Neat Freaking It, City of Craft, and Other Art Show Wanderings!

My 'natural parts’ supplies that include pieces of once living things mostly.

My small doily collection, with hand crochet flowers by my mom, and vintage lace applique.

HALF of my cream and white lace collection. These are the more expensive pieces from Mokuba
a lace trim place that I simply adore and spend way too much money at. Sorry, pocketbook!

I have been on holidays for the past week and whenever I have the opportunity I love to live a little. I don’t like the routine of non-spontanepus actions so this entails the setting of impossibly high standards, crazy dates, projects, and parties. Usually, being a person of whim I only get around half of the things I want done.

For example, I have been procrastinating with my bird skull clutch. I look at the pattern and I feel like it just may need more tweaking. I’m hoping I’ll have the guts to really face my fears and just do it sometime this week before I am worked to death at the part time job. 

One thing that I have done is sort all my supplies into boxes and sections as you can see above. While, this is only 10% of my total supply hoard I am very proud that I sorted everything out. I have this habit of thinking I know where everything is but…it usually results in me spending a lot more then I should and having doubles of certain supplies.

Birds of Prey Photo Shoot with Dandy Boy - my Men’s taxidermy accessories line!

Art Direction and Model - Wesley Burness
Photography - Naomi Peters
Wearing: Dandy Boy - Sparrow Skull Cuff Link

Art Direction and Model - Wesley Burness
Photography - Naomi Peters
Wearing: Dandy Boy - Dual Chain Bird Skull Necklace

Right now, I am consumed by total fear of really messing up on the first final I did. I just finished everything but I’m just petrified of the first one I did because I really should have NEVER set a foot into the room to do that exam. I spent those excruciating 3 hours fighting my body because I felt so sick. Which, most likely resulted in really sub-par essay skills. So upsetting!

However, one to better things in life. My friend, Wesley Burness who studies Fashion Communication at Ryerson University borrowed a few of my Dandy Boy pieces for a photo shoot assignment. Posted here are some of the results and my most favourite. I never told him what I wanted and he had complete creative freedom with his assignment but the first two pictures that used my pieces WERE EXACTLY HOW I WOULD PHOTOGRAPH THEM HAD I THE SKILL. The dreamy nostalgia, the slight play on androgyny, the black, the natural light, the brands… I was so surprised it was so spot on to what I liked. 

As you can see I have (if you do not follow my TWITTER and FACEBOOK then you are missing out on what I have) been secretly working on my other aesthetic. A mixture of androgyny, chains, death, leather, and natural history. It’s for Men and Women and I’d like to somehow make it more interchangeable then what I normally do. I’m definitely drifting away from what normal taxidermy jewelry would look like. I’m currently working on a clutch, too! Keep you guys updated.

What do you guys think? He’s goregeous - right? Any feedback on the photo shoot?

Some travel and a new headpiece

I couldn’t resist buying a toadstool decoration and a Yellow Owl Workshop Ink Pad (which I recommend highly because it sets pretty fast and doesn’t smudge under the fingertips).

I recently had a chance to visit the Wellington County which covers Kitchener, Waterloo, Elora, and St. Jacobs of Ontario - the province I lived it. It was quite a dreary day but it was well worth the trip to see a scenery that makes a City Girl with a Wild Heart like myself feel so wholesome. I would like to thank my friend, D. for taking me. I love learning about the countryside outside of my Metropolitan city of Toronto. There were such quaint little stores in Elora and St. Jacobs that were so pretty. So many unique things I wanted to buy! Including this 3D leather acorn coin holder-pouch which was well beyond my budget but I found it online at a much more affordable price.

New Headpiece

Detailing

Lately, I have been inspired to make some new pieces. I’m really loving patterned feathers and flowers. Evident in my latest work I’m striving to meld bohemian with romance as themes. Texture and softness. Airy to earthy. 

What do you guys think? Would you wear it?

New Collection and Pictures from Everyday Life

Here’s a picture what my workspace / studio looks like when I am actually working on things. I have a talent for working within chaos and finding order within it. It’s quite evident in many of the things I make or do. From afar it will look like a cluster but when you look closer it has a kind of balance or order. Very few notice it - but when they do I am very impressed.

Here are some of my latest pieces. I have yet to add to Etsy but they will most likely be going to stores instead. I haven’t made up my mind yet. I’ve really liked carved bone pieces. Especially cooky fish with really funny expressions. :) I’ve also found a way to use the silk and rayon tassel samples I bought from the Textile Museum Fabric Sale. This makes me happy and I hope it diminishes my hoard a bit.

Here are some of my latest works. I’m a total romantic bohemian at heart. Sometimes I feel more bohemian then usual. I think recently, it has really been a reoccurring theme in my life. To me, it’s just the essence of free-spirit. My latest pieces are inspired by islands, windswept beaches, sun-bleached fabrics, summer, salt, natural colors and just being free.

At the same time. My style has slowly gone towards the Hipster fashion for the Winter. Trust me, by no means am I a Hipster. I only identify with the fashion itself but not the subculture. I’ve also begun experiment with strange colors and different silhouettes. I bought green oxfords. Haha. 

Halloween: Fetish Masquerade Ball

I had the opportunity to be invited to the Fetish Masquerade Ball by my friend, Veruca Cyn, who put me on the VIP list. It has always been something I had wanted to attend but never found the right crowd to go with or had the time. But, this year is different. It was wild and I loved it. Veruca was modelling for a fetish designer, Heather D. and she was absolutely breathtaking on stage dancing in her little nurse outfit. Hahahaha. With her huuuuuugggeee red hair all dolled up. 

There was a feeling I got when I removed my coat and checked it in…and walked into a wildly dressed crowd not knowing anyone or what I was getting into. It made a shiver go up my spine. I felt…different. I felt like somehow I belonged - so small dark part of me just belonged here.

Short story, I got really drunk off gin mixed with juice. Made new friends, saw a lot of half naked people, some wild folk, danced for the first time in my LIFE on STAGE. I’m a very reserved person by nature and I in part blame my rather sheltered upbringing. However, everything I was ever afraid to do comes apart under two influences: Peer Pressure and Alcohol. Hahaha!

I have defied all odds this year so far. I left my business partner and I survived. I was able to do much better then we would have ever done together. I went out and got myself into stores. I saw new perspectives. Made new friends. Changed a complete crowd of people I hang out with. I balanced social life with full-time University, a part-time job, and my business. I danced. For god sake, I danced on stage. All I can say is life is awesome. I have another party to attend tonight and of course the wicked never sleep. 

I enclose pictures taken with my iPhone of my costume and Veruca and I at the event: