Artistic Inspirations, a homework assignment ;-)

I haven't had the chance to participate in the course yet, although I've been reading Le Professeur's blog for a long while, in part because of the chronic fatigue I'm still dealing with. But this month there was a happy coincidence and I finally get to play! Although they were not made just for this challenge, so I hope my instructor will be lenient ;-)

Recently I found a stash of polymer clay "art pieces" that I made waaaay back for Salon Con. And then misplaced. But they're back now, just in time for the Steampunk World's Faire. I had planned to make more of them, and now I don't have to, which is a bit of a relief.

Before I closely studied this art period, my knowledge of 19th Century art was Mucha and Pre-Raphaelite paintings. Which are wonderful! But something about the stark black and white drawings of Beardsley just made them so dramatic and refreshing. I made a project of incorporating some of his work, and that of other illustrators, into my own work as I got more interested in Victorian aesthetics.

First, The Black Cape by Aubrey Beardsley [for sale here on Etsy]

This elegant pendant is printed with Aubrey Beardsley's drawing The Black Cape, on polymer clay. It's layered with a variety of finishes and glazes for an antique metal look, but is much lighter than metal or glass. Swarovski crystals dangle from the bottom of the frame, and the pendant hangs from a vintage chain of acrylic amber beads.

I wanted to balance out the simple, stark drama of the illustration itself with an extremely gaudy frame. I think it works :-)


Next, Lady Godiva by William Holdman Hunt [for sale here on Etsy]

This necklace showcases a picture of an illustration by William Holdman Hunt for Tennyson's poem "Godiva" printed on polymer clay. Lady Godiva prepares to disrobe herself in a frame of gold and silver.

I have a bunch more, but these were the only two that already had Etsy listings before the interregnum. Except for this piece, which was slightly damaged so I may keep it for myself afterall:

The Stomach Dance by Aubrey Beardsley, from "Salome."

Polymer clay with glaze and metallic finishes, Swarovsky crystal, and vintage chain with acrylic amber beads.

This one was my absolute favorite, but now there's a bit of blue ink on the black and white picture, leaked from goodness knows where. So... mine now!

Also, I just recently became reacquainted with this music video, and noticed some very clear artistic influences ;-)




This last piece was the only one to find a happy new home at Salon Con, not so ironically as a gift for the editor of Goblin Fruit Magazine ;-) (Free online poetry magazine! Go look!)

Buy from Us with a Golden Curl, one of Dante Gabriel Rossetti's illustrations for Christina Rossetti's poem "Goblin Market."

Polymer clay, a variety of glazes and finishes, and Swarovski crystals. Includes vintage chain with acrylic amber beads.

Go forth, worship the shinies :-)

Queen of the Cat People, class with a cult following.

Mythpunk Volume One, an Etsy Treasury!

Mythpunk, Volume One!

Mythology, magic, & mayhem, for home and body.


Treasuries are a lot easier to put together now than when Etsy first launched them. Didn't they used to only have a limited number of slots available?

I'll probably make a few more before long. Its refreshing to hawk someone else's work instead of my own. Comment with a link to your Etsy shop if you'd like me to consider your work for future Treasuries ;-)



Queen of the Cat People, Class with a cult following.

Ravens in the Library!

Last week my friend's new album Mischief came out! Yay! It is wonderful and magically delicious!!!! S.J. Tucker is super awesome at everything she does :-D

And most especially, it includes a recording of her song "Ravens in the Library" which is one of my favorites. I've been waiting for it to be available in MP3 format for at least a year. Squee!

And why is their music on a jewelry blog? Well, first it's Friday. Second, I'm in a library. Third, I made a shiny tribute to this song a few months ago ;-)

Ravens Studying Jewels
[For sale here on Etsy!!]

Song inspired, artist approved! :-D

Part of the "Summer Reading Sale!" Marked down from the original price for a 15% discount.

Black agate, reconstituted onyx, frosted quartz, sterling silver, and OODLES of Swarovski crystals! 17 inches long.

Hours of study flying by,
Words soaked up by beady eyes,
Long debates into the night,
Pages flying everywhere.
Seek the language word by word,
Like the black and clever bird,
never let it bring you down,
All the things we haven't figured out.

