fanciful devices: It's Here! It's Queer...? Go buy it...

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.

10/6/14

It's Here! It's Queer...? Go buy it...

Holy Moley it's finally done! My sixth tutorial! Holy Jeebus! Here it is. OMG. My babies are eating tonight! (And by "babies eating" I mean "I won't have to feel guilty about not having a real job because tutes make some amount of money unlike everything else I do.")

OK, here's the listing description for ya:

My latest tutorial teaches you everything you need to know to make these enchanting charms.
• Detailed step-by-step instructions with over 160 large color photos.
• Supply sources and prices, including possible alternative supplies
• Variations- specifically, step-b step instructions for using paper ephemera instead of iridescent flakes for an entirely different look.
• Basic soldering skills required, but if you're rusty or unsure, I go over my process in detail including tips and tricks, and my preferred supplies.
• Oxidizing and sealing the pieces after soldering.
• Step-by-step instructions with pictures on finishing these into dramatic necklaces as well as a gallery of finished items to inspire your creativity.
The PDF file will ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE for you to see, print, download via this link. I will happily give you the link again if ever you loose it. I will always be available for any questions/ comments you care to share. If you want a critique or clarification, please don't be shy to convo me!

And you know I love my blog bitches so I have a special coupon just for those who read along here. Enter code TENPERCENT by clicking "Apply coupon code" in your shopping cart right under "How you'll pay" to get 10% off this tute (and ONLY THIS TUTE, you sneakies).
But wait. There's more. If you're one of the people who wrote one of the last 100 comments I've received you get a special secret code for 25% off as a thanks for all the encouragement. Cuz I feel bad not answering each of you directly cuz I'm too disorganized to do that. So! I'm slowly making my way through the list, sending y'all the codes. If I haven't gotten to you, or if your username doesn't link to anywhere I can contact you, please feel free to shoot me an etsy convo for it. Cuz I love you dummies.

I think I contacted everyone for the special coupon, even if just to leave a note on a possibly-abandoned blog saying to convo me for it. The following people I wasn't able to contact at all:

Cindy L Aneenomouse maria big mamabird M Sand

Cecile Nichols tempest in a teapot dawn

So y'all need to etsy convo me for it. If you want. Or anyone who thinks I missed you, can't hurt to ask.

Cuz I love you dummies.

7 comments:

Saraccino said...: I am so curious! Your work is always absolutely stunning and of course I had to get your tutorial just... now! :)

*waves*
Claire; 10/6/14, 1:09 PM
Angi in hana said...: U are amazing! I have no idea how u do this shit!! I will definitely be gettin' your new tute! Aloha, angi in hana; 10/6/14, 1:49 PM
RomantiqueSoul said...: <3 <3 <3. I'm eating the tut ford dinner! Nah, jk, but I already read it and ordered stuff for it *tomorrow I hit Micheals and deplete it*. Thanks for making your techniques available! Much love girl!; 10/7/14, 1:08 AM
Xena said...: the tuuuute is so awesome. As usual. Why am I not surprised
xxxxx; 10/7/14, 4:22 AM
Beatnheart said...: I wanted it...I bought it ....I love it...

All your tutee are basically sharing your hard earned knowledge with all us (me) knuckleheads who can't figure this stuff out for ourselves...Not only does it keep you with bread on your table, or in your case, possibly on the floor, but it helps us to get your rad skills...share share share Marina...that what she does and that is one of the many reasons she is so awesome....; 10/7/14, 2:20 PM
Skye said...: I love these, and I'm so happy you did a tute for them :) Unfortunately, I think it best that I resist any and all temptation to play with fire or chemicals in conjuncture with my creating... I'm incredibly messy and hazardous as it is, so it's best not to tempt fate >.< lol Which really sucks since I'd love to MAKE THESE!! :( Thanks for the heads up for the secret code, but I shall pass. I will however share the news so those of my fellow creative, but not too accident prone, friends can snap up a copy :); 10/7/14, 3:13 PM
Thoughtfulhands said...: This tute is great, got my glass and I am ready to make some stuff...
Thanks for sharing; 10/10/14, 11:00 PM