The Art of Darkness

The Persistence of Link Dumps

April 29th, 2011 by Cobwebs

B-Movie Bags – A whole collection of handbags painted in the style of B-movie posters. The artist doesn’t currently have an outlet for sales, but welcomes enquiries.

Anya’s Ghost – An intriguing YA novel that begins as a story about a girl having trouble fitting in at school and ends as a straight-up ghost story. There’s a review over at BoingBoing.

Spiders Are Wonderful – Entertaining “children’s” book extolling the beauty of spiders.

Heretic – Utterly gorgeous (sadly, limited-edition and sold out) sofa made from a casket. (Hat tip to Maven)

gothgardener – A LiveJournal community devoted to…just what you’d expect.

Medieval Weapon Push Pins – Amusing way to spruce up a bulletin board.

Hearse Space – Ning channel for hearses and the people who love them.

Love the End – Art show by Andrew Bell. Lots of skulls and monsters.

groupmeh – A social network for “the tragically apathetic.” Heh. (Hat tip to pdq)

Labyrinth Amigurumi – Crocheted Jareth (complete with uncomfortably tight pants) and baby Toby.

Posted in Link Dump | 1 Comment »

The Arrogant Worms

April 28th, 2011 by Cobwebs

Arrogant Worms AlbumWhy have I never heard of these guys before? I’m feeling very cheated.

Shadaughter just introduced me to Carrot Juice is Murder, with a catchy tune and splendid lyrics:

Chorus:
I’ve heard the screams of the vegetables (scream, scream, scream)
Watching their skins being peeled (having their insides revealed)
Grated and steamed with no mercy (burning off calories)
How do you think that feels (bet it hurts really bad)
Carrot juice constitutes murder (and that’s a real crime)
Greenhouses prisons for slaves (let my vegetables go)
It’s time to stop all this gardening (it’s dirty as hell)
Let’s call a spade a spade (is a spade is a spade is a spade)

So I looked them up and am annoyed to discover that they’ve been around for years* and have tons of music (also available on Amazon).

Many of their songs are amusingly dark without being morbid, like the Mime Abduction Song, Head in the Freezer, and History is Made by Stupid People. They’ve even got a Christmas album featuring songs like, Santa’s Gonna Kick Your Ass and Dad Threw Up On Christmas Day.

They’re a fun–and largely family-friendly, despite lyrics about screaming vegetables–addition to a playlist. Check ’em out!


*I was also late in discovering Jonathan Coulton, so I may just be novelty singer-impaired.

Posted in Funny Peculiar | 1 Comment »

Interesting Funeral Reading

April 27th, 2011 by Cobwebs

DIY CoffinBoingBoing recently mentioned this article about a man who DIY’d his father’s funeral, not only making the casket–using hardware from his father’s boyhood farmhouse was a lovely touch–but actually managing to get a permit to transport the body himself, which is a non-trivial undertaking (so to speak).

That article linked to this overview of DIY coffin-making (which itself points to additional resources), and someone in the comments linked to this cool funeral blog. It’s part of The Funeral Site, which has all kinds of information and resources, including cremation jewelry, poetry, and discussions of unusual disposal techniques. I had never heard of “water cremation” before, and it sounds like an intriguing option.

That blog points to a couple of related blogs, Grave Matters (which focuses on environmentally-friendly burials) and Final Embrace (which seems more geared toward members of the funeral industry).

:::whew:::

If you’re in the mood for a bit of funereal reading material, there’s some interesting stuff to be found amongst those links.

Posted in Whatever | 2 Comments »

Gothic Wedding Site/Veil Giveaway

April 26th, 2011 by Cobwebs

May Rey VeilSteff Metal is the author of the “Gothic Wedding Planner” eBook, and she also used to write the now-defunct Wedding Skulls blog. She recently wrote to let me know that she’s back with a new, slick site, and she’s currently running a drawing to give away two lovely alternative wedding veils.

