And just as mysteriously as it arrived. . .

So, I'm shifting from a thinking mode to an action mode again. But I feel like there's unfinished business and that's a little frustrating. Lestat's words, "a vision without revelation" echo in my mind. But I can't force myself back into contemplation mode and even if I could, I'm not sure revelation would come. I feel like I'm grasping at something that's slipping away. It's just not happening right now. Maybe it's what I'm reading. Memnoch the Devil just isn't holding me like the rest of it has. It's so full of Christian doctrine and lore and none of that has ever stuck to me much, though not for lack of trying. And here I thought I wanted to read Dante and Milton next.

One thing I did learn is for me, it seems a period of inspiration has to be prefaced by one of reflection. Maybe that's the only revelation I'm to gain this time around; a deeper understanding of my processes. I'm feeling very inspired to create right now and that was born out of the contemplative phase. Costuming/sewing is calling. Jewelry making is calling. Drawing/sketching is calling. Gardening is calling. Running is calling. I'm pulled in five directions right now and a little paralyzed not knowing which direction to run in first. So, I'm trying to slow myself down a bit and take one step at a time, hoping burn out will be less likely if I don't run after my muse.

And on a completely unrelated and off the wall note: while watching Alice in Wonderland the other day, I decided I want to do a Mad Tea Party for my 30th birthday. Costumed of course! Guess I better start collecting tea pots. ;)

Yes!

I love unexpected packages!

I wasn't expecting to get this yet. And since Katrina was so kind to offer up free tickets to the Ren Fest on Monday, I was actually kind of bummed thinking it wouldn't get here in time. But, I got my new sword today!! Yay! I must say, it's not as nice as the United Cutlery Lord of the Rings replicas. But I'm happy with it for the price. I don't think it's a full tang, since the handle feels so light. But it's nicely weathered and even smells old. The brass/bronze/whatever pieces on the handle and the scabbard are very thin. But for a costume/display sword, it's not bad and the nice leather on the scabbard makes up for it, in my opinion.

The only issue now is, since my baldric is a bit too long for me and cheaply made and overall kind of crappy, it fits into it weird. Luckily there are two rings on the scabbard which I think I can rig with some leather strips and thread them through my waist belt(s). That way it won't flop around so much as I walk.

I've been pricing exotic leathers (ostrich, alligator, etc.) and thinking about trying to make some belts/baldrics. Apparently there are also printed/embossed leathers that are made to look like ostrich and alligator skins. Still real leather, just something not so exotic, perhaps pigskin or something. I can get 22-28 cu. ft. of said printed leather for something around $50-$60 or a 10-14 cu. ft. of genuine grade 4 ostrich skin for somewhere around $200. The printed stuff might be good for practice and a budget version of whatever I come up with.

I've also been toying with the idea of getting some books on soft metal casting (bronze, pewter, stuff I can melt with a torch or a DIY system). I'd like to make some buckles. I just can't find what I'm looking for and what I do find isn't reasonably priced, even considering the work involved. I'm thinking other people might have similar problems and might be interested in the fruits of my experiments. Just some things to think about for now, really.