Trinket #339 - Ring of the Water Tribe

Today's trinket was made from the first three beads I grabbed from the Junk Box: a nugget of coral, a seashell, and a carved wooden skull. Not what I would have chosen if I'd been critical about my supply selection, but I'm really pleased with the result. Hooray for random selection!

Trinket #236 - Bone Skulls and Bronze Earrings

I didn't really think about these much, I just sort of picked a few things out of the supply stash that complimented each other and tried to put them together in a way that wasn't too boring.

I've been using all of my focus during the day lately on writing and editing projects, so the trinkets have turned into a "veg out" activity each evening. This could actually be a good thing in the long run as it prevents me from criticizing or censoring my projects before starting them. I can't make any promises that the projects will be good, but they will certainly be relaxing.

Trinket #199 - Kali's Earrings

Silly, I know, but these tiny carved skulls remind me of the heads that the Hindu goddess Kali wears either as a necklace or attached at her waist. I know those skulls aren't supposed to be perceived as small, rather Kali is to appear much larger than us mere mortals, but I can't help myself. Anyway, if Kali were fond of earrings, I imagine she'd like a couple of heads on those as well.

Also, to really appreciate the craftsmanship in these little wooden beads, you should know that they measure only 6mm in height!

Trinket #159 - Witch Doctor Necklace

This necklace is made with silk and hemp cords, glass beads, and little carved bone skulls. It was super quick and easy because it is only two strands of cording that cross to tie at the front.

Trinket #24 - Arsenic and Old Lace

I'll admit it - I had to scour the house to put together a trinket inspired by today's Motif Monday theme. I'm pretty pleased with what I found, though! While we're on the topic of confessions, I should also note that I have a soft spot for anything eerie or macabre, so this piece was extra-fun to make.

What did I find on my scavenger hunt? First was this creamy vanilla satin ribbon, formerly attached to a gift set of bath products I scored at Christmas. I found a couple of complementary beads in the bottom of the jewelry junk box and set them aside. Next, I spotted the cameo and knew exactly where this trinket was headed!

I bought a pair of these acrylic cameos (they were only sold in pairs) at Etsy back in September. I was putting together a high-stress ensemble for a black tie event at which I was expected to take the stage and make a speech - the Library of Virginia Literary Awards. Being the youngest award recipient was stressful enough, but being the only one covered in spooky tattoos in a room full of old-fashioned Virginians was the real weight to bear. I eventually decided that if I was going to be a sideshow attraction, I might as well go big. I donned a black satin dress, let all the tattoos show (except for when I was freezing and wrapped in a shawl), and topped it off with some elegant but decidedly offbeat and creepy jewelry.

Needless to say, the attendees all remember my name.

Okay, back to the present... I used one of the cameos as the centerpiece of a silver cuff bracelet I wore that evening, while the other sat lonely and abandoned on my dresser - until today. Now it has a place of honor on an antiqued copper mount (more FIMO!) and has a tiny carved bone skull as a companion. The whole shebang is held together with wrapped and bent copper wire and is topped off by a big, faceted jet bead.