tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33460470090987460852024-02-07T20:29:46.075-08:00Choklit Chanteuse. c h o k l i t .http://www.blogger.com/profile/16574364225587610520noreply@blogger.comBlogger121125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3346047009098746085.post-68122761177521611972010-11-02T22:04:00.000-07:002010-11-02T22:15:01.871-07:00Working Myself into A Fine FrenzyMy love for stop-motion animation is no secret. Give me <a href="http://www.jansvankmajer.com/">Švankmajer</a>, give me <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brothers_Quay">Brothers Quay</a> over rubbery slick CGI any day. <a href="http://coraline.com/">Coraline</a> and <a href="http://www.fantasticmrfoxmovie.com/">Fantastic Mister Fox</a> make me positively quiver with glee. So it's no surprise that this music video for <a href="http://www.afinefrenzy.com/">A Fine Frenzy</a> stopped me in my tracks. <br /><br /><center><object width="420" height="261"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mwX7uEiEWx4?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mwX7uEiEWx4?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="420" height="261"></embed></object></center> <br />It's all too easy to see why I loved this brief little gem of a film, as it's also packed with imagery I adore... from paper umbrellas to tall ships, vintage sewing supplies to doll parts. And much to my delight, I found the singer / songwriter behind <a href="http://www.afinefrenzy.com/">A Fine Frenzy</a>, who stars in the video, is an impossibly luscious fiery-haired young vixen named <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Fine_Frenzy">Alison Sudol</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0XgnpUmuEIrrj5ZmaLQf-BKNEQ0_olMhg8sP8FiIxLZTVl8gJqNowDd9T4xNEE33Vw7SMb-2FUNxJZ4SBCd-Y59BlAZrVScC1P3CnR4dSVXCupeVv9rKDIuCaWp7suPcJ5qowuSEa9Zd/s1600/InTheForest.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 306px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0XgnpUmuEIrrj5ZmaLQf-BKNEQ0_olMhg8sP8FiIxLZTVl8gJqNowDd9T4xNEE33Vw7SMb-2FUNxJZ4SBCd-Y59BlAZrVScC1P3CnR4dSVXCupeVv9rKDIuCaWp7suPcJ5qowuSEa9Zd/s400/InTheForest.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534820344545263954" /></a> Her sophomore effort as A Fine Frenzy, <a href="http://www.afinefrenzy.com/music.aspx">Bomb in a Birdcage</a>, is the second album I've discovered solely from my love of a music video, the first being the incredible <a href="http://choklitchanteuse.blogspot.com/2009/11/textured-bliss-from-ramona-falls.html">Ramona Falls</a>. The album is at once stirring and ethereal, layered and playful. Sudol's voice is something like a blend of <a href="http://www.listentofeist.com/">Feist</a> and <a href="http://reginasplash.warnerreprise.com/">Regina Spektor</a>, her songs filled with glorious vocal acrobatics... ear~candy for a chanteuse like myself.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha452IyEPN5c4HSET1qC66RBlc1WeXQ6Ky6JQWZsWb5bO8bmEg2WVgkXRK00kB3TFpCCPeG2ASMAOsHWGrfSDp0KqrFTWtlllosv9FviavJ3rDCpk-WGLWyd4NCuwkQ5XHIaoRUOuxbbg-/s1600/VideoStill.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha452IyEPN5c4HSET1qC66RBlc1WeXQ6Ky6JQWZsWb5bO8bmEg2WVgkXRK00kB3TFpCCPeG2ASMAOsHWGrfSDp0KqrFTWtlllosv9FviavJ3rDCpk-WGLWyd4NCuwkQ5XHIaoRUOuxbbg-/s400/VideoStill.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534820524231213970" /></a> While rooting about for more images, I found that she had modeled a line of one-of-a-kind couture vintage-inspired headpieces from L.A. called <a href="http://www.shopbando.com/products.aspx?cid=1">Ban.do</a>. Photographer <a href="http://www.angelaandithyle.com/">Angela Kohler's</a> work resulted in a series of jaw-droppingly gorgeous portraits that feel almost pre-Raphaelite in their dewy glory.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5hHhVz-gCMuqpyVbgBcTqtvJbUpb42ZNmV5gIfwG2fKukBOd-YKTvtkEUenvh9RGlrXyvqxX8NEUJr8YsQ_uvlnaiXbRG85_4CJLpcix34AXaWxJLuIPklsAgbccjtPCkuCs0ONKiuV1/s1600/BandoCollage.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 334px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5hHhVz-gCMuqpyVbgBcTqtvJbUpb42ZNmV5gIfwG2fKukBOd-YKTvtkEUenvh9RGlrXyvqxX8NEUJr8YsQ_uvlnaiXbRG85_4CJLpcix34AXaWxJLuIPklsAgbccjtPCkuCs0ONKiuV1/s400/BandoCollage.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533964380348968226" /></a> As it turns out, Angela Kolher and her partner Ithyle Griffiths also directed the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwX7uEiEW">"Lost Things"</a> short film above that started me down this particular rabbit-hole. They used a similar style to win a contest to design a stop-motion ad for <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsPF1_tovQw">Amazon Kindle</a> in 2009, which became very popular. But it's their work with Alison Sudol that strikes my fancy most.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1hmBJxUcQKO9xOq4hMd_hGz9ZRkLuDLTy3kMspVbJTQjZFtN_6gd_CHcxjF5YYg-n5i2Ku3Uiib9JhxK2VkpCR24dEtGni27hbVeLznPmSx2oIrfu768UMzZCUAJQSQabXkjHs2-dSaA/s1600/SpanishLullabies.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 314px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1hmBJxUcQKO9xOq4hMd_hGz9ZRkLuDLTy3kMspVbJTQjZFtN_6gd_CHcxjF5YYg-n5i2Ku3Uiib9JhxK2VkpCR24dEtGni27hbVeLznPmSx2oIrfu768UMzZCUAJQSQabXkjHs2-dSaA/s400/SpanishLullabies.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534820667853359442" /></a> Ah, the joy of lush new music, a pretty girl, and whimsical stop-motion animation. What more could I wish for?. c h o k l i t .http://www.blogger.com/profile/16574364225587610520noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3346047009098746085.post-63882779846951190202010-10-18T21:21:00.000-07:002010-10-18T22:25:32.397-07:00Things That Please Me: Stereoscopic VixensWe interrupt this lull in postings with a scandalous report ~ I have discovered an <a href="http://www.erbzine.com/mag12/peep/">amazingly expansive archive</a> of naughty peep~show cards from <a href="http://columbus.gl.iit.edu/">Chicago's Columbian Exhibition of 1893</a>. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1nq5lW144lbXFR_TCQiIweqEAUagKIPypLUpoFvKuT0X30CNGjAhfCdgZx8xZ5vkr94248cu4yZP_fnGiMfuuJCp59WwQj57DUyshcNlpu24hA_Ml_m4leI0PqsNKvl4eUE3iREDW10X/s1600/BlackSlip.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 208px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1nq5lW144lbXFR_TCQiIweqEAUagKIPypLUpoFvKuT0X30CNGjAhfCdgZx8xZ5vkr94248cu4yZP_fnGiMfuuJCp59WwQj57DUyshcNlpu24hA_Ml_m4leI0PqsNKvl4eUE3iREDW10X/s400/BlackSlip.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529619047741863026" /></a> What is it about the erotica of yesteryear that makes it so much more tantalizing than today's bare-it-all trashiness? Call me old-fashioned, but I find a demure hint of skin much more appealing than a spread-eagled centerfold... and real bodies with real skin and hair a LOT more alluring than the airbrushed and landing-strip-shaven models. The shy poses, the oft-ludicrous settings... I love it all. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWaHpxvMTjw8oVrCcbnF-Tu_AWtRhEefXl2OSb8zFDMLtrpcoOg52M4gJh1bVA02C6hhxwRyRG1iJSgtoO8zsfO2rg6IhfAHbH2FiToxrvNxBwS_rpuoIb8TS-nueOJWP5R9RHNvNaiRM-/s1600/StripedShorts.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWaHpxvMTjw8oVrCcbnF-Tu_AWtRhEefXl2OSb8zFDMLtrpcoOg52M4gJh1bVA02C6hhxwRyRG1iJSgtoO8zsfO2rg6IhfAHbH2FiToxrvNxBwS_rpuoIb8TS-nueOJWP5R9RHNvNaiRM-/s400/StripedShorts.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529619510174898290" /></a> As we are sadly lacking a stereoscopic viewing device to properly appreciate these three-dimensional treasures, my man took it upon himself to create a few animated gifs that combine the two images: behold the jittery loveliness.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.adornmentsfortarts.com/uploads/AnimatedBeauty.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 286px;" src="http://www.adornmentsfortarts.com/uploads/AnimatedBeauty.gif" border="0" alt=""id="JitteryBeauty" /></a> There are no less than <a href="http://www.erbzine.com/mag12/peep/">57 pages of stereoscopic peepshow galleries</a>, and a whole additional gallery of risque <a href="http://www.erbzine.com/mag12/cards/">French Postcards</a>. A few of the images are clearly more recent than Victorian times, but the vast majority are vintage naughty bits; truly an epic collection.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBm1XteMdmKYSIasDScAWAKPsfxi4w6mR5AD27kL6dRgp7p4TioXJz31-ggMU0fUZOJ3w60e-tc8lsmoTq0gJiX9CAatWNnzMikmKsZ0AGW5EXzQDnZ7SfgTU-6kGzufivoiDnHHKo5kH/s1600/FaintingCouch.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBm1XteMdmKYSIasDScAWAKPsfxi4w6mR5AD27kL6dRgp7p4TioXJz31-ggMU0fUZOJ3w60e-tc8lsmoTq0gJiX9CAatWNnzMikmKsZ0AGW5EXzQDnZ7SfgTU-6kGzufivoiDnHHKo5kH/s400/FaintingCouch.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529620602779230034" /></a> As my own body metamorphosizes to accommodate the little person growing within (only three more months!), I am ever more appreciative of the female form in all its incarnations ~ I am enchanted by what the body of a woman can do. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdY_weyVqxMmNWhyD09t-JyUjpo-ypNOUetfbmlX2huAuDf9RDNeXJXkztS9lklmZHTcOIaqxyeHOciui0LYpv3U_JCSKs-BquIpyZ1ECBHZ_qUWaD670SNyTtClRumzHiGaT8gEUnS3R/s1600/Vamp.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 202px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdY_weyVqxMmNWhyD09t-JyUjpo-ypNOUetfbmlX2huAuDf9RDNeXJXkztS9lklmZHTcOIaqxyeHOciui0LYpv3U_JCSKs-BquIpyZ1ECBHZ_qUWaD670SNyTtClRumzHiGaT8gEUnS3R/s400/Vamp.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529619980579028418" /></a> The combination of form and function is truly magnificent. And so I raise a toast for the sheer glory of this corporeal existence, and for these complicated systems of bones, blood and breath we call home.. c h o k l i t .http://www.blogger.com/profile/16574364225587610520noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3346047009098746085.post-37342153911576447532010-08-25T22:30:00.000-07:002010-08-25T23:07:59.651-07:00In the Pudding ClubIt's finally time to come out of the closet... I'm knocked up. I've got a certifiable bun in the (rapidly-expanding) oven. After many years of being decidedly NOT ready to jump on the breeder bandwagon, we decided the time was right.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwduUNLvrRqEvoQE5r-u-owBOBKYotzGZXNPbrE_BBaCKJj1E1pW5QbrVvFeBfBxyunfSQkU-XtlHPk6hDue4uajpwt0uBfFlOUfkCw3arLViplvo8z7Gb6yrvy-Y9kVwVWbhJFFeUAVS-/s1600/VictorianSwatsStork.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwduUNLvrRqEvoQE5r-u-owBOBKYotzGZXNPbrE_BBaCKJj1E1pW5QbrVvFeBfBxyunfSQkU-XtlHPk6hDue4uajpwt0uBfFlOUfkCw3arLViplvo8z7Gb6yrvy-Y9kVwVWbhJFFeUAVS-/s400/VictorianSwatsStork.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502797521050948210" /></a> And so, I've spent the last four months in a haze of queasiness, violent mood swings, and heretofore un-imaginable exhaustion. Mind you, this hasn't abated my desire to hunt down all manner of new shopping temptations...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPxur2p2b1GKbMGIATrxFoH0I9qlKr0lxj_PTno_RSxz0wJb1GzHSFkU3rR20gCMjnQZEjVcJzFMnE_4WcyFeEvL_BGRLOGvaKQv-beWlFyAJ3XShZT4-VzenyQC5PFalI9PWmAV2drzj/s1600/BobkaBabyBooties.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPxur2p2b1GKbMGIATrxFoH0I9qlKr0lxj_PTno_RSxz0wJb1GzHSFkU3rR20gCMjnQZEjVcJzFMnE_4WcyFeEvL_BGRLOGvaKQv-beWlFyAJ3XShZT4-VzenyQC5PFalI9PWmAV2drzj/s400/BobkaBabyBooties.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502803210651395442" /></a><center><i><small>(Hemp & Velvet Booties by <a href="BobkaBaby.etsy.com">Bobka Baby</a>)</small></i></center> <br />So for the time being, I am putting away my corsets and bourbon, in favor of nappies and vitamins. I've been far more focused on important questions like "Is it possible to have an infant in your life and completely avoid *shudder* pastels?" and "How in the world will we decide whose surname this child will inherit?" and frequenting the brilliant alt parenting blog <a href="http://offbeatmama.com">Offbeat Mama</a> more often than my usual haunts of neo~Victorian and steamy blogs. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7y7iJ3gxh5QpHcm9QvccAUrduUDj4IIUr-HgO8Yf6kfYf5imNwZr6YWtNxWbH4ejrcuqyVa1JYpnBP2UkC_BlZ1hJ1OFMFClfJWKIL8vTRZ6nkwNcTxgXFzwR7PRGJCgzhjj1SAJKBmZ/s1600/TopHatBabies.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7y7iJ3gxh5QpHcm9QvccAUrduUDj4IIUr-HgO8Yf6kfYf5imNwZr6YWtNxWbH4ejrcuqyVa1JYpnBP2UkC_BlZ1hJ1OFMFClfJWKIL8vTRZ6nkwNcTxgXFzwR7PRGJCgzhjj1SAJKBmZ/s400/TopHatBabies.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502798084418257586" /></a> But fear not, my loves! I don't intend to turn this space into a venue to rant about swollen ankles and cloth vs. disposable diapers (tempting as those topics currently are). We're carrying on much as before ~ my love is already planning <a href="http://krankboomclank.com">what kind of contraption</a> he'll build for this little critter to ride in - no molded plastic stroller for us, no! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD01LoIFLLXbFIft3qqCz1V35rC-vsQtYzdajcRfjO5cc8B-X4_8VNePu2SarpZDfkklk7sD3slliQ5Mdam-NGvIgJBdCL_0q72EMTYuFVuxY1ZkubyRZm_-6seEGYr0nqpTRT5zbYajNQ/s1600/history-baby-carriage.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 302px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD01LoIFLLXbFIft3qqCz1V35rC-vsQtYzdajcRfjO5cc8B-X4_8VNePu2SarpZDfkklk7sD3slliQ5Mdam-NGvIgJBdCL_0q72EMTYuFVuxY1ZkubyRZm_-6seEGYr0nqpTRT5zbYajNQ/s320/history-baby-carriage.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509595606386141634" /></a> When I can muster the energy, I'll certainly still be posting here about all things fantastical and gorgeous. So I ask simply for your patience, dear readers, as I embark on this new kind of adventure!. c h o k l i t .http://www.blogger.com/profile/16574364225587610520noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3346047009098746085.post-63647921269078699012010-08-16T17:55:00.001-07:002010-08-17T22:29:57.734-07:00The Miracle of MystimationThe lovely and talented <a href="http://olava.org/">Else</a>, proprietress of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Latent-Twist-Spatterdashery/133963069959499">Latent Twist Spatterdashery</a>, introduced me to a most enchanting film a few nights ago: <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052374/">Vynález zkázy</a>, a.k.a The Deadly Invention, a.k.a. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fabulous_World_of_Jules_Verne">The Fabulous World of Jules Verne</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-7tHzaST0X7PLzqZZaAEqjY6vcazC_RbNqeXFy94IWD5-gIDUmjKgU_FgLYSNTY4AGSYx0Z-9mEpteR1M_efvg8udLTf3E1SuSqcfnroKI9yheueSAt3Cwq0qbmn8wg2CPn55hLe1JLT/s1600/jules_verne_poster.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 316px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-7tHzaST0X7PLzqZZaAEqjY6vcazC_RbNqeXFy94IWD5-gIDUmjKgU_FgLYSNTY4AGSYx0Z-9mEpteR1M_efvg8udLTf3E1SuSqcfnroKI9yheueSAt3Cwq0qbmn8wg2CPn55hLe1JLT/s400/jules_verne_poster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506616372607599778" /></a> Now I'm no stranger to Czech animation; given my love of puppets, stop-motion, and surrealism, it's unsurprising that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_%C5%A0vankmajer">Jan Švankmajer</a> is among my favorite filmmakers, and I've seen my fair share of others, from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ji%C5%99%C3%AD_Trnka">Jiří Trnka</a> to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ji%C5%99%C3%AD_Barta">Jiří Barta</a>. But I'm sad to admit I had never heard of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karel_Zeman">Karel Zeman</a>, who is considered to be one of the fathers of the genre.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIxJlBE89hyphenhyphen2gIX2Yx_dtKCC2Idjfz0fVyfArTgsdd7UbR6OgzNfY22m2ZD-E388jZ3jiaMY9MOrDmlgDwo89wj0-mi64NcQM1L405WOOAwrkvEqnQVGiGpIBPV0NQVsqKAASV5NiNruw/s1600/KarelZeman.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIxJlBE89hyphenhyphen2gIX2Yx_dtKCC2Idjfz0fVyfArTgsdd7UbR6OgzNfY22m2ZD-E388jZ3jiaMY9MOrDmlgDwo89wj0-mi64NcQM1L405WOOAwrkvEqnQVGiGpIBPV0NQVsqKAASV5NiNruw/s320/KarelZeman.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506615866707851682" /></a> This film, released in 1958, was absolutely spellbinding. Zeman artfully blends live actors with sets painted to look like Victorian woodcut engravings, stop-motion animation, miniatures, and special effects to create a whimsical world like none I've ever seen. Indeed, the posters for the American release sell it as "The First Motion Picture Produced in the Magic-Image Miracle of Mysti-mation!" <br /><center><object width="420" height="270"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4HRePnztweE?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4HRePnztweE?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="420" height="270"></embed></object></center><br />The resulting hybrid of real actors adventuring in a two-dimensional world is just incredible. And as if the visual effects and textures alone weren't magic enough, the story is filled with fantastical mechanical wonders: pedal-powered blimps piloted through the skies, four-legged mechanical underwater fighting machines, a steam-powered villain's lair inside a volcano, and hand-crank picture-wheel projectors. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4i1NdkvuZ9kii2fGEPcBRTx9eTE3wuYUZ0DEz5qWL-P8rEsTprrMxjsTfOlSa4EDyHegU0liVqyhyphenhyphenIJI2bMeK8_OGLs7xvrOxj2u_lmFbadoFODQnnrSLxkUqJ0k9phCpRBobG8rLxmEq/s1600/worldjulesverne_submarine.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4i1NdkvuZ9kii2fGEPcBRTx9eTE3wuYUZ0DEz5qWL-P8rEsTprrMxjsTfOlSa4EDyHegU0liVqyhyphenhyphenIJI2bMeK8_OGLs7xvrOxj2u_lmFbadoFODQnnrSLxkUqJ0k9phCpRBobG8rLxmEq/s400/worldjulesverne_submarine.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506609202438166898" /></a> Apparently this film was shown frequently on television in the sixties, along with another of Zeman's features, on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fabulous_Baron_Munchausen">Baron Munchausen</a> (!) ~ and its influence is clear. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Gilliam">Terry Gilliam's</a> early animations come to mind immediately, and I am also reminded of the recent <a href="http://choklitchanteuse.blogspot.com/2009/11/textured-bliss-from-ramona-falls.html">Ramona Falls video</a> that I so adored. But I truly can't begin to describe the wonders to be seen in this film, I simply urge you to find and watch it. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKrzEg2u-SX2Dy80PF_x26FAE_YsolgFLi34LdQAzBVBPkjAZovldDq2uep1xjsCE2zy_qBZgtaP4pcpHz3iSyf7uS8fheWjmejevZp7DwPsVoCBSvilzRmLxcWV_E_J-soCWHmStaiYe/s1600/jules_verne_poster_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKrzEg2u-SX2Dy80PF_x26FAE_YsolgFLi34LdQAzBVBPkjAZovldDq2uep1xjsCE2zy_qBZgtaP4pcpHz3iSyf7uS8fheWjmejevZp7DwPsVoCBSvilzRmLxcWV_E_J-soCWHmStaiYe/s400/jules_verne_poster_2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506610828089521426" /></a> It can be found <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/LostFilmz#g/c/49CDBD60A497D559">in parts on YouTube</a>, and indeed, one can even <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fabulous-World-Jules-Verne/dp/B00078MD1E">buy it on DVD</a>, although it doesn't appear to be getting the <a href="http://www.criterion.com/">Criterion-Collection</a>-treatment it so richly deserves. You can even track down a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjGl8rebvQc">making-of documentary</a> about Zeman's special effects. As for me, I'm off to track down every other film Karel Zeman made, to devour them with relish.. c h o k l i t .http://www.blogger.com/profile/16574364225587610520noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3346047009098746085.post-5200732306654987792010-08-07T15:41:00.000-07:002010-08-07T17:16:33.572-07:00August Bradley's Haunting ImaginationI happened upon this delightful series of images from the 2008 <a href="http://www.hasselblad.com/masters-2008.aspx">Hasselblad Masters</a> book by fashion photographer <a href="http://www.augustbradley.com/">August Bradley</a> while poking about on <a href="http://www.deviantart.com/">DeviantArt</a> a while back. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7sFSgFqV26usaRmgdk8pL9nKLTRfXQKy4vXAEmNcgfo96dJHPtObSjiNoNWA3SqSXFQ4nbcMKTgxoUM7309yyt7VMC7d9EX2ZD42k67_8Myom8ZSWI5FnbSEx6tBkG89-6T1mJ13gNKj/s1600/august_bradley_Kojii_circus.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 397px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7sFSgFqV26usaRmgdk8pL9nKLTRfXQKy4vXAEmNcgfo96dJHPtObSjiNoNWA3SqSXFQ4nbcMKTgxoUM7309yyt7VMC7d9EX2ZD42k67_8Myom8ZSWI5FnbSEx6tBkG89-6T1mJ13gNKj/s400/august_bradley_Kojii_circus.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502814466898243954" /></a> Admittedly, the first one caught my eye because I recognized Kojii, one of the models from the single season of <a href="http://www.bravotv.com/project-runway">Project Runway</a> I indulged in watching (it was only for <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/louiseblack">Louise Black</a>, really!), but I was intrigued. I loved Bradley's painterly use of light and color, and the implied drama in the dreamlike pictures. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfsog2GbwpRWaIerXHUlyx45gP4LdLGxzBaKNVaocFMvQSf1wSy5gLY3fhdHb3PWDVT_74BiZ8tEL2vdhsTgXBlZXfP-0XEH9UfISllM2kv6alg1h1SEl5Hmx37eYd-J_dXabzHtcwYz5/s1600/AugustBradley1-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 301px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfsog2GbwpRWaIerXHUlyx45gP4LdLGxzBaKNVaocFMvQSf1wSy5gLY3fhdHb3PWDVT_74BiZ8tEL2vdhsTgXBlZXfP-0XEH9UfISllM2kv6alg1h1SEl5Hmx37eYd-J_dXabzHtcwYz5/s400/AugustBradley1-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502814625376609618" /></a> You can find a number of <a href="http://www.digitalphotopro.com/profiles/august-bradley-the-stylish-storyteller.html">lovely interviews</a> with him on the web ~ I particularly enjoyed this one, <a href="http://www.desktopmag.com.au/features/a-trick-of-the-light/">A Trick of the Light</a>. With most of my favorite photographers, it's the ability to hint at a story behind the scene that captures my heart, and Bradley is adept at making the viewer feel like he's frozen a fable in time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfKEryhvP39WDBa5-fs2Gvj5JnJWFbneABkBK9ExnxoFDE1mu3zy3pDlWEJI5YDgikaOr6zC8iqLW_JzkKy66QKWAZqy-uGGbRFXIbuPvIrpIlqpuSyCE82DRaSbNOlvNuPms97Dq4gQa/s1600/august_bradley_1_460.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 370px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfKEryhvP39WDBa5-fs2Gvj5JnJWFbneABkBK9ExnxoFDE1mu3zy3pDlWEJI5YDgikaOr6zC8iqLW_JzkKy66QKWAZqy-uGGbRFXIbuPvIrpIlqpuSyCE82DRaSbNOlvNuPms97Dq4gQa/s400/august_bradley_1_460.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502814800598081650" /></a> While the world of high fashion and its overly made-up, impossibly lanky women will always feel a bit alienating to me, I can't help but be charmed by the oddity of this series, the Depression-era-circus-meets-post-apocalyptic-fairytale mood. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeq0z7KMawTvuwVobuFf2NLUF8eqTYlywvBanrogM69ppG3oZbjc6JXIUV8NtonF1_eoIzwmKglh3xS-b76t0zE5EzF5Cf1KTppoCSerrLRsXpl4LTYHzW3IWp3IFskarxN8AFAjacoJt/s1600/AugustBradleyWhiteWoman.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeq0z7KMawTvuwVobuFf2NLUF8eqTYlywvBanrogM69ppG3oZbjc6JXIUV8NtonF1_eoIzwmKglh3xS-b76t0zE5EzF5Cf1KTppoCSerrLRsXpl4LTYHzW3IWp3IFskarxN8AFAjacoJt/s400/AugustBradleyWhiteWoman.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502820870451586770" /></a> The faux ravens, the decaying props, the unusual men mixed in with the leggy models... fine. I'll bite. I even found <a href="http://vimeo.com/2917597">a very brief documentary on the project</a> which reveals a bit of what goes on behind the scenes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDG-x8XpEFTb5uKDDZCz0JfGE3sCJVjtqYK-McK4pwj-JgqF8mJgkBSTLFrTpxeVzY8zdq-ywOscm1I4sExq8JYxpYuF0kQbT-5zd_096ii8QgtQpVaHQVrEMDQKRwZC7LWj-jD-QHY91/s1600/AugustBradley4-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDG-x8XpEFTb5uKDDZCz0JfGE3sCJVjtqYK-McK4pwj-JgqF8mJgkBSTLFrTpxeVzY8zdq-ywOscm1I4sExq8JYxpYuF0kQbT-5zd_096ii8QgtQpVaHQVrEMDQKRwZC7LWj-jD-QHY91/s400/AugustBradley4-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502819768961325778" /></a> It seemed like a fitting month to feature this particular artist. So carry on, August Bradley, with your fantastical haunting visions. I look forward to seeing more of what comes out of your imagination.. c h o k l i t .http://www.blogger.com/profile/16574364225587610520noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3346047009098746085.post-611032398355295872010-07-16T09:23:00.000-07:002010-07-16T11:14:57.566-07:00CoutureLust: Steam Trunk CoutureI'm beside myself with excitement to bring you the latest CoutureLust profile ~ it's been some time in the making. Meet Juniper Lindquist Fletcher, who along with her husband Christian Fletcher, brings us <a href="http://www.steamtrunk.com/">Steam Trunk Couture</a>!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3y300616OPZgncrWJIgvT7ceNp5uUqX9M3TBng-p_pT2umK1e-F0H8xEIhlE7JaMaZonXwi-UhYA3vT1yVkVXKBIcRz_zS2Ne82Fyc2E4QQKGKGCwDt3jTs28_m_Ht7-CoitsJCXYh_i/s1600/Steamtrunk_Juniper_Christian.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3y300616OPZgncrWJIgvT7ceNp5uUqX9M3TBng-p_pT2umK1e-F0H8xEIhlE7JaMaZonXwi-UhYA3vT1yVkVXKBIcRz_zS2Ne82Fyc2E4QQKGKGCwDt3jTs28_m_Ht7-CoitsJCXYh_i/s400/Steamtrunk_Juniper_Christian.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484542349251632274" /></a><center><i><small>(Juniper and Christian in 2007 / Photo: Derick Ion)</small></i></center><br />I've long been enamoured of Juniper and Christian's excellent design-work ~ the attention to detail, perfect blend of modern tribal circus sensibility with vintage charm... every piece of theirs I've seen is glorious.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3A4-79q8h4ssh7QcGdHX0qOzimyv1dZAnB6RsnD8ni_AnTOjlyHX7wde6uNYCCWOy_pJUgEy7mVB3jUT9dwaWZ29TSZOGulxCDOgwzd7rc4Mcj3Z8N2TTMt9ZSRdXz24p354ltimmWqUg/s1600/slide1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 314px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3A4-79q8h4ssh7QcGdHX0qOzimyv1dZAnB6RsnD8ni_AnTOjlyHX7wde6uNYCCWOy_pJUgEy7mVB3jUT9dwaWZ29TSZOGulxCDOgwzd7rc4Mcj3Z8N2TTMt9ZSRdXz24p354ltimmWqUg/s400/slide1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484535860816172050" /></a><center><i><small>(Steam Punk Gown / Model: Ashley Knight / Photo: <a href="http://sequoiaemmanuelle.com/">Sequoia Emmanuelle</a>)</small></i></center><br />Juniper and Christian are currently hard at work on their latest creation... a baby, due any day now. Finger crossed that line of steamy baby-wear is in the works! And there are already heart-poundingly hot designs for men in their line ~ seen gracing the likes of <a href="http://www.myspace.com/xsidecartommyx">Sidecar Tommy</a> of <a href="http://beatsantique.com/">Beats Antique</a>. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPFu3I5BjdYZ8BS7cNPrBXKvMLSnzsOd9E-zmTEeuIHvNumoWsMIpbHDXziQaNdKPuvD6fimtA7fVmUSHW2KfD7BAVsBTANOVfGAoNBGNt5WlwmWJdZxrISRlnfI2cNBtEb_cgdW2_tGu/s1600/Steamtrunk_SidecarTommy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 314px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPFu3I5BjdYZ8BS7cNPrBXKvMLSnzsOd9E-zmTEeuIHvNumoWsMIpbHDXziQaNdKPuvD6fimtA7fVmUSHW2KfD7BAVsBTANOVfGAoNBGNt5WlwmWJdZxrISRlnfI2cNBtEb_cgdW2_tGu/s400/Steamtrunk_SidecarTommy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484563303145023170" /></a><small><i><center>(Sidecar Tommy in Steam Trunk / Photo: Derick Ion)</small></i></center><br />Without further ado, the lovely Ms. Juniper. <br /><br /><b>How would you describe yourself and your style of work?</b><br /><br />I consider myself a renaissance woman. Whether it is costume & clothing or painting & sculpting, I love the process of manifesting dreams into this plane of reality. These days with Steam Trunk at the forefront of my creative wiles, I design garments and accessories that embody facets of Victorian and Retro fashion, yet are modern and street smart for today’s fast times. Steam Trunk fashion can be noted as “Antique street-wear”.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBxYVKVPP6SZpElOdseb9C6Ph1A-BqXl0udXv5ZrnTqNUz3e2XvM5JUNvikAwfLHB9ISoFjV-hrpYLI89LaoP7Kr6gvLBnYmqcac4JQA0zSa300z4yE5MUH8oqUEpfnHkqeeCxE1VjZ-7W/s1600/Steamtrunk_Duchess.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBxYVKVPP6SZpElOdseb9C6Ph1A-BqXl0udXv5ZrnTqNUz3e2XvM5JUNvikAwfLHB9ISoFjV-hrpYLI89LaoP7Kr6gvLBnYmqcac4JQA0zSa300z4yE5MUH8oqUEpfnHkqeeCxE1VjZ-7W/s400/Steamtrunk_Duchess.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484554527520285650" /></a><center><i><small>(Model: <a href="http://www.modelmayhem.com/1120727">Ukushu Kazakova</a> / Photo: <a href="http://sequoiaemmanuelle.com/">Sequoia Emmanuelle</a>)</small></i></center><br /><b>Where do you find inspiration?</b><br /><br />Fortunately all through my life, artists have surrounded me and craftspeople that support the belief that we are capable of creating anything our minds can dream up. Whimsical moments, vintage artifacts, beautiful textiles and the divine patterns of nature inspire me.<br /><br /><b>What do you do besides design amazing clothes?</b><br /><br />I am also an illustrator, painter, costume maker, web/graphic designer, body modification artist and soon-to-be-mother!<br /><br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgnLECKvT4-4ZiTiTt9BcmBc-k-VFUYWWE6o_QZhF3YkSw2adGkIyoTvvfM8ldVVLODHwNjE6-0hxEoH2RnWHwJ_lhGpWZPd8TXITPGd8aEye7O6nCyxHl-JqhQ_5-HC9tSXapNHmSSqIH/s1600/Steamtrunk_KungFu_Bustle.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 314px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgnLECKvT4-4ZiTiTt9BcmBc-k-VFUYWWE6o_QZhF3YkSw2adGkIyoTvvfM8ldVVLODHwNjE6-0hxEoH2RnWHwJ_lhGpWZPd8TXITPGd8aEye7O6nCyxHl-JqhQ_5-HC9tSXapNHmSSqIH/s400/Steamtrunk_KungFu_Bustle.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484558252774492626" /></a><center><i><small>(Model: Lucid Dawn / Photo: Derick Ion)</small></i></center><br /><b>What are three things that please you the most in the world?</b><br /><br />Three things that please me the most in this world are: the exploration of consciousness, creating with my own hands, and reveling in the love of my husband and community.<br /><br /><b>How did you get your start making clothes?</b><br /><br />I began making clothes for dolls and myself through experimentation and the help of my mother who is also a seamstress. After years of private tailoring, making costumes and having a small hand made line in Canada; I came to the USA to be with the love of my life, Christian. Together we began designing a vision for Steam Trunk in 2007 and produced small numbers of unique garments, which were sold at fashion events and a few local stores. In the years to follow, we were given great support through our community and also formed with the <a href="http://www.fiveanddiamond.com/">Five and Diamond Collective</a>, who has been a strong factor in our growth as a company.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSoXLoudGoYEhiXeEBUEmV_XoFqZAd1Fa09Zoo7_qMFEPOSNN-QUtAc-05wPrEv3kWd_Q1oFa4oDKfdKIZVd78Gblrxf7XB47z5UsUb5FaheA47snoigwMVCaZ28SLsOx3hJEYrIciOvm/s1600/Steamtrunk_02.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSoXLoudGoYEhiXeEBUEmV_XoFqZAd1Fa09Zoo7_qMFEPOSNN-QUtAc-05wPrEv3kWd_Q1oFa4oDKfdKIZVd78Gblrxf7XB47z5UsUb5FaheA47snoigwMVCaZ28SLsOx3hJEYrIciOvm/s400/Steamtrunk_02.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484560326628979826" /></a><br /><b>What piece of work are you most proud of?</b><br /><br />I am most proud of my “Venus” Gown, which is a hand detailed couture silk and taffeta piece. This is a piece from a limited collection created in collaboration with <a href="http://www.chrystiecappelli.com/">Chrystie Cappelli</a> and my husband Christian for the most recent fashion show we presented at the W Hotel in SF.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiik_7BX2qRCBPwgweBOg4brNc7QarLTVpTSBZyzZDd_UlDm6UwHB7N2QkyTtxTrQbh-KU4uFSW6XfqD0eLvizllgAurbgSdw2-uaPL-cCGP6J6ZUlFqkAgr1v9SO2xe3Zq3rl5WJde3pvc/s1600/Steamtrunk_Venus_Gown.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiik_7BX2qRCBPwgweBOg4brNc7QarLTVpTSBZyzZDd_UlDm6UwHB7N2QkyTtxTrQbh-KU4uFSW6XfqD0eLvizllgAurbgSdw2-uaPL-cCGP6J6ZUlFqkAgr1v9SO2xe3Zq3rl5WJde3pvc/s400/Steamtrunk_Venus_Gown.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484537931389647682" /></a><br /><b>Where can we find your line?</b><br /><br />Our line can be found at:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.fiveanddiamond.com">Five and Diamond</a><br />San Francisco, CA<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ceibarec.com">Ceiba</a><br />San Francisco, CA<br /><br /><a href="http://www.forgottensaintsla.com">The Congregation Of The Forgotten Saints</a><br />Los Angeles, CA<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goldbugpasadena.com">Gold Bug</a><br />Pasadena, CA<br /><br /><a href="http://www.darkgarden.com">Dark Garden Corsetry & Couture</a><br />San Francisco, CA<br /><br /><a href="http://www.deliciousboutique.com">Delicious Boutique</a><br />Philadelphia, PA<br /><br /><a href="http://www.morninggloryboutique.com">Morning Glory</a><br />Burlingame, CA<br /><br /><a href="http://www.gothicrenaissance.com">Gothic Renaissance</a><br />New York, NY<br /><br />La France<br />Tampa, FL<br /><br />CANADA<br /><br /><a href="http://www.belleetrebelle.ca">Belle et Rebelle</a><br />Montreal, QC, Canada<br /><br /><a href="http://www.sanctuarycurios.com">Sanctuary Curio Shoppe</a><br />Edmonton, AB, Canada<br /><br />Bia Boro<br />Nelson, BC, Canada<br /><br />Thanks so much, lovely Juniper, for doing this interview despite the impending birth of your wee one... can't wait to hear about your further adventures!<br /></span>. c h o k l i t .http://www.blogger.com/profile/16574364225587610520noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3346047009098746085.post-10292983071291085732010-07-06T19:31:00.000-07:002010-07-07T12:59:27.239-07:00Non-Stop Shenanigans from JeunetI've only ever adored anything that was born in the imagination of French director <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Pierre_Jeunet">Jean-Pierre Jeunet</a>. From the seedy dark delights of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delicatessen_%28film%29">Delicatessen</a> to the whimsical romantic giddiness of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Am%C3%A9lie">Amelie</a>, Jeunet never fails to delight me. So it was a given that I'd fall for his newest film, <a href="http://www.sonyclassics.com/micmacs/">Micmacs à Tire-Larigot</a>, a phrase impossible to translate, but roughly meaning "non-stop shenanigans".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftdIGMAm__UYpJxXE5HKK0J7eXLu9XdxiSVbXyj1ysA0i5FTWb53Uif2Yvtu3zhRqp5jzz7VMvUxfAnnnMlMDpHLC-9w9oiekfNiCFu8M1VWD-w23r9R7dNH7xTCjLRcOxD3G8YKMJgnh/s1600/micmacs-a-tire-larigot-poster.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftdIGMAm__UYpJxXE5HKK0J7eXLu9XdxiSVbXyj1ysA0i5FTWb53Uif2Yvtu3zhRqp5jzz7VMvUxfAnnnMlMDpHLC-9w9oiekfNiCFu8M1VWD-w23r9R7dNH7xTCjLRcOxD3G8YKMJgnh/s400/micmacs-a-tire-larigot-poster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490997642666450930" /></a> Like much of his work, the world created in this film is a saturated one, filled with magical realism and exaggerated caricatures. Micmacs is an unabashedly silly romp liberally dusted with joyful subversion, with an improbable plot about arms dealers getting come-uppance from a merry band of misfits.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwsQ1d69Hy6aigPGb6mw1WEZw_AVkjtvU78cP6gEZf6LS-8d89B7VjPhxQxLHivKWM02f2QmWvPGXox-D-R0KJZ-0WxjnyKhhOND2_9-HEC0hPb1FEZ7WGnWl9mjtvZW6GBcz1Zf5DV5yM/s1600/micmacs-a-tire-larigot-family.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 148px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwsQ1d69Hy6aigPGb6mw1WEZw_AVkjtvU78cP6gEZf6LS-8d89B7VjPhxQxLHivKWM02f2QmWvPGXox-D-R0KJZ-0WxjnyKhhOND2_9-HEC0hPb1FEZ7WGnWl9mjtvZW6GBcz1Zf5DV5yM/s400/micmacs-a-tire-larigot-family.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490997920084643010" /></a> Jeunet masterfully weaves his fairy-tale to feel like found-object assemblage art ~ visually enchanting, a finished piece that is so much more than the sum of its junkyard parts. The soundtrack is also lovingly chosen to win my heart, with a distinctive gypsy jazz feel sprinkled with mechanical sounds that add quirk and flavor.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxbZepHQfhNJMiAm5M3IGzHTt5cHFCwcdafhJPSLKsZv7F98-ne7y-GCMVUSjVr2SqWR9uLzvsAF6TIu70WBm1OF88qfh4Kkyp_kdIuqAL1STx9FfMbCJjV4Hk1h3dyGqd4neMXL91zFA/s1600/micmacs-a-tire-larigot-montage.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxbZepHQfhNJMiAm5M3IGzHTt5cHFCwcdafhJPSLKsZv7F98-ne7y-GCMVUSjVr2SqWR9uLzvsAF6TIu70WBm1OF88qfh4Kkyp_kdIuqAL1STx9FfMbCJjV4Hk1h3dyGqd4neMXL91zFA/s400/micmacs-a-tire-larigot-montage.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490998770143772002" /></a> Like one long <a href="http://www.rubegoldberg.com/">Rube-Goldberg</a>-esque sequence of related events, the film comes together perfectly in the end. Although nothing can ever top the glory of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_City_of_Lost_Children">City of Lost Children</a>, which consistently makes my top ten movies of all time list, I'd highly recommend this one to anyone who likes films of marauding and merriment. And who doesn't, really?. c h o k l i t .http://www.blogger.com/profile/16574364225587610520noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3346047009098746085.post-18574652737996548512010-06-21T21:08:00.000-07:002010-06-22T07:40:00.795-07:00Saucy Swimwear for SolsticeO beloved readers, I have been utterly remiss in my long absence... rest assured I have a good reason, which will soon be revealed. In the meantime, my band, <a href="http://babysealclub.net">Baby Seal Club</a>, has been in full gigging and recording mode. We have two shows coming up with watery themes: a giant warehouse party called <a href="http://www.thebigartexperience.com/">Sand by the Ton</a> and the <a href="http://rivertownrevival.com/">Rivertown Revival</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuP3-i-hsl-LHRr_4rFNmvgqywrHsVxGUp6O2hwM4cJ44-wIDKkqGCiN52UQL8xEBbxQHnl2nn6yMKYKNJJ9GJTkOlDCdlBVx4Lb9sJK8m-aqhXVbxFv3kKs0ZbTmmuE9ehXQiuyARNMQ/s1600/RivertownRevival.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuP3-i-hsl-LHRr_4rFNmvgqywrHsVxGUp6O2hwM4cJ44-wIDKkqGCiN52UQL8xEBbxQHnl2nn6yMKYKNJJ9GJTkOlDCdlBVx4Lb9sJK8m-aqhXVbxFv3kKs0ZbTmmuE9ehXQiuyARNMQ/s400/RivertownRevival.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484998446674800306" /></a> All this nautical goodness has caused us to decide we need a full suite of turn-of-the-century-beach-wear to don for these gigs, and so our research for inspiration has commenced. We unearthed so many great images I had to share, especially on this, the first day of summer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6238vT5B17VUZMlNfS4YCRzg26f7826yK5XSBI-iT1xCxdnbXMpBXvRq8MkTVDW_73zOjVYJftu4K1e4W_5pAsi9RzRn7wt8ZCXRLyw6KJpEttPUHGcIRDfyendCUJbKDVXq5FgPIgUN3/s1600/Bathingsuit_Trio.