Charmedseed Studios

Last Chance!

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:18:08 GMT

Tonight's your last chance for 25% off Charmedseed Jewelry! Tomorrow will be a BIIIIG update! =D

This Saturday!

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 21:49:29 GMT

Sparkle Saturdays at Color-N-Light Gallery!

1422 E. 22nd Av. at Lafayette St.
Denver, CO 80205

Saturday from 1-4pm

This week featuring local designer Charmedseed Jewelry!

Accepting Costume Commissions!

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 05:37:37 GMT

Please see my post at the cosplay.com marketplace or email me at beverly@charmedseed.net for more info!

Need to see what I can do? Check out my website here! Don't forget, I can do custom jewelry, too!

Thanks all!

Jewelry still 25% off!

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 00:44:27 GMT

NEW AND IMPROVED Sailormoon wig tutorial!

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 22:51:57 GMT

I've redone the tutorial (here's the original for info on wefting the back of an existing wig, the new tutorial starts with a prepared pigtail wig) with all new images and some upgrades to the process... like if you didn't like the 'dimples' in the original, hey, we're covering them up now! =D

Check it out, and don't forget, if you don't feel like doing all this work yourself, I do take commissions for these!

Please feel free to link to this tutorial and share with anyone! Enjoy! ^^

STEP ONE: MATERIALS

"Innocent" wig in your color choice
At least 3 packages of matching bulk extensions (aka silky straight)
Styrofoam spheres (or other shapes)
Hair clips
Giant curlers
Hot glue gun and sticks
Foam wig head
Wig head holder/stabilizer of some kind
Pins
Scissors
Heavy thread, matching wig color
Tapestry needle (or any large needle)
Craft knife
Pen
A lot of patience

STEP TWO: GET READY

Load that wig up on the foam head and pin the crap out of it. Lots of pins, all around the edge.

Be sure you stretch the wig out over the head so you don't end up with a wig that's too small in the end. You can also 'fill out' your wig head by putting batting or foam inside the wig, if you like.

I really like my clamp-style wig holder because I can clamp it sideways on a door to adjust the ponytails.

Get out your needle and thread.

The tails aren't high enough (or tight enough) on the base wig to really get everything aligned correctly. Be gentle and loosen and shift the tails up a little higher, toward the center part. Tie off with the needle and thread. Weave in and out between going around the base of the tail to get it secure.

A good secured tail. Complete this with the other side, and make sure they're both even to each other. You'll look silly with a lopsided wig. ^^

STEP THREE: START YOUR BUNS

So now you have this, a base wig with a little higher tails.

Set that aside safely and get out everything else. This is the fun part.

We'll start with the styrofoam spheres.

Use a pen, boba straw, whatever, to 'drill' a hole through the center.

Get a good quarter inch hole, at least. You may need to widen it later.

I like my buns to sit a little more flat against the wig, so I lop off one of the ends.

Take that knife and probably your fingernails and carve/scrape the inside of the ball out.

You may want to lay down a dustcloth, this can get messy.

When you've done that, carve a little bit out of the side of the big opening. This is where the tails will poke out.

And Voila!

STEP THREE AND A HALF: STEAM YOUR TAILS

I like my tails only about 3/4 the length of the 48 inch packages they come as... so that's like 36 inches? Math? Anyway, I chop off about a quarter and save that for the buns. More on that later.

You're going to need some hot water for this next part.

Know how the extensions come all tied up and kinky? (I thought you said you liked kinky!)

AUGH! HOW WILL WE EVER GET THEM STRAIGHT??

Well, we just take that hot teapot and hold the tails in the sink and pour the hot water on them! Be sure you tighten up the elastics on the end before you do this.
I don't have a pic of this because I can't pour hot water, hold wig fiber, and take a photo at the same time. Sorry.

Once you've drowned and subsequently straightened your fiber, wind it around one of the curlers and secure it with one of the clips. That will add a bit of a wave to the bottom of the tails and eliminate that nasty kink in the middle. Leave them alone for like a day or two to dry completely.

STEP FOURISH: MAKE BUNS

This is the longest and more difficult part. Bring in your extra patience here. Fortunately, if you screw it up, you're not wasting that much in materials.

So, I had you buy three packages of that wig fiber, right? Here's where we use the third one. You've already got two chunks of about 12 inches of fiber left from the tails. Cut two more 12 inch sections and put them with the tail leftovers.

