Mounted bat, original skull cleaned and in tact, fully decorated from his countless battles in the skies of New Jersey.
He's a hero.
And that's that.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Admiral Batzaar
Mounted bat, original skull cleaned and in tact, fully decorated from his countless battles in the skies of New Jersey.
He's a hero.
And that's that.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Twenty4Twenty #5 & #6: Duncan Trussell and Natasha Leggero
Friday night I made an impromptu trip up to NYC to see two of my favorite comedians in the whole world perform. I found out about Duncan Trussell via the Joe Rogan Podcast which led me to the Lavender Hour podcast where I learned about the amazing Natasha Leggero. I get all of my outside world info through podcasts; its impressive how much of the medium I take in every week. Anyway, Lavender Hour IMMEDIATELY became my number one audio obsession. Usually when I discover a new podcast, there are a few month's worth of backlog for me to indulge myself with but I caught the Lavender Hour just a couple weeks into its existence, leaving me refreshing my podcast tab on iTunes every day like a slobbering maniac.
It's that good.
Sure, the quality and sound levels were awful. AWFUL. They still leave something to be desired. But who the fuck cares, the gems, the pearls just dripping from the mouths of these two are so rich with depth, humor and wit that I'd even listen to one of them chew food into the mic just to hear what they have to say. Please, listen for yourself. My little words can barely do it justice. I recommend Air France Man as an excellent Lavender Hour cherry popper.
Needless to say, these two have been on my Twenty4Twenty list since the start. I've tweeted at them, sent Facebook messages, emailed them via their respective sites, and gotten nothing. I mean, they're kind of famous. Which means they're kind of busy. Busy with all the shit that goes along with being a personality, whatever that may be. I hope someday I know it. Intimately.
So when my gal pal Carmen suggested we take a little jaunt up to see them perform at Carolines comedy club, I was ecstatic. Duh. Of course we'll meet them after the show and I can hand them their Twenty4Twenty gifts in person. But would it be creepy? Eh. And was there time? I figured I would just whip something up for them and then feel it out.
First up: a hair ornament for Natasha. Looking at it now, I cringe. I had no time. I made it so fast, and it doesn't reflect my true skill level/ attention to detail. But it's still pretty cool. I used a hand carved bone comb dyed red, and embellished it with THREE taxidermied bird wings. Plus diamonds. Lots of diamonds, as a nod to her material. The added feathers are from pheasant and guinea.
I just can't help but wish I had more time. And more knowledge. Judging from her photos, I guessed that she had a full head of thick, luxurious hair. I mean, shes undeniably gorgeous:
And a girl after my own heart, judging by that outfit.
So that's Natasha's comb. I was going to make Duncan a set of cufflinks, based on a rant he went on recently (on the podcast, obviously) about making an effort to dress well more often as a protest of the general American Malaise in regard to fashion. But last-minute (thanks Jim!) I went in a different direction and made him a personal rooster claw voodoo charm, which I embellished with vintage gems.
SO. We chanted our way through the Lincoln Tunnel Friday night traffic and made it to the venue just as the MC was starting the show. We were seated practically on the fucking stage and I was sweating bullets. It's a strange feeling, seeing someone you've been a fan of for so long in person, on stage, performing. I get nervous for them. Please don't fuck up. Don't let me down. Live up to my impossible expectations.
And they did. Both sets were great, all great, great, great, great. We filed out after the show and saw Duncan and Natasha out in the lobby but I had to pee so bad that we couldn't say hi right away. Plus I had to check my look. I'd been laughing so hard for so long that my lipstick surely had run. OK. Here we go.
Why is such a big deal to meet people you admire? I'm really interested in this fan/star dynamic. I mean, they both are clearly people I can relate to and seem as intelligent/creative/ kind as my friends. But because they're in this industry which exposes them to so many people, they've acquired this kind of mythic status which separates them from me. From us. It's like a grander scale of wanting to be in the orbit as the cool girls in high school, except the people I choose to admire as an adult are way, way, cooler.
But I'm cool too. I'm extremely cool. So why do I turn into a googly-eyed fan girl in the presence of these folks? Worth exploring, I suppose. I just hope they're flattered. And that they remember the two Purple Popes who came all the way up from Philly to see them work their magic.
We were so enthralled after it all that we couldn't resist doing a turn in times square:
You're gonna make it after all, indeed.
It's that good.
