Wicked Wednesday: Eco-Goth

The terms "eco-friendly" and "goth" may not seem to go together.  After all, gothic fashion - particularly certain sub-genres - seems to focus on the man-made and mechanical.  To say that nature plays no role, however, would be incorrect.  Nature finds its way into gothic fashion in beautiful gemstones adorning elegant jewelry, colorschemes that remind us of the sky at midnight or a rose garden just after the rain.  Nature's influence is there in all sorts of ways that we just don't think about.


But one of the most prominent places you'll find it is in the wonderful array of unique gothic beauty products that is available today.  One such product is this fantastic lip balm from the amazingly cool perfumery, For Strange Women:

 This lip balm (which contains no actual poison ivy, thank goodness) is packed with natural - and only natural - ingredients, like vitamin E and cocoa butter.  And it's flavored with essential oils, including basil, marjoram, and petitgrain.  Doesn't it sound wonderful?  Quite a nice change of pace from the usual fruit and mint flavors, I think.

But if that wasn't enough, this lip balm has an added bonus.  The packaging is totally eco-friendly.  It's completely biodegradable and compostable, contains no plastic, and it holds 40% more than a regular lip balm tube.  Sweet! 

I'm totally sold.  The only problem is choosing between this and one of the other awesome flavors For Strange Women has available.  And that's not to mention the perfumes, bath salts, and candles.  You really must go have a look.  

Wicked Wednesday: Quothe the Raven

You might have been able to tell from my most recent listing that I am a big fan of Edgar Allen Poe. And apparently, I am not alone. There are plenty of Poe-inspired goodies floating around Etsy. Here are just a few that were already sitting in my favorites...

Poe's Raven by MFAS



by Middleburg

Portrait of Edgar Allan Poe Linoleum Print



by TheDiggingestGirl

Edgar Allen Poe Print



by senioritis

Wicked Wednesday: April Showers Bring Steamy Flowers

Gosh, it's been ages since I did a Wicked Wednesday post, hasn't it?  Well, when I set out to write today's post, I knew I wanted to do a gothic homage to spring.  But how to showcase the darker side of such a bright, sunny season...?  Simple.  Flowers!  Flowers are one of the first things I think of when I think spring, and while they can certainly be bright and cheerful, they can also be dark and elegant--just think of roses.

I found a lot of great flowers floating about the Etsysphere, but I finally narrowed my choices down to jewelry items and, quite serendipitously, this collection came to be more "steampunk" than "goth."  But to heck with labels.  Let's just call it all beautiful!

Black Dahlia Earrings by smilingsoul2 

Antique Gold Rose Filigree Ring by edmdesigns

 

Silver and Sapphire Cameo Cuff with Flowers by earthfirestudios

So there are my picks.  Now let's see your steamy, springy favorites!

Wicked Wednesday: Red and Black and Undead All Over

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and it's got me seeing red! Seriously, it's everywhere. Fortunately, I happen to like red. In fact, it comprises half of my favorite color combination. There's just something about a bright, blood red paired with deep, dark, doom-ly black...

Obviously, I am not alone in this opinion. There is certainly no shortage of awesome red and black items floating around Etsy. Here are just a few of my favorites...



This ravishing raven pendant from The Gilded Lily is actually made from a Scrabble tile. I'm a big fan of Scrabble, so I think that's pretty darn cool. And even if you're not a Scrabblephile, you can't deny that this pendant is gorgeous. Unless maybe you just really don't like big, black birds. In which case you should check out the rest of the shop, which is chock full of Scrabble tile pendants. There is seriously something here for everyone--from pretty flowers to retro flamingos to phrases such as "Keep Calm and Eat A Cupcake." Very cool.

Moving onward, I love armwarmers. They're such a great accessory--especially for folks like me who have ickle bitty hands. I love gloves, but they're always too long in the fingers. With armwarmers, that's not an issue. And, like gloves, armwarmers can be both practical--like the knitted variety in warm wools--or decorative, like these little lovlies from Estylissimo.



Aren't they just fabulous? The lace, the lacing, the subtle pinstripes... Beautiful! But if you don't have anything in your closet to match these, don't worry. Estylissimo has a wide range of armwarmers in a variety of styles and colors, as well as a selection of gorgeous chokers and headbands. Do pay them a visit.

And finally, what good are awesome accessories without a beautiful dress? It's like potatoes without the meat. But fear not. I found this beauty for you:



Say "hello" to the Olivia gown by KMKostumes. Actually, it's three separate pieces--the corset top, skirt, and big ol' fluffy petticoat. So if you really wanted to, you could wear the pieces separately. I love options like that. And I love the rest of KMKostumes's offerings, as well. They've got lots of other beautiful dresses--in a range of prices from quite affordable to gonna-have-to-save-your-pennies-for-a-while--as well as skirts, tops, and a whole host of awesome accessories. Be sure to take a look!

There's my picks. Now let's see yours!

Wicked Wednesday: Creepy Crochet

Okay, so it's not really creepy, per se. I just like alliteration. And all of these crocheted creations do have a certain gothic flair. And you thought crochet was just for Granny's afghans! You didn't really, did you?!

