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.

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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.

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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.

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~

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~

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~