Sure, the quality and sound levels were awful. AWFUL. They still leave something to be desired. But who the fuck cares, the gems, the pearls just dripping from the mouths of these two are so rich with depth, humor and wit that I'd even listen to one of them chew food into the mic just to hear what they have to say. Please, listen for yourself. My little words can barely do it justice. I recommend Air France Man as an excellent Lavender Hour cherry popper.
Needless to say, these two have been on my Twenty4Twenty list since the start. I've tweeted at them, sent Facebook messages, emailed them via their respective sites, and gotten nothing. I mean, they're kind of famous. Which means they're kind of busy. Busy with all the shit that goes along with being a personality, whatever that may be. I hope someday I know it. Intimately.
So when my gal pal Carmen suggested we take a little jaunt up to see them perform at Carolines comedy club, I was ecstatic. Duh. Of course we'll meet them after the show and I can hand them their Twenty4Twenty gifts in person. But would it be creepy? Eh. And was there time? I figured I would just whip something up for them and then feel it out.
First up: a hair ornament for Natasha. Looking at it now, I cringe. I had no time. I made it so fast, and it doesn't reflect my true skill level/ attention to detail. But it's still pretty cool. I used a hand carved bone comb dyed red, and embellished it with THREE taxidermied bird wings. Plus diamonds. Lots of diamonds, as a nod to her material. The added feathers are from pheasant and guinea.
I just can't help but wish I had more time. And more knowledge. Judging from her photos, I guessed that she had a full head of thick, luxurious hair. I mean, shes undeniably gorgeous:
And a girl after my own heart, judging by that outfit.
So that's Natasha's comb. I was going to make Duncan a set of cufflinks, based on a rant he went on recently (on the podcast, obviously) about making an effort to dress well more often as a protest of the general American Malaise in regard to fashion. But last-minute (thanks Jim!) I went in a different direction and made him a personal rooster claw voodoo charm, which I embellished with vintage gems.
SO. We chanted our way through the Lincoln Tunnel Friday night traffic and made it to the venue just as the MC was starting the show. We were seated practically on the fucking stage and I was sweating bullets. It's a strange feeling, seeing someone you've been a fan of for so long in person, on stage, performing. I get nervous for them. Please don't fuck up. Don't let me down. Live up to my impossible expectations.
And they did. Both sets were great, all great, great, great, great. We filed out after the show and saw Duncan and Natasha out in the lobby but I had to pee so bad that we couldn't say hi right away. Plus I had to check my look. I'd been laughing so hard for so long that my lipstick surely had run. OK. Here we go.
Why is such a big deal to meet people you admire? I'm really interested in this fan/star dynamic. I mean, they both are clearly people I can relate to and seem as intelligent/creative/ kind as my friends. But because they're in this industry which exposes them to so many people, they've acquired this kind of mythic status which separates them from me. From us. It's like a grander scale of wanting to be in the orbit as the cool girls in high school, except the people I choose to admire as an adult are way, way, cooler.
But I'm cool too. I'm extremely cool. So why do I turn into a googly-eyed fan girl in the presence of these folks? Worth exploring, I suppose. I just hope they're flattered. And that they remember the two Purple Popes who came all the way up from Philly to see them work their magic.
We were so enthralled after it all that we couldn't resist doing a turn in times square:
You're gonna make it after all, indeed.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Oh this? That's just a big black cock on my head.
[googlevideo=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3099526434105125496]
"Oh 'ello there. Welcome to me humble home. Care for a spot of tea? Jeeves! Put a pot on for these lovely readers and make it snappy! *snaps feathers* In the meantime, entertain yourselves with the above video and accompanying photos plus the story of, well, MOI."
I see you've met Mr. Moon. He's a sassy old boy, isn't he? He did great last Friday at the Bellhouse where I submitted him as my entry for the 6th annual Carnivorous Nights Competition, hosted by M.A.R.T. and the Secret Science Club. While I have no photos of my presentation, I was wearing a black floor length ball gown from 1940 and my black rooster head-piece, along with some mink-tail arm cuffs for good measure. To provide a vague visual:
*photo compliments of Milica Schiavio
*photo compliments of Beth Tusso
That's the lovely and endlessly talented Daisy Tainton seated next to me. I think our hairs make a pretty picture, yes? Her entry was an animatronic cat which played Michael Jackson's "Thriller" from its asshole.
Oh look! Found one:
*compliments od the Good Days blog.
