Shivers of Delight

Having a healthy interest in dark subjects and art doesn't mean we have to be gloomy and dour. In fact people who find the macabre interesting usually have a very good sense of humor and like to celebrate- though often with just a few close friends. Over the years, I've collected a number of dates to celebrate and honor. Sometimes it's just by raising my glass in a toast and occasionally I make the effort to gather people for a small party. The dark side of life should be looked at honestly and acknowledged as part of the cycle of life and death; not with reverence necessarily, but with respect. I hope you find these days as a way to toast life. I'll continue to update this post. P.S. I prefer to mark death dates rather than birth dates because remembering someone's death lets me honor their life's work. January 1 (1818) "Frankenstein; or The Modern Prometheus" by Mary Shelly is published 1-2 Imbolc/Candlemas, Pagan celebration of Spring ...

Yesterday I mentioned that I visited The Mütter Museum in Philadelphia and saw the exhibit Woven Strands: The Art of Human Hair Work . The pieces on view were stunning and I would love to own a cemetery scene made from hair like this one. (Do I have to buy a ticket for the lottery before I can win?) The exhibit has both wall art and jewelry and if you get a chance to go before it closes on September 16th, do it. I find it so interesting that there are artists still creating hair art. One of them, Courtney Lane, taught a workshop at The Mütter in April. Sorry I missed that! Don't despair thought, Lane teaches classes around the country from time-to-time and has a website devoted to her art called Never Forgotten . Lane has pieces for sale and can make a custom piece from hair you possess. There is even a starter kit with instructions for making your own tiny piece of hair art. These pieces are made by Lane and are all for sale. Eiffel Tower Shadow Box  Grave Scene Pape...

Actress Yvonne De Carlo (September 1, 1922 - January 8, 2007) may be best know as Lily Munster in the television series  The Munsters , that ran from 1964 to 1966.  This series was actually De Carlo's attempt to reenergize her acting career and her bank account. In the 1940s and 1950s she had a very successful career as a Hollywood film star and by her death had appeared in nearly 100 films, but by the time she hit her 40s, Hollywood had nothing left for her.  De Carlo is loved for her sensible, blind to differences, role of a warm, motherly ghoul. She said that on the first day of filming she was told to "Play her like Donna Reed." After the cancellation of the series, De Carlo revived the role in two Munster movies. She also began a third (?) career in horror films of the 1980s and 90s. Just recently the film American Gothic (1988), which starred De Carlo as "Ma", was released in Blue-ray. You can watch it on Amazon Prime, I believe. In r...

I have a Kickstarter project for you to check out today. It's from Jim Wirth and he has created three coins that you can carry in your pocket to remind you to seize the day because death will be here sooner than you think. The campaign is called Carpe Diem EDC . Wirth designed the coins with the phrases "Tempus Fugit", "Memento Mori," and "Carpe Diem" in mind. Of course they prominently feature skulls which is why I love them. You can choose a variety of finishes for your tokens, but the costs also vary depending on the finish. The pieces are just the right size and weight to be able to carry with you everyday. I carry around a little metal coffin with an etched skull in my change purse and every time I go to pay for something and it drops into my hand it's a gentle reminder to value experiences more than things. You should try it. The campaign is fully funded- in fact it's way over-funded- so this one is a guarantee. You ha...

I love the Victorian mourning jewelry that I see in antique shops. I've felt that it's something that should be back in style. You see, we're afraid of death these days and many sweep it under the carpet as soon as possible, but I think we should get a little more comfortable with it. Angela Kirkpatrick has created a line of mourning and memento mori jewelry for modern times. Her pieces are custom so that you can send in ashes or strands of hair for her to create a piece just for you or she can send you an empty reliquary and you can fill it yourself. Her pieces are reminiscent of Victorian pieces, but are designed for a modern you. Her shop is called Wisp Adornments . Skull and Hourglass Memento Mori Ring Custom Hair Memorial Necklace Custom Feather or Hair Keepsake Ring Custom Pet Ash Memorial Ring Nascentes Morimur Necklace My Stars Memorial Keepsake Ring Remember, Cameo Skull Ring This is one of those shops to bookmark. You might not ne...

Washington Irving died on November 28, 1859. I know what you're thinking: "Washington Irving, meh." I think we should all take another look at this hip guy. Did you know that he was the person who gave New York City the nickname Gotham? Hello, Batman. And, that there is a cocktail or two inspired by him (but not the actual word "cocktail" that some have credited him with- that was apparently disproved)? And really, where would Halloween be without the Headless Horseman? I know I ask a lot of questions, but The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is often called one of the earliest pieces of American fiction and I say the first American spooky story. How can you not be wowed? Let's go shopping. Washington Irving Giclée Print fron ArtTalesandMagic The Headless Horseman from HeadlessEnterprises Washington Irving Doll from UneekDollDesigns Then, let's make an Irving-inspired cocktail and raise our glasses to him. Because I said so. The Knickerbo...

