Gwen Carillon

Viva La Revolution!

2012-01-16T17:25:00.000-05:00

Revolution! It's a black latex formal...It's a cat suit...It's a mini...It's here! Who says formal can't be latex? For all of you daring souls, I've created a Revolution in formal wear. Its sleek, shiny lines and peek-a -boo cut outs pour over your curves and then surround you in flowing, living silk. It's edgy. It's soft. Sexy doesn't even begin to cover it. (Well- um- cover might be the wrong word. *grins*) This dress is over the top daring!

If that isn't enough, the gown has 3 skirt options (Full,Bottom & Both), the gown base is a cat suit and there's a separate micro-mini dress,gloves and a bodice ring. I've included two versions of the full skirt; One for petite ladies and one for the statuesque.

Available at GCD's main store and on the marketplace

Pair it like I did, with my newest Nova Earrings.
See the style card in the dress package for more ideas.

Gwen Carillon Designs....we don't follow trends, we set them.

Viva La Revolution!

Aria....The Collection

2011-12-02T01:06:00.001-05:00

Introducing Aria. A richly appointed graceful collection with hand painted textures in deep luscious colors to add sparkle and elegance to your holiday plans. Whether you are attending a gallery event, a holiday gala, a club or spending a quiet evening with Mr. Hot...GCD has you covered. (Or uncovered...depending on what you choose! lol)...Wouldn't it be lovely to dance the evening away a midst alluring ambiance, a soft rustle of tulle and a secret... knowing that you are wearing sultry lingerie for later?

And the jewelry....? The Aria Necklace and Earrings ....golden leaves and shimmering copper blossoms strung with painted cloisonne. The perfect adornment.

This collection features:

Brocade Bustier
Lace and Brocade Panties & Satin Garters
Black Silk Stockings with Floral Accents
Brocade Mini Dress
Mid Length Black Tulle and Brocade Dress
Full Length Black Tulle and Brocade Gown
Satin Gloves with Sculpted Cuffs
Exclusive Aria Necklace and Earrings

GCD - For the discerning....it's all in the details.

Licorice

2011-11-20T00:37:00.001-05:00

Licorice is a glossy,yummy,ssssslippery ssssslide of latex overalls, with an almost sheer bandeau top and silver clasp and shorty fingerless latex and fishnet gloves. So form fitting it looks poured on. ...And maybe it was. ;)

WARNING: Licorice is not for the meek. Don't ask where you should wear it....Just wear it and strut!. Fire Extinguisher not included.

Available at Gwen Carillon Designs on Elements in Design and on the Second Life Marketplace

Special thanks to Ravie for naming this one!

Pictured in Licorice Photo:
Hair : Lelutka "Jolie"
Boots: Bax Coen Designs "Black Leather Ankle Boot"
Hat : GCD Cowboy / girl Hat "Charcoal"
Tattoo: GCD Red red Divine, & Cheek Cleavage with Rose Tattoo

Bite Me!

2011-11-12T01:44:00.003-05:00

No...I'm not trying to insult you. Bite Me! is a mini dress with attitude. This is not a dolly dress meant to smile and cute its way through a night. This dress struts. If you want bland...if you want cute...if you want safe...look elsewhere. Bite Me! is anything but safe....And when you wear it....nothing and no one in your path is safe either!

Available at Gwen Carillon Designs on Elements in Design and on the Second Life Marketplace.

Cat

2011-11-12T01:29:00.003-05:00

Cat....A juicy, sleek addition to your wardrobe. Its liquid lines hug and enhance your curves in the most decadent ways. Yes,it's a Cat Suit...but it isn't just a cat suit. It's a seduction, with you as its catalyst.

Available at Gwen Carillon Designs Main Store and on the Second Life Marketplace.

Pumpkin Ssssspicce

2011-11-12T01:16:00.005-05:00

I decided to design lingerie that echoed how I felt about autumn. It had to include the warmth of a hearth-side on a brisk evening and the spice of a cup of slowly mulled wine....That delicious feeling as that warmth spreads to tingling nerve endings. And so I created Pumpkin Spice. Fall never tasted so good.

At GCD...we specialize in heavy breathing.

Available at Gwen Carillon Designs and on the Second Life Marketplace

Includes:
Bra and Panties in All Layers
Lace Stockings with Sculpted Bows
Black Satin Panty Bows (they are modifiable...don't leave the bows buried in your hips, ladies!)
Soft Black Feather Boa
Black Pearl Bra Accent

Hi, my name is Gwen Carillon and I'm happy. ducks and hides

2011-07-14T21:21:00.001-04:00

It's ok to be happy. It really is. No angry god will smote you from above, because you feel especially good. The universe will not target you for having too much fun. There is no reason for guilt. That's the main thrust of this post. It isn't wrong to be happy....damn it!

We feel safe when we are miserable. Don't we? After all, we can't be pointed at and punished for being sad. Happy, on the other hand, is not so acceptable. People don't know what to do with "happy". There's no commiseration...no consolation. They may even be reminded that they aren't feeling great at that moment. (Leave her alone...the poor thing had a bad day. Oh....She's happy? Well then, have at it!) We can actually feel guilty for feeling really good. It's as if we're convinced that we don't deserve happiness. We may even fear things going terribly wrong if our lives are too good. (Jinx!) Of course we deserve to be happy! This guilt thing we all snack on and feed to others, is just plain stupid! What's the bottom line? Things play out in our lives. Sometimes it works out really well and sometimes things get majorly borked. All the more reason to appreciate and enjoy happiness when we feel it. Revel in life's joys and the happiness of others. Waste not, want not.

Just some thoughts to crunch on. ;)

Wild Heart

2011-05-03T23:11:00.001-04:00

Introducing the Wild Heart Collection! Jewelry that's as versatile as you are! It's very boho, very chic and very smexy!

More choices, more options...just MORE! LOL

There are times we struggle to get the right look with accessories. Let's say you are in a soft flowing skirt and tank, and you want to wear jewelry to complete the look. You hunt through your inventory only to find either shiny, fancy jewelry that's too busy with the outfit or....you find great casual jewelry that misses the mark on length for your neckline! LOL Been there. That's why I created Wild Heart. The Wild Heart Collection is casual. dressy, long, short, simple, complex and completely sexy and fun! Go a lot wild... ;)

Collection Includes:

4 necklace versions
2beaded bracelets
2beaded anklets
1belly ring
beaded hoop earrings

Vest:: GCD G Jeans Messy paint set sold separately.
Skirt: GCD Urban Gypsy
Hair: Truth "Pia"
This set is sold as transfer only. I have included simple and deletable re-sizing scripts and instructions to get the perfect fit.

It was an Itsy Bitsy ...

2011-04-13T00:52:00.000-04:00

..Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini....and it still is. I hit the surf with this one in Second Life. Unlike my experiences with "rl"waves and swimsuits, in Second Life, my kini stayed on! lol I added little colorful beads in the top string, 'cause it was fun.

Marrakesh Red

2011-04-02T16:51:00.002-04:00

Feral, Spicy and Seductive... Marrakesh Red. Go a little wild. Dance to the drumming of racing hearts.
Marrakesh Red ..a state of mind.

Marrakesh Red is available today at Gwen Carillon Designs on Elements in Design and on the Second Life Marketplace

Includes:
Bikini top and bottom in all layers (including tattoo layer!)
Shell Choker
Shell Head Circlet
Shell Belt

Marrakesh Blue

2011-03-30T13:00:00.005-04:00

Available at Gwen Carillon Designs and on Second Life Marketplace today!

Slip into the thinnest weave of cotton, batik...just enough to entice. Add a bit of exotic shells around a slender throat. Stroll along the sand at the water's edge. The cool ocean breeze lifts silken tresses and sends chills across sun warmed skin.The woven fastenings ride lush, sun bronzed curves with each step.

Marrakesh Blue is a spicy and exotic state of mind. Go where it takes you. Succumb to the moment. ...I know what you did last summer....;)

I had so much fun making this kini! I was listening to tribal music and practically dancing my way through the layers in Photoshop! I even made a surfboard for the shoot! *laughs*Marrakesh Blue Bikini includes ALL layers (including tattoo layers), and the Marrakesh Shell Choker. Soon to be released...Marrakesh Red!

Note: The hair pictured in poster is from "Sweet Hairs".

**Soon to be released...Marrakesh Red!

Between Me and My Jeans

2011-03-27T07:42:00.011-04:00

There are a gazillion pairs of jeans out there. Why would I design new jeans? Because I wanted everything that my imagination told me a pair of jeans could be: Individuality, flattering lines, sexy cut, edgy...and comfy.