But I digress. Back to Mr. Moon, who began his first stage of life as an extremely rare breed of chicken known as a Silkied Ameraucana. They began as a spontaneous genetic mutation resulting in these darling birds with fur-like feathers. There are only thirty or so of them in the country; if you'd like to learn more about the species, please see this lengthy conversation between breeders which documents their discovery.
While I was working on this mount, I was deep into a very thick biography of drummer Keith Moon. As the drummer for a band called the Beachcombers and later on The Who, he turned the traditional role of percussion on its head. Before he came along, a drummer's role was to set up a steady foundation upon which the singer and guitarist could shine. Not content to be the audio version of wallpaper, Keith made himself into a frontman, a total fucking rock star in fact. He had the largest, most outrageous drum kit in the world and just beat the thing to death every night onstage. He broke the mold, not unlike this new species of chicken.
The downside to this breed is that they are short-lived. Something about their silky feathers (which make them so remarkable in the first place) not holding enough body heat to sustain them. Again, I drew parallels to Keith Moon and other famous young artists who perish so early in their lives: they are like these furiously burning comets just hurtling through life, bound to burn to death. What makes them so outstanding can also be their demise.
Since Mr. Moon was developing into a rock star rooster, I found it only fitting that he be completely embellished with genuine Swarovski crystals on his face and feet. And for some reason the bob cat glass eyes seemed fitting.
Anyway, while it's tragic that these inexplicably magnetic beings expire so early in their lives, it shouldn't go unsaid that while they are burning away, they are also lighting up the lives of anyone in their orbit.
So why not give Mr. Moon a second life as the most beautiful fiber-optic taxidermy lamp that ever existed? After all, the driving thrust behind my passion for this craft is the idea that I'm giving these wonderful creatures an eternal life, so to speak. Why not let him keep lighting up the lives of all whom he meets?
This was no easy task for me, as I'd never made a lamp before. It took some time, but I figured out how rig a bird form with hundreds of fiber optic threads, all emerging from several points, and then painstakingly taxied the skin onto the whole mess. There was much fenageling, but eventually I got the threads to sit just where I wanted them to. After trimming them all to the right lengths, I found a light source that was bright enough to make an impact after traveling through the cables but not so hot that it would melt them. Next up was finding the lamp/stand. I sourced an oldie from a second-hand shop nearby, rewired the whole thing (I'm a junior electrician now too!) and covered the glass panels in a patterned white brocade to mute the light. And, tada!
Good evening to you as well, Mr. Moon.
That was, give or take a few words, my entire presentation. I knocked it out of the park. I absolutely love being able to flex my showmanship muscles while flaunting something I'm so very proud of. I get such a rush from being on stage/performing, I can feel it all night. I guess I want to be a star too, kind of like Mr. Moon.
There were some other amazing pieces, I havent been able to find too much coverage online, but one young woman brought an entire beautifully mounted coyote named "Winnie" which would've taken a ribbon at any conventional taxidermy competition, no doubt. There was Nate Hill, ( known for his squirm-inducing Chinatown garbage taxidermy tours) tipping the gross-out scales with a live specimen tree-trimming presentation. There was an insect trapped in a chunk of amber that somehow still moved. The two-headed mouse with a top hat. I also missed several presentations while waiting backstage to go up but fortunately for you (and myself) this was all being filmed by a television crew. Not really sure what I am allowed to say without stepping on anyone's dicks so I'll just leave it at that and then post more when the show airs.
There was also a large dog with a monkey on its back and a whole smattering of other artifacts, as well as a mounted fox, also sporting a monkey on its back which was wielding a bottle opener. Why? Because the mount was concealing a beer cooler. But if you're like me and hate the brew, fret not. The thing pissed whiskey too. (note to self: booze + taxidermy= crowd going apeshit). For photos of all the entries and a wrap up from a guest perspective, check out this Good Days blog by Sir Snuggles.
So who won? The pissing fox took Grand Master and the dog placed second, no shock there. I came in third which is still pretty rad. The competition was fierce and people really stepped up their game. I'll just come back next year with an even more outstanding piece. Competitions are good for that; unlike client custom work, I really push myself to go out on a ledge and venture out of my comfort zone, skill-wise. I take risks, both conceptually and physically with the actual mount and pour my heart into it. I'm also extremely competitive and I hate losing. So long as I keep it in check, that can be a healthy driving force behind my growth as an artist.
