Getting all FIRED UP in February

Somehow, in the last year, I let myself wander (or let myself be pushed) off my path.  Yes, I could chalk it up to situations beyond my control, but that would be a cop out.  The tough economic conditions have affected most everyone.  Children grow up and start a life of their own.  Friends move away, start families, become busy.  I, myself, seem like I have been busier, working harder to make less, two steps forward three steps back.

The end of 2010 found me suddenly without a job or a place to live.  Thankfully, the most wonderful family I know put me up through the fall and winter.  Spring found me a home (next to a graveyard no less), but a job is still elusive.  

Consequently, last year I did more festivals and markets than I have in the past.  I also started two other ventures -  I co-opened a new etsy shop, T&M Metalworks, and I started selling corsets. The metal shop really took off towards the end of the year.  When I wasn't creating jewelry, I was busy with that.  Though I created more jewelry than ever, hardly any made it to  my etsy shop.  My online time, blogging, and focus on my real passion took a backseat.  

I'd like to take this time to apologize to the Etsy Dark Side Team, the

Etsy Steam Team,

the Etsy BeadWeavers and Team Etsy Rain for my dismal participation this past year. 

SO....to get back on freakin' track, I've dedicated the month of February to FIRE IT UP.  Inspired by the lovely Miss Victoria, I'm challenging my self to create an item a day and posting about it everyday for the month.  Nothing like jumping in head first to get the blood flowing.   

Deliciously Dark Drinkware - Tiffany bugs festishghost and skeletaldropkick for you

With the onslaught of the gift giving season, I thought I would start sharing some of my favorite artists/shops with you. The cracked and chipped coffee cup from which I drink is not the reason I decided to start with fetishghost and skeletaldropkick. I have admired (and desired) the work of each for quite some time - that they both do ceramics is just a coincidence.

When I was brand new on Etsy, I was lured into fetishghost’s shop by this bracelet.

This inanimate object reached through the screen and wrapped itself around my wrist. I felt like crying. It didn't matter that I would never own it or wear it; I loved it so much it felt like it was mine.

When I was finally able to tear myself away, I found not only more intriguing and beautiful silver jewelry, but exquisite ceramics also. “BoneOrchard Teaware & Gothic Sterling Noir” is right!  When I later joined the Etsy Steam Team, I was thrilled to find fetishghost was a teammate.

I caught fetishghost peeking out of his silversmithing and ceramics studio long enough to answer three questions for me:

Do you listen to music while you create? If so, what were the last three things you listened to?

This one is easy… Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie…not necessarily in that order.

If you could time travel to three other times in history, what would they be?

This one is a bit harder. I'm rather content with the time I live in, although I was a bit shocked, myself, when I realized that. I'd like to go back to the 1940's to hang out with a few favorite artists and musicians... people like Wassily Kandinsky, Sohji Hamada, and Louis Armstrong. I don't really have any itching to go back any further in time than that; things seem to get pretty hairy the further back you go.

What are three things you would like still like to accomplish in life?

Now that my kids are old enough, I'd love to get back to traveling the world. I've always wanted to spend a year in Morocco.
I would like to help establish a successful community art center, (who wouldn't).
Maybe go back to art school for another spell...

I fully suggest a good browse through fetishghost’s shop…make sure to read his profile.

When you’re finished there, head on over to Skeletaldropkick’s shop for dark ceramics with a heavier feel. I wish I was drinking a Coffee Nudge out of this cup right now!

I was so enchanted with skeletaldropkick that I practically begged her to join the Etsy Dark Side team….and I am happy to say the she did.  I also got her to answer the same three questions for me:

Do you listen to music while you create? If so, what were the last three things you listened to?

I have my iPod on whenever I throw, but the rest of the work is kinda when I can make time for it, so I don’t get to listen to much for that. The last 2 things I listened to were: “TV on the Radio”, “You Say Party, We Say Die” and Radio Lab (podcast from NPR)

If you could time travel to three other times in history, what would they be?
Likely to where California is before the Europeans arrived. I would love to see the area I live in the way it was before massive amounts of humans trashed it.
To the ancient Mayan or Aztec eras.
Can I go into the future? I really want a flying car….

Name three things you would like to accomplish yet in life.
Ride in a dirigible. Might be even more fun than saying, “dirigible.”
Travel - New Zealand, Australia, Europe, Ireland, etc…
hmmm… solve the human population problem in a peaceable and ethical way. No big deal, really.


Well Cris, if I see you hitchhiking while I’m cruising in my dirigible, I’ll pick you up & we’ll go off adventuring... Until then, I’m off to make a Coffee Nudge in my old and cracked mug. Yes, dear friends, that was a hint.

Coffee Nudge
1/4 oz dark crème de cacao
3/4 oz coffee liqueur                            “I stopped drinking, but only when I sleep” - George Best
1/2 oz brandy
6 - 8 oz hot coffee
1 1/2 oz whipped cream

Upcoming Events I'll Be Vending At

I'll be vending at some great events in September and October. First, this weekend is the 2nd Annual Opulent Art show at The Cutting Garden in Sequim, WA. This show was one of my favorite I did last year, perhaps because it was set in such a gorgeous place, or the fabulous customers, or maybe it was because there was wine drinking...
Here's a couple of pictures from last year:



If you live on the Olympic Penninsula then you should make a point of dropping by to see me this Saturday.

October is going to be a great month. On Saturday the 18th, I'll be vending at Mourning Market at Club Motor in Seattle.

Not only are there going to be incredible dark wares, but the Etsy Dark Side team will be out in force. I think there's either 7 or 8 team members that will be vending there. I'm thrilled to be meeting more of my team members in person and having some cocktails. *cackles with glee*

Directly on the heels of that is a weekend I've been waiting all summer for. The inaugural steampunk symposium, Steamcon, is Oct. 23-25th. I've no doubt that many Etsy Steam Team members will be in attendance. Ahhh, the dress, the inventions, the artwork. I need to mention that I've found the Steam Punk community to be chock full of incredible, talented, intelligent and serious fun-loving people. Creative to no end and wicked senses of humor to boot. Is there a better mix?

Now, because I was SERIOUSLY spacing off, I didn't get my vendor app in on time. Really kicking myself for that one. But I am on the waiting list. *fingers crossed*
BUT, same weekend is the 2nd Burlycon, Seattle's Burlesque convention. I vended there last year and my plan is to vend there if I don't get in to Steamcon at the last minute. If I do, I'll be heading over to Steamcon when the vending hall closes to partake in the merriment and festivities. Either way, it's going to be a jam-packed weekend and I'll be seeing quite a few of you.

Rounding off the month of October nicely, is my favorite holiday - Halloween. Need I say more?