JEWELRY FAIR 2014: ‘Chianna’ by Earthstones

JEWELRY FAIR 2014: ‘Chianna’ by Earthstones

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Here’s a preview of some of the astonishing goodies that you’ll find on sale at JEWELRY FAIR 2014, and it’s from one of the most well-known and respected  jewellery designers on the grid, Abraxxa Anatine, the genius creator behind the EARTHSTONES brand.

 You know, EARTHSTONES in a real Second Life success story. I can remember going there in 2007 to purchase jewelry, and you’ll find numerous examples of Abraxxa’s work on this blog. I have worn a LOT of EARTHSTONES jewellery (I’m sorry, I cannot type jewelry, I’m British and we just don’t spell it that way!) and I know I will continue to do so in the future because it is some of the most carefully crafted and beautifully designed that you’ll find anywhere upon the grid.  The fact that EARTHSTONES has been in-world for so many years (practically a lifetime by Second Life standards) should tell you all you need to know about the products on offer in store. Abraxxa produces an ever-expanding range of styles to suit every taste and budget, and every genre and Second Life sub-group can find something appealing in her store.

So what is it that makes Abraxxa’s work so good? How has she managed to stay in business where others have failed? Quite honestly, it’s the quality of her product. For a start, she creates the very best, most authentic looking crystals and minerals for necklaces, bracelets and earrings that I have ever seen in-world. The textures that she uses are so precise and detailed that it feels like you are gazing at that particular gemstone in real life. I own a LOT of gemstone items in-world, but it’s always the EARTHSTONES items that stand the test of time and that is because they look so true to life.  For example, when you gaze at a chunk of Labradorite or Tigers Eye in real life there’s an inherent luminescence to the stone, a shimmering aspect that makes the crystal come alive. Abraxxa can do that with crystals in Second Life too; she captures their allure and perfectly places that into our pixellated universe.  It’s an amazing talent.  She sets her crystal creations into intricate designs crafted from precious metals, and I’m pretty darn sure she adds a sprinkling of magical pixie  dust into the mix too, because the finished products are ALWAYS perfect.

The items I’m wearing in the picture above are a perfect example.  This is the Chianna set, in the ‘Burning Embers’ colourway,  comprising of  earrings and pendant necklace (there’s a short necklace as well) Every component of this is beautifully rendered, from the links and fastener upon the silver chain, to the perfectly executed spiral that hangs upon it and the crystals that  are strung underneath. This particular colourway features gems such as Tigers Eye and Carnelian to capture the fire of Fall, and is perfect for wearing on Autumn nights.  It’s statement jewellery of the highest calibre, but works equally well in both formal and casual settings. For example, this necklace would look fabulous worn over a chunky winter tunic with jeans and boots, but it also works when worn with a simple black cocktail dress. Awesome isn’t it?

You’ll find this terrific set, and other pieces at Jewelry Fair 2014. I’ll be featuring more wonderful items over the coming week, so stay tuned! 

Earthstones

Witchy Wednesdays /Jewelry Fair 2014 The Willow Necklace By Aisling

Witchy Wednesdays /Jewelry Fair 2014 The Willow Necklace By Aisling

Snapshot_003 So Jewelry Fair 2014 kicks off on September 13th (my real-life birthday as well! WOOT!) and guys it is going to be great. I’ve had the privilege of having a sneaky wander around the rather excellent build and can tell you now, you need to get yourself some Lindens because there are some seriously stunning baubles and trinkets on display that you will NEED to buy.  

It runs from Sept 13th-28th and you’ll find that all tastes and genres are accommodated perfectly well, and I’m pretty confident that there will be something for everyone on display. You’ll find a plethora of stunning jewelry from well-known and not so well known designers; from simple statement pieces to the more avant-garde items that Lady Gaga herself would be proud to sport.   As well as amazing necklaces there are tiaras, wedding and engagement rings, earrings galore, wristwatches, bracelets, bangles and all kinds of piercings too! It’s impossible for me to list every item, but I can assure you that your visit will not leave you disappointed.

Here’s an example of the awesome that awaits you.  This stunning necklace, ‘Willow’, features a pentacle set against the backdrop of a beautifully rendered tree with branches reaching skyward and roots pushing down into the earth below. (Click HERE for a better look)

It’s part of a collection that will be available at the event from AISLING called ‘Sortilege’. The necklace comes with a HUD so that you can change the metal colours of the necklace and you can re-size too.  Oh, and it’s materials enabled as well, meaning it will look even more  amazing when worn. If you’d like to check out other pieces in AISLING’s collection, take a peek at the Flickr feed HERE.

This piece isn’t available until the fair opens on Saturday, so I’m sort of cheating a bit by featuring it here today, BUT consider yourself warned in advance and make sure that you don’t miss out on this cracking piece of Pagan perfection when Jewelry Fair 2014 opens to the public.  (Note: this picture is a raw shot from SL that I haven’t enhanced in anyway, yes it is that gorgeous. Just like me:)  

JUST JEZ: TMD SEPTEMBER ROUND

JUST JEZ: TMD SEPTEMBER ROUND

I sort of feel a little bit guilty about this post..but then again, I don’t really.You see, THE MENS DEPT doesn’t open until tomorrow, BUT Jez and I snuck over there, cammed in to have a nosey and, well, bought stuff.