I was at a complete loss of words while accepting my trophy, and muttered something like "feels like home" which I'm sure made no sense at all. What I was trying to convey is that, in the presence of the judges (whom I hold in the highest esteem), and my fellow taxidermy enthusiasts, I feel like I'm really home. It's a unique feeling and I took a mental snapshot so I could hold onto it for when I get lonely in my little studio in south Philly.
We were ushered backstage to pose with our trophies for photos, and with the three of us left standing there after it all was over, I began to sense I was the third wheel in a bromantical masturbatory fest so I excused myself (not to one in particular as I was apparently invisible) and packed up my bird, extension cord, etc. When I emerged from backstage the entire show room was cleaned out, chairs folded, floor swept. I heaved a giant sigh.
The spell was broken.
Back to life.
In this instance, that means getting right back on the saddle for another quick jaunt up to NYC to knock out two of my Twenty4Twenty projects in one night. Stay tuned!
"Oh 'ello there. Welcome to me humble home. Care for a spot of tea? Jeeves! Put a pot on for these lovely readers and make it snappy! *snaps feathers* In the meantime, entertain yourselves with the above video and accompanying photos plus the story of, well, MOI."
I see you've met Mr. Moon. He's a sassy old boy, isn't he? He did great last Friday at the Bellhouse where I submitted him as my entry for the 6th annual Carnivorous Nights Competition, hosted by M.A.R.T. and the Secret Science Club. While I have no photos of my presentation, I was wearing a black floor length ball gown from 1940 and my black rooster head-piece, along with some mink-tail arm cuffs for good measure. To provide a vague visual:
*photo compliments of Milica Schiavio
*photo compliments of Beth Tusso
That's the lovely and endlessly talented Daisy Tainton seated next to me. I think our hairs make a pretty picture, yes? Her entry was an animatronic cat which played Michael Jackson's "Thriller" from its asshole.
Oh look! Found one:
*compliments od the Good Days blog.
But I digress. Back to Mr. Moon, who began his first stage of life as an extremely rare breed of chicken known as a Silkied Ameraucana. They began as a spontaneous genetic mutation resulting in these darling birds with fur-like feathers. There are only thirty or so of them in the country; if you'd like to learn more about the species, please see this lengthy conversation between breeders which documents their discovery.
While I was working on this mount, I was deep into a very thick biography of drummer Keith Moon. As the drummer for a band called the Beachcombers and later on The Who, he turned the traditional role of percussion on its head. Before he came along, a drummer's role was to set up a steady foundation upon which the singer and guitarist could shine. Not content to be the audio version of wallpaper, Keith made himself into a frontman, a total fucking rock star in fact. He had the largest, most outrageous drum kit in the world and just beat the thing to death every night onstage. He broke the mold, not unlike this new species of chicken.
The downside to this breed is that they are short-lived. Something about their silky feathers (which make them so remarkable in the first place) not holding enough body heat to sustain them. Again, I drew parallels to Keith Moon and other famous young artists who perish so early in their lives: they are like these furiously burning comets just hurtling through life, bound to burn to death. What makes them so outstanding can also be their demise.
Since Mr. Moon was developing into a rock star rooster, I found it only fitting that he be completely embellished with genuine Swarovski crystals on his face and feet. And for some reason the bob cat glass eyes seemed fitting.
Anyway, while it's tragic that these inexplicably magnetic beings expire so early in their lives, it shouldn't go unsaid that while they are burning away, they are also lighting up the lives of anyone in their orbit.
So why not give Mr. Moon a second life as the most beautiful fiber-optic taxidermy lamp that ever existed? After all, the driving thrust behind my passion for this craft is the idea that I'm giving these wonderful creatures an eternal life, so to speak. Why not let him keep lighting up the lives of all whom he meets?
This was no easy task for me, as I'd never made a lamp before. It took some time, but I figured out how rig a bird form with hundreds of fiber optic threads, all emerging from several points, and then painstakingly taxied the skin onto the whole mess. There was much fenageling, but eventually I got the threads to sit just where I wanted them to. After trimming them all to the right lengths, I found a light source that was bright enough to make an impact after traveling through the cables but not so hot that it would melt them. Next up was finding the lamp/stand. I sourced an oldie from a second-hand shop nearby, rewired the whole thing (I'm a junior electrician now too!) and covered the glass panels in a patterned white brocade to mute the light. And, tada!
Good evening to you as well, Mr. Moon.
That was, give or take a few words, my entire presentation. I knocked it out of the park. I absolutely love being able to flex my showmanship muscles while flaunting something I'm so very proud of. I get such a rush from being on stage/performing, I can feel it all night. I guess I want to be a star too, kind of like Mr. Moon.
