- too wild for me,
- too loud,
- too obnoxious,
- too disloyal,
- bitchy and unrestrained in nastiness
- fast to take offence
- full of resentment,
- unable to take pleasure in the happiness of others
- unable to love in purity and with genuine affection,
- too out for themselves.
Old and Uncool
What’s your favourite book?
Dear Batlings,
tonight I will speak of two books featuring the same protagonist, that have always been favourites of mine, to the point that I once (pre-flood … I lost all my cool things in the flood) had a collection of ephemera and trinkets based on these novels as well as owning many different editions.
I speak of the novels featuring a girl called Alice, written by Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, or Lewis Carroll to his fans.
Published first in 1865, and based on a story he created and regaled a friend’s child, Alice Liddell, with ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland became an immediate success. In 1871, another Alice book was published, ‘Alice’s Adventures through the looking glass and what she saw there’.
I first read these books when I was very young, a millennia ago it seems. I was struck by the fun and fantasy of the novels, the slight baroque feel to some of the scenarios young Alice found herself in, and the colourful descriptions. Every time i reread these books, and doing do as an adult, I note social commentary which is most amusing, as well as still being absolutely enamoured with the fantasy, the fun and the totally off the wall incidents in both the books.
This week I was most overjoyed when I received necklaces made by my friend Katharine, that featured Alice inspired images.
I have started my Alice collection once again!
'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrab
To Lewis Carroll, and books I will never be too old to love!
What’s your fave book? why not let me know in a comment?
More from the Apothecary of empressbat
Dear Batlings,
I have become obsessed with tiny glass bottles, cork stoppers, and creating olde worlde apothecary labels. (I hope you liked my Antique version of ‘Old World’.. I aim to please)
Yesterday I bottled tiny satin bats to form my bottled bats essence of friendship bottles, today i have bottled a small brass key..the key of Fidelis, elixir of loyalty, and also I have bottled a tiny plastic spider, Bottled Spider Tincture of Happiness…
Maybe I need to go back to work??
I started cleaning our coffee table today, I found a bottle of glitter I had misplaced,… hmmmm glitter, resin, and ..some trinket, would look great in an apothecary jar…
Back to bottling found objects, I will check in again later.
In the meantime fiends, don’t be strangers, just be strange!
And in today’s news: bottled bats
Hi Fiends.
I am on leave this week, pottering around the house, husband is at work, pets are hanging out with me, and I am making stuff. Necklaces, clothes, artwork…
My latest fun project is making bottled bats!
Not as gruesome as it sounds my Batlings I assure you. I happen to like bats, in fact there is a colony of Pteropus alecto living across from our house.
No my dear Fiends, I am in fact embedding tiny fabric bats into glitter filled resin, and setting them inside tiny bottles!
Am I insane? … probably
Are the bottled bats cute? Indeed they are!
As yet I am not intending to sell my Apothecary bottled bats, as I have made them with the sole intention of giving them to the humans who are important to me, as special gifts in appreciation of their friendship.
Due to the mess inherent with using casting resin, glitter, glue, and tiny objects, I have managed to glue a bat to my forehead, get glitter on my husband’s shirt that I was ironing , and I fear I may have spilled resin on the table… but let us not cry over spilled resin, and hurry instead to wipe it up before it sets!!
Inspired by cats
- Irish Legend
Inspired by Felis Cattus:
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Calling all Insomniacs!
I am tired. so very very tired, but my brain is sprinting like some obsessed insane and very fit athlete..which is more than i can say for the rest of me.
Yes I know I drink Caffeine and consume Theobromine, but even when I do not indulge in life’s coffee and chocolate pleasures and stick instead to consuming vats of herbal relaxing teas and eating light sleep assisting evening meals, i still have a hyperactive brain.
I am happy that my brain is active and quick, it is great during the day when I am at work, or at home painting/drawing, making jewellery, or sewing … but..at night.. when the pets and the husband are all snuggled into their beds and are SNORING .. it would be really kind of pleasant to be able to join them in this somnolent activity.. and get some SLEEP!
