fanciful devices: OK, They're 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.

3/20/11

OK, They're Up.

With narratives and everything!

Hashishin. The Cult of Assassins. Tin Earrings.

Hashishin. The Cult of Assassins.
A Parliament of Owls. Asymmetrical Earrings.

A Parliament of Owls.
Nome Tabu. Asymmetrical Earrings.

Nome Tabu.
Corporeal Undead. Asymmetrical Earrings.

Corporeal Undead.
The Spinning Hand of Fate. Choker.

The Spinning Hand of Fate.
Dream of Existing. Asymmetrical Shoulder Dusters.

Dream of Existing.
The Meaning of Technology. Asymmetrical Victorian Tribal Earrings.

The Meaning of Technology.
Ocean of Naught. Asymmetrical Posts.

Ocean of Naught.
My worker elf helped me by coming up with "Nome Tabu" and "Corporeal Undead." Thanks girl!
Now that the clock is ticking toward my big procedure I'm starting to get nervous! Not about the surgery, about getting there by six!

4 comments:

stregata said...: These new pieces are soooo awesome - 'the Spinning Hand of Fate' is absolutely gorgeous!!!
Wishing you all the best for your surgery and hope you will be recovered and feeling great soon. Sending big hugs!; 3/21/11, 12:31 AM
Kathy Van Kleeck said...: I've just discovered your work - wonderful! What an excellent way to start my day. As soon as I leave this comment I'll be heading back to Etsy to do some more perusing.

Sending light filled blessings for your surgery and speedy recovery.
best - kvk; 3/21/11, 7:19 AM
Unknown said...: Ocean of Naught is a-ma-zing.
I will bethinking about you and sending in the 'on time elf". I have kept her captive for a while.; 3/21/11, 8:33 PM
Deryn Mentock said...: Saying a little prayer that your surgery will go well.; 3/22/11, 6:51 AM