My nose looks like a...

Being unable to properly breathe through your nose might not be the end of the world, but I have experienced such a sensation for years and can tell that sometimes it couldn't get more despairing indeed, especially when it came to sleep. Constant nasal congestion has been troubling me pretty much since my teenage years but I took a long time to decide it wasn't, well... normal? Then, a couple of years ago, I found out I am allergic to house dust, which came to worsen my nose issues like sneezing, stuffy nose and constant nasal runoff. Then the headaches and throat infections came.

I have had several medical appointments during the last year to figure out the best way to reduce my nose problems. This was when I also came to know that I had a very deviated nasal septum. What a vicious, miserable little fella my parents gave me... *sad face*

So last monday, I've finally had my septoplasty and turbinate reduction surgery. It actually went much better than I was expecting and I could say that I'm feeling great if it wasn't for the slight face swelling and all the bleeding. My lips seem like they're going to explode, no matter how many glasses of water I drink to keep myself well hydrated. Not to mention that little Misha has been crying by the other side of the door because he wants to be with me but I have to avoid pet contact at least until the bleeding ceases. :( But yeah, it could be worse!

Due to my medical condition, recent orders might take a little longer to be proccessed and shipped. My sweet boyfriend is a gentleman who's going to help me by taking the packages to the post office until I can go outside. :)

Now off to enjoy a little rest together with some mint tea and Game of Thrones!

Butterfly wishes,

Ana ♥

Finally, a real crafty session

To those who celebrate, I hope you've had a wonderful Easter with lots of family love and awesome food. I gladly have, although college work hasn't been missing either to consume my own soul. I have delivered two different projects yesterday, which I had been working on the entire Easter "vacation". But then, for the first time pretty much since September, I was able to sit on my table with the beads and filigrees without thinking about the long list of academic terrors I had to fulfill. I had missed it so much!

Along with finishing custom requests, it is now time to start preparing my Summer collection. I am going for a totally different approach this year and I can't wait to show it to you all. I am having lots of fun with gold, pastel colors and delicate tribal chic. That's all I can tell for now. :))

Also, it's been exactly a month since I've moved to a new home and a slightly new lifestyle. It was surprisingly easy to get used to it and leave those 20 years in the old home behind... but I still have a lot to do, finishing organizing my new bedroom; especially because it is so much smaller than the one I was used to, plus the walls are still pink (not a pinky girl this one...) and my Master's devours pretty much all my time! But after the walls are repainted it will be much easier to tidy all my craft supplies up and thus, to manage Wilwarin Designs. I should take the next weekend to do so.

Misha has become accustomed to the new home pretty quickly and is almost a (quite charming) grown-up now. :)

Preparing for a new season - Part II

Finally my college semester has officialy ended! After many busy nights and weekends, public presentations and other college madness, it is time to embrace Wilwarin Designs and my milllion plans for it. Yesterday was my first day of winter academic vacation, thus my first day of crafting in a very long time... Misha has also been castrated yesterday morning and spent the day at the vet, which means I was able to "garnish" my crafting table at will, without having to deal with a four-legged crazy one constantly messing around. :D

I've decided to focus on two, perhaps three, main concepts/collections for this Spring/Summer season. I cannot tell any details about them even if I wanted to because they're still in a very initial phase of sketching and planning. Of course, that means I am open to any suggestions or requests from all of you, so if there is anything you would like to see at Wilwarin's shop this Summer, be it a trend or color palette, feel free to contact me or leave a comment in this post!

I'll bring more news really soon, maybe today, even! Stay tuned in this lovely wednesday. ;)

End of semester!

Again, it's been so long since last I wrote! I wish I could take less time between posts. That's definitely another 2013 resolution for me. ;)

The last three weeks have been truly hardcore, bustling and too stressful for my own good. My Master's first semester is finally bidding goodbye, but the damages left behind by it in my daily life are many. Lots and loads of sleepless nights (I've spent two entire days with no sleep at all, and more than 30 hours straight working on the computer on my final project...), poor diet, the absence of ANY exercise and the lack of time for any other activities such as jewelry making... I know it will take a while to rectify everything - perhaps too long, considering that my next semester starts in less than a month away. But one should start today, right? And so I did, sleeping about 14h straight. :))

Speaking of damage left behind, the weather has been really bad and quite dangerous here in Portugal. The strong winds have knocked many trees down and caused some accidents on the road, which makes this a perfect day to stay home resting after such a hardcore season. Poor little Misha has been panicking the entire day, running and meowing around the house and staring from the windows with eyes wide open. I can even see street lamps waggle from my bedroom window. But however Mother Nature rages outside, I feel good and free because I've finally accomplished many tiring tasks and projects. That aside, I know everything will be alright.

