Life Update - 2026

 

On the 22nd June 2026, I lost my Dad. It was quick. It wasn't expected. He'd been admitted to hospital following a fall, and 10 days later he was gone.

Two days later, my Mum's cat went missing. We'd taken in all Mum's pets when she passed away in 2018, and on Thursday 2nd July, we found out she too had passed away.

Little I'm - Mum's Cat

Again, unexpected, a complete shock, and while we now know where she is, buried with my other two cats I've lost over the last couple of years, the feeling I've lost a part of my Mum all over again hurts.

On top of this, the house I've lived in since 2016 has been sold, and I need to move. I knew this was happening. I was told before Dad was taken to hospital, but on top of everything that's happened over the last month, it's an added stress.

I've reached a point in my life where nothing is certain. I no longer have parents in this world, the world itself is insane right now, but, and it's a big but, I feel free.

Free to do something I've been thinking about since 2016, maybe even earlier.

While losing my Dad is incredibly painful, it has been a tipping point, a kick up the backside to actually do things, to live, explore, and be brave.

Both my parents, in different ways, taught me something very important. Experiences are the key to life. Not expensive gifts. But travel, exploration, and seeing the world. They both had a have-a-go attitude to life; they didn't overthink things, they got an idea, and they did it.

I've also come to realise something else over the last few years, as my own dreams of exploring and having a life of experiences have been prodding at my head. I don't need all the things I have. Clearing out my Mum's house, I kept a lot of items that I knew she considered special. I have boxes of collections, things she bought new or hunted down at antique fairs. My Dad too was a big collector. While his collections now belong to my stepmum, I have received a box of plates he and my Mum collected together. They are a memory of a past home, one that no longer exists and hasn't existed since they divorced when I was 19. Separate lives. The plates are not expensive, they were hung on the wall of each house I remember as I was growing up. They were a further reminder of a past life, a life they lived, and trips around the antique shops where they collected them.

Do I need these things?

No. The memories are there, in my head and my heart. I can see them if I think about them. I don't need the physical items holding me to places I quite honestly don't want to be anymore.

Would I have come to this decision had my Dad still been here? - No.
Would I rather he was still with us? - Yes, absolutely.

They're both gone, and as the years have rolled on since Mum passed away, one by one I've lost two of her pets, three of my own, and I'm left with two fur babies. Mum's dog Lillie, and my dog Archie.

Lillie

Archie

So what now?

On Friday 3rd July, I collected Little I'm from the vets where she'd been taken. I brought her home, and after burying her, I sat down on the sofa, looking at the pictures of Dad, trying to decide which to send to the funeral directors for his order of service, when I had a realisation.

For years I've wanted to do something, but have never felt able to do it. My Mum's special things, my own special things, and now Dad's special things, have meant I needed somewhere to store them. The epiphany came when I realised they hadn't held on to things belonging to their parents. Apart from a few small items, these things I now have stored were theirs, things they'd collected, and I don't think for one moment they'd be mad at me for releasing myself of all this.

In fact, if they were still here now, they'd say, 'Get rid of it, love'.

So that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to free myself of the physical bindings. Allow someone else to love these items, allow myself to live how I want to live.

Over the next few months, following my Dad's funeral on the 9th July, I'll be letting things go, and making plans for my future.

Second Life will still be part of that future. I plan to buy a motorhome, work while travelling the UK, and visit the places I've only seen on documentaries. I love history, and places of magic. I have a list, and I'll be ticking it off.

This isn't a six-month plan, maybe not even a year plan. I'm not setting a timeframe. If I want to stay somewhere longer, I will. If I want to leave, I will. The dogs will be with me. I'll make sure we're safe, fed, and watered, but if I don't do this now, I know I'll regret it, and as I don't have any regrets about things I could have done for my parents, I did all I could for both of them while they were here, it would be a sad situation to be on my deathbed with regrets about myself, the life I could have lived.

While this blog will always be primarily about Second Life, I will be starting another blog about the experiences I have going forward in my First Life. When I have the details, I'll add them to this blog, and if you'd like to, you can follow this next chapter of my life.

Until then, much love to you all.

Casey
x

Kitchen Decor

 

Hi everyone.

We're in Wanderlust Weekend this weekend with a new range of pans!

The pans come in 4 texture options: Copper and Silver, Chrome, and Slate Iron.

The sets are available now from Laminak Main Store, for just 50L each pack for the weekend sales.

A fourth set - Black Iron - is available now for free as the gift for the Second Life 23rd Birthday event.

Landmarks: 

Laminak Store - http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Mist%20Valley/194/162/25

SLB23 - http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lupine/191/231/24

Much love to you all.

Casey

x

Crockery, Pots & Pans

 

Hi Everyone

We're at 'We Love Roleplay', and the 'Second Life 23rd Birthday' events this month with a new range of Crockery and Casserole Dishes sets.

