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~

Making Good on a Promise

Where does the time go?

There is so much more involved with starting this business from the ground up than I had anticipated. Good. It will keep me on my toes. There's nothing like a challenge to keep the blood flowing.

CODA Brass, Sterling CZ Collar by D.S.C. (Sold)

The biggest deal for me at the moment is being sure I'm putting out a product that people want. I'm all about it. In fact, I'm so much about it that I spend a good amount of time that I should be sleeping thinking up designs and ways to implement them. As it is, I began this post at 3am. I just can't get my mind to calm down when it's flooded with so many design ideas and and the best I can do is some research to try to figure out if the ideas keeping me awake have been done or not, how I might implement my ideas, what people are actually interested in seeing, buying... etc.

It's enough to make one lose sleep...

So now, I'm setting myself up to create a new line for Dark Side Customs. It will be quite different from what you're used to seeing from us. It will also be a lot more personal. No components unless they come from my hand. Each piece will begin as some of my others have - as a drawing. From there, I will set about making that drawing into a tangible piece of wearable art.

This is my way of making good on a promise. It's the promise in my mission statement and the unspoken promise I make each time I pick up a stone, a piece of metal or my torch. It's the promise to give you my best.

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From the early days. Our first Dorian's Parlor gig.

Dark Side Customs will be making an effort to attend more markets and events so that we might be able to reach out to more people in more areas. You may have seen us at Dorian's Parlor, Authors After Dark, The Brooklyn Indie Market, Astoria Market or even ICon. Now, we're looking to make our way into some more of your favorite haunts. We'll be putting pieces in some local boutiques as well

Tell us about some of your favorite market places. We would love to see you there. And, with the holidays fast approaching, we'll be offering deals for online shoppers to make choosing your holiday gifts even easier. If it is a holiday gift, we'll even wrap it up in a neat little package for you.

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Wrapping things up in a neat little package is a job for a wonderful lady named Nikki. She's the owner-operator of MayFaire Moon Corsets & Costumes.  

TARDIS Corset by MayFaire Moon

"We specialize in corsets for the more discerning wearer: all patterns are custom-drafted to individual measurements, fully steel-boned, interlined, and wrapped in silk, tapestry, leather— anything your heart desires. Special orders are welcome, and we love a challenge." - From the MayFaire Moon Website. 

She does so much more than just corsets. Her costuming is top notch and she can make any bride feel like a queen on that special day. She creates beautiful, wearable works of art for men and women. 

You'll have to make a stop at her website and check it out. www.mayfairemoon.com/ 

Also, check her out on Facebook.

www.facebook.com/MayFaireMoon