There were some other amazing pieces, I havent been able to find too much coverage online, but one young woman brought an entire beautifully mounted coyote named "Winnie" which would've taken a ribbon at any conventional taxidermy competition, no doubt. There was Nate Hill, ( known for his squirm-inducing Chinatown garbage taxidermy tours) tipping the gross-out scales with a live specimen tree-trimming presentation. There was an insect trapped in a chunk of amber that somehow still moved. The two-headed mouse with a top hat. I also missed several presentations while waiting backstage to go up but fortunately for you (and myself) this was all being filmed by a television crew. Not really sure what I am allowed to say without stepping on anyone's dicks so I'll just leave it at that and then post more when the show airs.
There was also a large dog with a monkey on its back and a whole smattering of other artifacts, as well as a mounted fox, also sporting a monkey on its back which was wielding a bottle opener. Why? Because the mount was concealing a beer cooler. But if you're like me and hate the brew, fret not. The thing pissed whiskey too. (note to self: booze + taxidermy= crowd going apeshit). For photos of all the entries and a wrap up from a guest perspective, check out this Good Days blog by Sir Snuggles.
So who won? The pissing fox took Grand Master and the dog placed second, no shock there. I came in third which is still pretty rad. The competition was fierce and people really stepped up their game. I'll just come back next year with an even more outstanding piece. Competitions are good for that; unlike client custom work, I really push myself to go out on a ledge and venture out of my comfort zone, skill-wise. I take risks, both conceptually and physically with the actual mount and pour my heart into it. I'm also extremely competitive and I hate losing. So long as I keep it in check, that can be a healthy driving force behind my growth as an artist.
I was at a complete loss of words while accepting my trophy, and muttered something like "feels like home" which I'm sure made no sense at all. What I was trying to convey is that, in the presence of the judges (whom I hold in the highest esteem), and my fellow taxidermy enthusiasts, I feel like I'm really home. It's a unique feeling and I took a mental snapshot so I could hold onto it for when I get lonely in my little studio in south Philly.
We were ushered backstage to pose with our trophies for photos, and with the three of us left standing there after it all was over, I began to sense I was the third wheel in a bromantical masturbatory fest so I excused myself (not to one in particular as I was apparently invisible) and packed up my bird, extension cord, etc. When I emerged from backstage the entire show room was cleaned out, chairs folded, floor swept. I heaved a giant sigh.
The spell was broken.
Back to life.
In this instance, that means getting right back on the saddle for another quick jaunt up to NYC to knock out two of my Twenty4Twenty projects in one night. Stay tuned!
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Arrrrrt Starrrr Craft Bazaarrrrrrrr
I've come up for air after the Art Star Holiday Craft Bazaar, if only for a moment. The weekend was a success and I feel pretty good about how my first time at the rodeo went. It didn't hurt to pair up with Art Star veteren Maria Eife wh also has an international show plus the Martha Stewart Holiday Craft Show under her belt.
I presented (and sold!) an assortment of combs, pins, picks, joined earrings, hats, and talon charms. Below is a smattering of the pieces I've been toiling away in my ivory tower creating:
A chicken feather hair pin with vintage jewelry elements,
More chicken feathers with more vintage jewelry,
And look! An equestrian flair! I finally got around to creating those horse shoe themed pieces I promised my polo buddies so many months ago! Perhaps this Summer I'll actually follow through and sell some at the Friday Night matches...
Some of the combs were feather based while otehrs were built around entire taxidermied wings. Below is an in betweener, comprised of the taxidermied tail of a chicken.
Oh look! A frizzle chicken wing! Perhaps now would be a good time to let you know that 90% of my feathered elements come from my dear friends Bailey and Thomas. They are quite possible the sweetest, kindest and most compassionate farmers this world may ever know. Yes, My opinion is totally biased. They keep an outstanding blog in which they document their adventures in farming, please give it a read: The Farmers Husband.
Another winged comb. I would also like to give a shout out to my dear friend Daniel who owns Wilbur Vintage for letting me purchase his odds and ends of vintage gems.
For those who choose not to sport a long mane, fret not! Stick pins are always within reach. Pop one into your hat, your lapel, blouse, sweater, bag, etc.
This one belwo didn't sell, much to my surprise. Instead, it and one cimilar to it are en route to a faraway city as I write this, where it will make Christmas gifts for a pair of very special friends.
