Shivers of Delight

I took the last few days off for a little rest and my blog post got delayed this morning as I tackled the New York Times' Spelling Bee and then tried a new yoga routine. I feel so relaxed! But I didn't forget you and so, at last, here is today's Macabre Mix Monday  Mid-Day. Pumpkin Essence Potion Prop Jar from Burned Raven Tales Lucky Bird Lamps from Sugar Divine Studio Coffin Moon Decor from Tempted 941 "How Unfortunate" Banner from Fyurena Death Head Moth Bolo Tie from Belts Buckles Bolos Etched Spider Web Glass from EtchologyAZ Bone Jar Terrarium from Starling Witchcraft Remember to take some time for yourself today, and yes, shopping counts.

New Orleans is such a magical place. It really has its own energy. About 7 years ago my husband and I celebrated our anniversary there at Halloween. We'll never be able to top it. Recently I stumbled across a New Orleans shop on Etsy called Ye Olde Bleating Goat . It's filled with curiosities, oddities, and original paintings all with that magical New Orleans vibe.  Second Line Skeletons Everett Paper Mâché Skeleton Death's Head (Hawkmoth) Specimen 1930's Funeral Ephemera Buddy Mortem Mardi Gras Mask Doesn't this shop get you in the mood for Mardi Gras?! I can't wait to celebrate.

  Looking for something to do this week? I have a few ideas that might interest you!  If you haven't seen the French film Les Diaboliques you really must. Even with subtitles, watching it on an iPod, I was on the edge of my seat.  There is also going to be an interesting online talk on Colonial Era Gravestones by the Springfield, MA Preservation Trust on Thursday. I've been to this cemetery and the gravestones are really awesome. It's free and, who knows, you might learn something new. Plus there are a few Halloween artist shop updates including the monthly sale through the Eclectic Halloween Artists Guild (EHAG).  Wednesday the 26th Nicole Pangas Ceramics shop update, 9pm EST Thursday the 27th Colonial Era Gravestones  presentation with the Springfield, MA Preservation Trust, 7pm EST Saturday the 29th (1955) Les Diaboliques film release in France Monday the 31st Eclectic Halloween Artists Guild Lovelorn Market , 9pm EST Tuesday the 1st Imbolc spring celebrat...

The pewter jewelry from Djek Carr is so fun. The ghost and monster pendants will outright charm you. Sure, it will be shipping from Moscow, but I think it might be worth the wait. Forest Monster with Fireflies Pendant Ghost with Spider Pendant Mouse with Wings Pendant Autumn Ghost with Umbrella of Leaves Ghost Pigeon Brooch Spider-Hare Pendant I love these so much. And, the price is super affordable. Get one before the U.S. places sanctions on Russia! It's not going to be pretty, folks.

Well, enough of this languishing. The world goes on. I'm back and while I may not be bright-eyed, I'm at least a bit more awake.  Mondays are when I share with you a mix of artists who create for people who accept the macabre around them as natural. These pieces all made me pause during the last week and that says a lot since I was languishing on the couch. Paper Mâché Pumpkin from Twisted Realm Crafts Coffin Serving Board from High 3 Handcrafted Gold Leaf Skull Wall Art from Phrankies Phreeks Insane Asylum Working Lock from Gypsy Macabre Inc Spirit Board Crate from Reasons and Rhymes Horror Freaks Original Painting from Benjamin Buntaine   Danse Macabre Handkerchief from MaLaine Feutree If you feel the need to stop what you're doing because it doesn't bring you joy, give yourself a break and languish for a week. You may decide to move in a new direction or you may find a spark of joy to keep you going. 

 The Miserable Season started on January 15th. I'm languishing and the blog is resting for a few days.

Now that I work from home I haven't been wearing as much jewelry as I used to. I make the effort to put on earrings and rings, but the brooches and necklaces are quietly waiting for me to pull them out again. And I will! My mom always used to remind my grandmother to put her dentures in by telling her "Put your zęby (Polish for teeth) in! When you look good, you feel good." Words to live by. (Also when my mom said zęby is sounded more like zoobies so my sister and I still call teeth zoobies) So with a vow to wear more of my jewelry everyday my eyes are pealed for new pieces. GUITAshop has jewelry that appeals to my dark fairytale soul. Evil Eye Earrings Catrina Pendant Skull Cuff Bracelet Skull Ring Amethyst Ring Sugar Skull Bracelet I love the coldness of silver, don't you?

I keep changing directions in my head about what kind of miniature house I want to build and decorate. Will it be a shop, an apartment building, a room box for my spun cotton figures that I can hang on a wall??? AGH! I just can't decide. I do think I want to build it from foam core and paper mache though. That at least I'm certain of... I think. In the meantime, I'm still getting inspiration for the miniatures pieces I find. MiniMelange is an Etsy shop owned by Susan Clark. The witch hats caught my eye first. Do I want to build a witch hat shop? Maybe. Witch's Hat Hand Painted Skeleton Chair Vampire Baby in Cradle Batty Ironing Board Halloween Skulls Jack-O'-Lanterns This shop has items for many different holidays. I think you'll have fun just scanning through the pages.

Thursday the 13th The Nuuttipukki (Goat Men) arrive on St. Knut's Day  in Finland  Friday the 14th (1978) Death Anniversary of Blossom Rock (portrayed Grandmama Addams) Sunday the 16th Appreciate a Dragon Day  (1979) Death Anniversary of Ted Cassidy (portrayed Lurch) Tuesday the 18th (1971) Death Anniversary of Virgil Finlay (science fiction and horror illustrator) As always, celebrate responsibly. And if you want to peak ahead, you can always visit my Ghoulish Days page for a full (in-progress) calendar.

The gourd and paper clay figures from Carrie Lewis fall into the whimspookal category in my opinion. They're cute and spooky all at the same time. The shop is Carrie Crafts . Creep Viva la Vida Demora the Demon Devlin Trick or Treat Blue Eyed Devil I just love the devil figures! You can't have too many really.

 How does Monday come so quickly? It’s a good thing I think quick on my feet!  Frosty the Krampus Minion from Spike’s Curio Shoppe Pumpkin Coffin Wallet from Natural One Crafts Witches Brew Pitcher from Gracie China Shop US Fabric Jack-o'-lantern from Home Town Stitches Shop Mystic Raven Stained Glass from Sclo Glass Studio White Jack-o'-lantern mug from North GA Pottery Co Beaded Raven Brooch from Zhovner Jewelry Pumpkin Wax Seal Signet Ring from Trumpet for Two There! I did it. Enjoy your week and I'll see you here tomorrow.