My little haunted doll, 'Two Hats' wants to wish you all a very happy new year!
He's quite ecstatic about it, actually.
He kept falling out of his cabinet onto my floor, trying to get my attention.
He's my little cutie-pie~
I got him a while ago, from a lady who claimed he holds a spirit inside of him.
But she also told me, she found him at a thrift store and did some work on him.
She said that the spirit is of a quirky young man who like to chaos innocent mischief.
Not to harm, but to get a laugh out of you because he doesn't like people being upset or sad.
I know it isn't 2019 just yet, with my timezone and everything but I know that as soon as I blink, a new year will be already here. Time keeps flying and it hasn't stopped yet but that's life, right?
I am bitter-sweet about 2018--it started out pretty horrible but it's ending fairly okay. I am not going to keep you reading a long detailed post about silly resolutions or things that could have been but didn't...no, it's no use to ponder on the "what ifs" and "should haves", in my honest opinion but I know what I know now and I can waltz into 2019 with a better sense of judgement and so much more knowledge.
If ever a year was made up of battling and fighting--2018 was definitely mine. I fought to get to where I am and truth being told, I am still fighting. I fought against negative forces trying to bring me down and belittle me and mine. Negativity in the beginning of the year, negativity in the middle--it wasn't until I decided to continue to fight for my own best interest, that everything started to change. I was at a point where giving up felt a decent idea...but something in me, with the help of my family and friends, kicked me back into shape and kept me moving forward. Now, I have so much to look forward to. I haven't even acknowledged what I'm talking about due to fear of saying something too soon and having things fail. But all I will say is that me and my brother are working, have been working, on some amazing things for this near future. Our skills and talents have been recognized by a few companies and we are coming together to see where this future takes us.
I may not be entirely free from harms way but I know that if I can go through the bullshit I had to endure in years previous, I can go through anything! I know 2019 will be better for me and mine because only until now has a fire been lit under me to want to make a change and take my craft/skills/hobbies/talents seriously. Aside from physical skills and things of this nature--I also know who is around at this very moment, those who make a difference in my life and those who shine hope down on me...I know who you are and I just want to say I appreciate your efforts, deeply.
Thank you for being here, for as long as we've known each other! Thank you for putting up with me, supporting me and inspiring me to be a better artist each and every day. Some don't see "likes" as anything other than food for attention hungry people to obtain...but I can't stress how GREAT it feels to see them on my work, to look at it being appreciated. The comments telling me how great it is or how I blew them away. It really makes me feel good to know that someone, across the globe even, seen my work and loves it...instead of just making it in my bedroom and pinning it on my bedroom walls for no one to ever see. lol
But enough with the sappy stuff, let's hold our heads up high and embrace 2019!!
We got this everyone!! <3
If you follow me on Instagram, You would have seen that I posted a "sneak peek" of this surprise item for all to see. Everyone seemed to really love it, even to the extent I was receiving messages in my inbox guessing what it might be--some got it right away, while others came up with some wild ideas. But for all those who guessed "Hearse" you were correct!
But it's not just any hearse, it's a HEARSE PURSE--
I really love when people put little things on my packages-- this little sticker, though such a tiny little thing, really brightened up my whole day!
I was sent this box courtesy of Project Pinup, just to play around with and showcase for you.
I plan to do a unique look when I get the time, but for now--I am merely showing you the goodies I got.
Unfortunately this subscription box is no longer available. Project Pinup had to stop doing them, but I will still show you what I got--to give you an idea of what you can find on their website.
I will still review as if the box is still around, letting you know the prices and what each product is claimed under each category. Things of this nature.
So, here we go:
He is dying, slowly but surely. Squishy and soft in certain parts. Some of the bulbous nubs are falling off and crumbling. His stem is coming off and he is starting to smell. Before he leaves, I wanted to memorialize him.
A while back, Don't Fear Dawn was hosting a 1K appreciation giveaway for her followers.