The gang! (some of them, anyway)
I also made a trial run of these fur bangles with tails for the show. People responded quite positively so I intend to tweek the design a bit and create a series.
Perfect for gesticulating wildly at cocktail parties...
I also created three new higher end head pieces for the show, as my little neon signs to lure in passers by. They absolutley did the trick, and had many a lady tryign them on.
Right here is a vintage rabbit fur pillbox hat to which I added a chicken tail, with feathers from other birds.
Here's a view of the side. Can you guess what that super fluffy soft yellow plush is?
It's gosling! Compliments of another farmer friend of mine, Jeannie. I sewed another patch on the opposite side:
Next up: A vintage velvet fascinator base with a pair of chicken wings on one side and down on the other:
It's hard to see form these photos (all of these hats need to be reshot on a model's head, but I also added a small metal crown jewel charm to each side; a reference to my new logo, which you'll see below.
Laslty, my fave piece of all, this vintage black felt hat base with chicken wings, vintage jewelry adn a tassel made by yours truly. I have a thing for fringe and tassels, and I think you do too:
That's actually the side view. Below is the hat, straight on. The curved shape frames the wearer's face beautifully. I just adore this hat.
On Friday night my husband came and got a few shots of our booth. Here it is, our gypsy caravan in all its glory:
My "side" of the booth:
Like that fox? I worked with the very talented designer Dave Seater to create it and a more cohesive look for all my online presences, which you will be seeing soon. He's the best. The fox with the crown was entirely my idea though; I think it really embodies the Diamond Tooth philosophy.
Here I am making a sale! Yippee! Like I said, I feel pretty good about how I did this weekend, as a greenhorn. I visited with Sue Eggen at her booth, Giant Dwarf where she not only promised to play hat model for my next set of shots but also to toss some much needed (my words, not hers) pearls of wisdom my way in regard to navigating through this wild and wacky craft show life. Sue, I'm holding you to both these things!
And that is all for the craft bazaar, now its time to work on my entry for this year's Carniverous Nights competition. If you plan on coming, buy your tickets now! ALso coming up: A cat, a fox, a hamster, a rabbit, more bridal pieces and the next 20for20 gift which is going to a mystery man that some of you may have dressed as for Halloween as children...
I presented (and sold!) an assortment of combs, pins, picks, joined earrings, hats, and talon charms. Below is a smattering of the pieces I've been toiling away in my ivory tower creating:
A chicken feather hair pin with vintage jewelry elements,
More chicken feathers with more vintage jewelry,
And look! An equestrian flair! I finally got around to creating those horse shoe themed pieces I promised my polo buddies so many months ago! Perhaps this Summer I'll actually follow through and sell some at the Friday Night matches...
Some of the combs were feather based while otehrs were built around entire taxidermied wings. Below is an in betweener, comprised of the taxidermied tail of a chicken.
Oh look! A frizzle chicken wing! Perhaps now would be a good time to let you know that 90% of my feathered elements come from my dear friends Bailey and Thomas. They are quite possible the sweetest, kindest and most compassionate farmers this world may ever know. Yes, My opinion is totally biased. They keep an outstanding blog in which they document their adventures in farming, please give it a read: The Farmers Husband.
Another winged comb. I would also like to give a shout out to my dear friend Daniel who owns Wilbur Vintage for letting me purchase his odds and ends of vintage gems.
For those who choose not to sport a long mane, fret not! Stick pins are always within reach. Pop one into your hat, your lapel, blouse, sweater, bag, etc.
This one belwo didn't sell, much to my surprise. Instead, it and one cimilar to it are en route to a faraway city as I write this, where it will make Christmas gifts for a pair of very special friends.
The gang! (some of them, anyway)
I also made a trial run of these fur bangles with tails for the show. People responded quite positively so I intend to tweek the design a bit and create a series.
Perfect for gesticulating wildly at cocktail parties...
I also created three new higher end head pieces for the show, as my little neon signs to lure in passers by. They absolutley did the trick, and had many a lady tryign them on.
Right here is a vintage rabbit fur pillbox hat to which I added a chicken tail, with feathers from other birds.
Here's a view of the side. Can you guess what that super fluffy soft yellow plush is?
It's gosling! Compliments of another farmer friend of mine, Jeannie. I sewed another patch on the opposite side:
Next up: A vintage velvet fascinator base with a pair of chicken wings on one side and down on the other:
It's hard to see form these photos (all of these hats need to be reshot on a model's head, but I also added a small metal crown jewel charm to each side; a reference to my new logo, which you'll see below.