So I took up the denim challenge. (And it was! *laughs*) Creating jeans is not for the faint hearted. You see, using templates is not for me. I create from scratch. Call it stubborn, photoshop pride. I would make jeans without anything but my photoshop application and my imagination. Even the writing on my jeans is in my own hand.

What I received for my efforts was the deep satisfaction of knowing I created what my imagination told me could be and a line of jeans any derrière can be proud of!

Many thanks to my friends who tried on countless versions!( Maia, Solange, Raven, Skills, Jewell) In truth, there were 76 versions, before we could all agree to be happy with the results. Solange and Maia were merciless! Maia: "The shading isn't right on my butt" Solange: "It's too blurry. Work on fabric. More detail" Skills: "These are still rough version, right? Looks good for a start...less contrast in shading" etc. *laughs*In fact my friend Minerva suggested I call them "76 Jeans". I wanted to scream,I wanted to quit a dozen times, but I am so glad I didn't! I paired my new jeans with my new tank, my alchemy necklace, and a black crocheted vest with enamel buttons that I whipped up on a whim.

Introducing G Jeans. Lots of flavors....always edgy, sexy....you.

G Jeans Ultra Fade

Pictured in Ultra Fade Photo : W&Y Hair, AOHARU Jacket, Coco Engineer Boots, GCD Alchemy Necklace and Patterns Bangle, GCD Wings Tat with Cheek Cleavage.

Faith, Hope... or Idiocy?

2010-10-07T17:29:00.005-04:00

Dreamers - Gwen Carillon

Being in love with another person seems to be an act of faith that borders on arrogance.What right do we have to have faith that another person will return our love. What sense is there in hoping for something that may or may not happen, regardless of whether or not we deserve it and regardless of whether or not it makes sense. When is hope empty? When is it just a silly dream that deludes rather than strengthens? When is it destructive? I have no answers. I can barely verbalize the questions. Is love a singularity meant to keep its own counsel and its own rules? Are there rules in love and in the loving of another person? If there are, why don't we know them? What if we don't hope? What if we shelve hope and faith as impractical and embrace what we see as reason instead? What then? Does that make us healthier for our stoicism? Does some nameless God of love pat us on our backs for showing good sense? Ultimately, we reward and punish ourselves. We stand, sit and dream on our own opinions of the traits ...the principles we think we should embody. We can love, as long as we don't assume others feel as we do. So...has love been a solo act all along? I'm not saying it is. I'm merely asking the question. I don't expect an answer...Sometimes the asking is enough.

...And no. Just in case anyone thinks this is specific to a person...it isn't. It's about me ...it's MY blog! Words, like images and sculpture, are art. They don't need a reason.. They simply are.*Laughs*

Wings

2010-07-04T03:37:00.001-04:00

Did I say I wasn't brave? Guess what? I've discovered something really important. It takes bravery to walk forward. It takes courage to live and accept mistakes. I screw up sometimes. We all do. But if we can accept that and move forward, I think that counts as bravery. Sometimes we move forward alone...and sometimes we get pulled along by friends. I won't waste time regretting the decisions I've made. That's done and gone. Placing energy on things that are unalterable is just plain stupid. I'm not going to spend my life trying to fix something that wants to stay broken. I'm grateful for the lesson (not really- *laughs*) and hopefully I've passed the pop quiz and won't have to retake this particular class. This Jersey Girl has wings and she's not afraid to use them!

Strength

2010-07-02T15:33:00.001-04:00

Bless me Google TM, for I have sinned. It's been eight months since my last post.

Quite a bit can occur in eight months. Sit back. I'll pour the margaritas and we can chat. It's funny how we can be so brave one moment and so cowardly the next. Ummm... maybe "cowardly" is too strong of a word? How about chicken****? No? Ok... let's go with "not quite as brave". Ask me to stand up to a situation for a friend and I won't hesitate. Ask me to state my opinion on the changes that continue to play out on the Second Life grid...oh, I won't shut up! But...ask me to tell a person how I feel about them and fight for love? ...Uh ...Is it raining outside? I thought I heard something. I'm the kind that walks away. I'm "reasonable". I'm the kind that doesn't want to be around if I think I'm not welcome. I had a couple of braver moments this year, but they fizzled. *laughs* I'm telling you this, because I used to be braver. I have danced in the flames and survived. What has happened to me to change that? I don't know. Maybe there are degrees to this sort of risk. Maybe the cost seemed so high that I choked. I don't know. What I do know is that I walked away from something I wanted with all my heart, because of fear. I told myself that it was better to be reasonable and let it go. I told myself that I shouldn't try. That I had no chance of success. Ok...maybe I didn't, but damn it...I should have tried. Instead, I have spent the past eight months working and trying to pretend I'm fine. When a friend almost broke up with her partner because of a *trust-pride-rejection* issue, I couldn't let her make the same mistake I did. I asked her to fight for love. They are together and happy. I couldn't fix my own life, but I'm glad my mistakes helped them. As for me? I will try not to make this same mistake again. I'll look for other mistakes I haven't tried yet.

There is one thing I have learned from all of this. We all have wings. We just forget we have them. Be brave. True strength comes from faith in yourself. Nothing and no one can take that away from you.

Inertia

Her tears did not fall

as she plunged from the cliff

of her own resolve

A fleeting glimpse of sanity

as she bounced off the jagged rocks

of inevitability

She did not fear final impact

but the endless descent.

Inertia

She plummeted

A smudge on

the back drop of despair

scraped raw

by the sharp shards

of promises forgotten

of wishes broken

Her faith bled

out of her

a trail of defeat

against the rough stone of

Censure.

She grasped - reached

For a truth

that could hold her

She felt the rush of air

sting her skin, her limbs...

Her wings?

Unfurled like spring

buoyed by choice

She soared out

Beyond the rocks of doubt

She climbed

And she knew

Nothing was

Inevitable.

GC 11-2009

Still Dancing

2009-11-02T21:27:00.001-05:00

Photos used, courtesy of Carabella Babii

A while ago I posted a blog piece about my sculpture Fire Dance. Funny how you can forget your own words. I reread that post and reminded myself of some things I learned. Dancing in flames is always a risk. I know this and dance anyway. I dance for myself. I dance to dispel fear. I dance to embrace life. I dance in blind faith. Faith, that love is real and is the only thing worth the dance. When happily ever after is just dust in the crease of the book binding, faith makes me turn the page and keep dancing. Am I an idiot to think that the dance itself is worth the risk of crash and burn? Maybe...(laughs) but I'm an optimist. I always turn the page. Ultimately, I do this for me. I have let fear rule me in the past. I will never do so again. Am I still scared? Of course I am. Sometimes I'm so scared I freeze. Then I remember that I am more than my failures, more than my mistakes and more than my fears. I guess it comes down to this: Live or let fear swallow me in an endless loop of doubt and regret. So...I dance. I play my music, dance and celebrate being alive. If I crash and burn, I think of the phoenix and I remember I will get up and dance again and again and again.....

I close my eyes

And see yours

I can reach out

Touch your cheek

In a moment

We never shared

But always had.

Once Upon a Time

2009-10-22T16:52:00.000-04:00

Once upon a time, I believed in "once upon a time". Now, I know better. Perhaps that's a good thing. I don't know. I will say that the hardest thing to give up on in life is the notion of*happily ever after*. We may get that part of the time, but there are no guarantees like that in life. At this point you may be saying "Damn, Gwen sounds bleak!" Just because I don't believe in guarantees, doesn't mean I give up. You see, I believe that we make our own luck. We bring good things into our lives by expecting, appreciating and nurturing them. Even if we don't get a fairytale life, we can still enjoy the good bits and be grateful for the superb moments of true magic. Happiness isn't an outside force that comes into your life. Happiness is a state of mind. We choose it. Happiness comes from within. Expecting others to make us happy will only cause disappointment, not to mention that it's unfair to place that kind of responsibility on another person. Instead, I am learning to live with an open hand. I have come to understand the ebb and flow of balance and change. Learning patience is a challenge, but I'm getting there...sort of. *laughs*

We all have needs and desires. We have categorized our lives into "I would be happy and life would be perfect if I could just ..." and "When this (fill in the event) happens, I will be happy." So...in essence, we are putting off happiness till the correct conditions are met, the stars align and we have a good hair day? Why? Each day is an opportunity for fulfillment. Each day we have the chance to live in the moment and appreciate ourselves, our friends, our families and our lives. We have a choice: Embrace that opportunity or waste it, waiting for an outside force to complete us.