In the post, she asked what your favorite monster was and why, I put my two sense into the comment and left. Not really thinking I would win anything! I ended up getting one of the prizes from a lot, which included: A signed DFD comic, a print & a collector card.
The other prizes that people could have won were: a poster, cards, and several other packs of signed comics/prints/cards. I was one of the lucky ones to get 1 of the 7 packs.
With all the people commenting, liking and tagging--I assumed I would only be remembered as someone who participated but I actually WON!
The eyes I drew on card stock, it really gives me a sort of "painting vibe."
Hello ladies and gents, I thought I'd try my take on a Snowy Alps Krampus.
Highly inspired by "The Beast of the Alps" aka The Yeti.
I came up with the look and overall design while listening to "Wild Man" by Kate Bush on repeat! Haha. Since I already did the "darker version" of Krampus last year, I thought I'd try something completely and totally different.
This big o' box was waiting for me on my front porch.
To some people, a candle is merely a candle. A object of light when no light is around.
A wishing rod on someone's birthday
or even a dainty little trinket you put on your vanity to "spruce up a room"
Now, the aesthetic of candles have always been an attraction to me but I can't stress how important they are to someone in the craft.
They are the connecting pillars to our deities or vessels of magic.
When a candle is present, so is our god/goddess (or none at all, or perhaps yourself!
Everyone is different and everyone believes differently.)
But to me, I can feel a powerful force or rather, a powerful "connection" whenever I light a candle.
It makes me feel as if I am on a higher plateau than I already am.
By lighting a candle, we are harnessing the power of fire to bring about a change. Fire, for those unaware, is an element of transformation. Fire can help or fire can take away. It can melt wax, turn organic matter into ash. Softens hard metals. It can boil water, heat substances and even warm you on a bone chilling night. It can be warmth or it can be chaos. Solely depends on you and what you bend the fire into.
Everything was secured and double wrapped with bubble wrap. As you can plainly see, everything was packaged quite nicely! The box even had bubble mailers and those air shipping pillows. :)
I'm not going to sit here and pull out the history books but candles have been around (or rather, the idea of fire being powerful has been around) for a very long time. In the prehistoric days, it was looked at and even feared as something "divine" and/or "god-like." There is a long and dark history about candles that truly shines light on the occult.
Nothing fuels my heart with more passion than vintage oddities and collectibles.
As someone who loves to thrift store hunt around for odds and ends,
I can truly appreciate what this company has to offer.
Covetable Curiosities offers a range of amazing curios and trinkets.
One-of-a-kind and unique, each item found on their website can only be obtained once.
(unless otherwise stated) A true collectible for those who enjoy a good find.
I really love the vintage lady on the front of my package!
I'm going to cut it out and use it for something!
👉What can be found at this shop?
"Old Religious Medallions & Charms, Vintage Plastic Prizes & Dime Store Toys, Steampunk Supplies, Vintage Lockets, Vintage Risque Items, Jewelry Findings, Genuine Paper Ephemera, Stickers & Snail Mail Accouterments, Altered Art & Mixed Media Supplies, Old Warehouse Salvage, Antique European Scapular Cloth, Vintage Holy Cards, Fantastic Nonsense, Things You Never Knew You Needed."
-From Their Business Card.
With such an array of selected items, there is something for everyone!
If you happen to be an avid collector or someone who loves to craft,
If you try to define "monster" online, it will state the following: "an imaginary creature that is typically large, ugly, and frightening"
To some, the idea of a "monster" will cross their mind with what the media has painted them to be--Entities with horrible appearances that both scare and intimate the audience.
But I, for one, have always found monsters as beings worthy of love and appreciation.
At a very young age, while most kids were crying over Frankenstein, being scared about the creature that lurks in the depths of the sea and getting creeped out over the zombies deformities...
there I was, admiring them for their kindness they shown and sheer beauty that is skin deep and unseen by a naked eye.
