The Art of LadySeshiiria

Friday, March 6, 2026

Larp Potion Bottle Felt Plushie Sewing Pattern (Coming Soon...)

Hello everyone. I hope you are doing well? My queue keeps getting bigger and bigger, and I am having to wrestle with several projects at once. A lot of what I am working on unfortunately keeps getting stalled out due to lack of supplies or resources. This one was no different. In an earlier post: My Candle Is Burning Out... I mentioned how my own labor became largely invisible to me over the years. This particular pattern has been a long hauler. I started it in December of 2025 and while the sewing and everything was finished in time for Christmas. I had issues with scanning my hand drafts and doing other stuff like combing through it a dozen times to make sure my dyslexia is not present, and obviously to get this one prepped for launch. (More on it later.)

Ultimately I came to the conclusion that this one needs to go up as a paid pattern. So I will be launching it on 03/17/2026 at 8:00 am MST on my Ko-fi for a limited 15 slot celebratory sale run at $10.00. Once it's sold out, it'll be relisted at full price, $12.00. https://ko-fi.com/ladyseshiiria

Why am I handling it this way? Well, partially because I have never sold a pattern before, so I am not sure as to what to expect as a psycho small artist. I don't have much presence online even despite being online for decades. Most social media influencers have privilege or means to pay to play. So small creators, especially ones in poverty have to rely on luck to be seen. And it's a massively lottery. Lets be honest.

So I guess wish me luck. I am stepping way out of my comfort zone and doing something super scary for me.

I'm also trying to get a jump on Christmas for next year because I keep tell myself every year I won't make things last minute... and I end up doing it... So hopefully this time will be different? I guess we will see, because life happens... a lot here... A few of these things unfortunately are waiting on supplies.

Anyway, speaking of Christmas, this particular pattern was developed shortly after my sweetroll was, and during a period where I was trying to rescue Christmas! (Christmas of 2025 is not the first one I've had to save...) It had been serious crunch time. I was exhausted at this point. Had drafted, tested my last pattern several times, and burned myself out trying to promote it on various social media platforms for the anniversary of Skyrim. I was sewing clothes, and making other goodies, trying hard to make Christmas work on a serious budget. (This is the reality of poverty and being a disabilities household.) I literally only spent like $5.00 on thread and a couple pieces of felt for Christmas because I already had a back stock of things on hand from prior years when I was working, things that were inherited, recycled, thrifted, or gifted like years ago.

My kiddo is autistic and he really likes plushies so that was the main goal of last year and why I drafted and tested so many patterns. I was trying to stay within his special interests and requests. At the point of Thanksgiving last year, I had like thirteen things in queue, not everything was my own original designs either. Some were free patterns I found online or patterns I purchased. (I'll share links to those sometime other posts because some other artists out there have made some pretty cool stuff. Support your fellow artists!!!) Those mostly got done and sewn for gifts. My own drafts and designs mostly fell behind. Well, I managed to get quite a bit done but there are things that didn't make it in time like I said. So I'm getting a jump on things for next year, and you guys might as well benefit from it too! A lot of what I post is free.

At the time of writing this, I had been tightening up my written tutorial, working on a yellow version for visibility and better photos for my pdf tutorial. (This blog draft sat in fallow for like a month while I was working some stuff out, and I didn't get back to finish writing it until the day of posting this.) Cutting and sewing doesn't take very long with this pattern. I think it's reasonable to say, if you're not like me focused on writing and photography it probably only takes about an hour to an hour and a half to make altogether. It's a relatively short project. What's cool is you can make multiples of these in different colors, and color code them like video games. Red for health, blue for mana or magic, green for stamina or poison, yellow for strength, that sort of thing. Skies the limit on imagination. I also plan on eventually finishing my other bottle drafts and posting those too, but again supplies.

What's nice, is if you have a better budget than I do, you can be a lot more picky about felt colors. I like this particular small business called Over The River Felt (I'm not sponsored or paid to endorse them. I just really really like their quality and selection and they are based in America.) I found that I especially like their heathered felt. They no longer provide this other stuff I liked which is a hand dyed tie dyed felt though, bummer. I just found out about that last month. I'm looking for a black and purple tie dye felt... As well and a gradient purple, blue, pink for another project (sewing pattern) that I started last year and had to back burner.

