The Art of Darkness

Is It Just Me…

September 28th, 2007 by Cobwebs

…or does “Mansinthe” sound like a porn title?

Whatever. Marilyn Manson has just tried to turn his Goth Volume up to 11 by releasing his own brand of absinthe. Spooooky.

Since the stuff is made the traditional way with wormwood, it’s banned in the U.S., so all of the “where to buy” links are for overseas vendors. Incidentally, it’s also technically illegal to import real absinthe from overseas vendors, although if you’re buying just a bottle or two customs will generally turn a blind eye.

I can personally vouch for Spiritscorner’s product and service; I bought my sister the bohemian Art History professor some absinthe from them a couple of years ago for her birthday. They were fast, efficient, and surprisingly cheap; even with overseas shipping I was able to get her some quality absinthe, a traditional glass, and one of those neat perforated spoons for about the same price that a bottle of non-wormwood “Absente” cost in the states.

Frankly, though, if you’re going to go to the trouble of buying something overseas and having it shipped, forget the “Mansinthe” (ew) and look at some of the many other brands which may offer better quality and value. I’m afraid I can’t offer you recommendations, because the stuff is licorice flavored, and I’d be more likely to drink bat urine.

(Also? Wormwood is banned for a reason, kids. Too much can make you mighty sick. Don’t go blamin’ your Auntie Cobwebs if you go and drink something illegal.)

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Coffin Tattoo Quilts

September 27th, 2007 by Cobwebs

Coffin Tattoo QuiltI ran across this site when I was desperately searching for that other coffin quilt. It’s kind of a weird hybrid: The quilt imagery is based on tattoos, but the quilt itself is in the shape of a toe-pincher coffin. For some reason I’m having a little trouble wrapping my head around this; it sort of seems like too much of a good thing. However, the applique work on these quilts is amazing, and well worth a look for that alone.

The artist also makes a number of items not on display in her gallery, including aprons, bags, and baby booties.

Link

Posted in Doom It Yourself, Whatever | No Comments »

Inspirational Flickr Sets

September 26th, 2007 by Cobwebs

In addition to the standard vacation photos and general ephemera that makes up the bulk of Flickr, there are also some hauntingly beautiful galleries. Check out some of these artists’ atmospheric, creepy offerings. Lovely!

Mouseskull (some NSFW)
Ghostbones
VoodooBoo
ilConte
demeter*
Lauren.Rabbit

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Memento Mori on the BBC

September 25th, 2007 by Cobwebs

The BBC Website has a short slideshow on some of the ways that we have historically confronted death. The images of death juxtaposed with children are particularly unsettling, although a couple of them would be attractive on a wall as a framed lithograph.

Link (via Morbid Anatomy)

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Morbid Tendencies

September 24th, 2007 by Cobwebs

Framed Mouse SkeletonI think the first item in the site’s FAQ sums them up perfectly well:

What do you do?

I make art out of dead animals and other nice things. YOU buy the art, then I take the money and go buy gin. See how simple it is?

In addition to a neat gallery of work, the site also includes instructions on making one’s own “deadgarden” to clean and give character to animal bones. The writing style is chatty and funny, and I’m strangely taken with Robert, The Best Dead Cat In The Whole World, featured on the home page.

Link

Posted in Needful Things, Paint It Black | No Comments »

Domiknitrix

September 21st, 2007 by Cobwebs

Knitted Skull Tank TopWith a tagline like, “Whip your knitting into shape,” it’s not surprising that this site offers designs of which Aunt Bessie in Shreveport might not necessarily approve. There are several free patterns, a book you can purchase, and lots of inspiration.

The site also has a page devoted to the skull pattern shown here, interpreted in all sorts of forms. I particularly like the skull and crossbones afghan done by one submitter.

Link (via Halloween Hotlist)

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Love from Virgil

September 20th, 2007 by Cobwebs

Skull HandbagBilling themselves as “low fashion and rock couture,” Love from Virgil offers inspired handmade fashion and accessories. I need to find out where they score some of their fabric, too; it’d be perfect for a quilt I’ve got in mind.

Link (via One Good Thing)



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Rat Stole

September 19th, 2007 by Cobwebs

Rat StoleOne of the items at the Gareth Pugh runway show during London fashion week was this stole made of “red-eyed rats.” (You’ll apparently have to take their word on the red-eyed part.)

This looks like a fun do-it-yourself project. Plush rats are easy enough to find (although I think I’d want to go with the black or grey variety), and they could either be stitched together with heavy thread or yarn, or simply hot-glued to some sturdy base fabric. I guess you could string them together like a boa, too.

It’d be cute with plush tarantulas, too.

Link (via BoingBoing)

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Spooky Moon

September 18th, 2007 by Cobwebs

Inspirational ImageThis lovely blog lists itself as “a year-round place for all things creepy.” I particularly love the “Today’s Inspiration” images (such as the one here, by demeter*): All kinds of moody, atmospheric, startling, thought-provoking, um, inspiring pictures.

Link

*I feel as though I should explain the asterisk, lest you think I forgot a footnote. There isn’t a footnote, that’s her name. demeter*.

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My Baby Bat

September 17th, 2007 by Cobwebs

ShadowboyThis has nothing to do with crafting or decor, other than the fact that I find him both crafty and decorative. But it’s my blog and I can do whatever I want. So there.

This is Shadowboy, in all his three-year-old glory. The shirt is by Hot Topic, the attitude is all his. (Click the thumbnail for full size.)

Not shown, but he’s also wearing skull-and-crossbones underpants. It’s my goal to make all the ladies at daycare juuuust a little nervous.

Posted in Bittens, Whatever | No Comments »

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