A book for goths, punks, metalheads, steampunks, pagans, and any other dark alternative in love, the Gothic Wedding Planner is packed with over 200 pages of tips and advice on venue, attire, budgeting, decor, invitations and writing the perfect wedding vows. As well as checking out the Gothic Wedding Planner book, you can have a look at the Gothic Wedding Blog for all kinds of dark and romantic inspiration.

Photos of the veils and information about the drawing are here. It doesn’t mention whether the drawing is open to overseas visitors or is restricted to New Zealand residents only; hopefully it’s the former.

If you’re planning a gothy wedding, the site is definitely worth checking out. You might even score a designer veil to plan your costume around.

Posted in Terror in the Aisle | No Comments »

Patrick Duffy and the Crab

April 25th, 2011 by Cobwebs

This isn’t at all goth, but it’s so deeply, deeply surreal that I feel the need to share it.

There are more here.

(And here’s some background if you need it, although frankly it’s almost more fun to just let it exist in its own little inexplicable pocket of weirdness.)

Posted in Funny Peculiar | 4 Comments »

Rabbit Stew

April 24th, 2011 by Cobwebs

1 3-lb rabbit, cut with a cleaver through bones into 2-inch pieces
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly-ground black pepper

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp cayenne

1/4 cup olive oil, divided
1 large onion, chopped
1 cup celery, chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 bay leaf
1 3/4 cups chicken broth
1 28-ounce can whole tomatoes in juice, drained, reserving juice, and chopped
1 10-ounce package frozen corn
1 10-ounce package frozen lima beans

Pat rabbit dry and sprinkle evenly with salt and black pepper.

Whisk together flour and cayenne in a shallow bowl. Dredge dredge rabbit in flour mixture, shaking off excess.

Heat 2 Tbsp oil in a wide 6- to 7-quart heavy (preferably cast-iron) pot over medium heat until it shimmers but doesn’t smoke. Brown half of rabbit, turning once, about 10 minutes total. Transfer to a plate. Add 1 Tbsp oil to pot and brown remaining rabbit; transfer to plate.

Add remaining Tbsp oil to pot along with onion, celery, garlic, and a large pinch of salt (about 1/4 tsp) and cook, stirring and scraping up brown bits, until vegetables are softened, about 8 minutes.

Add bay leaf, broth, tomatoes with juice, and rabbit with any meat juices from plate and bring to a simmer. Simmer, covered, 50 minutes.

Stir in corn and lima beans, then simmer, uncovered, until stew is slightly thickened and vegetables are tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Discard bay leaf.

Serves 4.

Posted in Doom It Yourself | 1 Comment »

The Link Dump of the Ancient Mariner

April 22nd, 2011 by Cobwebs

Black Milk – Interesting bodysuits and leggings. The Leg Bones and Black Ribs would be cute as a matching set.

The Alice Tarot – A lovely set of limited-edition tarot cards (not yet released, apparently) featuring characters from Alice in Wonderland.

Lines Cut from the Royal Wedding Invitation – :::giggle:::

Buntacles – The cutest mashup of a bunny and a cephalopod that you’re ever likely to see. First you snorgle it, and then it eats your face off.

This is Not Porn – Deeply, deeply peculiar photos of celebrities.

Poorly Dressed – Amusing T-shirt fail. (Hat tip to Empress Pam)

Myths RETOLD – Hi-larious stream-of-consciousness recounting of various myths and legends. You will laugh.

Beat Black – Etsy store with all sorts of unusual polymer clay jewelry, much of it anatomy-inspired.

Gloomth – Lovely goth clothing and accessories.

Fade to Bluegrass – What is it about Metallica that inspires so many weird-ass tribute bands? (There’s also a second album, and the same band does a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne.)

Posted in Link Dump | 2 Comments »

Bitchin’ Kitchen

April 21st, 2011 by Cobwebs

This is just marvelous. Nadia G, the “Julia Child of the Net generation” hosts a new show on the Cooking Channel:

Hilarious, informative and deliciously demented, this stylish comedy-cooking show is unlike anything else on TV. Set in a candy-colored kitchen decked out in animal print and leather, Bitchin’ Kitchen looks at the funny side of everyday life situations and turns them into occasions worth celebrating – with great food and big laughs.

