fanciful devices: Flash Sale

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.

11/1/12

Flash Sale

I dunno if it really is a flash sale, I just like the sound of the phrase. Through Sunday, apply code SALE20 for 20% off everything EXCEPT TUTORIALS, you sneaky sneaks. Also, if you don't apply the code where it says "apply coupon code" then I can't help you. If you put it in notes to seller, for example. If you buy things so fast you can't look at the screen before you purchase, then you have issues, I dunno.

OK, so I fixed the problems I was whining about with some pretty cool bezel back things made of ol' tin. Excuse the crap pictures but I have shit to do. (Specifically, this weekend I have to go to Wisconsin to not be such an absentee aunt. Thus weekend sale.)
I'll fix that bubble too. Really not sure why I felt the need to point it out in the picture like that, lol.

Q: Why you got a Jesus head on a plate on top of your head?
A: Well, you know, YOLO. *shrugs*

I'm kinda digging these. And I'm working on some cool thick cords to go with them. New mini obsession, thick knotted cords.

I found a tute for making a fishtail braid I might try out. Lots of cool tutes there including----------------->

So many ways to waste time on line! Also considering cookie-cutter bezels. Really wanna try them. Anyone have old tin cookie cutters you wanna trade for random bead crap? Both the ones with and without backs.

Set of 4 vintage cookie cutters - spade - heart - club - diamond

Oh, also wanted to share these pix from a book that came with my button haul. They're so gorgeous I feel like I should give it to someone because it's in decent shape and I know in my hands there's a crazy serious risk it will end up all tore up and resinified:

It came in this adorable tin.

It's the color plates I am tempted to use for backgrounds in some resin piece.

end papers.--------------------->

The black and white illustrations are gorgeous too.

5 comments:

Beatnheart said...: actually you should keep those books and start making lace and drawn thread work (lst series) cause that’ll slow you down.
I love these pendants by the way and wish I could make sompin like em. i’s afraid.; 11/1/12, 5:06 PM
Anonymous said...: Scan, photocopy them pics instead. Can't help you with the cutters either, I have 2 oldish ones but they're the size of my hand, far too big. I haven't got the patience for resin and the last time I tried it my cat trode in it and I spent a thankless 3 days trying to remove it! Loving the colours in the images.; 11/1/12, 6:05 PM
Penelope said...: You should just sell the book! I've bought things to take apart and not been able to, in fact that's why fagin's started, mostly. Also I have a stack of books here that I will murder at some point, maybe next week. Mwahaha book murder.

That dude on the metal plate, the pear shaped one with the button up top, is he looking shiftily to the left? Cause it looks like he is and that's hilarious.; 11/2/12, 5:28 AM
Jackie said...: I have a bunch of cookie cutters...both kinds. They're yours if you'd like 'em. Send me an addy and I'll send them to ya.

Love your new goodies! Enjoy your visit, be a good auntie!! Do NOT pinch cheeks!!; 11/2/12, 3:54 PM
Jackie said...: Marina, check your etsy for a message from moi!; 11/5/12, 8:28 PM