"Well, I... I think that it... that it wasn't enough to just want to see Uncle Henry and Auntie Em... and it's that if I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own backyard; because if it isn't there, I never really lost it to begin with."

-Dorothy Gale (Portrayed by Judy Garland), Wizard of Oz -1939- MGM

A September Wind in Second Life - Prim Perfect Magazine Sept.2009

2009-09-21T06:47:00.001-04:00

Mid-September and fall announced an early arrival with an audible hiss through late summer branches. The weather changed. I sit curled up into a letter C on my not so new couch, listening to the wind do its worst as it sends splatter after splatter of rain against the window panes. New Jersey in the fall. You can actually taste it in the air. When I was little, it tasted like a goodbye and a hello all rolled into one - like an end of summer song. It tasted of back to school clothing, lunches packed neatly into colorful metal boxes, and Halloween candy. Fall. My birthday is in the fall. It was always kind of a double whammy. I'd look forward to my birthday, but with it came school and a goodbye to lazy summer. Shifting on the couch, I reach down and drag an old worn afghan over my legs and close my eyes. Not to sleep. For some reason I can't sleep, though I know I'm tired. Thoughts swirl round in my head, some innocuous, some stinging. The ones that sting carry a "you should have ... (fill in appropriate chore)" with them. When I was little ...i t was just about homework. Now? It's about everything. Now, fall just tastes like goodbye.
Change is what fall is all about. Moving on, we leave pleasant summer memories behind and step into the uncertainty of a September wind. We never really feel secure or safe. There is no safety when you are an adult. If you fall, you have to hold out your own arms and catch yourself. If you also have children, like I do, you have to catch them, too. My house is a safe little nest. It is a shelter against that storm spitting rain against the windows. My house is also a stinging thought. A reminder of how tenuous my hold is and how far down I can fall. This is my family's shelter. Their only shelter. And September's wind is just beyond these walls. My thoughts drift back to my parents. How my mother must have felt hearing the September wind, while shopping for my new school shoes. How my father must have felt hearing the September wind while he balanced the check book. I would like to say that I wish I'd known, so that I could appreciate what they might have felt, but I'm glad I didn't. I'm glad my own children don't. Children should think about running through piles of crisp leaves or sneaking into the Halloween candy stash. They should never know the fear of fall ... of falling.
--
An excerpt from "September Wind" by Gwen Carillon
_______________

A September wind is blowing for many creators in *Second Life*. We work here on the grid while those around us play. We ignore invitations to inworld parties, in order to meet deadlines and get product out. We rarely have social lives beyond the IMs our friends send us, asking if we are still alive. Many of us come from a full day of work in the physical world to log in and work the night away in *Second Life*. Others, like me, conduct business full time in *Second Life*. Many of us are single parents, juggling family time with client and customer demands. Fighting to stay alive in this economic climate is difficult enough without dealing with intellectual property theft. Most of us are scared to death of failing our families and losing our incomes. I think what gets to me is the apathy. The seeming lack of concern that others have for theft of our work. I have asked myself why, many times. *Why* don't people see intellectual property theft *as* theft? *Why* does a person that would never rob a bank or a convenience store in the physical world ... someone who wouldn't break into his neighbor's home and steal a painting ... commit theft and fraud here in *Second Life*? The answer is in our conversations every day here in the world of *Second Life*.
"Gotta go. RL calls."
"Yeah, it's a RL thing."
"I don't want this affecting my RL."
"We aren't RL yet. It's a Second Life thing."
"I keep my Second Life and my Real Life separate."
"Lighten up! It's just a game!"

Recognise those statements? I will bet you any amount of money that you have used at least one of those statements in an IM conversation with a friend or acquaintance. The answer is that many residents of *Second Life* do not see their time here as **real**. Many do not see even see other *Second Life* residents as real. It's not *real* if I can turn away from you with a click of an X on the corner of my computer screen. Um.... Hello? Is talking on the phone to someone a real conversation? Is the person on the other end of the phone line not *real* because you can hang up on them? People in the virtual world of *Second Life* are real. I am real and I'm pretty sure you are too. But ... if I say that you are not real, then I don't feel wrong in stealing from you, do I? If I tell myself, "It's just a game", then anything I do within this *game* doesn't count. Except *Second Life* isn't a game. Games have objectives, rules ... something to *win*. It is the mindset of leaving your ethics in a desk drawer because they don't apply in a virtual world. After all ... it's "just a game". The anonymity of a virtual environment creates a false sense that our actions will not really hurt anyone. The residents of *Second Life* need to look at a truth. All actions have consequences, whether those actions take place in a physical world or a virtual one. Theft is real, emotional abuse is real. The people behind the avatars on the computer screen are REAL! In fact, the employees of Linden Lab are real too! Avatars holding the last name of Linden in *Second Life* are real people going to real jobs and supporting real families. That said, maybe we can all take a second look at our "second lives" and rethink our actions and our interaction with others in this virtual space many call a *game*.

September Wind

2009-09-11T02:12:00.000-04:00

Mid September and fall announced an early arrival with an audible hiss through late summer branches. The weather changed. I sit curled up into a letter C on my not so new couch, listening to the wind do its worst as it sends splatter after splatter of rain against the window panes. New Jersey in the fall. You can actually taste it in the air. When I was little, it tasted like a goodbye and a hello all rolled into one - like an end of summer song. It tasted of back to school clothing, lunches packed neatly in colorful metal boxes and Halloween candy. Fall. My birthday is in the fall. It was always kind of a double whammy. I 'd look forward to my birthday, but with it came school and a goodbye to lazy summer. Shifting on the couch , I reach down and drag an old worn afghan over my legs and close my eyes. Not to sleep. For some reason I can't sleep, though I know I'm tired. Thoughts swirl round in my head. some innocuous, some stinging. The ones that sting carry a "you should have ...(fill in appropriate chore)" with them. When I was little...it was just about homework. Now? It's about everything. Now, fall just tastes like goodbye.

Change is what fall is all about. Moving on, we leave pleasant summer memories behind and step into the uncertainty of a September wind. We never really feel secure or safe. There is no safety when you are an adult. If you fall, you have to hold out your own arms and catch yourself. If you also have children, like I do, you have to catch them too. My house is a safe little nest. It is a shelter against that storm spitting rain against the windows. My house is also a stinging thought. A reminder of how tenuous my hold is and how far down I can fall. This is my family's shelter. Their only shelter. And September's wind is just beyond these walls. My thoughts drift back to my parents. How my mother must have felt hearing the September wind, while shopping for my new school shoes. How my father must have felt hearing the September wind while he balanced the check book. I would like to say that I wish I'd known, so that I could appreciate what they might have felt, but I'm glad I didn't. I'm glad my own children don't. Children should think about running through piles of crisp leaves or sneaking into the Halloween candy stash. They should never know the fear of fall...of falling.

The Road

2009-07-27T12:10:00.000-04:00

Stepping out into the light of day, I squint my eyes against the unfamiliar brightness. So...this is the road , huh? Hhhmmm....seems pretty long. But, as I look back from where I stand and see where I've been, I realize how far I've walked since we last spoke. I'm a bit tired and foot sore. You too? I guess that's to be expected. We cannot walk this road without a few blisters. (laughs) Blisters heal. We may limp occasionally but we keep walking.

I have always thanked the friends I have in my life for kicking, tugging and pulling me along. I don't think I have ever stopped to thank the folks that encouraged the blisters. I know this may sound strange , but as I stand here now on this part of the road, I can honestly say I would not have gotten here without the lessons. I am not saying I welcome these folks into my life. Far from it! I am, however, grateful for what they have taught me. I have learned what I want in my life and what I don't. I have learned that love is a gift, not a purchase earned in points with correct behavior. Yes, it's really important to accept the person you love as they are. Not one of us is perfect. That does not mean that we must accept the hurt someone deals us. I'm really not great at dancing on the sharp point of a pin.

It really does come down to respect and sensitivity. In a relationship consisting of two people, both need to be sensitive to the other's needs . One sided relationships tend to tip over. (nice visual , huh?) We cannot expect our needs to be acknowledged without expressing them to our partner. That is an unrealistic expectation and very silly! Conversely, if we have a need that is important and we express that need to a partner, we give them the opportunity to participate in the relationship. If they ridicule us for having the nerve to ask...? Well, that speaks volumes! That is where I was. I voted with my feet and continued down the road. Funny thing is, I don't think I'm limping anymore.

I am not a beggar at Love's door, ready to accept scraps rather than leave empty handed. I am here to feast and nothing less will do.