I think what I'm really struggling with currently is no longer having access to Joann Fabrics. I really miss working there but there were a lot of unfortunate problems... That's putting it kindly. I live in a small town that doesn't have a lot of infrastructure or small businesses and it's rather difficult to find things. It's trying to catch up, but its being done very poorly... Instead of building houses, we should really focus on our roads... What's worse is Walmart shrank their selection on fabrics, tools, crafts, and notions, or doesn't stock them well. So I usually end up having to improvise with something I don't want to use color wise or fabric wise or change my plans altogether. (Like in my current secret project above that I back burnered... Sighs... I had to change my fabric approach and add seams. Might be able to make two versions though? One for felt and one for fabric. I guess we will see...) Or in other cases I end up having to wait a very long time to buy things online because I'm poor and have to rely on saving up for things and shipping... I don't mind snail mail though.

Anyways, this particular pattern will be birthing another couple bottle patterns entirely. Since the testing went so well on this one. I'm hoping to get some higher quality felt from my favorite shop and do my next variations in better color choices.

Trying to unlock some things...

I'm also making a ton of stuff trying to kick off a way larger project but I don't want to jinx myself and just mostly quietly manifest it into existence. I'm hoping all this energy brings it about into being.

Well here is another photo of this particular pattern. The pattern and instructions will be available for sale soon as a digital download on my ko-fi. Thank you for reading. I hope you have a great week!

Sunday, March 1, 2026

Skyrim Inspired Lockpick Crochet Patterns Version 1 and 2

(Version 1)

(Version 2)

Difficulty: Easy & Beginner

Description:

Fanart inspired by Elder Scrolls Skyrim. Version 1 can be made rather quickly and used as a Christmas ornament, accessory for a backpack or purse. Version 1 can be starched to suit your needs.

The studier version can be used as a cosplay prop and uses floral wire in its construction. It’s easily adaptable to whatever size you may want to make, just change yarn, thread, or hook size. For version 2, you may wish to scale up for larger sizes. To do so measure in inches not stitch count or rows. For example adding 1 inch to the wire length and the I-cord length.

Below are two separate patterns or two different versions. Some may choose to make a more sturdy version for prop accessories just be wary that floral wire bends easily, and the hook portion may snag on things. It’s mostly meant as a prop. If you choose and you have the tools to bend stronger wire, you can opt for a higher gauge and stronger metal, just scale up your I-cord as necessary.

The second version requires a bit more knowledge of crochet, using the I-cord method, as well as a bit of assembly.

Version 1 measures about 4 1/2” while version 2 measures 5 3/4” finished.

Copyright:

You may use this free pattern for personal use only. Mass production is prohibited. You may not copy, edit, sell, reproduce, or redistribute this pattern, its photos, or instructions. AI and NFT are strictly forbidden and prohibited. Selling your finished creations and sharing is welcome though, as long as it credits the original artist and links back to source. Thank you for respecting your fellow artists and crafters.

Disclaimer:

Unofficial Fan art inspired by Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim / Bethesda Softworks.

All characters and related properties belong to their respective owners. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the original creators.

Abbreviations:

Ch = Chain

St or sts = stitch or stitches

Sl st = slip stitch

Hdc = Half double crochet

I-cord = a special technique that makes a braided rope.

F.O. = Finish off

Supplies: Version 1

- Aunt Lydia’s Crochet Fashion 3 Thread Grey or Stone

- 3.5mm Hook

- Scissors

- Yarn Needle

Supplies: Version 2

- Red Heart Yarn - Worsted Weight in Heather Grey

- 4.5mm Hook

- Scissors

- Yarn Needle

- Floral Wire

- Wire Cutters

- Hot Glue Gun

- Hot Glue

Instructions:

Version 1: Easy

Ch14, hdc into the second chain stitch from the hook, then hdc into every chain stitch after that. Do not chain or turn, instead slip stitch into foundation chain of same stitch on other side, this will place you into the center of the side of the last hdc stitch. Chain 12, and then sl st into 3rd stitch from chain creating picot stitch. Fasten off. Weave ends in. Starch for stiffness.

(Where to place sl st at the end the base hdc.)