Oh, no, my friends. It's also for... jewelry? You bet! Just check out this gorgeous crocheted choker from FlowersbyIrene:



Isn't it amazing? Great for any elegant occasion, but it would truly be the perfect Gothic wedding accessory. There's also a white version for the more traditional bride, as well as lots of other beautiful crocheted accessories. Check it out!

You know what would go great with that choker? These gloves from crochetize:



I know I said the same thing about the last item, but aren't these amazing? So detailed! So elegant! So fantastically well-made! Go pay crochetize a visit. She has a few other pairs of gloves in her shop, and each one is just as gorgeous as these.

I always like to see something for the wee baby gothlings of the world, and these have to be one of the cutest items of that description I've ever seen:



I love these. I love the little skulls. I love that they look like Crocs. And I love that they take the tradition of crocheted baby booties to a new, modern, goth-ish level. Awesome!

Nahvrianna has these in other colors, as well, if you're not of the "drab is fab" mindset. And if you're not really gothly at all I don't know why you're reading this she has lots of other adorable booties too, as well as patterns, if you'd like to make your own.

Now, then. On to today's bonus item! This one isn't actually crocheted itself, but it is crochet-related. And it's so cool I just couldn't resist.



This puts my nice-but-kinda-boring-maroon-pleather-came-with-the-hooks case to shame! Aren't those little button-eyed skulls and scissor-crossbones just the greatest? And the best part? This is just one of many awesome designs Slipped Stitch Studios has to offer. There are plenty of other cool needle/hook wraps as well as project bags and oodles of other accessories for we knitters and hookers.

All right, my fiendish friends. That's it from me today. Have you got a cool, creepy crocheted item to share? Leave me a comment. I'd love to see it!

Wicked Wednesday: Steampunk

Good afternoon, my fine readers! It's time for another Wicked Wednesday. The new year is just around the bend, so I thought I'd devote today's installment to a style/subculture/aesthetic (call it what you will) that's rather new to me.

Steampunk!

This is my latest stylistic obsession, and I am oh-so-happy to see oh-so-much steamy awesomeness floating around the Etsy.  Here is a brief sampling of some of my favorite items...

I don't think it's come up here before (amazingly), but I have a big thing for corsets.  I love looking at them, I love wearing them, I even made one (granted, it was a waist cincher and not a full corset, but it totally counts).  So of course, any fashion that supports the wearing of corsets is going to be right up my alley.  Thank you, steampunk.

And thank you damselinthisdress for giving me so many beautiful corsets to lust after.  Seriously, everything in this shop is just gorgeous.  But we're talking steampunk here, so have a look at this baby:

So beautiful I'm having trouble thinking of anything intelligent to say.  I just love everything about it--the brown, the velvet, the buttons.  Oh, the buttons...  Did I mention I have a thing for buttons, too?

You know what else I love?  Hats.  Especially top hats.  So of course, if I got this corset, I'd have to buy a hat to go with it.  And it would have to be this hat:

I love those little leather bits.  The whole thing kind of reminds me of an old trunk.  And I love old trunks.  Of course, I also love everything else GypsyLadyHats has to offer.  I wouldn't mind having one of everything.

In fact, I spent a good deal of time browsing through their shop, trying to pick something to feature here.  Precisely how much time, I don't know.  Because I don't have one of these:

But boy I wish I did.  I've been wanting a pocket watch for a while now, and when I get around to buying one, I think it's going to have to be from finkgifts.  They have oodles of beautiful watches, including a wide selection of specifically steampunk watches.  And there's just something extra cool about a watch with all its gears hangin' out...

I could go on for ages, really.  There's so much cool stuff out there.  But I've got work to do, so I'm out, and now it's your turn.  Spotted some steamy goodness?  Leave a comment and let's see it!

Wicked Wednesday: Gothic Christmas Part II

Happy Wednesday, Folks!  And welcome to part II of my Gothic Christmas special.  Here's another handful of darkly delightful decorations for your home, your gifts, and for you!

Let's start with you, shall we?  After all, why should the tree have all the fun?  You deserve a bit of decoration too.  Maybe something like this:

Or anything from AtticRaiders, for that matter.  They have such a beautiful assortment you couldn't go wrong.  So go check 'em out, and while you're there, be sure to have a look at their masks.  They're gorgeous!

Now that we've got you dressed, what about those gifts?  Looking for something to add an elegant, gothic flare to your packages?  Here ya go:

PetiteMichelleLouise has plenty of gorgeous, vintage-inspired gift tags for you to choose from--including these, featuring Gothic windows.  And what good goth doesn't love Gothic architecture?

All right.  That's you and the packages...  Still need something for the tree?  Check out Something Wicked's awesome Skull & Snowflakes Ornament:

I love that poor, puzzled-looking skull.  It's like he can't figure out what he's doing here, sandwiched between a pair of snowflakes, nestled amidst the branches of a tree.  Of course, if skulls aren't your thing, there are bats too, as well as a couple of cool black "studded" ornaments.  And other cool stuff too.  Go check 'em out!

