Accessories by Eolande

Eolande's Blog Has Moved

the new location is www.eolande.wordpress.com

OK a lot to catch up on here this week!

 First off I've been so inspired by ETD's Sophia hairstyle I made a full headdress for it in the theme of my Peacock design.  It has to be worn in two pieces because there's so many prims, but this also provides the option for you to wear just the main circlet by itself. 

I adore the ETD Jackie hair, and it was begging for a little mini headband to go with it.  I put one together that has little silver spikes, and did a jeweled one (color change jewels of course) in silver, gold and gunmetal.  The last one has two little sculpty flowers I made..... been trying to do sculpties but this is really a huge challenge for me as I'm completely illiterate in such technical and complicated software.  I'm taking some tutorials though and hopefull it won't be long before you see some quality offerings from me.

I also have created a simple Necklace and Earrings set out of the recently re-made Celtic Blossom design.  I had put out a jewelry set before out of the old celtic blossom design and later I thought it was too chunky, so it's much more delicate now.  And has a color change center stone of course :)

Since it's a new month I've replaced all the stuff in my lucky designs stuff.  The lucky chairs, prize pyramid, bid boxes and mobvend no longer have the specially colored peacock hair combs, now they have gold, silver and gunmetal celtic blossom bracelets that you can't buy!

Today I'll be hosting the first of my new monthly workshops in my main store.  It's a time that you can come and ask me any question you like (about accessories anyway) and my helpers and I will be on hand to help you with any fitting troubles you may have, and to help you find the perfect accessory to go with your favorite hairstyles.  It starts at 1pm SL time, and I've got a special edition hibiscus for you if you can make it.  ;)

Lastly in store news - I had invited AnneJoy Paine of aDiva designs to occupy the north room in my main store as I thought she was an up and coming designer.  I found out last night that she's a complete fraud and I'm completely disgusted.  Take a look at this.....  Naturally I immediately returned to her everything on my property and sent her a shame on you note.  I don't know clothing designs all that well since my main focus is hair and hair trinkets, and I'm so embarrassed that I fell for it.  It's a complete copy and paste job!!!!  I just want you all to know I would never ever endorse such an operation, and my heart goes out to Nicky Ree whose amazing work she was copying. 

The peacock hair comb has been so popular I decided to take the leap (again) into jewelry.  I say again because some months ago I made jewelry out of some of my hair accessories and while I've had no complaints about it I still didn't like it, just wasn't good enough.  With each new piece I put out my knowledge of prim torture has grown, and I have found myself ready to try again.  I'm sooooo much happier with the results! 

First thing I went for was a purse.  I don't see many in SL, and what an opportunity to add more style to your look!  The first version I made looked like a beautifully adorned DOORSTOP.  I put the peacock comb (sans comb) on the purse along with a strap and had a custom pose done up for it, but the purse itself was just one tapered prim and looked kinda frumpy dumpy.  I sent it over to my good friend Popfuzz Bamboo and she guided me down the path that lead me to this final product you'll see below.  We're both very pleased with the result!  I was so thrilled with it that I went to the extra work of creating a custom pallette of colors for the color change script.  There is a perfect match for each of the 14 Opaline gem colors, and some painstakingly chosen coordinating colors as well for a total of 33 bag color options.  Naturally the bag comes in three versions - silver, gold and gunmetal.

Now for the jewelry.  I moshed prims until my eyes crossed!  I've got a necklace, earrings, ring, bracelet, anklet and arm bands all in the peacock design motif with those 14 Opaline gem textures, and all available in gold, silver and gunmetal.  (Now you know why it took me so long to get all this done!  Whew!) 

For this month's gift of the month, I'm giving you all the anklet in gunmetal free!  It's in the purple gift box on the floor of the platform inhe entryway. 

I'm taking the peacock design a step further too with a hair adornment inspired by ETD's new Sophia hairstyle.  I tell  you my heart stopped when I saw this hair, just BEGGING to be embellished!!  I'll have that out as this thursday's release, as well as a couple more ETD hairstyle specific goodies.  Elika has been pumping out the styles lately and they are so inspiring!

