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.

Expanding the Empire

Hallo Livejournal!

At least, I hope you are watching this from Livejournal, that was the idea of syndication.

If you have a Livejournal account and would like to follow me there, look for QOTCP_jewelry, search by the "Atom" feed linked on my sidebar, or look here http://syndicated.livejournal.com/qotcp_jewelry/

If you are checking this out from LJ Land, I am a jewelry designer and artisan. So far my work involves polymer clay, semiprecious stones, seed bead weaving, and wire wrapping. And I am available for custom work.

My other websites are QueenoftheCatPeople.com, and an Etsy shop also called QueenoftheCat People.Etsy.com.

Enjoy the shiny things!

Bold as Brass

Wow, I haven't posted since July. Sorry! I needed to take a break for a couple of months, from everything that wasn't my day-job. But I am getting back in gear for an awesome event next month!



This was a truly epic event last year, but I was unable to go. Based on the amount of Steampunk I saw at DragonCon, I think this year will be even bigger.

I will be there with my army of shiny things! And a corset! Come on down and see us ;-)

Social Experimentation

I've hit a lull. Not quite a rut, because I don't feel stuck or unhappy with my crafting. I just can't buckle down and get it done. It's not exactly like a creative block, because I have the ideas and write them down for later. Am I distracted? Depressed? Disoriented by the rising pollen count?

Eventually I should snap out of it, and I am scribbling down lots of new plans and ideas. I just need to be more patient with myself.


As far as the craft fair experiment goes, Brooklyn Indie Market is really wonderful. The lady who organizes it is very sweet and accommodating, the other vendors are nice, the neighborhood is quiet (if somewhat sleepy) and safe. My ploy to lure in younger customers with the $5 pendants is working out great, and next time I'm going to bring even fewer high ticket items. My friends have been really awesome with helping me out, too. I highly recommend this market both to buyers and sellers, especially new sellers who want to find their feet in a happy, safe environment.

So the fact that I still don't like selling at craft fairs indicates that it's not them, it's me.

Sci fi cons and kink fairs are different. I sit at my table and chat with other weirdos, and get to watch the con wander by. The audience in Brooklyn is lots of nice normal people, very very kind and complimentary but ... I just don't know how to relate. It's not you, it's me! You are wonderful for oogling my beadwork, and your kids are very awesome! Thank you for stopping by!

I wonder if I'd feel better putting more time and energy into making more stuff, taking better photos of said stuff, and hawking it on the internet. For part-time artisans like me, the larger part of our customer base is people we know. And the people I know really enjoy looking at my online listings, jump all over the sales I have, and tell their friends and family all about it.

I'm going to keep on working at BIM, because they are soooo wonderful and I'm doing well there. This may just be a weird kind of stage fright phase I need to get over. They may also have another Steampunk event in October, yay. But in 2010 I may decide to stick with 3 freak-cons a year instead of monthly craft fairs.

There will be firmer plans by the end of 2009, but I'm already looking into some new SF cons for next year. New to me ;-)


Also, I started putting up the last of the clay necklaces, still on sale:

Priestess of Ma'at, $15 [Etsy Link]

Enjoy!

Save Our Cat!

The state of the U.S. economy is still taking it's toll on our favorite artists, and is now encroaching upon one of my favorite authors Catherynne M. Valente.

What's the best way to help an artist out of trouble? BUY THEIR WORK. And now all of her books are available to purchase online as e-books. The rare first novels, the poetry, her newest book, EVERYTHING. And by purchasing the e-books, the cash goes 100% direct to an artist and her family.


And I'm not just here to tug on your sense of humanity. I'm also here to bait your sense of capitalism.

Most of the jewelry-based blogs I've seen are part of a sales-promotion ploy. There's no shame in that, mine is. Ironically most jewelry blogs are watched by other jewelry makers and crafty types, who are usually less inclined to buy jewelry when they can make their own.

So let me tell you fellow jewelers- this author's work inspires more jewelry to be made than any other writer I HAVE EVER SEEN. By purchasing her books, you are also investing in your own creative reserves.

You would also be joining a larger cult of Cat-fans who really really like jewelry. Looking at it, purchasing it, showing it off on their blogs and feeds. Other crafts as well! In fact, there is also a new online community called Adopting Cat, full of auctions for jewelry, crafts, writing, and a variety of other products and services by the fan-base, FOR the fan base, to help our fave authoress.

By auctioning off YOUR work on the community you will gain more exposure with a new fan-base of your own, plus you help out a wonderful artist. Financially and karmicly, you come out ahead.



Help Catherynne M. Valente



So go forth, wreak havoc, invest in art and artistry.

I have often relied upon the kindness of strangers...

There is a new gathering place for crafters, compatible with every sales platform I know of, and a few more to boot. So far, all done for love of the community and not for profit. Like... wow. The creators are VERY dedicated to this vision. They have tons of nifty gadgets, a community blog, and a great forum!

What exactly is Byhand.Me?

Why exactly is Byhand.Me?

Innovative Window Shopping!

And look! I've made a Spotlight of my Victorian Art Pendants! And a profile, of course ;-). It's easy.

There are a lot of people on the internet doing a little (or in this case, a lot) something extra for us needy artist types, in the face of economic recession and recovery. Thank you all for your help to our community.

Come along and play!