Jewelry Sale!

In order to get her mind off of things the gf has been crafting (and buying!) like crazy.

So - in order to help pay off some of her new supplies and start her shop rolling again she's offering 15% off ALL Cameo necklaces! Just put 'weekend sale' in message to seller and she'll refund the 15% via paypal.

Thanks!

We now have an angel kitty!

Thank you to all those who have been thinking of our little family!

Friday night Prince started having trouble breathing and moaning in pain so we decided it was time. We took him to the emergency clinic around 10 p.m. with the intention of putting him down. When we finally got into the exam room the tech took his temp and we found it was FINALLY normal and the swelling in his arm had gone down! We were so hopefull!

Than we noticed little red spots on his arm and tummy - the doctor was very worried about those as they could have indicated internal bleeding/bruising. She wanted to run some bloodwork since his levels were pretty off last time blood was taken (a few days ago).
So she did and discovered that he was clinically anemic. She said a blood transfusion had to take place if we wanted him to have a chance of making it. That entail $1000 per NIGHT (could have taken numerous transfusions) and only a 5o/50 chance.

After talking it over briefly we decided to go for it - hell, a 50% chance we could have our baby for years more?

They started to prep him for an IV and we ran home (around midnight now) to get his meds that we left there. When we got back the tech asked us to wait for a few minutes because the Doc needed to see us (That's never good).

After waiting an HOUR in the lobby she brings us in to tell us the bad news. When the techs were shaving his arm to get the IV ready they finally saw how horrible his bruising was. They did more bloodwork while we had been gone and found he was past repair :( The doc mentioned something about bone marrow, but we wern't really paying attention anymore.

We made the decision quickly - the doctor (who was a total angel) said she would have done the same if it was her cat.

They brought him in on a kitty bed and with a towel over him so we couldn't see his shaved arm. He was in obvious pain - we said our goodbyes - she did the euthanasia quick - and he was gone.

The techs made us a little imprint of his paw in clay right after for us. They were all so kind to us.

Our house feels so empty without him now. Even though we still have his brother (who were terribly worried about now since he is also FIV positive) its just not the same.

He was cremated yesterday and is now back home with us - in spirit and remains.

Please - if you have a pet - love on them today for us! and for prince :)

Why I haven't been on much

My cat is not doing well and chances are he won't make it. This is an excerpt from my gf's bulletin on Myspace:

I don't like gambling.

I especially hate gambling against bad odds - and with my cats life :(

Update as of today: Temp has gone down a degree so it's almost normal and the swelling has gone down some. This could be good and could be bad.

Good: infection is going away!Bad: infection is taking over and his internal organs are shutting down, hence the cooling in temp and decrease in swelling (Swelling is the body's sign it's fighting the infection).

Doc thinks its more of a bad sign - he's also paler in the gums/face because of the anemia and has stopped wanting to eat (will still eat when we finger feed him - but not on his own which he was somewhat yesterday).

We have 3 choices:

1. Take him to the emergency clinic for a minimum of 48 hours to be hooked up to antibiotics via IV. Will cost at least $1000 and even then it's a 50/50 chance. Even IF he makes it she said there is no telling if he'll be 'the same' once he's 'better' and if this won't happen again in a few months.

2. Continue what we have been (meds at home, feeding, fluids at the clinic daily) and than there is a 20% chance.

3. Euthanize.

Right now were going with option 2. If he starts to show ANY sign of distress we're taking him in to be put down. We're trying not to be selfish and putting him through this any longer than he needs to just because we're not ready to say goodbye. We just want to make sure we do as much as we can so if the time comes, we can say we gave it our all. We also don't want to push things on him and make him suffer to the point that we'd regret keeping it going for so long if it's not working anyways.

My new jewelry shop!!

After weeks of preparing I have finally opened my own jewelry shop! http://LoveandLust.etsy.com. Please go take a peek and let me know what you think! I’ve been working non-stop this last week creating new designs and have BIG things in store for this shop over the next few weeks!

