Cool Stuff: Sleeping Cat Netsuke

What is it? It's a Netsuke, a button-like thing that people in ancient Japan wore on their obi, or belt. Because kimono don't have pockets, they would have little bags or boxes that they would hang on these cute little "buttons". Some of them are very elaborate, some even pornographic (don't know where you would wear those, but whatever floats your boat.) Real netsuke are made of fancy wood or ivory, but this one is a replica made of plastic.

Why is it cool? Look at it! it's a big, round kitty! With a bow! I love things about cats, especially Japanese cats. This kitty is a japanese bobtail, which is kind of a symbol of Japan. This is extra-cool because it is a really good reproduction- it shows the skill of the artist who origionally carved it. He even put on darling paw-pads and his little curly tail!

Where did you get that? I found this cutie at the gift shop at the Walters Art Gallery in Baltimore. While you're there, go to the Asian Arts gallery to see real, antique netsuke, not to mention the gorgeous laquered boxes that once hung from them. If you're in Baltimore and you like ancient Japanese culture (or even if you're just an Otaku) it's a must see!

This just in! I Googled "Lacma" and "Netsuke" and found something incredible- the Los Angeles County Museam of Art's online Gallery! They have all sorts of great stuff to look at, with a huge collection of netsuke and prints. And, in the "Urban life in the Edo Period" collection, i found the origional version of this darling little netsuke.(don't tell the folks at the Museam website I posted that image...)

Suicune Ring

Suicune (diamond clarity ring)
silver- peirced, soldered antiqued w/ liver of sulpher)

often i have come to the theme of "Suicune", the spirit of the north wind. Based on a Pokemon that is the "embodiment of pure springs" who moves with the purifying north wind, this spirit cuts through illusion and removes disease and corruption. (think a laxative, only cold.)
I envisioned this ring as a protective amulet that protects its wearer from various...entities. When it came out all beat up (they told me not to use pliers. why didn't i listen? I had to find out for myself...) I wasn't upset- it looks like an ancient magic ring that has been through a lot.

Grand-Mother Star slide (Give me your heart)

Grand-Mother Star slide (Give me your heart)
heavy paper, tissue paper, stamped images, ink, watercolors, glitter ink

"Prana Spindle"

"Prana Spindle"
blown glass ornament, brass bells, lampwork glass bead, crystal beads, glass beads.

A rare double-topic! One of the coolest things I found I made into jewelry. I got the ornament i used as a pendant at Rennfest. That particular vendor focuses on Faerie dust pendants and wands, and this ornament is filled with golden glitter.
I envision Prana, or Chi, as beautiful sparkling gold dust. I probably got this image from the "His Dark Materials" series, where the mysterious magic that fills the air (but nobody can see) is golden dust. This is like a reliquary, life force itself trapped within a bottle like a genie.

Origami Pocket-Book

"Sigil Book"
folded paper, fake leather, metallic paper, aluminum, ink, sigils inside are mixed media.

unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of the inside and the sigils within. I really just made them for fun, and some of them aren't that great. I found a great pattern for a little pocket-book in one of my bookmaking books (enough books for one sentance?) and i just simply added a cover to it.

Cool Stuff: Hope Pocket Heart

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune--without the words,
And never stops at all

What is it? A pewter heart, probably made in a mold, made out of the letters of the word "Hope".

Why is it cool? this tiny heart is part me and part Thomas Mann. There was no interaction, of course and the only thing i really did was add a plastic feather bead. I added the feather because it reminded me of a certain poem. I know i've written it down somewhere...

Where did you get it? The American Craft Council show. This is a "Pocket Heart", one of the little dewdads that Mann sells for cheap. Five for Fifteen bucks, baby!

Can I get one? Yep. here's a link to Mann's Catalog online! You'll find the Pocket Hearts in the Miscelanious section. Unfortunateley, you cant pick which ones you get- you have to wait for a show to pick through the little tray for about fifteen minutes (sorry Mom.)

Morrigan's Tooth

"Morrigan's Tooth"
laser cut plastic, copper, silver chain.

this is not the best picture of this object. Morrigan's tooth was the product of rage, frustration, and the nightmares i command. As an artist, i command many dreams, some of them not so pretty. But enough silliness.
Morrigan was (is?) the Celtic goddess of madness and war. She was the Queen of Nightmares, and ruled with fear. Morrigan would appear as a raven and feast on the dead of war. As Neil Gaiman says in his masterpiece "The Kindly Ones", "There will always be sacrifices to The Morrigan."
However, if you coould face your fears, you earned the respect of the Raven Queen. I imagined this as a badge of honour, given for facing your worst nightmares.