The Ebon Swan

Yep, I did it. I broke down and made a second shop on Etsy. Moved all
the cameos and supplies over, expanded the stock considerably, and I'm
eying up quite a bit more for the future.



I'm so excited! And...terrified. One shop has proven to be quite a bit
of work, and now two? I'm up for it, though. Heck, how else am I
supposed to keep my addiction to cameos in check except by sharing them
some more? I'm having a blast looking for them and being able to help
others find them.


… Continue

In the Pittsburgh/Western Pennsylvania area? Willing to travel anyway
if you're not? Looking for a show? Perhaps this fits the bill. :D

League of Separated Tribes is pleased to announce their first annual craft show! Details are as follows:

League of Separated Tribes 1st Annual Craft Show
Youngwood, Pennsylvania 15697

WHEN: April 5, 2008
WHERE: Youngwood Volunteer Fire Department
2 Chestnut Street
Youngwood, Pennsylvania 15697
TIME: 9 a.m. until 3… Continue

If you flip through any number of websites and stores, you'll find all sorts of things named as a cameo. What are they really? Here's some information that may help clear things up a little.

Strictly speaking, there are two different types of cameos. The most common are those that have been carved (or cast) in relief ( a raised image), and intaglios (that "g" is silent) that are carved in reverse, so that either the design is made on the under-side, and is observed from the smooth top,… Continue

I was one of those freakishly smart kids. Bless my mother for putting up with an only child with a high IQ and nobody to play with (we lived out in the country).

Fortunately I was one of those smart kids who was at least reasonably charming, because when the history bug bit me when I was about nine, people were willing to indulge me in my curiosity. I was on archaeological digs that were otherwise closed to the public. I had access (supervised) to the private holdings of a couple of di… Continue

Here's the thing...

I don't blog.

Or at least I never took it seriously. Sure, when the LiveJournal fad went through my circle of friends, I made one because it was expected. And when I did NaNoWriMo (nanowrimo.org), I had a separate blog for my friends to read what I felt like sharing with my writing. But that was it.

So here I am, knowing that blogging is an incredibly popular mode of communication and advertising...and I'm a writer, no less! And I'm stumped. Cluel… Continue