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They're discussing something very important :3

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from memory. Trying my BEST

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Lord Eric, heir to the duke of Hornwood (OC)

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Can I ask how you made the beads? They look really cool!

I meant to respond to this ages ago, but I've had zero energy. I was going to sit down and finally write up some instructions, but then I got the urge to do something with my hands, so I figured I'd make more beads and do a photo tutorial!

Context for others: This ask is in reference to these polymer clay beads I made a couple months ago:

General disclaimer: I'm not an expert with polymer clay, I only really dabble. More experienced polymer clay artists might have tips to improve them/do things more efficiently--all I know is the method I used. I will say these beads have held up super well on the bracelet I wear pretty much every day, though.

What you need:

Polymer clay in the colors you want for your beads

Two eyelets that fit the size you want for the bead hole - I used 5.5mm (7/32 inch)

A thin rod (I used jewelry wire) that will fit through your eyelets

(To make a stand for baking the beads) Thick jewelry wire and a pair of small magnets

A baking sheet and oven to bake the clay

I wanted to make another marbled bead, so I used three colors of clay. I mushed and twisted the colors together until I got a nice swirl I liked and the clay was smooth, then wrapped it around the two eyelets.

From there I used a bit of jewelry wire as a rolling pin to smooth out the clay. Stick it through the bead, hold it by the ends, and gently roll it to press all the clay together and smooth it out. This makes the eyelets pull apart a bit, but they're easy to push back together.

Gently push the eyelets back together. If you want a shorter round bead, push the eyelets all the way together until they touch. If you want a longer, barrel-shaped bead, you only have to push them together partway. The important part is to make sure the eyelets are aligned and are secure in the clay.

If any clay got in between the eyelets and is blocking the bead, you can use the wire to push it back in place or push it out of the bead hole. Theoretically you could just push the eyelets through a ball of clay, but when I tried that, it got a bit messy and I had a hard time getting all the clay plugs out. I like the wrapping and rolling process better.

Smooth out any rough bits in the clay and even out where it covers the edge of the eyelets. You can reshape it with your fingers if it's a bit lopsided, or roll it out on the mat again. Fiddle with it a bit until you're happy with it. If you need to, it's not hard to pull the clay off and try again. I had to reshape a few of mine a couple times until I was happy with them. The good thing about polymer clay is that it's soft until you bake it.

Theoretically you can bake the beads flat on their sides, but I wanted to make a little hanging rack for them. I used a bit of polymer clay, thick jewelry wire (I cannot for the life of me remember the gauge, sadly--it's just what I had on hand), and a couple magnets. Magnets can lose their efficacy after being baked, but they still work as weights to keep the stand from falling over. I shaped the wire into little hooks to hold the wire rod with the beads.

Bake according to the clay manufacturer's directions, and then you're done!

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reasons why i relate to tav, the main character from baldurs gate 3:

shouldn’t have wished to live in more interesting times.

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Raeda requested by @montydragon !!!

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Intersex Pride Pigeon has landed for public viewing! Click for best quality.

Paid subscribers get to vote on which flag I do next!

I'm a disabled queer artist, and your support is how I pay the bills. See more of my work on my site here!

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They!!

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but, ive been imagining things ~ 💐👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩

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It's June! That means it's Pride! and my birthday!

I wish I was a bit more excited, but I'm staying silly while surviving in a financial hellscape as a disabled underemployed queer of color.

So it also means it's time for a new crowdfunding post. [Previous thread closed here]

Thanks to all of your boosts and donations, I was able to make most of my smaller bills in May! I could not begin to tell you how grateful I am for that.

But unfortunately I was unable to meet my goal, and it's now sitting, staring at me, on top of the June bills. (they're winning. my eyes are burning.)

[image: screenshot of OP's expense totals which read, "Income: +$235.00, Expenses: -$1,629.00, and Balance: "-1,394.00."]

I have June's Patreon payment coming in, and $100 leftover from previous donations, but that leaves me with a need of $1,394 to just get caught up. $1,000 of that goes directly to catching up just the car note and insurance.

Pledging to my Patreon really does help; every dollar I make there is a dollar less I have to beg for each month. I have a lot of art plans for the upcoming months, and even just being a free member will be (i hope!) a good time. Check out my work and other ways to support me on my site here!

