Chas

I've neglected my journal as of late. I've had little time to work on my art, so occupied have I been with stuff for Dolphin Dream. Contracts have been signed and it is all a go for Nov 1st. Storm and I are going to do some ordering for the store today. There is so much crap out there. My favorite this week was a pendant with the inscription "Friends leave footprints on your heart." Who the Hell thought up that one. I don't need friends walking on my heart. Anyway, Storm and I seem to be getting over the flu finally, so hopefully soon my life will be adventurous enough to blog about. What I really need to do is to stop time for a week so that I can get some artwork done. Anyone have a magic watch?

I just cannot seem to sculpt a good Devil face and it is driving me mad. Every Halloween I craft a new marionette, and this year I want to do the Devil. I just can't seem to make it happen tho. If folks out there have any special Devil blessings then please say it for me.

Spent all last week working on Witch Eye #15. I'm so digging designing for this larger format. It was harder this time finding and creating art to go alone with the articles, since so many of the subjects are intellectual. I will tease you all by stating that the design for this issue is rather sexy. Some of those vintage nudes hoarded for my Ghosts Gone Wild project seduce these pages. Thanks the gods for dbananza 's artwork, which is always an inspiration to work with. There was enough material submitted this time that I didn't have to write something myself last minute. Storm and I did pen an article together titled "Claiming The Blue Cord: A Feri Self-Dedication Rite." I'd had some satirical pieces in mind but had no room for them, but was happy set them aside given all the good material that was sent in.

Looks like Nov. 1st will be our first day running D.D.

So glad that the negotiations are over with. The contract still need to be drawn up and signed and all that, but everyone is in agreement.



I'm sorry to say that in the midst of all this I have neglected Carnivalia. The new talkingboard that has been on the drawing-board is nowhere near ready for Halloween, nor are any new masks. Each year I have created another marionette for the holiday, but I don't know if I will get to it this time. Drat!



What I need to focus on this upcoming week is the magazine 'Witch Eye.' Last issue changed format at the last minute, so the result was that all the formatting I had done for a small zine got enlarged. Pissed me off. This time though I am ready. Storm will be away at Between the Worlds next week, leaving me alone to get the work done. Should keep me busy and out of trouble.

Although there are still several details to work out, I’m excited to say that it looks like Storm and I will be taking over a store in Walnut Creek soon. The place is called ‘Dolphin Dream’ and although I can’t say that I care much for the name, it is an established business, having been there since ’89. It came into existence when the New Age was all the rage, and has managed to thrive in all the years since. It is something of an esoteric boutique, a place where you are sure to find something to be enchanted by. There are rooms in the back that are sub-leased to massage therapists and tarot readers, as well as a classroom for events, and it seems as though there will be space for my mother to come with us, which given the cost of elder care is essential if I am to work outside my home. Carnivalia will continue, although I will likely discontinue things that are too much hassle for me to make, while at the same time gain the opportunity to sell more items that are manufactured elsewhere. It will be nice to have back-stock somewhere other than in our increasingly crowded house. Not all of my stuff will fit in at the new store, but much of it will. This is a huge undertaking for us, and is more than a little intimidating. I’ll have employees and accountants, and I’ll have to wear shoes like a grown up. As things become more finalized I’ll be blogging more about it. Right now there is financing to finalize, contracts to draw up, a landlord to interview with, regulations to study, and of course all this will be taking place with the holidays on our heels. My hubby and me are gonna be busier than usual for the foreseeable future, but when it is all settled I think I will enjoy the outcome. Wish us luck.