I loved this image, I don't know why. Something about it really calms me.
As someone who used to grow up identifying herself as a "monster" to the general public when being forced into a corner in grade school because I just so happened to dress differently and act differently...As one who idolized monsters and leveled with them in such a way that sparked a form of unspoken connection between me and the "thing" people feared on TV or read about in magazines...I can truly appreciate what Monsterz of Mayhem is about!
I, as well, have a soft spot for the ideology of what a monster represents to those who just don't understand or rather, fail to understand.
Hello ladies and gentlemen,
Very rarely do I ever feel a connection quite as strong as I did
when I first seen this deck of tarot cards.
Tarot of Bones instantly spoke to me in a way that was more than human words.
An animal voice speaking to the animal within.
That was how I felt when I first seen this beautiful deck of Tarot cards.
Lupa, the creator behind Tarot of Bones, with the help of Sandra Swan behind the camera,
did an amazing job in capturing and displaying nature for what it truly is--life and death.
Not only did I get my items--I was also gifted a Halloween treat bag and some complimentary soaps!
Hello ladies and gents
A while back, I decided to make a purchase online from a company
I am proud to showcase to you all today--Cult Fragrance.
It is like a Halloween tradition to buy some new incense,
to help really bring the feeling of the season inside the house.
My goodies arrived quick, on time and inside a beautiful packing envelope.
Last year, I found a company that made single note incense sticks--
all pretty good but honestly, with what I am about to show you today, can't even compare.
Cult Fragrance has to be my new latest obsession, when it comes to incense sticks.
I haven't tried them all, to really form an opinion on the company but from what I have received--I am beyond happy with my selections.
Such a kind heart. Thank you for everything!
I have looked everywhere for a good company that can really (and truly) grasp how this holiday smells to me.
Sounds crazy, but I have a memory imprint when it comes to certain scents and Cult Fragrance really brings all my wild imaginations to life with some of their wonderful sticks.
Take for instance, candy corn.
Now, if you go looking around online for an incense stick that can smell similar to this sweet, tasty candy--you will find people who either leave out notes or who assume that since it's candy, any form of "sweet vanilla" will do. I can't even begin to tell you how horrible some of my purchases were before I found this company. Cult Fragrance really makes me question how a true stick is supposed to smell like and why I have never found them before, because the scents are just magical.
If any words were to describe the smell they give off--it would have to be magical.
Thank you so much, for the sweets! :)
Not only does the candy corn smell like you just put a handful of the delicious sweets into your mouth, but it isn't something that can easily be distinguished by a single note. The smell is something more complex...something that starts off one way, but morphs and ends in another...yet, somehow, still keeping true to the namesake. It's sweet, it's savory, it's spicy yet blends beautifully into a warm honey mixture--which, after the stick completely dies down, only leaves you with the firm understanding of what candy corn is meant to smell like.
Zombie Walk 2018 was, by far, one of my favorite Zombie Walks I have ever attended.
I am assuming that's because the city has decided to come be apart of this event and take it under their wing by calling it the 'Zombie Walk & Halloween Faire' which allows more people to do more things aside from the usual "Zombie" that everyone has been doing.
Which can get quite boring after the 100th zombie infected wound makeup look. Trust me, it does.
With more to offer and more to costume up as, it has given my little hometown something to finally call it's own.
Of course, there are a few bad apples but this year--one or two didn't spoil the whole bunch.
So many kind people dressing up as all sorts of fun little things--
like an UFO abductee, Dinosaurs and so many clowns!!!!!!!!
I felt right at home this year, which is saying heaps from years past!
The clown nose that started it all.
As I have made clear, to those who have been following me elsewhere, I have been waiting patiently for this day to arrive because my Zombie Walk costume was one I have been dying to dress up as...
I found this gem at the thrift store for only .25 cents.
Hello ladies and gents
the other day, while thrift shopping, I stumbled onto a very old vintage makeup kit.