Version 2: Beginner

Note: If you don't know how to do I-cord, there are tons of tutorials online, both picture and video.

Ch3, create 12 I-cord rows or about 3”. Then yo, sl st through all three sts on the hook, ch1 and pull yarn all the way through the loop leaving a decent amount of length then cut, do not F.O. We will use the excess length for the lockpick assembly.

Cut 6” of floral wire.

The next section will take some care, so do not rush it. The last thing you want to do is snag your yarn fibers on the freshly cut floral wire. I suggest using a yarn needle to help you through this next section. I used the yarn needle to gently ply the in between posts on the back of the I-cord work as I passed the floral wire through. Down below you will see example photos below of the I-cord post section.

Start by fishing the floral wire through the top of the lockpick’s I-cord.

Back of the I-cord work, the yarn needle shows what posts I am talking about. Lift gently and work slowly.

Once the wire is fully fished through the I-cord, sew the bottom closed with the remaining tail and clip excess.

Pass the top tail through the I-cord, closing the stitching and then hot glue the excess tail the length of the remaining floral wire. We want to do this now, securing it before bending the wire to prevent the yarn from snapping under unnecessary tension later while shaping.

Cut excess yarn tail.

Bend the tip into shape.

Cut a new length of yarn at least 5 times the length of the portion we are about to wrap. Split the yarn into single threads.

Put a dab of hot glue at the base of the wire next to the I-cord and press the split yarn strand to it and start wrapping slowly. You do not want to pull so tight that you break the thread.

Once you get the end of the hook, dab a bit of hot glue on the tip and slow down even more so and watch how you wrap. You don’t want to snag the thread on the end but want to cover the rest of it. This needs to be done this way, because if you wrap then bend the hook you might snap the thread due to tension and have to redo it.

Push up the I-cord on the bottom end of the lockpick, dab a bit of hot glue and push it back down into place to secure it. (Sorry about the blurry photo, it does the job.)

And now you have finished making you lockpick prop! I hope you had fun making these!

Sunday, February 22, 2026

My Candle Is Burning Out...

In an earlier post I talked about how I am just a hobbyist blogger, and how I'm not in business. You can read it here: https://artofladyseshiiria.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html

Shortly after writing that. I have been hitting a burn out wall. I released four patterns this month. Some have been in development for a few weeks to a couple months. I have two more in the wings both of which are in the two to four months development windows. One is finished and just waiting in the interim, the other just needs a second tester run. It's already written. A second tester run allows me to find out if there's errors in my writing, but also gives me a chance to take the photography for the tutorials that I make.

I was not expecting myself to burn out this quickly...

I started making patterns and sharing them in... well my first really serious one I really did in November of last year. (2025) But I'm not new to making patterns I've posted some in the past they were just really amateur comparatively speaking. So some of those have been taken down over the years. Some are still up and I probably need to update them. I will eventually get to it I just don't want to do it right now.

My problem is I have a whole to do list of ideas and drafts but I'm tired. And even though I disconnected from social media platforms last year (for the most part,) the lasting effects of competing with the algorithm are still there. Even though I've never really competed with the algorithm and I've never really posted for trends or done any of that. That pressure to pump content out is still there. I mostly blame IG for that it's super toxic. Your content gets swallowed up so fast I thought deviantART was bad when I was a kid but holy s***...

When I produce something and I share it I don't really get a sense of pride or accomplishment. I get a sense of relief. I think this is due to being neurodivergent and having ADD/ADHD. It doesn't really feel good to me. It often feels like pressure to follow through and perform perfectly. If you grew up like many of us did you were criticized for every little thing you did wrong and you weren't allowed to just do things wrong and learn from your mistakes.

I feel like anytime I start something whether it's work or leisure it's still hard. It's more exhausting than people think. They often think that people that are neurodivergent are lazy but we deal with so much executive dysfunction that even our hobbies can be crippling at times. I think for me it also stems from a lot of trauma because I use art to cope with my PTSD and my mental health. For me art is supposed to be a safe haven, but once it goes from production or the process, to sharing it starts rubbing me a certain way that hits my freeze and flight responses.