Just like you did with the base wig, sew-wrap one end together securely.

This makes it thick enough to be sure you can cover the whole bun.

Heat up your glue gun while you trim the end down neatly.

NOW GLUE THE CRAP OUT OF IT. Make sure you get glue INSIDE the little bunch there on the end, and all around the thread. Let it cool.

Add a little more glue, and insert it into the small hole in the end of the styrofoam ball!

Hey, while we've got the glue gun hot, we might as well stub that base wig. So go ahead and chop the curly tails off. Save some of the curls for later!

Glue the stubbed base wig for security!

It won't look great, but we'll be covering this part up with that bun!

Sad, isn't it?

Anyway, back to the buns. When your minitail is secured inside the foam ball, start by taking 1/4 inch sections and pulling them taught around the edge of the ball.

Dab glue on the end and press inside the hollow in the foam ball. BE CAREFUL. The glue is hot. Use a lower temp if you can. Also, if you wet your finger (lick it, dip it in a bowl of water or something) before you press the glued end down, you won't burn yourself or stick to the hot glue.

Keep going in little sections all the way around, then around again, then around again. Be patient, this takes a good hour and a half per bun. Put on an old movie.

Once the ball is done, we'll cover the dimple in the top. Cut a small swatch from your leftover silky fiber and make a small weft by dabbing a little hot glue on the end and pressing it with your (wet) fingers. Glue the end into the inside of the ball.

CAREFULLY, pull it taut over the dimple, adding a little glue if you need to. This works best with SMALL wefts. Hairspray can also help secure as you go around. Secure on the inside of the opposite side of the ball.

Then you have a VERY pretty bun, with no dimple! Ta da! You're done!

PART WHATEVER I FORGET: ADD TAILS AND BUNS

'Stub' the ends of your now-dry tails like you did the wig and the bun tails. Once they're cool, thread your needle and string it around the base of the tail.

Secure the tail with the thread to the stub on the wig. Place it a little to the back to keep the tails more behind you.

Once it's stitched on, add a little glue for ULTIMATE STAYING POWER!

Tails are now on, we can now glue on the buns. Just use glue for this; the buns themselves don't take any stress, so we don't need to stitch them on.

Put glue around the edge of the bun and on the base wig stub.

Press firmly to the base wig, with the little notch in the bun over the tail. This will hide the thread on the tail and make the wig look tidy! Let everything dry.

PART NOTHING: YOU ARE DONE!

You're done!

If you want, you can come in with some of your leftover curls and glue them into the wig if you want a more 'manga' style, or to help cover your own hair.

Be prepared! This wig is heavy as hell and needs to be pinned to your head like mad. You might even want to use some (body safe) glue to hold the 'sideburn' parts closer to your head.

Fluff up the bangs with a little hairspray and you're good to go!

And there you are! Sit back and enjoy your awesome Sailormoon wig.

25% off Everything Sale!

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 00:06:16 GMT

This Saturday!

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 20:55:24 GMT

BALLPARK MARKET

OPENING DAY

APRIL 11th, 2009

* Place: Downtown, on Larimer Street between 21st and 22nd Streets
* Time: 8:00am to 2:00pm
* Admission is FREE!
* All Events Go On RAIN or SHINE!

The Ballpark Market is an open-air, European style flea market with distinguishing urban flair. Hunt for must have, one-of-a-kind treasures among antique & vintage furnishings, primitives, retro collectibles, eclectic home & garden accessories, hand-made jewelry, vintage clothing & other very cool stuff. Experience the urban setting of Denver’s Historic Ballpark Neighborhood while you grab a coffee and a pastry and shop this unique, warm weather venue!!

Visit ballparkmarket.com for photos and more info!

Charmedseed Jewelry will be a vendor here! Please stop by! ^^

I promised!

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 03:15:23 GMT

And I am here to deliver!

I added an ordering page for the Anne Boleyn Replica necklaces, as promised! This should make viewing the samples easier and requesting a necklace easier! Check it out!

<3

Stuff and stuff!

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:11:01 GMT

Hey guys! Back from Animeland Wasabi! The DCCS-sponsored cosplay events were once again a great success this year, thanks to all the hard work of the members and participants. I really had a wonderful time and can't thank everyone enough for their energy and great attitudes, even in the face of some adversity. ^^

The CLAMP group made it's debut at AW, as well! You can see some photos here at my freshly updated website! It was SO much fun and everyone looked absolutely amazing!

