I lurk a lot in these here parts, but I usually find most everyone else can say things with ten times more eloquence, insights, or intelligence than can I.  That said, I've really been enjoying these Sil discussions, so I can't resist butting in.  Humor me, though; I'm a biologist!

1.)  Where does the raiment that the Valar clothe themselves come from?  As in, who creates that?

Little Valar sewing machines?  Maybe Eru was weaving raiment and thus multitasking during all the singing, and that's why Melkor got away with as much as he did?  I guess I rather figured the Valar just sort of think "I'm going to be clothed like a mighty spirit today" and the clothes appear.  Thus, the clothes would be something like raiments of the imagination. 

Okay, moving on...

2.) What do you picture the Valar to look like?  Are they bound to size?

I've always figured their true essence is sort of amorphously blob-like.  Kind of like an amoeba.  Isn't that how spirits are shaped?  Given their power, though, they can make themselve appear beautiful and majestic, but underneath it all, they're still rather amoebic.

*peers suspiciously at next two questions*

Okay, I'll try #4.  4.) What of the name "Valar?"

Not sure, but I can say it doesn't seem to rhyme well with anything.  Though I'm sure I'll stand corrected.

On a slightly more serious note, am I allowed to ask my own question now?  Or should they get saved for the Open Discussion?  Don't want to breach etiquette here, but I'll go ahead and ask anyways.  I've always wondered just what was meant by "at times they may clothe themselves in their own thought, made visible in forms of majesty and dread."  What does this actually mean?  How does a spirit clothe itself in thought that then becomes visible?  I've long puzzled over this phrase.