Elphen~Made

Jewelry Fair 2010!

2010-10-09T20:32:00.000-07:00

So, its that time again already. Jewelry Fair in SL is on, opening officially yesterday at midnight. I had hoped to work on some new products to release specifically for this event, however a massive virus and hard drive failure sort of derailed those plans. I had to wipe my hard drive and reformat everything, which means that I've spent the past few weeks simply trying to recover lost programs and data instead of creating new pretties. :(

Despite the poor timing of all this, I did manage to do a much needed and very lovely update of my Dragonfly jewelry before the big crash. Its currently available at the Fair and included as a charity item, meaning that 50% of all the proceeds will go to benefit Oxfam, International. My other charity items include the Flora jewelry set and my recently released Forget-Me-Not set. There are also a number of other items available in my modest tent in the "Forest" section of the 4 Jewelry Fair sims.

I took a stroll around the Fair yesterday and there are so many talented and creative jewelers with wares for sale and the lag was not terrible at all! I hope you'll take some time to check it out! The Fair is open through October 17th. Here's the SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Jewelry%20Fair%201/242/135/22 Hope to see you there!

Random pretty awesomes

2010-09-05T10:31:00.001-07:00

Coming up very soon, I will be starting to work on a few new items specifically to be released at the SL Jewelry Fair in October. There may not be a lot of new releases in the few weeks that I am working on this, but I will try to do a few small things just to keep releasing new products with a bit of regularity. The Jewelry Fair in SecondLife will take place during the week of October 8-17th and the theme this year is "Beauty and the Beast." I'll probably have a separate blog for the fair coming up soon with more information. So that's what's coming up and I'll be focusing my new things toward the fair release.

This week, however, I didn't have a specific direction or focus with my creating. I did tinker around and come up with some very lovely new things to add to my collection, though. It cannot possibly come to any surprise to anyone who knows me or my brand that butterflies play a role. I wanted to challenge myself and do something unique and intricate with metals and filigree. So, I set about making a filigree style butterfly ring. It took some time and frustration, but the end result is, I think, just lovely. It is touch scripted with 6 metal choices: gold, antique gold, silver, tarnished, brass, and copper. I also decided at the last moment to include two rings with each purchase; a left handed and right handed one. So, the wearer can choose which hand they prefer, or even wear one on each hand. Why not? :)

So, I released the butterfly ring and then sat around tinkering and trying to think of what to do next. I started making a ring that I'd had in my head for some time now. Just a simple ring with 5 nice sized gems creating a flower shape around a smaller center stone was what I had in mind, but as it came to shape it looked so lovely that , before I knew it, I was I was also making a necklace and earrings to match it. The whole set just took on a mind of its own and came together so nicely. I decided to name this set "Forget-Me-Not" because the flowers resemble the delicate 5-petaled appearance of forget-me-not blooms. Scripted for texture change on touch, as well, you can choose from six metal choices (gold, antique gold, silver, tarnished, copper, or brass) and the petal gems and center gems can be changed separately, each with 8 options for gem textures (diamond, ruby, emerald, amethyst, aquamarine, blue topaz, sapphire, and citrine).
Both new items are, of course, available in all the usual places in-world and on XStreetSL.com (see the link to my merchant page at the bottom of this blog) . Thanks for reading :)

Ellie

2010-08-27T19:35:00.000-07:00

Tonight I finished scripting and released the "Ellie" Waist Chain, which I made almost as an afterthought to a matching necklace and earrings set that I released a couple weeks ago. I'm really pleased with how all the "Ellie" pieces turned out, so I'll show them off a bit here, too. I think they show how my creating has improved in comparison to the first few belly chains I introduced nearly three years ago.

The jewelry is all touch scripted to change textures and be customized. They all include:
6 metals (gold, silver, copper, antique, brass, and tarnished),
12 beads (Pearl, Onyx, Silver, Gold, Jasper, Cat's Eye, Turquoise, Blue Agate, Carnelian, Jade, Brass, and Copper),
and 8 gems (Diamond, Ruby, Emerald, Sapphire, Citrine, Aquamarine, Blue Topaz, and Amethyst).

