Made To Fail

Ever here of Planned Obsolescence?

It's a very bitter subject for me as an artisan. But many people don't have a clue of the existence of such a concept. 

Planned obsolescence or built-in obsolescence in is a policy of planning or designing a product with an artificially limited useful life, so it will become obsolete, that is, unfashionable or no longer functional after a certain period of time. The rationale behind the strategy is to generate long-term sales volume by reducing the time between repeat purchases.

Producers that pursue this strategy believe that the additional sales revenue it creates more than offsets the additional costs of research and development and opportunity costs of existing product line cannibalization. In a competitive industry, this is a risky strategy because when consumers catch on to this, they may decide to buy from competitors instead.

The problem with this theory is that ordinary, everyday consumers have become complacent. Many choose brand over all else. I doubt they can take all the blame for it. These brands have more money behind them than they know what to do with. Endless money is put into advertising and packaging. But the construction of the product is always contracted to the "LOWEST BIDDER".

That means that the cheapest possible materials are often the ones used. The workforce may not be quite as skilled as they need to be. And you'll be spending more money on replacements because you wanted that deal than you would if you had just gone for quality in the first place. It may not always be the case. But think on it. Let it sink in.

As Artisans...

Me Making an Heraldic Crest

We put so much of ourselves in what we make. I talk about bleeding a bit with every piece I make. It's just about true. There aren't too many days I walk out of my workshop without shedding a little blood in the name of my craft. I'm also a bit of a clutz. That could be part of it.

But it means something to me when I know that people have put their love into making something. I would hope it means as much to the buyer as it does to the maker and vise versa. 

There is a great deal of satisfaction to be gained from making something well, of such superior quality that you know it is going to stand the test of time. It makes the hard work and the obsessing over each and every detail worth all the effort. That’s our reward. Being able to provide for our families couldn't hurt.

That being said...

...I'll see you on the Dark Side.

http://www.mkt.com/DarkSideCustoms
http://www.DarkSideCustom.etsy.com

---

And now for something completely different... 

Some artists simply boggle the mind. That's the case with my friend Bev. I can tell you one thing.
This will blow your mind.

Here's a snippet from her own website:

Bev

Bev is one of those annoying creative types who is into everything. Once upon a time, that was called being a 'Renaissance Man' (or Woman, as the case may be), but these days she's just accused of having a short attention span, or alternatively, having ADD. Frankly, Bev has never met another artist who doesn't have ADD - too much creativity and too little time will do that to a brain. And when we say she's into everything, we pretty much mean it. Over the course of time, including grade school (hey, it counts!), she has done: painting (watercolor, oil, acrylic), drawing (crayon, pencil, colored pencil, ink, chalks, pastels, charcoal, etc.), sewing, costuming, beading, quilting, millinery, needlework (embroidery, cross-stitch, punch-needle, goldwork), leather work, metal work, wood work, faux-finishing, upholstery, gardening, herbology, floral arranging, cake decorating...the list goes on and on.

Amazing Pinup From Longfellows Designs

My favorite weapon in Bev's arsonal is her amazing talent for constructing miniatures. Her pinups are fantastic. Her pirates are amazing. What's not to like? She's brilliant. So is her work. It's the type of excellence that will last a lifetime.

Bev got into sculpting quite by accident, or maybe it was Fate, we're not sure. The only time she had tried sculpting before (not counting Play-Doh and the obligatory pinch-pot in third grade art class) was in art school. When the beginning level sculpting class began with subtractive method sculpting on a piece of

Dollhouse Mantle From Longfellows Designs

marble (basically, students were told 'go pick out a rock and start sculpting, and oh, don't forget to pay for your rock'), Bev, along with many others, dropped the class like the proverbial hot rock. She hadn't given a thought to sculpting since. Fast forward to October 2006, when she took a doll-making class and discovered Art Dolls, polymer clay, and a hidden talent. Although Bev had re-entered the world of cloth dolls in 2001, and was fairly happy in that world, the Art Doll world offered something extra, and she's been hooked ever since.

Wanna see what Bev's been up to? Me too. Go check it out.
http://www.longefellowesdesigns.com

Inflation. Thy Name Is 'Merica.

The Time I've Been Dreading Has Come...

What I wouldn't give for an angel investor. Wings of gold that drop feathers everywhere. A leaky halo of cash couldn't hurt. It's not easy trying to build a business on your own when you've started with practically nothing. Dark Side Customs was started with $100 and the hope that I could build something beautiful. It's become a lot more complicated than that. 

I've been keeping my prices as low as I can because I remember what it feels like to see something I absolutely love and not being close to able to afford it. It's heartbreaking. Have you ever felt that? Then you are my people.

What does it take?

Some say looking successful is half the battle. Well... in an economy like ours, that battle will take quite a few more weapons to win. As a (mostly) one man operation, I'm designing product, manufacturing product, photographing product, editing photographs, writing copy, posting listings, marketing product, practically begging to be noticed, and feeling the sting when no one is buying.

Some say it takes money to make money. But what you you have no money? Not too many people think about the money spent by the artists when looking at the final product. In America, it's all about getting the bargain. I'm not going to go into actual numbers. But let's look at what I have to do on my end.

