In Metal Arts class, we had an assignment to use bezels in a wearable (prof doesn't like the word "jewelry" since it scares away the boys), with thought to how the piece could be displayed off the body.  He passed around some sample bezels, one of which was a giant taxidermy eye.  I had my idea!


(Larger image here: http://spacekitten.deviantart.com/art/Chakra-Headdress-84623346)

For the bezels, I used clear, flat-backed taxidermy eyes, and painted them.  The one pictured on the top is the chakra for the third eye (but it's set-in sideways!  I didn't realise this until it was too late)  The second one is designed after a Native American God's Eye, and the third is just some clouds.  They're interchangable, but for now you have to open the jump ring to change them.  I'm going to add a 'clasp' of sorts to eliminate the need for tools.  I made some feathers to hang from the back chains, so that when not on the body, it can be strung onto a hoop and hung up like a dream catcher (but I haven't found a hoop of appropriate size yet).

The chainmaille part is pretty simple: Half Persian 3-1 strands connected at the top by some Euro 4-1 in the round, and a strip of Euro 4-1 around the head.  The yellow-y chain in the back was purchased craft store chain, since I was running out of time and killing my hands with weaving!

All the metal is copper, except the detail pieces on the feathers (nickel silver) and the yellow chain (cheap mystery metal).  I'm thinking of sneeking one of the feathers off and wearing it on a necklace, since they came out so pretty.

I am SO going to miss the Metals Shop next semester!

I made some black beans and rice the other week that was pretty good.  All I did was saute some onion and garlic in oil, added a (drained and rinsed) can of black beans and a can of pre-seasoned diced tomatoes, cooked for about 10-15 minutes (on medium-lowish, just to warm it up and let the flavors meld), and ate it ontop of white rice.  Serves 1 hungry college student with leftovers for lunch ^_^

The only meat I really eat is the stuff my boyfriend kills himself. It's natrual, non hormonal, non antibiotic, and as free range as free range can get I suppose. (it might sound a tad barbaric, but hunting for food is just...natural to me. I mean, whats more barbaric, killing a deer for food or farming thousands to just pick off. I think the cow thing sounds more cruel.)

I agree on that sentiment.  My bf's family hunts deer, and I personally wouldn't have a problem with eating it's meat.  I see it as a humane thing: Farm-raised livestock is pumped with hormones, kept in small cages, and doesn't get to see much sunlight.  The hunted deer got a completely normal, natural life and was killed in a quick, humane way.  I still get issues just 'cause it's deer and I keep thinking about Bambi ^^;;

I think a "Hi My Name is: Lucy" tag on your shirt would be litteral and funny ^_^

"Being Vegetarian for Dummies" (silly, I know) has several chapters on nutrition during pregnancy, infancy, childhood, teenage-hood, and old age in terms of veg*nism.  It quickly breaks down what vitamins/minerals/other nutrients are needed and in what quantities.

I have heard rumors about how babies shouldn't eat soy products?  No clue on the validity of that...

That I wasn't allowed to ever make a mistake otherwise my omni friends would tell me that I wasn't really a vegan. 

I actually had one of my 'friends' tell me the other day that if I was in a situation where I chose to eat an animal product instead of starve to death, that I wasn't actually that serious about my beliefs. 

On the flip side, I wish someone would have told me how easy it is to become vegan.  The hardest part is dealing with comments you may receive from omni's.

Yeah I don't get that line of logic.  If I was in a situation where it was eat meat or starve, self-preservation will outweigh personal beliefs.  It's not like a religion where going against it will stay with you forever; it's a choice to not eat meat when there is an alternative that makes me happier.  No alternative = no choice.

4) The whole soy-product thing.  Lucky for me, I have an uncle who considers himself an expert on "meat substitute" products.  He pointed out to me all the brands that taste yummy without trying to be meat.  I swear, if real burgers tasted like Gardenburgers, I would have had a MUCH harder time switching!

clue me in! I have yet to explore anything outside of tofu and tempeh.

Well, the Vyes brand is a favorite of mine.  Their veggie dog, "The Good Dog", is the best tofu dog you can get, according to my uncle.  Also, Gardenburger makes the best veggie burgers, since they don't try to make them burger-like.  You can see all the mushrooms and rice and carrot bits (and cheese, if you eat it)!  You just have to be carefulwhen cooking them; they go from yummy to hockey puck pretty fast...

1) I wish someone had told me to LEARN HOW TO COOK ZOMG.  Makes life a million times easier when you can cook things, for you and your family.  I cook pastas and pizza and tempura and soups and all other kinds of goodies with my family, and its way better than spaghetti every night.

2) Accept that some people just won't get it, and its better to leave the situation than to beat them over the head with a carrot until they develop orange spots 

3) Its okay to let other people know about your eating habbits, especially before visiting for a meal of some sort.  You aren't picky or an annoyance if you politely say, "Oh, you're cooking ham?  That's cool, mind if I bring a tofurkey?"

4) The whole soy-product thing.  Lucky for me, I have an uncle who considers himself an expert on "meat substitute" products.  He pointed out to me all the brands that taste yummy without trying to be meat.  I swear, if real burgers tasted like Gardenburgers, I would have had a MUCH harder time switching!

I buy tempura mix in a box. It might seem expensive, like $4 USD for a box, but the batter that 1 box makes will last a good long while.

Sweet potatoes are my fav too, but you can also tempura carrots, aspagus, mushrooms, daikon, anything!

Hmm, wouldn't fish sauce make it not a vegetarian dish?

I think that would depend on the type of vegetarian.  As a pescaterian, I'd be okay with it, but I don't like fish sauce, so I'd probably use soy sauce or salt.

Also, if you have a good international section of your grocery store, you can buy 'blocks' of curry mix in the asian section.  The directions say that you just add it to veggies and meat (tofu? chickpeas?) simmering in water/broth, to make a stew-like curry.  Haven't tried it yet, but I hear its tasty!