The story behind the name is a bit silly, but I'll share it here, anyway. I was watching some old episodes of one of my favorite shows, "Chuck." In one of the episodes, the character Ellie, who is Chuck's sister, was wearing a necklace that was sort of similar. While my set actually turned out quite a bit different and I made it my own, it was initially inspired by her...
SO ... here is the "Ellie" series:

You can find Ellie at my store in-world, on Xstreet SL, or any of my in-world vendors located in various cities.

Have a great weekend. :)

Veils!

2010-08-24T11:01:00.000-07:00

Shortly after I released my new items for kajira/dancers, I was having so much fun creating new things for the Gorean community that I decided to continue by making face veils, as well. I didn't want to just make any veil. I wanted to redefine a product that's been around SL for ages by making it truly my own. I wanted my veils to be exquisite and beautiful with rich textures and gorgeous detail. I also wanted them to be scripted to be completely customizable, so that someone could buy one of my veils and almost never need another. I spent a lot of days scripting and adding options to these and I'm completely thrilled with how they've been received, as well.

Each veil was painstakingly pieced together, originally designed, and many of the textures are custom made by myself. They are all scripted for texture change with a script that is very low lag. Every part of the veil can be changed separately with more options than you can shake a stick at. The scarf alone can be any of 18 different textures in both silk and lace, and there's even 2 white textures that can be left white or tinted to allow for ANY color the user desires to match any outfit. I also included the ability to change the opacity level of the scarf, so the wearer can touch the veil and choose from 5 different levels from totally opaque to nearly transparent, or even no veil at all.

I currently have 5 veils available at all the usual places in-world, as well as on XstreetSL.
You'll probably notice I also updated the style of my product posters. :)

Some Modern/Urban Stuffs

2010-08-24T10:46:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned in my previous post, I also created some more modern/urban pieces. These were especially fun for me and a departure from my usual pretties, into a more rough and dark style. Most of it contains some type of heavy, industrial looking chain links and metals available in rusted versions and padlocks as well. I also was able to add several new necklaces for the men, which was good, because I keep intending to make more male jewelry and I always get distracted by the pretty stuff and never get to it. >.>

Some of the new items:

In the future, I'm planning for a few more items in this theme to add to my collection. I may even add some mens and ladies watches or other accessories, as well. I'm also open to suggestions for new ideas, too. :)

Lots of NEW, Kajira/dancer Adornments

2010-08-24T09:45:00.000-07:00

I think its about time I updated here! Since my last post, I've been a busy, busy woman. I created and released a number of items and accessories that could be used by the Gorean role-playing community in SL, or those in more Urban, modern role-play. What's nice about this is that it gave me a chance to be creative and really just make some fun, pretty things that were new to me. The other nice thing, is that many of the pieces can be used outside of role-play, just as accessories for anyone wanting something unique and lovely to adorn their avatar. I'm going to break this update into three separate posts in order to show it all.

I started by making a few sets of kajira/belly dancer adornments. They were so much fun to imagine up and create. Its also the first time I've made something that involved shaping it around the SL foot (whatever the paddles on the ends of the legs SL defines as "feet" anyway ...they really are atrocious, lol). So, that was a bit of a new challenge. I created 3 very different sets, all of them scripted to change textures on touch so that they could be totally personalized and customized for any look.

After I made these jewelry sets, I decided I really wanted to have some sweet belled ankle bracelets, too. I was able to track down a script to allow a sound to be played when the avatar is walking and with some reading up and some advice from better scripters than myself, I was able to modify my own script to play a sound when walking and also have the ability to change the volume level based on personal preference or turn the sound off completely. I found a perfect little tinkling bell sound and it all came together nicely. I made three different versions, which are all touch scripted for texture change and customizable, as well. Since I released them, I've found that the anklets are actually becoming pretty good sellers, which has made me really happy, since I loved making them.