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 338px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6238vT5B17VUZMlNfS4YCRzg26f7826yK5XSBI-iT1xCxdnbXMpBXvRq8MkTVDW_73zOjVYJftu4K1e4W_5pAsi9RzRn7wt8ZCXRLyw6KJpEttPUHGcIRDfyendCUJbKDVXq5FgPIgUN3/s400/Bathingsuit_Trio.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485006399470830306" /></a> I just adore the theatricality of these suits. The Victorians wore wool suits that covered them almost completely ~ knickers, puff-sleeved dresses, stockings, and all. You can find <a href="http://www.victoriana.com/swimsuit/bathingsuits.htm">more delightful pictures and history here</a>. Things lightened up considerably in the 1920's.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCTFazImYkA3qGuHUOZjaAqmBff3M8eIjjU8_M-bnUtQX8v3i_Bir2HUucdF5HGaLR6_mchFhORqdWcMHN1fODaxe8fDzQJHTbecXgEJOikwrOhD38G8cinFcXlW9Fwqak_EGfRgHO_pO/s1600/Bathing_Beauty_1920s.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 334px; height: 185px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCTFazImYkA3qGuHUOZjaAqmBff3M8eIjjU8_M-bnUtQX8v3i_Bir2HUucdF5HGaLR6_mchFhORqdWcMHN1fODaxe8fDzQJHTbecXgEJOikwrOhD38G8cinFcXlW9Fwqak_EGfRgHO_pO/s400/Bathing_Beauty_1920s.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485006684550236130" /></a> Having no desire to squeeze into a modern bikini bottom myself, I rather like the idea of swimming-bloomers. And ah, the utilitarian silliness of the "bathing machine" ~ those stripey booths for changing from your long woolen petticoats into your long woolen swimsuit and bathing-cape. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzaaOP89oftt8iQwA7LsVO0doEiKGr2oeLMQgPvOL6auzbGYRwWETwU0StP_2bV9Z7ClVEOcFctcnBUNmUzBtUTIIJAh7cnad6Uqhb01F8gXOIcP7b8qEzLv-P3Z9o503n40tqgosonIKE/s1600/Bathing_Machine.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 290px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzaaOP89oftt8iQwA7LsVO0doEiKGr2oeLMQgPvOL6auzbGYRwWETwU0StP_2bV9Z7ClVEOcFctcnBUNmUzBtUTIIJAh7cnad6Uqhb01F8gXOIcP7b8qEzLv-P3Z9o503n40tqgosonIKE/s400/Bathing_Machine.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485012489252517202" /></a> And then there's the circus mood of these "Fancy Bather" cigarette trading cards. It appears that stripes and bathing suits go together... And it would seem parasols, oversized bows, and leg-ribbons are a must. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmdB2s-nFMXEKljkTZ3zEMXBjp0sAXDnkVr2ap_ynhXxsGt3jOWkeaZL4wZywqwz4HGE9Z1jyFAaBKRh__YOIemumaWHYYI-kwIWEKdQ8u0QhCilJP1gj93-4K9epm774a7fUTnw3WFSI/s1600/CigaretteBathingCards.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 358px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmdB2s-nFMXEKljkTZ3zEMXBjp0sAXDnkVr2ap_ynhXxsGt3jOWkeaZL4wZywqwz4HGE9Z1jyFAaBKRh__YOIemumaWHYYI-kwIWEKdQ8u0QhCilJP1gj93-4K9epm774a7fUTnw3WFSI/s400/CigaretteBathingCards.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485013064942140466" /></a> Stripes are de rigueur for the gents as well... this rather serious beefcake of a chap looks like his wool may be chafing his tender bits.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4A_xoz8G8_01ULONVCfwaXDEpANeaKYbgkqJ7KZ8MgNiNoKvLqMAHy9p0KpJOQqbIoNLtUwq4OE9EToSDh5Bdjbo2NpfV2tVsxs7gIchwFwptzeFNRwtIf3s7eAB1X1_bWH7U9-iL4X7t/s1600/Late_1800s_Beefcake.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 246px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4A_xoz8G8_01ULONVCfwaXDEpANeaKYbgkqJ7KZ8MgNiNoKvLqMAHy9p0KpJOQqbIoNLtUwq4OE9EToSDh5Bdjbo2NpfV2tVsxs7gIchwFwptzeFNRwtIf3s7eAB1X1_bWH7U9-iL4X7t/s400/Late_1800s_Beefcake.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485019994071376034" /></a> We are fortunate to have the help of our incredibly talented artist friend <a href="http://olava.org">Else Olava</a> to put together these outfits ~ she spent all weekend sketching madly as the band began recording our very first album. So we shall certainly see what comes of it all. Happy longest day of the year!. c h o k l i t .http://www.blogger.com/profile/16574364225587610520noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3346047009098746085.post-48368220443297588582010-05-20T19:56:00.000-07:002010-05-20T20:23:39.463-07:00Chimera and Charm: The Art of Lesley ReppeteauxI am captivated by imagery that tells a story. So I was quite transfixed when I happened upon the work of <a href="http://reppeteaux.bigcartel.com/">Lesley Reppeteaux</a> ~ dark and dreamy paintings of fairytale characters with secrets in their solemn eyes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSeVdD5OUwh-aBExRhN5WTaAF-iWc9OZr1PBnuJg4JtTHiBsR9Vg4-gjJnbGdVRlYcORcuGx0Di1h_evnFxLzJVsv-GmBAV04i6fZ4E927LYQrDbsc5ruVB5VdbxQ6G7ZkZBKZsNOoSlX/s1600/Lesley-Reppeteaux-Phantom-Limb-2008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 196px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSeVdD5OUwh-aBExRhN5WTaAF-iWc9OZr1PBnuJg4JtTHiBsR9Vg4-gjJnbGdVRlYcORcuGx0Di1h_evnFxLzJVsv-GmBAV04i6fZ4E927LYQrDbsc5ruVB5VdbxQ6G7ZkZBKZsNOoSlX/s400/Lesley-Reppeteaux-Phantom-Limb-2008.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472456923911832466" /></a><center><small>(<i>Phantom Limb</i>, 2009)</small></center><br />And it's the eyes that are most distinctive and compelling in Reppeteaux's images ~ the exaggerated ovals make her women look sorrowful, as if filled with unbearable knowledge they cannot un-know. Often half-creature and half-woman, her lovelies are frequently trapped in some borderland between freedom and captivity, between innocence and experience. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihe0FIlT0hgV74xaHe_okHkIwqe3J7cPlTqNJjsZlYUVqJ9virUngt7BQv5PVt-H-Ng3E0ZQSIj2bj_P22ayWlpmexB_n6boYLSQx9SmK-TQImge0_n4-eH6Ky57NIHR9F-1x10WP4VHPd/s1600/Lesley-Reppeteaux-Saline-Saltwater-Queen.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihe0FIlT0hgV74xaHe_okHkIwqe3J7cPlTqNJjsZlYUVqJ9virUngt7BQv5PVt-H-Ng3E0ZQSIj2bj_P22ayWlpmexB_n6boYLSQx9SmK-TQImge0_n4-eH6Ky57NIHR9F-1x10WP4VHPd/s400/Lesley-Reppeteaux-Saline-Saltwater-Queen.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472457680650625330" /></a><center><small>(<i>Saline, The Saltwater Queen</i>, 2008)</small></center> <br />In a recent show at <a href="http://www.thinkspacegallery.com/">Thinkspace</a> in LA, Reppeteaux hung 22 paintings that told the tragic Greek myth of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persephone">Persephone and Hades</a>. It's a perfect tale for her sensibilities ~ surrounded by lotus flowers and pomegranate motifs, her pale maiden of the underworld wears pinstriped stockings. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4ogylcRu4xEy_96otNzGedVvvauCDs2sSx-6eQn9WPMM0pPKKizSqUdgYlOHuuPONBVpXW8X_arFZzOv_agHVDL2frTJ3T4xs1nhrYxX2hkdIwNonaL1OMQXB7XemtcB-8u_vnCwFEmo/s1600/Lesley-Reppeteaux-The-Scent-of-Flowers-Filled-the-Air-2010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 317px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4ogylcRu4xEy_96otNzGedVvvauCDs2sSx-6eQn9WPMM0pPKKizSqUdgYlOHuuPONBVpXW8X_arFZzOv_agHVDL2frTJ3T4xs1nhrYxX2hkdIwNonaL1OMQXB7XemtcB-8u_vnCwFEmo/s320/Lesley-Reppeteaux-The-Scent-of-Flowers-Filled-the-Air-2010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472458896993644130" /></a><center><small>(<i>The Scent of Flowers Filled the Air</i>, 2010)</small></center><br />I found this apt description from her: "My work reads like painted fables filled with strange characters telling sordid stories. I blend the worlds of literature and fantasy to create a peculiar world where pouty-lipped vixens and melancholy beauty resides, striking a balance between the lovely and bizarre, creating paintings with chimera and charm."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhAy-RtuCU8g_wv-wpK1qGr4rpfBqIbr8hKHogrTnL1wYjhkKFgU_KgAnCJ8_W91j2-_D27NGBjkHzymPbtVXFiihVDwh3AtRM6cnT87ebIf9AGU8pl3_UvM4A6GN11P_xSaQ-6erNwhb/s1600/Lesley-Reppeteaux-Hush-Fell-Over-The-Meadow-2008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 278px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhAy-RtuCU8g_wv-wpK1qGr4rpfBqIbr8hKHogrTnL1wYjhkKFgU_KgAnCJ8_W91j2-_D27NGBjkHzymPbtVXFiihVDwh3AtRM6cnT87ebIf9AGU8pl3_UvM4A6GN11P_xSaQ-6erNwhb/s400/Lesley-Reppeteaux-Hush-Fell-Over-The-Meadow-2008.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472456461103522354" /></a><center><small>(<i>A Hush Fell Over the Meadow</i>, 2008)</small></center><br />Her serpentine lines are Art Nouveau-inspired, her details lyrical in their unfolding of the songs of these forgotten heroines. She is a woman of many talents ~ some of her recent works include glass mosaic frames that become part of the artwork, and she is also an accomplished comic book artist. I am entranced by her vision. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0sSmgj0UMG1EEkd91Nf50n61akBvtiC1MhHzTiR7HSkGHjUnX7XEzTlKZq6INhQ3hnZchJX4hUUornehwbkIP0pVVx7Y7bZ88RiObZgzdlS2f4bDOyl0Dv6FxTiKSqa0UiI481nWXtcK9/s1600/Lesley-Reppeteaux-Nest-2009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 393px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0sSmgj0UMG1EEkd91Nf50n61akBvtiC1MhHzTiR7HSkGHjUnX7XEzTlKZq6INhQ3hnZchJX4hUUornehwbkIP0pVVx7Y7bZ88RiObZgzdlS2f4bDOyl0Dv6FxTiKSqa0UiI481nWXtcK9/s400/Lesley-Reppeteaux-Nest-2009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472457320947022738" /></a><center><small>(<i>Nest</i>, 2009)</small></center><br />To my dismay, there does not seem to be a comprehensive gallery of Lesley's work online ~ her own website features only currently available works, and there are a smattering of galleries with small collections.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptM-ElcUz5FhtHD5dT3KAkJd8vwkMkugcJk-tYkhExkUgpeLD_TxomhkuijWEwrJQxElWqZygXC7M54nEzZX58ETFeiQegfSBW1G9qjnsu_fB-GwIpjOBpLsjpl4fZFoRjCjbpJYBCB5T/s1600/Lesley-Reppeteaux-The-Soothsayers-Song.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptM-ElcUz5FhtHD5dT3KAkJd8vwkMkugcJk-tYkhExkUgpeLD_TxomhkuijWEwrJQxElWqZygXC7M54nEzZX58ETFeiQegfSBW1G9qjnsu_fB-GwIpjOBpLsjpl4fZFoRjCjbpJYBCB5T/s400/Lesley-Reppeteaux-The-Soothsayers-Song.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472458272081638466" /></a><center><small>(<i>The Soothsayers Song</i>, 2007)</small></center> <br />Still, you may find her through <a href="http://reppeteaux.bigcartel.com/">her website</a>, and <a href="http://adventures-disasters.blogspot.com/">her blog</a>, cheerfully sub-headed "the happily out-of-date adventures of Lesley." There is also <a href=" http://laist.com/2008/09/07/laist_interview_artist_lesley_reppe.php">a good interview with her here</a>, and a lovely <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_6HGbnDZdo">video on YouTube</a> that pairs her work with a <a href="http://pjharvey.lucidwebs.co.uk/">PJ Harvey</a> song. I will surely be keeping an eye out for more painted fables from her.... c h o k l i t .http://www.blogger.com/profile/16574364225587610520noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3346047009098746085.post-70229279826487798362010-05-10T10:21:00.000-07:002010-05-10T10:37:11.570-07:00Scents and SensibilityI am, most decidedly, not a wearer of scents. I am the kind that runs through the perfume section of the department store holding my breath, the kind that finds cologne abhorrent, the kind that can't even use scented lotions. And yet, the emotional potential of the sense of smell, and the vivid language that describes it, draws me in.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5H-SA5YuF3-tO6gP6mI4kwdoMG_bCtQscYR75wyM_pvfMAsAL5tuboAGpsAxjKh2x_7HSPy6feIQ7ESmoNgbJes46Jzr2G2mcXg7mrXidY3ccuZvtRoWRhRriGAxnswQs5fPuEfb6GFlU/s1600/FSW_Apothecary.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5H-SA5YuF3-tO6gP6mI4kwdoMG_bCtQscYR75wyM_pvfMAsAL5tuboAGpsAxjKh2x_7HSPy6feIQ7ESmoNgbJes46Jzr2G2mcXg7mrXidY3ccuZvtRoWRhRriGAxnswQs5fPuEfb6GFlU/s400/FSW_Apothecary.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468396545886828978" /></a><center><small>{Photo: <a href="http://www.kevinmckinney.org/">Kevin McKinney</a> / Things in Jars: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ForStrangeWomen">For Strange Women</a>}</small></center><br />As <a href="http://dianeackerman.com/">Diane Ackerman</a> says in <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Natural-History-Senses-Diane-Ackerman/dp/0679735666">A Natural History of the Senses</a></i>, "To begin to understand the gorgeous fever that is consciousness, we must try to understand the senses and what they can tell us about the ravishing world we have the privilege to inhabit." And so, a treatise on perfume.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNrxO7a3BmyUXEiIvOkm6nqb948q9xOZmUsdtJxG5TQINaDmlQnUqVcN47FYkPtueWXIDrtn-WmfVRkuuNPh_o2ZYUEWliegTyQfEChsjXUktoQvdPhilMK6YmpI0ST7UN6weB6bYWncln/s1600/mucha-lance-parfum-rodo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNrxO7a3BmyUXEiIvOkm6nqb948q9xOZmUsdtJxG5TQINaDmlQnUqVcN47FYkPtueWXIDrtn-WmfVRkuuNPh_o2ZYUEWliegTyQfEChsjXUktoQvdPhilMK6YmpI0ST7UN6weB6bYWncln/s400/mucha-lance-parfum-rodo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468402894970608898" /></a><center><small>{<a href="http://www.muchafoundation.org/MHome.aspx">Alphonse Mucha</a>, Lance Parfum "Rodo" lithograph, 1896}</small></center><br />The delightfully macabre German novel <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Perfume-Story-Murderer-Patrick-Suskind/dp/0375725849">"Perfume: Story of a Murderer"</a>, which then became <a href="http://www.perfumemovie.com/">a captivating film</a>, was endlessly fascinating to me. The tale is not for the weak-hearted; filled with gruesome descriptions and disturbing cruelty, it nonetheless features some of the most stunning passages I've ever read. I couldn't imagine how such a strange book could translate well to the screen, but director <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Tykwer">Tom Twyker</a> brought it to vibrant life in all its bizarre glory. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKPtW7HRbXkz140oytimn1jUI4aZSE90dqk01gE-Ky5kNjiGKUZ8R2Br2IQfkYGJnOX43C_g8J5y3EB3Xn8R8rb2Fgm-PRHjjBiw67P1-o-ZyE0UcDcemq1PfsBlpF65zMPt3ArsJxX7S/s1600/perfume-3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKPtW7HRbXkz140oytimn1jUI4aZSE90dqk01gE-Ky5kNjiGKUZ8R2Br2IQfkYGJnOX43C_g8J5y3EB3Xn8R8rb2Fgm-PRHjjBiw67P1-o-ZyE0UcDcemq1PfsBlpF65zMPt3ArsJxX7S/s400/perfume-3.jpg" border="0" alt="Perfume Story of a Murderer"id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468393194261698770" /></a><br />The last issue of <a href="http://coilhouse.net">Coilhouse magazine</a> had an interview with Christopher Brosius, who runs Brooklyn scent gallery <a href="http://www.cbihateperfume.com/">CB I Hate Perfume</a>, and has been called "the Willy Wonka of Perfume." <a href="http://www.cbihateperfume.com/manifesto.html">The CB Manifesto</a> sums up my feelings on perfume perfectly: "A lazy and inelegant concession to fashionable ego / Too often a substitute for true allure and style / An arrogant slap in the face from across the room..." Brosius escapes such trespass by creating the purest of accords, the most elemental single-note scents, that he combines to make his concoctions. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-Wz5PbpIJVr0Khfs7-MQUQVJuiGJ4HS4vCQMEQzK97INIzk9xbqkrpnyZPRPqKRKo3v5Qtm4s4H-UkaysNj3kd1zAxWFDJOzOfLr1LsdP-FkKfdunZ0xjWIcfDEmMcQu_JeDNnmNnlCT/s1600/cb-i-hate-perfume.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-Wz5PbpIJVr0Khfs7-MQUQVJuiGJ4HS4vCQMEQzK97INIzk9xbqkrpnyZPRPqKRKo3v5Qtm4s4H-UkaysNj3kd1zAxWFDJOzOfLr1LsdP-FkKfdunZ0xjWIcfDEmMcQu_JeDNnmNnlCT/s400/cb-i-hate-perfume.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468395447699245250" /></a><br />And then there's the sheer beauty of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ForStrangeWomen">For Strange Women</a> ~ almost enough to tempt me into giving scent-wearing another chance. Like Brosius, Jill McKeever is a different kind of perfume-maker ~ independent, innovative, and terribly strange. Scents like <a href="http://www.etsy.com/search_results_shop.php?search_query=sweet+androgyny&search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_6807768">"Sweet Androgyny"</a> and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/search_results_shop.php?search_query=decadence&search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_6807768&ref=auto">"Decadence and Debauchery"</a>, her breathtaking imagery, and packaging that hearkens back to an Edwardian apothecary are all incredibly appealing to me. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/search_results_shop.php?search_query=absinthe&search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_6807768">Absinthe Lip Balm</a>, enough said.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimixYRoTIlKyZ5bPNhxYofZWqcywLbkZMb7ud5rADVhBEubl2yW9aJwH42R06AzmmWTL3DnQtop23vbcEcLx1QWFFiG8Yyc1YzJpp_7wlZvF-RAKiwSyGY_lN1blYdazZn_RSg11BwJwDJ/s1600/FSW_Decadence.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimixYRoTIlKyZ5bPNhxYofZWqcywLbkZMb7ud5rADVhBEubl2yW9aJwH42R06AzmmWTL3DnQtop23vbcEcLx1QWFFiG8Yyc1YzJpp_7wlZvF-RAKiwSyGY_lN1blYdazZn_RSg11BwJwDJ/s400/FSW_Decadence.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468408866620979634" /></a><center><small>{Photo: <a href="http://www.kevinmckinney.org/">Kevin McKinney</a> / Perfume: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ForStrangeWomen">For Strange Women</a>}</small></center><br />In her Kansas City lab, Jill uses natural essential oils and plant absolutes to fragrance her goods and tinctures ~ which include lip balms, bath salts, and perfume oils. She "combines antiquated styles with pagan sensibilities" to make her lavish potions, and describes how the different scents blend like harmonies to create the music of the perfume. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfBi6OZ_gipKqElVigraC9Vci8Q7FN-9Gwq1ViF7ZjQgvG1wORy8S_ZWQ70Cji1FilTefwWE_EnqHhbfronbROs7-k8ohEBQ-AHA-oKHDoWAGWyvSZGQ59EZukatAm9AIdEbbVHHSL4CB/s1600/FSW_BathSalts.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfBi6OZ_gipKqElVigraC9Vci8Q7FN-9Gwq1ViF7ZjQgvG1wORy8S_ZWQ70Cji1FilTefwWE_EnqHhbfronbROs7-k8ohEBQ-AHA-oKHDoWAGWyvSZGQ59EZukatAm9AIdEbbVHHSL4CB/s400/FSW_BathSalts.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468411531774692322" /></a><center><small>{Photo: <a href="http://www.kevinmckinney.org/">Kevin McKinney</a> / Bath Salts: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ForStrangeWomen">For Strange Women</a>}</small></center><br />I am also intrigued by the quirkiness of alt perfume house <a href="http://www.blackphoenixalchemylab.com/">Black Phoenix Alchemy Labs</a>, with their <a href="http://www.blackphoenixalchemylab.com/neilgaiman.html">Neil-Gaiman-novel-themed</a> collections and <a href="http://www.blackphoenixalchemylab.com/events.html">full moon open houses</a>. Perfumer Elizabeth Moriarty, who was (so fittingly) trained by a Voodoo practitioner in New Orleans, certainly has a nose for the odd and enticing. In an <a href="http://www.laweekly.com/2007-02-15/la-vida/dark-shadows/">LA Weekly article</a>, she says she loves “using scent for atmospheric purposes, for triggering Proustian memories and for inspiring emotion. Scent is such an underrated sense, and perfumery is such an underrated art.”<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Y6476YOhGmdAPCjGFS6lJXVdfag16rtNWXZR0hKz1PIBT1d1YafatmKMI8f9_lAG382DVgLuo8fQWqKBqxEz0JbO9Yf4G3awk8WsWKBXJyVCKLafsKT6w3wBpnY_emuQZmDx0vuOSli6/s1600/FSW_Cleopatra.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Y6476YOhGmdAPCjGFS6lJXVdfag16rtNWXZR0hKz1PIBT1d1YafatmKMI8f9_lAG382DVgLuo8fQWqKBqxEz0JbO9Yf4G3awk8WsWKBXJyVCKLafsKT6w3wBpnY_emuQZmDx0vuOSli6/s400/FSW_Cleopatra.