When All Else Is Fuckery...

...buy some stuff you've had an eye on to cheer you...right? Even if your funds are low from disastrous business decisions, or the holidaze...or fuckonomy, you can find a way...right? How worse can it be, right? In Dali's autobiography he said that when he and Gala were at their broke ass-est they would still tip the most and return to their Montmartre apartment that they could barely afford...
So here's what I snagged thus far:

You know that postcard is awesome!! Nothing like some creep sneaking up on you watching you sleep on a hammock to give you "Sweet Dreams".

This little lovely is one of my favorites to collect, an antique "calling card" lithograph or "die-cut". This one has a poem that reads; "Of all that is near, thou are the nearest. Of all that is dear, thou art the dearest."

This is an antique photo of a faceless dude and a horse...I effing love this! It's as if he is death or something coming to take the horse...or his pay? It reminds me of the guy who played the devil in Dr. Parnassus. It gives me the inspiration to create assemblage art again.These are some dope vintage horse medals or "ornaments for the harness of cart-horses were first made in the late 18th century; they became very popular in the 1850s, replacing an older style of adornment with ribbons, woolen fringes, and tooled leather. In some areas brasses were still in normal use in the 1920s, and can still be seen at horse-shows and parades." This is a little French lovely from the olden golden days, porcelain and I cannot wait to get my hands on it...and all my purchases as soon as possible.

Smut and Surprise

Back for the holidays and available for wholesale to brick and mortars...the brothel token series of vintage necklaces! Reclaim yo fame in your crew, they'll wild out over these coins of thunder! Buy online in the shop and you get one chosen randomly for you.

I wanna apologize...

these boots were made for walking and they're gone! Too bad for you and I who adored them so, they're on their way to New Orleans.
Speaking of NOLA, you all know I am obsessed and fascinated with Louisiana, my hubby sends me a link to this:


So that's a Victorian style Shotgun house. He's sick of the grit and the over-stimulation of NYC...though this city, my city, is so magical and full, it is also rude, and quite harsh at times. With two children, it's a challenge indeed. But even more of challenge with two babes is to pick up and relocate away from all one knows, where most of my family is etc. While if we were still just us two minus our joyful babies, I would entertain the idea in a heartbeat...but at the same time, I would hate to be an occupier, like an non-native taking someone's home after Katrina, ya know?

wow

another inspiring picture from mr. jacob riis who has newly brought great inspiration into my life with his turn of the century new york city (particularly 5 points area) photography.

New Item, Inspired by Jacob Riis

Jacob Riis was a photo journalist of Danish origin in New York during the 1800s who was part of the "muckraker" movement in journalism where photographers and reporters used their talents to benefit the impoverished and suffering. His work is amazing, and I added a new piece in the shop where the story is inspired by the above photo taken on Mulberry Street in the Five Points in 1880 something.

Hows about a lil' nostalgia anyone?

Seriously...what do I do that does not involve it? It's strange how we can have a connection to things that we have no cultural relation to. I never lived in the Victorian era or Europe, did you?? Why do I love it, why am I inspired by the horrors of it, not just the ruffly beauty? Maybe my past life? Who knows!
I will say that when I was small in school, our teacher introduced us to Lenore by Edgar Allen Poe and it put a chill in me. I couldn't have been more than nine...maybe ten, and this story, poem, took me to a dark, mysterious place that shocked me, yet inspired me to continue. I don't know what it is other than the genuine sentiment of Poe, his utter darkness, that translated to me so strong. I actually could feel the temptation of being somewhere that I likely shouldn't, that I wasn't supposed to. It was amazing, I was there in the house...or was it the Raven?? lol. Where was the first dark place you went?

Spook

I worked on an addition to my display this morning for a bit. I basically grabbed some ephemera I had laying around, an old suitcase I overpaid for, and made up this box.

What's strange is that that picture of the Victorian house, would not allow me to take a focused shot...it's a very ghostly picture to begin with...but it gave me chills.


Furthermore, in a new box of old photos I bought, there was another ghost, a man posing like a character from Gangs Of New York...the picture is marked by and, Feb. 1883 and was taken on Fifth Avenue and 22cnd. street, or at least developed there maybe? Another one that I could not focus the camera on.
I know to some...clearly the person I bought this from, this is all just junk, but I can't help but become overwhelmed with holding a piece of someone's life, and history in my hand.

::BUST:: Spring Fling

Hey you and you and you! So, the BUST show was fun, I want to share some new great designers I finally got to talk to and some I discovered, that will come in the coming days...but the consensus is that all of us indie artists are really feeling the hurt of the economy. So many great supporters came out, and so many were there for fun, jobless. Three, yes, three of my customers came to say hello, and had lost their jobs. I know that so many great people will rewarded for there patience and hard work.
Here are some pictures of the day we spent at the WARSAW in Crooklyn, thanks for all you fantabulous folks that chilled with us.

***You'll see the line of fascinators and the hat I made with a mink skull***



Dawn who used to work at BUST came buy and brought me some Swarovski crystals I love her and her cute self.

Collection Preview

You'll see bits and pieces of a necklace called "The Great Depression" which features two vintage liquor tags in a tarnished sterling-plate, Bourbon and Scotch...three strands of vintage glass "pearl" beads in a smokey metallic finish hang below. Do you get it?? Who says you can't look like a million in an economic hell storm? I added at the top of the center rows two hand antiqued, vintage monogram tags for detail.

Also I have a new, c. 1908, fraternal Order of The Odd Fellows all seeing eye piece with an incorporated vintage rhinestone bead, very rare.
Another fraternal badge piece "Member" also turn of the 20th century, along with a Victorian key hanging below.
Finally, an Art Deco, filigree belt buckle (half), in steel with painted color and a French cut chandelier dropping below.
Oh...and yes, "The Most Worthy Auditress", two tiers of an antique fraternal badge, hanging Victorian 12k gold fill eye glasses, skeleton key and deco locket.

BUST Magazine Craftacular and Art Star Philly

Did I ever tell you, I fell in love in Philadelphia? It's true I left N.Y.C. and tried something new, went to school and met my soul mate in a public speaking class...I guess you can say the rest is "history" and the future.
Philadelphia is haunted. There are spirits and grimy tales everywhere around the ex-industrial city. Unfortunately historic and colonial Philly is plagued with bad management and issues of crime, so there are just warehouses, factories and empty turn of the century homes abandoned and decaying. However, the greatest testament to this city of spooks is The Divine Lorraine Hotel.
After my husband, and Clarke Park, I fell in love with this place. It's abandoned and stands isolated on Broad Street. If you look at it for too long, you will become entranced.

I'm sure that when corruption forces the locals to leave and city officials and realtors decide to gentrify that this beautiful and unique structure will be turned into luxury condos or knocked down, but I only hope that the Philadelphians will fight for it...and knowing many Philadelphians, they will. Boomer, who is like my brother, told me to ask his mother about what this place was like, and although she was just a child when it closed down, she told her mother's tales of its shine.

I would do many insane things to get inside this place. To get the key tags, the escutcheons, and just walk through the ghostly hallways and spider webs.
Why all the talk of Philadelphia?? Well, I'll be at the Art Star Craft Bazaar on May 30-31 (memorial day weekend) @ Penns Landing.

I can't wait to catch up with my peeps and walk around another haunted neighborhood, Northern Liberties, a friendly way to say the beginning of North Philly. If you ever want to see another spooked out hood try Kensington...you've gotta look at that place with a certain kind of eye to understand what I am talking about. You can almost see the steam rising above the abandoned factories off of Allegheny Avenue and down by Frankford Ave. You can just feel the grit, no women in corsets with wigs and Victorian lockets...work and workers, immigrants and natives building lives, legacy and a nation on creating things.


Next Sunday, May 17th...I will be at BUST Mag's Spring Fling in Brooklyn. I've added all these events to the calendar on the website. Love Love Love!!


*Thanks to Prof. Jas. Mundie on Flickr.com for this beautiful photo of the hotel. I found this artist's stream through google and am now inspired.

Fanciful Fobs and Circuses

Today I have two new creations in total contrast of one another. A minimalist, antique watch fob, hanging in all its gold filled Victorian glory, from a simple vintage brass chain, sprayed with faux pearls. Lovely no?
Next I have added to the shop a wild and eccentric mix of sordid sorts...a circus inspired charm fest, antique doll leg, antique secret society medal, chandelier prism, skeleton key, sterling clown, watch face!!
Very steampunk, very noir, very The Hand Of Fatima!