Laslty, my fave piece of all, this vintage black felt hat base with chicken wings, vintage jewelry adn a tassel made by yours truly. I have a thing for fringe and tassels, and I think you do too:
That's actually the side view. Below is the hat, straight on. The curved shape frames the wearer's face beautifully. I just adore this hat.
On Friday night my husband came and got a few shots of our booth. Here it is, our gypsy caravan in all its glory:
My "side" of the booth:
Like that fox? I worked with the very talented designer Dave Seater to create it and a more cohesive look for all my online presences, which you will be seeing soon. He's the best. The fox with the crown was entirely my idea though; I think it really embodies the Diamond Tooth philosophy.
Here I am making a sale! Yippee! Like I said, I feel pretty good about how I did this weekend, as a greenhorn. I visited with Sue Eggen at her booth, Giant Dwarf where she not only promised to play hat model for my next set of shots but also to toss some much needed (my words, not hers) pearls of wisdom my way in regard to navigating through this wild and wacky craft show life. Sue, I'm holding you to both these things!
And that is all for the craft bazaar, now its time to work on my entry for this year's Carniverous Nights competition. If you plan on coming, buy your tickets now! ALso coming up: A cat, a fox, a hamster, a rabbit, more bridal pieces and the next 20for20 gift which is going to a mystery man that some of you may have dressed as for Halloween as children...
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Twenty for Twenty, # 4: Georgia Pellegrini
When I first heard of the mythical creature called Georgia Pellegrini, I thought "NO WAY." It was as if someone took all the things I wanted to be in an alternate life and made them into her. Does that sound creepy? I hope not.
I came into contact with Georgia through her brother, whom I met via mutual friend. He told me (and rightfully so) that somehow, someday, our worlds should collide. So I looked her up. DANG. She hunts. She prepares exquisite meals out of what she hunts. And she looks amazing while doing all of it:
While so many of us (myself definitely included) are experts at talking the farm to table, local slow food talk, she is living it. And writing about it. Her first book, Food Heros, details the noble endeavor of 16 food artisans from around the globe striving to honor their respective culinary traditions. Her second book, Girl Hunter, is out now and in it she shares the stories of sourcing all her own ingredients for a great meal. I am starting to feel like a sixth grader writing a book report so I'll just sum up my geekery with a simple "Shes rad." I hope someday to do some of the things Ms. Pellegrini is doing, with as much gusto and panache.
Another great thing about this gal: she's approachable. When I initially contacted her about this project, she was completely receptive and eager to participate. I knew she would be a bit different to design for, given that she is constantly on the go and leans toward all things practical. What I'm trying to convey is, Georgia isn't wearing a large feathered headpiece out in a field while trying to shoot a turkey. So I made her a brooch, imagining that she could pin it to the lapel of a blazer or on the band of a small, sensible cap.
The foot is from a chicken which was once part of my friend Bailey and Thomas' flock, and it's wedged tightly into the brooch base along with feathers of pheasant, chicken and peacock. There is also the tip of a red squirrel tail in there, just for fun.
The puffy soft feathers are from the tail area (read: butt) of the chicken; these have been a favorite of mine lately because they have a fur-like appearance and move so nicely with the wearer. I'm constantly astounded by the range of color, shape and texture of the fathers all coming from one bird.
For an embellishment on the brooch base, I found an old pin from my street gift collection that apparently was some prize or medal for 25 years of faithful service in the state of Georgia. Perfect! I filed down the back, bent it to the correct shape and attached it to the brooch.
I left the talon colors as is and didn't fuss too much with the natural state of the elements in this piece. Although we've yet to meet, Ms. Pellegrini strikes me as a true creature of her own element, grounded and proud of it.
Cheers, Georgia!
I came into contact with Georgia through her brother, whom I met via mutual friend. He told me (and rightfully so) that somehow, someday, our worlds should collide. So I looked her up. DANG. She hunts. She prepares exquisite meals out of what she hunts. And she looks amazing while doing all of it:
While so many of us (myself definitely included) are experts at talking the farm to table, local slow food talk, she is living it. And writing about it. Her first book, Food Heros, details the noble endeavor of 16 food artisans from around the globe striving to honor their respective culinary traditions. Her second book, Girl Hunter, is out now and in it she shares the stories of sourcing all her own ingredients for a great meal. I am starting to feel like a sixth grader writing a book report so I'll just sum up my geekery with a simple "Shes rad." I hope someday to do some of the things Ms. Pellegrini is doing, with as much gusto and panache.
