Etsy Finds: Tetrad Edition

I return to you now at the turn of the tide, or something Gandalf would say. I’ve been consumed with my latest project, Baby Prime. Baby Prime is nearly a year old now, and it’s taken all this time to start getting some of my time and sanity back, but Baby is doing fabulously and I’m still shuffling about, gibbering and shedding hair as per the usual.

April begins a astrological/-nomical phenomena known as a Tetrad. This is a series of four lunar eclipses in a row. Astrologically, eclipses can set off crises in your life in the house in which the eclipse falls. These trials are often painful or stressful yet necessary for growth. So, we’re coming up on a set of four little personal apocalypses. For more about where you can expect your life to explode, see here. Perhaps you may be able to defray the Goddess’ wroth by robing yourself in her protective sigils.* Here are some examples:

This blood moon pendant by Out of Space Jewelry reflects the image of the darkened eclipse moon. Hang this around your neck in the hopes that in seeing her reflection, the Moon will briefly take pity upon you and confine her ill effects to an easily solved and inexpensive household issue, like running out of laundry soap.

This lunar jersey dress by Shadowplay NYC reminds the universe: “I’m a Moonchild. Do not fuck with me, dark powers.” It’s made of cotton jersey, and so sensible for the upcoming heat of late spring and summer. The dress can be worn several ways, either as a short dress or a long tunic. It’s sewn so that it hangs asymmetrically. I recently got one of these dresses in a different print from Shadowplay, and it fits more like a long tunic. I love their cosmic prints. Try wearing this to your Esbats for an extra moon-boost.

This stylish lunar calendar by Thorburn Collective will help you keep track of the moon’s phases.

The Lunar Amulet for Ceremonies of Intention by For Strange Women is a series of perfumes attuned to each new moon of the year. This version comes in a brass locket with faceted onyx representing the dark moon. There are some really stunning perfume lockets in their shop, like this one and this one.

For proper lunar protection, you’ll need silver. These hammered silver moon phase earrings by Aurora Shadow should fit the bill. Moon phases seem to be A Thing right now, from shirts to nails to cellphone covers, and I’m not opposed to this.

If all else fails, pull out your pyramid of power candle (by Artisan Witchcrafts) and do whatever banishing rituals you need to get your shit back together.

Those are my words of advice. Do with them what you will. And that shall be the whole of the law etcetera etcetera. My hope is that I will return with something more substantive soon. Thank you.

*Disclaimer: I’m not a witch, Wiccan, neopagan or any sort of left-hand-pathfinder. I just really love the trappings and language of the occult, as I’m sure many vaugely Gothy folk do.

Etsy Finds: Non-Lame Skulls Edition

As difficult as it may be to believe, skulls were once considered reminders of death and emblems against vanity and not just cutesy motifs for an Avril Lavigne-branded sweater. The image of the skull in art traditionally reminds the viewer of inevitable and impending mortality. These Memento Mori tell us, the viewers, that death comes for all. Seems like an incompatible thought to emblazon on disposable consumer goods, though to me, the trend of cute, quaint skulls smacks of our collective attempts to defang mortality. The cute skull is intended to say less to the viewer than it reveals about the wearer. It tells others that you consider yourself edgy or wish to appear mildly threatening without diverging too far from the mainstream of consumer values. Yes, I am including Ed Hardy here, as the rhinestone skull may be the worst offender when it comes to trivializing and kitschifying death. I’m also willing to acknowledge that kitsch is part of the humorous flip-side to Goth’s funereal overtones—“Bela Lugosi’s Dead” was recorded as a joke, after all—and the cute is often a necessary chaser to the morbid. However, I tend not to lean toward this aesthetic of cute skulls, candy witches and swirls of pink in my blacks. By the same token, I’m not about to go all Mortiis and armour myself in the darkest darkety dark of serious darkness. I prefer to walk a line that takes me near the abyss without setting up camp at the bottom. I’ve been thinking of this look as Classical Morbid. It’s part Trad Goth, part Corporate Goth. All that being said, the skull is still a compelling image that is a staple of Gothic fashion.  I’ve found some examples on Etsy that retain something of the heft of the Memento Mori.

Yes, I know what I just said about rhinestone skulls, but this jacket from Urbanhardware transcends the usual rhinestone skull in its wonderfully shaded and detailed execution. The closer the skull to the complexity of the anatomical image, the more visually interesting it becomes. The jacket’s use of velvet and lace are also an elegant touch. I love this sort of “Death is a Dandy” fashion.

Subtlety is key with the understated Goth look I’ve been pursuing lately. I have a tiny silver skull necklace very similar to this one by Etco. A tiny pendant like this can give a surprising flash of your morbid sensibilities without announcing itself too overtly.  Mine is on a fine silver ball-chain. I like wearing it with a quartz pendulum or a tiny silver wax-seal medallion.

This basic white stoneware skull made by Leigh Leigh Pottery would look great on top of a stack of leather-bound books. It’s a higher quality material that won’t remind you of styrofoam Halloween decorations. A basic ceramic figure such as this one also strikes me as less kitschy than a skull candleholder.

