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The Endless Grind

@chiaroxoscuro / chiaroxoscuro.tumblr.com

Chiaro's Blog of various sundries! Anything that interests me goes here. I re-blog my fandom interests as well as a lot of political stuff. Perhaps someday I'll have something like a unified theme. I'm also an aspiring armorer and leather worker who runs the shop Warclad. I have side blogs for my shop as well as one where I share examples of POC in medieval history and fantasy art. If you like my work, think I'm cool, or like the idea of me eating, I also have a patreon for my work. 32/trans/ she/they Pro LGBT and POC Black Lives Matter! Stay strong everyone! Etsy Shop Blog Patreon Inclusive Medieval and Fantasy Blog
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warclad

I finally got these up in the shop this week. Tax season is coming up so if you wana help a girl out, give maybe consider adding a little bit of medieval leatherwork to your life. You can find them here.

Since I'm getting back into video, I'm wondering if I should do research videos on stuff like this... much to think about...

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warclad

Finally finished with adjustments and got the bees wax finish on this. I'm very happy with how it worked out, especially for a first try, and I can't wait to make more. Should be something fun to do when I'm ready to teach. I'll also keep this in mind for possible videos next year.

If you like it, keep your eyes peeled on the etsy shop next week! Or feel free to reach out to me to snag it early ;). Hope you all have a great weekend!

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warclad

Finally finished with adjustments and got the bees wax finish on this. I'm very happy with how it worked out, especially for a first try, and I can't wait to make more. Should be something fun to do when I'm ready to teach. I'll also keep this in mind for possible videos next year.

If you like it, keep your eyes peeled on the etsy shop next week! Or feel free to reach out to me to snag it early ;). Hope you all have a great weekend!

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Ok, folks, this is it. The Holiday shopping weirdness starts... 42 minutes ago. Anyways, for the next two weeks, it's time for merch sales! Right now, grab free shipping on any order of 50 bucks or more on my BigCartel. Right here: http://tormentedartifacts.bigcartel.com

Just use code HOLIDAYSHIP when checking out.

And yes, there's a while LOT of new things to choose from there too- stickers, new shirts, jackets ALL OF THAT. So, once you revive from the food coma, time to hit the link and get started.

Still a thing, grab stuff while you can. Hells, I'll even sweeten the pot. Spend 111.11 or more, and unlock the code ELEVENSIES at checkout- grab 11% off your whole order.

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warclad

Learning how desperately low on funds I am is a great way to start the week. With that in mind, I've still got some stuff on offer. Most of it is up on etsy, but if you see something you like, hit me up in dms and I'm always happy to cut ya'll a special deal.

No one ever said getting back in the saddle was easy... 😑

The fancy pouch has a home!

While the fancy pouch on the lower right has sold, the rest of these are still available. You can get them on etsy, or message me here to get them for about 10% off.

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"The trannies should be able to piss in whatever toilet they want and change their bodies however they want. Why is it my business if some chick has a dick or a guy has a pie? I'm not a trannie or a fag so I don't care, just give 'em the medicine they need."

"This is an LGBT safe space. Of COURSE I fully support individuals who identify as transgender and their right to self-determination! I just think that transitioning is a very serious choice and should be heavily regulated. And there could be a lot of harm in exposing cis children to such topics, so we should be really careful about when it is appropriate to mention trans issues or have too much trans visibility."

One of the above statements is Problematic and the other is slightly annoying. If we disagree on which is which then working together for a better future is going to get really fucking difficult.

Someone who says they don't care if dudes wear dresses and makeup is a better ally than someone who says they're a safe space for women and non-binary people. I am not joking.

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redrook

yeah I went to a gay bar recently with my husband tumblr user beemovieerotica, and a VERY confused capital S Southerner straight man in cargo shorts and a trucker hat showed up

apparently he (who through my drunken memory I remember only as Earl) liked some woman, and she told him that he wasn't cultured enough and needed to attend his first drag show (she also flaked on him)

Now I'm reasonably androgynous and was wearing makeup, a short leather skirt, and black heeled boots, but still when this guy came up to me when I was standing off alone and asked "So. Do you come here often?" with a very earnest expression, I thought. Surely not. This guy doesn't think I'm a straight woman does he????

Anyway I start talking with this guy and he has no idea what the fuck is going on but he is just a very kind and earnest dude and asked a lot of questions (while asking if it was alright if he asked those questions). I track down my husband and friends and I'm like y'all. We need to make sure that Earl has a Good Fucking Time tonight.

Man was completely out of his depth. At one point they put on a puppy auction to raise money for Pride, that started with a 6 ft drag queen in all her glory leading a leather pup out on a leash to the tune of that damned RSPCA "in the arms of the angels" song

We look at Earl. Nervous. He squints, laughs, and then goes "I was wondering why people were dressed like that!" He turned to me and asked "So they're like dogs?" And I said yeah pretty much. And he just chuckled and went "Yeah I thought so with the tails! Never seen this before!"

When the first drag king came out, Earl looked at me wide eyed and went "There's a dude version too?!" And I said yeah they're called drag kings. And he said, low, "Drag kings."

During one of the queens performances, he frowned, shook his head and told me, "Your legs are better than hers." in a tone that implied he thought there was some travesty taking place and I should also be getting paid

When he found out I was there with my husband (and that I am not a woman) he profusely apologized and said "I'm so sorry, it's dark in here and I thought you were a hot chick! I wouldn't have said nothing if I knew you had a husband, I'm so sorry about that."

