fanciful devices: Let's Try a Forum!

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.

1/22/12

Let's Try a Forum!

This is a forum I'm going to try embedding so you all can talk to each other.
I'll put a permanent link to it here ➚
blah blah blah

15 comments:

stregata said...: What will you think of next?; 1/22/12, 1:03 AM
Louise said...: You are a coping one for all your fans! You're gonna need a fanciful agent, me thinks. ;D It's great that you have made this forum - but don't let it take over your beautiful creating! You've got one year on me - it's funny, I always thought everyone would be way younger than me but i was wrong, we're all around the same age i think! Nice one. (I'm probably one of only few who is not a mother!!); 1/22/12, 5:27 AM
Beatnheart said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 1/22/12, 9:17 AM
Beatnheart said...: Sorry, pestering again. I think what we have here is a bunch of wimmen who are starving for Interaction with like minded women.. We want to share ideas, techniques, bounce our thoughts around...A virtual commune! An artists community like in the days of yore! What about a separate blog from this one....? Where we can just bullshit back and forth and post our pics of new stuff and support each other on Etsy ect?; 1/22/12, 9:55 AM
Jackie said...: I love the idea of an e-course. I've taken two and loved both, well one more then the other! I'll sign up for a class!!; 1/22/12, 11:22 AM
Tribalis said...: There is a way to oxidize brass sheet or solid brass elements with ammonia..anyone interested?; 1/22/12, 12:25 PM
Janet said...: This forum is a Great idea fanci! Thanks!
An e course would be fantastic for all of us. When you no longer have the burning drive to create 23 hours out of every 24 hour day, will you consider it? You will? Yay! Or that book we've been bugging you about. ......
Yes, Tribalis, please! The chemical patinas are so hard on the old lungs. I have a ton of patina recipes as well that I teach in my classes. A patina exchange anyone?; 1/22/12, 1:39 PM
Tribalis said...: Hi Janet,
Yes, you are right.
I heard about oxidation with ammonia recently and tried one time.It worked, but has a very strong smell.I was fast I could to close the container as the person that taught me, told me to do.But won't make again, too strong.
There is a post about vinegar and salt.I will try this.
I was wondering how maaaany odorless chemicals work in silence in ours lungs and we ever notice that humm? Silent monsters..; 1/22/12, 8:34 PM
Petra Carpreau said...: Oh, for Christ's sake - now this!!!! This feels like the devil's work! I can feel the hours disappearing already.
Resist, RESIST!!!; 1/23/12, 4:53 AM
Anonymous said...: the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show has started. I am running of to the African Art Village, they always have the most amazing pieces of art...is anyone else in the area?
thyme; 1/28/12, 2:29 PM
Sher Pierson said...: Hi there -

This is a cry for help to all the REAL jewelry makers out there. I am playing around with some jewelry stuff, and I have these rhinestone pins from the 60's 70's(something like that) I have NO idea what the metal is. But it is bright silver. Can I oxidize a pin with the rhinestones intact? If not, does anyone have any other ideas on how to "age" the look of the metal?

THANKS!
Sher; 2/20/12, 11:24 AM
danger8track said...: Ok kids....I got box number 1 ....who wants it now! Going to put some goodies in it today so its ready ....let me know! And thanks all who have played, fun stuff!!!; 6/9/12, 3:38 PM
Anonymous said...: Thanks be given to you hugely much in regard to the help forum. I highbrow a luck and got to know the spot on with captivating people. I'll be a frequent visitor.; 6/10/12, 8:34 PM
Kathy Van Kleeck said...: Well, it's been a while since I've done much blog cruising and lookie what I found coming over here to say Howdy ... a forum! Bloody brilliant! kudos for the excellent effort!; 6/11/12, 8:29 AM
Anonymous said...: I love this and the artists involved! What has happened since 2012? that was the last post I saw. anything? did everyone vacate to make things or move to another space???? I wanna play!; 8/9/13, 10:52 AM