JEZZY

You see this is the thing about TMD;  you can sort of access it even though it’s not officially open (shhhhh!)  Sure, some vendors won’t be out yet, but the sensible ones get their gear laid out well before time because there are always lurkers, like Jezmond and me, camming in and buying things.  But it’s such a good event that it would be plain rude not too go and have a sneaky peek, and from what I’ve seen I’ve spied already I can see that this edition is setting up to be an absolute corker.

And here are the results of our raid…can I get an ‘OOF’?!

To be honest the majority of vendors weren’t fully in place but the ones that were, were absolutely scrummy, and we wasted no time in snaffling these utterly fantastic 2BYTE denim jeans.  Now I’d seen a mention of these on the SECOND LIFE INVENTORY FACEBOOK PAGE, which has become my go-to listing of everything worthy of checking out in-world.  I tell you that page is like crack to me, I use Facebook A LOT and when I see the magical words telling me that they’ve added new photographs I’m there in a flash to check out what the latest additions to their recommendations are.  They only post the good stuff, and that’s why they’ve just hit  11,000 ‘likes’ on their page.  That’s an amazing achievement for them, but well-deserved because of all the work that goes into the upkeep of the page. Long may it continue, and congratulations to all involved!

Anyway, back to this delicious denim. The jeans are  available in a number of shades from light to dark,  but Jez opted for the latter, and as if the shape and texture of the denim wasn’t enough, there’s the addition of a built-in shirt tied around the waist too. This adds a really funky urban element to the look, and can be texture- changed into a number of different shirt styles due to a HUD. To  contrast we added this bloody outstanding sleeveless hoody from BLANKLINE.  Not only does it have great styling it also has a HUD control to enable you to change the contrast colour to the inside of the hood. That’s not all, the hairstyle that Jez is sporting also comes with the hoody too (you don’t have to wear it though),   and I think it suits Jez to a ‘T’. It’s a really great touch adding  the hair to the clothing because it can often be really difficult to find styles to wear underneath hoods and hats that look effective without bits poking everywhere.  Incidentally, the hair can be re-sized and  you can select from a number of  different hair colours too, using a (you guessed it!) HUD control.

So we’re talking tonnes of HUD-controlled mesh-clothing happiness here, and this is just two items that will be on sale at the event, check out the listing below…

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It’s a banging selection, is it not? Girls, boys, Nekos and furries, in fact ANY Second Life sub-culture you care to mention, do yourself a favour and get yourselves down to THE MENS DEPT and spend your Lindens freely.  It’s totally worth it.

CLICK HERE TO GET A TAXI!

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Nothing to see here folks..just Jez stroking my pussy on the sofa….*ahem*

In fact I’ve just realised, almost EVERYTHING that Jez is currently wearing (including Jez himself!) is from THE MENS DEPT’s past and present rounds….wow! 

Jez Wears: 

Necklace – ‘Kotowari  by MANDALA

Mesh Avatar ‘Anthony’ by SIGNATURE

Leather Bracelet by RONSEM (NOT from TMD)

‘Max Crystal’ Trainers by 2REAL

Waist shirts Jeans by 2BYTE

Sleeveless Hoodie (worn with hair) by BLANKLINE

 

Witchy Wednesdays: ISON @ THE ARCADE

Witchy Wednesdays: ISON @ THE ARCADE

We haven’t had a Witchy Wednesday for a short while, but this one is a cracker!

I’ve spoken about my love for ISON on these pages before, so I was delighted to read that they would be contributing to this round of THE ARCADE.  I wondered what fashionable delights they would have on offer and eagerly awaited a peek at their wares. Imagine my surprise then when I saw this astonishing decor as their contribution!

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There are nine pieces in this ‘Altar’ set with no rares to worry about, and as you can see it’s pretty fantastic. There’s lots of lovely detail to admire in these mesh pieces which are realistically aged in all the right places. I love the bottles of herbs for spells, the small cauldron-esque bowl with contents ripe for smudging and the pentacle with the horns really looks the part doesn’t it?  But it’s the altar table itself that has really bowled me over; it’s gorgeous, with a Triquetra carved into the front in an ornate style..don’t you just adore this entire set? WOW!

This is a great addition to your Second Life witchy home and of course you can add items to the table to fine tune it into your perfect altar environment. I really love this and  I haven’t seen any mesh altars out in world at all up until now, so it’s a pleasure to feature one on these pages, and at L$50 a pop the ISON gacha is one of the cheapest at the event.  (Plus because there are no rares you should find this an easy set to complete via the gift of yardsales) Oh the joy The Arcade brings!

Click HERE to try getting in to THE ARCADE or click HERE for a comprehensive Yardsale list, courtesy of Seraphim SL