fanciful devices: Mail Call

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.

11/9/13

Mail Call

Look what I just got.

Mr. Devices took a phone pic of me here posing with my layout, but I blurred it out so as not to give away the ending. And then I made it even more intriguing by adding mysterious question marks of mystery.

And the tongue was because Art. (Can you tell I was a little giddy?)

If nothing else, Mr. Apter has made my parents and husband so freakin' proud.

18 comments:

Maggie Zee said...: Yay!!!!!! Congratulations! I just put it on my wish list for Chrismahanukwanzika!; 11/9/13, 7:10 AM
Anvil Artifacts said...: Woohoo-yay you! Congrats! On being featured in Seth's new book and for giving mom, dad and hubs such a great reason to be excited about what you do.; 11/9/13, 9:57 AM
Unknown said...: You rock and Seth knew it and a whole bunch of us fortunates knew it and now the world knows it and the universe unfolds as it should! :) Norma, x; 11/9/13, 11:32 AM
gretchen said...: Ack! how wonderful and deserving, too! Congratulaions!
Now go do something out of the ordinary and treat yourself in *star* fashion.; 11/9/13, 1:59 PM
Juliette said...: YEAH!!! Congratulations, you!! That's HUGE. So happy for you and can't wait to see it for myself.

xoxo juliette; 11/9/13, 2:23 PM
Unknown said...: Whoo Hoo! - - - we're all proud of you. That is quite the book and I can't wait to get one....; 11/9/13, 2:39 PM
Alice said...: Congratulations! I can see why your family would be proud. Just look at those pearly white teeth...

Just kidding. Now I have another book to add to my wish list.; 11/9/13, 2:41 PM
Beatnheart said...: again adorable...

we are proud too...

you've been watching too much Miley Cyrus

what ring light are ya getting...what is it? now I want one too.; 11/9/13, 5:51 PM
stregata said...: Blogmom is proud too!! Congrats.; 11/10/13, 12:19 AM
Anonymous said...: Wheeeeeeeeeeeee!!!The Grrrrrl's in print & on Fire! friggin'fun, cool, & WAY well-deserved. Sigue Adelante!; 11/10/13, 12:29 AM
HenrietteWhite said...: Congratulations! You really deserve this!; 11/10/13, 1:53 AM
Unknown said...: Congrats...very Happy for you....; 11/10/13, 7:30 AM
Chris said...: GREAT PICS!!! Congrats for your inclusion in this looks-like-amazing book!!! Wooo hooo and a back flip~ If I could DO a back flip. :-); 11/10/13, 10:17 AM
Kathy Barrick said...: Congrats to you!! Nobody deserves it like you!; 11/10/13, 5:43 PM
TesoriTrovati said...: Woohoo! That is awesome news. I will be on the hunt for that book and add it to my wish list. Congrats! Enjoy the day. Erin; 11/11/13, 9:11 AM
Wildthorne said...: You have the prettiest eyes :); 11/11/13, 10:32 PM
Louise said...: Just fantastic! :D; 11/12/13, 2:08 AM
Tribalis said...: Congrats! I will ask it for Santa-husband..; 11/24/13, 10:43 PM