fanciful devices: Coming soon: eyeballs

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.

1/5/12

Coming soon: eyeballs

I got me some creative ADD right now so be patient while I try to finish some tons stuff. I seem to be in a bits-making zone and less an assembling-bits-into-anything zone. Meanwhile, give some love to my friend Janet on her new blog and shop. Also my other friend Petra at her new blog.
These St. Lucy's are for fancylinda.

While you're waiting for me, please also visit these insane amazing and super inspiring tumblrs I've recently discovered. Miss Mary Quite Contrary, penabranca, and मण्डल. You will be glad you did. No, seriously. OK, fine whatever, don't spend 5 hours clicking through pictures, see if I care.

6 comments:

Jackie said...: Fanci, eyes just can't wait to see what you're creating!! I'm getting in position for another knock out!! Don't forget to come up for air once in a while.

Love ya,
...Jackie; 1/5/12, 6:52 PM
Janet said...: Awwww fanci-you're too good to me! Thanks for the mention!

Lots of component making now? Woo- hoo! Means lots of fabulous jewelry coming to a blog and "store near us soon!" Yay!; 1/5/12, 7:39 PM
Anonymous said...: LOL at all the St Lucys. Can't wait to see what you're up to.; 1/6/12, 1:58 AM
Petra Carpreau said...: Awww, thanks for that, Fanci pants.
Ooooh, this sounds like some gush-worthy excitement in the making!! Can't wait to see what you've been cooking up.
xxx; 1/6/12, 8:10 AM
Beatnheart said...: I have a beautiful St. Loo cee victorian pitch in my kitchen
That I scored in Milwaukee and dragged her kickin and screaming all the way to Cal I for ni a. She likes it here now and wouldn't trade those nasty blizzards for this 80 degree weather we are having.; 1/6/12, 3:31 PM
Anonymous said...: Holycow-holycow-holycow, Mary quite Contrary's site is inCREDible! You're such a wealth of inspiration. Thanks.
Wendy; 1/8/12, 2:20 PM