Oh noes!

I've been taken hostage by a heck of a headcold, thanks hubby and all the rest of you at the callcenter!  While a cold or flu usually comes and goes in a matter of just 3 days, this one is lingering around and making it very difficult to get anything done without having to stop for a nap.   Hopefully it will get over with soon so I can get back to work on all the lovelies I had been working on before.

Ideas Abound!

From Ladies Lace gloves to Leather Lawnchairs, my brain has been working overtime while my poor drafting hand tries to keep up.  There are several new sketches and patterns tacked up to the walls of my crafting room (dreadful, white on white place that it is,) and I have begun to sort out materials for each.  In particular I have what I believe could be a revolutionary new idea for footwear that I can hardly wait to reveal (but will because otherwise someone else will steal it away before I can finish a prototype.)

Hopefully that means in the coming days I will begin to integrate the new stock into the etsy store.  In other news, we are looking at purchasing a website that will allow us to later break off from etsy should popularity stick. We are also making tenative plans to attend the Phoenix Comicon event coming in May as this year there will be a steampunk fashion show.  Not to mention that hubby and I have never been to comicon before and just cant wait to go rub elbows with the other geeks and nerds of the area.

Ah, but that may be looking too far ahead.  For now it's back to the combination sewing/time machine.  As it only ever seems to travel forward (in increments of hours at that) I'm sure I'll be back again soon.

A New Agenda, in a Romantic New World

It has been pointed out to me numerous times that the name Alchemic Artisan brought to mind not the person selling brightly coloured yarns and fabric, but instead images of a dimly lit tinkering room full of copper and brass, where a person in neo-victorian dress squinted at tiny vials of this and that, fitting together bits to make something beautiful and useful. While I myself have always had a certain fondness for the romantic, imaginative world of Victorian europe and her grand sense of adventure and discovery, I thought it just a personal remnant of curiosity, not something that othe people cared about.

And then, one fateful trip to a thrift store showed me differently. It started with a red leather coat my husband simply had to have. It ended with me stitching up a vest in a dimly lit workspace and tailoring some pinstripe pants to fit him. Suddenly I realized that Steampunk could be more than a wish for adventure, it could be real, and I could make it so.

This sudden notion was further inspired by the varied interest and excitement we received as we strolled down the street in our new fare. Many grand complements were imparted to me on the magical transformation of my husband, the grunge-hippy, into this handsome adult that stirred the imagination. And I realized, this new world I had fallen into was much too grand Not to share.

So, the shop has been re-imaged, new business cards have been ordered, and the blog has recieved a facelift (from this point forward all my Non-Steampunk crafting, such as the T-Yarn and other random projects, will be on the new Fabricated Transmutations blog!) and soon enough, once the Arizona rain stops and I can begin to take pictures again, The Webstore will be full of leather, lace, ruffles, and pinstripes to delight any Neo-Victorian!

~Kirial

Speaking of AWOL...

Well now, this is a bit awkward I must admit. To be truthful, the reason I have not blogged in so long is that I have been ill, and had forgotten my password. I'm still not sure I'm 100% recovered, but I was finally able to find the password reset feature. So then, since it has been literally months, I feel some updates are definitely in order.

I have become more comfortable with the T-Yarn production, particularly with my unique Tie-dye versions, despite having found myself in a sudden sea of other etsians that have taken up T-Yarn selling. I must admit it had me disheartened for a while, but I have decided to push forward and just continue to offer the same quality product, and focus mainly on my painted and patterned versions. (Shown at the top: Forest Sky Tie-Dyed T-yarn )

In other fields... Hubby was so kind as to surprise me with a sewing machine! It's nothing particularly fancy, in fact its only capable of forward and backward strait stitches, but it will definatly do for now. I have several project boxes with already cut apron pieces that were just sitting idle waiting for a sewing machine to come along, and so I should have holiday aprons available as they come into season. In addition, I am hoping this will mean I can try again to make a go of Pandemonium in due time.