1. I have to buy my tools.
   
2. I have to buy my metals
3. I have to buy my gemstones.
4. I have to buy gas and oxygen for my torch on a regular basis.
5. I have to buy my leather.
6. I have to buy leather dye.
7. I have to buy packaging materials like envelopes, bubble wrap, boxes, bags, etc.
8. I have to pay for miscellaneous materials like bead wire, acrylic, chemicals, etc.
9. I have to pay for each and every listing.
10. I have to pay to renew the listings when items don't sell after a time.
11. I have to buy displays for events.
12. I have to pay to vend at events.
13. I have to pay for electricity to run my lights and tools.
14. I have to pay for the place in which I work. 
15. I have to pay myself a wage for my work. (Something I've been neglecting for a long time.)
16. I have to pay for childcare so I can actually have time to work.
17. I have to pay for phone and internet in order to do business.
18. I have to pay for gas, tolls, and insurance on the vehicle that gets me to vending events.
19. I have to pay for marketing and advertising. 
20. I have to pay for web hosting.
21. I have to pay taxes. (That's a big pain in the... nevermind.)
22. I have to pay for casting and other services I don't yet have the tools for.
23. I have to pay for sales help. (That's every once in a while.)
24. I have to pay for lodging at events away from home.
25. I have to pay for photography equipment in order to photograph my product.
26. I have to pay a portion of each online sale to Etsy even after paying for the listing.
27. I have to pay a portion of every credit card sale to Square for in person purchases.
28. I have to pay for postage/shipping on all online sales. (Much more than a simple stamp.)
29. I have to take time out to write these blogs. (Time is Money. I never realized how true that was until I started trying to run a business.)

There's more. I just won't get too crazy with this list. The costs for all of these things goes up all the time. But you can see that there is a lot more going on in the background than most people ever think about when they say insulting things like: 

• How much will you give me off if I buy two?
• I can get this online for less.
• You can cut me a break, right?
• Will you take... (enter amount far less than the price of the item here)?
• I could have made this.
• 
  

Here's something I found just moments before I finished typing this post. It explains a lot. I think everyone should watch. I'm trying to figure out just how to apply it to my work.

*****

(You Should Totally Subscribe To David Picciuto's YouTube)

*****

So what's next?

No beating around the bush. Prices are going to have to rise. I've put it off for so long. So many people have told me that I need to raise my prices. They tell me I need to charge more because my work is worth more. I've just been so worried about people not being able to afford my work that I've been making the big mistake of making it so that I can barely afford to stay in business.

A few of my friends - people more successful in business than I - have gone out of business after the disaster that was 2015. They were fellow event vendors. Part of the issue was that they weren't charging enough for they're work. Not charging enough actually had the opposite effect of what you might think. Charging too little actually stopped people from buying. Couple that with the fact that attendance was at an all time low for a great many of the shows we did throughout the year... DISASTER.

I guess it's time to light a fire under my backside. I'll see you on the Dark Side.
http://www.DarkSideCustom.etsy.com

---

Speaking of FIRE

It's time to focus on another of those inspirational people I've encountered along my journey.

Michelle Greenwood is an amazing artist, first rate pyrographer, a true inspiration, and a friend.

What is a pyrographer? Let's take a look at this. “Pyro” = fire; “Graphy” = writing. Pyrography means, literally, “fire-writing.” Pyrography, also called woodburning, is done with a tool similar to a soldering iron. (I kinda stole that from her sight. She said it a bit more eloquently than I would have.) One look at her work will leave you breathless. It's all done by hand. It's all imbued with the spirit of love.

Whenever I catch a glimpse of her works in progress, I feel an overwhelming urge to hone my own craft. Then I see the finished pieces. It's Pyromantic Genius from the hands of a Fire Goddess. Don't take my word for it. See for yourself.

“Tales of Beedle the Bard” Faux Book Box - From http://greenwoodcreationsstudios.com

A little from the artist:

I hold degrees in Japanese and Creative Writing, but art always has been, and probably always will be, my passion. I also dabble in costuming, pen and ink, and embroidery, but I like pyrography the best.

I enjoy pushing the boundaries of what is traditionally considered “pyrographic art,” using the medium to render themes that are unusual for the art form, and constantly testing and improving my skills and techniques.

Also, fire.

Most of my pieces are of a Pagan or Earth-centered theme. However, I love both history and re-imagined histories (like steampunk), and frequently work with those themes as well.

While I find the raw materials in many different places, all of the work you see has been hand-drawn and hand-burned by me. I don’t use any routers, engravers, or laser-etching machines.

What does this mean to you? This means that your piece, even if it is a pattern that I have burned a hundred times before, is going to be unique. No one will ever have exactly the same piece you have.

Every piece is a one of a kind work of art.

Check her out.

You can find more of Michelle's masterpieces by clicking one of the links below:

http://greenwoodcreationsstudios.com

http://www.facebook.com/GreenwoodCreations

http://www.zazzle.com/greenwoodcreations

Hi, Controversy. How Have You Been?

'Bout To Get All Valentine Up In Here...

Hello, Beautiful People.

I'm sure we all know it's about time To think about Valentine's Day gift shopping. Greeting card companies really make a killing by celebrating a true "Lady Killer". Seriously. The guy murdered women. People eat it up. Go figure.

For some, it's just another day. Shouldn't we be showing our love to our partners every day? I think so. But some folks need a special day. For many, it's all they've got. Think about it. How many of us need to work hard to schedule a special "Date Night" just to be able to spend some true quality time with the ones we love? No matter how bad you think you have it... some have it worse. If not for special days like this, they would probably never get that special time together.

Don't get me wrong. I'm all for the day. We celebrate so many things. Why not take a day to celebrate love? So many holidays have love as an underlying theme. Love of family. Love of country. Love of those on the other side. Many of these holidays are centered around giving gifts. This one is no different.