There’s no doubt, etchings are classy; just ask dead hottie, Albrecht Durer. This print, available from Tiger House Art, framed in an ornate black baroque frame, would make a great elegant Goth touch to any room. I have this print in my writing/sewing room.

I hope this has demonstrated a few ways to reclaim the skull from irrelevance, etcetera.

Futuristic Shoes and Vintage Silk

Many changes have come to Prime Manor, including a change of employment for me that takes me away from academic work and a renewed focus on my fiction writing. In the meantime, I’ve gotten some nice things in the mail these past few months that I’d like to share.

Swordmaker shoes by Irregular Choice

The customer service people at Topshop were excellent to me in the wake of the two left boot thing. They sent me a nice refund check which I used to buy these Irregular Choice shoes. I’ll have to get some pictures of myself wearing them. The shoes have an ultracozy blue crushed velvet interior. I haven’t worn them out yet, but I do have concerns about two things: One, the shoes have no grip on the bottom and I have been known to take a dive from time to time. Two, the point of the toe, as you can sort of see in the picture, curves upward. The shoe feels kind of awkward on my foot. I’m hoping wear will even out that curving toe thing. Still, these are a retrofuturist’s dream come true. I’ll wear them to the robot uprising. Visit Irregular Choice here.

Vintage Silk Phoenix Shirt

I found this silk shirt on Etsy. It has a beaded panel that attaches to the front with tiny buttons. The bird appears to be a phoenix. I have been looking for more natural fiber clothing lately since it breathes and stays cooler than synthetics. I have this tucked away for a special occasion. I think I will wear it with a skirt and an obi belt. The sleeves are wonderfully full, giving this a sort of sorceress-Stevie Nicks vibe that I’ve been into lately. Yet the high neck and ruffles are severe and governess-like as well. Visit Verite Vintage on Etsy.

Pass the crystal, spread the tarot. Yeah, I know, this isn’t that Alice. I bought this necklace from BellaLili because I’m wearing a lot of matte black metal right now. I liked that the shape was unexpected and that the crystal in the center keeps it ironically pretty. It’s elegant and weird without being cutesy. I was swayed to purchase this item because it’s a once of a kind creation. As with the other items, I haven’t worn it anywhere yet because I don’t often have places to go. I guess I could just start dressing up for Kitty Prime’s amusement.  BellaLili on Etsy.

Coming soon: My new tattoo, makeup, things to sniff and more things I’ve made.

The Craft: March 8th

Here is a collage of some items I’ve made lately. Most of these are in my Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/secretidentity

Oh, one of these pictures is of some chains I was oxidizing with liver of sulfur solution. So that’s why there’s a shot of chain draped over a towel rack. I oxidized a silver bracelet I’d made that I should post pictures of soon. I’m also planning on challenging myself to use up my fabric stash (of which there are several bins full) within the next year, so there may be photos of my own handmade clothes soon. Maybe.

Until next time.

The Dark Futuristic Side of Etsy

I like my goth with a side of futurism. But I have issues with the way these two great tastes are usually combined. Cyber goth is a bit too neon and Halloween costume-y for me. If it’s your passion to wear plastic hair and shredded tutus, that’s adequately satisfactory, but not at all a look I would wear. I like industrial or military looks, but I also like a touch of glam and that can be hard to balance with that post-apocalyptic wasteland raider look. If I could look like an evil extra from Farscape that would be ideal. Here are some items I found on Etsy that could be incorporated into a dark futuristic look.

This dress by Masq combines Art Deco with Japanese influences. I like that the body of the dress and the sleeves are different materials. The series of darts at the front are a lovely addition. Darts are tough to do in satin, but these add shape and interest to the front of the dress. I also like the combination of black and blue. This dress is perfect for the space villainess to relax in her destroyer. Just because you spend all day oppressing planetary systems doesn’t mean you can’t look fabulous. Visit Masq Here.

This leather corset belt by Zahira’s Boudoir features some excellent hardware. Add this to the dress above and your cowering minions will soon begin to understand that you want them to find you those plans immediately! The back of the belt is elastic so you can take deep breaths–the better to bellow at incompetent generals and uncooperative rebel fighters. Visit ZahirasBoudoir here.

Plastik Wrap comes pretty close to perfectly embodying my vision of goth meets future. I’ve been pining after these slick opera gloves for some time now. But, alas, as I have no space empire to keep in line I can’t quite justify buying them while pesky annoyances like student loans and food stand in my way. There are several other Plastic Wrap items I’d indulge in if I won the space lottery, including their Harness Dress and their Geisha Dress. Visit Plastik Wrap Here.

Once you’re dressed to oppress, you’ll need some jewelry that ties the whole look together. This silver necklace by Ruonan is alien, organic and rare. The shapes are suggested by coral, but they also remind me of bones. The larger pads at the ends of each piece are brushed matte, while the rest of the necklace retains a polished silver finish. Let your minions know you have great taste. Visit Ruonan here.

Well, cosmonauts, that’s all I’ve got for now.

Until next time.