These days I average maybe 3 to 4 hours a night sleep,. That would be fine if I could function properly on so little regenerative rest, but I cannot! I am sure I am become increasingly more eccentric and my conversations frequently more absurd as the sleep deprivation takes hold!
As I do not converse with many people, I am unable to test my hypothesis in regards to my insane ramblings, however if anyone was willing to attempt to hold a conversation with me, I believe my hypothesis is sound, and they will find themselves momentarily stunned at my lack of coherent sensible adult conversation!!!!
I know why I cannot sleep. I have been very busy with work, and things at work have stressed me… meeting new colleagues, and having to socially interact, has caused me some issues I admit… but seriously… need..sleep.
I have been wandering the house way past the witching hour like a crazed ghoul.
Any batlings out there up to entertaining me while I cannot sleep??? Or is every other human in this hemisphere happily ensconced in their sleeping places, blissfully dreaming of whatever people blissfully dream about?
I am a very tired, slightly unhinged, desperately needing sleep Goth!
sighh… where’s that chocolate…..
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Favourite Goth etsy stores (part 3)
Scarlet Rabbit |
Just look at these beautiful hand crochet designs made so brilliantly by Ruth. What a talented lady! I recently purchased from her and found her to be a really lovely person: she is talented, kind, and a delight to communicate with. Please look at her etsy store and buy yourself something from her elegant collection. | ||
Sassysteampunk |
Yes i know..I am gothically inclined not steampunkilly.., but as we have said before dear Batlings, we do not abide stereotyping or discrimination in this blog!
Just have a look at the great things Kim has made, and you will understand why she is included in this post! | ||
LadyNocturna |
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Prisca is another talented maker of gorgeous crochet items.
She specialises in making Amigurimi toys, some of which are Goth! I have purchased one of her creations from her, a cute cactus character that will make a lovely edition to my desk at work!
You need to have a look at her store and she also takes commissions through her Facebook page.
| |
Bats for Bats!
Last week when I was walking home from the train station, in my very dark street to the house, I ran into a tiny baby fruitbat that was fluttering at a low level while being supervised by an older bat. The poor little bat fell to the ground stunned, I was so worried.
Bats in Australia are known carriers of both Lyssovirus and Hendra virus, so one must always be cautious when touching them. As I am a first aid officer at work I tend to carry around latex gloves with me in my work bag. While the older bat was circling the young one, that was conscious but looking scared on the road, I donned the gloves and carefully picked up the baby bat.
Older bat, did not seem scared and just circled me watching what I did. I stroked the baby bat with my gloved hand and then held it out palm outstretched to the older bat. The bat then gently swooped to the baby and took it from me and flew back to the colony.
I know these fruitbats are used to humans as they live amongst them, so I understand why they did not show fear, but I marvelled at the moment.
It was so lovely that the older bat seemed to know I was not intending to harm his/her young charge.
Bats are amazing!
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Favourite gothic etsy stores (part two)
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ChicSomethings The owner of this store makes elegant handcrafted accessories, sashes, shoe clips and hair clips to name a few. Although not goth her shop certainly can cater ably to the needs of us darkling bats... I personally have been checking the items she has that come in purple, black, or red... Please have a look at her etsy shop, you will be delighted at what she has on sale. |
tragischefledermaus German for Tragic Bat .. love it... this shop, Domus des Atrum Bella, has the most divinely hand painted coffin trinket boxes. The artist is friendly and happy to custom design one just for you! I have recently been in conversation with her as I want a custom painted coffin trinket box from her store, she is so helpful and has the most amazing ideas. Please go to her etsy shop and have a look for yourself! what a perfect gift idea for the Batling in your life. |
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MadScientistsDesigns Specialising in Steampunk jewellery and found objects, this seler makes amazing jewellery. Dont think its just for steampunks either (we do not like discrimination on this blog my batling friends), these designs are beautiful hand crafted artefacts that are made with care. |
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Yes my hair is purple
As I am in my cough 40s cough, I can safely say I am not growing out of this goth stuff any time soon...
I dye my hair black, with a purple fringe, lately I have black hair with an iridescent green fringe, I have many ear piercings, and a nose piercing, I tend to wear a lot of black, I really love animals, and kind people call me eccentric, lets not talk about the impolite specimens of humanity who have been known to hurl unprovoked insults at me as it is far to hurtful to talk about.