All Things Considered

All things considered...no, not Melissa Block and Michelle Norris, my life!
Wow, so alot is going on...so many political things in my other job, and in my first job as mother...some exciting new developments, Rami, at 10 and a half months walked!!! They want to make me work...hard.

So, spring is here, I have many a new additions to the line, and I have a secret stash that will be going up on my website by May 2009.

I've been focusing on a face lift of sorts, I am in the works for a new logo, a really exciting old piece of leather miniature from a special country came into my possession, and inspired me.

Also, the "mens" line, well what I meant to say was a line, marketed more towards men, but truly a, his, hers and them line. I am a feminist, so if I make something, it for a man, best believe it will also suit a woman...no pun intended. (suit...)

A new addition of head pieces will make there way to the website, fatimacouture.com.
Also, I have finally used those bones I've had. The line "Voodoo" is a take on the ever lasting drive for man/womankind to use other species for inspiration and mystical representation, along with the seedy diaspora of voodoo...sprinkle some mourning jewelery from the Victorian era, and voila!

I am sorry to all my vegans out there, but believe that these animals came from a professional taxidermist and were not killed for the bones, they were already dead, found or donated by an animal hospital.

I must say my vending over the holidays brought me in contact with some great new customers who offered great feedback. Many requested bones, and so many dudes were intrigued, which was a grand compliment.

Back to work!

Tags

I loooove adding tags to each design I produce. I always like to use something with a handmade look, the older the better. A nice application of decay always helps. I purchased some hand died tags back in September. They are dyed with coffee and also stamped with a vintage looking crown. They smell really nice too! I stamp the reverse with my business stamp, also, I add a vintage brass fleur de lys on it and tag my luxe line of products. Here's an example:
another:

Something New

I took some pics yesterday, some newbies that will be added to the Etsy shop this weekend...okay by Monday night. I have two kids, gimme some slack!!

Maine Trip Part II

Mary and Nabil took us to "downtown" Portland, Maine where Nabil had to make some deals on the docks for the lobster he would later bestow upon us. Sadly, I would partake in their demise...as a first time lobster killer, I was a bit sad and guilt ridden after hearing tales that you can sometimes hear the lobsters "scream" when thrown in a pot....
Anyway, forgive me if you can, Arian told me to remember that they are "sea roaches" and that will help me get over it...it did. I must say Portland is exactly what I thought New England would be, it's soooo cute and a drunkerd/college kid/beer lovers' dreamland chock full of BEER, breweries, bars and more places to buy beer. I don't drink, neither do Nabil and Mary, but Arian enjoys an occasional swig. "When in Maine, do as Mainers do." and so he got a taste of some Geary's ale along with his "lobstah", and I think it was safe to say he was getting his Maine on.
Portland is full of quaint, lovely shops and boutiques without the bougieness. One shop I just fell in love with, they had everything from shoes to babywear, but not saturated with any one thing...I don't recall the name, but I will always remember it.We snapped some pics on the docs in front of the "Bait Shack" and also near a park in the center of the shoppes, was a time piece store! Wait until you see the sign they have. I am a total steampunk nut, and this thing is so cool, I wanted to grab it and put in my living room. Another thing that was so interesting during the whole experience was that the mood was set by fog and overcast, and in the dampness, surrounded by the brew and boats, I imagined the days when this land was just cultivating, revolting and booming with industry...Look at how far we have come. I am a first generation born American, Nabil has arrived roughly 2 years ago from Rahbat, Arian second generation American on one side and descended from slaves on the other, Mary tracing her roots to this land for so many generations, and we were all their on those New England docks like the Americans we all are...I was moved, with the election results spinning in my head and my own visions of witches and hoop skirts.


Please do NOT forget to visit MothDesigns

Hello Friend.

Hello Friend...the great words of Little Bill (My older son's favorite show on Noggin...well top 5).
Today is the first day of my new blogging life. It has been very hard to blog...well do anything these days. I am happy to be busy, but between the kids, community work, trade shows and building an independent website...it's hectic here. I think I have decided that in this blog we will talk about not just my indie jewelery endeavors, but all indie artists, art, music, life, fashion, style, and well, whatever you want to! I am happy to let you into my life a bit and my eyes are wide open to look into yours.
Peace,
Mariam

There's a nifty brothel token necklace for you to wonder about from my Fall collection.
xoxox