Watches from DSC

You can never have too much time on your hands. Check out these watches from DSC's new Secret Stash. Tempus Fugit.
Why Wear Anything Else?
http://www.mkt.com/DarkSideCustoms

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

DSC Valentine 2016

Remember that video I was talking about in the last blog? This is it.





Why settle for Overpriced Roses that die or Cliche Chocolate? Use Coupon Code TRUELOVE to save 20% on the most unique Valentine's Day Gifts until Feb 8th. Click here: http://buff.ly/1PdTV9c 
Please share this video with your friends and family.

Going For The Gold

So... Here's a first for me & DSC. Don't laugh. I know it's a little goofy. But it was my first time. Be gentle.



Please share with your friends.

And don't forget to stop by these sites:

http://www.facebook.com/DarkSideCustomsNYC

http://www.DarkSideCustom.etsy.com



You can also sign up for our mailing list directly by copying and pasting this link in your browser: http://eepurl.com/bxp_er

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.

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.

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. 

---

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.

---

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.

---

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.

---

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.

---

~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.

---

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.

---

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~

What are we up to?

So...

Dark Side customs is looking like it's headed in the right direction. I'll be investing quite a bit into raising the standard of D.S.C. Excellence. Better materials, new designs and more ways to buy are all in the works. I'm doing everything I can to make Dark Side Customs a Household Name.

The Gear Box (Dark)

You may - or may not - be aware that the metals market has been in a state of flux lately. The price of silver and gold has been through the roof and traders are in a panic about prices skyrocketing over a number of months.

Many jewelers, like myself, have turned to using base metals for their small-ticket items. Though most have kept their noble metal items in production, the cost is, as always, passed on to the consumer. I'm working on a way around that. I will continue to produce handmade base metal pieces; I'm stepping up to the noble metals in a way that will keep them affordable and not sacrifice quality in any way. I want D.S.C. to be the Gold Standard so I'll keep reaching for that Brass Ring.

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You may have noticed that I've placed donation buttons on the D.S.C. website and at the bottom of this blog. Well... don't be frightened. I'm not telling anyone that they have to pay "or else" and I'm not begging for 10% of your weekly earnings. I'm just leaving the option open for those interested in being a part of the growth of Dark Side Customs. A couple people have asked me to explain. So...

Dark Side Customs started out as an idea - between a few former friends and myself - several years ago. We liked working on cars and motorcycles and wanted to start our own custom shop. Differences happened, people split and I'm sure you can figure out the rest. The idea never left my mind.

I had already run a small jewelry business and I felt comfortable with it. When the opportunity came around and I was able to start again, I figured I would combine the dream name with the dream of being creative and making a living at it. Thus we have the current incarnation of D.S.C.

Now, I'm looking for ways to bring the full dream of my art feeding my family to fruition. That is the reason for the donation buttons.

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The Aviary

My friends are doing great things. Really. Take a look for yourself. Some people are just amazing at altering your perception and challenging you to open your mind. Kelly Kotulak is one of them.

"There is a fire in your heart, sometimes shy, and sometimes bright, and it yearns for magic. You carry it like a secret. It reaches for mysteries, it delights in the strange, it dares. You step behind the curtain. That fire sets your eyes alight".
-From Kelly's Etsy profile.

(right) Three brass bird skulls hang beneath a gate of ornate brass filigree, graced by the rhythmic drape of chain.

She is the essence of SteamPunk. You can find more of her beautiful work on Etsy. She's among my favorite shop owners. I have a feeling she'll be one of yours as well. Check out her shop:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Hibernacula

~Bobby~