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468400048048791202" /></a><center><small>{Photo: <a href="http://www.kevinmckinney.org/">Kevin McKinney</a> / Perfume: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ForStrangeWomen">For Strange Women</a>}</small></center><br />I am most pleased that there are perfume-makers out there looking at scent in a new way. When done right, a scent can evoke a feeling, a location, a time, a person... and transport us instantly back to that emotional place via our most basic chemistry. So what aromatically moves you?. c h o k l i t .http://www.blogger.com/profile/16574364225587610520noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3346047009098746085.post-90790576934061244052010-04-28T19:53:00.000-07:002010-04-28T20:54:45.172-07:00Things That Please Me: Good BourbonHaving been on a self~imposed dry spell that has thus far lasted almost three months, I thought now would be a perfect time for an ode to my libation of choice ~ <a href=" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bourbon_whiskey">bourbon</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFmN4G-TOpXuOFFOC1_PmDTPN7jkqW2PUZYInezHJjDs4sjGLtEZ_6_46DfWcNSi8VMMQG-0xy8ocuc0sEddeqheLS4njStq6GEcCWwwYDXYBCa09zfT37dtp7rE-TSku9lj3pZn4pMj3/s1600/OldKentuckyBourbon+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 261px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFmN4G-TOpXuOFFOC1_PmDTPN7jkqW2PUZYInezHJjDs4sjGLtEZ_6_46DfWcNSi8VMMQG-0xy8ocuc0sEddeqheLS4njStq6GEcCWwwYDXYBCa09zfT37dtp7rE-TSku9lj3pZn4pMj3/s320/OldKentuckyBourbon+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465400012977008658" /></a> Though I'll happily down the more common top-shelf stand-bys like <a href="http://www.makersmark.com/">Maker's</a> and <a href="http://www.bulleitbourbon.com/">Bulleit</a>, it's when the craft labels start pouring that I really get feverish. <a href="http://www.kentuckybourbonwhiskey.com/noah_mill.php">Noah's Mill</a> and <a href="http://www.woodfordreserve.com/">Woodford Reserve</a> are favorites, though in researching this post I realized many of my loved ones are the small-batch labels of larger breweries - <a href="http://www.smallbatch.com/">Knob Creek, Basil Hayden and Booker's</a> are all owned by (shudder) Jim Beam, and <a href="http://www.buffalotrace.com/">Buffalo Trace</a> makes Elmer T. Lee and Hancock's Reserve. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVfQKDcqyRfwl_I823RiN8-z-iMk4vN2Rwuf_MVc7cQSuyMR6H37nAXPv5K0pIsOA-GlfKvB3FwTkZKViGyj8YNfKBt0S-sP78nUetNtkqVC8d57w4TCSb_LGPxPRV6OvpPYN1z45lGB3/s1600/Bourbon-bottle_from_Gettysburg.jpeg.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 371px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVfQKDcqyRfwl_I823RiN8-z-iMk4vN2Rwuf_MVc7cQSuyMR6H37nAXPv5K0pIsOA-GlfKvB3FwTkZKViGyj8YNfKBt0S-sP78nUetNtkqVC8d57w4TCSb_LGPxPRV6OvpPYN1z45lGB3/s400/Bourbon-bottle_from_Gettysburg.jpeg.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465393700856615810" /></a> Considering my deep and abiding love of bourbon, it's positively shameful that I have yet to visit San Francisco speakeasy <a href="http://www.bourbonandbranch.com/">Bourbon and Branch</a>, known for its period decor and password-only-entry. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_5qAwUQcV7MCPbAfEcrKjqEqhkAzG5nVjT65TgslRZiQyAaqaDoRN5d9zkLKPGVNDKeBsUCdC5iHBFEjNAYD2ZNu8SAy-UNSFbk16mt8YJjgciv7ukRSKHU9Wj4DQ36wwJ0FDZCihyj9/s1600/bourbon-branch-bb-lg.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_5qAwUQcV7MCPbAfEcrKjqEqhkAzG5nVjT65TgslRZiQyAaqaDoRN5d9zkLKPGVNDKeBsUCdC5iHBFEjNAYD2ZNu8SAy-UNSFbk16mt8YJjgciv7ukRSKHU9Wj4DQ36wwJ0FDZCihyj9/s400/bourbon-branch-bb-lg.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465376034495926130" /></a> It's also a mystery why I do not yet own one of these awesome vintage decanter tag bourbon necklaces I've been drooling over for years, by <a href=" http://www.etsy.com/shop/dustDesignCo">Dust Design Co.</a> on <a href="http://etsy.com">Etsy</a>. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8sTb1r9VgslIKbdVY_NtJV3ac_J-KWzTDiR9ZJVzGgZjRlJUEGSsXBA1a-eUUAz5GocGTIhierNiUF0ILNvpZxVIc0w6M-y7g8cghzqTPd4OTCd5JIfnD85O70f94WvgC92r-cuNFmBz/s1600/BourbonNecklaceSepia.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 350px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8sTb1r9VgslIKbdVY_NtJV3ac_J-KWzTDiR9ZJVzGgZjRlJUEGSsXBA1a-eUUAz5GocGTIhierNiUF0ILNvpZxVIc0w6M-y7g8cghzqTPd4OTCd5JIfnD85O70f94WvgC92r-cuNFmBz/s400/BourbonNecklaceSepia.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465397013404377954" /></a> If it must be mixed, my very favorite libation is a <a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_5639634_make-old-fashioned-right-way.html">whiskey old-fashioned</a> ~ but only the version made by our local country bar, <a href="http://www.underwoodgraton.com/">the Underwood</a>, which involves Guinness-marinated organic bing cherries ~ none of those unholy-red maraschinos. And on a cold night I might be convinced of a <a href="http://sloshed.hyperkinetic.org/2009/02/27/bourbon-toddy/">bourbon toddy</a>...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXL6GYj64fmcHHX6DTb53_-OQSLyhLv6SZRaOPlJ8WqdYW9gFDxYujboYPc4IuBc4JhjMEchVs5G4_HvkjnfsxEmIkqPoORpe6TSQYnHy4WDe8hzIsoPyiV03VMMhKnhUpTTZkvVYUdAL/s1600/bourbon_toddy_full_sm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXL6GYj64fmcHHX6DTb53_-OQSLyhLv6SZRaOPlJ8WqdYW9gFDxYujboYPc4IuBc4JhjMEchVs5G4_HvkjnfsxEmIkqPoORpe6TSQYnHy4WDe8hzIsoPyiV03VMMhKnhUpTTZkvVYUdAL/s400/bourbon_toddy_full_sm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465374202399475618" /></a> But truly, I'm a simple woman. Straight-up, no ice please, that's my drink. O sweet brown medicine, though we are apart right now, we shall one day be together again, and once again your sinfully rich toffee-kissed balm will soothe my savage soul.. c h o k l i t .http://www.blogger.com/profile/16574364225587610520noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3346047009098746085.post-54764111401121350202010-04-20T23:16:00.000-07:002010-04-21T00:27:17.002-07:00The Candy~Colored Glory of 666 PhotographyWhat better occasion than a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Official-666photography-Fan-Page/117665841577455">new Facebook fan page</a> and an <a href="http://www.amazon.com/666-Photography-Virgin-Queens-Divas/dp/0955833655">upcoming large-format book</a> to celebrate the amazing artistry of <a href="http://666photography.com/">666 Photography</a>?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSWiENt-W5Hq3pt8hJWuSj6_cOqaKGpUjTgGcpWORFhSFV3PFepv4v7na970VmYpWALtCvd-L-tYf5f5fDbwemiQV7nOsBCFHbBLNCpg4pjG81-DJFi5AarNvG3-g8gnxl_AUMuAiXAql/s1600/666PhotographyBookCover2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSWiENt-W5Hq3pt8hJWuSj6_cOqaKGpUjTgGcpWORFhSFV3PFepv4v7na970VmYpWALtCvd-L-tYf5f5fDbwemiQV7nOsBCFHbBLNCpg4pjG81-DJFi5AarNvG3-g8gnxl_AUMuAiXAql/s400/666PhotographyBookCover2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462438696556777826" border="0" /></a> The first image I discovered by Austin photographer Gayla Partridge was a portrait of a petulant corseted beauty holding a pygmy goat. I was new to the world of neo-Victorian costuming and had stumbled upon the picture while looking at the fabulous hats of <a href="http://topsyturvydesign.com/pages/categories.php">Topsy Turvy Design</a>. I was instantly besotted.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6ucODF9h70lvMRwoe9gUFT9Nx7JsEbM1N6-iEb7wCn9TOgif6TrD4IHvoLjSpFJ50Aco0HiESJf7WFKYlAlXGi3WNQt10L6JCyOdBVHVIgvbHKaeb2x-rzU78mEpfA4F5wD2PpL8Rsnz/s1600/666_VictorianPygmyGoats3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6ucODF9h70lvMRwoe9gUFT9Nx7JsEbM1N6-iEb7wCn9TOgif6TrD4IHvoLjSpFJ50Aco0HiESJf7WFKYlAlXGi3WNQt10L6JCyOdBVHVIgvbHKaeb2x-rzU78mEpfA4F5wD2PpL8Rsnz/s400/666_VictorianPygmyGoats3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462438322091457506" border="0" /></a><center><small>{Photo: <a href="http://666Photography.com">Gayla Partridge</a> / Makeup: <a href="http://www.modelmayhem.com/195006">Lisa Naeyaert</a> / Model: Kayleigh / Hat: <a href="http://topsyturvydesign.com/pages/categories.php">Topsy Turvy</a>}</small></center> <br />Burrowing into the colorful website of 666, I found pinup girls and drama queens, harlots and virgins, <a href="http://host.pappapak8.com/~photogra/catalog.php?category=7">burlesque beauties</a> and <a href="http://host.pappapak8.com/~photogra/catalog.php?category=6">high concept art</a>. Gayla makes all her own props and often hand-paints her backdrops, which gives the sets a timeless tintype feel.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUnVzS6NdP5qwFHYVNXBYYDhXoFZm9_8mMOIMcWQQ1RKkyMtNvP7CyIE8V45_2jP8VwRdKbH_GTK_qongn_N-6FKmM7X-bHVfWamBwIXNHD0UxON3soayTLDAh7VpLY9D8nWBAHTzPCYh/s1600/666_Turban2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUnVzS6NdP5qwFHYVNXBYYDhXoFZm9_8mMOIMcWQQ1RKkyMtNvP7CyIE8V45_2jP8VwRdKbH_GTK_qongn_N-6FKmM7X-bHVfWamBwIXNHD0UxON3soayTLDAh7VpLY9D8nWBAHTzPCYh/s400/666_Turban2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462452170116423362" border="0" /></a><center><small>{Wardrobe/Photo: <a href="http://666Photography.com">Gayla Partridge</a> / Makeup: <a href="http://www.modelmayhem.com/195006">Lisa Naeyaert</a> / Model: Ali}</small></center> <br />Like pages from a story-book, her photos speak of stolen moments and hidden treasures, epic display windows in the most delectable shop ever.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3v15JQs9DIZVUZm0D-8-RbP8S4_phS7H8GS0moBnsHaKYvOtUX-OCOoEJKQ5DYaTQZhivGeOywlKU7G2o42xJR3PQYn665aun0tuX7zctZNA9w9UgdqB2tkCJHKz-AxHsrXjuXBns-Gex/s1600/666_MontgolfierBalloon.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 271px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3v15JQs9DIZVUZm0D-8-RbP8S4_phS7H8GS0moBnsHaKYvOtUX-OCOoEJKQ5DYaTQZhivGeOywlKU7G2o42xJR3PQYn665aun0tuX7zctZNA9w9UgdqB2tkCJHKz-AxHsrXjuXBns-Gex/s400/666_MontgolfierBalloon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462445971235717378" border="0" /></a><center><small>{Photo: <a href="http://666Photography.com">Gayla Partridge</a> / Makeup: <a href="http://www.modelmayhem.com/195006">Lisa Naeyaert</a> / Model: <a href="http://www.modelmayhem.com/433625">Jenovia</a> / Fascinator: <a href="http://topsyturvydesign.com/pages/categories.php">Topsy Turvy</a>}</small></center> <br />Gayla delights in technicolor gloss and vintage va-va-voom. Truly, you have to love an artist who constructs five-foot mushrooms for her shoots and recreates period sets and moods ~ but with a campy modern twist.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5mvBEjRYn8pA2UKSv6SnYrEtjCvZrRUhl5mbsoylQhCiVl4vVfU6cymfw6G46gw62_RpNWJd0rhOX77mlvpCUKv9eH0cWQarfV55_4xEXfOPyZhlUVaE9IJuwbp3FTLwQSAK8DDjgk9_/s1600/666_KalaniKokonuts.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5mvBEjRYn8pA2UKSv6SnYrEtjCvZrRUhl5mbsoylQhCiVl4vVfU6cymfw6G46gw62_RpNWJd0rhOX77mlvpCUKv9eH0cWQarfV55_4xEXfOPyZhlUVaE9IJuwbp3FTLwQSAK8DDjgk9_/s400/666_KalaniKokonuts.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462452050139363346" border="0" /></a><center><small>{Wardrobe/Photo: <a href="http://666Photography.com">Gayla Partridge</a> / Makeup: <a href="http://www.modelmayhem.com/195006">Lisa Naeyaert</a> / Model: <a href="http://www.myspace.com/kalanikokonuts">Kalani Kokonuts</a>}</small></center> <br />Most recently, her breathtaking series of "Muertos" photographs, with longtime collaborator <a href="http://www.modelmayhem.com/195006">Lisa Naeyaert</a> as the model and make-up artist, graced the glossy pages of my beloved <a href="http://coilhouse.net/">Coilhouse</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9yQkFF8FRERLKUON9f4E2TP0MbHGe-_1Ud7TY3v1YvHaZHxBfbbW8DrLk5CC08Y4heKXQKe68u4dvPqg1HQL8Gfxl7trQaAGGplLLk81a9sxs15fVLDLf9dgtksggnpyD2BKjr5QZrV71/s1600/666_AutumnMuertos.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9yQkFF8FRERLKUON9f4E2TP0MbHGe-_1Ud7TY3v1YvHaZHxBfbbW8DrLk5CC08Y4heKXQKe68u4dvPqg1HQL8Gfxl7trQaAGGplLLk81a9sxs15fVLDLf9dgtksggnpyD2BKjr5QZrV71/s400/666_AutumnMuertos.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462444745872742802" border="0" /></a><center><small>{Wardrobe/Hair/Photo: <a href="http://666Photography.com">Gayla Partridge</a> / Model/Makeup: <a href="http://www.modelmayhem.com/195006">Lisa Naeyaert</a>}</small></center> <br />Gayla's love of the female form is clear, and it must be as joyful an experience to model for her as it is to behold the images. Peek behind the scenes in <a href="http://rareaustin.com/?p=965">a recent interview with Gayla</a> from Austin's <a href="http://rareaustin.com/">Rare Magazine</a>. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_0P_YPQlVkq3DmQZOEaixfwu2eYsaOezUL8gFeXAOoGoLY_l0FLabuc9xg0JjG9sUuK6CZyzG_TWo1zQzVl1G9K8xVQnPBWanIHiWJD0JAXNtcymSX5bkD9ao0EaPNWAF7Azfnt6rf3p/s1600/666_PaperMoon.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 316px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_0P_YPQlVkq3DmQZOEaixfwu2eYsaOezUL8gFeXAOoGoLY_l0FLabuc9xg0JjG9sUuK6CZyzG_TWo1zQzVl1G9K8xVQnPBWanIHiWJD0JAXNtcymSX5bkD9ao0EaPNWAF7Azfnt6rf3p/s400/666_PaperMoon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462449678978907330" border="0" /></a><center><small>{Wardrobe/Photo: <a href="http://666Photography.com">Gayla Partridge</a> / Makeup: <a href="http://www.modelmayhem.com/195006">Lisa Naeyaert</a> / Model: <a href="http://www.modelmayhem.com/433625">Jenovia</a>}</small></center> <br />See more of Gayla's delicious pictures and keep up with her on <a href="http://666photography.wordpress.com/">her blog</a>, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/666photography">her mySpace page</a>, or <a href="http://twitter.com/666photography">Twitter</a>, as well as <a href="http://666photography.com/">her website</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Official-666photography-Fan-Page/117665841577455">new FB page</a>. <br /><br />Bonus temptation: the cephalopod-lovers won't be able to resist <a href="http://cephalopodteaparty.blogspot.com/2010/04/girl-with-pink-tentacles.html">clicking this link</a> to see Gayla's perfectly odd portrait of a little girl on the <a href="http://cephalopodteaparty.blogspot.com/">Cephalopod Tea Party</a> blog.... c h o k l i t .http://www.blogger.com/profile/16574364225587610520noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3346047009098746085.post-62389776238837844522010-04-06T20:52:00.000-07:002010-04-06T21:42:14.248-07:00Noble Beast, IndeedI fall in love with some albums the same way I fall in love with people... immediately, with abandon, and with all my heart. And I've got a serious crush on <a href="http://www.andrewbird.net/">Andrew Bird</a>'s 2009 release, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_Beast">Noble Bird</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-EzDEQRIi4bTgHDqc565OwCYfdB8jYwMWLeSMzglVPXgxZ3c4IeZC8kN91a0G5sooRhCW_vJJayLjJSsKTyT0JKq2zG3aXiDLktMLawZvzB_pggWRCl2vVbj94C4XPvKzzKFdWXBWXtp/s1600/Andrew+Bird+Birdhouse.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-EzDEQRIi4bTgHDqc565OwCYfdB8jYwMWLeSMzglVPXgxZ3c4IeZC8kN91a0G5sooRhCW_vJJayLjJSsKTyT0JKq2zG3aXiDLktMLawZvzB_pggWRCl2vVbj94C4XPvKzzKFdWXBWXtp/s400/Andrew+Bird+Birdhouse.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455037959776278514" /></a> I've known of the quirky Chicago song-crafter for quite some time, but was most familiar with his early music, as a collaborator with the great <a href="http://snzippers.com/">Squirrel Nut Zippers</a> and then with his genre-confounding outfit Andrew Bird's Bowl of Fire. His solo work is a departure from the old-timey jazzy stuff, and wanders instead to shoegazing indie, but is just as pleasing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEplK9ba9XKbHFINvPgvTiXx0MpsQeBxtc9gaxKEHKmCVBikanZ8rnsTWgCi1-cywjdCEJ6DOHQEutIa5vz3Z-ALV4Mfaifx2je1DC2SbVooMW6pWehpP-D-gbMrHi2CKrVUXvbhdsCVEe/s1600/andrew-bird-horn.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEplK9ba9XKbHFINvPgvTiXx0MpsQeBxtc9gaxKEHKmCVBikanZ8rnsTWgCi1-cywjdCEJ6DOHQEutIa5vz3Z-ALV4Mfaifx2je1DC2SbVooMW6pWehpP-D-gbMrHi2CKrVUXvbhdsCVEe/s320/andrew-bird-horn.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457249702999668402" /></a> An accomplished classical violinist trained from the age of four, he seems equally at home juggling four instruments and a loop pedal as he is with his trademark astonishingly lovely whistling. He often collaborates with fanciful artists for his album covers and tour posters ~ this one by <a href="http://www.dianasudyka.com/">Diana Sudyka</a> is particularly incredible, and she has prints in <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/dsudyka">her Etsy shop</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6GtiAitc41UAmbAOmg7zpvXy9aaa7pgj13CwBSKttk2l4Eoxcx9PAxfT25CHqXGspNGtF24D17xs_RIL1elzqX0JUiyO2H1J906YhEtjTHxOUL6JUYyfyvtje06-lWyjoiBajmyipxHWT/s1600/Diana_Sudyka_Andrew_Bird_Poster.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 312px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6GtiAitc41UAmbAOmg7zpvXy9aaa7pgj13CwBSKttk2l4Eoxcx9PAxfT25CHqXGspNGtF24D17xs_RIL1elzqX0JUiyO2H1J906YhEtjTHxOUL6JUYyfyvtje06-lWyjoiBajmyipxHWT/s400/Diana_Sudyka_Andrew_Bird_Poster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455037720393168898" /></a> A chameleon of a songmaster, Bird's lyrics tend towards the nonsensical, chosen more for poetic aural cartwheels than meaning. Extra points for penning lyrics like this ~ "No peace in the valleys, malarial alleys, where the kittens have pleurisy... Donning our goggles, Valerian ogles, to see microscopically." In this video, he manages to conjure up an amazing maelstrom of swirling sounds by himself, in a church. <br /><center><object width="430" height="275" id="delve_playerf41db15d64b449eaa0064d5529d83f23334260o" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000"><param name="movie" value="http://assets.delvenetworks.com/player/loader.swf"/><param name="wmode" value="window"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><param name="flashvars" value="mediaId=8ad79c1366604685a81549c91d35d9a5&channelId=5e1cd789f47e41da8a052aa0a57c9b62&playerForm=88a26316a62d4655a806dda0da4e95ca&autoplayNextClip=true"/><embed src="http://assets.delvenetworks.com/player/loader.swf" name="delve_playerf41db15d64b449eaa0064d5529d83f23334260e" wmode="window" width="430" height="275" allowScriptAccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer" flashvars="mediaId=8ad79c1366604685a81549c91d35d9a5&channelId=5e1cd789f47e41da8a052aa0a57c9b62&playerForm=88a26316a62d4655a806dda0da4e95ca&autoplayNextClip=true"></embed></object></center> <br />On the amazing resource <a href="http://www.archive.org/">Internet Archive</a>, a <a href="http://www.archive.org/details/AndrewBird">simple search for Andrew Bird</a> yields audio from more than a dozen live shows, interviews, and more. I highly recommend pursuing them, and letting Mr. Bird take you on an audio journey.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAiJedkHCc_lr6rzvDYluUNlHXAy5KxWQ8k-DqBvCG8Lbr2ZDc7SbaB_xd7dR6VWtDakNs50CekMuiJDnCxPOWdSCYBeF7nWuuELmZ327LzgLk8DbBBdGLv90O3SeQHOOA4Db6GVaoQ5cv/s1600/Andrew+Bird_Armchair.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAiJedkHCc_lr6rzvDYluUNlHXAy5KxWQ8k-DqBvCG8Lbr2ZDc7SbaB_xd7dR6VWtDakNs50CekMuiJDnCxPOWdSCYBeF7nWuuELmZ327LzgLk8DbBBdGLv90O3SeQHOOA4Db6GVaoQ5cv/s320/Andrew+Bird_Armchair.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457250241691462242" /></a> I mean, the man wears <a href="http://choklitchanteuse.blogspot.com/2008/02/things-that-please-me-stripey-socks.html">stripey socks</a> in his press photos. How can I not adore him?. c h o k l i t .http://www.blogger.com/profile/16574364225587610520noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3346047009098746085.post-24312932161149456862010-03-28T11:56:00.000-07:002010-03-29T14:12:34.580-07:00La Fée VerteThe poet in his attic room paces by the dim glow of the oil lamp, fevered ~ again he is walking the thin line between genius and madness, waiting for his muse, a faceted goblet of potent green liquid in his pale hand.