My friend bids me come and see
The ravens in the library,
setting quiet pages free!

If you're not buying anything from my shop today, please go to her website and purchase some of her amazing music!
http://www.skinnywhitechick.com


Queen of the Cat People, class with a cult following.

Authors Seeking Artists

I hang out with a wide variety of people in NYC. One social scene in particular is full of genre/SF writers who are all very awesome.

Star of the Evening, inspired by Jaqueline Carey's Kushiel's Dart.

A few months ago I went to the launch party for a friend's new SF novel, and she signed my copy "You owe me a necklace ;-D!"

Later she apologized for being so forward, and clarified that I didn't owe her a necklace, but that she really REALLY wanted to see some jewelry based on her book posted up around the interwebs. Because I do that for a lot of literature that I read, and I guess I've accidentally made a reputation for myself ;-).

Miss Spink, inspired by Neil Gaiman's Coraline.

And from what I've seen, writers love it when a world they've built from words inspires others to create more art based on that world. Folk art indicates that they've truly created a myth cycle that is tying a whole community of artists together.

Rosie, inspired by Ellen Kushner's Privilege of the Sword.

I'm not inspired to make jewelry for every book I read, but if you are a writer that wants in on this happy little branch of fandom here are some suggestions:

• Include jewels and jewelry in your stories.
  

If there's jewelry in text, that's the most automatic thing for a jewelry artist to hone in on.

• Write strong characters with vibrant physical descriptions.

I know I think very visually, so the stronger an image is in my mind's eye while reading a story, the more likely I am to be inspired.

• Trade books to artists for their artwork.

I've been at some conventions where I didn't mind trading finished jewelry for new books. That doesn't work for everybody (mine is more hobby than business so I have more financial flexibility), but it is a way to ingratiate yourself to artists ahead of time.

• If you see art inspired by your written work, properly credited to you of course, flaunt it on your blog.

Like everybody else artists like to feel appreciated, and big online displays of appreciation usually make artists pretty happy. It will also encourage other artists to read the works of an art-friendly writer and post their own pieces to the public.


Now go forth and write new worlds! Inspire the rest of the universe ;-)

Pictures of Palimpsest

Wow, what an awesome party :-D Reading, singing, dancing, burlesque, suspension art, bondage, chocolate, tophats, tea. I don't think I can frame it all in words, so hear are my pictures:
May not be safe for work.

The best part:

The Authoress and the Songstress

Book + Music = OTP

Cat even signed my copy,
For Cris, whose jewels live and walk.
Yep, that's the idea ;-)


Second best part:

People recognizing me by my necklace ;-)



Last I heard, the first printing of the book is almost sold out, after barely four days. So go read the short story for free, get hooked, and clamor to Amazon for the book. (I'm too tired right now to hunt for the links again, they're on a post earlier this week.)

With luck, I'll have some small Palimpsest themed pieces on my Etsy store by early next week. But I'll have to hold out on more until after I move. *angst* At least I can sketch them down in my little notepad until I have the time.


Also, I've decided to give up purchasing beads for Lent. I had my party on Ash Wednesday instead of Fat Tuesday, but it works. Even though I'm not a Catholic, or a Christian, I respect the art of sacrifice in daily life. And with my home problems, its a financially sound idea.

Thus the earliest pieces of Palimpsest will be made out of items from my formidable stash of craft supplies. Or out of other things than beads. Ironically, I'll be out of town during the New York Whole Beads Show, on a train trip with CMV and Sooj ;-)

More bunnies!

While we were at the Wicked Faire, my friend Audrey was very happy about the shiny included in her payment (I pay my employees in free con tix and jewelry, haven't had any complaints yet). It was a little rhodonite (sp?) bunny rabbit with other pink and green beads. So happy was the webcomic artist that she drew this while we were at the event:


SQUEE!! I'M A BUNNY!!!

Not only did she capture my hair perfectly (I have poofy hair, I'm a librarian :-P), but bunny-me is also wearing my geek-flare shirt which is covered in patches from various fandoms. And now it's immortal. Yay!

Again, check out more of Audrey's bunny antics at The Bunny System, a webcomic with a PG-13 rating.