Another great thing about this gal: she's approachable. When I initially contacted her about this project, she was completely receptive and eager to participate. I knew she would be a bit different to design for, given that she is constantly on the go and leans toward all things practical. What I'm trying to convey is, Georgia isn't wearing a large feathered headpiece out in a field while trying to shoot a turkey. So I made her a brooch, imagining that she could pin it to the lapel of a blazer or on the band of a small, sensible cap.
The foot is from a chicken which was once part of my friend Bailey and Thomas' flock, and it's wedged tightly into the brooch base along with feathers of pheasant, chicken and peacock. There is also the tip of a red squirrel tail in there, just for fun.
The puffy soft feathers are from the tail area (read: butt) of the chicken; these have been a favorite of mine lately because they have a fur-like appearance and move so nicely with the wearer. I'm constantly astounded by the range of color, shape and texture of the fathers all coming from one bird.
For an embellishment on the brooch base, I found an old pin from my street gift collection that apparently was some prize or medal for 25 years of faithful service in the state of Georgia. Perfect! I filed down the back, bent it to the correct shape and attached it to the brooch.
I left the talon colors as is and didn't fuss too much with the natural state of the elements in this piece. Although we've yet to meet, Ms. Pellegrini strikes me as a true creature of her own element, grounded and proud of it.
Cheers, Georgia!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Art for Animals, pt. 1
I recently made this Starling Fascinator as a donation for an event called "Art for Animals", a fundraiser for the Pennsylvania SPCA. It's a "silent auction of art, design, and offerings from leading cultural institutions (like Diamond Tooth!)". It's tomorrow night and if you've got some shekels burning a hole in your Birkin, by all means stop by and place a bid! The proceeds shall go to the Pennsylvania SPCA in partnership with Michael Garden of CITYSPACE Real Estate.
It might seem odd that a taxidermist would be asked to donate a piece to an SPCA event, but I hope my participation in such things drives home the point that I (like most in my field) have a deep and profound love for animals. Why not invest the time, blood, sweat and tears into preserving something so beautiful, and celebrating it?
No matter, if you're reading this I'm most likely preaching to the choir so I'll just tell you about my piece. I toned it down a bit (read: no heads or feet) and used several pairs of Starling wings on a vintage fascinator base.
Here is the 3/4 front view:
And turning towards the back:
I embellished it with a chunk of antique bracelet from Wilbur Vintage.
The back. Along with the bracelet I added chains from another antique necklace. They are attached on either end but can swing a bit with the wearer's head movements. Perfect for haughty walking, which is my favorite kind.
The back right side. Chains are attached to the bracelet link, which is layered atop a patch of starling feathers.
And here is the right front view. Pretty nifty, huh? I think whomever bids on this piece and wins is an individual possessing impeccable taste. Could it be you?
I plan on taking a break from all my Craft Bazaar prep and stepping out for a bit tomorrow night at this auction. I'll post part two on Thursday with some photos from the event as well as what you'll all be dying to know which is WHO walked away wearing the most stunning head-gear (next to me, of course) of the night.
Until then, xoxoB
It might seem odd that a taxidermist would be asked to donate a piece to an SPCA event, but I hope my participation in such things drives home the point that I (like most in my field) have a deep and profound love for animals. Why not invest the time, blood, sweat and tears into preserving something so beautiful, and celebrating it?
No matter, if you're reading this I'm most likely preaching to the choir so I'll just tell you about my piece. I toned it down a bit (read: no heads or feet) and used several pairs of Starling wings on a vintage fascinator base.
Here is the 3/4 front view:
And turning towards the back:
I embellished it with a chunk of antique bracelet from Wilbur Vintage.
The back. Along with the bracelet I added chains from another antique necklace. They are attached on either end but can swing a bit with the wearer's head movements. Perfect for haughty walking, which is my favorite kind.
The back right side. Chains are attached to the bracelet link, which is layered atop a patch of starling feathers.
And here is the right front view. Pretty nifty, huh? I think whomever bids on this piece and wins is an individual possessing impeccable taste. Could it be you?
I plan on taking a break from all my Craft Bazaar prep and stepping out for a bit tomorrow night at this auction. I'll post part two on Thursday with some photos from the event as well as what you'll all be dying to know which is WHO walked away wearing the most stunning head-gear (next to me, of course) of the night.
Until then, xoxoB
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