fanciful devices: Coupon Code.

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.

4/24/13

Coupon Code.

I couldn't leave you guys with nothing. Use code FIFTEEN for 15% off.

I will love it and hug it and never let it go!

"No, it's my pretty bead, leggo!"

The other day I rediscovered one of my all time favorite songs on the youtubes.

"I'm off to make some joolz!"

9 comments:

Anonymous said...: Best wishes for your art class, pandas are just ridiculous..they're vegetarian bears, hate sex and have fashionable black and white fur that will never blend into the natural woodland! But they're massively cute!; 4/24/13, 3:20 PM
Juliette said...: I couldn't agree more. Some of the cutest things on the planet. And best of luck with the class! Hope it's a great success.; 4/24/13, 5:10 PM
Jiorji said...: HAHAHAH i can totally see you being that panda.; 4/24/13, 5:30 PM
Unknown said...: Knock 'em dead in class with your beautiful work. The Panda is so darn cute...don't you just feel that way when you get a great bead. LOL Mine...precious.; 4/24/13, 10:36 PM
Wildthorne said...: Aww baby panda too cute! Man that song brings me back... lots of heady memories, have fun teaching! Your students are so lucky to get some fanci face time. <3; 4/24/13, 11:51 PM
alteredarcheology said...: I just know your class will be a smashing success! Wish so much I could attend.
My number one musical pick while making is bjork. If hubby and the kid are simultaneously out of the house I crank her up! Love the Medulla album, she used no instruments, only human voices. Thanks for Joga this morn...oh yeah and panda chihuaha cuteness.; 4/25/13, 7:22 AM
betweenreader said...: Those students will have a total blast with you, and I hope you have fun, too! Tell us all about it.; 4/25/13, 10:03 AM
Numinosity said...: Have a great class, I hope you have a great time spreading your fine spark of genius!; 4/25/13, 10:57 AM
Jackie said...: Thanks for this awesome good-bye hug. I'm hoping all is going super well in Virginia Beach...oh I'm so close but so far. Enjoy your class!

...Jackie; 4/26/13, 10:33 AM