe...

Wed, 01 May 2013 15:01:23 -0400

Since I’m taking forever under a pile of projects, maybe you’d like to take a look at the online gallery of my talented housemate?

Shall we just say I’m more than pleased to have snagged some originals. (He also did the cover for my novel DarkHorse Vendetta.)

I’m still kicking, guys. The trouble with doing a bunch...

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 16:18:56 -0400

I’m still kicking, guys. The trouble with doing a bunch of things at once and then taking on random commissions inbetween is that it seems like very little is actually getting done. …That and, as in the case of these lovelies, I completely forget to share pictures of the finished work. Oops.

You may recognize Sien and Selia from their previous incarnation. Well, I was contacted asking if I might be able to expand them a bit for a larger wrist. Upon confirmation that I could do so, the client then provided me with a most awesome challenge: fire tongues. Clearly I was all over that, and I hope everyone else finds the result as stunning as I did.

"In the case of the artist, I don’t want them to represent reality because I have that via my own..."

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 16:18:51 -0400

“In the case of the artist, I don’t want them to represent reality because I have that via my own telescope. I want and I need the artist to take me to new places, and the new place Van Gogh took me is not the sky as it is, but the sky as he felt it. And the more of us that feel the universe, the better off we will be in this world.”

- Neil deGrasse Tyson, when asked what he thought of Starry Night not being an accurate representation of the sky (via inevitablesurrender)

Thanks so much to ScaylenDJA from DragonJewelryArt for...

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 16:40:44 -0400

Thanks so much to ScaylenDJA from DragonJewelryArt for featuring both Nikida and Tetse in the Dragons of Beads treasury! It’s nice to be amongst other beaded dragon enthusiasts.

(For those of you unfamiliar, these are modeled after a...

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 15:33:01 -0400

(For those of you unfamiliar, these are modeled after a particular plush bunny in the Tiger & Bunny series. Because, well, obsession.)

So this is what’s been keeping me busy lately. I had this prototype, see, and… it multiplied? The thing is, these aren’t really finished yet. The prototype was a key chain, so of course I could make more key chains… or pendants. Or bracelets. Or pins. Or— Well, I’ll figure something out. And more pictures will follow.

Side note time: I just have to point out the general “argh” of those [CENSORED] floating beads that make up the tiger tails. Why do I keep doing this to myself…

bambicandi: Pricelists Industry vs Fandom. Finally made. If...

Sat, 16 Mar 2013 19:44:39 -0400

bambicandi:

Pricelists Industry vs Fandom.

Finally made.

If anyone would care to donate a coloured comic page for the comic industry standard list I’m willing to accept one and will give credit c8 I would’ve made one if I had an example but I don’t -A-

But yes that’s off my chest.

Of course this is based off my own browsing over price lists and how I work unfortunately my commissioner homie went idle so I can’t confirm the most vs the least one can spend.

I’ve only found one artist thus far that charges nearly as close to industry standard. Even then it’s under the standard. As far a I’m concerned anyone under the standard shouldn’t have complaints about expensive art. Fandom average is hardly one you can live by.

Would you like to get paid $30 for 3-7 days worth of work?

Edit:No I’m not saying what you should/shouldn’t charge for your pieces. That’s up to you.
I’m talking to supposed commissioners that think it’s too expensive.
This is the hours of your life they’re spending.

If you’re gonna put a price tag on that make it worth that time and effort. For your own sanity.
I wanted to post this so those artists that have been discouraged by “too expensive for me” comments.

And updated the photo, $500-9500 for bw art hahaha 6u6

Edit2: I kinda worded “Fandom” to mean like, furry, anime, superhero, not really fan-characters at all. Sorry if that confused/go misread, I’m not sure how to describe this ‘group’ of the average price range 8Ia

Apologies….also didn’t expect for this to be so huge but it’s been interesting reading c8

AND I didn’t feel right stealing from google images for example pictures which is why my own is up there. No I don’t expect $2000+ for it, not even $200, not unless I had to repaint in oils on a big BIG ASS CANVAS haha.

Trust me when I say a lot of artists are paranoid and scared of their own prices. This estimate as far as industry goes is to remind you your time IS worth something. Will we all get there? That’s up to us for how hard we’re willing to go.