Even if you don’t get the Cooking Channel, the site is worth checking out. It has recipes, videos (such as the one below), and all manner of cooking and style advice.

(Hat tip to Skye)

Posted in Resources | No Comments »

Seen Online

April 20th, 2011 by Cobwebs

Just once I want to see “Soooo many animals harmed in the making of this movie. Like, SO many. An insane amount. Too many, probably.”
shelbyfero

You have not seen true love until you have seen a grown man play Barbie with a little girl.
Just_PYKA

I’m certain if Bram Stoker knew Dracula would eventually lead to Twilight he would’ve slit his own wrists with a bat wing.
Jason_maybe

I work at a reverse suicide hotline. We cold call people who should seriously consider killing themselves, like Mel Gibson, for example.
shariv67

My mom just sent me four chain emails and an inspirational quote. I responded with eight links to nursing homes. Waiting for her response.
ixSEANxi

Experience with women has taught me that Jack was most likely pushed down the hill.
MrBrown_Eye

There should be only one World’s Greatest Dad shirt. And you should have to kill the previous owner to wear it.
dominicdierkes

Disney should do a movie about a princess that talks to woodland creatures and they convince her to go to grad school.
sween

Little kids need to be taught that the 5th time they ask the same question, their grandpa will be eaten by a robot wolf.
robdelaney

My son’s homework consists of writing sentences using vocabulary words. I convinced him to use “puts” in “It puts the lotion in the basket.” I expect a parent-teacher conference any day now.
— me, on Facebook*


*I wouldn’t usually consider myself worthy of inclusion on this list, but that status got a ridiculous number of positive comments. Which means that all of my friends are sick, sick people. (It also means o hai! I’m on Facebook. Come friend me.)

Posted in Funny Peculiar | 5 Comments »

Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab

April 19th, 2011 by Cobwebs

Obsidian WidowBlack Phoenix is a purveyor of unique fragrances specifically designed to appeal to the fantasy/horror geek.

They take inspiration from their perfume blends from a wide variety of literature, mythology, historical figures, and folklore, which results in blends like “Jersey Devil” (pitch pine with blackberry leaf, cranberry, cedar wood and tomato leaf) and collections like “Steamworks” (“Aelopile,” “Galvanic Goggles,” “No. 93 Engine,” “Phoenix Steamworks,” “Smokestack,” “The Antikythera Mechanism,” “The Obsidian Widow,” and “The Robotic Scarab”). They also occasionally do limited-edition scent collections based on authors’ works, with proceeds going to charity: One of their current offerings is inspired by Neil Gaiman, with fragrances like “The Macabray” and “Fairy Market.”

Since they’re definitely aiming for “ambiance” over “mass appeal,” their blends don’t work with every skin chemistry, so a thriving community has risen up around trading scents with other fans. The BPAL Swaps LiveJournal page and The Unofficial BPAL Forum are two sources for trading and/or finding discontinued blends, and searching “Black Phoenix Swaps” will turn up plenty of others.

One criticism I’ve seen of their products is that, although the fragrance blends are “logical,” they’re not necessarily what one would expect a particular scent to be. For instance, their “Dracul” is a mixture of black musk, tobacco, fir, balsam of peru, cumin, bitter clove, crushed mint, and orange blossom. That fits right in with the literary description, from the pine forests in Transylvania to the scents beloved of Victorians. What it doesn’t do is smell much like Dracula.

Nevertheless, if you’re wearing a fragrance called “Wings of Azrael” or “Grand Guignol” you can’t help but feel a little spookier than usual. They’ve got dozens of perfumes to choose from, so you’re bound to find something that appeals.

Bonus Link: BPAL also has a sister site called Twilight Alchemy Labs which produces oils for ritual purposes.

Posted in Needful Things | No Comments »

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