This might be partially due to RSD or rejection sensitivity dysphoria. Which a lot of people dismiss as irrational fear but when somebody's had enough trauma throughout their life to recognize patterns consistently that's not an irrational fear. Though, I don't compare myself to other artists anymore and haven't done that for a while because I just don't care anymore. I guess that's what's nice about being in your thirties. I'm more for myself and my art journey.

The fear of rejection part for me isn't something simple like 'your art sucks,' or 'insert critique or criticism here,' it's the silence. It's feeling alone. It's feeling unseen. Because in my life. I have gone unseen, ignored, bullied, and the things I consider important to me have been dismissed whether it was things like special interests or how someone at school was treating me.

I think the algorithm heightened that. But where I feel better just sticking to DA, here, and Tumblr, that pressure to be seen it still there. That fear of being left behind or unseen.

It doesn't help that in my personal life. I lost all of my friends. Either I cut them out of my life because they were abusive and toxic people. Some of whom used suicide to emotionally manipulate me into not doing things or doing things I don't want to, or growing apart, or even the cult ruining my social life as an adult. And then having to start over again on learning to socialize after leaving the cult in my mid thirties and being isolated. (Some of that isolation is self-imposed and self-inflicted because of trauma...)

So as I'm recognizing all of this currently with where I'm at. I promised myself I'm not posting anymore content this month. I'm going to sit on my two patterns. Even though for me sitting on them is causing me a anxiety like an open browser tab in my brain... And even though they're finished it feels like I have not finished said project because I haven't an uploaded it yet.

I'm going to allow myself to sit in that discomfort. I deserve my break I spent four months on one of them and two on the other ish. From concept to draft, development and testing, to finalization for publishing. I am not a content machine I am not AI. I have limited energy and capacity. I am human and it is okay to feel tired. It is okay to say no to creativity and it's okay to say yes to rest.

I know I said I'm not a small business and I'm not. I have been doing some research and I found out that I don't have to be a small business, I don't need a small business license, and I can make a little bit of money at my hobby without having to register as a business. I don't have the capacity to run a business. At least not right now. The taxes are different that's fine. I don't care about that, that's easy.

And after really watching my own process and documenting it for the first time. Like really actually documenting it. Not unlike my costume of 2018 and 2019 that I did and posted to DA for a short time before pulling it down. While I know I took photos and I talked about my process. I didn't pay attention to how much time it took for me from concept to finalization of my idea. I didn't pay attention to how much work and investment I placed in that project or any others.

Because I'm more about the journey...

But part of my journey and healing recently has been paying attention and being more present. Seeing all of my work that I haven't been seeing which was largely invisible to me. My scheduling of my time, my photography, my writing, my drafting, my testing, all of it... Was finally seeing my work and progress and actually acknowledging it. Not going through the motions like I'm along for the ride.

With all of this said and in closing, I think... I deserve to post a couple of things as paid patterns even as a hobbyist. I worked so very hard on these two and I'm so exhausted. I don't know why I feel like I have the need to justify it. But it gives me a chance to test run and see how well I can potentially do. It'll give me much needed perspective. Because I've been wanting to be self-employed since high school as a small artist business. I want to see if it would even be feasible or worth it. Even if it's a future endeavor. I need to know this something of myself. Will it be worth the executive dysregulation and capacity for potential burnout? Because it will be worth it if it means I can pull myself out of this extreme poverty. Even if it's only a little bit and it raises my standard of living even a small measure to alleviate some of the stress that I've got. I think I just want to not live so hand to mouth...

Disabilities are life on hard mode.

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

The Hidden Math of Crochet Commissions: Lessons Learned the Hard Way

Or When Hobby Meets Commission: A Crochet Tale of Math, Monograms, and Madness...

So remember how I brought up doing a tapestry for a friend? Because she asked for a commission? And I decided to be nice and just do it at cost because I didn't want to sit there and figure out commission stuff and I don't want to do crochet as anything more than a hobby... (Well I ended up figuring out a bunch of stuff anyways. Wanna read about it? See end of article.)

Yeah, sigh. Now I'm regretting doing it at cost. Well partially. I'm still looking at it as an investment in a new friendship between moms. Anyways, the part that I regret. Something I've learned that might be a common problem in the fiber arts community especially for new small business hookers. (Crocheter's doesn't roll very well visually does it?) Is when a prospective client, customer, or friend requests changes to said thing.