Here's The Kicker

I started working with some of my friends to make a video for my jewelry business. It's a video for Valentine's Day. Sure it centers around LOVE. I decided to do something a bit different. We always see your typical couples doing typical gift exchanges. It's all over the TV, billboards, posters, magazines, etc. I figured it was time to take a broader view of Love. It takes many forms. Why not show some?

So I gathered some of my friends to create something... well... whole. While I wasn't able to touch on every type of love, (let's face it... the video would be months long) I did try to touch on something that should be addressed. I know I'm going to lose a number of followers with this but it has to be done. 

Let me just say this. "LOVE IS LOVE!!!" There is no one with the right to tell anyone who they should and should not love. It's simple truth. Judge not lest ye be judged. Get it?

Over here, on the Dark Side, we don't judge. This video is my simple way of showing how beautiful love is in all its forms. Not just the ones that were safe to air on primetime television in 1973.

The gift of love should be shared. So... This Valentine's Day, remember these words:

Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast,
it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts,
always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.

---

On Another Note...

STARGATE - ANTIQUED BRASS & CARNELIAN DIAL HOME

One of my "Jewelry Making Heros" is RockLove Jewelry. The owner/designer, Allison is a genius. Everytime I see her work I ask myself one simple question. "Why am I not studying under her?" I mean... LOOK! 

The piece pictured is Handcrafted in New York City by RockLove in official collaboration with Stargate. I mean... seriously. I would love to be doing stuff like this. I have quite a bit more to learn before I try anything like officially licensed works. But One day...

Find this piece here:
http://www.stargatestore.com/stargate-antiqued-brass-carnelian-dial-home/details/117639425

Here's a little bit from her site:

Find out for yourself.

www.facebook.com/RockLoveFanPage

And...

www.rocklove.com

A New DSC for 2016 - It's About Time!

Procrastination Sucks!!!

Hello, Dear Friends.

It's been quite some time. I have to admit that I'm actually not very good at this blogging thing. I know what I want to say. It just becomes a challenge to figure out how to get it from my brain to my fingers. I guess I just need practice. 

So... Let's get to it.

2016 is going to be a year of change. What a struggle it was to get here. 2015 was one of the toughest years I've ever faced. I guess you can call it a Murphy's Law kind of year. I've lost my mind a few times. I've felt like giving up more than a few times. I've learned quite a few valuable lessons. What do I do with it all?

I've always known that one of my biggest problems is procrastination as a result of the fear of failure. It's not a new topic. I know that I've touched on it somewhere in previous blogs. There have been so many times that I've delayed projects due to the fear of failing. So many projects were never started. It has kept me wondering how far I might have gotten without that monkey on my back.

It's not always projects that involve making jewelry. There are so many other things that should have been done that just never made it past planning.

Putting on my Big Boy Pants...

One of those neglected projects involves the creation of a campaign to move the vast majority of DSC production out of my livingroom and backyard, and taking it a step further into the real world. I've been wanting to do it for quite some time. I will be making that campaign a reality this year. Just you wait and see.  

The BIG Picture...

I'm making some investments that will serve to make it impossible for me to not move on my ideas. Some of those ideas involve marketing. I'm sure you don't really want to sit here and read about marketing strategy and the like. Don't worry. You won't have to. 

I will tell you that the investments are more time than money. But there is one seriously cool investment that falls into both categories. 

As (sort of) a One Person Operation, I do most everything on my own. I design my product. I manufacture my product. I market my product. I hopefully sell my product. I repeat. That means that - somewhere in the middle of all this - I photograph my product. I edit those photos for size and clarity. Then I post those photos on Etsy and various social media outlets in the hopes that they're seen. Well... I've just purchased a mini photography studio to set up in my livingroom. This will make it so much easier to work with the models I've been wanting to work with. It gives me fewer and fewer excuses as to why "I can't do it right now". It's a major step for me. I'm more than happy to take it. In fact... I've already started making the plans. Not just making plans in my head. I'm talking about making plans with the people I would like to have involved. I'm practically bouncing while typing this.

I'm sure there's much more I could tell you. But you didn't come here to read a novel. And I don't want to give everything away in one shot. That just wouldn't be fair to either of us. This isn't bad for my first blog in a couple years. I'll be back. I'll also be incorporating video logs (vlogs) into the mix. It's my way of keeping us more closely connected. Together, we can make DSC the great adventure we all want it to be.

Have a beautiful everyday. I'll see you on the Dark Side.

---

A bit of inspiration...

One of the things I liked to do in my previous blogs was to introduce you to other people that inspire me. That's what I'm going to do right now. 

I've always wanted to try my hand at pottery. I've also been wanting to learn how to knit forever. I'm pretty sure I won't be doing it any time soon. I've got enough on my hands. However, for those of you that love mixing the super cool with the super practical, you might just want to take a look at this.

Rustic Knitting Bowl - By Rehndell Masi

The Magic of the Potters...

I've recently become connected with a group of pottery rockstars. That's right. Pottery rockstars.  The piece you're seeing in the photo to the right is made by one of them. Her name is Rehndell. (www.etsy.com/shop/RehnWorks)

Here's a little bit from the lady, herself:

"I have a lot of hobbies and love to learn new artistic ways of expressing myself. I am a mostly self taught artist, with the exception of throwing; I have the privilege of studying under a wonderful Korean potter, at the Brickhouse Pottery Studio in L.I.C. New York. 

For a while I would make things solely for my friends and family; however, I started to get requests from friends of friends and strangers for my work. Now I hope to use Etsy as a way to branch out to a larger audience, with the end goal of being able to support myself through my work. So take a look around, and if you have any questions feel free to ask!"