I've seen some really lovely peacock wings and dresses and even fairy costumes around SL lately and I was inspired to make something of a similar shape and style.  I've gotten a lot of requests for more comb style accessories so clearly that was the direction to go!  I'm really pleased with the result, this Peacock Hair Comb available now for L$100.  It comes in three metals: black, silver and gold.  It's texture change (like everything of mine lately it seems) and I spent a lot of time in photoshop fussing over the gem textures.  The gems are several layers in photoshop - one of a swirly colorful pattern, one layer of a shade of pure color with a bit of transparency, and then a bevel and shine layer to give dimension.  The end result reminds me a bit of an opal, so I'm calling these gems "Opaline" and I will likely use them in future accessories.  It's the start of a new month as well so time to put some new goodies in the lucky chair, bidboxes, prize pyramid and mobvend.  I made a non-color change version of each of the three metals of the Peacock comb, and put a variety of colors of the Opaline stones.  Ordinarily you'd only be able to have one color at a time on the accessory.  These Limited Edition combs won't be for sale and will only be in the lucky designs machines for the month of September.

I also have been getting requests for accessories in black metal, so I'm adding that now as a standard option on all my new and remade pieces.  And, speaking of remade pieces - one of my original designs, the Celtic Blossom Hair Pin, got a makeover this week too.  (Yep, been working my butt off!)  Originally this pin was pretty much flat, kinda bulky, all the rings fully intersecting eachother.  I had it a solid texture, and the center stone was white diamond with no color/texture change options.  I've remade it entirely!  Now the rings are each turned slightly to give it more dimension and a smooth over/under look.  The texture is shaded slightly but maintains consistency throughout the piece.  Additionaly there are 14 crystal textures to choose from.  And, now it comes in three sizes - Large, Medium and Petite.  The large is L$50, it has wider rings and is similar in size to the original version.  The Medium and Petite are much thinner and smaller, and I've packaged them together for L$75. 

I've got soooo many projects in the works!  I'm getting a huge amount of requests for Geisha accessories, and also for Spanish Mantilla combs so those are in process.  And to give myself a bit of a break from the really intense detail work I put together some fun springy headbands for halloween, and have been flirting with Neko ears and tails.  We'll see what comes of those..... having fur texture issues.  :P

Congratulations to Cesta Bohemia whose survey was randomly drawn from my comment box to be this month's winner!  She won a $500 store card - that should get her a few things.  ;)  I got a ton of comments in the box this month and everything was very helpful - keep the feedback and suggestions coming!  The list of ideas I have of things to make is huge and I'm doing my best to get around to them all but never the less I never want to stop hearing from you. 

Club 33 is having a costume party this Sunday!  Join DJ Nanuk, DJ Tea and the Volcano Girls for dancing, fun and general craziness!  Make sure you come in your best costume - we will have a contest with a unique prize for the winners!  The party starts @ 7pm!

You guys know how I push surveys on you?  Your requests do not fall on deaf ears!  The number one most requested accessory that I don't have is ribbons.  I've not done anything with ribbons up until now for several reasons.  First one is that flexi hates me.  I *think* I have these somewhat decently flexified but they are modifyable so if you're the queen of flexi then have at it girlfriend!  (And then tell me what I'm doing wrong!)  Excuse number two is I only just recently FINALLY after weeks and weeks of begging and searching have I acquired a texture change script that can handle more than 12 colors.  Seriously, it was painful, but I now have it thanks to my good friend Hawkster Westmoreland.  This guy can script anything!  (Never get on his bad side..... he is the mastermind behind the erupting volcano on my island!)  Lastly I just don't do over the top cutsie stuff and I couldn't imagine how I could pull it off without it being sugary gushy sweet with cherries on top.  I'm rather pleased with the outcome - I'd even wear this accessory myself!  So today I'm releasing the first ribbon accessory which is a hair band which is prefitted to Calla's "Black Poplar" hairstyle.  It has 26 texture options, these are colors I use a lot in my products.  Again, modifyable so you can adjust it even *simultaneously* (highly recommended) with your Calla hair or mod it to fit another ponytail.  For you non-ribbon types I also put out a hair band that fits with the Black Poplar hair without the ribbons, also modifyable and 26 texture change options.  The free gift of the month will be coming this week as well (most likely friday) and it involves ribbons and is rather fun I think!  Also coming this week are barrettes with color change ribbons, and perhaps some floppy bows too if I can bring myself to it.  ;)

I found a new way to give away stuff!  From now on my new product releases will be on thursdays.  When I put out a new product I will hide five of them in little gift boxes around my store, and then make an announcement to the update group and update subscription only.  Whoever finds them first gets them, one per person (yes I'll be watching).  I will vary the time of day that I do this so every time zone has equal opportunity.  So, be watching for the group and subscription notices this thursday!