In order to better serve the communities I'm marketing to, as well as be more visible in general, I've placed vendors in several busy city markets. Currently you can find my products in Tarnburg, the City of Kailani, Imperial Ar, and the city of Perdition. I also have a vendor at Jade's Jazz Island and there is always my Main Store, as well, which is still located at the same place in the Moondust sim. And as always, I list all of my new products on XstreetSL.

I can't say how much fun I had making all these. I love being creative and doing something that new to me and it has been wonderful seeing the response I've had from people over the new items. I'm very pleased with the reception I've gotten from the role-playing community and excited to keep making more, in addition to continuing to improve my skills with more mainstream jewelry and accessories as well. In my next post, I will show off some of the new items I created for the more modern/Urban crowd. :)

News and general goings-on at Elphen-Made

2010-07-03T01:25:00.000-07:00

Its been a busy week. I feel like all I do in SL is work, these days, but I'm hoping it will be worth it. Thank goodness I love creating and my work is fun. :)

SO! Here are the updates:

NEW STORE BUILD!

I worked this week on updating and expanding the main store location. I was running out of wall space! :O So, it has transformed... magically...as befits a store that grew out of a fairy forest. ;)

Its still at the same location, of course ( http://slurl.com/secondlife/Moondust/190/34/118 ) and I invite you to stop by and check it out for yourself.

DISCOUNTS!
I have weeded out and relegated about 1/3 of my older products to a newly created "50L Discount Wall" Lots of well made jewelry sets can be found there for just L$50 now.

NEW VENDOR!
I've placed a vendor chock full of my products at Jade's Jazz Island just in front of the steps going into the main club. If you're out and about and see it, please give it a click.
I'll be updating it often as I add new products and release new items.

NEW PRODUCT!
As a bit of fun and fluff for me because of all this work, I took an old favorite of mine, the half-dozen Tulip Bouquet and kicked it up a few notches. It now comes scripted for texture change and includes a custom made animation for holding it gently across a bent arm (animation does not interfere with your regular AO).

The flowers can be changed to any of 9 different petal textures, as well as multicolored and "dead/black" versions. Stems change from green to "dead" as well.

Lastly, I'm working on a new release for the more Gorean-inclined community. >.> Its a beautiful set of kajira adornments. I'm very happy with how its come out. Its completed and I hope to release it this weekend. I will blog that separately soon. :)

Now, seeing as its 4:30am and I've nothing else to do...I'm off to sleep. :)

Flora

2010-06-27T22:21:00.000-07:00

A LOT of hours and several all-nighters this weekend resulted in a stunningly gorgeous new jewelry set that I'm particularly proud of. Not only was every prim painstakingly placed by my own hand, I also acquired a new, very powerful and yet extremely low lag script which took some time to learn and utilize (but was oh so worth it). I'm especially excited because I really feel like this set fits my "brand" so well and highlights what I can do with my building right at this moment. I'm still in the infancy of learning to sculpt and hope to really take off with that very soon, too. So, without further ado.... Flora:

Named for the Roman Goddess of flowers, the Flora jewelry set is undeniably floral, delicate, and feminine.

Lovingly designed and intricate, this set includes the necklace, earrings, ring, and even a tiara fit for a fairy princess.

Scripted to change textures on touch with a very low lag script.
Textures change separately on the leaves, petals, metal, and beads allowing for limitless combinations.

Gem textures included (for both the leaf and petal prims): diamond, blue topaz, amethyst, citrine, emerald, aquamarine, sapphire, and ruby.
Bead textures: Pearl, Onyx, Silver, Gold, Antique Gold, Blue Agate, Carnelian (red), and Turquoise.
Metal textures: Gold, Antique Gold, Silver, Tarnished

With all these choices you can truly individualize this set to fit any taste or occasion. :)

The necklace has 2 attachment points to choose from (spine or chest)

You can purchase all the pieces of the Flora set separately or buy the complete set and save over 40%

Available now at my store in-world and on XstreetSL. :)

