Current progress of artwork

Here is a standing of all work I am in the midst of, for anyone who is interested. I will try to keep a post running of current, future, and past projects to be able to update customers, collectors, and other interested parties.

• Steam punk Cintiq Laptop Computer:
  I have been gathering research from various blogs, websites, and forums. I want to make this as inexpensive as possible, but as fun and "fantastic" as possible. I am not only researching the constructions of home made Cintiqs, but various styles and ideas in steam punk and "retro technologies". This is getting very fun and exciting as I go deeper and deeper, and I have only put one additional caveat to my rules. It has to fit into the backpack I purchased when I bought the computer to carry it around. I don't want this getting too out of hand with googly artsy stuff. The backpack is very nice, was very expensive, and protects it very nicely. Some of the sites I am getting research from, inspired from, and construction instructions from are as follows (so you can do something similar, should you desire):
  http://www.bongofish.co.uk/wacom/wacom_pt1.html
  http://www.kirupa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=239433
  More links (of steam punk etc.) to follow.
• Carousel Horses:
  I nearly have Spring completed, and have been drawing some ideas up for Summer, Winter, and Fall/Autumn. I am really excited about all of them, and will have them all (and yes, I mean ALL) of them posted early in the month of May. Then I have a new series planned with them, that will be most definitely very fun to do.
• ACEO Cards:
  I have several set up and ready to post, I just need to get them photographed / scanned (haven't decided which yet)
• Playing Cards Deck:
  Haven't started. Still gathering information on the basic design of them. I will do this shortly though - as soon as a couple other larger projects get completed.
• Drops of Jupiter by Train Painting:
  It's planned, sketched, and I am working on a rough to get the quirks all worked out. Then I will be painting 1 of the 3 copies of the piece. 1 will never leave my possession.
• OOAK Munny Doll:
  This is a gift for a good friend of mine. I have his gloves made, his boots planned (but not constructed yet, and have started on his chain mail (chainmaille). I am planning a helmet and a sword that I am making sketches of, and will construct as well. His belt is already made, and now I just have to figure out about his shirt, and paint the face. He's just about the cutest thing you ever saw!
• Jewelry Line:
  Yes, I have been saying this was coming forever, but it really is. I am getting some designs finished up, and have found a model willing to wear the jewelry to photograph it. I just have to finish them, and send it to the UK. Thanks Lanny! You're a absolute doll!
• "Mandalas":
  These are being made similar to the idea of Native American Indian sand paintings. True Sandpaintings were destroyed, not saved, and the ones that are sold as "authentic" Sandpaintings have some of the imagry altered to protect the very deep spiritual/religous significance, but they are sold to help preserve the practice of Sandpaintings as the modern world invades the centuries old culture of the Native American peoples. My Mandalas are made out of polymer clay, and designed to be significant to a person, an issue, or a wish. The colors are meaningful, and the designs are specialized. I don't take direct from the Native American People out of respect for their culture and their lively hood, but my little Mandalas are meant to be hung, or put somewhere (private or public) to give a focus of strength, health, wealth, happiness, what ever may be desired. These will be posted (and each posted as it is created), both on my website (http://www.magicweaver.com) which is under massive reconstruction, and here on my blog.
• Stock Photography:
  I am going to be breaking into the Stock Photography field. I will be selling stock photos on several websites (to be decided after researching some), and providing "free stock" on several locations as well (again decided after researching some). If you have any stocks that you would like photographed, please, let me know and I will see what I can do. I am always looking for new ideas. I will probably focus on plants, flowers, and animals since that is what I have an over abundance of around me, but please, any ideas, requests, thoughts will be welcome.
• My Website:
  Yes, I have been talking about this for quite some time, but I think I finally have it decided what I am going to do with my website. I will be spending quite a bit of time in the evenings working on it. I will announce it's Grand Re-opening when I am done. Until then you can easily reach me here, or via email at vegalightsmyway @ gmail.com.
• Coloring Books:
  I have several versions in the making, and will be publishing them via DVD (to be able to print as many of any page you want), or via print (1 copy per page). More details to come.
• Greeting Cards:
  I have several designs in the making, a few have been completed, but I am working on a full set before any are released.
• Pysanky:
  I have many eggs of many types (ranging from chicken to Ostrich) that I will post for sale. Even though the tradition is to leave them whole, because some people don't know how to care for a whole Pysanky egg, and I can't trust they will follow my instructions, and because of shipping issues, I sell drained eggs. Trust me, you don't want an egg exploding in the night. It is a foul smell, and they are very tempermental.
• Gourd/Egg Sculptures:
  This is kind of hard to explain, so just know, it is coming soon!
  

Thank you for your interest, your ideas, your inspiration, and your patronage. I do hope to continue to hear from everyone, and meet more people on this journey!

Creating a Steam Punk laptop computer / Cintiq / amazeamathingamajig

I have wanted to do this for a while, and creating some smaller pieces (hopefully getting photos soon) has really fired this idea back up again.

I am going to convert my old laptop that my ex husband broke the hinges on the monitor into a piece of art, and I am going to document my efforts here. First is the research, as I still use my laptop, and don't want to be without it for very long because it is my main means of communication with several groups and individuals.

OOOHH, I can feel my fingers tingle with the excitement.

First of all, what my computer is.

I have a Gateway laptop 120 GB AMD Turion 64 Wireless compatible, DVD/CD burner, 4 USB ports, the monitor works as long as it is rubber banded in place (always open) to a wooden frame that my dad built for me when Martin (&$!#@) so rudely broke it. It's a decent computer. Could use some upgrading of parts (would like a faster processor - quad core would be really nice as I am dual core now - with a better graphics card for my gaming - yes, I'm a female gamer - but what really is getting my panties in a twist is the idea of incorporating the Cintiq / tablet qualities into the monitor, so I can create my digital art ON my digital art! *wants to pass out at the mere possibility*. You have no idea how much that would turn me on!) The detailed specifics of what I have are:

Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Gateway Model MX6455
System is X86 Based PC with an X86 Family Model 36 Stepping 2 Authentic AMD ~1989 Mhz
CD ROM Drive is HL-DT-ST DVD-RW GWA-4082N
My display is ATI RADEON XPRESS 200M Series RAM 64 MB, Resolution 1280x800x60 herz
My Keyboard is a standard 101/102 key Microsoft natural ps2 keyboard wit 12 Function Keys (no number pad)(I want to replace this too. It's got keys that don't work, some missing (thanks to the never being able to close it and needing to travel with it, and some broken / not sensitive to touch).
My pointing device is a Synaptics PS/2 port toucpad wit 5 buttons (though I only use the up and down scroll bar and 2 buttons (one of which is.... dah dah DAHHHHH .... loosing paint)
My modem is a AC97 Soft Data Fax Modem with Smart CP
I have a Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller which has a *screeching gasp* broken door
I have 4 USB 2.0 Ports, an Eternet port, a regular phone port, a 5 in 1 memory stick reader, a firewire port, headphone, and microphone jack, and plug in for external monitor.

I will need to work around most of these ports, but might be able to move some when I open up the case and look inside. *rubs hands together in fervent anticipation*

It all works fairly well, and I would be satisfied to "improve" at a later date if finances wouldn't allow me to get what I want right away, but I am off for a few minutes to gather my wish list.