Good God, at least were still in the planning phase. But still! So like if you ever decide to commission crochet from someone, please, please don't do this!

Before we started this project. I did a mock up so I could get an estimate on yardage usage for the tapestry in the colors needed. Stitch Fiddle is good for getting an idea of yardage amount, if you look in the settings. I don't want to get into the math, but essentially long story short, stitch amounts in each color, gauge, and hook size are factored in, as well as techniques and stitch type like single crochet for example. There are estimated yardage calculations per stitch online you can use to factor stuff in.

That said, I gave her the estimate for the supplies, and we went shopping like 3 weeks later when she could afford it. Now since there's this thing called dye lots in yarn. Sighing because this is a problem in sewing as well. Always buy enough plus surplus for projects because things might not be exact from bolt to bolt. The same goes for yarn too.

The problem I immediately encountered was right after we bought it and we were long gone from the store. She asked if we can monogram the bottom. And I was already factoring in fringe.

Yeah, I'm dying too if you know what this means. IYKYK Send help lol.

Ahem... Anyhoodles, yeah, so the budget factored in yardage already with surplus. Of course she's like if you can make it happen. Last minute changes are sometimes bad for designers guys. Depends on the field. If this was a digital art piece, I'd be like yeah, sure whatever. Shrugs. But this. Oh god, I had to redo all my math and refactor everything in stitch fiddle I had to redesign it in hopes that my estimates would still keep me in my estimated yardage counts. If a change is big enough, more yarn needs to be bought because more yarn is consumed. And when that happens. There can be serious problems, depending on how trafficked your store is!

Dye lot problems are the worst. They always tell you to buy enough in your dye lot for a reason. If you don't you run the risk of things not matching up quite right. And this happens to a lot of crocheters both hobbyists and professionals. Albeit not as much with the pros.

So tonight I spent a butt load of time tweaking. I'm tired. The redoing of the math part and everything and it turns out even with the changes I'm still in a safe window. Sigh of relief anyone? Holy hell. So yeah, that's the part I regret. Lesson learned. Next time someone asks me for anything. I need to make sure I bring this specific issue up, and ask ahead of time if they are sure on their design! Because once I give that estimate and materials are bought. The potential of not being able to go back without returning items and re-forwarding a budget is a huge deal and a waste of everyone's time. Not to mention a pain in the ass for the artist or artisan to explain why costs go up, because a lot of folks seem to think original quoting should stay the same. No, just. No!

So please, please if you are a prospective client for someone. Don't do this! And if you do be willing to pay more for their time because this is a lot of work and time, and definitely expect delays!

Creativity Under Pressure: Navigating Art, Tech Challenges, and Personal Growth

Feeling kind of tired. Honestly, I'm feeling burned out. I'm balancing quite a load, Between, homeschooling, therapy, and my creative ventures. I'm definitely feeling like I'm dragging the last few days. Part of me is telling me I'm not doing enough, but the other part of me is looking at what I have done, because I have been tracking it. And I'm kind of shocked at my productivity. Isn't it funny how our mind can lie to us? Or how the pressures from the external world can trick us into thinking we aren't doing enough?

Currently all of what I've been doing lately has been done mostly on my phone. All of my drafts for my blogs or my patterns are done through Google docs, posting on here, Ravelry and Deviantart, etc... It's not exactly ideal. I know this. It's eating into my hands in a way I dislike. It's even less ergonomic than typing at a computer. I've found myself using text to speech but that backfired. I dislike it because it usually needs to be cleaned up badly. It's not good with accents.

We are having to really seriously analyze our tech in the house right now because Windows functionality has gotten so bad with its constant crashing and updates bricking the computer and its usability, that we have been in the middle of backing up our stuff sorting it out, and we are wiping, reloading, and uploading Linux onto our computer. So with that in my cards causing more to pile up on my load unnecessarily... and before I can start doing digital art again.

There is a large learning curve. I've used it before back in Constantine... but that feels so long ago and I don't really remember much outside of GIMP and drawing on it. I got to find out how to make my programs compatible. Gaming to my surprise nowadays is compatible which makes me feel better because that was a major reason for switching and finally making the leap away from Windows. Our son just couldn't even play games. Whatever AI Windows junk they stuck on 11, bogs the computer down so badly, its worse that yesteryears bloat ware.

