Shivers of Delight

I found some great paintings of very regal skeletons this morning. (Whew! I didn't think I had anything to show you today.) They're from an artist named Finn Graves. The paintings I'm showing you are originals. I also fell in love with a clay skeleton. Don't delay. The shop is Finn Graves Art . Grandma Goddess Skeleton Moon Goddess with Green Shawl Jazz Musician in Bowler Hat Romani Queen Skeleton Crowned Skeleton Queen in Garden Skeleton Scarecrow This is the skeleton I first saw that I love! Skeleton Doll Graves also offers prints of most of her paintings.

Skeletons galore! Sam Hamrick is a linocut printmaker with oodles of skeletons (most of them playing instruments) in his collection. He also puts the designs on t-shirts and greeting cards. The shop is Fiddlebones and you should stop by. Skeleton Fiddler Greeting Card A Dapper Gent Vampire Bat Skeleton Guitar Bones Card Treebeard Skeleton Last Waltz Delta Bones Original Print  In the words of Tom Waits "T ain't no sin to take off your skin and dance around in your bones." (I hope that song runs through your head all day)

I've been wearing perfume more often lately. I think it's because I need to be surrounded by the scent of flowers since it's so dreary outside. The perfumes and colognes from T he Parlor Apothecary are intriguing. The black bottles and ornate Victorian style labels would look nice on display and the names, well, they call to my dark side. Any goth would be proud to wear these. Seance Perfume Nocturnal Men's Cologne Victorian Mourning Bath Salts Grave Solid Perfume Planchette Perfume Victorian Mourning Soap Follow the links to learn the ingredients that make up each scent.   I think a few of these scattered in our guest bathroom would be interesting. The Parlor Apothecary also carries Victorian mourning lockets and necklaces.

When you wear a lot of black, you need to rely on jewelry to make your outfit pop. Sure, I want to blend into the darkest corners sometimes, but when I decide to coax someone over I want them to remember me. Your jewelry should make a statement. Stephanie Smiszek is conjuring some bold jewelry that will give you the perfect spooky label.  Her shop is Hypnovamp . Green Prosthetic Eye Ring Kewpede Necklace Small Evil Eye Necklace Spider Web Earrings Draculette Necklace Tiny Bat Ring Planchette Ring I have several pieces on my "need" list. Check out the shop for more.

 Artist and designer Tara Fortin calls the pieces in her shop,  Blacklilypie , grumpy art. I'd call it dark and adorable. She mainly features bats and black cats in paintings, prints, and plush toys. It's a fun shop! Black Cat BFF Stuffy Bat Cat Face Painting Ghost Cat Soft Minky Skeleton Shy Batcat Pillow I will always pause when I see art with cats and bats. I just can't help myself.

I have some linocut prints for you today that will fit right in with your Day of the Dead collection. I've chosen the skeletons (calaveras) to show you, but Alynn Guerra has lots of beautiful subjects in her shop Red Hydrant Press . Death's Gathering Bike Packing Skeleton Skeleton and Oil Spill Model by the Window Mother and Baby Baby Sugar Skull Guerra has a sure and steady hand. The details in these prints are just beautiful.

If you're grumpy in the morning, the mugs and cups from Calou Calay just might bring a smile. The snarling face on each piece says stay away, but the colorful combinations send a message not to take you too seriously. Lisa Tantillo and Zack Callaghan are the potters behind the art. Morning Buddy Tea Cup Cyclops Mug Monster Jar Lil' Drinking Buddy Shot Glass Gamma-Clops Mug Coffee Monster I think you need to have more than one of these. An entire set on a tray would be horribly sweet.

It's been awhile since we visited the work of Christophe Goussault. His shop, KriSoft , carries small, paper maché sculptures that are adorably whimspookal. Goussault says that his inspiration comes from his childhood wish to own a toy shop along with his interest in the strange. Here are his latest offerings. Greg 1 Scarecrow Fred Phantom Ghost Lydia Norbert the Dragon Faust Giant Chess Piece La Girl Frog For paper maché, these sculptures are very delicate and detailed. It's hard to believe they're not made from clay. I really need to have one in my collection.