Dressing Up for the Occasion

Co-creation is a wonderful thing!

I may be a one-woman business but I do not work alone. The picture above was possible because of two very special people, who also happen to be designers, creators and Etsy shop owners. My brother Matt (of Arcane Armoury) and I welcomed our Etsy Team Leader into our homes this week. Georgina (of Nevermore Dolls) Captains the Etsy Team In here Life Is Beautiful. 

The Navigatrix hadn't been around long when I stumbled across this team. I liked the atmosphere and the wide range of shops that dared to be different, so I joined. I posted a fair bit and soon I received the invitation from the Captain to become a leader. I'm still learning as I go but when I come across something useful, I tend to share it for others' benefit. Feels good, you know? Of course, I invited my brother to join us, too. I've seen this team grow from less than 100 people to nearing 300 now.

Since I'm talking about 'IHLIB' (it's a long name to type!) it seems fitting to mention that it had its first anniversary on 20th January. To celebrate we asked team members to post a picture of one of their items that best reflected the team, in order to collect them together and have a 'Pinterest Party' (my phrase). We got some great entries that you can see here: Pinterest Party Board. 

So what happens when Etsians get together? We had ideas about what we wished to achieve in the time we had. Georgina is preparing to open her third Etsy shop (her first was Unusual Fascinators). If you'd like a sneak peek at her efforts, go and look at Atomic Girl Cosplay. I've seen what she has achieved so far and I can't wait for her shop to open! Matt, a trained modelmaker with over 15 years of experience, took 'Cap'n G' under his (X) wing and introduced her to mould making and casting and she took to it like a duck to water. In return, we both have ideas to help Arcane Armoury grow and evolve. One week just isn't enough! Matt and Georgina 'pulled an all-nighter' in order to things made to a certain degree of finished :)

The highlight for me were the photoshoots. Firstly, Georgina modelled some of my new creations and a few currently listed ones to enhance the photo selections. Here are some of the beautiful results:

Green Velvet and Brass Butterfly Choker

"Turquoise Fancy" Beaded Chain and Earrings set

...and then it was my turn!

Now, to be honest with you, I'm not the most girly girl. Make-up and even jewellery tend to be reserved for special occassions. I only own nail varnish, lipstick and mascara (though after this experience, that will change). I think this was the first time I'd ever had my hair in rollers, too!

Georgina had promised me a makeover. It's great when others can see potential where you cannot. I know that good photos are a large part of the recipe for success on Etsy and 

help to bring out the potential in your lovingly crafted items. I know also that good photos help with shop promotion and that people like to know who is behind the creations, so I happily agreed to get all dressed up in my Steampunk costume and let her use my face as a canvas. Here are some behind the scenes pictures of the photoshoot: 

Getting the skirt to hang just so.

Behave yourselves, curls!

Me and Cap'n G ;)

    

There's a good view of the new items from here!

We all had a great time and it was lovely to work together. Etsy has brought us together and helped us to inspire each other. See what you can find there today...

I do love reading your comments and look forward to connecting with you, even if just for a moment. Wishing you a Fantastic February,

Sally-Ann ♡

Celebrate Love!

Steampunk, Steamgoth, Neo-Victorian inspired Valentines Cards

The new range of OOAK* Valentines Cards

I'm still getting used to this online shop lark. For one thing, I'm used to getting myself in the mood for certain celebrations only a few weeks in advance. In stocking a shop however, it seems that you need to be months ahead! I can't quite see myself being ready for 'Christmas in July' (though I probably will promote any appropriate items around then). So although it's still January, allow me to be a little forward thinking in presenting these Valentines Cards: 

These were made possible thanks to a little co-creation. I found a wonderful graphic designer on Etsy who states that she is happy for her designs to be used in the creation of items to be sold on Etsy: Vectoria Designs

Each card is a *One Of A Kind creation. I printed the graphics on bronze card, both sides and have also decorated the interior of each. Rivets and brass clock hands, a brass butterfly and lace make these cards as special as the intended recipient is to you!

Each card comes with a printed envelope, slightly modified from Vectoria Designs' original.

The thing I love about upcycling - yes, the lace and brass decorations are re-used - is that every creation comes out differently.

If somebody came along and wished to mass produce one of my designs and would do so ethically and ecologically, I would probably say yes (I am intending to create a really successful business here and I've only so many hours to do it in!) However, one thing I love about my little Etsy shop is the creativity that working with various, limited materials inspires. I do like to find a theme and express it in various ways, so when I found these beautiful, grungy, neo-Victorian downloadable designs, ideas came rushing forth!

There is another reason to celebrate February 14th... The Navigatrix will be One! I'll be doing something special to celebrate....watch this space!

January has been a great start to the year. The Navigatrix has made more sales than usual and has been featured on not one, but two blogs! Take a look (explore their other posts and Follow them if you like what you see): Megans Beaded Designs and Tinytipis Blogspot. Thanks to the authors of both for a warm welcome!