My style can best be described as Victorian with a touch of gothic beauty. Black roses, cameos, hot pink glass beads, keys, hearts and spider webs are just a few of the things you’ll see in the shop. I strive to create beautiful and elegant pieces at a price that is affordable for all budgets. Pieces range from $4 to $30 and I will be listing a few new items every week so check back often!

Thank you to everyone who has supported NightmareAnthology thus far – now show LoveandLust some love as well! To see my previously sold pieces and feedback please visit http://NightmareAnthology.etsy.com.
- Erica

The newspaper article!

It still won't come out until tomorrow but here are the photos on the newspapers website from the photoshoot yesterday!

http://www.pnj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=DP&Date=20090305&Category=LIFE&ArtNo=903050804&Ref=PH&Params=Itemnr=1

Horrible News/Great News Today!

So - bad news first.

I didn't get into the one Ph.d program I applied to this year :(
It sucks BIG TIME - but, everything happens for a reason I suppose.

Good news! Christian is going to have a photoshoot this week for an article the local newspaper is doing on him and his art! WooooHoooo!! I can't wait and hope that there is a decent amount of sales/traffice because of it!

In an effort to declutter the shop and move some of my jewelry out I've put most of my jewelry on uber sale. Check it out if you can! I'd love to have it all gone before the article runs this weekend!
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6757993&section_id=5968840

Christians latest inspiration!

So - we went to the cemetary a few weeks ago and came across the SICKEST tree stump EVER! It literally has the face of some creepy old guy in it - check it out!

He's working on the drawing now - should be up tonight/tomorrow!

SojournCuriosities

One of the things I love most about etsy is the fact that I can trade for some AMAZING items! The latest trade was with SojournCuriosities who does some of the most unbelievable wire wrapping I've ever seen! She was nice enough to trade two of her pieces for an original painting of mine. I got the red heart key piece and she made a beautiful purple wire wrapped key necklace for my gf. I'm planning on making a custom shadow box to display my piece in :)

Pictured below are the two items we received today - but be sure to visit her shop for dozens more!!

http://www.sojourncuriosities.etsy.com/

Finally - New Art!!

I have been so busy with school and my internship over the last few weeks that I've really been neglecting my etsy shop. I had a wonderful customer purchase a few things over the weekend that wiped out almost half my artwork! (Which I'm SO not complaining about lol).

My goal this weekend was to get 7-10 new pieces done...which is a lofty goal but luckilly I've finished one so far!

"Snowfall on Silence" - The second photo is of the piece tilted so you can see the snow better!

Sooooo....here are the goodies from our giftbasket!!! I was suprised to see that they actually included a basket, most 'basket' giveaways don't because of shipping. The CYA/SAFE team doesn't play around with their giveaways!!

Let me try to give a shout out to the individual stores who included their items! (pictures and some descriptions taken from their etsy shops!)

http://www.anhoki.etsy.com/ Sent this AMAZING perfume! (Her #3). It contains Orange blossom, magnolia, apple, lime, strawberry, sandalwood, clove, patchouli, amber and the tiniest hint of baby powder and as she describes it is the 'most hauntingly sensual' fragrance! She also included her "Voodoo Love" soap which I'm not sure if this is the same as the photo I took from her etsy (that photo is of Infinito Amore) but it's totally a fun and super flirty smell! I can see myself using this after a day at the beach before going out for drinks or something :D


http://www.bathartisansoaps.etsy.com/ Sent a full bar of her 'serenity' soap. OMG - this smell is to die for! It's subtle but sexy like woah and I cannot WAIT to use this! "This bar has gentle notes of French Lavender, Fir Pine, Egyptian Jasmine and sweetened with vanilla then to balance soft notes of delicate musk."I love that when I smell the soap I can actually smell each individual fragrance in their equally - she's like a fragrance genuis or something lol.

http://www.copperlilly.etsy.com/ Included her Almond Champagne bar - again, the smell is just a perfect combination of fragrances without being to strong - Christian loves this one!! It's described as "A sweet and fizzy champagne with a delicate almond scent" - who doesn't love champagne and almonds lol.

