December 20, 2020
The holidays are an excuse for light-hearted foolishness, an alibi for a few weeks of colorful magic and wonder. Before it ushers in the wave of New Years’ productivity, some revelry. Hot chocolate with jumbo Dandies marshmallows for a quick walk to the fabulously tacky Dyker Heights Christmas Lights. I Read more…
December 18, 2020
After a quick trip to my folks’ house, where I scored a large quantity of their mid-century glass ornaments that had been in storage, my Christmas tree is officially done. And I can’t stop taking pictures of it. This one on top was my favorite when I was a kid. Read more…
December 5, 2020
Though I’ve pronounced the mermaid season over several times, I haven’t put my seashell stash away. After scoring the absolute perfect base for a full mermaid costume, I’m reinvigorated. Before that though, a wreath that will unfortunately not be able to hung as it’s way too much weight on a Read more…
October 30, 2020
The last two tops of this season’s Mermaid Craft Season would make 9 tops altogether. 3 have sold, as well as 3 from previous seasons. Though my stock of shells is still pretty larger from my massive Florida shell haul in 2019, I am thinking up another trip south for Read more…
October 21, 2020
Passing through Pennsylvania’s capital city, I had to check out the new mural from another favorite, Stephen Powers. I’ve gone on about his cleverness before, yes. But this time maybe I’ll go on about the intent of community building. It’s such a worthy cause and he does it with a Read more…
August 29, 2020
Back in quarantine I’ve been finishing up a couple more mermaid tops… because mermaid season is coming to an end unceremoniously… without a parade, without its collective weirdness–the culmination of my crafting. So I decided I’d participate in Coney Island’s remote Mermaid Parade 2020, a Tail-a-thon. But It was unfortunately Read more…
August 24, 2020
Rhyolite was another Gold Rush Boomtown.Β Itβs quick rise was short-lived, however–the Panic of 1907 rocked Rhyolite and it never recovered.Β Its mine closed in 1911 and the town officially died in 1916.Β Now it has some new life as the recipient of various art installations including Albert Szukalski’s Last Read more…
August 23, 2020
The International Car Forest of the Last Church is actually an attraction in Goldfield, not Tonopah. But it is a quick 25 mile drive. The collection of automobiles strewn about the desert landscape is a striking visual thought up by artists Chad Sorg and Mark Rippie and has nothing to Read more…
August 20, 2020
The Navajo Nation has been hit hard by Covid-19. In the initial plan of this trip, which was thought up before the pandemic hit, included a stay at a Navajo βHoganβ or yΓ‘ΚΌΓ‘tʼééh–a traditional and primitive home with a dirt floor, no running water and, I am sure, dark undeveloped Read more…
Now officially on my trek south to Flagstaff, Arizona, I hit a series of relatively easily accessible scenic stops along the way, starting with the Sand Island Petroglyph Panel. The Anasazi, ancestors to the Pueblo, carved up this panel good and well, possibly since occupied as early as 6,500 BC. Read more…
August 19, 2020
Whoβs got the gossip?Β This rock does!Β The Newspaper Rock, a notepad nearly 2,000 years in the making and 200 feet tall along a cliff in the Indian Creek Canyon, tells countless stories.Β As one of the busiest slabs of ancient communication, the Newspaper Rock State Historical Monument is officially Read more…
August 17, 2020
Those of you who have followed my adventures may remember my becoming semi-obsessed with petroglyphs on my trip to New Mexico a couple of years back. With this areaβs ancient history vivid on the surrounding walls, I would rekindle this love and seize the opportunity to find and document these Read more…
July 16, 2020
I shelled so much last summer in Florida, that my crafting station is a bit overwhelming. I need to use a ton of shells.. and fast! So I started my first larger sized top in an effort to reach more mermaids. Using one of the many big Cockles I collected Read more…
July 8, 2020
Scoring some good mermaid raw materials at a thrift store in Ohio, I knew these shoes, which fit me like Cinderella, would be all for me! Because I have this thing for iridescence. Since my last mermaid shoes were a bit too clunky, I wanted to keep the delicate shape Read more…
June 6, 2020
As you may recall, I’ve made lots of holiday wreaths with my hot glue gun. But not my favorite holiday: Halloween. I began a craft stash for this purpose. These yucky limbs were lying about my apartment for months as I waited for fake cucarachas from China to arrive, subconsciously Read more…
June 4, 2020
…I’d have a top like this. A little piece of all parts of the sea… With the largest variety of shell types I’ve ever put onto one top, this is one of my new favorites. Do I say this every time? Pen shells from Florida’s sun coast, mussels and razor Read more…
May 30, 2020
Though it’s real far away, I am excited about the opportunity to join the vendors at MerMagic Con, the largest mermaid convention in the world. To offer a variety of price points at my booth, I’ll be making all kinds of accessories, along with the tops and dresses. Here is Read more…
May 14, 2020
Ah, the shores around old landfills! It’s like going to the beach and going antiquing simultaneously. And like going to the beach & exploring an abandoned hospital, or going to abandoned hangars or military forts (here and here), it’s Gateway Recreation Area–a guaranteed wonderful afternoon on so many levels. Today, Read more…
May 4, 2020
I always celebrate Star Wars Day, May the 4th, in my classroom. Since my classroom is locked up, we would have to celebrate it remotely! So I laid out my garb–my Leia hoody and the pillow case skirt I made in the 90’s when the original trilogy was released in Read more…
April 27, 2020
I bought a slew of these ridiculous bras in bulk from eBay… in more common sizes… so I may keep on crafting mermaid tops during the quarantine. This one is a bit more mainstream than my usual top… more pretty… more for like a young gal. I used a combo Read more…
April 21, 2020
I decided I’d take my accordion out in quarantine and try to learn how to play it. Of course I had to put on my German dirndl… because that is the closest region of garb I have, though it’s way off. Things: I need to replace the leather shoulder straps Read more…
April 20, 2020
Updated: Even though our New York City Mayor canceled all June events, which includes my beloved Coney Island’s Mermaid Parade, I am a very productive mermaid crafter nonetheless. Because I will march… somewhere, I will march. Maybe in Greenport? With my Etsy Shop up and running and my Mermaid Instagram Read more…
April 7, 2020
Something you probably don’t know about the shape of my head–it does not take accessories well. Headbands don’t stay on my head, bandanas or scarves can’t stay in place if tied around it… Something about the slope from my Occipital bone to the nape of my neck (I had to Read more…
April 4, 2020
I must be a mermaid I have no fear of depths and a great fear of shallow living. – AnaΓ―s Nin It was time to put my Florida shells to work… finally. These Pen Shells, and their iridescent interiors, were my favorite to find. I had a vision of the Read more…
March 30, 2020
Finally my Mid Century Baker’s Pantry is finished! In the end, it’s a beautiful piece that is now the home to all my baking materials. But I am already onto drawing a schematic of my next home project… for my bedroom. Stay tuned to watch this project blossom in the Read more…
March 18, 2020
As I attempt to become remote teaching expert in 30 seconds, I decided I would also attempt to remotely teach my after school crafting club! I assigned my first assignment… to capture a piece of “Your Brooklyn.” So I went out to capture mine–my bridge. I was so pleased to Read more…