The Language of Art

2009-02-22T13:49:00.000-05:00

Art isn't something reserved for the deserving few. Art is a universal form of communication. It allows us to speak with one another in ways that go beyond conventional language. Art speaks to our emotional core. Image replaces syntax, stirring our emotions with color and shape, harmony and dissonance, poetry and prose. This language of art reaches across disciplines. It bridges societal differences and schools of thought. Art is the common language of the mythical Tower of Babel, encouraging us to collaborate and explore and accept new ideas.

Although we may love and appreciate art, we have not all experienced the creating of art first hand, since arts and crafts in grammar school. We don't finger paint any more. We have put the crayolas away and channeled our creative sides into more practical outlets that seem more acceptable and less frivolous to us. Many of us learn early in life that art is not a necessity but a luxury... something we can play with but must put away when life gets serious. But Art is not a luxury. It is a necessary expression of the human spirit. Art connects us on the soul level.

But let's not over-analyze art. That would take the fun out of it...kind of like trying to read the tea leaves rather than enjoying the tea. Instead let's enjoy it, immerse ourselves in it and let it take us to new places in our minds.

What if you could create anything you wanted, shape your environment at will, be your dream self ...even fly? Oh wait...you can! It's called Second Life. The limits we have are the ones we place on ourselves and our own creativity. Why would we do that? (laughs)Second Life is full of possibilities. All we need to do is open ourselves to those possibilities and explore! We don't need to limit ourselves to our "real life" existence, but instead take the brakes off of our imaginations and soar. We don't have to choose between Second Life and First Life. Second Life is not meant to replace “real life." It isn't an imitation of “real life.” Second Life stands alone on its own merit as a separate dimension, rich in dreams and beauty. It is a vehicle for exploring our creative sides. Creativity has no bounds and accepts no limitations. When I first got into world in May of 2006, I was amazed at the color and texture around me. Sure, I walked into walls for a while, in my default skin and hair, and wore boxes on my head at the shoe store. Newbie concerns aside, I fell in love with the freedom of imagination! I hope you will too.

Over the Rainbow - Posted in Prim Perfect Issue 13

2008-10-27T18:00:00.000-04:00

What if you could create anything you wanted, shape your environment at whim, be your dream self ...even fly? Oh wait...you can! It's called Second Life. The limits we have are the ones we place on ourselves and our own creativity. Why would we do that? (laughs) Second Life is full of possibilities. All we need to do is open ourselves to those possibilities and explore! We don't need to limit ourselves to our Real Life existence. Take the brakes off of your imagination and soar. Real life has it's place. Second Life is not meant to replace “real life”. It isn't an imitation of “real life”. Second Life stands alone on it's own merit as a separate dimension, rich in dreams and beauty.When I first got into world in May of 2006, I was amazed at the color and texture around me. Sure, I walked into walls for a while, in my default skin and hair, and wore boxes on my head at the shoe store. Newbie concerns aside, I fell in love with the freedom of imagination!

My first in world experience was on the island of Serenite owned by Keith Extraordinaire. Sereine Bard, showed me around. I felt like I'd landed over the rainbow! (smiles) I was asked (dragged in was more like it) to try Second Life, by my “real life” friend Robin Sojourner (Wood). She had been trying to get me into world for about two years! I would look at the web site and say..."na...what do I need with a virtual world. I'm not into computer games." and I'd shelve the idea. Then came the day I didn't. Wow. This was no computer game. How could I have known? The first thing I did was redecorate Robin's cabin. I almost ruined her existing furniture! (laughing) I started building almost immediately. I couldn't wait to create things. I bought a nice piece of land in Nitida and my friend Keith Extraordinaire gave me a cottage to "live in". I was in heaven. *smiles* My friend and then neighbor, Twome Rutledge, helped me to shop and she explained the nuances of SL. My friend Morse Dillon explained the basics of building. I found “busy mode” and used it a lot! My first couch, was the ugliest thing imaginable. I loved it.(grins) I made it. It was mine. I kept building. My friend Sereine said, "You should sell this stuff!" I rented a booth in an "outdoor market". By July of 2006 I had enough inventory to open up a store. I love Elements In Design. It's been a labor of love and a constant source of joy, from the start.

I had kind of an “aha” moment recently. I realized that Second Life cannot ever be like the physical world that our computers reside in. Unlike the “real world”, where politics and bureaucracy abide, Second Life is run entirely by creatives! No wonder it's magical! We make it that way! No matter how tough things get here with grid issues and IP theft, we need to remember the tremendous opportunities that Second Life has afforded us. Think about this: We can create without limits, we can work, doing what we love and we can immerse ourselves in a community that makes art a priority! We are Second Life. Creating art in Second Life has renewed my art in “real life”. Two and a half years later, I still can't believe that this world has absorbed me so completely. Yet...I found bits of myself, that I didn't know existed. I opened to this experience and this experience opened me. I found friends that speak to my soul. I found creativity without boundaries. Nothing for me will ever be the same.

IP theft is a huge thorn that needs to be dealt with. We all agree that there are steps that need to be taken to get the rampant piracy under control. One Linden Lab employee, in particular is making a difference. Blue Linden, With the help of some of his collegues, has drafted and submitted a proposal, for a Creators Registry. That registry would help to highlight legitimate businesses and help consumers to weed out the shops stocked with pirated goods. Contact Linden Lab and ask for the Creators Registry to be implemented. You can read more about this registry on the CCA blog. We, as creatives, can either decide to be proactive and better our world or we can sit back and complain about Linden Lab not doing it for us. At some point , it falls to us, to step up and take responsibility for the direction this world takes. We are not powerless, unless we choose to be. Get involved. Help others become more aware of Intellectual Property ethics and issues. Mentor new builders and encourage creative exploration. Last but not least...No matter what happens, keep creating. It is the magic that breathes life into our world. We are the magic!

**Some additional thoughts...Panic about IP theft does us no good. Instead put that energy into helping the community to find more ways to make IP theft in Second Life less profitable. For thieves, it's about the *easy money*. CCA is focused on making it more difficult for thieves to remain comfy. We visit sites where pirated goods are being sold. We alert creators immediately. We stay proactive within the community and encourage awareness of IP rights. (And on a personal note...I did NOT spend all that time in the trenches and writing to Linden Lab, ignoring my own business, just to give up, roll over and play dead! Neither did Arwen Eusebio or Tigerlily Koi!) Challenge: Join this effort and give back to the community. Get involved in practical ways. Offer to blog, offer to mentor for CCA, volunteer to write letters, help in the trenches by going to shops selling pirated goods and taking photos and info to pass to the creators that were victimized. In other words, skip the noise and DO SOMETHING!

Off the Deep End

2008-06-27T05:48:00.000-04:00

As you know, I am a dedicated advocate for Intellectual Property rights. It has been a trying time for creators of digital art, both web wide and in Second Life. Piracy has been rampant and theft notices seem to be an every day occurrence. Having said this, I'd like to address the issue of proof. Has the current theft epidemic finally driven some of us over the edge into paranoia? It's one thing to have your work duplicated and resold without your permission. It is quite another to think you own a popular concept. In the past two days I have seen two talented creators, both strong proponents of IP rights, Delora Starbrook and Laynie Link, accused of content theft. One because she dared to make adorned hair styles with ponytails and the other because she used glow on an outfit! Oh-My-God! What is this driving us to? In plain English...that is just nuts. Folks, I cannot stress this strongly enough: Please be certain (with proof) that theft has occurred. Ponytails and glow prims are not enough to accuse another member of our community of theft. At what point will we realize that all chairs have a seat to place your rear in. That is the nature of chairs. I make chairs. My friend Arwen makes chairs, Maxwell makes chairs, Su makes chairs...and so on. Should we all accuse one another of content theft, because they all have a place to park our butts? I am so upset at the rashness of these unfounded accusations! I'm beginning to think that some creators are throwing around the label of "content theft" and accusing their colleagues of thievery, to nix the competition. Before you accuse someone of theft , you'd best be damn certain it is theft! It is not only unethical , it is reprehensible to attempt to destroy another creator's reputation, solely because you feel slighted or threatened in some way by their work. This is about as close to a rant as I've ever gotten.

We have not worked this long and this hard to let insecurity and paranoia lead us into a panicked feeding frenzy, with our colleagues labeled "lunch"! Enough already! Let caution, reason and respect be your guides.

The G-Crew ,The Elements Family & The Crosstime Pub

2008-05-30T18:55:00.000-04:00

Photo:Wed Night at Fibber Magees, Dublin3

How do you thank over a hundred people for being wonderful? With a blog post! *laughs* When I first started Elements Family two years ago, I had know idea how much it would grow. Since then, I've grown to depend on The Fam for smiles , jokes and moral support. You have stuck by me through it all and I thank you with all my heart.

