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~

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~