fanciful devices: 08/2010

A Stone Is Nobody's

A man ambushed a stone. Caught it.
Made it a prisoner.
Put it in a dark room and stood guard over it for the rest of his life.

His mother asked why.

He said, because it's held captive, because it is captured.

Look, the stone is asleep, she said, it does not know whether it's in a garden or not. Eternity and the stone
are mother and daughter; it is you who are getting old. The stone is only sleeping.

But I caught it, mother, it is mine by conquest, he said.

A stone is nobody's, not even its own. It is you who are conquered; you are minding the prisoner, which is yourself,
because you are afraid to go out, she said.

Yes yes, I am afraid, because you have never loved me, he said.

Which is true, because you have always been to me as the stone is to you, she said.

Russell Edson

FAQs

1. Are you a Southeast Asian dancing girl from the 1800s?

No, sorry to disappoint. My avatar and banner images are from an ancient book I found in the depths of my grandmother's cabinets. More on that here.

2. How do you make everything look so old?

First, you need a good oxidizer to brush on every bit of metal you can reach. I'll tell you all about it here.

Then there's this wax. I first mentioned it here. You'll have to scroll down a lot.

3. How can you be so productive?

I'm insanely obsessed and I have no offspring. I do nothing else- I don't have a day job, I don't clean my house or cook, I spend all day in pjs, often completely abandoning personal hygiene... I only interact with other humans when I walk my dog. And I like people! But I prefer dogs.

And I'm sloppy- but I make that sloppiness work for me.

4. Any tips you'd like to share?

No! Except for these 16 posts about techniques and this one about how to find your aesthetic.

5. Would you be offended if I took some inspiration from your designs?

Well, I'd be happier if you outright copied them.

No really, imitation is how we learn. I have enough ideas to go around. And even if I don't- please. No one's going to do this obsessively enough to threaten my business. (Probably.) I learned by copying others and I've seen others copy me as a step toward developing their own voice. So feel free. (I'd love if you tossed me a link in my comments, so I can feel like a proud momma.)

6. What do you look like?

Why, what have you heard? Really? Wow.

8/30/10

Color Happened

to me yesterday quite unexpectedly.
Coagulatio. Victorian Tribal Assemblage.

And I liked it, uh-huh.
Coagulatio. Victorian Tribal Assemblage.

I also gave these a touch of oxidation because, have I mentioned?, I hate plating.

Reasons for a Roosters Crow. Antique Toy Pin.

And yup, that's it.

Shabby Chic conspiracy

Tranquility by IevaP.
Smooth Sunshine Yellow Lemon Quartz Sterling Silver Necklace - Lemonade

Lovely and Elegant - 5x7 Fine Art Photograph - BOGO Sale

Hearts of Oak - 10x8 inch Signed Photograph

SEPTEMBER BIRTHSTONE - PINK SAPPHIRE - Sterling Silver Ring

Flowering Sugar Drops. Grungy Millinery for the Ear.

70s / 30s Frilly Peach Nightgown w Puff Sleeves and Lace Applique 36 M

Ballerina on the Beach 8x10 Archival Photograph

Handmade natural wool bracelet, decorated with beads and pacific ocean shells from Hawaii

Stay calm and inch along - A Fine Art Photography Print (8x8) BOGO SALE

Fitzcarraldo, a cuff-bracelet by LaTouchables

Eco-Chic Handmade Vegan Ballerina Flats Linen in Beige - 901A

SALE- On the clouds- felted necklace with heart - FREE Shipping

A Streetcar Named Desire Vintage Cream Slip Dress custom embellished down by de bayou s m l xl plus

20g Mineral Veil Translucent Powder Mineral Makeup

Everyone seems to love putting these earrings in treasuries. They've been treasured more than anything else. Not purchased, mind you, but treasured. So weird.
My Heart In Vintage Roses by euphorianchic.
Martinique Porcelain One Of a Kind Coral Ring With Delicate Flower Decoration