For years, I have been obsessed with all forms of Dia De Los Muertos items. So when I found the shop CarmelaJay, and the amazing twist that her and her partner has put on the holiday I was thrilled! I want every last one of them.
October 14, 2009
CarmelaJay
October 5, 2009
Steampunk Monk
On one of my wild wonderings around the internet one day, I happened upon this little creature. His elegant lines and, stalwart character stopped me in my tacks. Entitled the “Steampunk Monk” created out of ceramic by the nimble fingers of Barbara Dunshee . A truly haunting figure reminding one of dreamscapes long forgotten, or the possible future of man evolution.
September 25, 2009
Bloody Clever
The devil, as they say, is in the details. Why is it that just the slightest addition to an otherwise ordinary item can morph its original purpose into something so sinister. Case in point Asirons creations. Taking ordinary china and making it extraordinary just with the slightest flicking of her paintbrush. My favorite is the bloody rose teacup. With just her talent alone grandma’s teacup is magically transformed into the vessel that washes away its sorrows in blood. An interesting side note about the shop’s artist, she is working on a master’s degree in pathology, and is a licensed mortician. Making her little beauties all the more charming.
September 18, 2009
Cilices For Everyone!
Running across this artist on the internet the images of her work kept gnawing at me. What was it about her bracelet design that was so familiar. After reading the description of her pieces, I realized my Catholic girl’s school upbringing had been beckoning to me, and all became clear. The bracelets that I had become completely entranced with were Cilices or Cilice-lets. Cilices are wearable tools used to aid Christians who practiced corporal mortification, or the punishment of their physical bodies to purify their soul. Sharpwear explains it much better than I in her blog. So beautiful, with such intricate designs. The juxtaposition between the history of the piece, and it’s exquisite ornamentation create a refinement in design that is just dying to be strutted out in public, not hid under clothing purifying your dirty little secrets.
September 10, 2009
Mink’s Need Ruffles Too
With Fall just around the corner who doesn’t need a new accessory to spruce up that old decaying wardrobe. Today I found just what I was looking for in Slightly Curious’s shop on Etsy. This is the sweetest and most unique wrist cuff I have EVER seen! The rest of the shop is outstanding as well. Do yourself a favor and have a peek.
Etsy Halloween Gift Guide!!!
I’m so excited!!! One of the very first pieces I opened my shop with was mentioned in the Etsy Halloween Costumes Gift Guides today. It’s so nice to be recognized, and even better that it was one of the items that gave me the courage to open my Etsy shop. Especially, since my anniversary of one year selling on Etsy is just around the corner. I’m so happy, it just makes the impending holiday that much sweeter.
August 28, 2009
Aid for Spiders
With wistful thoughts of Halloween crossing my mind I just had to share my new favorite artist. Her name is Nina Katchadourian. She did a series of work lately where she mended spider webs, and photographed the results. Ponder the effort and patience you have to have to tackle such and undertaking. I have also found a kit if you want to follow in her footsteps. BRILLIANT!
August 20, 2009
Chiara Bautista
I ran across this artist today and I was floored! Her name is Chiara Bautista, aka Milk. Check out the rest of her pieces on her Myspace page they are AMAZING!
August 10, 2009
My Little Baby Is All Grown Up…
One of my special babies sold the other day – sniff sniff. It’s so bitter sweet when one of my special projects spreads its wings to leave my studio. I had such a clear idea in my head when I first started designing this piece. Then after I started it, it fought me the whole way. I ran into problems, issues, glitches, and arguments with her repeatedly. When I get too frustrated with a project I have to set it aside to work on it later. I know if I don’t I will either rip it up into little pieces, or mess it up so much that I can’t remember the original design concept. This little guy was set aside at least five times. When I finally finished it I was so proud. I was considering just keeping it for myself, but I was too proud of the work I had put into it so I decided to list it. Thinking no one would want this piece in the middle of summer… a week later it sold. I’m so proud and happy it sold, but at the same time, it’s like sending your kids to college. You love to see them grow up and spread their wings, but you hate seeing them actually leave. So she’s off to her new little home with someone that will wear her with a stunning outfit im sure, and now I have to make another one so that I can have one for myself.
August 4, 2009
Mermaids! Mermaids! Mermaids!!!
This weekend I was watching a travel show on roadside attractions. I was stunned when I heard about this one. It’s a live underwater mermaid show in Florida. Could anything be more amazing!!!! It’s Held at the Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, since the late 1940’s. I can’t wait till I can see it in person. 