Of course, with my eccentricities, lace gloves and parasol, you may be wondering if I am in fact gainfully employed. Yes dear readers, I have a full time job, I am paid nicely for what I do thank you, and I enjoy it. I work in an internal fraud prevention field in computer forensics, and I am good at what I do, remain respectful to others, and I also am careful to not inadvertently insult stakeholders or colleagues by wearing or accessorising in a manner that would be unprofessional or inappropriate.
How do I do that and yet not sell out? Did I hear you snarl in my direction??
Well ask nicely and I shall tell you!
At work, I often wear plain black tshirts, black skirts (with lace, or in velvet, with ribbon etc), dark opaque tights, on frivolous days I may even wear fishnet tights to work, ... and I have good strong, reliable, Doc Marten boots. My hair is very long so I tie it up in pigtails or plaits, or on carefree days i have it loose and tangly and swirly!! I do wear chokers to work, but the ones I wear to work do not have spikes, will not take the eye out of my colleagues, and are usually velvet. I will wear lace fingerless gloves to work, and if it is very sunny I will take my parasol. In other words I 'downplay' my normal attire, in order to dress appropriately and professionally for my job, but I do not sell out.
Yes you can be a goth in the workplace.
You need to ascertain what dress codes apply in your job, and stylise yourself for work accordingly, even if you have a strict uniform, you can still wear a cool bat hairclip, or maybe some nice black tights and boots . Please do not be arrogant about your attire, and understand that in some instances your 10 inch spiked heels may in fact constitute a heal hazard at work, so save them for the weekends!
I would be interested to hear how others of my ilk manage to juggle being corporate wiht being goth. Please feel free to comment below!/
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What to do with watch faces
I have seen ones made with beaded memory wire, and some with chains and charms, but I want to do something different and something that reflects me.
I am thinking maybe some velvet ribbon, with bats and spider webs charms sewn in the ribbon.. but i am still working on it
anyone got any ideas?
Spider!!!
its Part 100046 of our kitchen being fixed, post flood, we have a tradie here and as my husband is in North QLD with work i am working from home while the tradie does his thing.
I wanted a cup of tea, so i had to sidle past tradie in the tiny kitchen, and had to move the drawers that are being fixed in the kitchen and a huge hunstman spider with a body larger than my hand ambled out.. i jumped as i thought it was a huge feral rat.. then realised it was as peaceful obese huntsman spider..
(NOTE: The bite of Huntsman spiders is of low risk (mildly toxic) to humans. Huntsman spiders are a non-aggressive group of spiders ) for more info on Huntsman spiders click this link.
I reckon i could have put a collar and lead on it... put out my hand and she walked on to it, she was soft and furry, with eyes that shone like iridescent facetted diamonds. she tentaively put one leg than another out to make sure i didnt mean her harm. she then sat on my hand, i took her outside. put my hand near the Jacaranda tree and she walked off.
the tradie paled at the sight of me chatting happily to the spider, i explained to him that she is harmless, and beautiful, and good natured, but the guy looked like he was going to vomit .. he had steel caps ready.he wanted to squash her!!! i gave him a lecture about how these spiders how balance our ecology to prevent us being over ridden by nasty bitey insects... tradie gave me a squinty eyed look...
Yes Australia does have a lot of highly venomous, aggressive spiders, but Isopeda Isopedella (Huntsman spider) is not one of them.
They are large and hairy and as they are quite timid, may jump and scurry which will cause you to also jump and scurry, but stay calm, and the spider is fine.
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ACEOS: have you dabbled in making them?
Sassysteampunk has this great Halloween ACEO which is fun, would make a great Halloween TREAT or card, and is also a great ACEO collectible.
Another Goth n Gorgeous team member Madscientist designs also has ACEOS, featuring altered art, and includes Alice in Wonderland themed artwork That being my fave book of all time, makes me really like those ACEOS! Note these ACEOS are ALTERED ART, the artist has NOT merely stuck a printed piece of paper on a card... this has real creativity and heart in it.