Me?  I've got beads to string and carols to sing!  Happy Holidays, Everyone!

Wicked Wednesday: Gothic Christmas Part I

I think I have a new favorite Christmas song. Doesn’t a gothic Christmas sound great? I thought so too. So this week and every week until Christmas, Wicked Wednesday shall feature items that will help you stay in touch with your dark side during this bright time of year, that will bring a hint of dispair to this joyous season and ensure that you have a ghoulishly good Yule.

Looking for something stylish to keep away the chill at your Yule-time festivities? This cloak would certainly do the job and you couldn’t help but look absolutley stunning in it. If Christmas had an official fabric, I think red velvet would have to be it. Or if red’s not your color, MwestDesigns has plenty of other colors and fabrics for you to choose from.

Need something to top off your holiday Lolita (holiloli?) ensemble or maybe a very special gift for someone special (*winkwinknudgenudge*)? Tiny tophats are always a splendid accessory and Olgaitaly has some great ones, including a few just for Christmas. Like this one, featuring gorgeous and glitzy poinsettias.

Or perhaps you’d rather trim the tree than dress yourself. I saw black trees at Walmart the other day, so even you hardcore gloom-and-doom-ists have no excuse not to have one now. And if you’ve got one (even if it’s a colorful, green one) Meatspider has some awesome stuff for you to hang on it. Like Cthulhu.

For the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me…

Cthulhu in my tree.

Brb. Off to go rewrite the rest of the song.

In the meantime, why don’t you show me your gothic Christmas picks!

Wicked Wednesday: Gifts for Goths from Ghost Love

Well, folks. It’s December. If you haven’t started your Christmas shopping yet, now is the time. Don’t let it sneak up on you like I always do! Hop to it! And while you’re at it, stop by my shop. I’ve got some earrings that would make great stocking stuffers. And everything is still 25% OFF through Friday!

Now, as much as I’d like you to buy from my shop, I just might not have what you’re looking for. But I know someone who might. Specifically, if you’re looking for an awesome gift for that sweet, gothic-lolita-steampunk-victorian-enthusiast girl in your life (or guy—don’t wanna be sexist).

Run—don’t walk—to Ghost Love Jewelry, and let the drooling ensue. Honestly, I could hardly tear myself away to come write this. I’ll have one of everything, please!

Or, barring that, here are a few of my favorites…

The Twisted Lickable Lolli necklace is just too cute. And it makes me wonder, if one could find an actual lollipop like this, what flavor would it be?

Ever wondered where you could find a monocle? No? Just me, then? Okay. Well. I have. And now I know. Right here. And isn’t it just gorgeous? Not to mention practical! I definitely need one of these. Are you listening, Santa?

So if you’ve never gone looking for a monocle, then you probably don’t share my fondness for octopi (or octopuses—apparently, both are correct) either. But if you do, Ghost Love’s got you covered there too. Awesomely. As always. (And on a side note, the fact that the octopus necklace closes with a lobster clasp makes me giggle.)

And that’s all I’m going to show you. You need to go look. Now.

Wicked Wednesday: Gothsgiving

We all know Halloween is the official goth holiday. And last week I featured a few pseudo-gothly Christmas items. But what about Thanksgiving? I had to wonder how the creepy crafters of Etsy had put their mark on Turkey Day. So I did some searching.

Alas, I found no goth turkeys or cornucopia of doom or anything that was really specific to Thanksgiving. What I did find was some lovely bits of dinnerware and décor that would be perfect for adding that morbid touch to your Thanksgiving meal.

Take, for instance, these gorgeous napkins. I love that scraggly, leafless tree. It’s dismally beautiful and seasonally appropriate. And just imagine how awesome those ruby-red napkins would look with a black tablecloth or, as the seller mentions, on a dark wood table.

Salt and pepper shakers are another easy way to dress up your table for the season. There’s certainly no shortage of turkey shakers, and this year I saw some pretty fall leaves. But we’re looking for something with a little more style, right? Something like… Oh, I dunno… Sugar skulls? So they may not have anything to do with Thanksgiving, and Dia de los Muertos is at the other end of the month, but it is in the same month. And what good goth wouldn’t just jump at the chance to add a little more Dia to their day?

Maybe you already have fancy, gothtastic goblets to serve your wine in. Maybe you have plain, boring wine glasses because that’s what you could afford. Either way, you can dress them up a bit and offer your guests a fun, easy way to keep track of their glass once you’ve polished off that first bottle and the party’s really getting started. You can find drink charms just about anywhere, but we need something will fit in with the rest of our décor. Something like this. A little Poe, a little Muertos… Oh, yeah. It’s shapin’ up to be an awesome holiday.

But what are we gonna serve all that food on? Well, I didn’t find all the awesome gothly dinnerware I was expecting. But maybe I just didn’t look hard enough. After all, I got kind of distracted by this cool ceramic platter. There’s something about that faded, distressed image that’s just mesmerizing. I love it. And the more I look at it, the more I love it. But I’ll be darned if I can find those wolves. Or the moose.

So. That does it for my picks. But I’d love to see yours! What items would you like to see on your Thankgiving table this year?