Handmade Ceramics, Yarn Bowls, Tea bowls, Nesting Bowls, Ceramic Buttons, Soup Bowls, Korean Pottery, Succulent Planters, Mugs, Tumblers, Knitting Bowls

Keep a lookout for upcoming sales and ceramic clearance! Every Saturday we host kids clay classes at the Artist and Craftsman Supply Store in LIC. Check out their events page for more info :

https://www.facebook.com/ArtistCraftsmanSupply.LongIslandCity/events

You can follow us on Instagram @rehnworks.

---

Brown Tankard Beer Stein - By Rita Varian

Also Keep An Eye On...

Another magical potter you'll want to look out for is Rita Varian (www.ritavarian.com).

Rita Varian is a ceramic artist living in Long Island City, New York. She creates handbuilt sculpture and functional art. 

​

Rita Varian earned her BFA from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, and her MFA at the State University of New York at New Paltz. She is an associate member of Brickhouse Ceramic Art Center.

Her style is unique, intriguing, and fun. I'm determined to own one of her tankards. We'll be talking about that very soon. Very, very soon.

Dreams Coming True

Your blog post today is written by Xenia, as I'm hoping more and more of them will be in the future.

It's not New Year's, it's not anyone's birthday, but somehow this summer's end has been feeling like a time for retrospection. Just this past weekend, Bobby and I went to our friend Maria's birthday party - the same party at which, three years ago, we first set eyes on each other. And proceeded to not talk whatsoever, but still, it was the beginning of our acquaintance. It's amazing and a little scary to think that in only three short years we've fallen in love, gotten married, and had a son who's speedily approaching one year of age.

Xenia & Bobby in the beginning.

And, we've started this little baby of a business.

That fall of 2009 was a time of big and positive changes in Bobby's life. A new job he enjoyed, a new apartment of his own, and a spiritual rebirth as he found his soulmate. The idea of Dark Side Customs was also conceived amongst these changes - and lo and behold, exactly nine months later, on May 31, 2010, we opened the doors of the Etsy shop with our first tentative offerings.

A year ago, again, the fall brought the end of an era for us, and the beginning of a new life. Constantine was born on October 11, 2011. We turned that page, inexorably, joyously, deliriously. It's been a mad year since then, but you won't hear us regret it for an instant.

Today again, as we stand poised to enter the golden days of autumn, we find ourselves at a turning point. We're about to take the plunge and make Dark Side Customs Bobby's full-time job. That's been his dream. And it seems to me, we're not the kind of people to dream remotely, dazedly, of some-day-in-the-future.

Just like with our fast-and-furious dating, marriage and procreation history, we're going to dream this one hands-on. Damn the torpedoes, as they say, and full speed ahead.

http://www.facebook.com/DarkSideCustomsNYC

---

So what's happening on the eve of this big plunge? Of course, a lot of brainstorming, packets and packets of printouts, sketches, notes, idea maps, you name it. But most of them can't be followed up on until one of us has those extra nine hours a day. For now, we've singled out one aspect of the business that we can focus on with infusions of just a few minutes, and that's our visibility.

You see, we are confident that we have first-class product. We have a website and an Etsy shop to get this product out to the customers. There's two to three pages of stuff on the shop at any one time. So why are we not getting the multiple sales a day that other sellers are? We've concluded that there's simply not enough folks that know to look at it.

Third Prize for our Contest on Facebook

What to do about that is a much more complicated question. There are a bilion answers to it: more social networking, more blog posts (oh hey, I'm working on one right now!), more Tweets, more regular shop updates (coming when there's more time to create pieces and turn them into listings), more cards to hand out, more, more...

The one that I'm most excited about, especually seeing as it's my own brainchild, is a contest. Call me crazy, but I want other people to do my promoting for me. The best way to get them to do it, it appears, isn't to wheedle or implore. It's to give them free things. And when those things are pretty valuable - such as, say, sterling silver jewelry, or even custom sterling silver jewelry - well, one may hope that they'll want to get them. For free. Since all they have to do is wheedle their frinds into "liking" our Facebook page.

The contest is slated to run through the month of September. I'm really excited, since there are three prizes. I'm hoping for some stiff competition, with publicity spikes through the roof when our competitors revv up their referral engines. Each one will be another step toward our dream.

---

Pedro with Katie Letts @ Waltz Astoria

There have been a few pushes towards the precipice off which we're about to step: Bobby's day job, DSC's event schedule, some inspirational reading. But I want to introduce you to someone who is living the dream, hands-on, every day of his life. And after two recent visits to his dream, it's hard to disregard the taunting, tantalizing feeling. "You're in exactly the same place in life as this man," it says. "So what are you waiting for?"

Meet Pedro Gonzales, the proprietor of Waltz-Astoria.

23-14 Ditmars Boulevard, Astoria, NY.
(718) 956-8742

You can, in fact, meet him in person every day, if you stop by this eclectic cafe, wine bar, and performance space off the northern end of the (N) line. No, he is not a craftsman, or an artist, or a songwriter. But he loves music, he loves those talented folk who just need a stool and a microphone to spread joy around them - so he had a vision. A small, intimate performace space in one of New York's most talent-rich new up-and-coming neighborhoods. Live music every night and children's laghter and community get-togethers during the day. All this with his family around him, every step of the way.

And all this is what he has. When Bobby played his most recent show there, last Friday, Pedro's wife Song couldn't get enough of our little boy. She told me that when their daugher Annabelle was born, she returned to working the cafe counter at Waltz in only two weeks. She'd bring the baby with her, and customers played with her on the counter as Song made coffee and served cake. Annabelle, who is three now, grew up at the cafe.