Introducing Chelle

2010-06-19T19:34:00.000-07:00

Hey there! Yes, I'm posting for the second time this week. Please do not be alarmed. :P

I just released a sweet new set that I wanted to be sure to include here. A RL friend of mine was wearing a necklace that inspired this set. I took the idea and expanded upon it a little, added some matching earrings and then a lovely headband/tiara to go along with it. Have a look for yourself. Its currently available in my store and on Xstreet, as usual. Scripted for texture change, also. You can literally be as elegant as you want, or change the metal to tarnish and change the whole look to something more grungy. There are 4 metals included (gold, silver, antique gold, or tarnished); 12 bead styles (gold, silver, antique, blue agate, carnelian, cat's eye, moonstone, jade, jasper, onyx, turquoise, or pearl); and 8 gemstones (diamond, amethyst, aquamarine, topaz, citrine, emerald, ruby, or sapphire). Truly versatile.

Alcmene Set :)

2010-06-15T19:05:00.001-07:00

Just a quick blog-up of a new jewelry set I introduced about 2 weeks ago (I told you I'm terrible about updating this thing >.> )

This was incredibly fun to make and ended up being a set that I am very proud of! The necklace started with.... nothing, no plan, no real idea of what I wanted. I just tinkered with different shapes until I started seeing it take shape in my mind and in less than an afternoon, there it was... and it was so pretty. I really love when that happens. When a design just happens almost by accident and actually really works.
So, without further ado (and to save you all on any more of my waxing poetic about creating and prettehs) I present, the "Alcmene" Jewelry Set. I named it such because it just had a wonderfully classic and timeless feel to it. Alcmene in Greek mythology was a human woman who, seduced by Zeus, became the mother of Hercules. I don't know why I liked that so much, but...there it is. :)

The set includes the necklace, matching earrings, and bracelet and is scripted for texture change, so that you can choose from a variety of metals and bead styles. Completely individualize any look.

The Alcmene set is available for purchase now at my shop in-world or on Xstreet. Hope to see you there.

In other news, I also have at least two more sets in the works and nearly ready for release very soon. I'd also like to broaden my selection of pieces for men, so if you have any suggestions, I'm all ears.

New Jewelry!

2010-05-23T11:55:00.000-07:00

Oh gosh I am so bad at remembering to keep up this blog. Lol. To be fair, I had a bit of a hiatus from making new items for my store the past couple of months so there hasn't been much to say, design-wise. Real life was just busy busy and so I've wanted my time in Secondlife to not be about work for a bit. BUT... things are leveling off and summer is almost here now, so I'm hoping to have lots more to talk about here over the next few months.

This week I released several new things. First is a series of necklaces with music themed pendants for women and men alike:

Also, just today I've released this lovely jewelry set. Named "Sunniva" in honor of one of my dearest friends in SL, it was very lovingly designed to be elegant but also fun and sweet just like she is. It consists of whimsical clusters of beads in varying sizes strung upon a satin ribbon that is tied behind the neck in a sweet little bow. A sweet matching bracelet is included.

As is my habit, all of my new items are scripted for texture change to provide countless options and combinations for any look. I have more ideas on the way, so watch this space. :)

These items are all available in my store In-World and on X-street. Thanks for looking! <3

Happy Holidays :)

2009-12-22T05:21:00.001-08:00

Well, I just haven't blogged in forever but I'm still kicking around. I am thinking of taking some serious time and learning to sculpt. While I'm proud of the fact that while many people have turned to sculpties, I can still bend and torture regular prims to my every whim (well...almost) there are just limitations to them that I can't get around...and I just have so many ideas in my head that would come off better as sculpted pieces. So, I'm really hoping to spend some time in Zbrush working on getting used to the UI and how to use it... free time being quite a commodity these days, it might take a bit, but I want to learn.

In the meantime I have put out a number of holiday items in my shop. They are slightly (very slightly, lol) updated versions of my holiday selections from last year, but I still think they look sweet and festive :) Sweet diamond wings angels, a Christmas Star, Vibrant Poinsettias, Christmas Trees and of course, my Snowflake collection, which seems to be a favorite still.