When beemovie invited me to the dance floor with him later and I still had a drink in my hand, Earl said "Oh don't worry about that I can hold your drink, you get on out there and shake your ass with your husband!" Then before we left, Earl bought me drinks for "Putting up with me all night and answering everything. Y'all helped me have a great time tonight."

like. You gotta recognize there's going to people who have never had interacted outside of their of their own community. This includes you. And just because your community is familiar with all the right vocabulary and how to correctly say something, it doesn't mean they're actually going to support you. If someone like Earl shows up, confused and out of their depth but kind and curious and earnest, you gotta have patience and truck through the small things, so when he goes back to his friends and his coworkers and they snicker asking how the drag show was, he can genuinely talk about how included we tried to make him feel and that he had a great time

The person matters more than the language

@redrook you're husband's name is what now

The name of mine husband is Tumblr User Beemovieerotica
Beehold and beeware of our family crest
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warclad

Learning how desperately low on funds I am is a great way to start the week. With that in mind, I've still got some stuff on offer. Most of it is up on etsy, but if you see something you like, hit me up in dms and I'm always happy to cut ya'll a special deal.

No one ever said getting back in the saddle was easy... 😑

Ya girl could use a lil help this week.

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warclad

Back from time with family! And back to sharing old work to help fund my shop. This cellphone case is based on medieval leather book casses and fits a 3" x 6.5" cellphone. DM me if you're interested in taking it home.

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warclad

This is another pouch based on a medieval find that I made. If I remember correctly, it's a bit simplified, but I'm very happy with it. I'll have to make more in the future.

I'm traveling with family for the next week, but if you're interested in this, DM me, and we'll work it out. Stay well, everyone, and remember that self care, and loving yourself, is important!

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warclad

This is another pouch based on a medieval find that I made. If I remember correctly, it's a bit simplified, but I'm very happy with it. I'll have to make more in the future.

I'm traveling with family for the next week, but if you're interested in this, DM me, and we'll work it out. Stay well, everyone, and remember that self care, and loving yourself, is important!

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warclad

This is one of the first pouches I was really proud of. I learned a lot about using the right leather and how to treat it. It was also the first pouch I made that was closely based on the features of medieval finds.

As usual, DM me if you want it to be yours!

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warclad

Getting things back on track involves a lot of learning and work. I also need to top off funds, so I wanted to offer some of my older work. I'll be adding it on etsy, but as usual, I wanted to offer to you all first.

I'll be sharing other work like this over the next few days, so if you see something you like, just DM me, and we'll work it out.

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warclad

From the ashes, a fire has woken

So y'all might remember about a year ago, I scaled back the business to focus on trying to go back to school, get a masters, and get a proper job. I had a lot of time to think, reflect, and learn. And the biggest thing I learned is that I don't want to go back to college, I want to cut leather and hit red hot metal!

Crafting is who I am, it's everything to me. I can't set it aside. So I re assessed how I used to do things, figured out what wasn't working, and where I want to go. Ultimately I want to teach my craft, and to make what I make in a way that's more personally sustainable.

This is going to mean a lot of hard work, a lot of adjusting, learning, and growth. But already it feels so much easier. I understand who and what I am, I understand better how to do what I want to do. And that understanding turns the fear into excitement.

I need to clean up the shop, do some prep and sourcing, and sell some of my old work to fund some re supplies, but things will be heating back up around here.

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now that i’m older and understand how absolutely fucked the housing market is, all those horror movies that take place in nice houses where the family refuses to leave make sense. if i had a 4,000sqft vintage home you’d need to kill me before i ever moved out as well. fuck the ghost. charge it rent.

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tehnakki

I’d also be trying to negotiate with the ghost to cause specific issues, so I could sue the seller for not disclosing everything 😅 blood pouring from the walls has got to be an electrical code violation.

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warclad

Hey! It’s been a while. Been trying to get back into work but the worlds been harsh of late. On top of that, funds have been low for life and working. So I’m selling some of my older work. As I often do, I’m offering things here first! 

Today I’ve got some reproductions of medieval wallets: 

The first is based on a find from Middelburg, early 16th century. 

The second is based on a find from Dordrecht, 15th century. 

As usual these will be a lower price here than in the shop, and I’ll sell them on a first come fist served basis. Cost of shipping will be included. 

This is a great way to help me out and to get your hands on my work. I plan to have some more stuff up in the coming days so keep your eyes peeled for anything you might like!

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warclad

Buckle complete! There are places I could improve but it's already a big improvement from previous buckles!

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nietp

Rugs designed by Olga Fisch in the 1950s and woven by Ecuadorian artisans. 

Fisch was a Jewish Bauhaus artist. Born in Hungary, she fled her country in 1933 and arrived in Ecuador in 1939. She founded her brand in 1942 and her designs are still produced today. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

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It should 100% be illegal for companies to make you give them your payment information when you sign up for a free trial version of their product. It is not necessary and there is no good fucking reason for them to do it. It’s blatantly just so they can steal forgetful customers’ money.

oh hey, thanks for reminding me to cancel a free trial i had going on.

Reblog to save an unnecessary charge cause it also reminded me to cancel a trial lol

reminder that most of the time, after signing up for a free trial you don’t intend to keep, you can cancel the subscription immediately after signing up and have the service through the duration of the trial without the chance of it renewing

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warclad

Something a little different. I’ve made another ttrpg, Shit Heels! It’s rules light romp where you play a shit heel who lives in an endless dungeon, trying to get treasure and keep your blood on the inside.

I made this because I was in a bit of a creative funk. So I made a system in 10 minutes and I think it’s kinda fun! If people like it I might flesh it out more in the future. And I’ll definitely be doing more stuff like this in the future.