A couple of months ago I started the G-Crew group for updates on my DJ events. Ha! I didn't really start it...The G-Crew was a group already formed and connected by friendship. All I did was name it. They have quickly become not only my good friends, but an integral part of the Elements Family. Just seeing everyone at a gig with their G-Crew tags on, gives me a feeling of home wherever I'm playing. I can always count on AC, Dave, or Min to make me laugh just before I go up on the mic! It never fails! *laughs* (I'm sure they know and do it on purpose.)If someone doesn't show up at a set, we miss them (and track them down, like we did with Star!..lol)! I'm very glad that the Family has welcomed the Crew so completely. Thanks Ali (my sis in all but blood), Johnnie, Mondo, Ash, Sel, Buttons, Nu, Jean, Baer, JP and all of you!

When the time came to rebuild my sim, I decided to build the Family / Crew, a pub to call home. That's how The Crosstime Pub was born. ( I owe that name to Minerva Breda. Thanks, Min! ) The Crosstime Pub will play host to a variety of Live performers and will include many different musical genres. The main theme will be comfort, fun and friendship. The build is almost done. I hope to have it completed in 2 days.

Thank you Con, StarZ, Min, Taro, BB, Ken, Yank, Ota -the awesome staff of The Crosstime Pub!

A special thank you to Yankee Lockjaw(G-Crew Mgr & Pub Mgr), Minerva Breda and Tarogue Albatros, the G-Crew officers for keeping things running!

Thank you, Family! Thank you, Crew! All I ask, is that you keep dancing!
I love you guys!

It's Also About Getting There

2008-04-04T09:17:00.000-04:00

I'm sure that you have heard the saying "It isn't about the destination. It's about the journey." Well, I'll agree with that statement...to a degree. You see, in some cases it is about getting there. And sometimes, however you can get there, is OK.

We stumble through life as best we can. We have successes and we make mistakes. Both sides of the coin are part and parcel of life. I am not ashamed of my mistakes, because I know that they have helped me to grow. (And believe me , I've made some really stupid choices this past year!) The thing is, I was concentrating on the journey and ignoring the direction and the destination. That is just as silly as doing it the other way and focusing only on the destination. I was doing this day to day thing and ignoring where it was leading, which was down a dark hole. At some point, I woke up and took a good look around at my surroundings and said "Dang! How the hell did I get here?" That's when I pulled out my trusty map. We all have one. It's a built in standard feature in all humans. Anytime we get turned around and feel lost, we can whip out "the map" and get our bearings. So, I looked at my map and realized I was slightly off course. I was headed in the right general direction, but I needed to do a slight course correction.

As is often the case with me, I create a sculpture and then grow into it. I think that these sculptures may be my way of manifesting points to follow on my map. (Hey...whatever works. Right? If you know me, then you know that I am directionally challenged. I get lost turning around.) A few weeks ago, I created a sculpture that I called, "Soul's Journey". In essence, I built a beacon of hope to follow.

Life is messy, unpredictable and full of imperfection. We are human and so by our very nature flawed. Yet in our flaws and vulnerability, we are beautiful and strong. I have finally grown into "Rebirth" and "Soul's Journey". I have looked at my map, corrected my course and found hope. No, I don't have all the answers, nor even many of the questions. *laughs* However, what I have found inside myself this week is far more valuable. Me. The rest is just down the road.

Rebirth

2008-02-21T01:56:00.000-05:00

Hi again. Taking a nice stroll through my brain. Want to tag along? Don't mind the mess. I haven't cleaned up in a while. Oh look! There's last decade's baggage still sitting in the suitcase, unpacked and taking up space. Just walk around it. I do. See the sticky notes I've left all over the place? That's to remind me of important things, like...who I am. *laughs*

Let me dust off this old chair for you. Have a seat, and we can have a nice chat about life. It's bizarre isn't it? (Life, that is) We think we've run away from something in our lives, only to find ourselves running toward it instead. There are things in our lives that help us to flourish and there are things that will kill us eventually, like a slow acting poison. Some relationships are like that. We can convince ourselves that if it feels good at the time, we can overlook the long term affects. That doesn't mean that it won't eventually kill us. It just means we chose to turn a blind eye on reality. We haven't had enough self destruction, so we take another swig from the bottle marked with the skull and crossed bones! After all, it's just an interesting design on a label, right?

Why do we choose things that we know will hurt us? I don't have an answer to that one. It isn't on a sticky note. I can tell you, that as of this month, I chose to toss away the poison, in favor of a nice cup of self esteem. It wasn't easy. A part of me still kept insisting that poison tastes good. That's when I shored myself up and said no.

Rebirth is more than a statement of being. It is hope held out, that I'll reach the antidote in time and be OK. We are more than we give ourselves credit for. We carry the entire universe within us. So, how can we know that and not feel empowered? It's not about the mistakes the we've made. It's about what we have learned from those mistakes. It's not about love turned sour. It's about knowing we can love. When we come to the realization that we can love and honor ourselves, that's when true Rebirth occurs. Once we know and love ourselves for who we are, nobody and nothing can break us.

Rebirth doesn't just happen. We choose it. We must allow it...embrace It. No one can do it for us. Once we choose that path of self acceptance and growth, the way opens and we start to feel better. I can't say that I'm at that point yet, but I feel like I can be. I'm open to the possibilities. I am open to love as well, but only the kind that heals- not the toxic kind. I want to spread my arms wide and let the stars flood in. Maybe then, I can ditch the unpacked baggage and take down the sticky notes, cause being myself is reminder enough.

Thank you Jeff, Ali, Julia, Twome, Arwen, Zazen, AJ, Johnnie, Jean and the rest of my wonderful friends for never letting me give up. I love you all. Thank you also to my children, Marin and Max, who remind me every day of what love is. The rest of you reading this may be thinking that I've been rather candid about my life in this blog. Well...yes I have. But, so what. *grins* It's not like we don't all have our own demons. It's those of us that don't admit to weakness that are ultimately frail. The rest of us learn to bend without breaking. *smiles*

**On the descriptive side, Rebirth is interactive , thanks to Keystone Bouchard and October Brotherhood, who provided some of the scripting. The Elements Family came over and we all had a nice time dancing in the universe. Rebirth premiered at my Dances of Life exhibit on Cedar Island. A special thank you to Jon Seattle and Kate Miranda, for honoring me with that show. You can experience Rebirth at Dreamscapes Gallery of Art, at the Dances of Life exhibit on Cedar Island, at The Tech and at Anandra Gallery.

Betrayal

2008-02-12T03:17:00.000-05:00

What inspires your soul? It's different for each of us. Some find career to be the *it* for them. For me it's always been love..... The kind of love that circulates through my system like blood. Love feeds my art, which in turn feeds back into the system. It inspires me and sends me flying in all sorts of creative directions.

We do not exist in a bubble. Everything we do affects others just as everything they do affect us. What happens when the source of our inspiration is cut off? Well, I thought the answer was .."uh starve?" It's not. The answer is that the source of inspiration cannot be *cut off*. I recently went through a difficult time, emotionally. I was very upset, angry, sad ...you name it. This is what I learned. Only you can cut yourself off from your muse. I did. I told myself I was so sad I couldn't build. I told myself that my creative side had "run dry". I was so distraught, that I needed a way to vent the sadness. So, standing on my Skyland, crying, I saw the piece that I needed to build...in my head. I began rezzing prims. I was blind to my surroundings. I ignored IM's. I poured every ounce of anguish into that sculpture, as I watched it form in front of me. When I was at the point where I saw a double vision...one in my head and one in front of me...I knew it was finished. I named it "Betrayal". I felt drained...like a poison was lanced from a septic wound. Then... I felt better. I learned that nothing could stop me from being me. I create. That act of creating is love. Creativity is something that lives within each us. No one can cut us off from that flow, although the source is harder to reach for at times, it never gets cut off. If you reach for your creative side during times of sadness and stress, not only will it be still there, but the act of creating can actually help you to heal. "Betrayal" is not a pleasant sculpture to view. How could it be? "Betrayal" is the embodiment of all that anguish that lived inside of me. I even find it hard to look at. But it also stands as a testament to love and proof that I am still me. We are capable of more than we give ourselves credit for. That wellspring is in each of us, nestled within our own unique spirits and talents. So next time you are in a room that is too dark, reach out to turn on the dang light! *laughs* Don't accept that it has to be dark. You'll just end up stubbing your toe or worse. *smiles*

A hell of a Valentine's Day post to put up, but hey ...it's real. lol

A Side Trip to Dublin

2008-02-03T02:39:00.000-05:00

Although my main focus in Second Life is creating content, there is something to be said for creating a good time. I am now spinning tunes in Dublin, as Fibber Magees' Wednesday night DJ! It's not a far stretch for me, since I used to spin at clubs in "real life".