Etsy Treasury 'I'm in Love with a Steampunk Pirate'

Bear with me, I'm still working out how to add things to blogs, so here's a screenshot of my latest Treasury (if you know of a better way, please leave a comment). Here's the LINK.  Romance, adventure, swash with a touch of buckle... enjoy!

Thanks for reading! Do share this with anyone who might appreciate it. Leave comments, too - I love to know what people think. Suggestions, constructive criticisms, links to relevant material and generally positive feedback are all greatly appreciated! 

Seasons Greetings!

Wishing all my customers, followers, Likers, team mates, fellow Etsians and supporters across the world a Wonderful Mid-Winter (Mid-Summer!) Holiday }:o

Sally-Ann ♡
P.S. You are hereby cordially invited to visit my shop between 26th - 31st December for a nice surprise! 

SALE! Just in time for Santa :)

Every item is giftwrapped!

FREE GLOBAL POSTAGE until midnight GMT on 22nd November with the coupon code EARLYBIRD1 

Postage will be the cheapest option I can use to get your parcel to you before Christmas.

More good news: from 23rd - 26th November, the free postage continues for all SALE items. Use the search terms 'black friday etsy' and 'cyber monday etsy' for Etsy-wide, on sale gift ideas!

Even more good news! If you visit The Navigatrix on Facebook and go to Etsy through the My Etsy Shop portal, you automatically get 5% off your order. 

Do please share this blog and anything nice you have to say about The Navigatrix. Every sale makes a much appreciated difference. Most of my materials are bought from local charity shops and the more you buy from me, the more I buy from them.

Do pop by soon...remember, everything I make is a one of a kind, each item patiently awaiting its perfect owner :)

Wishing you pleasant, relaxed, seasonal preparations,

Sally-Ann

Treasury Challenge

Etsy is more than just a shopping destination, it is also a community. Likeminded artists, vintage collectors and enthusiasts of many different genres gather in teams for mutual promotion, advice, support, inspiration and fun! I myself am a member of several teams but there is one in particular that I'm fond of. Probably because, of the five woman leadership team, I am one!

Recently, one of the leaders came up with a brilliant idea: to make treasuries based on one team member's shop, using items from 16 different Etsy shops. The chosen team member's shop is picked at random each time and placed in the top left hand corner. Here's my contribution:

To visit the actual Treasury where you can explore each of these items and shops in depth and Favourite ♡ them, visit Guardian of Dreams. From there, you can also explore other treasuries that I have curated. 

If you would like to visit our team, pop by In Here Life Is Beautiful and see what we're currently talking about.

In other news, I've recently begun using Instagram and having fun, both with pictures related to The Navigatrix and others. My username there is 'thenavigatrix'. Genuine followers are more than welcome; likewise, if you're on there, show me your pics! I follow those that really interest me.

Remember, you can also look up 'thenavigatrix' on Facebook, Pinterest and Wanelo. This being the first Winter Holiday season that my shop has been around, I'm doing as much as I can to promote it and I sincerely appreciate any and all help in this regard!

Remember, FREE SHIPPING until 22nd November!

Be well,

Sally-Ann 

Free Postage Offer!

For all you earlybird Christmas shoppers, a limited offer:

FREE standard postage, worldwide, on anything in my shop until 22nd November!!! Visit www.etsy.com/shop/TheNavigatrix and use the coupon code written there at checkout. Share as much as you like! 

I am currently working on a few more Victorian inspired Christmas decorations and can now also offer you Gift Vouchers (For other amounts over £10, feel free to enquire!) In other news, I have added a policy to allow models and photographers to borrow items. I have set a limit on the number of times an individual piece can be borrowed so that it will still reach you in 'as new' condition (if you can say that about items made from upcycled goods! If something has been lent out, there will be a note at the bottom of the item description.

Luxury Beaded Christmas Bauble...more colour variations being added this month!

Gift Vouchers now available in £10, £15, £25 and £50.

Visit The Navigatrix on Facebook to catch up with my latest news and offers!

I've been enjoying my mornings and evenings by reading Gail Carriger's The Parasol Protectorate series, five novels about a strong female lead character, Vampires, Werewolves and Tea, with a healthy dash of Steampunkery! Written as though Jane Austen and Joss Whedon had become entangled at an aetheric level, these books are wonderfully verbose and full of witty humour. They are now available as a boxed set. 

The Navigatrix looks forward to seeing you on Etsy, Facebook, Twitter (@Reikiblossom) or on Pinterest! I love comments and feedback, so talk to me, folks! All the best, Sally-Ann  

Featured Etsy Shop: Arcane Armoury

There are so many wonderful Etsy shops out there! I've decided to  feature some of them that are, in some way, relevant to The Navigatrix. So, every month or so, there will be a new designer/creator/collector/artist to meet...but I knew who I was going to feature first:

Matt of Arcane Armoury at the Victorian Steampunk Society's 'Weekend at the Asylum event in Lincoln, September 2012 

I'd like to introduce you to my younger brother Matt. He's the reason that I have a shop in the first place, encouraging me to take my little Steampunk hairclip idea and build on it. 

