fanciful devices: Cuff -n- Stuff

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 male Chinese peasant 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.

1/9/13

Cuff -n- Stuff

So I should tell y'all I'm teaching at Art-n-Soul in Virginia Beach this April.

We'll be using new and old tins to make cuffs and rings.

I wanna show how easy it is to cut and sand a shape without even measuring, and to use a hammer on wood or an old book to give the tin an awesome texture.

To sand it every which way to make the piece look aged NOT sanded and combine that with oxidizer you slap on with an old brush,

Then pick a SUBTLE array of ephemera and a touch of gold leaf to get a sophisticated, sexy bit of eyecandy that won't be cheesy and will look just insanely awesome. Plus I'll throw in more techniques, time allowing, like embossing powder with stamps or maybe even wacky deco sauce!

You can learn more about the retreat here.

9 comments:

Sparrow said...: I can't imagine what a wake-up it'll be for so many people, to have a class with you full of life and abandon and throwing things around. It would be awesome.; 1/10/13, 5:18 AM
martinisfor2 said...: Congrats on your retreat workshop! What an amazing experience that will be for all! Love your cuff idea...it will be a huge hit.; 1/10/13, 8:39 AM
Jackie said...: Oh I'm so bummed, here I am in Virginia and don't think I'll be able to make it. When you first mentioned teaching at Art & Soul I was so excited and I think I even told you I would definately be there. I was jumping up and down thrilled to meet and learn from you.

Well it seems that life had other plans for me. I've been flying under the radar since last August when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. :( Yeppers, both ta-tas tried to kill me... I've since lost both breasts to this horrid disease and still being treated.

Ladies PLEASE BE SURE TO GET YOUR MAMMOGRAMS!!

Jackie xoxo; 1/10/13, 9:03 AM
Jackie said...: PS... You ladies better get yourself signed up quickly. This opportunity is going to be so awesomesauce!!

...Jackie xoxo; 1/10/13, 9:12 AM
Gardanne said...: I agree Sparrow. Congratulations Fanci, you will be great. I would love to be a fly on the wall and see the jaw dropping expressions of your students.; 1/10/13, 11:58 AM
Beatnheart said...: A sexy come on and tease to get us to oh so want to attend that retreat and be breathing the same air and sharing the same ground as our goddess would be yes! like a dream come true...now if i could sell like a bunch o stuff than perhaps this dream could become a reality so favorite me like crazy will ya...
Virgin a beach is on the other side of this old country damn...Is any one going so far? roomate wanted??
anyone? Buelller?; 1/10/13, 12:59 PM
Beatnheart said...: Here are my feelings...

I am waiting for the retreat that has Marina,Prisicilla,
Pipnmolly, anvilA, numinosity Kim , Tribalis, scorched earth,shipwreck, Sparrow, my new love interest, Rey of greybirdstudio...I know i’m missing a few...sorry...respect....
Then it would be worth the great deal of bucks it would take me to get to wherever and hotel and retreat etc.etc. you with me?
I’m planting seeds for this to happen...somehow we all have got to get together and meet and learn from each other and just see one another in the flesh.; 1/10/13, 1:14 PM
Alkyoni Pap. said...: Man, I wish I could come but I live in Greece. Oh well... I'm sure it will be a great success.; 1/10/13, 3:12 PM
HenrietteWhiteJewelry said...: You are an amazing artist! I've been following your blog for a while and am a huge fan! So wish I could come and experience your doings and makings first hand! Do not forget to spoil us by showing the results afterwards!; 1/11/13, 2:35 AM