I was speaking with my friend Cher Harrington (DJ extraordinaire), a few weeks ago and telling her how much I love being a DJ. She said...Dublin! (Cher! lol) Next thing I knew, I was in IM with Otawan Fouquet and putting Wednesday Nights at Fibber Magees together. *laughs* It has been a real high for me. The Dublin staff have been wonderful to work with. They have made me feel right at home. Otawan is very encouraging and supportive of the talent at Dublin. I am impressed with the way she juggles the schedules and events and still has time to chat and lend an ear. Ajay McDowwll is a hostess for Dublin, my Wednesday night teammate and "Danger Twin". She's not only an excellent hostess, she's a genius at keeping track of chat! (I can't follow chat to save my life.) I don't think Wednesdays at Fibber's would go half as well without her. Her positive energy just fills the place! Then there's Spook Maroon, the shift manager of Fibber Magees, who calmly keeps the night going smoothly. Thanks to Spook, my sets run like clockwork. *smiles* If we run into a real issue with the stream or the sim's performance, Sitearm Madonna, Dublin's Sim Manager goes to work and gets it taken care of. All clubs should run this well! If I sound as if I'm gushing...I am. (I still love Diegoland...lol) It's been a great experience for me. I look forward to my Wednesday night breaks and meeting new people. I'm more relaxed and ready to build, when Thursday rolls around. *smiles*

A warning to my EID Customers: If you IM me about a product on Wednesday night, while I'm DJ'ing, chances are more than likely that I'll send you a teleport to Fibbers. *grins*

There's a great deal to be said for the art of entertainment. It's immediate, high energy, rewarding and very -very addictive! *laughs*

What's New???

2008-02-03T01:59:00.000-05:00

I have been hard at work! Na...I just like to say that! I love building, so it's not really work. *smiles*
At Dreamscapes Gallery:

The Grande Mahogany Throne

Filigree in sculpted primwork in honey colored mahogany, accents this truly royal throne. Avalaible as a limited edition, each throne is numbered 1-5. Soft, sensual lines grace deep rich woods. The nightstands open and close by touch. The vanity has an opening drawer with sleek, gold lipstick and compact.

At Elements in Design:

The Ahava Bedroom Set

Soft, sensual lines grace deep rich woods. The nightstands open and close by touch. The vanity has an opening drawer with sleek, gold lipstick and compact. I will be adding a dresser, armoir, lingerie chest and blanket chest.

A special new item...."My Snuggle Sleep Pillow"These body pillows are sculpted and textured to look like feather pillows. They aren't sort of like pillows...they ARE pillows! Best part? They are sold separately and have a snuggly pose by Craig Altman!

At Elemental Muse:

Dark Dreams Necklace & Earrings

A romantic cascade of deep, rich, blood red pyrope garnets in aged silver, flowing to just above the decolletage. A dream as dark as midnight and as sensual as a rose.
A special thanks you to sachi Vixen of Adam & Eve, for the lovely dress and hair! ...sach, your timing couldn't have been better! lol

Midnight Fire

Necklace , Earrings & Bracelets

Midnight Fire combines the radiance of Flame Aura Crystal and Aqua Aura Crystal with the soft glow of Copper.

Primmy? You could say that, at 253 prims on the necklace alone! LOL- I love it though and I hope you will too!

CCA Statement

2008-01-18T14:40:00.000-05:00

I am content creator. I create things that others can use in Second Life to enhance their "in world" experience. In my case, I make furniture, jewelry and art. There are many content creators in Second Life, all filling a niche. Some of us work in Second Life full time. This is how we provide for our families. We love what we do and take pride in our hard work. We also enjoy the pleasure that other Second Life users get when using what we have created. This is the art of content creation.

Like any other art, a creation surfaces in the mind of the creator prior to manifestation in world. Once that creation is manifested it is the same as if it were made in real life. It is part of the creator and always will be. According to copyright law, a creator owns this creation from the moment it is made, regardless of whether a copyright was registered. This addition to copyright law was included in 1971, and is called "intent to copyright". therefore, taking a creator's texture or other creation without the permission of that creator is considered a criminal act.

Due to recent events, such as piracy of our creations, many creators have chosen to tighten security. We have also formed an organization called the CCA (Content Creators Association). No amount of security will prevent theft of our work. We know this. We are asking that residents recognize the hard work that goes into each creation and respect our ownership of our creations. We need your help. Please do not buy goods from vendors without checking to make sure that the vendor is the legitimate owner of what he or she is selling. Many places in Second Life have "deals" that seem to good to be true. This is because many of these "deals" result from stolen creations. It will be helpful to you, the consumer as well, since a vendor that sells stolen merchandise can't or won't service it. If the product breaks, you are out of luck. I do not want to encourage paranoia or accuse unjustly. My aim is to help with awareness on this subject. Creators and consumers are a team. It wouldn't be as much fun to create something if no one enjoyed it.

Even though Second Life is a virtual world, the laws that pertain to copyrights are very real. The growth of pirated content in Second Life has forced many creators to consider stronger measures to insure protection of our work, including filing a DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) and if necessary filing a law suit. Many thieves believe that they are immune...anonymous. This is not the case. If a resident steals and a creator files a DMCA, that resident will have to provide real life contact information in order to contest the charge. That contact information is then provided to the creator that filed, for use in any legal actions he or she may take.

This may sound harsh to you. You may be thinking, "it's only a game!" Real life laws apply in virtual worlds too. Help us stop piracy, by supporting and respecting creator rights. Avoid purchasing stolen goods. We, in turn will work hard for you, to insure you get the best of us!

Content Creators Association

2008-01-01T17:45:00.000-05:00

Well, I just got back from an amazing vacation (first in a long time) to find that my store was hit by texture and design thieves. What a welcome home. *sigh* I couldn't believe my eyes. There, in a stranger's store on Deneb, I saw my stolen textures on badly copied furnishings. I was in shock. I was fuming! How could someone do this? Geez Louise-Why would they? Can't they use their own imaginations? Don't they know that it's theft? As these thoughts stormed through my mind, I realized that I didn't know the first thing about protecting myself from thieves beyond the "where's my lawyer?!" reaction. The first thing I did was to contact friends who were also content creators to let them know. I didn't want this happening to them as well. Then I got busy doing research. My friend Craig Altman, owner of Bits and Bobs, is not only a positive influence in my life but also a very well organized wellspring of information! He took me through the step by step process of filing a DMCA. Thank you, Craig! I also contacted my friend Robin Sojourner, who in real life, is the professional artist Robin Wood. She gave me lots of good advice and information on what to do and what not to do. Through it all, I was in constant IM with my friend Arwen Eusebio, owner of AE Industries. Arwen was also a victim of IP (Intellectual Property) theft in Second Life. Her original Tree House design was stolen -textures and all! Arwen's ordeal is still ongoing without resolution. As I shared the information I had gleaned from Craig and Robin with Arwen, we both realized that many creators do not know that their original content is protected by copyright though the 1971 addition of copyright law of "intent to copyright". Your creation is yours from the moment it is made. Many are unsure of the legal route to take and are intimidated by the process. Many creators also do not realize that they may be entitled to civil damages. It also became more clear to Arwen and me, that content creators needed to do more to protect our work from theft. That's when we decided to form the CCA (Content Creators Association). Only through the united support of others and the sharing of information could we make a dent in IP crime. We need to join together and support one another. We need to share anti theft techniques. We need to help guide others through the legal process and encourage them not to give up and give in. All competition aside, we need to help ourselves by helping each other.

The CCA has been picking up steam as more content creators pick up the banner. We are not limiting membership to those who sell content. Any who create original content are in need of support and protection from IP theft. I will be posting helpful info links in the next few days as I weed through the information I have gathered.

To learn more about CCA, please contact Arwen Eusebio or me. We do not have to be victims. We have rights to our work. Stay positive by helping one another. If you have experienced IP theft, don't give up creating or let frustration get the better of you. File a DMCA and follow up on it. Stay proactive. If it's worth creating , it's worth protecting!