Cuuuuuute!

In other news, I updated the Anne Boleyn Necklace entry, 'cause I made some new ones, woo! =D I'm definitely taking orders for them, so if you're interested, please drop me an email! I swear I'll add an order form to the website soon. O.o

Also, I'll be over at the Ballpark Market on April 11th! It's an open air market in Downtown Denver, on Larimer Street between 21st and 22nd Streets, and it goes from 8:00am to 2:00pm. They have LOTS of awesome stuff besides handcrafts, like antiques and a farmer's market, too. I'm so happy to have been accepted, and I'm really looking forward to the event! Oh, hey, it's free, too!

Okay, I think that covers all of it. XD

Cosplay Contest Registration at AW is OPEN!

Sat, 21 Feb 2009 00:27:19 GMT

OKAY, Animeland Wasabi 2009 Cosplay Registration is open!

Don't know anything about AW? Well, why don't you just come on down to the forums and find out!

Please bring your questions there! Thanks!

Animeland Wasabi!

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 22:30:42 GMT

Hey guys, if you're interested in AW, the cosplay contest preregistration will open tomorrow, Feb. 20th!

Please to be seein' the AW site for more info.

If you have questions about AW, please ask them there, or email me at charmedseed@gmail.com! Thanks!

Totally OT.

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 03:07:23 GMT

So, uh, in case you didn't know, I moved in December. Since I secretly dream of being an interior decorator, I've been busting my butt working on a good design and having a really fun time decorating my apartment! It started out with a lot of charm of it's own; it's a vintage apartment in a cool part of Denver, I've got hardwood floors and really nice windows and pretty textured plaster.

I'm a big fan of stores like Anthropologie and Crate & Barrel and Urban Outfitters, but I'm typically on a VERY strict budget (LOL, gotta have the money for all those costumes, heh), so I use a lot of secondhand stuff, and I do a lot of shopping on Craigslist and at Goodwill and ARC.

So anyway, I just wanted to share some pictures of my place! Here it is!

TV stand and my cat Morgan looking kind of annoyed. XD I'm working on groupings with framed wall art. TV was on this show about steampunk, LOL!

The America map was made by my grandmother; it's all cross stitch. I liked it as a child and told her a LONG time ago that I wanted one. It is HUGE, probably 4 feet across.

The flower things I got for $7 for the pair at Goodwill, and I'm really happy because I left them once, and they were still there when I got back! =D I also feel like they could totally be something from Anthro, only without the price tag. XD

The living room chair and the dining area. No, I couldn't be bothered to put my serger away. =p The chair is my typical $15 craigslist purchase. I put the grey and black throw over to break up all the white, and I liked the kinda funky contrast of the fuzzy modernish blanket with the classic setting of the chair. Also I made a pillow, 'cause I have a lot of extra fabric.

You can see the grouping in the dining area as a whole now, too. I'd started out with the Matisse (the train in the fireplace XD) in the middle of the wall, and decided I didn't like it/it was too formal. So I've started a grouping on that wall...

My friend Snowhite Dahlia got me this teapot from Anthro because I'd been coveting it for literally a year. It is MAYBE my favorite thing ever, and easily my favorite teapot. =D

More of the new grouping. I need to get a frame for the Matisse that's not cheap like that one. =p The rest is all secondhand finds. It needs MORE, but I'm just waiting for the right pieces to come along.

So I bought two old cameras off ebay, simply for decorating purposes. I had this empty frame up on the wall, and thought it was sort of hilarious and witty with the camera IN it. The other is hanging on the chalkboard, but this one didn't have a strap. I just stuck a little hot glue on it to make it stay in the frame. I kind of love it. =D

Entryway. Yes, I'm a nerd and I put a picture frame around my peep hole like in Friends. I know, I know. But the front door is really awful.

Also the desk/office. The lamp and shade is secondhand... they were both purchased separately.

Again. Also, that white mirror is my other favorite thing in the apartment. =D It is from Urban Outfitters.

The shelf on top of my computer. I'm going to hang letters off the hooks to spell... well, something. I've decided to just collect letters and see what I end up with. =D

Some living room and the bookcase. No, I couldn't be bothered to put away the iron, either. =p

I LOVE this couch. I bought it used from Craigslist for $200, and it's pracitically brand new.

So that's it! =D Welcome to my apartment!