In the meantime, business has grown, and so has the fame of this friendly, relaxing, yet energized spot. Astorians brought buddies from other areas, who in turn brought more and more friends, until musicians (as well as poets, comedians, magicians, and all sorts) from all over the world come to perform a set at the Waltz, or join in their bustling Open Mic nights.

And every day, Pedro is in the thick of this, his own booking agent, sound technician, MC, Maitre-D,' waiter and host. This is what I call "Living the Dream." This is what I want for Dark Side Customs - not a hand-out, not free money, but being able to look on something you've built - are still building, every day, with your own hands - and say with pride, "This is mine."

~Xenia~

<3

More Inspiration

Inspiration comes in so many different forms.

I’ve said this so many times but it never ceases to amaze me when I look back at something I’ve created and see a little of something from the past peeking through. Something it’s quite obvious. Sometime it’s so obscure that I don’t see it until much later. That’s when the “WOW!” factor kicks in the strongest.

This time it’ quite obvious. This time it’s all about the “STEAMPUNK CARTOUCHE”.

The "STEAMPUNK CARTOUCHE by DSC"

The name cartouche was first applied by soldiers who fancied that the symbol they saw so frequently repeated on the pharaonic ruins they encountered resembled a muzzle-loading firearm's paper powder cartridge (cartouche in French). In Egyptian hieroglyphs, a cartouche is an oval with a horizontal line at one end, indicating that the text enclosed is a royal name, coming into use during the beginning of the Fourth Dynasty under Pharaoh Sneferu.

At times amulets were given the form of a cartouche displaying the name of a king and placed in tombs. Such items are often important to archaeologists for dating the tomb and its contents. Cartouches were formerly only worn by Pharaohs. The oval surrounding their name was meant to protect him from evil spirits in life and after death. The cartouche has become a symbol representing protection from evil and give good luck. Egyptians believed that if you had your name written down in some place, then you would not disappear after you died. If a cartouche was attached to their coffin then they would have their name in at least one place. There were periods in Egyptian history when people refrained from inscribing these amulets with a name, for fear they might fall into somebody's hands conferring power over the bearer of the name.

All this information can be found on Wikipedia. For me, the Cartouche touches something deep but obscured by who knows what. I could be something from a past life. I could be my connection with travel and/or fantasy. It could be simply because I’m a big Stargate SG1 fan.

I designed this piece with only the aesthetic in mind but it seems to have captured a little bit of the luck vibe of the ancient pharaohs. I have plans for a few different versions of the “STEAMPUNK CARTOUCHE”. I’m even thinking of turning it into a birthstone pendant. Soon you’ll be able to pick your style, metal and stone making it even more your own.

---

I’ve been thinking of adding a 3D printer to the tools in my workshop. The idea is to make it easier to construct some of my designs that need to have a more polished and clean-cut look and feel. Mostly, I enjoy the aesthetic of the “Artifact”. I love it when a piece I create looks as though it could have come from an archaeological dig site or have been made many years ago and shows the touch of the hands of time.

But…

From time to time it’s a good idea to think about what others might want to see. You know. Good business practice and what not. I have a great many ideas that could be made by hand like 99% of my work but won’t look as clean. I can design the pieces, 3d map them on the computer, print them with the 3D printer, mold them and then cast them in whatever metal I wish or whatever metal my client wishes.

It’s also a great way to keep prices down. If a client wants a piece done in gold, I can remove coverage for scrap in the cost of the piece. The original model would already be done in plastic saving me from having to produce waste by cutting the piece in metal. It’s a great way to stay GREEN as well. The plastic can be easily recycled and reused for creating new work. It’s that simple. The one setback… 3D printers ain’t cheap. I’m still not raising my prices.

---

Now, we move on to the tasty part of this little adventure.

Normally I feature other jewelers on Etsy or other artists that have inspired me in my art. This time we’re hitting something completely different.

My wife and I had a date recently. Sure we took the baby with us. It was awesome to be able to get out together. We went to a killer Thai restaurant. We took a walk through the park to work off the killer Thai food. It was a hot day and we wanted ice cream. What we got was more of a treat than we expected.

My Cherry Vanilla & Rum Raisin at Eddie's

We had a choice of a chain or a “Mom & Pop” type spot we discovered on the corner. You know we chose “B”. We walked through the door and I was blasted into the past with the biggest grin on my face.

What we found was an old style ice cream parlor and candy shop like the ones I remember as a kid. Even then there weren’t many left. What we found was ice cream heaven in Queens. They even made sodas the old fashioned way. What we found was Eddie’s.

Located at 105-29 Metropolitan Ave, Forest Hills, NY 11375, this outwardly unassuming corner shop is so super cool on the inside that you'll swear you can see your breath as you walk in the door. The marble countertop, the serving dishes and the serving sizes and toppings will take you back to the 1940s or 50s. (I was born in the 70s, if you must know.) The staff is happy to be there and that makes it a happy place to be.

I want to go there with a crowd of Steampunks for some ice cream and photo ops.

What's New in 2-0-1-2?

It’s been a little while. Things have been quite busy on the Dark Side. We’ve come up with a few new ideas and have even implemented a few and are slowly bringing them to the Etsy shop. I’m even working on ideas for some provocative, new promotional material that I can’t wait to get started creating. I have a feeling you’re gonna love it.

Great Copper Key Necklace by D.S.C.

