Hello stranger! Tasteful Nudity and Bohemian ATCs

It's been a while. Life's been bumpy.

I've been making an effort to get back into creating over the past little bit. It's a difficult thing to get back into the swing of things when your heart just isn't in it. I know an awful lot of makers have been feeling the same way. 

I sat at my worktable and worked on nothing in particular, stared at my supplies until it drove me mad. Then, I cleaned my studio. I gave away boxes and boxes of stuff. "Is it really free?" Yes. Come get it. I just want it gone.

I sat at my worktable and worked on nothing in particular, again. 

And again.

Eventually, slowly, little things started to take shape.

A handful of ATCs of beautiful bohemian women dancing under moons.

I hope you're working on something too.

I hope your supplies aren't being jerks and driving you mad.

I hope things are really taking shape for you.

P.S. If you follow me on social media you'll know that my bestie, Padfoot, died in February. It was not unexpected, but the loss of him has been massive. There's a huge silent space in the house where he should be. I miss him. We all do.

R.I.P. Paddfoot

Aka Pads, Paddy, Padders, Paddykins, The Asshole

Matchbox Record Shop - A Prototype

For a very long time I didn't listen to music much. Certainly not new music. Certainly not music outside of my comfort zone. When I was young I thought that music would forever be the heartbeat of my days. It would be ever present and thumping life along. Then there came a long period of silence and comfort in the familiar.

But there's a sort of revival going on inside my head right now. Tired of the silence and comfort, I'm enjoying the rediscovery of my heartbeat. Give me all of the new noises and caterwauling and poetry (good and bad)! No, I don't like it all, some of it is awful, but I am delighting in the revelations.

These past few weeks I've been pushing myself, not just in the music I've been listening to, but in my work too. I've continued to make those little vinyl LPs, striving to make them better and better, taking great satisfaction in the accuracy of those silly little things. 

Which brings me to this matchbox record shop. "MAKE IT SMALLER! MAKE IT BETTER!" my mind screams at me. "DO MORE, MORE, MORE!" While I don't usually like to be shouted at, right now I'm grateful for the inspiration momentum (plus it's my own head yelling at me, so it's not so bad).

This is just the prototype. There is loads of room for improvement (which excites me!) but I was so chuffed by these initial steps I wanted to share them and show them off.

Just a standard matchbox with little bits of cut paper and a few snips of plastic... but the results are sooooo stonking cute! I'm well pleased.

While I AM pleased with this wee version, I KNOW I can do better and my mind is racing with ways in which to improve. This is such a fiddly mother fucker, I'm also wracking my brain to think up ways in which I can make a simplified version that others can make without getting too frustrated.

So, this long winded post is just to show off, with nothing to sell, or teach, or link to. Just a post because I'm pleased with myself and want to share something that is making my heart beat at right this minute. Holy heck, I've missed that thumping.

*The sign I used for the record shop is from an actual record store that was located in New Jersey and has been closed for a number of years.

POETRY SMASH!!!!

Inspiration has struck. I'm not entirely certain where this idea is headed but I'm kind of loving it.

I've smashed up my favourite poets with some old timey bare knuckle boxers and wrestlers, and added wings (because that's what I do).

I love the idea of taking something generally thought of as soft (poetry) and mixing it with something strong and stout (boxing). 

And then I got to thinking - poetry often throws a punch. It can hit you in the gut. It can get you right in the god damn feels.

Boxers and poets and love and fairy wings. It's a nonsense combination, but in my head it all fits together.

Still in the thinking stages with these guys, but I do adore them. Some journaling perhaps? Maybe a collection  of ATCs?

The one thing I am absolutely certain of? Bukowski makes the cutest fairy of them all. 

Baphomet can be cute, right?

Yeah, not everyone is cool with Baphomet but I think most anything shrunk to mini size is kinda adorable. 

Back in October (which feels like 3 years ago) I posted a project that included a couple of miniature Baphomet novena candles, The Diviner's Table. Follow that link and you'll find a tutorial for those red pillar candles and mini incense btw.

I've received a slew of requests for the Baphomet candles and finally got my act together and have some listed in my etsy shop over HERE.

God, two posts in fairly quick succession, what is going on? Is my mutha-flippin' mojo back?! Sweet baby Jesus, I hope so.

Gloating and details. Morgan Wallen and Frank Ocean 1:12 scale miniature LPs

First and foremost HAPPY FLIPPING NEW YEAR! I've been totally slacking in my blogging and making but I have a good excuse... I haven't felt like it. I'm a stinker. What can I say.