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_OjAXuALtaE7S1KfzDG0YLguG0lb373jCRy3BjQ2hfg9fbx8iLJ2yevopslD2ex8ubOLqBF2Bh4FYEnDETfO_whvXpoQY1fQklVNTbjxxanhiibSuwr2yiWiMReytB79jc5wNDfwaGYj/s1600/FeeVerte_Absinthe.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 253px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_OjAXuALtaE7S1KfzDG0YLguG0lb373jCRy3BjQ2hfg9fbx8iLJ2yevopslD2ex8ubOLqBF2Bh4FYEnDETfO_whvXpoQY1fQklVNTbjxxanhiibSuwr2yiWiMReytB79jc5wNDfwaGYj/s400/FeeVerte_Absinthe.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453468471078255058" /></a> But La Fée Verte is a capricious and cruel mistress ~ she murmurs promises of glorious lucid visions in your ear... but then overwhelms her acolytes with feverish passion for ever more until one sip too many ~ and she is gone in a vaporous flurry, leaving them muddled and weak. Still, the poet drinks… and dreams…<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGutIYOmCyqPgQwANmqeZ4QHO0no_RAifFxC8axs5E5973ueTWNDC4ZFMf-zob2j9IIJha2S_7EcC6h9rEfJRSXonFdv1YYG3x3j8KC2g1KiPCm9BK-rF01ex3GeVTwkpDYpBHJa5jw3K_/s1600/Absinthe_Collar_XCU.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGutIYOmCyqPgQwANmqeZ4QHO0no_RAifFxC8axs5E5973ueTWNDC4ZFMf-zob2j9IIJha2S_7EcC6h9rEfJRSXonFdv1YYG3x3j8KC2g1KiPCm9BK-rF01ex3GeVTwkpDYpBHJa5jw3K_/s400/Absinthe_Collar_XCU.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453467768589522802" /></a> I am beamingly proud to introduce my newest design ~ <a href="http://www.adornmentsfortarts.com/gallery-absinthe.html">Absinthe</a>, with model shots by the brilliant Revel of <a href="http://aestheticalchemy.com">Aesthetic Alchemy</a>. Every time I look at this photo-set I fall in love again ~ the lighting, the mood, the grace and glorious beauty of the model, <a href="http://www.modelmayhem.com/1435981">Ariel Collins</a>... <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXGnm_35LBV8NKi-zZds8QmX-Nn70wXEwnZhVjphoFVC15YtHyR0sKjPaLD-pxNn9rRAipYvBw6saZyYV5UhKaecM37oYpYPF_mKBC2-l_56d9xklKagMuyu0HsAE61wKwm4A4KqvM5DA/s1600/Absinthe3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXGnm_35LBV8NKi-zZds8QmX-Nn70wXEwnZhVjphoFVC15YtHyR0sKjPaLD-pxNn9rRAipYvBw6saZyYV5UhKaecM37oYpYPF_mKBC2-l_56d9xklKagMuyu0HsAE61wKwm4A4KqvM5DA/s400/Absinthe3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453468613467096002" /></a> I've had this one dreamed up for quite some time. In fact, the whole concept of <a href="http://www.adornmentsfortarts.com/">Adornments for Tarts</a> was born from an absinthe-themed gown ~ I made it for myself, and then needed really spectacular, unusual accessories to go with it... so I invented them. And thus it's extra special to me that I was able to use that very gown in these phenomenal images.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7Kib3RzyaU4xSdMOlkpPLrueuBWyMQ-PBkuXII2jLKcIKypJJYZVZGVxN9GYYRrTzKt0KWfbEPpVCAs5Q5tMBPSb4PAe1euVM1ZmuDcf6rgyXdF0V8wa-3wIKarfiiydcu8jn0I-_vBE/s1600/Absinthe2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7Kib3RzyaU4xSdMOlkpPLrueuBWyMQ-PBkuXII2jLKcIKypJJYZVZGVxN9GYYRrTzKt0KWfbEPpVCAs5Q5tMBPSb4PAe1euVM1ZmuDcf6rgyXdF0V8wa-3wIKarfiiydcu8jn0I-_vBE/s400/Absinthe2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453469026907373810" /></a> Some other bits and bobs of news: my <a href="http://www.adornmentsfortarts.com/">Web site</a> now has a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/">Facebook</a> "share" feature on nearly every page, courtesy of my impossibly talented Web designer husband, of <a href="http://sassymonkeymedia.com/">Sassy Monkey Media</a>, so you may easily share links to your favorite adornments. There's also a <a href="http://tatteredrouge.blogspot.com/2010/03/artist-interview-series-choklit.html">new interview with me</a> on the lovely Gale's <a href="http://tatteredrouge.blogspot.com/">Tattered Rouge blog</a>, where more details of the Absinthe gown story are revealed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3NGNMS4VeS0d0rpMRvcd44JknL35qt9gGKO4RDlrbpa1gPR5meh4fdWfiNdBAGQdcl9GEkzg7JKGBMp4ANJDrua9v4BiWozAOuoVKrifjlZUUfhG_BpzanOOlQ5pZB3lPMTulgr1bxKF/s1600/Absinthe_Ear_Bowl.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3NGNMS4VeS0d0rpMRvcd44JknL35qt9gGKO4RDlrbpa1gPR5meh4fdWfiNdBAGQdcl9GEkzg7JKGBMp4ANJDrua9v4BiWozAOuoVKrifjlZUUfhG_BpzanOOlQ5pZB3lPMTulgr1bxKF/s400/Absinthe_Ear_Bowl.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453468877700588722" /></a>So... drive them mad in the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/search_results_shop.php?search_query=absinthe&search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_5011561">Absinthe adornments</a>, now available in <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/choklit">my Etsy shop</a>.. c h o k l i t .http://www.blogger.com/profile/16574364225587610520noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3346047009098746085.post-61353831373754759422010-03-23T23:01:00.000-07:002010-03-24T14:24:58.178-07:00Tarts Love DollymopsAmong the many lovely new things to be discovered at the <a href="http://www.steampunkexhibition.com/" target="_blank">Nova Albion Steampunk Convention</a> where I was vending a few weekends ago, there was one towering standout, in my estimation: the new steamily-themed collection, from corsetier nonpareil <a href="http://www.darkgarden.com/" target="_blank">Dark Garden</a> ~ Dollymop Designs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Lsq3qJlfdQ0b80S91cnRXpG0nuSlroP6OnsNijbpcn2iALsocEcoJLkvyVbr-u8A7SHw9FAdmqOqSypSCLIHaQjGSh0FFQul8G8jFMo__Xu4Ch9FfC6cz1x-AjrUCg2JRRVQyi2Z9oZS/s1600/Dollymop_Group.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Lsq3qJlfdQ0b80S91cnRXpG0nuSlroP6OnsNijbpcn2iALsocEcoJLkvyVbr-u8A7SHw9FAdmqOqSypSCLIHaQjGSh0FFQul8G8jFMo__Xu4Ch9FfC6cz1x-AjrUCg2JRRVQyi2Z9oZS/s400/Dollymop_Group.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452075668932881506" border="0" /></a> This glorious new line was unleashed upon a reverent crowd in a fashion show leaning more to performance art than catwalk. A parade of proud and ravishing creatures ~ gorgeous women, dashing men, and one capering child ~ made their way through the crowd in a sort of serpentine formal promenade.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7nDTsYEZOxK9I6F__voafF835IMBgi1BfzSe17GwhwMVgOFZA2ZArFrgHQeGEUyyhIGCXlZpjA7cUFC4HYNFtXRku-9-pq1LtLs9eDqAiyx_4nvKG5dAop-s6WpAYebj_jNooeufT3cG/s1600/Dollymop_Fur.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7nDTsYEZOxK9I6F__voafF835IMBgi1BfzSe17GwhwMVgOFZA2ZArFrgHQeGEUyyhIGCXlZpjA7cUFC4HYNFtXRku-9-pq1LtLs9eDqAiyx_4nvKG5dAop-s6WpAYebj_jNooeufT3cG/s400/Dollymop_Fur.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452078921751310354" border="0" /></a> And then, to various snippets of delightful sepia-chord style music, they arranged themselves into playful tableaux, in pairs, triplets, and quartets, as if they were allowing us a glimpse of an elaborate pageant. The effect was nothing short of breathtaking.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyj0bnF4-ilpKcvLWXpJ6w12mZ5i7cSnAvO5Hqrueq8Y-PkL45gt4Jv95qUOSYlhrBYvMAs5H1rqUPtLQDDMTuGC6F2tAyJnfHxDGtYjcSi2cwdgdz_gP4fjKJNfuI2aePHAauycxyPUb/s1600/Dollymop_Kyla.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyj0bnF4-ilpKcvLWXpJ6w12mZ5i7cSnAvO5Hqrueq8Y-PkL45gt4Jv95qUOSYlhrBYvMAs5H1rqUPtLQDDMTuGC6F2tAyJnfHxDGtYjcSi2cwdgdz_gP4fjKJNfuI2aePHAauycxyPUb/s400/Dollymop_Kyla.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452079115919273202" border="0" /></a> The vision of Dark Garden seamstress Kalico Delafey, the Dollymop collection was simply stunning on every facet. The muted tones of browns, khakis, blacks and grays made one feel one was looking upon antique portraits.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdXLNVfvIsvVPk2iqERLjvhWUCXQx39IQ7GuOHR7LvPUv9HTxXxM4DpDFRWCgdBMkvvjm6WdemHVbdC-P7ToZ4a6eQeOtYZwyQO6l-wY0IGHLeeWY8P5ItiKd6aPoDGtoWauoVFwBiZsP/s1600/Dollymop_Seated.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdXLNVfvIsvVPk2iqERLjvhWUCXQx39IQ7GuOHR7LvPUv9HTxXxM4DpDFRWCgdBMkvvjm6WdemHVbdC-P7ToZ4a6eQeOtYZwyQO6l-wY0IGHLeeWY8P5ItiKd6aPoDGtoWauoVFwBiZsP/s400/Dollymop_Seated.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452076647382334226" border="0" /></a> The whisper of military stylings, along with the structure of the corsets, lent a regal air to the models, tempered by elegant touches like feathered hats, ruffles, and furs. And there were skirts with big pockets!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIwi89wNF6qHsgk3ixiVERhvL6upOAxinzNjGDZXyawQGVr8L8il7djvXm-N_0u6gqsYQc5-xLrAy34j2h623nXbfV5jjLwLeKUw0xXICD_dr5535WsPqe4l2E5wicPnWVf1YuE6mHzHn/s1600/Dollymop_LoadingZone.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIwi89wNF6qHsgk3ixiVERhvL6upOAxinzNjGDZXyawQGVr8L8il7djvXm-N_0u6gqsYQc5-xLrAy34j2h623nXbfV5jjLwLeKUw0xXICD_dr5535WsPqe4l2E5wicPnWVf1YuE6mHzHn/s400/Dollymop_LoadingZone.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452079429640646194" border="0" /></a> The designer describes the line thus ~ "Inspired by the natural world, Dollymop designs are reminiscent of a bygone era with a whimsical nod to the subversively romantic." Dollymop also happens to be <a href="http://www.tlucretius.net/Sophie/Castle/victorian_slang.html" target="_blank">Victorian slang</a> for an amateur lady of the night... not terribly far off from a tart, I'd say... which might have accounted for my instant and unfaltering adoration of the line.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4B4MX8hGRZv8tONmZTbhh4uSVKJGc7aN9k_N0XYHT2t0npN50eFjTxNAUO-_UTOMts2ayzjA6BbH2CGrZU8fJfAl6Djj0NJWh1ss_6Nx4BIvEUnjSw4UNHY-Pj1Zcf7uu9NgVr9a8SwqQ/s1600/Dollymop_SansaKarla.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4B4MX8hGRZv8tONmZTbhh4uSVKJGc7aN9k_N0XYHT2t0npN50eFjTxNAUO-_UTOMts2ayzjA6BbH2CGrZU8fJfAl6Djj0NJWh1ss_6Nx4BIvEUnjSw4UNHY-Pj1Zcf7uu9NgVr9a8SwqQ/s400/Dollymop_SansaKarla.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452080189217075202" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/darkgarden/sets/72157623423773764/" target="_blank">See more images of Dollymop Designs here</a>, including some from the very fashion show I attended... All lovely images on this post used with kind permission from photographer <a href="http://photo.popmonkey.com/" target="_blank">jules cisek</a>, taken at various shows and events.. c h o k l i t .http://www.blogger.com/profile/16574364225587610520noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3346047009098746085.post-72103752516497992212010-03-12T23:32:00.000-08:002010-03-13T00:35:08.718-08:00Pretty and Dirty Together ~ Scott RadkeI cannot recall what Interwebs chase led me to the work of artist <a href="http://www.scottradke.com/"target="_blank">Scott Radke</a>, but I am absolutely transfixed. His sculptures are creatures from another reality, unraveling strange stories to enchant me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJkK5CLlb1F_gu3Sh4WBRxrF9ty6zobxcEn5lNsPrvSgQDBLB-yQXvgnvrx6PT6Kyim9wZbDruu9GJ1B3EgdxZSZK-7bOSl03hJRL9B405GQkf6ShxEX5n7QypgCrTwNOt6QQZzdBuHGV/s1600-h/Radke-Tutu%231-2009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 199px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJkK5CLlb1F_gu3Sh4WBRxrF9ty6zobxcEn5lNsPrvSgQDBLB-yQXvgnvrx6PT6Kyim9wZbDruu9GJ1B3EgdxZSZK-7bOSl03hJRL9B405GQkf6ShxEX5n7QypgCrTwNOt6QQZzdBuHGV/s400/Radke-Tutu%231-2009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448009161989764786" /></a><center><small>(<i>Tutu #1</i>, 2009)</small></center> <br />It's the faces that are most striking. With the most subtle hint of a crease, a sideways glance, a slight turn of the mouth, Radke creates poignantly expressive characters.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJIT7TruUo3dnr2yyqZS_-VdPKyItDD1sabLo-L48Fhn8RsHAlVRniytjvdfw5szCpBe8naoo_yjv6qe0SHvav5h0ruVuEZNVTguN0BvQRE1rf_QhN5kwlPNy2X9WVqzIUloRjGQXVAp7/s1600-h/Radke-Untitled-Egg%232-2009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 279px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJIT7TruUo3dnr2yyqZS_-VdPKyItDD1sabLo-L48Fhn8RsHAlVRniytjvdfw5szCpBe8naoo_yjv6qe0SHvav5h0ruVuEZNVTguN0BvQRE1rf_QhN5kwlPNy2X9WVqzIUloRjGQXVAp7/s400/Radke-Untitled-Egg%232-2009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448017065056042290" /></a><center><small>(<i>Untitled Egg</i>, 2009)</small></center><br />I am reminded of the human-faced sphinxes of <a href="http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/mirrormask/main.html"target="_blank">MirrorMask</a>, and also a bizarre <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreamcast"target="_blank">Dreamcast</a> video game called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seaman_%28video_game%29"target="_blank">Seaman</a> that obsessed my husband for some time, where one is obliged to care for a creepy half-fish-half-man. What is it about animals with human faces that makes them both so compelling and so disturbing?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_1Ttqrfde_I5yndWE0WwEHUoT9RxkyLXQGEMDVwxuMsyCaerBUJ44HaFmNuGVvgjvoXUz6jwYvK5YtSIcay-NEUIcCOdMakehIt-jEnNtbVHcsEDZzdYjI-LrfxujnsNYKnirkaKLgIS/s1600-h/Radke-Octopus-2010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 365px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_1Ttqrfde_I5yndWE0WwEHUoT9RxkyLXQGEMDVwxuMsyCaerBUJ44HaFmNuGVvgjvoXUz6jwYvK5YtSIcay-NEUIcCOdMakehIt-jEnNtbVHcsEDZzdYjI-LrfxujnsNYKnirkaKLgIS/s400/Radke-Octopus-2010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448027104371883298" /></a><center><small>(<i>Octopus</i>, 2010)</small></center> <br /><br />Like the beasts in Spike Jonze's <a href="http://wherethewildthingsare.warnerbros.com/dvd/"target="_blank">interpretation of Where the Wild Things Are</a>, Radke's creations embody the most raw of feelings, the very roots of emotion. Angst, frustration, boredom, jealousy, bliss... all play out in the textures of their features.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PIfPHMd5PFSOm8VFobVJWaGMUQC9bs8JLp9wOjozvHlcpeIikjewpL7M95aNLuP7thkvdGT1qFgnVLdqSpj44_jjd5on6QmN8nI_ZnuKrUPhCfi970h1sAyVYnfT1KBmc8Iaiqp02yDS/s1600-h/Radke-Swan40-2009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 388px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PIfPHMd5PFSOm8VFobVJWaGMUQC9bs8JLp9wOjozvHlcpeIikjewpL7M95aNLuP7thkvdGT1qFgnVLdqSpj44_jjd5on6QmN8nI_ZnuKrUPhCfi970h1sAyVYnfT1KBmc8Iaiqp02yDS/s400/Radke-Swan40-2009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448016346953170914" /></a><center><small>(<i>Swan #40</i>, 2009)</small></center><br />What are their stories? What has befallen these fragile creatures, with their stirring human-like faces and organic beastly forms? What gives them such sturm und drang, such beautiful fragility?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDCLMR5sp0r4sWb2dH-DBsUS-bWMHhe7WmeWTImhn0GK0Lrc2itGPlrFT6t8dpEDOY-0DxQtZP3BdVHjOf__TDENDj9cPK85JBEcyT9DpCCRqtQpWkaw4wqJqWPW_YUYjufvNq-pOiRMNL/s1600-h/Radke-Hats3-2009.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 243px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDCLMR5sp0r4sWb2dH-DBsUS-bWMHhe7WmeWTImhn0GK0Lrc2itGPlrFT6t8dpEDOY-0DxQtZP3BdVHjOf__TDENDj9cPK85JBEcyT9DpCCRqtQpWkaw4wqJqWPW_YUYjufvNq-pOiRMNL/s400/Radke-Hats3-2009.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448015269272837682" /></a><center><small>(<i>Hats #3</i>, 2009)</small></center> <br />I read a 2006 interview with Radke where, when asked where he got his inspiration from, he replied, "something pretty and dirty together," and I understood. His creatures are the perfect marriage of both the lovely and the ugly, the tragic and the comic, the playful and the serious. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWX5oM0q-NZy5rVU6RAdTVkdhuxB2HLrf0TKy_qNI1Dp0bW5Shy5koEaVO__r3y0-y9aDKBE5yDh1uSiawczsmND2rpP03Zhu1wl6zd3b-S8GX_3HdhJfSkxQzxNsjLT8xwyFiLYNubDh/s1600-h/Radke-Koi%231-2009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWX5oM0q-NZy5rVU6RAdTVkdhuxB2HLrf0TKy_qNI1Dp0bW5Shy5koEaVO__r3y0-y9aDKBE5yDh1uSiawczsmND2rpP03Zhu1wl6zd3b-S8GX_3HdhJfSkxQzxNsjLT8xwyFiLYNubDh/s400/Radke-Koi%231-2009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448015445996568418" /></a><center><small>(<i>Koi #1</i>, 2009)</small></center> <br />See more of Radke's work on his <a href="http://scottradke.livejournal.com/"target="_blank">Livejournal blog</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/morrisondance/"target="_blank">Flickr stream</a>, and his <a href="http://www.scottradke.com/"target="_blank">Web site</a>.. c h o k l i t .http://www.blogger.com/profile/16574364225587610520noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3346047009098746085.post-26909811616590050122010-03-02T11:47:00.000-08:002010-03-02T18:56:40.622-08:00Dark Grace: The Photography of RevelI have just sent off my Absinthe set of adornments to the stunningly brilliant Revel to be photographed. I discovered Revel while doing the <a href="http://choklitchanteuse.blogspot.com/search/label/CoutureLust"target="_blank">CoutureLust</a> feature on <a href="http://www.blaspheminascloset.com/"target="_blank">Blasphemina's Closet</a>, and upon visiting her web site, <a href="http://aestheticalchemy.com/"target="_blank">Aesthetic Alchemy</a>, I was smitten.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL66Pc6eqoblQS8TL9teKCTqzJg3riHMXY7PVk1jj6QaxOD8fyp5ZxCw9yOuGm7oMjnbw5g4RrnuxrwQfsQ7kULUJeOuy-pJuXTrpYcLhTDDfxjnTbIGrUHqmQltz_LlHYHi7l1-SptcCA/s1600-h/Revel-OdalisquePrecieuse2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL66Pc6eqoblQS8TL9teKCTqzJg3riHMXY7PVk1jj6QaxOD8fyp5ZxCw9yOuGm7oMjnbw5g4RrnuxrwQfsQ7kULUJeOuy-pJuXTrpYcLhTDDfxjnTbIGrUHqmQltz_LlHYHi7l1-SptcCA/s400/Revel-OdalisquePrecieuse2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444183923021659266" /></a><center><small>{<i>Odalisque Precieuse</i> by <a href="http://aestheticalchemy.com/"target="_blank">Aesthetic Alchemy</a> / Wardrobe: <a href="http://www.hmslatex.com/"target="_blank">HMS Latex</a> / Model: <a href="http://www.modelmayhem.com/126861"target="_blank">Revel</a>}</small></center><br />I am all aflutter with anticipation at what the results of this endeavor will be. Revel's vision is tantalizing ~ a world of dark and capricious creatures, equal parts fetish wickedness and Lolita innocence. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8AzFwsOIVzAKkVJqgkPxyUwOfIwH_f0a4Ifpkaw1EXjIt-pRIrt2Ezo6xo-IHNlyd_dSvzdb4-OSJOFKWVEaHmGSlwD4OxEcPP9RSDXsmfvbhzht1y-5nu8qFyT-J8B2XrTaZ7L8znG38/s1600-h/Revel-WhiteRabbit1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 246px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8AzFwsOIVzAKkVJqgkPxyUwOfIwH_f0a4Ifpkaw1EXjIt-pRIrt2Ezo6xo-IHNlyd_dSvzdb4-OSJOFKWVEaHmGSlwD4OxEcPP9RSDXsmfvbhzht1y-5nu8qFyT-J8B2XrTaZ7L8znG38/s400/Revel-WhiteRabbit1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444189406135318850" /></a><center><small>{<i>White Rabbit</i> by <a href="http://aestheticalchemy.com/"target="_blank">Aesthetic Alchemy</a> / Model: <a href="http://www.modelmayhem.com/360189"target="_blank">Lauren WK</a>}</small></center> <br />Her styling is dangerously bold, with splashes of color and textures seemingly at odds... leather and silk, velvet and latex. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9-wMUeWeskW8pC7LTiwzEcGMVCn1tDiON-zQuXizgBpP8d7j575v3OAjNspLobuxzAWFdZlResY2LFTNwClp2b-j4rR5PODBf18PhE36y_kxSO0J0yWTLvNkxBydNlFCORJBcC4HdHdC/s1600-h/Revel-Bronzed3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 318px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9-wMUeWeskW8pC7LTiwzEcGMVCn1tDiON-zQuXizgBpP8d7j575v3OAjNspLobuxzAWFdZlResY2LFTNwClp2b-j4rR5PODBf18PhE36y_kxSO0J0yWTLvNkxBydNlFCORJBcC4HdHdC/s400/Revel-Bronzed3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444181939860706386" /></a><center><small>{<i>Bronzed</i> by <a href="http://aestheticalchemy.com/"target="_blank">Aesthetic Alchemy</a> / Wardrobe: <a href="http://www.hmslatex.com/"target="_blank">HMS Latex</a> / Model: <a href="http://www.modelmayhem.com/152077"target="_blank">Jessamyne</a>}</small></center><br />Revel meticulously builds and collects all of her props and sets, conceiving each image as a story to unfold and capture ~ the gloss of high fashion meets the curious sinister side.