Having grown up playing Lego, building Airfix kits, painting fantasy miniatures and building replica film props (from the cardboard Ghostbusters' Proton Pack to a wood, plastic and metal version of a 'pulse rifle' from Aliens), it's no wonder that Matt became a modelmaker.

At the age of 14, he did some work experience at Jim Henson's Creature Workshop, back when they had a branch in London. For his A-Level in Design Technology, he made a fully animatronic Troll head, affectionately known as Cornelius.

Matt now has 16 years of modelmaking experience under his belt and has worked in various areas of the craft. He's been an in- house architectural modelmaker, done exhibition design and has also done some film work: 'Daylight Robbery', 'Kangaroo Jack' and Five Seconds to Spare'. 

Now he concentrates on his own business which he began in February 2012, with occasional modelmaking excursions to the capital. I spent a couple of hours at his workshop recently (not that I've far to go!) and caught up with what he has been producing lately. With kind permission, I can tell you - and show  you - that he is working on a microphone stand, commissioned by a new band called Alice's Night Circus. 

So, over to Matt:

1. How did your shop get its name and what was the main inspiration behind opening your shop?

"I wanted something for the name that implied a history and Magic about what's found there. I'd spent many years as a professional model maker working to the designs of others; opening the shop gave me a chance to persue my own interests and designs.

 

2. What do you create and do you have a signature product? If so how did it come to be?

I'll make pretty much anything ! I built a prop for the lovely Kato of Steampunk Couture recently , and I'm currently working away on a prop for a band , but I've made a desk light and I have plans for a steam clock.

I guess my signature pieces are the weapons , they have a continuity of design style ...I think in time people will come to recongise one of my pieces from the CNC [C] details , and crisp engineering style I hope I convey. I guess they arose from the fact that while there are many builders of Steampunk weapons, I find many far too over complex and busy. I wanted to make pieces that could look like they dropped through a warp hole and had been made by some distant artisan in a functional but decorative way.

3. Where do you find your inspiration and what makes you different from the other people that make what you make?

My inspiration comes from real world items like the original Babbage Calculation Engine,and I guess I like that very functional but ornate look they gave to components back then. I guess what sets me apart from alot of Steampunk  Weapon makers is my use of the real materials brass,copper,wood and steel. Many steampunk guns are painted Nerf guns and they look good if you're on a budget , but there are lots and lots of gold painted Mavericks about because they are easy to do. I do the odd Nerf mod[ification] but try to add real customisation to them when I do .

 

 I want my pieces to be considered display items as well as convention props. You get no chipping of gold paint if you're using brass, and the weight of each piece is solid and satisfying .

Another Steampunk Weapon prop in progress.

4. What do you enjoy most about your craft?

I guess one of the things I enjoy the most about what I do is that moment the piece comes together , little elements work nicely as you build them  and then you see the piece as a whole item and think "yeah that will find a home somewhere". It's very important to feel the design "click" aesthetically. Whilst my style may not suit everyone's taste, it's my vision of how steampunk would be ...and that's the great thing about the steampunk genre, it can be whatever you want,  all things are possible and it's great to see them all mingle at conventions. 

 

5. What is your best advice to newbie Etsians just opening their shops?

My advice to new Etsians is simple: get a good range of stock in and make things to suit all price brackets. I have badges at  £1.25 and Rifles at £350.00 and guitars at  £795.00. Keep the range broad, I think variety is key.

6. What are your top 3 favorite shops on Etsy and what do you like about them?

Favorite 3 Etsy shops is difficult... there  are so many run by such wonderful people. I have a soft spot for The Navigatrix because it's run by my sister and we both opened at around the same time. I'd have to say  Steampunk Couture as I love Kato's style and she has become a good friend recently and I love the sculptures of  Kreatworks.

7. Where else (other than Etsy) can you be found online?

I have a domain for arcanearmoury.com and .co.uk but as yet the websites have not been built, so Etsy is the place to find me or you can follow me an my Arcane Armoury facebook page . I often post shots of current projects in progress.

ArcaneArmoury on Facebook

ArcaneArmoury on Etsy

8. Do you have any coupon codes / special sales / upcoming or current promotional events going on in your shop?

As yet I haven't produced any coupon codes, though I'm considering doing a  give away when I reach 300 likes on my facebook page, maybe a gun ring or a custom engraved plaque. Look out for the latest in a range of steampunk pistols I'm hoping to get on Etsy before Christmas.

Thanks, dude! 

If you've enjoyed this visit to the Arcane Armoury, do share this blog post with anyone who might appreciate it. 

Matt is also a member of the Etsy team In Here Life Is Beautiful, a group of keen, imaginative creators and sellers of vintage treasures.

Matt is always happy to discuss commissions. It doesn't have to be steampunk or sci-fi. 

If you know of any UK Steampunk events that welcome traders, do get in touch. We both had fun at 'Asylum' in Lincoln - our first trade stall and our first Steampunk event (though we are both seasoned Live Roleplayers). Thanks for reading ♡

Me and my 'buv' :)