http://www.bellalunacrafts.etsy.com/ Sent her Chocolate Bliss bar - now...this may shock you since I am in fact a female but I'm not actually a huge fan of chocolate. I don't eat it regularly and have never been "OMG" over the fragrance BUT...this soap is definitely the exception! I can't WAIT to try it and I hope I smell just like the bar when I get out! I must admit I thought about licking the bar - just a little bit - because it smells so delicious!

http://www.soapscentsations.etsy.com/ Thank goodness SoapScentsations included her Pomegranate Loofah disc soap because I surely need it lol! I LOVE Pomegranates and her soap is so simple and natural smelling/looking and I can't wait to scrub down with this! :D

http://www.theivorymagnolia.etsy.com/ Sent her Cherry Lime Mint Soap and not only is it my favorite color (pink) but a scent combination that I never would have thought of that smells SO PERFECT together!! I haven't even taken the plastic off yet (trying to keep these babies for a while!) and I can smell the beautiful fragrance completely through it - this is like, luxury hotel type soap folks lol.

http://www.themuddymoose.etsy.com/ Woohoo now the 'fun' stuff! :D The Muddy Moose sent in Cinnamon massage oil and a massage candle! Now I was curious as to what a 'massage candle' was but the instructions are clear: Burn candle, blow out candle, use candle wax in massage! Umm...yea, can't wait to try this and her edible massage oil as well!!!

http://www.thistledelightsoapworks.etsy.com/ Christian and I are already fighting over this! Thistle Delight sent in Three Butter Bliss intense Moisture and it feels INCREDIBLE! Christian wants to claim it for himself but I think we may be mature enough to share it equally :)

http://www.beyondthepicketfence.etsy.com/ included her Earth Tones Salt Scrub (different from pictured above!) which I will probably be out of in a few weeks because I WILL be using this religiously! It has everything in it from Dead Sea Salts to Olive Oil and Shea Butter and its like, your skin winning the lottery!

http://www.kbshimmer.etsy.com/ sent in a gift certificate to get 3 of her bath bombs which I LOVE and will be ordering very soon!

Now - My BIGGEST apologies but in my excited frenzy of opening up everything I've misplaced the tags for two items! If someone from the CYA/SAFE team could let me know who sent these two I would appreciate it! One was the original poo soap (LOL!) and the other was Rose-a-Liscious and the tag looks like it says zozea.etsy com but that's not a valid shop.

So, my biggest, biggest, BIGGEST thanks to everyone who contributed to the basket!! I LOVE it and am seriously taking it out of the linen closet every few hours just to take them all out and smell them one at a time again lol.

You gals ROCK!!!

Latest work by the GF

I has been a vurry busy bee!

Will also be updating later with reviews of the FANTASTIC basket we just received from the CYA/SAFE teams giveaway! It's absolutely undeniably AMAZING and I can't wait to show off pics of all my new goodies!!

She's officially an addict!

Here is the link to her latest etsy post

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21369029

And here are some photos of another piece she finished - but may not sell because they don't sell the charms she used anymore! Boo on Michaels lol.

Better photos!

Just finished up taking and uploading better photos of "The Queen's Heart" jewelry set, here are a few of them.

Let us know how you think!

Nightmare Anthology ... JEWELRY!

My gf has caught the etsy bug! She just listed her first jewelry set tonight and we posted the listing in the critiques forum and it got rave reviews - she was floored lol.

Please let us know what you think!


http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21338177

PRINTS!

After many weeks we FINALLY have prints available of my original artwork! Right now only one is listed ("13 Please") but I will be listing "Her Dream" later today. There was a problem with the other prints I ordered so I will be returning those and hopefully listing the new and improved prints next week.

Let's hope these sell!

BurntMill Soap Review

Nightmares Gf here!

Last week we received an offer for a full size sample from burntmill soap shop. Even though we just won the awesome giveaway basket from the CYA/SAFE soap team this is our first time actually trying handmade soap!