I got to craft a tiny little bit during the last few weeks, but the weather doesn't let me take any good pictures. It doesn't let me go outside to hunt for supplies either. And sadly today I still feel too tired, thus my inspiration is not afoot. I decided I'd then start by gathering some inspiration for my next collection, and I ended up with creating a treasury list on Etsy. The ideas are now starting to flow and I intend to bring more news really soon. :)

Clicky-clicky on the picture to see the whole collection on Etsy!

So long 2012!!

I know it's been two entire months since my last post! Last time I came here, I presented my cat Misha, who is now almost five months old and turned out to be a very beautiful feline child. A home with a cat is, indeed, a joyful home... well, except for when it comes to cleaning Misha's mess. ;)

I hope you've had a wonderful winter holiday along with your family and most loved ones. Now, 2012 is coming to an end... but before we step into a brand new year (and a brand new chapter), there is still a small surprise. If you haven't been to my Etsy shop the last couple of days and/or if you're not following me on Twitter yet, perhaps you would like to know that ALL my items are 13% off until the end of February. This is the perfect time to get that piece you have enjoyed so much for a lesser cost.

Last but not least, I'd like to say thank you, to all of you my lovelies, who have supported and cherished me and my work during the last twelve months. 2012 has been a great year for Wilwarin Designs, with many conquered blessings, starting from winning Beadaholique's "Jewels of January" contest to the opening of my Etsy shop and international sales. And all of this wouldn't have been possible without you all. So thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! ♥

May 2013 bring you good fortune and perseverance in all of your life areas!

Happy New Year!!!

Meet my family's newest member...

He's cute, he's sweet, and he's a purring machine! He's Misha, our new whiskered baby. :)

I've been what they call a "crazy cat lady" since a teenager. In fact, my feline fascination is so big that my friends say I'll get old in a big country house bursting with kitties. Thanks to Wilwarin Designs and all the effort I've put into it, I've managed to save some pennies to sustain a furry buddy - and give it the best life it could possibly have!

Misha is only around 3 months old and he was available for adoption from a local street cat housing project (they're not really an association but more of a group of friends who share the same passion). It's amazing, the amount of animals which are daily abandoned and/or neglected. Knowing how much I love kitties, I just couldn't stand doing nothing about it.

Before finding Misha, I browsed so many adoption websites and replied to so many ads. I was initially looking for a longhaired buddy, because I'm so freaking obsessed with fluffy creatures and my last cat, whom I loved so much and miss even more, had this beautiful and oh-so-smooth long hair. But soon (after a dozen adoption failures) I realized that medium-long haired cats were the most sought ones because most people feel the same way I do (or just like to display them)... So, instead, I decided to put my 'greed' away and just go for a sweet kitty looking for love. And then, I found Misha.

I stumbled on this project's blog the other day and, as I browsed their list of homeless cats, this baby drawed my attention. When I picked up the phone and dialed their number, my hopes weren't actually high at all because I'd heard the sentence "that cat has already been adopted" so many times the last two or three weeks. But not Misha (he had another name before we adopted him but we find 'Misha' much more fitting) - and after a few questions, they let me stay with him.

Despite of not having the looks I was hoping for when I started searching for a cat, I'm so so far from regreting my choice. Misha is truly adorable! His adaptation in the new home and family was nice and quick. After just a few hours, he plays a lot, purrs on my lap, sleeps with me at night and, of course, messes everything up :)) He seems a very happy kitten - and I'm a very happy own- ...pardon me, slave!

He luvs to sleep on my lap... for HOURS if possible. Who can resist such cuteness!

Peek-a-boo :)

Misha staring mindfully at one of his favourite toys.

I'm now logging off to try to tire Misha, because it's bed time for me and he's still electric. I'm so screwed. :D

Have a great week everyone, and for my north american followers in the east, be safe and believe. "After a storm, a rainbow always appears". My prayers are with you!

Yours,

Ana