Vanna's ITC Creations

08/23/2024

hear me out...

my original ring (2010-2010) was lost long ago
My replacements (2021-2022) was cheaply made and disintegrated really fast.
My third replacements (seen below 2024-2024) set it on a bench and accidentally forgot them.

We have not had good luck with out wedding rings... looking forward to changing that luck.

08/09/2024

Trauma dump time!!!

Today's big gurl feels of the day: letting go of religious trauma. When I was a wee child in temple, there was a field trip to the local Christian church as a lesson in tolerance, acceptance and compassion - as not everyone follows the same path - and this is ok. There is no right or wrong path in this life. Or that's what the aim of the Sunday school field trip was, for the most part I enjoyed the trip and the lesson it presented.

Until I was separated from my group and then cornered by a group of kids who pushed me around and espoused rapture and hell to me - then got bored and wandered off. Since then my view on Christianity is tainted at best.

*I'm going to put this warning here, so pay attention... Don't defend either the kids or the religion. 1)It took years to get over my blind seething hatred of all things Christian that my nerves are raw and sore where this topic is concerned... do not rekindle my hatred, I beg of you. 2)The actions of the kids are not a reflection of the religion, only parroted words of their parents or family member regurgitated onto me as a 7yr old (though this speaks of a much larger issue)

But anger and hatred is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. I've got a fractured mind with DID and alternates who will use anything as cannon fodder to fuel blond and bitter rage. And I'm sooo tired of the rage and anger.

So, along with the core of depression & the affirmations, start letting that trauma go.

Yay religious trauma. Adding THAT to the list of things I finally get to process.

06/17/2024

06/10/2024

A happy lass with her new Anchor Earrings.

06/09/2024

06/08/2024

I have the hairpins, I'm making lapel pins, and other things I've derped on making recently. BUT, thanks to making Masquerade Masks, and the new Hair Pins am I inspired to start crafting Barrettes.

So far I only have the experiment but coming this next week, the aim is to get the wire to make more.

06/07/2024

Finally got the experiment done and on a hat! Last weekend it was suggested I make those anchors as pins for either hats or shirts. Last night I made my first pin and put it on my hat.

More pins to come, now that I know how to make them.

06/06/2024

Been making these lil guys all week... But I wanted to see a comparison of a new sword hairpin vs the old one I use as a personal hairpin. Gotta say... The results are in.

06/04/2024

What makes a creation build an "experiment?" And how do I step out of the experiment into making product for sale? The first piece I craft for any new build is always the experiment or "the project". The first build is where figure out how to craft the thing I'm working on, and how to finish it.

Take this picture here. This is the evolution of the sword style hairpins. Originally the sword pin to the left was inspired by seeing the TEMU item everywhere in SLOFair last year, and wanting to replicate them. But, after doing some extra research, here and there, I noticed that while the design is good, the method of craft needed to evolve to be a more functional piece.

Which is where looking at traditional knife craft as inspiration comes in. Yes the new anchor piece (center) has a fancy handle, but it's a full length "Blade" & "Tang" throughout, as the next pin to the right shows. Plus... While I still love the sword style... "That's soooooo last year." So I'm playing with some additional design ideas. But, as the experiment of this new craft method for these is done and I can start making more, it's no longer an experiment on the drafting board: it's product.

But as with all first build experiments, I'll hold on to it for myself - the honed items is for everyone else.

06/04/2024

This coming weekend at Fair is Pirate Weekend. So far the better selling item is the Anchors I started making. Thanks to a patron yesterday, there is renewed interest in making more of them - in differing ways. So far I have the keychain, a necklace, a choker (experimental) and this:

Anchor Broadsword Hairpin.

I was already thinking of restructuring how I make my hairpins as the original blade to a pin is twisted 16 gauge wire at 5in is too thin and weak for putting up hair to be of much use. So.... The idea, and this is also an experiment, is to use the next size gauge down at 14 gauge wire and twist the blade more tightly, along with making it an inch and a half shorter.

So far, not bad.

06/03/2024

It is pride month... Happy pride. I'm kinda new to celebrating pride months because for the longest time, it's been survive, not enjoy, mainly because I've been too afraid to... Even after the outer fighting stopped, I was too afraid. But, I'm attempting to turn over a new leaf, and work through my BS. So... Here's me before, and here's me after.

Happy pride.

06/02/2024

It's the last day of the second weekend for Koronaberg Ren Fair, and while it's not been the busiest for me in sales, it has been a productive couple weekends. We're located in the back by Templar hill, and not only am I located by Coventree, I have a small table set up to work, where I offer all the alterations and repairs to sold ITC items (and some things that aren't too)

Come find us... Come hang out... And come see what new items are being designed next.