Favourite gothic etsy stores (part one)
I created a team on etsy called goth n gorgeous, and we have really great active, talented members on board. I am the 'captain' of the team, and have appointed some cool etsians as leaders to help support and motivate the team. The leaders in the goth n gorgeous team have really funky shops please have a look at them: there is Jynxx; ghostgap, Lady Nocturna, deepmidnightbathery and UlZaorith.
All members of our team are encouraged to be an active part of our virtual artisan community, and we encourage and support each other in our handicrafts and art. Our team doesn't bow to egos, as our common goal is to promote each others work, provide inspiration and encouragement, and to have a fun time while doing it.
In today's blog I would like to share with you all some of my favourite etsy stores.
This list could go on and on and on, but here are just a few , please check these guys out, they make some very cool things. Have a browse in their stores, make a purchase or three.
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ghostgap:
The owner of this store, Julia, is a very talented lady who makes the most imaginative and cute creations.
She also chats to me over etsy mail and keeps me occupied while im on train journeys to work.. which i find a great distraction to my almost two hour commute to work each day, because she is in USA and I am in Australia she is usually settling down for an evening of relaxation as I am venturing out on public transport of a morning trying to avoid the feral humans spitting on the train ....
With a Halloween twist, her items include such greats as : a pirate trinket box, a miniature Halloween house, and a black cat necklace.
Julia is friendly and approachable and committed to excellence in customer service. Her second etsy shop is angels and crafts and there you will find an array of gorgeous angel themed items, and gentle accessories like this sweet barrette. I personally like her birthstone angel for November (because its all about me.. well my birth month anyway!). I have recently ordered a custom made trinket box from her, Julia is happy to accommodate custom orders.
Her work is high quality and you can see that she is passionate about what she does. Please visit her stores and make a purchase, ideal for gifts for whatever holiday you subscribe too!
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Moira Coon
The items in this store contain such treasures as reproduction Victoriana ephemera, I am particularly fond of the pendants that are made to look like vintage poison bottles. My favourite being the arsenic bottle pendant. I am also impressed that the store owner tries to use recycled packaging wherever possible.
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Moonie Tricks Designs
This lady is an inspiration. read her profile on etsy and see how she has motivated herself after facing adversity. I personally admire her for her positive attitue and her self discipline and her very attitude is inspiration and motivation to others.
I have purchased one of her items, a gorgeous bat lanyard clip, and use it at work all the time. It is high quality, looks beautiful, and is very useful. She has so many beautiful hand made items to sell in her shop, you need to visit it to see for yourself! I am a happy customer of her store and can vouch for her high quality items and wonderful customer service.
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Jynxx Designs
Jynxx makes the most inventive, amazing, charm bracelets I have ever seen (and hey I make my own charm bracelets, and hers are FAR superior to anything I could make!) I have purchased a rat inspired charm bracelet from her and am excitedly waiting for its arrival in the post! You really need to have a look around her etsy store to see the amazing jewellery she has created. A halloween bracelet she has made that features spiders, cats, witches and other amazing beads and charms looks so beautiful and is so well made you would expect it to be selling for $100 or more, but she keeps all her prices fair. I also really like a black cat bracelet she has made, and am secretly hoping nobody else will buy it yet, as I want to buy it for myself as soon as i have some cash!!
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deepmidnightbathery
Catrianna (Cat) is a perfume artisan who concocts amazing unique and ethereal fragrant fantasies!
I have recently ordered one of her sample packs so I can decide which ones i prefer to buy as a larger vial. Cat respects animals and her products are vegan, scores BIG POINTS with me!
Cat is a highly skilled artisan, she is friendly and helpful, I contacted her to ask for suggestions for which of her perfumes she thought I would like and she provided a thoughtful, honest and quick response to me. She is well schooled in alternative therapies and has an eclectic collection of formal qualifications and her products reflect her knowledge, imagination and amazing abilities, please note that her products are kind to the environment and kind to the humans that use them being both Pthalate and Paraben free.
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Please note that this is PART ONE of a series of reviews I am writing regarding etsy shops that appeal to me, stay tuned for more. Feel free to comment on any of my postings i welcome feedback and ideas.
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Resin Glue stuck on you ...??