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP0DX2Lst_Z4lfr88ujCRcmm4hBJkL9bWUiKe6UZLrwc8NWD_WB7Aw0kHghncTd7dvQ0y05Qz7ldxhXdRI7jHwuhNNq8cwDpcz630iY9meL4P4r-D2WKFozVtW3ngMSJg5DDOeOaK_Ij_L/s1600-h/Revel-BlackbirdBlackbird.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 337px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP0DX2Lst_Z4lfr88ujCRcmm4hBJkL9bWUiKe6UZLrwc8NWD_WB7Aw0kHghncTd7dvQ0y05Qz7ldxhXdRI7jHwuhNNq8cwDpcz630iY9meL4P4r-D2WKFozVtW3ngMSJg5DDOeOaK_Ij_L/s400/Revel-BlackbirdBlackbird.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444192196234175330" /></a><center><small>{<i>Blackbird</i> by <a href="http://aestheticalchemy.com/"target="_blank">Aesthetic Alchemy</a> / Wardrobe: <a href="http://www.retroscopefashions.com/"target="_blank">Retroscope Fashions</a> / Model: <a href="http://www.modelmayhem.com/126861"target="_blank">Revel</a>}</small></center><br />Many of Revel's images are self-portraits, which adds to the intrigue. Her haunting gaze and lustrous pale skin are otherworldly, like a creature out of time, out of the ravages of reality.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVi5OMMKcuZbTBe5xvPVs8WLHW5hw624-n86zMVxScreemy3KWr8E1fZsEI5q5QdYESDvzmu5JB-Cn7S3wNpq5arM1bdGnaXDaF-gpX5w_K6gy-q7TyuB5eTLKg7jbiNs7YhwLC1IZ1RU/s1600-h/Revel-Strangeling.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 271px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVi5OMMKcuZbTBe5xvPVs8WLHW5hw624-n86zMVxScreemy3KWr8E1fZsEI5q5QdYESDvzmu5JB-Cn7S3wNpq5arM1bdGnaXDaF-gpX5w_K6gy-q7TyuB5eTLKg7jbiNs7YhwLC1IZ1RU/s400/Revel-Strangeling.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444179614617007762" /></a><center><small>{<i>Strangeling</i> by <a href="http://aestheticalchemy.com/"target="_blank">Aesthetic Alchemy</a> / Model: <a href="http://www.modelmayhem.com/126861"target="_blank">Revel</a>}</small></center><br />Indeed, I was struck by a quote I saw in one of Revel's online profiles, and how aptly it describes her dreamy oeuvre... from the incorrigible Oscar Wilde: <i>It is through art, and through art only, that we can realize our perfection; through art and art only that we can shield ourselves from the sordid perils of actual existence.</i><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVooPXZZeH3cLsnZMbTPIv5rS7AktLlalE_lAqoNK3tO6j885vTBjrp4QOQrCrDVUtUplLMVHiokqw42Z-2BxE-Ibvt9pjeowNLsfpA2vZjlUdVdHIf3h9nXesuga_iiYQ5zy7BDwNQTv/s1600-h/Revel-PrintempsNouveau.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 312px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVooPXZZeH3cLsnZMbTPIv5rS7AktLlalE_lAqoNK3tO6j885vTBjrp4QOQrCrDVUtUplLMVHiokqw42Z-2BxE-Ibvt9pjeowNLsfpA2vZjlUdVdHIf3h9nXesuga_iiYQ5zy7BDwNQTv/s400/Revel-PrintempsNouveau.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444188130790044338" /></a><center><small>{<i>Nouveau</i> by <a href="http://aestheticalchemy.com/"target="_blank">Aesthetic Alchemy</a> / Wardrobe: <a href="http://www.blaspheminascloset.com/"target="_blank">Blasphemina's Closet</a> / Model: <a href="http://www.modelmayhem.com/1435981"target="_blank">Ariel</a>}</small></center><br />I'm thrilled to be able to have Revel take some of my treasures away from the sordid perils of actual existence ~ and into her rich imagination.. c h o k l i t .http://www.blogger.com/profile/16574364225587610520noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3346047009098746085.post-14407874878795887312010-02-24T14:41:00.000-08:002010-02-24T15:00:42.748-08:00CoutureLust: Quaintrelle CoutureOne of the glories of the <a href="http://edwardianball.com"target="_blank">Edwardian Ball</a> is meeting brilliant like-minded people... such as the stunning and incredibly talented Calamity Lulu of <a href="http://quaintrelle.net/"target="_blank">Quaintrelle Couture</a>, who I lured to my booth with 80% dark chocolate.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94y4Qr_G-6PQjENCXk95pA1XrxBFdNDL2t_x6-fb9AzxznYxG4yX9ZVDqs1TKhF1mNRckE8mT135VOicF7qK73qslIACAsfsMT5R7yjZscxhJrIK3DPimHUXPll8dfW3nByocvBamH4SX/s1600-h/quaintrelle_tudor1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 218px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94y4Qr_G-6PQjENCXk95pA1XrxBFdNDL2t_x6-fb9AzxznYxG4yX9ZVDqs1TKhF1mNRckE8mT135VOicF7qK73qslIACAsfsMT5R7yjZscxhJrIK3DPimHUXPll8dfW3nByocvBamH4SX/s400/quaintrelle_tudor1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439290114057349874" /></a><center><i><small>(Lulu in Tudor Dress by <a href="http://quaintrelle.net/"target="_blank">Quaintrelle</a> / Photo by <a href="http://www.theblight.net"target="_blank">Mr. Nightshade</a>)</small></i></center> <br />And what, you will ask, is a quaintrelle? On her <a href="http://quaintrelle.net/"target="_blank">Web site</a>, Lulu quotes Wikipedia: <i>a woman who emphasizes a life of passion expressed through personal style, leisurely pastimes, charm, and the cultivation of Life’s pleasures...</i> Dear readers, imagine <i>my</i> pleasure upon finding that a word existed that so splendidly summed up my tendencies! I immediately knew Lulu was a woman after my own heart, and was delighted that she agreed to share some more about her work here.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXnKIbVVspzQqZenijjQ1Gux6qQAPgwrvB-erTJn_RvrMYct9TvEFgiXBB-KKi_NYeuD0JYL1geItNDQ-1NCOY2imu1Q3tvgduCOZZ_pvE-qdV48UcvIfqhj46F2fFpdIlKese3-k0O_Z/s1600-h/quaintrelle_eva_attitude.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 234px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXnKIbVVspzQqZenijjQ1Gux6qQAPgwrvB-erTJn_RvrMYct9TvEFgiXBB-KKi_NYeuD0JYL1geItNDQ-1NCOY2imu1Q3tvgduCOZZ_pvE-qdV48UcvIfqhj46F2fFpdIlKese3-k0O_Z/s400/quaintrelle_eva_attitude.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439292961700729426" /></a><center><i><small>(Eva in Can-Can ensemble by <a href="http://quaintrelle.net/"target="_blank">Quaintrelle</a> / Photo by <a href="http://www.theblight.net"target="_blank">Mr. Nightshade</a>)</small></i></center> <br /><b>How would you describe yourself and your style of work?</b><br /><br />Frippery as philosophy. Fabric-based alchemy without any gold -- not in the sense of money or colour, but rather, the narrow mindset of boiling down elements for a highly specific and defined objective. In alchemy they say the Masterwork is achieved only when the alchemist forgets about gold and loses himself and his aim in the purification process. When I design, I usually don't have any picture in my head when I put the pencil to paper, and I try not to get caught up doing one style--I don't want to make variations of the same piece over and over again, so my "style" is chameleonic and as mercurial as I am. Fashion for shapeshifters.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDdCy1SLyVGoH9JoAs9QHVzMHmsU-8eGK1_R68u9vpBtmekbjL0Wxj8y3I_m_z-TqVDu4PWfYD61-NNyehiPFTVN70SjXke9GR52ZK1Qd5vwpkbPBxev8S1jIuvpGK7uR75fIVXXZT9lPP/s1600-h/Nightshade.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDdCy1SLyVGoH9JoAs9QHVzMHmsU-8eGK1_R68u9vpBtmekbjL0Wxj8y3I_m_z-TqVDu4PWfYD61-NNyehiPFTVN70SjXke9GR52ZK1Qd5vwpkbPBxev8S1jIuvpGK7uR75fIVXXZT9lPP/s400/Nightshade.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439293147850134626" /></a><center><i><small>(Mr. Nightshade in Waistcoat by <a href="http://quaintrelle.net/"target="_blank">Quaintrelle</a> / Photo by <a href="http://www.audreypenven.net"target="_blank">Audrey Penven</a>)</small></i></center> <br /><b>Where do you find inspiration?</b><br /><br />The usual suspects: history, architecture, the human form, but I'd say my number one inspiration is the material itself. I frequently feel like fabric has an intent of its own, as if it knows what it wants to be when it grows up, so I try to listen to its little whispers. (I see fabric fulfilling its destiny in Adornments for Tarts, so I think you intuitively do this too!)<br /><br /><b>What do you do besides design amazing clothes?</b> <br /><br />Ballroom dance, burlesque, travel, psychological treatises, study foreign languages.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4ctx06SFQx8ljRbvJQ1EZy1PB15eaYWlWtcH7HDfNZxrFQdvKnFPIws_JxWvdvLvGDQL3VegZibRpt7GqkkbYpXuBcK27IkiWvHPnPnGN2f88CjmvBdekPVg9_NmQrKkiUDaUW0NFfKB/s1600-h/quaintrelle_headpiece.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4ctx06SFQx8ljRbvJQ1EZy1PB15eaYWlWtcH7HDfNZxrFQdvKnFPIws_JxWvdvLvGDQL3VegZibRpt7GqkkbYpXuBcK27IkiWvHPnPnGN2f88CjmvBdekPVg9_NmQrKkiUDaUW0NFfKB/s400/quaintrelle_headpiece.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439294284647768498" /></a><center><i><small>(Lulu in Headpiece by <a href="http://quaintrelle.net/"target="_blank">Quaintrelle</a> / Photo by <a href="http://www.theblight.net"target="_blank">Mr. Nightshade</a>)</small></i></center> <br /><b>What are three things that please you the most in the world, and why?</b><br /><br />Fabric. I'm a sensual hedonist, and I can't even begin to explain the joy of a beautiful silk, velvet, wool, or linen on skin. A truly perverted fabricphile, I even like to smell it. The smell of silk: mmm.<br /><br />Books and intellectually stimulating conversations, because I am a nerd. A big, fancy nerd.<br /><br />I lack a precise word for the third, and perhaps most significant, thing that pleases me (undoubtedly the Germans have the perfect one). Art, perhaps, because it involves creation; and also the kind of passion that leads to meticulous attention to detail and perfection of one's craft; or love, because it has to do with developing one's sense of joy without root in attachment to stagnant things; or learning, perhaps, because it involves the evolution of the mind... that's it: I'll use Evolution. Nothing pleases me more in this world than evolution -- feeling myself evolve and seeing others evolve.<br /><br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbMA6-RkG1v6Ks7th066aA5aotNIKPN0Twl8eb9JR7YpIYAn89uefbB89vwzAp2kV2cPlhge2rJ9oSs2IsMy_hwHZRxvyfh7-ErRKr_Wwc2K0pIYHZ1DbdJ_USRFzjGuNygbuCPU-l9Nz/s1600-h/corset_w.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 354px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbMA6-RkG1v6Ks7th066aA5aotNIKPN0Twl8eb9JR7YpIYAn89uefbB89vwzAp2kV2cPlhge2rJ9oSs2IsMy_hwHZRxvyfh7-ErRKr_Wwc2K0pIYHZ1DbdJ_USRFzjGuNygbuCPU-l9Nz/s400/corset_w.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441945387155122354" /></a><center><i><small>(Detail of Can-Can Corset by <a href="http://quaintrelle.net/"target="_blank">Quaintrelle</a> / Photo by <a href="http://www.theblight.net"target="_blank">Mr. Nightshade</a>)</small></i></center> <br /><b>How did you get your start making clothes?</b><br /><br />I was born a quaintrelle. From the time I could hold a crayon, I would almost exclusively draw women in fancy dresses, and would always design some monstrously complicated costume for Halloween months in advance and give it to my mother, an accomplished seamstress herself, to make for me. She'd take my drawing and move a seam somewhere more convenient, and I'd take the drawing and move the seam right back, so she decided I should learn myself pretty early on. I had my first machine -- a child's Singer with only one function -- at the age of six, and being an independent little chit, I worked things out more or less for myself over the years. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0TwH_6KRPb3i8HY6gYpadAKHadEttmM498yXelew3QF6e4WF9uSOG7wnohcWCvKXvyH-2C-ci93-zSmRAqeD7BEPZUpJV9l1lRZZr6CbFQ93Mq7mFdaSmkcsnpdwl7pjWV6eZLcOcQ5PI/s1600-h/quaintrelle_t5_w.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0TwH_6KRPb3i8HY6gYpadAKHadEttmM498yXelew3QF6e4WF9uSOG7wnohcWCvKXvyH-2C-ci93-zSmRAqeD7BEPZUpJV9l1lRZZr6CbFQ93Mq7mFdaSmkcsnpdwl7pjWV6eZLcOcQ5PI/s400/quaintrelle_t5_w.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441946536708204882" /></a><center><i><small>(Detail of Tudor Headpiece by <a href="http://quaintrelle.net/"target="_blank">Quaintrelle</a> / Photo by <a href="http://www.theblight.net"target="_blank">Mr. Nightshade</a>)</small></i></center><br /><br /><b>What piece of work are you most proud of?</b><br /><br />I'm a ghastly perfectionist, so I always feel like my work could be better! I am a little proud of the stomacher I made for my silk mantua -- raw silk, gathered in three rows, embellished with organza trim of a delicate fawn colour (though it looks rather pink in the photo), beaded all over and with cording couched with decorative crosses in silver embroidery floss. On the mantua, which is as lovely sage green with a baroque acanthus print in gold, it has a look that's both opulent and organic.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRl9TLO7ovr_CSsjqDTZOjWXCRab3UFwyAnsj_WVQFkFG0bq0pTyV5-WEji9LehzgJI-tecSo5gc0j1RBo1NjiKVLmTE30_KuNwbFAuHKkpp7VqqW-kQo4CiVctO2LsVlUxLljyrYIk0zp/s1600-h/stomacher.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRl9TLO7ovr_CSsjqDTZOjWXCRab3UFwyAnsj_WVQFkFG0bq0pTyV5-WEji9LehzgJI-tecSo5gc0j1RBo1NjiKVLmTE30_KuNwbFAuHKkpp7VqqW-kQo4CiVctO2LsVlUxLljyrYIk0zp/s400/stomacher.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439289263110654386" /></a><center><i><small>(Detail of Tudor Mantua Stomacher by <a href="http://quaintrelle.net/"target="_blank">Quaintrelle</a>)</small></i></center> <br /><b>Where can we find your line?</b><br /><br />For the moment, exclusively through my website by commission. I haven't quite been won over to the idea of prêt-à-porter, since absolutely nothing makes someone feel as luxuriously well-dressed as a custom-tailored garment, but I'd like to offer at least ready jewelery or accessories on my website -- once I find time to set it all up!<br />...<br /><br />Thank you, Lulu, for sharing your inspiring vision and your delectable creations... and <i>this</i> quaintrelle is looking forward to seeing more from you!<br /></span>. c h o k l i t .http://www.blogger.com/profile/16574364225587610520noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3346047009098746085.post-54669863351731011272010-02-09T23:02:00.000-08:002010-02-09T23:12:31.941-08:00Things That Please Me: Arts & Crafts WallpapersI must confess that I am a hoarder of fine bits of paper. I am reminded of this each Valentine's Day, as I pull out my many bins full of scraps to make cards. I love textured paper, brightly colored hand-made paper, and translucent vellum ~ but most of all I love patterned paper.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPuoeTrGGyYDbeY-0UFf1EmkhpxxI0Y5g19Dwbq9utCBv74srNyO_KHVsOy3vcX2db2sh7XwD-Mx3Pp69wI9V1Qy-AiqvdUFEuYoe0X1LtBONRKQuj7JBj8YnLFXafeyQ0h-Tcv4TQn5oz/s1600-h/Whoot_Owl_Voysey_1898+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 345px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPuoeTrGGyYDbeY-0UFf1EmkhpxxI0Y5g19Dwbq9utCBv74srNyO_KHVsOy3vcX2db2sh7XwD-Mx3Pp69wI9V1Qy-AiqvdUFEuYoe0X1LtBONRKQuj7JBj8YnLFXafeyQ0h-Tcv4TQn5oz/s400/Whoot_Owl_Voysey_1898+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436489929720305026" /></a><center><small>(<i>Owl</i> by <a href="http://www.voysey.de/"target="_blank">Charles Frances Annesley Voysey</a>, 1898)</small></center> <br />So imagine my delight when I found a trove of reproduction wallpapers online at <a href="http://trustworth.com/wallpaper.shtml"target="_blank">Trustworth Studios</a>, which sent me down a rabbit-hole searching for the original illustrations. I am quite sure that could I afford to, I would be squirreling away rolls and rolls of it. Oh, such complex valentines I would make, with the rich and intricate repeating patterns!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4o3f8PNkIg6q-0R4rZxMOzbFNsD9PNbCpCIrKcwjlNadLDUJ5D-4PJlJ7yFfe0TPIFFH31Gsy7CiZckUUPk4NtB2hTX1tmETeKVasVxAN0KCK623pywA1DoxMla3UErcrEB3L-P1TTkV/s1600-h/The_Demon_Voysey_1889_real.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 275px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4o3f8PNkIg6q-0R4rZxMOzbFNsD9PNbCpCIrKcwjlNadLDUJ5D-4PJlJ7yFfe0TPIFFH31Gsy7CiZckUUPk4NtB2hTX1tmETeKVasVxAN0KCK623pywA1DoxMla3UErcrEB3L-P1TTkV/s400/The_Demon_Voysey_1889_real.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436494984894013570" /></a><center><small>(<i>The Demon</i> by <a href="http://www.voysey.de/"target="_blank">Charles Frances Annesley Voysey</a>, 1889)</small></center> <br />I have always loved the style and sentiment of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arts_and_Crafts_Movement"target="_blank">Arts and Crafts movement</a> ~ the modern steampunk movement has borrowed much of that doctrine, certainly in the appreciation for the finely crafted and the hand-made. While it's the organic curves and sensuality of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Nouveau"target="_blank">Art Nouveau</a> that inspire me most, there's something glorious in the simplicity and utility of Arts and Crafts that is dear to me as well, and in some designs, as the ones here, the line between the two is blurred.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeSDUTjlvzJjgjudvjIc3qi-bGHv0Wq6llqXn_aw6AIvFgnxI5fG7tZ7Ao7GOV3KRmkKdpr3rtlhYtC3rsK5-NxRlg4rOKH63yub0WOg2DJp3H7ujITQZlqi6k5N5S_H5pYkAtHrqFibk/s1600-h/Seahorses_Voysey_1887.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 375px; height: 387px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeSDUTjlvzJjgjudvjIc3qi-bGHv0Wq6llqXn_aw6AIvFgnxI5fG7tZ7Ao7GOV3KRmkKdpr3rtlhYtC3rsK5-NxRlg4rOKH63yub0WOg2DJp3H7ujITQZlqi6k5N5S_H5pYkAtHrqFibk/s400/Seahorses_Voysey_1887.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436486956200421778" /></a><center><small>(<i>Seahorses</i> by <a href="http://www.voysey.de/"target="_blank">Charles Frances Annesley Voysey</a>, 1887)</small></center> <br />Most of these wallpaper designs are by British architect <a href="http://www.voysey.de/"target="_blank">C.F.A. Voysey</a>, who had an eye for whimsy and playfulness that I find irresistible. In his late career, Voysey focused almost completely on fanciful designs for children's nurseries.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3AypQ8t_bJxyhEl6VfaB4LAZEJdVjkgsPFKD3rEUZHufhkwz4W7DA5Hdm856T4CBRcHEXawpYsnTd2WU1g00RbibxcRqN2ObsoOBwgH_Om-hnWT3aBlW6EZklFePbr2e3w7IiL5kgkic/s1600-h/Little_Pussy_Voysey_1898_real.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3AypQ8t_bJxyhEl6VfaB4LAZEJdVjkgsPFKD3rEUZHufhkwz4W7DA5Hdm856T4CBRcHEXawpYsnTd2WU1g00RbibxcRqN2ObsoOBwgH_Om-hnWT3aBlW6EZklFePbr2e3w7IiL5kgkic/s400/Little_Pussy_Voysey_1898_real.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436509168819527826" /></a><center><small>(<i>I Love Little Pussy</i> by <a href="http://www.voysey.de/"target="_blank">Charles Frances Annesley Voysey</a>, 1898)</small></center> <br />Design movements aside, I could just lose myself in the worlds of these papers, like this seemingly odd and lovely combination by French designer <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Pillard_Verneuil"target="_blank">M.P. Verneuil</a>, of bats and poppies ~ which were both motifs used to suggest altered states of consciousness...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzG-yzajc2ZHGs58rr0rwIkzWBeSHXB_sd09DzfQD5rwJwDy2B4cdjusntgvmSruUR6oFdZwNpqbqS_Mq5NW7TKyGiSVqGMhEKAsaQXaCrS1UaZXTjFRCYTO4bkpwgquAwzxtigYwrKL44/s1600-h/Bat_and_Poppy_Verneuil_1897_real.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 356px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzG-yzajc2ZHGs58rr0rwIkzWBeSHXB_sd09DzfQD5rwJwDy2B4cdjusntgvmSruUR6oFdZwNpqbqS_Mq5NW7TKyGiSVqGMhEKAsaQXaCrS1UaZXTjFRCYTO4bkpwgquAwzxtigYwrKL44/s400/Bat_and_Poppy_Verneuil_1897_real.