UPDATE:  The barrettes with ribbons have been released, as well as a little flopped over bow with ribbons.  All are modifyable and copiable, and have 26 color options.  The free gift of the month is out as well - a fun pair of ribbon bracelets!  You can get them in my main shop on the platform just below the updates subscription sign in one of my gift boxes.  I hope you guys enjoy them, they were sure fun to make.  Talk about ribbon fever - I'm not taking these bracelets off, like..... ever! 

We are planning a treasure hunt like no sim has ever seen before.  There will be mass hysteria of people trying to get in!  The Ohana Isle Marketplace is 90% full, only a few spots remain and they will likely be full soon.  Just about every vendor is contributing one or two (or in some cases, five) goodies to be placed in coconuts and tucked around the island for you to find.  Throughout the day Calla gift certificates will be hidden, including one for L$1000!  A never before released and never again to be released Hibiscus Hair Stick will also be hidden, the color texture "grapefruit".  DJ's Nanuk and Tea will be entertaining you with their favorite songs all day and taking requests.  The Haunted Mansion's doors are open and the spooks eagerly await your death.... I mean arrival.  Mt Wannahawkaloogie is showing us who's boss every hour on the hour, and every hour on the half hour a fireworks spectacle that you can't miss lights up the skies over club 33. 

In addition to all this madness, I have three new Limited Edition Hibiscus Hair sticks in my store.  You can only get them via mobvend, lucky chair, bidbox or prize pyramid.  The mobvend also has a store card for extra value.  The hibiscus LE colors are vanilla, deep purple, and goth. 

Speaking of lucky chairs - many many of the folks in the marketplace have lucky chairs in place stocked with their original creations, and freebies set out as well - better make some room in your inventory when you come visit! 

Don't forget to subscribe to my new groupless update list!  Simply click the sign in the store, and you'll get the Hibiscus hair stick "silvermist" and will receive notices and freebies just the same as before - without dedicating a group space to it. 

Without further ado, here's the mobvend picture which shows all three of the Limited Edition special lucky release Hibiscus.  Good luck!!

These are a first for my shop!  I was simply desperate for some color change sandals for myself so I decided to venture into the world of shoes.  A few pairs later, I have some that I feel are worth offering up for sale!  I made size 0 and size 10, and both are included in each box.  One pair I took the poppy from my chinese poppy hair pin and put it on by the toe, and had some fun with the straps too, those are the poppy sandals.  The other pair sorta remind me of hippie sandals and I call them my strappy sandals.  I have them in two series of texture changes.  Why two series?  Well, I have been going crazy trying to get someone to do a script for me that allows more than twelve texture change options that is operated by touch for menu, as opposed to saying "/1 sandal blue" or something like that in the chat bar.  It's too confusing remembering all those commands I think so I want as much as possible to offer menu options for my products.  Anyway, I couldn't just narrow it down to twelve textures, so I decided to make two sets of each, with different textures.  Series 1 is more basic colors, and Series 2 is textures that are a bit more obscure color combos.  My display in the main shop shows the color choices for both, and I actually have series 2 of both the poppy and the strappy sandal on a table that you can click and change the texture yourself.  I have them priced at $250 a pair, and you can find them in the beige room on the left side of my main shop.  Enjoy!

After much labor this week I got my new main shop built on my new island - Ohana Isle.  I'm sharing this island with a bunch of my RL Disney friends (we all met via VMK - Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom and have been joined at the hip since.)  So along side my dwelling you'll find a whole cornucopia of abodes from giant mickey heads to giant teapots to treehouses to haunted houses and even something that resembles a futuristic golf ball.  (Yep, we're an odd bunch.)  Also on the island is Mt Wannahawkaloogie, a currently dormant volcano but I'm sure some of my pixie dust and a lot of Hawkster Westmoreland's (our resident pyromaniac) scripts will bring it to life shortly.  ;)  Hoooo-weeee have we got some fun stuff planned! 

Right outside my shop you'll find the Ohana Isle Marketplace - with unique one-of-a-kind shops from many of the island's residents and soon some of your favorites as well.  It's still being finished off so pardon the rough edges as we polish them off.  As soon as it's done we'll have a grand opening celebration with lots of goodies.  I'll keep ya posted!