The baby is growing so fast. He’s even worn a couple of my smaller pieces for one of our events and it was seriously adorable. Our friends like kidnapping him from us and, while a break is welcome from time to time, neither my wife nor I want to give him up. He is the cutest little monster, though.

So… I’ve been coming up with ideas to branch out into different directions. I love the SteamPunk vibe and I’m sticking with it. But… I have some very sexy inspirations coming to me and I don’t think it’s the kind of thing that I should keep to myself. I will, however, have to keep you dangling for the moment. I know. I’m evil. I will say this much. KAMASUTRA. Have I said too much?

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ANTIQUE SteamPunk Explorer Cuff by D.S.C.

Reaching out to the world is not as easy as one might think. I’m on a mission to touch every continent on the globe with the hand of the Dark Side. I’ve made my way into Europe and Australia; now on to Asia, Africa, and South America. It’s The key is figuring out what these will catch the eye of the good folks of these far off lands. The whole point of Dark Side Customs is to create things you just won’t find anywhere else.

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I’ve also been developing a bit of an alter ego for SteamPunk and other special events. The Reverend made his debut in a YouTube about my Clockwork Heart pendant. He was also present at I-Con in March and April. He’s the Pistol Packing Preacher of the Parish of the Precious Metal. He’s the SteamPunk demon hunting, zombie slaying high holy bad boy of D.S.C. He’s me in a clergy collar. Fun!

Look for The Reverend to show up in more YouTube videos and at events where Dark Side Customs is vending. We should try to get The Reverend a guest spot on The Walking Dead. That would be awesome. A man can dream, right?

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Ammolite Dragonfly Necklace by Mark Stowe

Now... let's talk about inspiration. We all know that Etsy is the place to find... well... anything. I've been finding beauty. There is one shop in particular that has got me itching to try new things in terms of my own designs. Their use of stones and their fantastic imagery is something I feel that everyone needs to check out.

I'm talking about SilverDragonfly8. 

Mark Stowe Unique Jewelry is just that. Unique. It's beautiful. One of my favorite pieces is the Ammolite Dragonfly Necklace. 

This 9x13mm ammolite doublet glows like the forest beneath the dragonfly’s wings in my latest creation. Two dragonflies embrace over the green which supports them and rests gently on a sixteen inch sterling chain. The piece itself is one and a quarter inches by two and is hand fabricated from sterling wire making it light and strong. You can find it, and other great works of wearable art by clicking the link under the photo. And... you should.

Mark Says:
"My artistry began back in the late '60s with bending up my Mom’s silverware into spoon rings & bracelets for perspective girlfriends. After turning a few fingers green and dashing my blissful dreams; I found myself in a Port Jefferson Long Island gallery oogling at a silver dragonfly pendant that I could little afford. The longing for that piece never left me."

~From Mark Stowe's profile on Etsy. You can read more there.

~Bobby~

There is still time to win...

We hope you're not missing out on your chance to win free jewelry.

No scams and no gimmicks.

We want people to like our Facebook page and you can help brings numbers.

In exchange, we're giving you a chance to win a piece o handmade beauty.

There.

Honest and to the point. That's how we do it here at DSC.

Check out the video for more info and/or see below.

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For those who missed the early posts...

Win a FREE CogStone Necklace as our Thank You to you. Anyone that refers at least one person is eligible to win. The person referred must "LIKE" Dark Side Customs' page on FaceBook and post the name of the person that referred them on the Dark Side Customs wall. It's that simple. Drawing happens on Thanksgiving day. Long Live SteamPunk!!!

The Future is Sweet

Bouncing around inside my head are these crazy thoughts about the future. My wife, Xenia, and I just had a beautiful baby boy on October 11th. (Well... she did all the having. I just planted the seed.) It's amazing to look at him and realize that this tiny, adorable thing keeping us up at night is a living being. It never fails to amaze me. 

I know that, one day, he's going to start asking questions. He's going to start trying to find his own way in life and he's going to need guidance, answers and someone to look up to along the way. I think that's the biggest reason Dark Side Customs means so much to me. DSC is not a hobby. It's not just making jewelry and trying to sell it online and it's not just a home business. It's a portal to a better, brighter future.

I used to dream about owning a store and having my wife and kids be a major part of daily business. I guess I'm a bit old fashioned in that regard. Shareholders... BAH!!! Family is the key. I refuse to let the concept or idea of the "Mom & Pop Shop" die as long as I have breath in my body. Even if my children don't take over where I leave off, I want them to know that they can do anything they set their minds to. It's a concept I still trying to learn for myself. I'm so happy to have the love and support of my amazing wife. She's the perfect tutor for this life lesson. 

I'm growing just as much as our little boy. I'm learning and trying my best to put everything I learn to good use and not be so afraid to fall flat on my face. I've been there. It hurts; only for a moment. Then we move on.

I'm moving on to a future of my own design. 

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The Little SteamPunk Goddess 

STEAMPUNK: a subgenre of speculative fiction, usually set in an anachronistic Victorian or quasi-Victorian alternate history setting. It could be described by the slogan "What the past would look like if the future had happened sooner."

~From the Urban Dictionary~

I'm sure that, even if you're not a part of the culture, you've come across some steampunk-inspired... something in recent days. I remember passing by Bergdorf-Goodman and Saks 5th Ave, a little over a year ago, and seeing their window displays had been made completely steampunk. It's contagious.

My darling wife - when she was still just my darling girlfriend - introduced me to "SteamPunk" as a culture. I knew about the idea of it from movies and books and various other media but never knew there was a name for it. I also never knew that it could be so infectious. I got my first taste and I was hooked.

