fanciful devices: round em up!

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.

8/19/10

The Grey (and Tan) Area, A Neutral Stance by PamMade
Fossil coral sterling silver bracelet - HUSH

SIMPLE LIFE Creamy Grays Khakis and Tans Earthy Lampwork 40 Bead Set by Dana Graham

Agate and Sterling Silver Mouse Necklace

Man Scarf - Caramel and Steel, He'll Look Great in Denim Blue Jeans with This Handknit Scarf that You'll Want to Borrow

Cyclone . Indie classic Fall fashion statement accessory . handknit in modern neutrals

Coyote Photo 5x7 Fine Art Print - Coyote Camouflage

Grace Merino Wool Felt Necklace/Bracelet

Mosaic Coasters - Modern white gray and tan

Little Bee by missquitecontrary
OOAK Acid-Free Paper Bas-Relief. Hand cut ready to hang with antique frame.

Beauty is the Beginning of Terror. Dirty Boutonniere Brooch.

bats - salvage pewter bat necklace - clearance

FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE BEE PRINT THE STING on a Vintage 1883 Book Page

Antique Vintage Industrial Butcher Meat Cleaver Commercial Knife

IN THE SOUTH, recycled Silver vintage metal button dangle earrings, South Africa

Nigerian Half Penny Focal Point Piece Circa 1959

Brief History of an Empire - Fine Art Photograph Print 8x10

You can't get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me. 8 x 12 photo

Joy - Framed Original Pastel Painting, 18 x 24 inches

Found objects, New Found Beauty by piecesofelises who writes, "Srink the landfills."
To which I answered, "Too bad landfills are all diapers and phonebooks." After thanking her of course.
Doll Face no 1 (with heart) - ASSEMBLAGE - Original Mixed Media Assemblage