Bi-Polar Candy Corn

Life in the Charm World is much like life in our world, only smaller. As an example, here is Bi-Polar Candy Corn.

When Candy is off her meds, she finds herself feeling sad and without motivation a lot of the time. This can make her grumpy.



She hangs out, but usually keeps to herself.



When Candy is on her meds, she finds that the highs are not as high. Her mood is even, but she misses the peaks and valleys.



In case you thought it was an easy life, Candy assures you that it's not.



She needs to see someone. If you can provide therapy and a god listening ear, it might help her.

Bernie says...

A Basset-eye view of the new listings.

You can find everything but Bernie here.

The Truth About Halloween Cats

Gilda is on a mission: to help you understand the truth about Halloween cats.



Truth 10: Not all Halloween cats are black. This is a myth perpetrated by many Cornerstoregoddess bracelets. (This annoys Gilda no end.) Halloween cats can be black, orange, white, or any combination of these colors.



Truth 9: Not all Halloween cats ride on broomsticks. It actually makes for balance problems for the witch. It's much like a motorcycle: if the rider in back moves, it affects the balance.

Truth 8: While some Halloween cats have been known to ride on the back of motorcycles, Gilda does not recommend it unless one enjoys spiders in one's whiskers.

Truth 7: Halloween cats do not guard the pumpkin patch. That's your job, foolish mortal!



Truth 6: True Halloween cats (also known as calico cats) bring good luck.

Truth 5: Halloween, or calico cats are sometimes referred to as money cats. This, according to Gilda, is foolish. Check her out. Does she have any pockets? She rests her case.



Truth 4: At one point in Japan, Halloween cats were thought to protect sailors on their ships. Gilda says you'd have to gte her on a ship, first.



Truth 3: On Halloween Eve, Halloween cats gather to make their plans for the day that honors them.



Truth 2: After a ritual meal of tuna sashimi, they instruct the other creatures of the night as to their Halloween tasks.

Truth 1: When trick-or-treating, it is essential that treats be gathered for the Halloween cats, as well. Objects honoring them count. Like this.

Gilda says, "You have been warned!"

A sneak preview...

A little slideshow. Gilda is quite pleased that this week's goodies match her fur.

Like a Hot Santa Ana Wind

A friend once described the four Los Angeles seasons as earthquake, flooding, fire, and drought. We are about halfway through fire these days, often due to the Santa Ana winds that dry your sinuses and rattle the palm fronds. In the midst of the last batch of Santa Anas, I made a bracelet that shows that side of L.A. Noir - palms, a dark skyline, an occasional glint of treasure before is whirls past.

Raymond Chandler described the Santa Anas thus:

Those hot dry winds that come down through the mountain passes...



and curl your hair and make your nerves jump and your skin itch.



On nights like that every booze party ends in a fight.



Meek little wives feel the edge of the carving knife and study their husbands' necks.



Anything can happen.

In the charm world, life is similar. The hot winds blow. The palm trees grow crisper and the dry fronds still rattle ominously. The meek little housewives are truly little, though perhaps not so meek. And there are gemstones. This is, after all, Hollywood. But there is a darkness in the air. Even the charms feel it.




Go ahead. Ask them!

The Monster Mash

with thanks and apologies to Bobby "Boris" Pickett...

You never know what the charms are going to do once night falls.

I was working late in the bead lab one night,

When my eyes beheld and eerie sight.

For my monster from his slab began to rise

And suddenly to my surprise...




He did the mash.

He did the monster mash.

The monster mash...

It was a graveyard smash.

He did the mash.

(It caught on in a flash.)

He did the Mash.

He did the Monster Mash!

From my laboratory in the castle east

To the master bedroom where the vampires feast,






The ghouls all came from their humble abodes

To get a jolt from my electrodes.

They did the mash!

(They did the monster mash.)

The monster mash,

It was a graveyard smash!

They did the mash.

(It caught on in a flash.)

They did the mash,

They did the monster mash!

The zombies were having fun,

The party had just begun.

The guests included Wolf Man






Dracula and his son!

The scene was rockin', all were digging the sounds:

Igor on chains, backed by his baying hounds.




The coffin-bangers were about to arrive

With their vocal group, "The Crypt-Kicker Five"

They played the mash.

(They played the monster mash.)

The monster mash,

It was a graveyard smash.

They played the mash

(It caught on in a flash.)

They played the mash,

They played the monster mash

Out from his coffin, Drac's voice did ring.

Seems he was troubled by just one thing.

He opened the lid and shook his fist

And said, "Whatever happened to my Transylvania twist?"

It's now the mash,

It's now the monster mash.

The monster mash...

And it's a graveyard smash!

It's now the mash.

It's caught on in a flash.

It's now the mash,

It's now the monster mash!

Now everything's cool, Drac's a part of the band

And my monster mash is the hit of the land

For you, the living, this mash was meant, too.

When you get to my door, tell them Boris sent you!

Then you can mash,

Then you can monster mash.

The monster mash,

And do my graveyard smash.

Then you can mash.

You'll catch on in a flash.

Then you can mash,

Then you can monster mash!

It's the Monster Mash for your wrist, complete with an evil eye(ball.)

It's here. Just tell them Boris sent you.

Recession Buster du Jour

Here's another bracelet I just finished, to beat the economic recession blues. This one is in garnet and burgundy. Let's call it burgundy, merlot, and cabernet sauvignon. We can all sit around singing "Red Red Wine" and celebrating Bob Marley.

My philosophy with these is that it's better to buy something handmade at a reasonable price than mass-produced, at the same price. It can add a little sparkle to someone's life.




There's plenty of Czech pressed glass: hearts and flowers and fire polish crystals and seed beads.





There you have it. This week's recession-buster!



Ready for the chorus?

Red red wine I love you right from the start
Right from the start with all of my heart...

Rhino's Slide Show

Rhino was in charge of this week's slide show, to give you a sneak peek of what's new.

Another SPOOKtacular Giveaway!

Leah, of leah's Art Magic, is hosting a giveaway, too. Her prize? A Halloween ornament for your Halloween tree. Don't have one? Maybe you need to make a wish and hope the Great Pumpkin hears you!

A Spooky CK Giveaway!

Vunderful artist Christopher Klingler just did his 500th blog post, and to celebrate, he's hosting a giveaway. You can leave a comment to have your name placed in the cauldron. Here's a pic of the postcard he'll be giving away. It looks fabulous framed.

Chasin' the Economic Blues Away...with Fall Colors

I've made another bracelet to beat the economic recession blues, this one in autumn colors: browns, oranges, yellows, and muted green. My thought is that it's better to buy something handmade at a reasonable price than mass-produced, at the same price. It can add a little sparkle to someone's life.




There's plenty of Czech pressed glass: hearts and flowers and fire polish crystals and seed beads.




There's also some lampwork glass and gemstones, for their textures and color surprises.






There you have it. This week's recession-buster!






$39.99 and free shipping right here. Let the blues lift.