New Charmedseed Jewelry!

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 06:01:38 GMT

NO SRSLY

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 23:17:50 GMT

Okay guys, I swear, I'm updating the jewelry website TONIGHT, and I'm totally making things. I'm hoping to finish Haruhi's Ending Dress from Ouran like THIS WEEK, and then... Uh, well, yeah. XD Then it will be done.

Also, starting to get excited about AnimeLAND Wasabi coming up in March! This'll be the second year, and it should be a good one! We'll be working on making the cosplay events even better this year, of course, so come and enjoy them, or feel free to help out! You can get more details at the community page, or of course at the DCCS website.

Next time, PICS. Of something.

It's about that time...!

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:23:55 GMT

Paprika - Spring 2008

I started out simple this year 'cause I'd been freshly gradumatated and moved and new job and all that. AW said they were coming into town, and we were all like, 'Cool,' and then three weeks before the event we got the cosplay dropped on us. It actually worked out, and the DCCS and friends ran what I consider to be an incredibly successful first year con cosplay contest. We learned AND we had fun.

Deedlit, Sacrifice Dress - Spring 2008

'Cause when are ears NOT fun, right? I finished this in time for Acen, and wore it there for like five minutes, because damn, I had not boned that bodice correctly. Fail. I brought it home and made repairs, and wore it for this photoshoot.

Terra, Esper Version - Spring 2008

I guess this was a bit of my 'baby' for the year. I'd started it earlier last year, but hadn't gotten as far as I'd wanted. I finished it in time for Acen. There's nothing quite like standing in your kitchen letting your housemate airbrush your ass. =D There's a lot I'd like to change on this one before I wear it again, but I do loves me that wig. Boy do I.

Juliet - Summer 2008

Lauren and Becca started this, and we all jumped on the boat. XD Juliet has a more elaborate costume I was going to do and go completely nuts on, but cashmonies and luggage space forced a sacrifice. Only not really, because this dress is adorable. We debuted them at D*C, then brought them out again at NDK.

Mary Boleyn - Summer 2008

I still don't have any proper photos of this. XD I'd like to get this done properly sometime before I DO get photos, but we had fun in our period finery at Dragon*Con. 'Cause fifteen layers is a GREAT idea in August in HOTLANTA.

Dewshine - Summer 2008

I love me some Elfquest. We had a whole group of elves and it was just DUCKY. Christine really busted it out in planning and implimenting this, and everyone looked so adorable. ^^ There will be more of this.

Steampunk Outfit - I have no idea

This got done... uh, earlier in the year, and I wore it on my adventure to WorldCon as a judge. Then I wore it to Dragon*Con. Then I wore it to NDK, because I do love it, do I. And Emily's ridiculously adorable. I mean, seriously.

Rinoa - Fall 2008

I suck and didn't make anything new AT ALL for NDK. I wore a bunch of old stuff over again, because damn. I didn't make Rinoa, even, I bought it from Lystrade, who kicks ass. This is an incredible piece of work. And comfy to boot.

I didn't really do a lot of NEW stuff last year; I feel like I was overwhelmed with newness through everything else. I wanted to do some Big McLargehuge stuff because it was my 10 year anniversary, but I didn't really get to it... and that's okay. ^^ I still had a really good time all year, and I really love the stuff I DID get done. And I got to rewear a lot of things that I loved and wanted to wear more... so that was good, too!

I think I'm developing a pattern... at least one big poofy dress, and one pointy-ear costume... Hmmm....

Hey, 2009, it's coming!

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:37:13 GMT

Now that I'm all settled back into some sort of a groove... it's time to start thinking about costumes again!

Haruhi – Ending Dress [50%]

- This one's all cut out and just needs to be sewn together. I'd like to wear it to Wasabi in March, and maybe to Acen in May.

Haruhi – School Uniform [99%]

- I've actually done this once already, but I wanted to do it AGAIN, but this time I bought a jacket, because seriously, screw making one of those again. WAY too much effort. =p I got the blazer from Chadwicks, and I just need to put the patch on. ^^ I might wear it for Wasabi, if I need something easy and good for working in. LOL BUSINESS CASUAL WUT.

Rosa [10%]

This is my BABY for this year. I've got about half the fabric, need to start figuring out the armor and stuff. I'm hoping for Acen, and would also like to bring this to D*C.