First off - I was surprised to see how much it lathered! I know that is a concern many first time soap buyers have and I can tell you it DEFINITELY gives off as much bubbles as commercial soap (maybe more even!)

Secondly - the soap left my skin feeling clean AND hydrated. No weird residue, no slimey-ness, nothing but cleanliness and softness!

Finally, the smell is delicious! She sent a bar of Forbidden Fruit and a small ball of stonehenge. Forbidden Fruit smells a lot like tutti frutti - very fragrant and sweet!
Stonehenge is definitely more subtle and somewhat more 'masculine' - although it still is very gender neutral (I LOVE it!).

Here is the forbidden fruit we received (I tried to take my own photos but they looked like crud - so this is from her etsy shop)






And here is stonehenge!



Best of all - this particular batch of stonehenge came out a little too dark, so it's on sale for only $2.50! I would definitely grab some if I were you! :D

Thank you so much for the soap burntmill - I've had a wonderful first experience with handmade now!
Visit her shop at http://www.burntmill.etsy.com

Should I press my giveaway luck??

So after my luck with winning the CYA/SAFE teams giveaway I've decided to enter a few more!

The first one by HeathensHearth (http://heathenshearth.blogspot.com/) is for this amazing set of bath/body products!

The second is by the ever-so-cute OnaRoll shop (http://onarollaccessories.blogspot.com) ! My gf and I are terrible at anything that doesn't involve canvas/paper so this would be a great win for us :D

Check out their blogs/shops and wish me luck!

Valentines Day

My girl and I had a great Valentines day yesterday! I made homemade pizza and calzones (us Brooklyn kids make the best) and for gifts we decided to let each other pick out something we've hearted on etsy (since we both have pages and pages of favorites!). Imagine our surprise when we both picked out an item from the same shop, a fellow Etsy Dark Sider, BellaLili! (http://www.bellalili.etsy.com/)

Here is my choice - a beautiful Nocturne Victorian black ring



And she picked the 'Love is a Four Letter Word' necklace....



We can't WAIT to receive our items and will definitely post pics of them 'in action' when we do!

Hope you all had a great Valentines Day!

Day at the Cemetary

My gf and I like to go to the cemetary on the weekend to work on art and gather ideas for future pieces. On this particular day we brought along a very special friend, my ugly. He was the result of a wonderful trade I did with fellow etsian Amandine. (Visit her at http://www.amanidineforet.etsy.com ). Hope you enjoy the pictures!

I won something!

I was SO excited to get up this morning and see I had a message on etsy from one of the organizers of a contest I entered. The contest was put together by Etsy's CYA/SAFE team and two winners were to receive baskets full of the most amazing goodies from their members.

The question you had to answer to enter was: What does Valentines Day mean to you? There was 1 winner for the funniest, and 1 for the sweetest. Now - I'm all for romance but I saw that many were going for the 'sweetest' post so I tried my shot at 'funniest'. Here was my response:

Valentines day for me means:
- Letting my girlfriend force me into watching period pieces
- Letting my gf gossip about her friends and tell me every little detail of her day and for once, actually pay attention :)
- Buying my gf chocolate, even though she's always on a 'diet' and doesn't want me to, yet it's gone the next day!
- Getting in trouble for picking the 'wrong colored roses'
- Buying the 'naughtiest' card from the store even though I know she'll get mad at me because it's not 'sweet'...but I like to do it just to irritate her a bit :)
Yep, that about sums up every Valentines Day for me!

I guess it was pretty good because my lovely gf is going to be SUPER surprised when she receives the basket from them! I cannot thank them enough for this and you all should check out their blog and see for yourself how talented their members are and how beautiful their products are!

http://cyateam.blogspot.com/

Welcome to Nightmare Anthology!

So, I finally broke down and started a blog. I kept hearing everyone say how amazing it is, so I guess I had to hop on that bandwagon to see for myself.

I hope to use this as a space to show off new works or works-in-progress, meet fellow artists and allow those wishing to get to know me and my art a more that opprotunity.

Look for many updates soon!

Sin-cerely,

Christian