Thanks for looking and I wish you a wonderful holiday and a Happy New Year 2010!

<3 Elphie

Dunk a Linden! :)

2009-09-24T16:59:00.001-07:00

The Jewelry Fair Dunk Tank presents: DUNK a LINDEN!

Great way to get out your frustrations over all the times LL has made you crazy, raise money for OXFAM, all while shopping for new baubles and pretties! *grins*
Several Lindens, and some of the Jewelers themselves are stepping up to be DUNKED over the next few days. Don't miss your chance!
http://slurl.com/secondlife/JewelryFair%201/231/94/22

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 24
Polly Pavlova 3-4pm
Niko Linden 7-8pm

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25
Blue Linden 3-4pm
Xoph Adamczyk 4-5pm
Whump Linden 5-6pm
Grant Linden 6-7pm

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26
Siyu Suen 3-4 pm

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 27
CG Linden 9-11am
Violet Voltaire 3-4pm
Porter Linden 4-5pm

Jewelry Fair 2009!!!

2009-09-15T17:50:00.000-07:00

The Jewelry Fair 2009 is nearly here! The sims are being set up now to open on Friday September 18th. WOOHOO!

I just finished setting up my small booth and I'm so excited. It runs through September 27th and is benefitting a great charity: Oxfam (http://www.oxfam.org/) I checked out the charity and it really is amazing. Oxfam International is working towards global solutions to poverty and injustice. Click the link to find out more.

The Fair is spread out over two sims with a "secret garden" motif. Wind your way through a Hedge Maze highlighting 100 different jewelers at each bend in the maze (don't worry, its nothing you'll get lost in, hehe). The hedge maze is also segmented into the four seasons. My booth happens to be in the "Summer" portion :) There's a number of TP points. You can find it by simply by searching for "Jewelry Fair" under Places in Search or grab this SLURL which will take you to the "Summer" section *wink wink* http://slurl.com/secondlife/JewelryFair%201/35/246/28

I have chosen four pieces that will donate 50% of the proceeds to Oxfam, so please come on out to the fair and support your SL creators as well as this wonderful charity! See you there!!!

Chunky Flower Jewelry

2009-08-10T15:59:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to support the opening of the new store this past weekend. I appreciate it so much.

So... while the store was enjoying its first sales in the new spot, I was tinkering off in the background with some chunky jewelry. I've been wanting to make something with a more fun, casual chunky look for awhile now, so it was partly an indulgence for myself and fun to make. A few months ago while I was just bored and randomly twisting prims around (yes, I do that, lol) I ended up with a very cute shape that looked like a twisted flower with big round petals. I've been wanting to use it in something for ages and just kept getting distracted with other projects. But, I finally found a purpose for it (and a few ideas for future pieces as well) and I'm very happy with how it looks. And on that note... I introduce the Chunky Flower Jewelry Set (don't hate me for my super creative naming system...its top secret)!

The set includes necklace, earrings, and bracelet set on a sculpted leather cord, which sits beautifully on the neck, IMO. :)

Aaaaand now that I indulged myself with that, its back to my music jewelry. I still have a number of pieces partially finished that I'm hoping to get out soon!

It's Finished!! :)

2009-08-06T16:45:00.000-07:00

Finally, finally! I have worked more this past week than I care to make account for here, lol...but the move is finished. The shop is complete and decorated. I've updated every vendor, every image, and many of the actual products themselves. I've lowered most of my prices to celebrate the move and I might actually keep them there >.>

I'm going to plan for a grand opening this weekend sometime, which will include a few surprises so be sure to stop by! Here's the new SLURL. :)

While you're there you can check out the new bracelet I made (on the suggestion of a customer...thank you!!) to accompany the Musical Hearts set.

