I've been a sewing fiend lately..

 I've been working  mostly on commission projects lately, so I haven't had much time to work on developing ElementalWear.  But the commission work is definitely helping me get practice in, as well as helping me develop the style that ElementalWear will start out as.  Here is the costume I made for Aither.  I unfortunately don't have pics of the other commissions yet, but I will post as soon as do.





This last week, my major focus has been on new RenFaire costumes for Cyricx and I to perform in for Tricks of the Light shows.

Concept Sketches:

Viollca

Cyricx

Cyricx's concept was a bit more set and definite from the get-go.  I wasn't so positive on what I wanted mine to be, mostly because I have had so many problems with costumes. The last top that I wore, which was based on bellydance-style bra, worked really well until I began fire hooping and playing with a long-string levitation stick.  The hoop broke off all the beads and decorations that were attached, and the long-string levitation stick got caught up and tangled around the few decorations that were left.  So in designing a new top, I want it to be able to look good and finished without tons of decorative bits.  And while I love the feminine look of a swishy skirt, anything long and flowing is problematic while spinning.  Hence the pants with swooshy ruffles only along the very bottom.  The ruffle belt is to replace a tribal belt, since tribal belts that use tassels are HIGHLY flammable.

Concept art for my costume

  Some process pics of Cyricx's vest:

Sleeve and hood pieces

The base layer and lining of the vest.

The sleeve (brown) mostly assembled, with the assembled lining (green).

The outer shell of the vest, assembled with applique and trim.  You can see the zippers that will be hiding under the shoulder flaps, as well as inside the collar, for zip-on sleeves and hood.

With that off my mind....here is what I've been up to!

Cyricx successfully built me a fire hoop!  And I have been (more or less) successfully spinning it!  I have gotten more burns this last weekend alone than I ever have from the last 4 years of fire spinning combined, but the hoop is awesome so it's worth it! It's like Cyricx says...it's when you play with the stupid amounts of fire that you get burned.  And yeah, the hoop is a stupid amount of fire! (I say that with all the happiness possible though!)

Photo by Kimberly Pugh.

 Photo by Noelle Cash Konsbruck.

Cyricx and I have also turned "Duile Teine: The Dancing Flames" into "Tricks of the Light."  Our current show set focuses on our amusing but passionate relationship.  At our last First Friday show in KC, Pseudography Image Forge once again proved his talent and skill with the camera by capturing the essence of the show:

 

Photo by Pseudography Image Forge.  

Introducing the characters....I am Viollca, sexy warrior woman!

Photo by Pseudography Image Forge.

Cyricx is the wielder of the Trinity Staff.

Photo by Pseudography Image Forge.

And we lead a pretty interesting life!  Our relationship is a lot of Cyricx being mischievous and getting himself in trouble, while I roll my eyes and prove myself to be his equal, both in wit and with fire.

Photo by Pseudography Image Forge.

But everything doesn't always go so well...sometimes there are difficult moments.  Our newest piece, to Shinedown's "Call Me," is more intricate and emotional than anything we've written before.  It tells the story of two people who have tried and tried to make the relationship work, but just can't do it anymore.  It was our challenge to ourselves, as a perfectly happy married couple, to write a breakup piece!

Photo by Pseudography Image Forge.

But how does the story end?  You'll just have to see the show to find out...

The Wheel of Fortune. The Magician. The World.

The Wheel of Fortune
There is so much past here, so much that has come before, so many unspoken thoughts and feelings. Chance and Fate have intervened to change my course drastically yet again.  I have grown in the last 4 years beyond what I ever imagined was possible, and I think beyond what others imagined possible of me as well.  Perhaps it has made them uncomfortable.  It has made me feel caged in their expectations and beliefs, unable to be what I know I can be. 

The Magician
I am a powerful woman now - the strength I need is within, not without.  I am not afraid of this change, and I am fully capable of handling what is to come.

The World
I have changed my circumstances, I have shed what is dragging me down and I have embraced my own abilities.  I have created my own happiness, despite all the difficulties I have encountered.  No one else has the power to make me unhappy.  I see clearly what I desire, and I acknowledge what is and is not a part of that world.


And with this contemplation, I include this mantra...

"With these cards and with this spell,
I summon powers of resilience and renewal.
I summon powers from within,
    and powers from without.
I summon the power to help me face the world as it is,
    and as it must of necessity be in the future.
I summon the power to help me make my own happiness
     in spite of a new and difficult situation.
There is peace.
There is healing.
There is new understanding.
This do I will!
So will it be!"
~"Tarot Spells" by Janina Renee