It looks like my tablet's compatible, while CSP is compatible, I have to do some tweaking and get some stuff set up so its a little bit on the back burner not too badly but it is. And it sucks...

For the time being I'll be doing traditional art to try and stay up on stuff but I can't promise my traditional art looks good. I feel like I made huge milestone leaps and bounds with my digital art comparatively to my traditional. And honestly it feels like the skill levels are completely different. Asynchronous. And I think that's due to the fact that I can sit there and control z over, and over, and over again until I have something where I want it. Until that 'something' is right.

My last painting taught me that I can paint over mistakes until I get it right, but I don't work in acrylics or oils. My traditional art consists of pencil, colored pencils, and watercolor or inks. Some of which are more unforgiving mediums. I can't do that whole control z on paper. I give myself the three erase rule because I don't want to ruin the grain of the paper or destroy it so that I can't draw on it properly. This came from a habit of being poor and using copy paper. And yes you can wreck copy paper grain, but copy paper is far more forgiving and cheaper than art papers. That and my budget doesn't allow me to just waste paper like I would like to in order to learn. There's massive guilt and fear of lack there. Learned behaviors from poverty. Things like not being able to obtain things or scarcity mindsets. So it's kind of one of those if I make a mistake I have to keep it after a while and move on with the piece and keep learning. Keep practicing...

I've got to go source a couple of parts for the laptop too. My friends might have something I can trade skills for.

Um... If anyone is willing too I'm still waiting to get ahold of some wood beads and plastic canvas. I've been trying to talk around and see if anyone has any they don't want or aren't going to use. Recycle and reuse first mindset. But this isn't like fabric where I can ask for scraps. It's a bit more specific.

I’m posting my wishlist, it's a Waldorf Doll and other toys or patterns projects list. I would like to make some dolls, and sew, knit, and crochet for them and create patterns I can share. My list has yarn, fabrics, notions, tools, and a bunch of other stuff for my multi media art projects.

Some of the patterns I’m releasing soon will be connected to the dolls, little toys. It doesn’t have to be from Amazon specifically. I’m currently looking for multiple size wood beads for joints (the package has the sizes I need, everything locally is too small or divided up between 3 packages) and a few sheets of plastic canvas, doll skin in blush, inner head tubing in size 2 1/4", wool batting, and like $40 in felt but that’s not on my list because I’m looking for certain colors and I can only get it from my favorite supplier, especially heathers...

There's like 4 projects there, plastic canvas is for a crochet and felt pattern technically two projects, same idea, just two separate outcomes. Options for different crafters. The wood beads will help me experiment with doll jointing as I tweak some sizing options. And of course I would like to get started on a doll base soon. Because If I have my doll base for the size I want. I can better draft patterns for it. The felt is for a Christmas ornament project that I hope to share in the future and I want to get a jump on soon because I have a lot of embroidery I need to do.

If anyone is willing to support a human artist. My Amazon wishlist is here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3KO0HZTVUG366?ref_=wl_share

Smaller projects seem easier for me to tackle unlike cosplay back in the day, and I feel like I can actually contribute something back to the arts. I have a huge list of stuff but I don't want to spoiler it. I have tried to break everything down into manageable and doable bits. We're in it for a long haul.

Skyrim Inspired Skeleton Key 3 Crochet Pattern

(Example Picture Above: Red Heart Buff Worsted Weight Yarn, Hook Size 5.5mm)

Difficulty: Easy

Description: US Terms

A simple easy pattern that can be worked up really quick and is beginner friendly.

The best color choices for keys are usually going to be grays or charcoal. You could do black for cast iron, gold, brass, tan, or different browns. It can be made out of any size yarn or thread, as long as you use a similar size hook to match your yarn weight you should be okay.

If using threads or if you don't want it to be flexible you can starch it.

This can be an accessory on a backpack or a purse, something you hang in your car, a Christmas tree ornament, a play pretend toy for a doll or child, a cosplay prop, an applique, or whatever you want. Have fun!

Instructions are done in 2 parts.