Musical Hearts Release

2009-08-02T21:07:00.000-07:00

They're here! And released! The first taste of the musical goodness to come, hehe. I have a number of other pieces in the works, including more men's jewelry, and they will be released slowly in between shop duties. I released these only a few short hours ago in the shop and groups and I'm already surprised and very pleased at the reception they've gotten. I seem to have a small hit :) Yay!!! If you haven't checked them out in-world yet, please do! Hope to see you there :) Have a wonderful week.

Giant Tulips?

2009-07-31T17:39:00.000-07:00

I'm still busily working on transitioning my entire store into a new location and new vendors (waiting on a script for them while I update and repackage EVERYTHING in the meantime ... O.O ) Much of it at the moment is just a bit tedious and boring work right now, so of course I find all kinds of ways to completely procrastinate. *nods, nods*

Exhibit A: I spent about 2 hours yesterday morning fashioning a giant tulip that I could relax on like a lounge chair, scripted it with 4 sweet little lounging, reading, and sleeping poses and with a texture changing bloom as well (10 different shades! lol)
I look busy at work here, right? ...Right? >.>

I am selling the tulip seat on Xstreet and at my shop so at least I can feel like I did some real work for my store...sorta....I'm not really sure who would buy a giant scripted tulip to sit in besides myself, though. :P
I did get a bit more focused after that and made some earrings to go with the Musical Heart Necklace. I'm really pleased with how that whole set is coming along, so I'll probably officially release that sometime this weekend. :)

Hugs and happy Friday!

Pretties in the Garden

2009-07-28T10:01:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned, I recently acquired a new larger parcel to relocate my store. I spent time last evening building a shop (which is still void of vendors but the building is UP...and you can see it behind me in the first picture, all empty and ready for moving in...yay!) and I spent my morning today setting up a bit of a fae forest/courtyard in the open area in front of the shop.

My "Elphie Garden" is decked out with a quaint mossy brick walk which leads to seating (made by moi, tyvm) and Pillowtalk comfies. You can sit and enjoy the ambience of the sunlight streaming though the trees and the glow from the gems growing lovingly beneath those same trees...because I grow my own gems, of course, dontyaknow *winks*

(thanks to Pillowtalk for comfiness, Earendilia Garden Centre for trees and flowers, and Straylight for trees, textures, sunbeams, gems and general magical-ness).

I'm completely re-doing my vendors with this move, so I have a bit of work ahead (that won't be nearly as fun as decorating my courtyard, heh). I will be sure to update as things progress. Watch this space :)

A musical teaser

2009-07-27T09:55:00.000-07:00

Soooo, I got inspired to make some musically themed jewelry. So far I have about 8 pieces in the works but it may grow... these things have a mind of their own sometimes.

I finished the first piece of the first set a few days ago and decided to post a bit of a teaser here so you can see what is in store.

I am always amazed at what happens when I just tinker with no real objective in mind, and this lovely heart shaped out of an upturned treble clef and a bass clef surprised me and made me grin so much. It just looked so sweet.

I'm hoping to have the rest of the series finished before summer is over and I'm planning to release each set as it is completed in between the planning and building of my new store location. Stay tuned for the release of the Musical Heart Set soon. :)

Blogging...

2009-07-26T21:39:00.000-07:00

Oh hai if you're reading this!
My name is Elphie and I'm a content creator in the virtual world of Second Life. I love actually calling myself that :) I've been building in SL for longer than 2 years no and for a long time I never felt worthy of it...and I'm still learning and growing and there's many more better than I am, but here I am, masquerading as someone creative >.>

I make jewelry and pretty things for avatars to wear. :) I tend to make things on my own whims so my collection is a bit eclectic and unique, but I create things that make ME smile first and foremost and that's what keeps it fun.

I created this blog some months ago so I could have a place to ramble on about my ideas or new releases, and be warned, my ramblings border on epic at times.

I'll post again soon with an update on my latest endeavors. A hint: If you are a music lover you will probably love the new pieces I'm working on. I also just purchased a larger piece of land to expand my shop (I was sorely cramped for prims at my current location) So, stay tuned for details about this as I build the new shop and make the move! In the meantime here are some pictures of more recent additions to my collection.