Sculpted Furniture

2007-11-21T10:11:00.000-05:00

OK, I got on the stick and started working more with sculpted prims. I'll admit I was resistant. (The damn programs are intimidating and they never seem to have a good guide.) I gave it another go this past week and I'm glad I did. I am here to tell you that once I got started sculpting prims I couldn't stop! It's so much fun! The best part about sculpties is, I can streamline my builds and create with more freedom. The lower prim count is an added bonus. My plan is to remake much of my store inventory, replacing some of the regular prims with sculpties.

Although I am creating quite a bit of "Real Life" styled furnishings, I will also continue to create the fantasy pieces that EID is known for. I believe there is room for both.

I'll be in and out of world over the Thanksgiving holiday. For those of you that celebrate Thanksgiving, have a wonderful day and be well!

Breath

2007-11-20T20:34:00.000-05:00

Imagine a wisp of air...ethereal, insubstantial and fleeting. Imagine glass...fragile and crystalline. When life is challenging, we can sometimes feel disconnected from those we love and even from the world around us. We feel fragile...as insubstantial as breath. So fragile that we could blow away if we don't make a concerted effort to hang on to ourselves.

Over the past week or two, I have felt disconnected. My anchors...my touch stones don't seem reachable. I am pealed back to my fragile core and exposed. The slightest breeze can sweep me of the edge, so I hang on to myself. I tell myself that I can stand. I tell myself that I can hold. Who knows...maybe I can?

The choices we make in life build the structure that we stand on. The people we include in our lives are always a part of that structure. The problem is...weak choices can weaken that structure and cause it to collapse under its own weight or tip over for lack of balance. We seek balance in our selves. We seek balance in our work. Maybe we should seek balance in love. Maybe it's not "OK" to always be the one who opens...reaches out. Maybe by doing so, it takes too much from us. Maybe it doesn't encourage others to step up. In any case, I need to stop overspending myself. I haven't reached any momentous decisions on this topic or resolved anything within myself. I'm still here...still standing. But...I now understand that balance is applicable in relationships too. I don't know why I didn't see that before. Its not OK to expect to put myself last. Its not "OK"to always be OK with everything. I am not giving up on love. I am not giving up on friendships. I am drawing boundaries between what I can be "OK" with and what I can't. I have some really amazing friends and family. I love my friends and family dearly. I hope that they will understand. I hope that they will see this as an opportunity reach out. I know that right now I am over extended and I can't hold my hand out any farther without falling.

Breath....delicate....insubstantial...fragile, it exists in the in betweens of moments. And I am in between one breath and the next.

Souls' Dance

2007-09-13T11:28:00.000-04:00

Connected beyond skin, we touch. Souls woven together in a timeless dance, we meet and become one.

For T always...
and dedicated with love to Jordan & Via ...two who are one.

Sometimes miracles happen and we get to see a story unfold in the most astonishing way. This was the case with Souls' Dance. It is the aftermath of magic.

This story continues...

To begin at the beginning, I was in turmoil regarding current events in my love life, (See Previous post "Fire Dance") when I received an instant message from my old friend, Jordan, in Second Life. He apologized for being out of touch, but circumstances had kept him off line. We spoke frequently over the next three days. He had been upset over his home situation. Then came the message from Jordan that the love of his life, his wife Via was leaving. She needed space to figure things out. That day, with shaking hands he signed the separation papers. He loved her enough to want her to be happy, so resigned himself to letting her go. At this point , Jordan and I were both hanging on to our respective sanity by a thread. I was waiting to see if I still had a relationship with T. Jordan was going through legal separation. I had wished there was something I could say to help him, but no words would make any difference to someone who was losing the one person they love above all others. In an effort to clear my head, I decided I needed new shoes. (Hey! I'm female ..ok? I shop. Therefore, I am) After teleporting into a couple of stores with disappointing results, I deciding to go back to my tried and true favorite shoe store , Minx. This is where it gets interesting , so stick with me ....

I teleported into Minx and landed on...Jordan's wife, Via. Yes. Out of the 35,000 people logged into Second Life, I landed on Via. We'd never met. She recognized my name as one that Jordan had mentioned and introduced herself to me. As we chatted she mentioned their immanent separation. (Still we cammed and shopped...We are female after all.) Via mentioned the sculptures that I'd recently done, that are on their Second Life estate. Universe of Two and Fire Dance - Danze del Fuego are two of Jordan's favorites. Via told me that she connected with Universe of Two, because it reminded her of when she met Jordan. She said that time stood still and all she could see were his eyes...his face. Interestingly enough , Jordan had expressed the same thought to me in almost exactly the same words, when he first viewed Universe of Two, and I told her as much. Shocked by this, she told me she thought he'd forgotten. I told Via that Jordan said he could never forget the way time stopped and their eyes met across the room. Via told me at this point through tears, that she was incomplete without him, but she needed space. She wished that she could erase the past year and start fresh, but he was so distant. I told her how much Jordan loved her and suggested that she talk to him. Really talk....openly and without reservation, pride or walls. I explained what I'd recently gone through, and how I risked being completely vulnerable to hurt in order to reach out in my own relationship. We talked about dancing in the flames. Wasn't true love worth the risk?

That night Jordan and Via talked and reconnected. Jordan told me he stayed up much of the night watching Via as she slept. When he finally slept, Jordan dreamed of dancing with Via in a lovely garden. He said they had no corporeal forms. They were pure essence weaving in, out and through one another as if they were one. Jordan stopped at that point and said" It's hard to describe". I reassured him that I understood. I remembered all the times I felt that way with T. The intimacy of that soul deep connection is the most beautiful experience I've ever had. So , without thinking I told Jordan, "It's like a Souls' Dance". There was an Oh My God moment in IM, when I realized that I had just named my next sculpture. I could see the weave of prims and colors forming in my head. I couldn't wait to get to work on it.

So I ask you...Was I really shopping for shoes? (Laughing) We are all so connected to each other, that great need can produce miracles. I know the four of us experienced a miracle this past week. Jordan and Via are back together and working things out. The separation papers were ripped up and in the trash. True love won the day. As for my own Fire Dance...? Well, I didn't crash and burn. In fact, I found a wellspring of strength I never knew existed. I was able to share this with T and it went a long way toward healing our relationship. Magic exists, fed by love and connecting us all, to create miracles.

I have since completed Souls' Dance and dedicated it to T, Jordan and Via. The story will unfold further and time will add detail and flavor to this dance. We will undoubtedly get back to our lives, but for the briefest of times, we were each part of the miracle. We will never forget.

I pass that magic on to you. Continue the story for me. : )

-Gwen

Fire Dance - Danze del Fuego

2007-09-06T11:14:00.000-04:00

There are times in our lives that are cross overs...nexus points. We make a choice to either play it safe or take the ultimate risk of crash and burn. But when we want something enough, we may choose to risk failure, rejection and even pain to gain it. That's when we find ourselves dancing in the flames. It's not a fire walk....that's for wimps! No. It's a fire dance. The goal is not merely to survive, but to summon all of our courage and despite fear, risk all for love. Love can be the ultimate motivation for growth, if we allow it. So many times we have stopped ourselves from enjoying love because the risk of hurt was too great. We don't want to feel vulnerable. Excessive pride is fear's shield, preventing love and growth. I asked myself "Isn't love worth any risk?" The answer was plain. Yes. Staying safe gained me nothing. Love is always worth the risk, so I chose to dance in the flames. Once I made the decision to conquer fear of hurt and rejection and openly express my feelings, an amazing thing happened. I didn't feel weaker, I felt stronger...empowered! I realized that fear of hurt and failure can stop us from experiencing so many good things in life. Just the act of making that choice was empowering. Yes...I may crash and burn. I left myself with no out and no shield of pride to hide behind. But, I cannot let that stop me from doing all I can to experience love. So I acknowledged my fears and with a last look at the safety zone, tossed myself into the flames with three words on my lips. "I love you."

Allowing myself to be vulnerable has strengthened me in a very integral way. I chose love over fear. Whatever the outcome of this ultimate risk of self, I will not regret my choice to dance in the flames.

EID Radio Hits the Net!

2007-08-24T01:07:00.000-04:00

I am pleased to announce my latest project...EID Radio: The Voice of Elements in Design! Wooohoo! As a former DJ, this is a world of fun for me, cause this time around, I get to play what I want and not have to follow some program director's playlist rotation. It's a great way to connect with my guests on Elements in Design and poke fun at LL when the mood strikes me.

