Excuse me, but you're getting your creative juices all over me.

Aaaaaaah, there is nothing like satisfying my inner geek. Weather it be TV, video games, anime or manga, when I've done something geeky that I love, I just feel super awesome. This time I feel awesome because I got to attend Anime Boston again this year. Anime Boston was actually the first anime convention I ever attended, and it instantly stole my heart away. The talented costumes, freeing atmosphere, and puking glowing glow stick fluid at 4 in the morning on some street corner, how could you not fall in love? Though my interest in anime has wained since my first convention in 2003, I still manage to find something I enjoy every year.

6:45am isn't easy on a loli with a corset

After arriving in Boston Friday night my weekend of inspiration began.  It started by visiting and old high school friend Paul.  Paul is currently studying print making at Mass Art and exploring gender and sexuality in society ... I think.  Regardless his work blew me away and nearly brought me to tears, he was just that amazing.  After naping for two hours, Miss Lumpy and I woke made our way to the convention.  Well that's not true. At four we started getting ready and after a lost wallet, disgruntled charlie ride, and a rain storm we were sure was going to destroy Miss Lumpy's bonnet, we finally arrived at the convention center at about 6:45am.

Normally I'm one to spend my time all over the convention watching AMVs, joining in on panels, and strolling through the artest alley and dealers room.  But this year I was given a unique opportunity to help my friend Miss Lumpy sell jewelry from her web shop Amaranth Opulent. While there, I got to meet and get to know the lovely Caro-Chan, author of F-yeah Lolita. I was happy to be at the convention, but more importantly, I was inspired. I've always wanted to be my own boss. Even with my first job at CVS when I was 16, I knew that I wanted to create something of my own and pave my own path. I've been mulling around a few ideas in my head of what to do, never fully convinced it will be a success. But then I realized that everything doesn't have to be a success. Looking around the artiest alley at Anime Boston, I saw nothing but people doing what made them happy and trying to make a few bucks from it.  Miss Lumpy and Caro-Chan were shining examples of this selling their hand made jewelry and bonnets.  And theres no reason I can't do that too.

I currently work about 65 hours a week, and will be going to, literally, 80 hours a week starting May 1st. Though the money is good, it's been draining on my overall happiness. It's ironic, but hurting my back and having to lay in bed for a week was quite possibly the best thing to of happened to me in a very long time. With nothing but time on my hands I was able to do what I loved. I cooked, sewed, crotched, nearly every craft out there, I tried. And with that, I realized just how much I hate my work life. I hate being told what to do every minute of my day, I hate being pushed around by customers, and I HATE opening my paycheck and feeling as if there are a few hundred dollars missing. "I definitely work harder then $200 a week, right? RIGHT?" And I do, and I know working for myself I'll only work harder and be paid even less, but it'll be my work, not someone else's, and thats worth every penny I might earn. So thank you Miss Lumpy, thank you Caro-chan, thank you for kicking my butt in gear, no matter how unintentional it might have been. Here's to a whole new me!

As a side note, here are a few shots from my, hopefully, life changing weekend in Boston.

Ever Lovely Paul

Spring into Crafts! Part 2: Rose Scrap Barrette

I don't know if I can rightfully call this a second installment of my spring into crafts series.  It might be more of a 1.5, but I'll just call it 2 anyway.

Sunday, doped up on pain killers from an injury the day  before I went for a stroll through the woods.  The weather was gorgeous, and there were threats of rain in coming days, so I decided to take advantage and dress up a little too.  It was definitely a bad decision to go for a walk with my injured back.  But at the time I didn't understand just how hurt I was.  After all, pain killers make you feel GREAT! Here's a few pictures from the day.

Strolling through the woods made be really wish I had my rose crown with me.  Unfortunately, as lovely as it is, it isn't very practical for simple outfits.  Seeing as I had so many little bits and pieces left over I thought that I could make another hair piece with the same feel as my crown, but would be much more appropriate for day to day life.  

First, I gathered my tools: Scissors, left over scraps, glue gun, and well, I needed a barrette clip so I decided to salvage one from a clip I hardly ever wear.

Next, I bundled my little twigs together and held them with a bit of glue.  I was so concentrated though I forgot to pause for a picture.  Luckily I remembered to take a moment and capture my progress once I added the flowers.

The flowers where much easier to attached for this clip then for the crown.  All I had to do was arrange them how I wanted and slid them through a space in the twigs instead of placing each one in a specific spot.  I hit the base of each rose with a dab of glue and they weren't going anywhere.

Next I trimmed the stems to create an even base.

It may look a bit like a hot glue mess underneath.  Don't worry, it will all be hidden by the barrette clip, and also give it a little more to hold on to.

When attaching a barrette clip there is one main thing to look out for.  On both sides of your clip there should be two small holes.  These are there so that your glue can seep through them a little and create a stronger hold.  Be sure to apply a little more glue to these areas.

Here's the finished hair clip both worn and on it's own.  There are a few twigs sticking out that could make it look a little more messy then I want.  Luckily the material I used for them has a wire center, allowing me to bend them into place and look more orderly.

Did you know it's nearly impossible to take a decent picture of the back of your head?  Maybe it's just me, but it took me about 25 tries just to get the crummy shot you see above.  

The spring has made me fall in love with these floral pieces and I'm trying to find new ways to incorporate flowers into every part of my life.  Has spring inspired anything in you?  Have you started any new projects with the change of weather?  Let me know in the comments below!

Thanks for reading!