Happily, something has kicked me in the pants and I've been back at it.

For a long while now I've been trying to make great mini vinyl LPs. I didn't want a paper copy printout of an LP, I wanted a cool little actual record looking thing. Finally, after a gazillion attempts (not even exaggerating) I think I've cracked it. Just look at these gorgeous little things!

I won't share my process just yet. It's taken me a good long while to figure this out for myself. I'll just sit on it for a bit and savour the craftgasm of my victory.

Super pleased with the LPs, really happy with the record sleeves, and the covers too. I'm just sickeningly pleased with myself to be honest.

The fact that the first wee albums I've created are double LPs is kinda a weird coincidence. I was psyched about it first because I thought "Great! I've got the template set up. It'll be a breeze!" Alas, when looking at the original big people versions the records slip inside in different ways. This one, Morgan Wallen "Dangerous", opens and the albums slip in beside the center fold.

The second wee album I made, Frank Ocean's "Blonde", the LPs slip in the ends of the cover.

I know. Who cares?! What difference does it make?

There are times when "it'll do" is enough. Other times paying keen attention to detail, putting in extra effort is part of the fun and gives an extra sense of satisfaction.

This flipping album drove me nuts. It was a rabbit hole I was not prepared for. There are like a million different versions of this thing! Coloured vinyl. White cover. This. That. The other. Why does this thing cost $2000!?! What do you mean it was only available for sale for 24 hours? Why the hell are bootleg copies $300+? 

If you ask me the process, the learning, the effort, all that stuff makes for a successful project even more than the actual result at times. But the best is when all those things mesh perfectly to enhance the result. 

Sure, most people wouldn't give a hoot about which way an LP slid into it's cover. BUT the people who love those albums would know. It's those details that tug at memories and heartstrings.

The image below shows the marketing pic for the original album on top, and my 1:12 scale reproduction below. Yes the toning is a little bit off but I'm so fucking pleased with myself. I AM GLOATING!!!!!

But what now? I've prepped about 100 little LPs for something.

I like the idea of creating a top 100 albums list in miniature. I got a look when I mentioned it, but I think it would be a fun challenge.

I also like the idea of creating small collections. Offering sets of three super cool albums in all sorts of categories: old country, ska, punk, new romantics, grunge, blues, blue grass, jazz.

Then I thought that maybe I'd create them as people made requests. 

I'm not sure. What do you think? Would you make a whole record shop? Or just a few mini-albums to carry with you always?

I hope you've been well, lovelies. I have missed you. I've missed making.

IMPORTANT: Notes from the North Pole

If you've followed me for any length of time, you'll know that I've got some solid connections at Christmas headquarters. I don't mean to brag, but Santa and I are pretty tight. (TOTALLY bragging!)

Here's the thing, it's been a difficult year for everyone and even the North Pole is feeling the squeeze. They're taking every precaution to ensure the safety of all the elves, reindeer, and Mr and Mrs C.

These measures include social distancing and limiting travel. And so, the Claus gang have asked me to enlist your help to distribute Good List Notifications and other Notes from the North Pole.

Normally I'd charge a nominal fee as an intermediary, but to keep the elves and Santa as safe as possible I'm offering the file as a free download for personal, non-commercial use. You can download the FREE PDF DOWNLOAD HERE

You'll need two pieces of letter sized paper to print the file. The two page pdf includes:

• an official "nice list notification"

• a North Pole envelope template

• little postage stamps

• three notes of encouragement from the North Pole Review Department + 2 blank notes

• three sweet memo's from Santa

• a short thank-you note from Santa for Christmas eve refreshments

Feel free to add some glitter, smudges or special touches. 

Christmas Headquarters, the North Pole Order of Elves, Mr. & Mrs. Claus and myself, all thank you for your participation. Your efforts to encourage safety, AND spread light and cheer, are appreciated.

Stay safe my friends xo

Christmas Tree Thimbles

I could have sworn I already posted a tutorial for these cute little Christmas Tree Thimbles but I think it might have slipped off my list last year.

So, while I should have been doing other work and the million and four things on my to-do list, I churned out a short tutorial that you can find HERE.

I really like these cute little things. They're super simple and a very quick make. They're also the most adorable stocking stuffers or token gifts for those people you want to give a bit of holiday cheer to.

Supplies needed:

Mini bottle brush trees
Thimbles

Green paint (optional)

Florist foam
Fake snow/Buffalo sno

Micro beads or Seed beads

Star sequins or embellishments

Various glues

Happy making!

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