morn in the white wake of the morning star

I don't do too many posts, but I just felt like sharing about my new hobby! Recently, I've gotten into mechanical keyboards because they kept on popping up in my Insta feed. I've been trying to create a prettier desk aesthetic for my desk (especially since I work from home) and been following the desk inspo hashtag on Insta. Insta reels can be dangerous, lol! A lot of people showcased their keyboards as part of their desk inspo. I had been wanting to get a cute keyboard anyways, particularly the sweet mint ACTTO keyboard with the round keys and retro look!

The customizability and sound of mechanical keyboards really hooked me though. I love how they can really add to the desk aesthetic. Also, I've always enjoyed taking things apart and putting things together, so it's not surprising that I so quickly fell into this hobby!

I had been doing some research on where to buy my keyboard and everything I needed to customize it. I wanted to go with a Korean brand called Monstargears, but shipping is SO expensive. I'm also eventually planning to buy some keycaps from Osume and maybe a deskpad (mine is BT21, but it's pink and doesn't match my desk aesthetic, lol). And maybe some artisan keycaps as well (artisans are usually handmade keycaps that usually have a specific theme). I've also seen a lot of anime-themed artisans or themed artisans (for those of you that might be interested). I'd really like a Pochacco (my favorite Sanrio character) one or a Hamsangyi (Monsta X Kihyun's character plush) one.

So I had been debating on what keyboard to buy when my sister pointed out the GameStop had mechanical keyboards. Turns out they had it in the size and color I was looking for plus it was within my budget. And I had recently won a set of Over-whale-mingly Beautiful keycaps in an Insta giveaway, so the only thing I had left to get was some switches (basically the things that makes the keys go up and down).

Well, yesterday, the switches I ordered came while I was at work (I was hoping it would come during my dinner hour). Last night after work, I took out the switches that came with my keyboard and replaced them with DK Creamery's Birthday Cake switches (love the packaging). I love the way they look and sound when I type. It was actually the sound that I was hoping for after watching numerous Insta reels and YouTube videos, lol!

I also ordered two batches of mystery switches. I was so excited that I was able to identify them fairly quickly (one with the help of circle to search). One batch was KTT Grapefruit switches, and the other batch was Kailh Box Cream PRO switches. I'm excited to try them out as well!

Preview:


abyss_valkyrie kindly hosted the Kpop Battle @ icontalking. You can check out the results here.

I really enjoyed putting this set together, although it was hard because there was so much I wanted to do! I also iconned several idols/groups that I've never iconned before like Ailee, Monsta X, ITZY, and T-ara.

( ...lovey, dovey, dovey, oh, oh, oh, oh... )

-No hotlinking, please!
-Comments are love!
-Textless icons are NOT bases! Please do not alter them!
-Please credit aurora_amethyst
-Do not claim them as your own!

Preview:


I'm really excited about the music round @ somein30! This round was so inspiring, and I really liked being able to use different techniques/styles to show the different genres. I only did 1 icon per genre, but I am seriously considering making another batch.

Just be prepared for a bit of a ramble, lol! I'm in the process of rewatching Memories of the Alhambra with my two sisters and felt like the story really fit with the music genres! So each icon's storyline fits the feel of the genre. I went with extra-hard mode as usual.

( ...Oh. Where do I go now? Where do I go... )

-No hotlinking, please!
-Comments are love!
-Textless icons are NOT bases! Please do not alter them!
-Please credit aurora_amethyst
-Do not claim them as your own!

The winner is:

( ...the top 23 after 1st place... )

And here some of my own personal favorites in no particular order.

( ...my own personal favs... )

Best of 2010	Best of 2011	Best of 2019	Best of 2020