Right now, my On Air schedule is from 6pm to 9pm SLT. Soon though , we'll be streaming 24/7! (And we'd better cause I can't build and spin at the same time.) Please tune in and join me. I take requests but don't play them...just kidding. lol I may not have what you request but I'll do my best to get it. *smiles* Feel free to IM. My On Air status will always be posted in my picks under EID Radio. Just Click or copy the url you see below.

http://66.34.54.162:8090/

Breaking Free

2007-08-02T18:25:00.000-04:00

"Gwen Carillon? She does that fantasy furniture...right?"

As a designer I feel it's really important not to box myself into doing just one thing. I love that people like my furniture! When I first entered Second Life, I had about 15 years of jewelry design experience in Real Life. I was tired of jewelry. When you are tired of something, and force yourself to create anyway, nothing really good manifests. So...I took up furniture design. (Yes, I see the connection there...don't you? Jewelry-furniture...ummm...) I felt renewed and ready to create good things. It was a vacation from what I was familiar with and I liked it. Months later, I felt refreshed enough to bring my jewelry designs into world. I found myself pidgeon holed into being a furniture designer. "Gwen makes cool furniture and art...Oh! I think she just started trying her hand at jewelry." Aaa! How ironic! *laughing* I'm still really glad that I took the break I needed from jewelry, though. I love what it did for my creativity.

I have always seen jewelry as wearable art. In Second Life I was not only able to recreate some of my RL work, I was able to experiment with particle scripts and animated textures in my jewelry. Why stop at silver and gold? Why not have a flame inside of a pendant? It was fun again and the ideas kept coming. My friends got used to my IM's saying "Hi:)I'm dropping a new set on you. Can you just try this on please and let me know what you think?" And truthfully, it's much easier than dropping a couch on someone and saying "Here. Sit on this for me." *laughing* I do have a confession to make though. I HATE preparing vendors for new sets. I have at least three sets ready for sale that I never prepped vendors for. In that respect I'm lazy! *sigh*

The important thing in design isn't *what* we create, as much as *that* we create. The process is as important to us as the finished work. For me it's like tasting light. The work fills me and I can't stop till it's complete.For designers and artists, it's that feeling the goes into a piece that makes it ours forever. And...it doesn't matter if the piece sells as long as it's loved by its creator from conception through manifestation. It's ours. When I finish a piece that I'm happy with I get a sense of completeness and joy that rivals chocolate! That piece has bits of me in it. There's a feeling of accomplishment that is overwhelming. It's a high! When I get an idea for a piece, I have to start it right away. I want to drop everything to create it. ...And I often do, at the oddest moments! *laughing* The next thing I know, I'm in "the zone" and blind to everything but the work. An hour can feel like five minutes! This process of creation is a meditation that is so immersive, I can forget to eat.

The act of creation is the difference between a designer and a retailer. Anyone can learn retail marketing. Design is reaching into yourself without fear and using your imagination...your vision to express yourself in new ways. I know some would argue that point. They can get their own Blog. *laughing * My Blog-My Opinion. So There. :P

What If?

2007-07-29T00:25:00.000-04:00

What if you could create anything you wanted, shape your environment at whim, be your dream self ...even fly? Oh wait...you can! It's called Second Life. The limits we have are the ones we place on ourselves and our own creativity. Why would we do that? lol Second Life is full of possibilities. All we need to do is open ourselves to those possibilities and explore! We don't need to limit ourselves to our Real Life existence. Take the brakes off of your imagination and soar. Real Life has it's place. Second Life is not meant to replace Real Life. It isn't an imitation of Real Life. Second Life stands alone on it's own merit as a separate dimension, rich in dreams and beauty.

When I first got into world in May of 2006, I was amazed at the color and texture around me. Sure, I walked into walls for a while in my default skin and hair, and wore boxes on my head at the shoe store. Newbie concerns aside, I fell in love with the freedom of imagination! My first in world experience was on the island of Serenite owned by Keith Extraordinaire. His partner Sereine Bard showed me around. I felt like I'd landed over the rainbow! (smiles) I was asked (dragged in was more like it) to try Second Life by my RL friend Robin Sojourner (Wood). She had been trying to get me into world for about two years! I would look at the web site and say..."na...what do I need with a virtual world. I'm not into computer games." and I'd shelve the idea. Then came the day I didn't. Wow. This was no computer game. How could I have known? The first thing I did was redecorate Robin's cabin. I almost ruined her existing furniture! (laughing) I started building almost immediately. I couldn't wait to create things. I bought a nice piece of land in Nitida and my friend Keith Extraordinaire gave me a cottage to "live in". I was in heaven. *smiles* My friend and then neighbor, Twome Rutledge helped me to shop and she explained the nuances of SL. My friend Morse Dillon explained the basics of building. I found *busy mode*and used it a lot! My first couch was the ugliest thing imaginable. I loved it. I made it. It was mine. I kept building. My friend Sereine said, "You should sell this stuff!" I rented a booth in an "outdoor market". By July of 2006 I had enough inventory to open up a store. I opened Elements in Design in August 2006, in Daikoku. What a crazy store! Not very organized...even I misplaced things there! I met some wonderful people that came to shop. Many of my friends started out as customers. I loved sitting and talking to shoppers over tea. I decided I didn't want a "new release group". I wanted a family. I started Elements Family in September 2006. The family grew, the store grew and by November 2006 I was island shopping. My friend, Julia Hathor said "this may sound crazy, but why don't you link your island to mine?" I thought, hhhmmm...that's not crazy at all! I accepted her kind offer and I opened Elements in Design, Greenmantle on December 20, 2006. I have never regretted a thing! I love Elements. It's been a labor of love and a constant source of fun from the start. Next to come along was Dreamscapes Gallery, since I needed a place to house my sculpture and photography. Creating art in Second Life has renewed my art in Real Life. I finally decided that my jewelry needed to come over into Second Life as well. I have been designing jewelry in Real Life for years. Tiny prims made me blind, my camera bounced all over the place and I cursed at the Lindens under my breath,(sorry LL) but I eventually opened Elemental Muse Jewelry in June of 2006.

Here I am over a year later, planning a celebration for the anniversary of opening of Elements. What a trip! I can't believe that this world absorbed me so completely. Yet...I found bits of myself that I didn't know existed. I opened to this experience and this experience opened me. I found friends that speak to my soul. I found creativity without boundaries. Nothing for me will ever be the same.

-Gwen

Imagination Exploration

2007-07-28T13:07:00.000-04:00

Second Life is an opportunity to explore the uncharted lands of our imaginations. If we just stick to the roads we know and never venture off the green, we will never know what is possible. That more than anything else would be a crime. Artists speak through imagination.

There is no right or wrong in the expression of what we find within our imaginations. We choose the vehicle of communication, be it performance, writing, film, sculpture, photography or design using prims. All are forms of communication through art. Art is less about forcing others to see a path and more about presenting possibilities. Art affects us. It has an impact on how we feel when we experience it. That experience can be pleasant or disturbing depending on the art and how we relate to it.

The most important things we can put into our work are passion and honesty. When I build, I don't think to myself "Will this sell?" I just build it for the sheer fun of doing so. I love the feeling of seeing something I imagined or dreamed become a *reality*. It's a rush! Then, sharing it becomes the next rush. *smiles*

There are a lot of wonderful designers in Second Life. I enjoy seeing and purchasing their work. As much as I respect and admire them though, I don't want to be them. I would much rather create things my own way. There can be no fulfillment or satisfaction in duplication of another artist's work or style. It's empty...the work is empty. It's not fun. We create from within. Among the designers I love, first and foremost would be my friend Julia Hathor. Her creativity sings in everything she creates. Her builds are as magical as she is.

So...let's walk the side paths of our imaginations and see what we discover about our art and about ourselves. Drop a prim and see what happens...teleport to a texture shop and get inspired!We never know where those paths will lead unless we walk them. ;)

-Gwen

Thank you, Elements Family!

2007-07-07T03:29:00.000-04:00

Many Second Life content creators and designers have "new release groups" to keep customers updated on new designs. I'm lucky...I have a family! You have helped me build Elements from the start! You've even chased away griefers, redesigned my floors (lol Selena) and helped out in the main store when I was away! We've danced in our pajamas (even Julia ;) at our PJ parties and danced in our spiffy stuff under the stars, at the openings of the new Elements in Design Island and Dreamscapes Gallery. This is not just a new release group. This is a family in every sense of the word, so this first post of my new Blog is for you! Thank you for stopping in to say hi, even if you aren't shopping. Thank you for bugging me to relax and play. Thank you for always encouraging me with your kind words and most importantly...thank you for your friendship.*smiles* The Family Wall at the main store says it all. You guys rock!

Hugs with Love:))
Gwen