I have also noticed myself taking a keen interest in childrens playthings, baby shoes, and wig making. Only time will tell if I attempt to make a real go of these new interests, but for now it is at least nice to have the variety in the workshop. And speaking of the workshop, this weekend I am finishing up the last of the sorting and catagorizing from the big summer destash! So of course, it is a fantastic time to order a Mystery box! Since I wasnt able to procure the shelving I liked, and as hubby has mentioned we will probably only stay in the Phoenix area another year, I opted to construct myself some sturdy Cardboard shelving. Its almost odd how handy this has proven, as instead of walking back and forth between areas, I can now take the whole supply of something with me and piece it all together on my cot! I'll try to get some pictures of the quarkyness up soon enough, several friends have found it good for a laugh.

A Bountiful Summer Crop

Summer Silk & Vintage Lace

Well, the illness that kept me from working has been stabilized for now, although not cured. Being stuck waiting around is quite stressful, so I have returned to my studio for now to work, making this as good an opportunity as any to reveal some of the designs for the upcoming Grand Opening of my new clothing store, Pandemonium Fashion.

The theme for the line is "Summer Silk & Vintage Lace" and most of the designs prominently feature one or both of those materials. The real challenge here was to capture the airy, lightweight look of summer and make something other than the typical pretty little sun dresses, though I did make several of those too. Since I strive to provide pretty, punky, goth, and even fantasy/dance wear items I had a real challenge (particularly with the Poe line) to keep the nature of the season and not drown it in a sea of heavy black fabrics like everyone is used to. Even I am surprised and impressed with the results, and I think you will be too.


Since I still haven't found a decent sewing machine in my budget, most of the items listed at first will be hand sewn accessories such as purses and hairpieces, as well as some unusual jewelry. Hopefully after a few sales I will be able to fill the gap in my savings and then be able to list the clothing. I have already hand stitched prototypes of each garment, but because of the time involved in such effort it just isn't reasonable to offer the items for sale until they can be produced faster.


As for my other Etsy store, Fabricated Transmutations (linked on the side, purple button with rabbit) I have returned to taking orders there, and with all the new fashion work my Mystery Boxes have even more great little bits and pieces than before. The design and production work has kept me busy, so while I will add new yarns over time I don't yet have any new kinds of things to list. Later this summer I do plan to sell my art there as well, both prints and originals, and possibly even cards and such featuring my artwork. We'll see where we take it when we get there.

As always I encourage you to visit my stores and comment on what you see, and feel free to ask me anything you are wondering about on here or over at Etsy.

Distractions, Distractions!

I'm fairly certain that this blog must feel completely abandoned by now.  I suppose bi-monthly postings are a more reasonable goal for someone who seems to stay as busy as myself.  As my appology gift, here is a taste of Summer a little early!

I have been trying to stay afloat in a sea of inspiration, and it has been a real chore to see everything through to the end before jumping to my latest neat new idea.  All in all, I feel the effort was well worth it.  This week I should be finishing up the last of the Easter items for the shop, and hope to have them posted as soon as can be managed so that your orders will arrive on time.  

Several delays and issues with my current package pickup people has had packages ordered on Tuesdays not going out until the following Monday, which is simply not going to work if i manage to get my order volume up like I had been hoping for.  I am switching to a different office to see if that will help speed up delivery of your new items.

Once I get the shop filled up with all my easter goodies I will be moving on to the Production phase of my new Pandemonium Fashion lines.  With an added bonus that I myself didnt expect,  Custom Order Swimwear!  You pick what you like and give me your measurements.  And if you have one of those awkward bodies like I do, I am more than happy to help you find which one is perfect for you, even going so far as to add more flattering modifications to an exsisting style you love but simply couldnt wear.

I'm hoping these will be a big splash, (forgive me) with the summer season coming up fast.  Here in Tempe it has been warm enough for some time now.  I am also planning on having women from the area nearby model the swimsuits for the store (yours will be brand new and made to order, so dont worry about Sharing germs) who will in exchange get to keep the  swimsuit they model (approximatly a $50 value), so if you are in the area and would like participate start working on your summer tone and let me know you are interested!