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Yes! Scamander Wood and Stone has successfully reopened, and is doing pretty darned awesome! With a lot of work and a lot of fun, I am once more selling art, and furniture, and enjoying it.

There is something about running your hands over stone or wood and seeing the art inside it, bursting to be free, vaguely at first, but then more vividly as your hands deftly twist and tug away the unneeded pieces. Its... amazing.

If you were waiting on Jewelry from me, I'm sorry to say that your commissions will be running a little late. I've gotten a few done, but trying to work with beads and wire and gem cutting is a lot harder when you've got a damaged cornea.

Eyepatches aren't a good look for me. I'm glad that this should heal up fairly quickly. Everything should be done before Christmas, though. I'm just making much slower progress right now.

Hellllo, Valarnet! I'mmmmm back! Alrigthy then! I've been away, traveling while the construction companies ironed out some issues, then the project got ditched, and I found a new place to have a shop built, and it got built. So now is the fun part.

Ladies and Gentlemen, children of all ages, December 2nd, I will be reopening Scamander Wood and Stone, in a new space at [address], in Irvine! There will be specials, and balloons, and even food. Come one and come all!

I hope everybody had a wonderful July 4th - I've sent my husband into the hospital today with leftovers and a few pies I made.

It's very busy there with all of these terrible attacks and I thought the staff and patients could use a little energy boost.

Also once all this business is sorted - which I hope will be soon - I am offering art classes over the Summer to those who wish to take them. They don't have to be anything too heavy just for fun if you like. I can tailor to suit. Let me know if you would be interested and I will see about booking a room once a week or something.

Uhhh... Not sure I'm digging this Zombie thing. I haven't seen any yet, but I don't like the way people are talking about them. Unless it's some inside joke that I don't get?

The events of the last few days have been artistically inspiring in a way. First the meteor shower with its various colors, and now these creatures. The contrast between the darkness and those glowing lights on them.

I think I might explore the inclusion of LED lights on my next set of jewelry, or do some work with darker metal and brighter contrasting gems.

Anyone else get the sense that the world is crazy? Like legitimately crazy. I've spent the better part of my life believing in fate and destiny, thinking that people are inherently good. And I suppose I do still believe that, in fact I'm pretty sure it's true, but the fact is sometimes this world seems just so random, so incredibly cruel, that if there is destiny and fate it's too cruel. Too horrific, and that it needs to be random. No 'fate' could really put anything on this road.

Sorry, just venting. One of the kids I talked to just found out they were diagnosed with cancer. How does any kid deserve this?

Well, no one told me it was 'bring your badass Asgardian sword to work day', but I'm glad I did, since it's apparently Tuesday and like any Tuesday that involves some crazy bullshit going on with one of my friends and strange creatures attacking the ranch.

Kind of humanoid looking, black with blue glowy... something. You know. Like a shadow ripped off someone's body and then ate a bunch of blue LED's.

They die pretty quickly, at least. If my morning is any indication of what today is going to be like, I think I might need more coffee.

Can someone actually die of boredom?

I don't think the animal kingdom likes me.

They've finally started construction on the new shop and it looks like it will be both bigger and better than the previous one, better designed that is. The architect I talked to had some good ideas, and so with them, the insurance, and construction all on board, it started up Friday. Hopefully it will take only about a month to complete.

Until then, I'm working out of the house, and doing a lot of work there. Got a few commissions from someone out of state, and had to explain proper shipping techniques to them. It's kind of fun, sometimes, working from here.

Several beavers showed up just a few days ago, volunteering to help out if I gave them some wood for their homes, which has been a very odd experience. They are delightfully easy to communicate with, even without the talking. They understand wood like I do, and that's rare in people I have worked with.

Soon after some birds showed up, asking if they could use some of the wood-shavings and scraps in their nests in return for carrying small things. Even with providing some food and water for them and the beavers, I still almost feel like I'm taking advantage of them. But they like to work!

I hope they stay after this weird effect ends.

Everyone mark your calendars! July 13th we're going to have a Gala Party at Baxter Bakery. If you're a local artist who would like to display artwork at the event, or if you're a local musician who would like to play, please comment below and contact me!

Also at Baxter Bakery, one of my employees has decided that we need to have a sandwich called "The Audrey"... if you think you have good ideas what "The Audrey" might be, please fill out a form and drop it in the box! We'll vote on the best sandwich at the Gala!

Thanks for your time!

Construction has started on my new shop. Or deconstruction, I guess I should say. They have to clear the lot completely. Take it down to the bare bones. It means it will be closed a lot longer than I had hoped, but at least the process is starting.

Now I just wait!

In the meantime, I am still doing commissions and still working on projects for anyone who wants to hire my services.

My exams are done and I am free :)

Now the real work begins, hunting for a job and a place to live.

Maybe some time off first, though I need to be out of the dorms in two weeks.

I'm going to have a beach party on Friday evening before I leave town. Anybody want to join me? Say, around sunset?

Don't worry, I don't think I'm leaving for good. Just a little working vacation to kick off the summer.

Who let the dogs out?

Well, that was a hell of a night. And morning.

Let me tell you folks, there is nothing like having a very quiet evening, and expecting nothing, telling a client about stones and woods, and suddenly, out of the blue, some gangbangers are shooting at each other outside your shop.

Of course, they aren't exactly particular about where their bullets go, and so your shop is taking a beating. And then of course, they manage to hit something, in one of the stores, and there is fire. I gotta tell you... that was a bit annoying.

Cops came, stopped the bad guys, and made them whine like the little dumbasses they were. But... my shop was a complete loss, along with half the storefronts there.

Of course, having full insurance means I'll be reimbursed and able to reopen swiftly, but the loss of a couple projects, pieces that were utterly unique, and the time when the shop will be closed and...

...I think tonight needs more beer.

Right. I am supposed to be putting together an invite list for a Memorial Day camping trip. Sounds fun right? Who wants to go? I can't invite the entire Net (though it would be a lot of fun) but we have room for quite a few I would imagine.

Hello, all you cool cats and kitten out there! My name's Lysander Scamander and I run a local shop called Scamander Wood and Stone in Irvine. Someone told me about this network awhile back, but I keep on forgetting to come and post here.

I'm a sculptor and woodworker and make both for sale and for commissions. In addition, you'll find art supplies and furniture of wood and stone at my shop as well!

I'm mostly a homebody, when I'm not working or pestering mom who lives in the area and is one of the coolest moms ever.

So, Hi!

I just got back from Taiwan! I went there for an article I'm doing for National Geographic, but that's not the cool part. While I was there I managed to set up a Taiwanese chapter of the Iron Man Fan Club. The love of Iron Man is spreading!