At We Love Roleplay, I have the Shroom, Hands, and Stars - Crockery sets:

The event is open now, and there's 25% off for this month.

Taxi: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/We%20Love%20RolePlay/128/127/28

For the Second Life Birthday event, I have casserole sets to match the crockery at WLRP, plus 6 further texture options for the crockery and casserole sets, also with 25% off while the event is open.

New texture versions include: Chiffon, Lagoon Blue, Pink Blossom, Navy Geometric, Sunset Geometric, and Butterflies.

I've also collaborated with Mara again, my best friend and sim partner, to create 3 special texture sets. 

The Birthday event is open - June 18 - July 19

Taxi: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lupine/191/231/24

Lastly, I've created a set of pans for the free gift:

I'll be creating other texture versions of this pan set for the next Wanderlust Weekend event, but if you'd like to grab this particular set, it's completely free while the event is running.

That's all for now.

Happy 23rd Birthday, Second Life!

Much love to you all

Casey

xxx

Fantasy Faire 2026

 

The mists have cleared once again to reveal this year’s Fantasy Faire.

I truly love this event. I look forward to it all year, feel sad when it’s gone, and then look forward to it with excitement all over again.

In January this year, I felt the need to change things. Laminak, and the furniture I have spent long hours creating over the last six years, are going nowhere. I will, from time to time, create more things for homes, but I needed a new challenge, and I decided to do something I’ve been thinking about for a long, long time.

I guess I should step back a little here and maybe let you know a bit about my personal life.

For most of my working life, from leaving school until 2018, I was a dressmaker, I made costumes for films and theatre. Fantasy is in my blood; historical costumes were a favourite to make when I got the chance. So you’d think the logical step would have been for me to create costumes and clothing when I first joined Second Life in 2007. While I really wanted to have a go, I had no idea how to create the textures. Instead, I concentrated on learning how to make things from prims, then sculpties, and before I left in 2013, the mesh generator tools that had arrived.

Real life took me away from Second Life in 2013, and I didn’t return until 2018, when I lost my mum to cancer.

Laminak helped me to focus through my grief, and over the last six years, I’ve found some truly wonderful friends who never let me forget how magical real life and Second Life can be.

Real life, it seems, likes to throw curveballs at you when you’re not looking, though, and again, in January of this year, I felt the need to change things.

I embarked on a new venture, leaning more into my real-life skills, and forced myself to power through the mind-boggling world of Marvelous Designer and rigging! I also had to do a crash course in using Blender, as I create my mesh in 3ds Max.

With that said… I am so thrilled to show you my first item of clothing for Laminak:

I will still be creating items for homes and décor when I feel the urge, but for now, I feel this is a better path for me to be on, and I truly hope you’ll come with me on this next adventure.

As my mum always used to tell me, “onwards and upwards, babes”.

My 100% donation items this year hark back to my love of the Tudor era and are something I’ve been meaning to make for a while.

I’ve also got the Fantasy Faire book I made last year, with a new cover for this year’s Faire. I quite like the idea of creating a library of them as the years go by. This year’s cover features a photo I took of the décor on the sim that Laminak is on.

Lastly, and this is quite exciting! My best friend and sim partner, Mara, and I were asked to create a worldling for this year’s Faire. We weren’t notified until a few days before the Faire was due to open, and while we knew we wouldn’t have much time, we said yes and did it anyway!

I hope you all have a wonderful time at the Faire, explore, dream, and be mesmerised by the worlds the amazing world builders have created.

More information about Fantasy Faire can be found here:

https://fantasyfairesl.wordpress.com/

Laminak is on Stoneveil Crossing:

Taxi - https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Stoneveil%20Crossing/77/161/65

Much love to you all

Casey

x

Exclusives at We Love Roleplay and Ostara's Altar

 

It's almost time for Fantasy Faire 2026!

In just 3 weeks' time the Fairelands will open up again, and we'll all be able to go home!

In the mean time, while I prepare my offerings for this years Faire, I'm at We Love Roleplay and Ostara's Altar.

The Antique dresser set, might, just might, match the item I'm making for Fantasy Faire, just saying :) winks.

The Dresser currently comes in 2 wood options, Dark Oak or White. There might be another option available at the faire... watch this space :)

For Ostara's Altar, I've made a range of hanging gem chains and Suncatchers. 

The sets - of which there are eight - come with a 5-chain suncatcher and 2 hanging chains.

Both sets are available now at WLRP and Ostara's Altar.

Sending much love to you all.

Casey

x

Wanderlust Weekend - February - New Item

 Greetings Luminaries

We're in this weekend's Wanderlust Weekend with a new set of candles perfect for casting spells.

The set comes with an antique candlestick in old silver, and 13 candles colours.

The set is on sale now at the main store for just 50L this weekend - 20th -24th Feb.