Otherwise, if you're willing and able, boosts and direct donations are endlessly appreciated.

As always: Only if you can, and only if you're willing.

PayPal | (link)

Venmo | (dovesndecay)

Cashapp | ($dovesndecay)

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URGENT HELP NEEDED: Neurodivergent Disabled Queer Family of 4 (3yo and 9yo) Needs Rent and Survival Funds By Next Week

You may recall a month ago that I was raising money to help my family move. While we were successfully able to do that, they have been unsuccessful at finding work, and many of the financial resources they've been hoping for have fallen through. I've helped in all the ways I am able, contributing some to their power and fuel bills.

They need:

$800 for rent

$150 for electric

$90 for fuel

anything else for food, meds and other survival needs

Goal: $1000

p: paypal.me/audacenoire c: $audacenoire v: @ audacenoire k: https://ko-fi.com/audacenoire

These are close friends of mine that I have known for at least ten years, who helped me escape a domestic abuse situation and more since then. It's painful for me to have to watch them struggle like this after they literally saved my life. This is their three year old's first time facing hardship, and I can't bear the thought of her suffering the way I did at her age.

I had originally been planning to move not long after them, but this situation has forced me to put off my move to help them. My needs as of now are met and I'm fine, the worst that will happen to me is that I have to live in this apartment for some more time.

My gigs:

I perform a number of small services for a fee. Please DM me for details.

Tarot and oracle card readings: $5 per card, $10 for a three card general spread

Graphic design: I can make icons, banners, blog headers and other small assets. DM for more information

Proofreading/Editing/Beta Reading: $5 per 500 words

Thank you to everyone who's taken the time to read this far. Anything you can give will be appreciated, even if all you can do is share this post.

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Reblog and put in the tags if you can remember where you got the shirt you’re currently wearing.

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Has your name every appeared in the credits of a book, or is it likely to in the near future? Then you should join AUTHORS AGAINST BOOK BANS! Transcript below the cut. A version of this zine formatted for print is available to download on my patreon.

Do you make books? Yes? I want YOU to join Authors Against Book Bans! By Maia Kobabe

WHAT IS AABB? 

A coalition of writers, illustrators, editors & other book creators, standing united against the unconstitutional movement to limit the freedom to read. We support the availability of diverse voices in our libraries, in our schools, & in our culture. We pledge to band together against the oppression of literature, to speak when our voices are silenced, to go where our bodies are needed, & to fight to ensure this freedom.

Our concern is not only for the books, but for the children, families, educators, librarians, & communities who suffer when the freedom to read is challenged and taken away.

WHAT CAN AABB OFFER YOU? 

- Regional groups working on legislation to protect authors & the freedom to read state-by-state

- Online trainings on digital security, public speaking, & how to counter book challenges in your community

-Affinity groups for BIPOC authors, queer authors, authors with disabilities, indie, nonfiction, romance writers & more

-Support if your book is challenged!

-A very active discord community

Author: What if my book hasn’t been challenged? 

Maia: JOIN!

Author: Ok, but what if I’m really busy and can’t do much organizing right now? 

Maia: JOIN ANYWAY! 

Even if all you do is sign up, your membership will help lend weight to the letters AABB sends to publishers & legislators. As of January 2025, AABB has 3500+ members. Check out the recent open letter to publishers on AABB’s socials & feel free to share it with your contacts. 

An Open Letter to Our Publishers- instagram.com/p/DCzYmKcR8uq

Maia: I’ve been facing intense challenges to my book since 2021. Knowing that I am not alone in the fight against censorship is what keeps my spirits up! 

Watching the folks in AABB share information, co-write legislation, show up to library & school board meetings, & speak up to publishers about the need to protect diverse books & minority authors has been amazing! 

This is a weird & scary time to be an author, but you are not alone! Join thousands of us fighting for the freedom to read, the freedom to write, the freedom to teach, the freedom to learn, & the freedom to share our stories!

AABB on instagram / AABB on bluesky

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hey wouldn't it be cool if alligators had dewlaps like anoles?

Oh hell YES and also imagine if they did the thing where they make significant eye contact with you while aggressively doing pushups…

That right there would be the absolute peak reptile

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Happy pride month have some cardinals

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happy crocodile day everybody

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An American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) with a damaged jaw in Orlando Wetlands Park, Florida, USA

by Matthew Paulson