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436493566937506786" /></a><center><small>(<i>Bat and Poppy</i> by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Pillard_Verneuil"target="_blank">Maurice Pillard Verneuil</a>, 1897)</small></center> <br />Learn more at <a href="http://thetextileblog.blogspot.com/search/label/art%20nouveau"target="_blank">The Textile Blog</a> or the <a href="http://www.achome.co.uk/index.php"target="_blank">Arts and Crafts Home</a>.. c h o k l i t .http://www.blogger.com/profile/16574364225587610520noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3346047009098746085.post-17131697985830142552010-02-02T21:28:00.001-08:002010-02-02T22:56:09.973-08:00Frolicking in the Evil Garden<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPL1Eh_mcRKWlZ8qrXgtFL3134D-5wQ65x9z9p1L9ZVZ-_Nx2o_Dh6xpjoDJyhLhsPUSv7xJ55GLdnBtxX16UK1xusP5aYI4pWNh1RgOv9gwk_7UU3THBSgei_H4ijw-rblAe-0172vRjM/s1600-h/edwarianball_chucksperry_sm.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 157px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPL1Eh_mcRKWlZ8qrXgtFL3134D-5wQ65x9z9p1L9ZVZ-_Nx2o_Dh6xpjoDJyhLhsPUSv7xJ55GLdnBtxX16UK1xusP5aYI4pWNh1RgOv9gwk_7UU3THBSgei_H4ijw-rblAe-0172vRjM/s400/edwarianball_chucksperry_sm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433903926365077410" /></a> It already feels far away now, but the <a href="http://edwardianball.com"target="_blank">Edwardian Ball</a> was, of course, absolutely splendid. This year's theme, The Evil Garden, invited escapades involving indoor croquet and all manner of strange foliage. <br /><br />It's always a pleasure to see the usual bands of miscreants - the <a href="http://www.formandreform.com/wordpress/?page_id=388"target="_blank">Golden Mean Snail Car</a> crew, the merry pranksters of the <a href="http://neverwashaul.com/"target="_blank">Neverwas Haul</a>, <a href="http://www.foufouha.com/"target="_blank">Fou Fou Ha</a>, and <a href="http://kineticsteamworks.org/"target="_blank">Kinetic Steam Works</a>...<br /><br />The <a href="http://AdornmentsForTarts.com"target="_blank">Adornments for Tarts</a> booth was much~visited, and copious quantities of both good bourbon and dark chocolate were consumed, as is only appropriate. I had a lovely time sharing my space with <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/industrialfairytale"target="_blank">Industrial Fairytale</a>, and some plans for collaboration were concocted... <br /><br />And I was so pleased to be assisted by my dear Stache, who took his handlebars to a new level for the occasion.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTtqmRpqM4h8MukD0N9L1z9DGBTZ4Y_-wEWeXcfg0S__Z_TxwjYUfH0kpY9yhW8odzn2U7VzrCGXsXfxFeYXM4raHO-CzMvETEHbhPJoYyJ2pOulL18pt2ecGwZZQpcml3MMkEYjtwFdKh/s1600-h/Blight-AFTBooth.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTtqmRpqM4h8MukD0N9L1z9DGBTZ4Y_-wEWeXcfg0S__Z_TxwjYUfH0kpY9yhW8odzn2U7VzrCGXsXfxFeYXM4raHO-CzMvETEHbhPJoYyJ2pOulL18pt2ecGwZZQpcml3MMkEYjtwFdKh/s400/Blight-AFTBooth.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433894526011359890" /></a><center><i><small>(Picture by <a href="http://www.theblight.net"target="_blank">Mr. Nightshade</a>)</small></i></center> <br />Perhaps my favorite part of the weekend, besides the incredible costume~watching, was connecting with all the other artisans with an eye for opulence and detail. The vendor rooms were a glory to behold. I was mesmerized by the work of Rachel of <a href="http://mauilion.smugmug.com/Portfolio/Jewelry"target="_blank">Rubyblackbird</a> ~ her meticulous processes, the intricate embroidery, and the marriage of soft textile arts with metallurgy won my heart. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfS_Qk73C3krFwDBnhOV8okVWhR4kggA6fp7GKgwUuyLFMYNkHeCgfqrwD9UHPWvv1yoY2kjMYbhdRsyygp01vCOXR658rudPWy6djJ9_QjpwP_mU2rfWpWZgVTMbWzHGkwIVbbDVagART/s1600-h/Blight-Rubyblackbird.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfS_Qk73C3krFwDBnhOV8okVWhR4kggA6fp7GKgwUuyLFMYNkHeCgfqrwD9UHPWvv1yoY2kjMYbhdRsyygp01vCOXR658rudPWy6djJ9_QjpwP_mU2rfWpWZgVTMbWzHGkwIVbbDVagART/s400/Blight-Rubyblackbird.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433898031043216994" /></a> <center><i><small>(Picture by <a href="http://www.theblight.net"target="_blank">Mr. Nightshade</a>, actually from 2009, shhh!)</small></i></center> <br />She was booth-sharing with lovely Rachael of <a href="http://nouveaumotley.com/"target="_blank">Nouveau Motley</a>, who had a display of incredibly gorgeous assemblage jewelry. I was also thrilled to meet Tricia of <a href="http://www.houseofninesdesign.com/"target="_blank">House of Nines Design</a> and see her most delightful hand-crafted hats in person... one could find her hats perching jauntily on the heads of many an attendee and performer, and Tricia herself looked impeccably fabulous.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOfbV6y9o3XpaX1ZfSPoMj52V5IW_vxZU96y_RPEXdLgkV3JcTHwlJL85RI_AevTIWUW4g0ZnYVY1ofIN8-AdbdRnvvez1usPKbxhJhyphenhyphenU6Tnm4dYOwvUVv86SO-LUwRwLJMi-25U6D5UT/s1600-h/HouseOfNines.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOfbV6y9o3XpaX1ZfSPoMj52V5IW_vxZU96y_RPEXdLgkV3JcTHwlJL85RI_AevTIWUW4g0ZnYVY1ofIN8-AdbdRnvvez1usPKbxhJhyphenhyphenU6Tnm4dYOwvUVv86SO-LUwRwLJMi-25U6D5UT/s400/HouseOfNines.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433896916963635538" /></a><center><i><small>(Picture by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lbc42/"target="_blank">Lbc42</a>)</small></i></center> <br />Having the vendors downstairs from the stages caused me to miss much of the entertainment, but I did manage to sneak away for a few songs from my beloved <a href="http://vagabondopera.com/"target="_blank">Vagabond Opera</a>. I hear that Blaze and David of <a href="http://www.flynncreekcircus.com/"target="_blank">Flynn Creek Circus</a> put on an incredible double-trapeze act... and I was pleased I was able to see Justin, the event's incomparable producer, perform with <a href="http://www.myspace.com/vaudeviresociety"target="_blank">Vau de Vire Society</a> and his band <a href="http://rosincoven.com/"target="_blank">Rosin Coven</a> for a few mad and wonderful songs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwy-AMVI_6jby1jJ7Pl6MlSDhU1kfclRq3dV2-YmpUFiUoV7lXuJRFRuq_gZFLNBZC1miwufJMCQHFPSqG6fpNUQWlyEG7L8p2_x7bCfLfcIJ2kyUjG6dowFGswt2yHmrkw-oLikaBp-a8/s1600-h/Blight-Justin.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwy-AMVI_6jby1jJ7Pl6MlSDhU1kfclRq3dV2-YmpUFiUoV7lXuJRFRuq_gZFLNBZC1miwufJMCQHFPSqG6fpNUQWlyEG7L8p2_x7bCfLfcIJ2kyUjG6dowFGswt2yHmrkw-oLikaBp-a8/s400/Blight-Justin.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433895114779163042" /></a><center><i><small>(Picture by <a href="http://www.theblight.net"target="_blank">Mr. Nightshade</a>)</small></i></center><br />The whole weekend was a blurry bliss, if a wee bit exhausting. In the few precious moments of quiet, I kept myself entertained with handwork... and I have a never~ending supply of that.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRi_wKz8UqE-euVvH3DTHkC29CwtFmEAYqHOqnCNNgRnCCsuDoB9bS_fRzO82cbYVfzfBod5AikqHxTabORBN6e2ZclEzGvkznEmJHNmDApnCX9_59HrgkqmK7x_W42TD_jG23hM81r1qZ/s1600-h/AFTBooth4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRi_wKz8UqE-euVvH3DTHkC29CwtFmEAYqHOqnCNNgRnCCsuDoB9bS_fRzO82cbYVfzfBod5AikqHxTabORBN6e2ZclEzGvkznEmJHNmDApnCX9_59HrgkqmK7x_W42TD_jG23hM81r1qZ/s400/AFTBooth4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433901765534076082" /></a><center><i><small>(Picture by <a href="www.heatherwakefield.com/"target="_blank">Heather Wakefield</a>)</small></i></center><br />If you're intrigued and want more imagery, the best place is <a href="http://theblight.net/10/edwardian/"target="_blank">Mr. Nightshade's gallery on The Blight</a>. And now, to finish a few custom orders and prepare for the next event... the <a href="http://www.steampunkexhibition.com/"target="_blank">Nova Albion Steampunk Exhibition</a> in March!. c h o k l i t .http://www.blogger.com/profile/16574364225587610520noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3346047009098746085.post-64392032498119316282010-01-24T23:25:00.000-08:002010-01-24T23:42:48.153-08:00All is Revealed...First, a heart~felt thank you to everyone who joined in and helped me spread the word about the Raffle of Revealing Riches last week. As promised, I used <a href="http://random.org"target="_blank">Random.org</a> to pull the winners tonight for the prizes we unlocked... and drum-roll please...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvOKOKYdAkh_Wd7DwiamrsGWR-1lAdvq9AgCHxjPZxsIBeeZOYyz5lraTcdKCfY0RHOe2w9KKHmssluZuOHrYAKYhmCjxHWFEX7rJJp6Xq1z3rzny0z5aLAhUL4WOSb5-0fRjTDX_xIJuS/s1600-h/RaffleTrophy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvOKOKYdAkh_Wd7DwiamrsGWR-1lAdvq9AgCHxjPZxsIBeeZOYyz5lraTcdKCfY0RHOe2w9KKHmssluZuOHrYAKYhmCjxHWFEX7rJJp6Xq1z3rzny0z5aLAhUL4WOSb5-0fRjTDX_xIJuS/s400/RaffleTrophy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430575671291999858" /></a> <a href="http://sewicked.blogspot.com/"target="_blank">Sewicked</a> is the winner of <a href="http://totusmel.etsy.com"target="_blank">TotusMel's</a> lovely tatted bracelet... and <a href="http://squadratomagico.net/"target="_blank">SquadratoMagico</a> wins the $33 gift certificate! And although we didn't get quite to sixty-six entrants, we did make forty-four altogether, so I'd like to add a $44 gift certificate because I was so impressed by the sheer enthusiasm of those who did enter... and that winner is <a href="http://catharsis-by-emi.blogspot.com/"target="_blank">Emi Ramsey</a>!<br /><br />Thanks again for leaving such lovely comments. It was truly splendid to hear from so many of you ~ from all over the country and beyond. <br /><br />Soon, a full report on the magnificent <a href="http://www.edwardianball.com"target="_blank">Edwardian Ball</a> that I just arrived home from ~ which was incredible but exhausting... but first, rest.. c h o k l i t .http://www.blogger.com/profile/16574364225587610520noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3346047009098746085.post-29602278990730536762010-01-15T11:11:00.000-08:002010-01-16T11:14:06.260-08:00The Raffle of Revealing Riches!This, my dearests, is my one-hundredth blog post. And to celebrate, I'd like to host a giveaway, to say thank you for being such brilliant supporters of my whimsy and my work.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMT3x5X12B-pdMVgt69mGSnSZzBbIN6KNUG-IjacH5zt4l_5YhxMyKzkBKqcydLLyvJcFSKdDcnHOzur5WRi_8GKG_vI7-jLzZtHYNAGyjMjIILd5CeWIeG-UdOHO3Z95oqb7t0sI9fgo/s1600-h/ChoklitRaffleTicket.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMT3x5X12B-pdMVgt69mGSnSZzBbIN6KNUG-IjacH5zt4l_5YhxMyKzkBKqcydLLyvJcFSKdDcnHOzur5WRi_8GKG_vI7-jLzZtHYNAGyjMjIILd5CeWIeG-UdOHO3Z95oqb7t0sI9fgo/s400/ChoklitRaffleTicket.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426855886684772962" /></a> I'm borrowing the rules shamelessly from the lovely <a href="http://totusmel.blogspot.com/"target="_blank">TotusMel's</a> tiered giveaway that many of you are familiar with. Indeed, TotusMel herself has kindly contributed the very first prize... an elegant <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37787656"target="_blank">Quadra Bracelet</a>!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3OAylaVQTRALBTez3rNJeTdtfZVfWF-Mj4I85CzOpldbB7PfWPUlgcs-lhFjXvM2c2m550Fs44kmSH0FwF87qusk67t9HE1X5Zd93Uz1U7U1LhdWPvRC1fLwO7_djFGEbHOm9eeShs_F/s1600-h/TotusMel-Quadra.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3OAylaVQTRALBTez3rNJeTdtfZVfWF-Mj4I85CzOpldbB7PfWPUlgcs-lhFjXvM2c2m550Fs44kmSH0FwF87qusk67t9HE1X5Zd93Uz1U7U1LhdWPvRC1fLwO7_djFGEbHOm9eeShs_F/s320/TotusMel-Quadra.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427031921957208498" /></a> And here's the revealing part ~ if we reach 33 new individual entries, a $33 gift certificate to my shop will be added to the prizes ~ suitable for purchasing any style of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/choklit?section_id=5284589"target="_blank">earrings</a> or a pair of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37473253"target="_blank">Zephyr sleeve garters</a> in your choice of color. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2bEnIOizPh6kcV5Jr2jQ-W5VcoLXDAf0dhN2is46bHaXA7Jk35KAtoPRzqnmA2P2ISSdBSsgcXxJeQJqlA9CL8dJ57TcYDHZ-8Z1A2wQKk2LM9JBJWD80H2OM4lmVcEjg-8fqFPR4xgu/s1600-h/BurgundyPair.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2bEnIOizPh6kcV5Jr2jQ-W5VcoLXDAf0dhN2is46bHaXA7Jk35KAtoPRzqnmA2P2ISSdBSsgcXxJeQJqlA9CL8dJ57TcYDHZ-8Z1A2wQKk2LM9JBJWD80H2OM4lmVcEjg-8fqFPR4xgu/s320/BurgundyPair.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426857578161685538" /></a> If we reach 66 entrants, a $66 gift certificate... and if, by some chance, we hit the magical zenith of 99 individuals entering, I shall offer up $99. These gift certificates can be used for smaller treasures, or put towards anything in the shop ~ a pair of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/choklit?section_id=5284590"target="_blank">cuffs</a> or a <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/choklit?section_id=5284588"target="_blank">a beaded silk collar</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8UC03atou5K5tSli5J-mgmqbfbCbROKf1ZYzy16lz5e-XEU_6jOxE8aKwyEE7RtdX1_7p93PWQiXipkklEleaqZXmVGtBcxQRB_2Xcow4gnjruNPsGyMth7j7223_Zr9q6lOP_wsmzRr/s1600-h/AFT-Gift-Cert-33.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8UC03atou5K5tSli5J-mgmqbfbCbROKf1ZYzy16lz5e-XEU_6jOxE8aKwyEE7RtdX1_7p93PWQiXipkklEleaqZXmVGtBcxQRB_2Xcow4gnjruNPsGyMth7j7223_Zr9q6lOP_wsmzRr/s400/AFT-Gift-Cert-33.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427418002739638482" /></a> So here are your various pursuits to enter my Raffle of Revealing Riches:<br /><br />1. Visit <a href="http://choklit.etsy.com"target="_blank">my Etsy shop</a> or the <a href="http://AdornmentsForTarts.com"target="_blank">Adornments for Tarts Web site</a>, and leave a comment here telling me which design is your favorite.<br /><br />2. If you're not already a follower of this blog, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/ye7vbnv"target="_blank">click here to become one</a>, and let me know about it in the comments.<br /><br />3. Post a link to this contest to your choice of social network or your own blog ~ as many as you like ~ and leave a link to said post in the comments here. While you're there, <a href="http://twitter.com/choklit"target="_blank">follow me on Twitter</a>, or <a href="http://facebook.com/adornmentsfortarts"target="_blank">fan me on Facebook</a>, if you haven't already.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjqrVxdqXIFwmQu_p-puqecU36F0zpuCZ-YOORcaoCugqSB_QbYm1RptXXU__AZZJ7EXptAGcZPflfElYJII6lZrdc7Wf6rSv264zRXXL_LKLEktPAszB3E6wPUK8Gmh2EYVDlc1gvfsY/s1600-h/Roux_EarringsBowl_sml.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjqrVxdqXIFwmQu_p-puqecU36F0zpuCZ-YOORcaoCugqSB_QbYm1RptXXU__AZZJ7EXptAGcZPflfElYJII6lZrdc7Wf6rSv264zRXXL_LKLEktPAszB3E6wPUK8Gmh2EYVDlc1gvfsY/s320/Roux_EarringsBowl_sml.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426862568291310674" /></a> Each of the above pursuits completed grants you one golden (virtual) raffle ticket... you can put several entries into one comment if you wish. Your comment profile must include contact information ~ if it doesn't, be sure to leave a valid email address in your comment, or your entry is void. The winners will be drawn by random number generator on January 24th. <br /><br />Multiple entries by a single person do not count towards unlocking the treasures, but most certainly increase your chances of winning something lovely by giving you more virtual raffle tickets... <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLj6q5BXbFSTZWBqY_VBNL22z2walXSqyqj3uAK2BJpiAp8D77VAw2VukRFH-3l19rsgQkBJRh09QzWwqnH_UD7WZsyNeRAXxbLpvh63hzFfSZrlp0uJEMvEfbLGl_QD466ziNNaxhx_G/s1600-h/Aub_CollarMain_P3300562-sml.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLj6q5BXbFSTZWBqY_VBNL22z2walXSqyqj3uAK2BJpiAp8D77VAw2VukRFH-3l19rsgQkBJRh09QzWwqnH_UD7WZsyNeRAXxbLpvh63hzFfSZrlp0uJEMvEfbLGl_QD466ziNNaxhx_G/s400/Aub_CollarMain_P3300562-sml.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426858384329888674" /></a> So if you've been reading along quietly, now is the time to speak out! Fare thee well, sweetlings, let's get this raffle rolling!. c h o k l i t .http://www.blogger.com/profile/16574364225587610520noreply@blogger.com52tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3346047009098746085.post-82630524287796523972010-01-04T19:45:00.000-08:002010-01-04T21:34:20.956-08:00New Year, New LifeI am ever so pleased to share the news that the turning of the year brought with it a little addition to our family ~ my new niece. After a jaw-droppingly long and challenging labor, my beautiful sister and her husband welcomed their new daughter to the world.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8PvhWK73lx3m8n1VAbgTj0b_Kogin8dTs4nzubDF_CSForZO9X9-qdNDgYXSMVHddPE5FmmdpWSiETRMjhkX8FvHudwDGbKrYHYFdiRGjKjVKJgCPlcVBneqAN1_LywaBub-tjN5mXN-T/s1600-h/Stork_Suitcase.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 246px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8PvhWK73lx3m8n1VAbgTj0b_Kogin8dTs4nzubDF_CSForZO9X9-qdNDgYXSMVHddPE5FmmdpWSiETRMjhkX8FvHudwDGbKrYHYFdiRGjKjVKJgCPlcVBneqAN1_LywaBub-tjN5mXN-T/s400/Stork_Suitcase.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423119373684179842" /></a> It was an incredibly emotional event for us all, not only the first baby in my generation for our family, but a terrifying and gorgeous reminder of both the tenuousness and the vitality of life. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnr5R1krV_CQXDg7LJbNbaxTTv_KP5LB_W5TnYw-Tyh8bnokCVBgzUAUuSDjhZWxv0kc1o59k1bhhjK5ZNPB_WSLR7zUxTrT5cO6if56peCTXGwAgeiy0iPewOKmuA4WYl4JA7b3BUG7FM/s1600-h/A-J-Baby.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnr5R1krV_CQXDg7LJbNbaxTTv_KP5LB_W5TnYw-Tyh8bnokCVBgzUAUuSDjhZWxv0kc1o59k1bhhjK5ZNPB_WSLR7zUxTrT5cO6if56peCTXGwAgeiy0iPewOKmuA4WYl4JA7b3BUG7FM/s400/A-J-Baby.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423119242468954370" /></a> And when the little one was finally (finally!) safely here, I found myself spinning into a vortex of infant-related sweetness - hours perusing hip designer baby fabrics online, like this incredible mermaid-and-octo print by <a href="http://www.heatherrossdesigns.com/"target="_blank">Heather Ross</a> - plotting all the tiny finery I'd make for her... in my copious spare time, yes. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81VV1zXHYsjyRi78197ut9PywLW0Ap3nuYdWYfbGTeN18ywmwRcztaBc_rtadbyfsYcY52bqfcgmB3v3ljfCf4KFY8YWfCAT-hNC1rYNayO6JxmcLH0WB3npjttC__4nE9DEZjs35j2eP/s1600-h/Heather_Ross_Mermaids.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 312px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81VV1zXHYsjyRi78197ut9PywLW0Ap3nuYdWYfbGTeN18ywmwRcztaBc_rtadbyfsYcY52bqfcgmB3v3ljfCf4KFY8YWfCAT-hNC1rYNayO6JxmcLH0WB3npjttC__4nE9DEZjs35j2eP/s400/Heather_Ross_Mermaids.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423123833342182002" /></a> So while I try to stay focused on sewing more adornments for the upcoming <a href="http://www.edwardianball.com/"target="_blank">Edwardian Ball</a>, and rehearsing to record next month with my band <a href="http://babysealclub.net"target="_blank">Baby Seal Club</a> ~ I must also make some space for simple, blissful amazement at this new child's tenacity, my sweet sister's courage, and the overwhelming love I have for both of them.. c h o k l i t .http://www.blogger.com/profile/16574364225587610520noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3346047009098746085.post-74682993833746099342009-12-27T11:06:00.000-08:002009-12-27T13:34:55.377-08:00The Lovely Robots of MachinariumI'm not much of a gamer, though I'll admit I've been sucked in more than once by an addictive puzzle game (ahem, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Mario_%28video_game%29"target="_blank">Dr. Mario</a>). But sometimes, a rare game comes along that's so lovely to look at, I just want to lose myself in the world of it. <a href="http://machinarium.net/"target="_blank">Machinarium</a> is such a game. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhVkdSavOd0S8cWkdltJYXImnbditCsaLwEMLZ7p_sk5wD2i-CD4gMMHJMJk3SoozZQJ2yb6HgUx9OWJWHGN2YYNbtL3T-tBGB7k8GOJqi57M7W_XxTdBzysQ-iW5pac31si82EtP7O9b/s1600-h/Machinarium-cover_art.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 347px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhVkdSavOd0S8cWkdltJYXImnbditCsaLwEMLZ7p_sk5wD2i-CD4gMMHJMJk3SoozZQJ2yb6HgUx9OWJWHGN2YYNbtL3T-tBGB7k8GOJqi57M7W_XxTdBzysQ-iW5pac31si82EtP7O9b/s400/Machinarium-cover_art.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419281037932562546" /></a> The blogosphere has been gushing over this one since its mid-October release, so I'm not the first one to fall for it - you can read about it on <a href="http://coilhouse.net/2009/10/machinarium/"target="_blank">my beloved Coilhouse</a>, on <a href="http://www.boingboing.net/2009/10/14/everything-but-the-g-1.html"target="_blank">Boing Boing</a>, and countless game review sites. But the attention is well-deserved ~ it's a worthy play, my friends. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia0jvNUJbbIHxaWy1S_ANq4kdT4DHZ6ySAzPPk5gaSdKoscsVXvAAs9wBez7ZFthG2YG61MzTOfjiPoocAS7GuRAfT6DvVf-I6HwC9U8ZsjiQH7dQj_7xMaTQok5LABTxEnX8kzvUxMHKS/s1600-h/machinarium_plaza_1280x1024.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia0jvNUJbbIHxaWy1S_ANq4kdT4DHZ6ySAzPPk5gaSdKoscsVXvAAs9wBez7ZFthG2YG61MzTOfjiPoocAS7GuRAfT6DvVf-I6HwC9U8ZsjiQH7dQj_7xMaTQok5LABTxEnX8kzvUxMHKS/s400/machinarium_plaza_1280x1024.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419282331649654914" /></a> Within the first few moments of the game, I was smitten with my earnest little robot character. The quirky sound design and luminous, eerie soundtrack are enchanting. The point-and-click simplicity belies the game's depth, delightful intrigue, and humor.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcANw4WBiji7PI4WOLUjUOUZqrOzrSJn9bzddGll5lLsbBXI0wqU3063idVqlRCMLyRsVMocaLybgxa-c-QtOJa-sIa1BbIy3ZpisGC5gIQs9k_2a8MKz8U81kVTrvY44e3z8vcJD2rUfP/s1600-h/Machinarium-Parlor.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcANw4WBiji7PI4WOLUjUOUZqrOzrSJn9bzddGll5lLsbBXI0wqU3063idVqlRCMLyRsVMocaLybgxa-c-QtOJa-sIa1BbIy3ZpisGC5gIQs9k_2a8MKz8U81kVTrvY44e3z8vcJD2rUfP/s400/Machinarium-Parlor.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419282946157734978" /></a> But the the real magic of Machinarium is in the way it pulls you in to its entirely hand-drawn, gorgeously detailed, arcane world of decaying metal. You must slow to a snail's pace to enjoy the beauty of your surrounds, pull each lever and touch every gear to solve the sometimes maddening logic puzzles of all varieties... <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguuZuT9XOWS06zz8msxd6z_eNqSFHAiU-R_lXRHGaBZlDW9RDCVdkbygB4paudokdyRcv3705SlUxQt4i5rqi8bmaOUvQy5_IwUAMRBGQyUTL4LiktWdcAtrogzshNgOydPIJzB91yu_tH/s1600-h/machinarium_traintracks_960x660.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguuZuT9XOWS06zz8msxd6z_eNqSFHAiU-R_lXRHGaBZlDW9RDCVdkbygB4paudokdyRcv3705SlUxQt4i5rqi8bmaOUvQy5_IwUAMRBGQyUTL4LiktWdcAtrogzshNgOydPIJzB91yu_tH/s400/machinarium_traintracks_960x660.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419283141843638706" /></a> An <a href="http://alternativemagazineonline.co.uk/2009/11/24/interview-in-conversation-with-jakub-dvorsky-founder-of-amanita-design-and-creator-of-machinarium/"target="_blank">interview with Jakub Dvorsky</a>, founder of <a href="http://amanita-design.net/"target="_blank">Amanita</a>, the Czechoslovakian company that makes the game, reveals that the company's fanciful first release, Samarost, was created as his thesis project in 2003. Like Machinarium, Samarost is a whimsical puzzle game, with every small action compelling a chain of <a href="http://www.rubegoldberg.com/"target="_blank">Rube Goldberg-esque</a> events.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-vtxhX6NXVUj7mL0Kzek87QGUbKr5CGwmbP_t7I9h36XOVlvY5IcE3JNZc4T6do4FsbtEphv5QIcNWqSpbRpq4Q70p08_8toeK4u2oeIS7t2s2FvqCetEoGPFeZSRoDtOuDaQUZWPh1T7/s1600-h/machinarium_mezilevel_1250x790.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-vtxhX6NXVUj7mL0Kzek87QGUbKr5CGwmbP_t7I9h36XOVlvY5IcE3JNZc4T6do4FsbtEphv5QIcNWqSpbRpq4Q70p08_8toeK4u2oeIS7t2s2FvqCetEoGPFeZSRoDtOuDaQUZWPh1T7/s400/machinarium_mezilevel_1250x790.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419995963938939426" /></a> I haven't even fully explored the rich post-apocalyptic environs of Machinarium, and already I'm feeling sad to finish it, reluctant to go back to the break-neck pace of my own world. For a chronically busy multi-tasker like myself, Machinarium is more than a diversion ~ it's a lovely respite. I highly recommend it.. c h o k l i t .http://www.blogger.com/profile/16574364225587610520noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3346047009098746085.post-58593906603794836442009-12-14T22:48:00.000-08:002009-12-15T10:53:15.757-08:00CoutureLust: Blasphemina's ClosetI'd harbor a guess that many of my readers are familiar with the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lolita_fashion"target="_blank">Lolita</a> style. If not, meet Samantha Rei, proprietress of <a href="http://www.blaspheminascloset.com"target="_blank">Blasphemina's Closet</a>. Samantha takes the girlish ruffles and neo-Victorian sensibility of Lolita style and makes it sumptuously couture. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3RAxOuf6zjw3XvFujrGWTidMIuhxiojV7DoLhY_k1mFF7rFYU7j_sLS7uS_mZTCGDQF0A-LUBhzBiVWAJ8ptl7sqVfiHMNIdVyVngB-SwL0OOcahtnGrm98Ft2CrKYK673UPIveVyZex0/s1600-h/Samantha.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3RAxOuf6zjw3XvFujrGWTidMIuhxiojV7DoLhY_k1mFF7rFYU7j_sLS7uS_mZTCGDQF0A-LUBhzBiVWAJ8ptl7sqVfiHMNIdVyVngB-SwL0OOcahtnGrm98Ft2CrKYK673UPIveVyZex0/s400/Samantha.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415356389259737186" /></a><center><i><small>(Image: <a href="http://www.photosynthetique.com/"target="_blank">Photosynthetique</a>)</small></i></center><br />She curates the annual <a href="http://schoolgirlsandmobilesuits.com/"target="_blank">Schoolgirls and Mobilesuits</a>fashion show, and her luxe creations can be seen at New York's <a href="http://dancesofvice.com"target="_blank">Dances of Vice</a>. And good news for dandies... she's got <a href="http://blaspheminascloset.com/menswear.html"target="_blank">a men's line</a>, too.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5BvIacA3ckXFOQfwX4O6GOCBL889iDA8X2tZNFHhwoVEz4DEjsnNsVF3cDOQ0-yMhjdZTz8sP19ewFHq7tbQAclqtAnOI6NJLpJ9qW9ANnrdMQVr_rbGGzVGhj2AO-GvwoTRlT6v_pI5/s1600-h/DoV+Couple.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5BvIacA3ckXFOQfwX4O6GOCBL889iDA8X2tZNFHhwoVEz4DEjsnNsVF3cDOQ0-yMhjdZTz8sP19ewFHq7tbQAclqtAnOI6NJLpJ9qW9ANnrdMQVr_rbGGzVGhj2AO-GvwoTRlT6v_pI5/s400/DoV+Couple.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415356733061684738" /></a><center><i><small>(Image: <a href="http://www.fairytalevegas.com/"target="_blank">Fairytale Vegas</a>)</small></i></center><br />Samantha is based in Minneapolis, and along with <a href="http://choklitchanteuse.blogspot.com/2009/04/couturelust-scoundrelles-keep.html"target="_blank">previous CoutureLust featuree Heather Luca</a> of <a href="http://scoundrelleskeep.com"target="_blank">Scoundrelle's Keep</a> and Megan Bishop of <a href="http://www.apatico.net/"target="_blank">Apatico</a>, founded <a href="http://www.libertineasylum.com/"target="_blank">the Libertine Asylum</a>, a "society for the spread of fanciness, hedonism, indulgence and beauty." Ah, ladies after my own heart. Let's see what's behind the flounces in Blasphemina's Closet...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47N24y4lnGlPq0nNqdwPyYAIdXSYnPNAVcMb1fWLGL2mHUNt7xJSFXcwaCgGKYeTfFCI_hDC8zOLQwNNabPoKZqOKmMRoD6_3CGbndjmfhfL0s0eqf9RCu3epKb4W5thbowCfzRp6wOJV/s1600-h/Black.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47N24y4lnGlPq0nNqdwPyYAIdXSYnPNAVcMb1fWLGL2mHUNt7xJSFXcwaCgGKYeTfFCI_hDC8zOLQwNNabPoKZqOKmMRoD6_3CGbndjmfhfL0s0eqf9RCu3epKb4W5thbowCfzRp6wOJV/s400/Black.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415357002597152098" /></a><center><i><small>(Image: <a href="http://www.photosynthetique.com/"target="_blank">Photosynthetique</a>)</small></i></center><br /><b>How would you describe yourself and your style of work?</b> <br /><br />I generally stick to classic and gothic lolita. Lolita fashion is a style that gained popularity in Japan and has taken hold as a relevant subculture worldwide. It has a lot of basis in Victorian and Rococo fashion as well as certain other influences like stories, sweets and other subcultures. <br /><br />Two of the best sites for info are <a href="http://www.avantgauche.co.uk/"target="_blank">Avant Gauche</a> and <a href="http://www.lolitafashion.org/"target="_blank">Lolita Fashion</a>. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjveGZshaaHf75bV5suRYZEP2Av2DSSmY19uziEvPYDOqiFNC19zQ8SfRS31Zshyphenhypheng2nhLul-nTVCuQ8hpLsUXMemZ-bv-D7PBZB5pzAEnlrv74Ibpmp7NU227ywspW3U4I3XheqC2GzqJwY/s1600-h/Trees.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjveGZshaaHf75bV5suRYZEP2Av2DSSmY19uziEvPYDOqiFNC19zQ8SfRS31Zshyphenhypheng2nhLul-nTVCuQ8hpLsUXMemZ-bv-D7PBZB5pzAEnlrv74Ibpmp7NU227ywspW3U4I3XheqC2GzqJwY/s400/Trees.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415357166466929442" /></a><center><i><small>(Image: <a href="http://www.photosynthetique.com/"target="_blank">Photosynthetique</a>)</small></i></center> <br />I also tend to do neo-Victorian and aristocrat menswear and for fun and friends, <a href="http://www.lolitafashion.org/wa_lolita.php"target="_blank">wa-lolita</a>.<br /><br /><b>Where do you find inspiration?</b> <br /><br />Books and movies. Usually, whatever I'm reading at the time or movies I've been enthralled with each season inspire my next line. Music, too. I'm not really into sweet style, and since that's what's in right now, I don't tend to be inspired by the Japanese brands as much as I used to. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVz7TTdIdWkODQqcMSDx4w2eWqV3ducFw2iSl_HXQ4GnuUqBReMzeuy_gIXFgjNDwekWHYBmx1J6GR5fq-5VbI6TL4ihLHtOmQtGqMz0dxiJG5y_YpRDRD9BF15HI00YZqUK4BQmZcnPs/s1600-h/Faun+Screenshot.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 290px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVz7TTdIdWkODQqcMSDx4w2eWqV3ducFw2iSl_HXQ4GnuUqBReMzeuy_gIXFgjNDwekWHYBmx1J6GR5fq-5VbI6TL4ihLHtOmQtGqMz0dxiJG5y_YpRDRD9BF15HI00YZqUK4BQmZcnPs/s400/Faun+Screenshot.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415357392688281234" /></a><center><i><small>(Image: <a href="http://www.AestheticAlchemy.com/"target="_blank">Aesthetic Alchemy</a>)</small></i></center> <br />This year, I've been inspired by <a href="http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/illustrations/sevendwarfs/rackhamdwarf3.html"target="_blank">Snow White as illustrated by Arthur Rackham</a> (he's a HUGE inspiration in my life), Little Red Riding Hood, Josephine Bonaparte, story book villains, the poetry of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wilmot,_2nd_Earl_of_Rochester"target="_blank">John Wilmot</a>, the films <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gangs_of_New_York"target="_blank">Gangs of New York</a></i> and <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_Hell"target="_blank">From Hell</a></i>, Japanese illustrator <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsukazu_Mihara"target="_blank">Mihara Mitsukazu</a>, regency era fashion plates, Valkyries, and as always, Alice in Wonderland.<br /><br /><i>(Find more links to Samantha's favorites at the end of the post.)</i> <br /><br /><span class="fullpost"><b>What do you do besides design amazing clothes?</b> <br /><br />I make fascinators and jewelry. I love that! It's one of those things where I do it in my spare time, then sell it later. I can spend time making one piece pretty. It's like meditation. Also, I love to read. If I'm not working, which is most hours of most days, I'm reading or watching crime shows. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBlB9a6EHuCxd2WdFZwAKBw0RSYIdiT5GyCDeijuW5yM-rUCCITTlhX4FvjQvdp7UvD47uEdelB6_t4CdjzVk-dDmsXfgXL1G3biTmmsxNXbqDglH1rvicPE2wzZkKl1Dnq2_ZPFLIKRJq/s1600-h/FeatherFascinator.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBlB9a6EHuCxd2WdFZwAKBw0RSYIdiT5GyCDeijuW5yM-rUCCITTlhX4FvjQvdp7UvD47uEdelB6_t4CdjzVk-dDmsXfgXL1G3biTmmsxNXbqDglH1rvicPE2wzZkKl1Dnq2_ZPFLIKRJq/s400/FeatherFascinator.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415356035510353922" /></a><center><i><small>(Image: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scoundrelle/"target="_blank">Scoundrelle's Keep Imagery</a>)</small></i></center><br /><b>What was the most challenging piece you've designed / made?</b> <br /><br />I had to make five bridesmaid and one flower girl dress out of bright red dupioni silk. They all needed to look the same, but be made to fit each girl. It was very tough, because half the girls didn't actually live in town. I was working on this while finishing a piece for my best friend to wear at her wedding and her sister's bridesmaid dress, all had to be done that week because they were both getting married on the same day. That was stressful, but everyone was beautiful!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-qCfCexEpvh9q4wRFzo8xwPyZb6X-8OmuGhfALFs52XfSl_0HM6jeL9yGvdKEWz70_45RbKzDHCqUCmdb_2CSV_hxIf_LmnSpUZKPvXfN2-lO5qAPXxA7dhWQJvgtnOds-Xzp_fClkEkn/s1600-h/Silhouette.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-qCfCexEpvh9q4wRFzo8xwPyZb6X-8OmuGhfALFs52XfSl_0HM6jeL9yGvdKEWz70_45RbKzDHCqUCmdb_2CSV_hxIf_LmnSpUZKPvXfN2-lO5qAPXxA7dhWQJvgtnOds-Xzp_fClkEkn/s400/Silhouette.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415357629193867266" /></a><center><i><small>(Image: <a href="http://www.photosynthetique.com/"target="_blank">Photosynthetique</a>)</small></i></center><br /><b>What are three things that please you the most in the world?</b> <br /><br />Books, history and family.<br /><br /><b>How did you get your start making clothes?</b> <br />My mother taught me to use a sewing machine when I was about 13 (early 1990s). I got into design shortly after that. I used to hand sew clothes for my Barbies for something to do. I didn't really "play Barbies" right. But I really got gung-ho into designing when I was in early high school. I started with my own clothes, then with practice styles, then made prom dresses for friends. The first year I did that, I made two dresses for friends for like $100 each. I was so proud! Shortly after beginning college, I started <a href="http://www.blaspheminascloset.com"target="_blank">my Web site</a> :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBx5hmPWjFOxPc37oguBfCU55F-Tas_4GKtZ373KlcTeRsfvM6y73D58n38UAFa4pu19vKQUFrHLATATyv9nS-e2z2QFNlyQggYhJ1YdWoZDnTY0KsGVQCJ9c5clQy70_2LytKLh-cEuuE/s1600-h/Dandies+SGMS.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBx5hmPWjFOxPc37oguBfCU55F-Tas_4GKtZ373KlcTeRsfvM6y73D58n38UAFa4pu19vKQUFrHLATATyv9nS-e2z2QFNlyQggYhJ1YdWoZDnTY0KsGVQCJ9c5clQy70_2LytKLh-cEuuE/s400/Dandies+SGMS.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415357807610090514" /></a><center><i><small>(Image: <a href="http://mserinnicole.com/"target="_blank">Erin Nicole Johnson</a>)</small></i></center><br /><b>What piece of work are you most proud of?</b><br /> <br />It's a tie between showing my collection PULP at Dances of Vice in <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/blasphemina/sets/72157616264328728/"target="_blank">Spring of 2009</a> and a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/blasphemina/4131334585/in/set-72157610899231457/"target="_blank">black and blue silk wedding dress</a> I made for a Halloween wedding this year. I was so proud of that collection, I hadn't done a gothic line in ages and it looked so cohesive and elegant. And the wedding dress made the bride look radiant. I love creative clients who just let me go! I can't choose... <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OoT1hLnVzNyq6w38cjbv8kkbmzFwEVKo13XwUnDD3rIcGRhaeYvcA16d7DGpjVo9PRmnW6Cqi24YtaJXG6Fa5y9kHTQe0bk4Si01zFdlMm3QRix32EUhfBxe_Zha0vw1gxYD4sSdAnny/s1600-h/TrainConvergenceOfLines.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OoT1hLnVzNyq6w38cjbv8kkbmzFwEVKo13XwUnDD3rIcGRhaeYvcA16d7DGpjVo9PRmnW6Cqi24YtaJXG6Fa5y9kHTQe0bk4Si01zFdlMm3QRix32EUhfBxe_Zha0vw1gxYD4sSdAnny/s400/TrainConvergenceOfLines.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415357995899432738" /></a><center><i><small>(Image: <a href="http://www.photosynthetique.com/"target="_blank">Photosynthetique</a>)</small></i></center><br /><b>Where can we find your line?</b> <br /><a href="http://blaspheminascloset.com"target="_blank">On the internet</a>, at conventions (check out my ongoing con schedule for 2010!) and every once in a while in spots around Minneapolis. <br /><br /><b>List some of the top books, music, and movies that you've enjoyed recently...</b> <br /><br />Books!<br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monster_Blood_Tattoo"target="_blank">Monster Blood Tattoo</a><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valiant_:_A_Modern_Tale_of_Faerie"target="_blank">Valiant:A Modern Tale of Faerie</a><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnaby_Grimes"target="_blank">Barnaby Grimes</a><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Lion_Among_Men"target="_blank">A Lion Among Men</a><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seeing_Redd"target="_blank">Seeing Redd</a><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Series_of_Unfortunate_Events"target="_blank">A Series of Unfortunate Events</a><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiderwick"target="_blank">Spiderwick</a><br /><br />Musical inspiration this year!<br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_World/Inferno_Friendship_Society"target="_blank">World Inferno</a><br /><a href="http://www.rasputina.com/"target="_blank">Rasputina</a> (My favorite band since high school!)<br /><a href="http://voltaire.net/"target="_blank">Voltaire</a><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circus_Contraption"target="_blank">Circus Contraption</a><br /><a href="http://www.gogolbordello.com/"target="_blank">Gogol Bordello</a><br /><a href="http://amandapalmer.net/"target="_blank">Amanda Palmer</a><br /><a href="http://worlddominationtoys.com/drsteel/enter.html"target="_blank">Dr. Steel</a><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emilie_simon"target="_blank">Emilie Simon</a><br /><a href="http://thebuildersandthebutchers.com/"target="_blank">The Builders and the Butchers</a><br /><br />Movies!<br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gangs_of_New_York"target="_blank">Gangs of New York</a><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_Hell_(film)"target="_blank">From Hell</a><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quills"target="_blank">Quills</a><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Libertine_(2004_film)"target="_blank">The Libertine</a><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfume:_The_Story_of_a_Murderer_(film)"target="_blank">Perfume: The Story of a Murderer</a><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moulin_Rouge_(2001_film)"target="_blank">Moulin Rouge</a><br /><br />Thanks so much, lovely Samantha! We'll be off down one of those fabulous interwebs rabbit holes now to find more inspiration from your links... just like Alice.<br /></span>. c h o k l i t .http://www.blogger.com/profile/16574364225587610520noreply@blogger.com3