Taxi: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Mist%20Valley/194/162/25

Love and many hugs to you all.

Casey

x

Wizarding World Faire 2025

 

I’m beyond thrilled to share some magical news, I’ve been accepted as a creator for this year’s Mischief Managed: Wizarding Faire! 

This incredible event, hosted once a year on a Harry Potter-themed roleplay sim, has always been one of my favourite places to visit. This time, I took a leap and applied, and I got in! 

As a proud Potterhead (not even a little bit ashamed!), I’ve always had a soft spot for Professor Moody, especially his epic broom. While this isn’t my usual style, I felt inspired to create a tribute piece in his honor.

Moody-Inspired Broom Features: 

Single sit animation 

Modifiable handle and foot bars to fit your avatar 

6 colour options: Red, Yellow, Blue, Green, Black, and Purple 

Speed booster 

Toggleable light and wind sound 

6 different smoke colours

The Wizarding Faire is now officially open! Come by, test it out, and take one home if it suits your style.

Taxi to the Faire: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Mischief%20Roses/101/165/33

Happy flying, and see you at the Faire!
Hugs!  

Casey

 

Changes Are a Good Thing! New Store 2025

In November of 2019, I created a blog post entitled: The One for Nostalgia, you can read the full post here:

https://laminaksl.blogspot.com/2019/11/the-one-for-nostalgia.html

In it, I showcase a new store, the start of my return to creating in Second Life, following a gap of around 6-7 years. At the time I thought I was being silly, there was practically nothing on sale! I'd spent an entire year, following my return in October of 2018, learning how to create mesh, and if I'm honest, all these years later, I'm still learning! Although it is a heck of a lot easier now, I still have days when I think of something to make and wonder how I'll do it!

Over the last week or so I've been painstakingly moving my store from a sim I'd been on for almost 2 years, to a new sim, joining forces with a wonderful lady called Mara, who manages to create the most wonderful landscapes. 

Mara is also creating a new, safe space, for witches and wizards alike to assemble, but I'll create a post about that when she's finished working her magic, at the moment it's a work in progress, but I digress! ...

This morning, I opened the new store for people to come and see, and realised I needed to update the the landmarks for my various social media outposts, and of course here.

I suddenly remembered the post from 2019, opened it up, and oh my, I had a flashback to the day I wrote the post, how amazed I was at myself that after a whole year I'd managed to craft something I felt was ok to put out on sale! I had 2 items! The decorative lanterns and the writer's desk set.

That store didn't last long, it felt cramped, claustrophobic, and far too dark! it was also in the sky, and I don't really like being in the clouds.

I changed it for a new store, but again, it was too dark and I decided I really did want to be on the ground.

In June 2020 I bought some land, and a new chapter for Laminak began!

I at least had more items by this point, but as time moved along (and I ran out of space) I needed another change! And so, in the December of that year, I moved again, this time to a homestead with another creator. 

Going back through my posts I'm a little surprised at how quickly I expanded! Because by the April of 2021, I had moved again. This time to a homestead of my own. I kind of liked this next move! With the store on rafts!

If you know anything about land in Second Life, you'll know that a homestead only provides capacity for 5000 Li, and I quickly outgrew it.

And so, in the September of 2022 I created my current castle to house Laminak, moved to a full half sim (10,000Li thank you very much) and I stayed put for a while. Filling up the store as the years rolled on.

By June of 2024 I started to wonder if I could maybe, just maybe, buy my own sim again. Ultimately, I knew I couldn't afford it, no matter how much I'd love to go to that next level, Laminak (you might be surprised to hear) remains a hobby, not something I can earn a living from or rely on to pay the tiers a full sim would cost, but then, in December of 2024, during a random chat with a wonderful friend, a lady who has created some of the most magical sims/projects/homes for people I've ever seen in SL, asked if I would like to join her on her sim. It was, I think, a passing comment on her behalf, and maybe not something she'd have thought I'd say yes to, but it made complete sense!

And so, here I am today! 5 years on, with a store that is almost, almost! the vision I had in my mind all those years ago, I hope one day to fully reveal that vision, but I feel truly blessed to be where I am now. 

Mara is creating the most wonderful landscaping around Laminak Castle, there are plans this year, between us, to create a place that is not only magical to walk around (thanks to Mara) where witches and wizards can roam, at peace, safe, and conjure up the odd spell (again thanks to Mara), but where, if I can do it, you'll find a magic project sits comfortably in its surroundings, but that will have to wait for another blog. 

If you've made it this far, thank you for taking this nostalgia trip with me. I hope it shows any budding creators out there how far you can go in the wonderful world that is Second Life. 

I hope to be more active on this blog this year.

I hope you all have fun exploring Mist Valley, the new home of Laminak.

I hope you all have a blessed 2025!

Much love and many hugs, as always.

Casey

x