This is MY OPINION ONLY, so don't blame me if you use the glues and end up sticking your nose to a pane of glass while mixing resins in a hot room with no ventilation and being committed to an institution for the criminally insane .......
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Best Jewellery Glue: E6000 Info on E6000 glue This stuff needs to be used in a WELL VENTILATED room, the vapours are noxious and I have read that they may contain a known carcinogen, so BE CAREFUL. You will be fine if you don't SNIFF the glue.. or use it in a tiny shut room with no air.
This glue is very strong, and is great for gluing metal jewellery findings, wood, most plastics, leather, glass, and other jewellery items for a very strong, need to be the Incredible Hulk to pull apart after setting type of glue.
I use this glue for the jewellery I make, and any hair slides or hair accessories that require gluing, this stuff is very strong and ideal for jewellery making.
It is expensive, but you only need a small drop , I believe it to be stronger than 'super glue' and glues more types of items than two part epoxy resin, it is also slightly flexible when dry so it is not likely to crack with use.
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Best all round Glue: Selleys Aquadhere PVA interior. Info about Selley's Aquadhere interior
This is an all round good glue, it is opaque and dries clear. I use it for felt projects that I am in no hurry to glue, it is great for decoupage both to glue paper/fabric on and to water down to use as a sealant for the project prior to varnishing. note that it cannot be sanded, so don't use it if you need to sand it back afterwards.
This glue is considered to be safe (non-toxic with no known nasties to hurt you in it) and as long as you wash up before the stuff sets, it can be cleaned up with water.
Useful for wood, felt, fabric, paper, comes in a variety of bottle sizes and a small amount goes a long way.
Also great watered down to use with paper for papier mache.
NOTE: not to be used for projects to be used in/ meant for areas where there may be prolonged contact with water (steam, ice.. water in all its forms..) the glue is water proof when set, but long term contact with water can make the glue go soft and the item may fall apart....
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Best Dimensional Glue/Resin: Magic Glos UV Resin info on Lisa Pavelka's magic glos UV resin No I didn't miss-spell gloss... The name of the resin is Magic-Glos UV Resin ...
I recently started using this after some unsatisfactory results with two part resins, and some other dimensional glue stuff that was cloudy, took too long to cure, or stunk the house out.
This stuff is brilliant, it needs UV light to cure, but I don't have a UV lamp and have used the very strong sunlight streaming through the lounge room window successfully, placing my items to cure on the window sill, this maybe doubles the time it would take to cure in a UV electric light, but still works well. Example, a thick coating of the resin may take five minutes to maybe seven minutes to dry under UV lamp, but ten to fifteen minutes to dry on the very sunny windowsill. It is still fast curing time for dimensional resin/ glue! If you are intending to place items to cure on the windowsill, make sure the sun is streaming on it, and keep the cat away...
It is non-toxic, doesn't stink, actually it has no discernible odour, and it cures to a slightly domed, clear, hard surface. I deal for creating cabochon effects on decoupaged bezel pendant settings! I also use it to make raised effects on fancy pictures on cardboard....
Watch Point: please make sure you have used a NON-WATER BASED varnish or sealant on the item you wish to cover with this, as it doesnt set well on water based stuff.
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Best Fabric Glue: Helmar Wash n Wear Glue info about the wash n wear fabric glue here
This glue is great for gluing appliques onto fabric, or to glue felt onto other felt or fabric if the item is intended to be able to be machine washed and dried. This glue once cured , which takes baout 48 hours, dries from opaque to a clear washable bond. It remains slightly flexible when dry so it is great to use with fabric that is meant to be moved.
NOTE: do not soak fabric that you have used this glue on (if you want the item to stay stuck on), although this is washable glue once cured, and can also be put in a machine drier, it is advisable not to soak items it has een used on as this may weaken the glued bond.
This is an Australian owned company and the glue is made in Australia.
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I have other items that I am currently reviewing for my own craft use, and will blog about them another time.. I have more glues to list as well... but I shall unstick myself from the keyboard and go and make a coffee....
If anyone else has a glue or resin they think is worth a mention please comment on this blog, I am always interested to hear about glues, resins, varnishes... stuff.. for craft.
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