!!!

Dear Blog:

I finished 50,000 words in 26 days, validated it and everything. I would like you to know that I managed for the first time in about 12 years to win NaNoWriMo.

Me. This Pooka. I won.

See???? They even gave me a nifty badge thingie!

I'm really excited that I actually won, and ahead of schedule. Mind you, my story might be half done, if I'm lucky... So I still have a lot more to write (and I'm working on it too!).

On top of that I'm going through and editing MORE of the novel that I started for NaNo 2007, and didn't finish until '08 or '09.

Maybe, just maybe both of these will some day go to beta readers. (fingers crossed here)

Holiday Shopping - A Pooka's Opinion.

Here I am, a few days before this Holiday that you're supposed to stuff yourself silly with turkey and other yummy things.

I'm also more than half done with my Yule shopping. (*gasp!*)

I decided that this year I would do more shopping at small businesses than I have in years past. There are some things that you can't get from handmade shops though, and if that's the case I try to find small business shops that sell things like CDs and DVDs.

Some of my favorite shops are over on Etsy though.

Here's just a few!:

(Photo Thanks to Glamourkin)

Glamourkin is a small shop that's run by an amazing author (Here's a link to Sarah's blog). The pieces that she sells are made of pure magic, and great gifts for anyone! (Yes, even boys.)

(Photo of so many yummy soaps from HeartJCreations)

I'm a huge fan of handmade soaps too. I find that they don't dry out my skin nearly as much, and they smell soooo yummy!

(Cute My Little Pony Scarf!)

If you have any anime fans on your list, this shop is pretty rockin for them! From actual costumes to cute scarves and jewelry, they're a pretty epic pair!

(Above Photo Copyright Chaz Kemp.)

Looking for some awesome art? Shadowcat has an Etsy shop too! Here you can find great Steampunk pieces in Art Nouveau style.

(My darling Sven, thanks to NightLily Designs)

I just got my brand new Kindle cover from this great shop. My darling Sven (pictured above) will be headed home to me very soon, I am so excited! She has some of Sven's family still for sale in her shop, go take a look!

Lucky!

(Photo thanks to Copper, Glass and Recycled Trash)

So a few days ago I was reading through my blog list when I came across This Blog holding a contest of sorts. She asked for suggestions of what to put on her "Treasure Tubes" and whoever she chose would get a Treasure Tube with their chosen word on it. Being me I suggested "Believe" and I got an e-mail today telling me I won!!!!! :D

SO EXCITED!!!!!

I can't wait to do something AWESOME with it, and *gasp* wear it on stage!

I'll post photos when I get it!!! :D

You can find her Etsy Shop Here.

A Benefit

Yesterday I was given the honor to be able to sing with Pandora Celtica at a benefit for a woman that has impacted many, many lives in Colorado. Especially those around the Colorado Faire circuit.

It was an amazing benefit, so many people showed up to support this woman.

What was even better? The look on her face as she walked in and realized exactly what we were doing. We stood as she walked in, and just applauded. No words, no yelling of "surprise!" but honest and caring applause.

It was magical.

(This photo was taken on the drive home from Nebraska.)

Mile High Con and The Colorado Springs Witches Ball 2011

Wow!

No, seriously. Wow.

If you haven't been to Mile High Con, you should go next year. Go buy your tickets as soon as they go on sale and GO!
The people there are amazing, and not only did I get to sing a lot and have my art in the art show, I also bought two new books to read! I'll post some reviews when I finish them. :)

The thing I like most about MHC? The fact that everyone is so friendly and willing to network and talk and geek out. The bellydancing zombies this year didn't hurt either!

So Saturday after playing all day at MHC we headed to the Colorado Spring Witches Ball. What FUN that was!!! I got to buy things too... so that didn't hurt!
We sang with all of the energy we had, and it was warm on that stage! But so very worth it. I really hope that we can go back and sing again next year!

Sunday it was back to MHC to help out in the art show, that was a blast in a half. I met so many new friends there!

Alright, I wanted to post this even if it's disjointed. Why? Because in 2.5 hours I start NaNoWriMo.

So, to leave you all smiling:

New glass!

So some of you may or may not know that I melt glass. Yep. I make shiny, awesome things out of glass. (I just think they're shiny, but people like Kyra tell me they're awesome.)
Well since Dragon*Con I hadn't been torching much... and honestly it was just about killing me. I'd wander into my studio and stare longingly at my torch and kiln... and then I'd wander back out. Too much to do, too much to do.

But! I have stolen away bits and pieces of time! (and there was much rejoicing!)
Remember: You can find my glass beads for sale here. I also take commissions and offer bulk discounts for jewelry designers. Just e-mail me.

My Faerie Bubbles beads. Kyra has used them in her designs.

These are made of Clio. One of my most favorite glasses ever!

 Spacers! 

Something in the fall spirit. :)

Here I sit...

Here I sit, listening to the screaming of angry children not getting their way, or the parents that yell at said children... And I have to wonder, really; what happened to Mortals? What changed them from creatures that had some sense of self preservation, honesty and politeness to what we see today? Maybe I'm not seeing the whole picture here, I mean... there are so many amazing people taking part in things they believe in. Like Occupy Wallstreet. They aren't being dangerous, or stupid (from what I've seen) they are merely voicing their opinions... and in turn they are creating something huge and amazing and magical.

...Yes, I know that not everyone will agree with that. I'm sure that someone out there somewhere is going to scoff at my view of the world, but frankly? I don't care. These are my opinions, and I like my views of the current goings on.

But back to the original topic. What changed? It seems like, for every one Mortal that is following his or her dream, there are 4 or 5 others that are simply... not. They are the bullies, the screamers, the people that are violent and act out... So what happened to the Mortals that will open doors for women or the elderly? What happened to small town chivalry or decency?

Am I missing something? Tell me I am. Tell me I'm missing the big picture, tell me I'm missing the chivalrous men that sill open doors and help old ladies across the street. Tell me I'm blind.

Because really? I'm just confused and slightly down trodden.

(Wow... This wasn't supposed to be a sad post! lol)