Flutterina [0%]

For D*C, because who doesn't love their own childhood superheroes? Since roguesamus decided to do a She-Ra costume, I was like, GET ME ON THAT BOAT! =D ~~I haven't picked between the two, but~~ I'm leaning toward Flutterina, because who doesn't need an excuse for a bigass lavender wig and butterfly wings? I DON'T.

Dewshine – desert dress [0%]

BECAUSE IT'S SO DAMN CUTE. And I should totally get some more use out of that wig, heck yeah. Who doesn't love the Sorrow's End outfits?

Chii [0%]

This is for the CLAMP group! I really like the blue and white with the black lace! I think we're planning for Wasabi...? But I'll probably bring it out again at NDK, maybe Acen, too.

Sailormoon (Classic) [0%]

'Cause I'm like that. =D Acen probably, and then NDK.

Nightfall [0%]

Nightfall was my other favorite girl from ElfQuest, with Dewshine, and I just love the crap out of her outfits. I'll need to do some situps for more of this. =O D*C if I can swing it. I'm considering her Sorrow's End outfit too, because it's also cool. Like, literally. HOTLANTA, RIGHT.

There's also talks of Nunnally, Alicia from Valkyria Chronicles, and who knows what else. A lot of ifs, ands, or buts!

I'm sure things will change, perhaps a few smaller projects will be added, but I'd like to go a little smaller list this year, and rewear a lot of things because they are just NOT getting enough love.

I'm excited for everything coming up this year! Should be lots of fun! =D

Updated stuff. =D

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 23:46:26 GMT

Updated websites! =D Just a bunch of little things on charmedseed.net, both cosplay and jewelry. Nothing really new... just tidied up and stuff, upcoming costumes added, and doing custom wordspell again.

Get in quick!

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 20:50:49 GMT

We're closing in on the winter holidays... Get your orders in now to get these beautiful, handmade gifts on time!

HOLY CRAP.

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 21:20:42 GMT

IT'S AN UPDATE.

So, I've been very busy. Of course there was a holiday weekend, an extra long one. I took advantage of that long weekend in moving to a new home! It's really great, I've moved into a beautiful vintage apartment just blocks from the heart of Denver (and about ten blocks from The Shoppe), and I just love it.

Uhhh... Jewelry! Lots of that going on, though it was admittedly on hold for the move. ^^ You know. I didn't get to do anything special for Cyber Monday... Oh well, next year! But there's still plenty to shop from at Charmedseed Jewelry... and more coming!

Cosplay was also on hold, but it's going to be 2009 soon, so I need to get in gear! Got some CLAMP & Final Fantasy plans coming up, Animeland Wasabi in March and Acen in May, so it'll be here before I know it! We're still waiting out the cold winter months for some photos, I think, but I know we'd like to get to it sometime soon!

So, last little bit of 2008, and then we're off! Enjoy your holidays!

Tomorrow!

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:21:16 GMT

Charmedseed Jewelry Open House
November 15th, 2008 ~ 12:Noon until 6:PM
Lakewood, CO

Come and enjoy one-of-a-kind handmade jewelry, created right here in Denver, while you enjoy delectable hors d'oeuvres and drinks, and the most charming company in the city! All attendees will receive a 10% discount!

This is a great opportunity for holiday shopping; handmade jewelry makes a wonderful gift, for friends, family, and especially yourself! Stop in for 10 minutes or 2 hours... you'll find something to tickle your fancy!

Please contact Beverly at beverly@charmedseed.net for directions.

jewelry.charmedseed.net
Charmedseed Jewelry... growing charming jewelry, just for you!

This Saturday!

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 21:01:18 GMT

New Jewelry!

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 05:51:34 GMT

Jewelry Open House, November 15th!

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:20:38 GMT

LAST WEEK TO SHOP HALF OFF!

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 16:33:28 GMT

Sale is closing soon! Pick up your pieces at HALF OFF while you still can!

Tomorrow!

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 20:57:19 GMT

HOLIDAY GIFT EXHIBIT

It's time for holiday gift giving! Get your shopping done early at a fabulous one-of-a-kind gift exhibit!

Join us for a casual and unique holiday shopping experience. Featuring wearable art, handcrafted bags, pottery, jewelry, sculptures, paintings, and more...

When: Saturday, October 25th from 10 to 4 pm

Where: The Other Side Arts (TOSA), 1644 Platte St, Denver CO

(south of My Brothers Bar and across the street from Paris on Platte)