I will say though I’ve gotten industry standard payment for LESS quality art years back. The artwork is an embarrassment now, but getting $300ish for it STUNNED me, I was so used to peanuts I didn’t feel I deserved it, made me realise that I’m at least capable though. I lucked out but I knew to keep trying.

That’s the point I want to make really :/ Don’t give up. If you love it.

Whatever you want to do with your life make sure you LOVE doing it and people don’t take advantage of your hard earned skills.

That’s enough rambling from me now I will go back under my rock 8I

Edit3: As people are still missing the point.

Commissioners, don’t expect industry standard artwork for $30. That’s all there is to this post :/ You can stop reading into stuff that isn’t there now, kay.

Seemed like I ought to reblog this after all the edits and such.

Nienne is a jewel dragon who loves night life in the city. Or...

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 15:53:10 -0400

Nienne is a jewel dragon who loves night life in the city. Or rather, he enjoys hanging around city parks and observing all of the interesting people who pass by at night. His very favorite things are fireworks in the summer, but he doesn’t mind a little stargazing with is people watching. If you happen to be out for a stroll on a nice evening, and particularly if you have some peanuts to spare, he may just pay you a visit.

(You can find more info and bigger images over at Nienne’s gallery page. He also happens to be for sale.)

flutterbyesandpollywogs: ;_; No more Triforce pendants?! Oh noooo…. The triangles have already sold...

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 23:26:56 -0400

flutterbyesandpollywogs:

;_; No more Triforce pendants?! Oh noooo….

The triangles have already sold out from some of the online retailers I use most often, so… this is truly sad.

And insanely obnoxious. My geeky shinies.

PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENT TIME I assume that most of you know I swear...

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:09:36 -0400

PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENT TIME

I assume that most of you know I swear by Swarovski crystal products. Sparkly to the extreme and whatnot. But sadly it appears as though they’ve already discontinued a few things that I happen to use quite often: the triangle crystals for my Triforce pendants, and the uber-sparkly catches I use for my Wild Tiger and Barnaby Brooks Jr. call bracelets.

At this moment, I managed to snag a few of these things on sale. I currently have quite a few bracelet clasps, so no worries there yet (and I’m sure I’ll find something suiting even after they disappear from the market entirely). Regardless, if you want to snag a single-sided or double-sided call bracelet as I’ve been making them, please do so soon.

But as for the triangles. Oh those lovely triangles. I wanted my followers to know that I currently have enough for two (2) Triforce pendants. After that, I can’t guarantee that I will find these again, and certainly not be able to offer them at the current price. (The listing is for the gold-plated “glittering gold” variety, but I can still do a “solid gold” pendant as well. Yes, that will cost considerably more. Ugh, gold prices.)

Thank you so much to Kimberly Schofield from patchesthecat for...

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 20:44:42 -0400

Thank you so much to Kimberly Schofield from patchesthecat for adding my Ouro!Bunny and Black Tiger plushies to the magnificent Odd cuddles treasury! I mean look at this awesomeness.

schalakitty: A small but interesting order I put together for...

Sat, 02 Mar 2013 14:45:24 -0500

schalakitty:

A small but interesting order I put together for Orin Drake of Shiny Things by Orin. She asked for custom earring cards and item tags on red cardstock with the text in her favored font and I was happy to provide.

I’ve thought about offering custom earring cards and tags on Etsy but am unsure about desire for my version of these things. I know that market is pretty dense but I think I could offer something a little different with my use of pens and colorful cardstock.

Would any of your Tumblr folk who sell on Etsy (or at craft shows/artist alleys too) be interested in this type of product?

Reblogging because this is where my stuff comes from. *grin*

Got these sent out this morning. It can be really nice to have...

Sat, 02 Mar 2013 14:45:24 -0500

Got these sent out this morning. It can be really nice to have commissions break up the completely insane random lengthy projects I seem to fall into.

(And if you’re interested, you can always order your own rupee earrings here.)

Dear Everyone at Desert Bus, You have seriously made my day. I...