Now... I can never just do things the way I'm told. Just ask any of my high school teachers. I always have to mix it up and add a bit of myself. I'll get the job done if I can have a little fun. This is why my work isn't like everything else you'll see out there.

138 Willoughby St

Brooklyn, NY 11201

You can, however, see my work out there from time to time. I'll be vending at Dekalb Market for the holiday season.

From November 26th until December 24th, I'll be there every Saturday and Sunday. It's a great place to shop local, eat local or just hang out. It's sweet.

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And... Speaking of sweet...

Large Thumbs Cookie Jar made by Robyn Frank

My figure is in jeopardy of expansion from cookie consumption. I tried these cookies at Dekalb Market and ate an entire sleeve. I even tried to save some for later. I tried to keep myself from eating them all. I tried to no avail. These are some damn good cookies.

Robyn Frank is just as sweet as the cookies she makes. I read all about the family history behind the captivating confection but I want you to find out for yourself just what these cookies are all about. 

"Each cookie is rolled in the palm of my hand and then finished with my thumbprint. I used to make these cookies alongside my mom, Barb, in the kitchen while she made them for all neighborhood special occasions."

~From Robyn's Etsy listing

Surrender to your sweet tooth and grab a fistful of these cookies. Go to the Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/FrankysThumbsCookies

Or just visit: http://thumbscookies.com/

~Bobby~

Raising The Bar, Baby

So...

Tri-Stone Opal & Purple CZ

October has proven a bit chilly but things in the D.S.C. family are heating up. New stones, new metals & a lot more pieces made completely from scratch. That's what we're up to here.

I've been in my workshop with some sterling silver and some really cool, new gems like rubies, spinel, emeralds and more. Xenia and I have been coming up with designs together. It has truly become a family business and it's growing by leaps, bounds and contractions.

That's right. Contractions.

Along with expecting new designs, we're expecting a new member of the D.S.C. family. A priceless jewel. Due later this month. Our new baby. Hence the big push for opal. Our little one's birthstone. It's also one of my favorites. I already have a piece made for our little one. You'll get to see it when it's on the baby. Check back from time to time.

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I've always had an attraction to shiny, sparkly things. When I was a toddler I used to go to department stores with my mother and spend a good amount of time staring at the Swarovski Crystal case. The way the light played off the surface of the facets always made me feel relaxed. The same could be said about stones like moonstone and labradorite. 

South Australian Opal Triplet

Later, I found opals just as - if not more - appealing. It was on a trip to a jewelry store to pick up a gift for a friend. I couldn't have been more than nine or ten years old. I stood in front of a case of opal jewelry and drooled. I didn't want to look away. The shimmer and shine was different but the fire in the stone just seemed peaceful.

"Opal's internal structure makes it diffract light; depending on the conditions in which it formed it can take on many colors. Opal ranges from clear through white, gray, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, magenta, rose, pink, slate, olive, brown, and black. Of these hues, the reds against black are the most rare, whereas white and greens are the most common. It varies in optical density from opaque to semi-transparent. For gemstone use, its natural color is often enhanced by placing thin layers of opal on a darker underlying stone, like basalt."

~From Wikipedia~

Look out for more opal jewelry from the Dark Side.

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Anubis Egyptian Sterling Silver Ring 

Inspiration comes from a great deal of places. This time it's coming from Italy. I've never met the owner of this shop in person but we have corresponded via Etsy. His name is Arosha Luigi Taglia and his Etsy site is full of awesomeness like the Anubis Ring to the right.

"My work ranges from visual arts (sculpturing, painting, digital art) to jewelry design. I like to experiment with every material possible - plastic, silver, gold, metals, textiles, vintage pieces etc..

My work is presented in art, design, fashion and jewelry galleries all over the world."

~From Arosha's Etsy Profile~

Make your way to his shop (http://www.etsy.com/shop/arosha) and take a look at some of the beauty he creates. Let him know you were sent by Dark Side Customs.

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~Bobby~

Inspired

Dark Side Customs was recently asked to vend at an event called Authors After Dark. We traveled from Astoria, NY, to Philadelphia, PA, for the event, and it was so worth it. (A big "Thank You" goes out to PJ Schnyder for the invite and for being an awesome person.) I'm not just talking about sales. I'm not just talking about the fun of the Steampunk Ball. I'm talking about inspiration.

The Dark Side Customs Team

To be honest, as much as I was inspired by surroundings, other vendors, the general public, etc., the greatest inspiration came from my wife. She did this event with me. No sleep, crazy hours and all. She's my partner in life as well as in Dark Side Customs. Her help and support was - and is - invaluable. She handed me ideas that had me building new jewelry pieces during the event. She went around taking photos of pieces that needed to be added to inventory. Neither of us had gotten much sleep and were looking at being up for a very, very long time. She held on like a trooper.

After the event, we packed up to head home. We both had a good time. We both felt like we did pretty well. We were both looking forward to getting some sleep on the ride home. That sleep never came. Instead, we talked about plans for the future of the business. We talked about ways of making things better. We talked about ways to increase productivity and quality. We talked about ways to introduce variety... and it was glorious. While most of the people slept, slumbered and snored, we were connecting. We tend to do that. We're planning on bringing you some new items as well as some variations on old favorites. Keep your eyes open.

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Metals, stones, catalogs, boutiques... Wow! There is a lot to think about. Even the dreaded inventory is something I'm looking forward to, these days. I may whine and moan about it but Xenia has a great way of keeping me motivated. 

