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~