Today is the 136th anniversary of New Orleans Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau 's death. There's a great deal of mystery around Laveau mainly due to poor record keeping and the fact that she named a few of her daughters Marie. One thing I know is true is that in a time when women of color were relegated to back rooms and ignored at best, Laveau made a name for herself and is still celebrated today. I admire her for that. In you have the chance to visit New Orleans you'll feel Laveau's presence in the French Quarter. (And really, you must visit New Orleans) True, much of it is hyped-up spookiness, but it's all done with a bit of humor and a great deal of love. Go with the flow and make sure you visit Marie Laveau's House of Voodoo  on Bourbon Street for some souvenirs. The shop will be packed with tourists, but it's fun to look around. If New Orleans isn't in your plans in the near future, you can shop online. Here are a few of my favorite items. Mari...

On April 20, 1912, Bram Stoker left this world. That's right. He died. Stoker is known around the world for his novel Dracula (I'm embarrassed to even mention that because I know that you already know that, but sometimes the obvious just needs to be said.) I'm honoring Stoker today by setting up Edward Gorey's Dracula: A Toy Theatre . This was a gift from my sister that hasn't been opened yet. I felt I needed to wait for the right occasion. Ta Da! This is only Act One: Dr.  Seward's Library, but you get the idea. I intend to set up all three acts and read the synopsis aloud to the cats as I go. It's convenient that I have a bad cold and am staying home from work today. I think that my sore, scratchy throat will only add character to my performance.  Pyewackette is eagerly awaiting the start of the show. By the way, in case you weren't aware, Dracula was turned into a Broadway play in 1977 by Hamilton Dean and John L. Balderston. Edwar...

Today is the death anniversary of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley  (1797 - 1851). I've posted about her previously , but I think it's important to honor death anniversaries. Birthdays are great and all, but you're just honoring someone before they accomplished anything in life. Celebrate the birthdays of the living, but once they get a deathday, that takes precedent. For our purposes, the most important things you need to know about Shelley are that she wrote Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus and she carried around the heart of her dead husband (Percy Bysshe Shelley) after he died at age 29 for the rest of her life. Raise a glass of claret to Shelley today. "Life is obstinate and clings closest where it is most hated." Mrs Peggotty Arts & Paintings Frankenstein's Monster Cross Stitch Kit from Gecko Rouge Frankenstein Wood Poster by Wooden Posters Frankenstein Lollipops by LousLollipops Graphic Novel Modern Day Reinterpretation of Fra...

On December 6, 343 (that is not an error) Saint Nicholas died. He was born to a Greek family in the Roman Empire, became a bishop, founded a small monastery, brought a few people back from the dead, threw some gold coins through a window to provide a dowery for daughters, and had a habit of secret gift-giving by putting coins in shoes that were left out for him. Ha! Leaving shoes out for gifts became a tradition on his Saint Day, December 6th and is still practiced in many countries. In the U.S. this tradition formed the basis for our very commercial Santa Claus. Don't quote me. You should read the more accurate version of his life .  (Oh, and give $3 to Wikipedia in his honor.) If you haven't come across the poem " The Death of Santa Claus " by Charles Harper Webb, you might enjoy it- or cry. What is more frightening than losing the magic of Christmas as a child? You might also find these items amusing if you're a little warped like me. Santa Coffin f...

On November 28th, 1859, Washington Irving died in his bed in the town that is now known as Sleepy Hollow, New York. To be sure, he was a celebrated author in his time and if there had been airplanes would have been called a jet-setter. Irving was recognized around the parts of the world that cared as a full-fledged American writer and was considered a master of the short story. Edgar Allen Poe asked for his advice. He was also a diplomat, but that's for some other blog. Where would Halloween be without The Legend of Sleepy Hollow ? It's so ingrained in our American psyche that I almost don't even notice it. From cartoons, to plays, to our love of pumpkins, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is everywhere.  Even Tim Burton would have to admit his remake of the story is one of his best movies. "On mounting a rising ground, which brought the figure of his fellow-traveller in relief against the sky, gigantic in height, and muffled in a cloak, Ichabod was horror...

Watching episodes of the tv show The Addams Family brings back memories that make me feel all cozy inside. I loved that crazy family as a kid and even more so now. No matter what outlandish thing happened, Morticia was calm, cool, and collected. She is a great role model. On September 29, 1988, Charles Addams the macabre cartoonist who created The Addams Family died. Today we honor him and his work. One of Addams first jobs after art school was for the magazine True Detective where he was charged with retouching crime scene photos to remove the blood from bodies.  Addams has been quoted saying "A lot of those corpses were more interesting the way they were." That was in 1933. Addams went on to draw many cartoons for The New Yorker and it's where he first came up with the Addams Family series in the 1930s.  It's hard to believe they've been around for so long! It wasn't until the 1960s that The Addams Family television series would come into being a...