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 18:47:52 -0500

Dear Everyone at Desert Bus,

You have seriously made my day. I really wasn’t expecting anything, so this is just… thank you so much. It’s even shiny!

Sincerely and with every intention to participate again this year,
Orin

So here’s what I’ve been up to this week: linked...

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 16:00:42 -0500

So here’s what I’ve been up to this week: linked “materia” pendants and earrings as far as the eye can see! It’s just like preparing for Artist’s Alley all over again—except that these are commissions, meaning I get paid to work rather than putting a bunch of stuff together and hoping I at least break even after a massive spike in alley table prices, an insanely over-priced hotel room, and conveniently-located over-priced food that’s too hard to pass up due to exhaustion. ~~Still bitter about Anime Boston? …Yes, yes I am.~~

Commissions are awesome and my customers are awesome and thank you. But now my hands require much in the way of resting.

Also finally managed to acquire some more lovely 12mm rainbow obsidian and white jade beads for more of those sterling silver-wrapped paired materia sets. If you’re interested, now’s the time to commission/inquire. (I suggest that no one rely on Tumblr messages; I seem to actually receive exactly half of what gets sent to me. You can contact me through Etsy or e-mail.)

rheodry replied to your post: Before a project: “I wonder what would happen… Me right now with...

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 21:25:33 -0500

rheodry replied to your post: Before a project: “I wonder what would happen…

Me right now with this wire wrap bracelet I started. ;;;

I’d ask why we do this to ourselves, but… as far as I understand it, humans as a species have been unable to answer this question.

schalakitty: Yup, it’s a personal project. I wanted to share...

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 21:24:26 -0500

schalakitty:

Yup, it’s a personal project. I wanted to share the Valentine’s Day card I made for my girlfriend Orin. This is her original Shadow Heartless character, Patrick, gnawing on a heart. I’m really happy with how he came out - especially his creepy-cute Heartless smile and his very bouncy antennae.

Reblogged because 1.) it’s awesome, and 2.) it’s mine. Ahem.

Before a project: “I wonder what would happen if…”During a project: “WHAT DO...

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 16:41:48 -0500

Before a project: “I wonder what would happen if…”
During a project: “WHAT DO I DO WHAT DO I DO…”
After a project: “Never again.”

The last one is always a lie, of course.

Pillars of the Triforce. No matter how long it is lost or...

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 16:06:11 -0500

Pillars of the Triforce. No matter how long it is lost or hidden, there are always those who keep the memory of the Triforce.

Wanted to try a little something different, for I am an idiot. Of course this turned out far more complicated than I’d hoped and for strengthening purposes I had to backtrack a bit more than I’d planned—but it worked! Love those green breads. Too bad they keep climbing in price. Gah.

As for the name, well… the gold connections looked like pillars. I know, what a special significance! And, you know, 9 pillars, 3 pieces of the Triforce, 3 x 3… It made sense in my mind, somehow.

(It’s also currently for sale.)

How do you wish your girlfriend and fellow action figure...

Sat, 09 Feb 2013 14:15:41 -0500

How do you wish your girlfriend and fellow action figure collector a Happy Valentine’s Day? Make toys for her toys, of course. These tiny plushies are needle felted and relatively poseable, with super-fancy (and sometimes maddening) merino wool, even.

(I’m still finding pink fibers everywhere…)

schalakitty: Part 2 of a Personal Project! My brother and his...

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 19:06:23 -0500

schalakitty:

Part 2 of a Personal Project! My brother and his girlfriend (who is also a good friend of mine) are having their first baby and while I couldn’t be there for the baby shower, I wanted to send them some gifts.

This was my main gift – a hand-stitched baby bib featuring my niece Hadley riding on Yoshi. I took the sprites from Yoshi’s Island DS, editing baby Princess Peach to become Hadley. I also used the in-game font to spell out her name.

This was my first time using a Michael’s brand stitchable bib. It was rather nice but I obviously unblocked it as I was working. Ah well, I hardly ever cross-stitch anymore (even if I do want to do more) so I hope it won’t be held against me.

Want to see the matching card? Check out my Yoshi card!

See previous reblog.

Also, sometimes I can’t help but feel Yoshi’s Island gets overlooked a lot.