For scrap change, I purchased it and have thought about doing something with it--
but what never really crossed my mind.
I wanted to perhaps showcase it, but even that wouldn't seem enough to me.
Until it hit me, like a ton of bricks--I could recreate the makeup tutorial and showcase it that way.
I didn't use the actual makeup inside the kit, only because it's pretty old and I don't really know what's inside the products but I did happen to have all the right similar shades to recreate the tutorial.
And, as a bonus, these paints I am using are actual grease paints I was planning to toss out because I didn't need them anymore. I purchase a walmart Halloween kit for the sake of a few items that were included last year but never used the cheapy grease paint included. The paints, to my surprise, were the identical ones used in this specific kit. Just slightly altered, for the modern witch! lol
So, taking all my colors and very similar tools...
Like a sponge applicator and things of this nature.
I got to painting!!!!
I put myself into the mindset of an adolescent me and recreated it in a way I perhaps would have if I was maybe 13 or 14 and using this specific kit.
Following the step-by-step guide,
I came up with this rather interesting and oh-so-greasy makeup look.
I do hope you enjoy~!
bringing you another unboxing from Le Noir Bazaar.
I have already posted a mystery box from Le Noir Bazaar on my blog HERE
and I also created a YouTube video unboxing it, HERE!
But in this post, I will show you what items I got in this months SUBSCRIPTION BOX.
This box really captures the essence of Halloween.
Le Noir Bazaar has two types of "Mystery boxes"--
a monthly mystery where every box is specifically themed for the sake of the month in question
and a random mystery box, where they ship you a box at random.
I got the October Subscription Box!
I made a video unboxing it, for those video inclined
Their monthly Witchy lifestyle mystery box includes a hand-picked selection
of at least five spooky, Witchy & Gothic Bohemian jewelry,
accessories, bath products & more delivered to your doorstep!
All kinds of dark goodies, it fills my heart with glee.
October is sold out, sadly!
But you can order now to reserve your November box!
Each box will contain at least 5 items and will have a retail value of $60-$80+
(Mine calculated to be around $107.00 in awesome products!!)
Please note: This is a one-time purchase and does not renew.
So, with the particulars out of the way--here is my showcase: (I am going to also calculate how much every item retails for,
to see if the box really retails for more than the amount you are paying for!)
The goodies were all wrapped nicely and securely with bubble wrap and gently placed inside this beautiful purple tissue paper & purple grass. Such a lovely presentation.
Today I am bringing you a post that will either make people intrigued...
or just really gross them out.
I love the preservation of critters in whatever form they can be obtained.
But most importantly, the preservation of insects.
The look of the butterflies pinned to foam boards.
French Beetle Taxidermy Tray. [Circa 1950s] Image found: Google Search Engine.
French Butterfly/Moth Taxidermy Tray. [Circa 1970s] Image found: Google Search Engine.
Mixed Insects In Framed Wooden Box. Image found: Google Search Engine.
I want to address that I would never hurt a living thing intentionally
but I do love and respect all aspects of life--both living and dead.
The following critters were found as they are shown. My dog actually brought me the dead grasshopper, so he was the one who supplied me. lol
I only picked up the carcass and used it for the following pieces of art.
It was either do this in remembrance or have my dog chomp on them.
I couldn't let him munch on this beautiful little guy.
But thanks, Charlie--for giving me the little present! :)
Hello ladies and gents
Thought I'd do a quick little Stevie Nicks inspired look today.
You ever wake up and think to yourself;
"Hey self, I think I want to be Stevie Nicks today?"
She is so beautiful. So out-of-this-world beautiful!
Me and Stevie have a lot in common--especially those dark gorgeous eyes!
I adore this woman, so so much.
My mom loved her, so I listened to Fleetwood Mac a lot growing up.
I grew to really love Stevie as I aged. And in some way, see a bit of myself behind those brown eyes of hers.