Gryphon's Crest

We've decided on experimenting with different metals and different stones and stone combinations. I'll be working with very different design ideas as well but my first venture into this journey of exploration will be adding some variety to our Heraldic Collection.

Some of you may be familiar with our crests. We've sold a few here and there. Brass beasts with beautiful stones and shells in formations reminiscent of a coat of arms. Until now they have all been brass. That's changing. I'll be putting a spin into the metal mix and introducing them in other metals as well. I have even introduced a new sigil to the line for those with darker allegiances.

Along with the new metals, we'll be adding more stones to the lineup. I'm working with more faceted stones along with my normal cabochons. I'm also adding a few more unusual colors. Orange has become a big hit in today's fashion. CZs are splashing in deeper color pools these days.

You never know what's coming next.

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Magic Vial - Summer

Do you believe in magic? Well... believe in this shop. Izile's shop has some pretty little eye-catchers and I happen to know for absolute fact that the lady that runs this shop is quite amazing.

"I created the idea of my Magic Vial Pendants, blends of gemstones, herbs and oils based around all the symbolic concepts of love, tranquility, and the four elements (water, earth, air, fire). All these years later, hundreds of combinations have evolved to cater to not only other concepts, but zodiacs and even personal custom requests based on the people themselves." ~From Izile's profile~

(Right) The Magic Vial - Summer caught my eye as simply a very interesting piece. That was until I looked deeper. "So this vial starts with a generous amount of Peridot for new growth, life and prosperity; combined with Malachite for harmony, healing and strength. These are blended in a neutral oil base with a tiny sprig of Clover for luck and love." ~Item description~

There is more in Izile's Etsy shop. You should take a look. I guarantee you'll enjoy your visit. As you peruse Izile's Oddities, remember to tell her you've come from the Dark Side.

~Bobby~

One small step for man... (Friends)

(Waiting for boxes and supplies is frustrating.) ... so I'll write.

The internet has connected the world in a way that only wars have come close to matching. Sounds insane but it's true. You can find anything on the internet. Really. Type in the most ridiculous thing that you can think of and you'll at least be able to find one other person that has thought of it if not created it. It's too much. But, we all know too much is never enough.

The View From Dark Side Customs 

So, when is it enough?

I suppose we'll just have to wait until we find out. I, however, will be indulging myself in the excess of connectivity that is the world wide web in order to reach out and touch someone like you. Think of it this way. In an effort to reach out to the world of consumers I, the business owner, need to make myself accessible in as many ways possible. That means advertising.

Blogs and banners and billboards. Oh My. Ok... maybe not billboards. Not just yet. I'll be reaching out to friends and internet neighbors for link exchanges and other mutually beneficial opportunities in the near future. And why not? We have to live in this cyber world together. Why not make the best of it? There so much we can do for each other if we just try. What else is the web good for? Ask Al Gore. He invented it. Right?

Hmmm...

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Friends (unlike internet porn) can sometimes do the most beautiful things for you without even knowing it. Just the other day I overheard a friend of mine use my my name - while talking to another person about music - as a reference to the types of things she likes to hear. I have to admit that I was taken a bit by surprise at how freely she just true my name into the bunch of artists that she liked. I was in amongst a few of my personal musical heros. She didn't even know I could hear her.

No. I wasn't eavesdropping.

Caitlin wearing the Queen Dylene by D.S.C.
 Photo by Kelly Rowles

Others carry a certain kind of æsthetic that makes everything around them seem that much more beautiful. It can come in so many forms. It could be a look. I could be a voice or their way of speaking. It could be in the attitude. There are many ways people can make things so much more pleasant for others around them. I would figure it makes things so much more pleasant for them as well. 

There are people like Caitlin. I wish I could say that I have known Caitlin for years and that I hand chose her for this photo to make my work look good. I would be lying.

My met Caitlin at an event called Dorian's Parlor in Philadelphia. She put on one of my necklaces and it looked like it belonged. There have been a few words passed my way, from Caitlin, that made me realize that she - and others possible- really liked what I was doing. It made me feel like I was on the right track. Like I'm doing what I should be doing.

Then... this picture shows up on Facebook and the first thing out of my mouth was, "Holy crap. That's amazing." (I know. Eloquent  Right?) The picture is by Kelly Rowels and it's beautiful. The subject is a natural beauty and the composition is excellent. My necklace being in the photo is one thing. The fact that it looks like it's loved is quite another thing. A wonderful thing and it touches my heat to see it.

Thank you to Caitlin and Kelly. I have even more of a reason to continue doing what I do.

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Dragon Unleashed by Decadent Dark

Friends of Dark Side Customs are spreading out all over the country and the world. Some cary a bit of their own Dark Side with them. Check out this D.S.C. buddy and see what I mean.

Decadent Dark is based out of Minnesota and has created some wonderful pieces that are more than just intriguing. They're fantastic.

(Right) The Custom pendant has a very interesting patina with the dark shadowing on the wings and breasted body. All the black convex gems are vintage and glass...as well, as the set faceted tear drop jewels (center and connectors)


"Designing and creating Stained glass windows and art for customers has been the most enjoying till I started using my knowledge of the art in producing jewelry and components." -From the Decadent Dark profile page.

The owner of this shop, Kathryn, also runs a few others on Etsy and has provided some great components for some of my own work. She is a pleasure to work with and a total sweetheart. You'll want to be on her Dark Side.

When you stop by http://www.etsy.com/shop/DecadentDark, let Kathryn know that Bobby from Dark Side Customs sent you. You'll be glad you did.


~Bobby~