madelgems | art, comics, rocks and minerals

Today's Gems: Tangerine Aura

2012-01-27T10:16:00.001-05:00

I recently bought this awesome bullet crystal necklace from Hiya Moon Jewelry. The crystal is Tangerine "Sunshine" Aura, which is made from clear quartz infused with gold and iron oxide. The necklace came with the following description of metaphysical properties:

Tangerine Aura crystals can help in circulation, acceptance, new ideas, creativity and co-creation and is a harmonious stone that will help to inspire. It helps one feel more at home in one's environment, promote self-worth, release creativity and sexual blocks and aid in meditation. Also helps one's inner beauty come forth, allowing one to shine and attract success and wealth

(via Raven Crystals)

Here are some facts about this mineral from HealingCrystals.com:
Metaphysical:
Primary Chakra: Root, Sacral, Solar Plexus
Astrological sign(s): Leo, Libra
Vibration: Number 3 & 5

Geological:
Stone Type/Family: Member of the Quartz family
Crystal System: Trigonal
Chemical Composition: (SiO2) Silicon Dioxide lab enhanced using Gold & Iron Oxide
Hardness: 7

Physical:
Color: Pale to medium orange
Location: Worldwide
Rarity: Common
Fun Fact: Quartz is heated to 1600 Fahrenheit in a vacuum, and then gold and Iron Oxide vapors are added to the chamber. These vaporous atoms fuse to the crystal's surface, which gives the crystal an iridescent pale to medium orange glow.

Geordi

2012-01-25T11:44:00.000-05:00

Scepter Gem: Magic Universe - pg 17

2012-01-24T21:30:00.002-05:00

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Order Scepter Gem online

2012-01-24T11:32:00.000-05:00

I just made Scepter Gem: Magic Universe (Part 1) available to order online at my bigcartel store. Get a copy!

Data

2012-01-23T23:25:00.000-05:00

A drawing of Lieutenant Commander Data from Star Trek: The Next Generation. I made this for a friend who loves androids.

Scepter Gem: Magic Universe - pg 16

2012-01-16T09:51:00.001-05:00

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Scepter Gem at Quimbys

2012-01-12T13:47:00.000-05:00

Scepter Gem is available at Quimby's in Chicago! Here's a little awesome blurb (thanks Edie!):

There's nothing quite like a perfectly organized rock collection in terms of making you a target to be sucked into a cosmic quest against your will. Bliss' chroma-drenched multiverse rocks on this pivot - blue-being Avl gets pushed into what is shaping up to be some serious interplanetary struggle for universal balance. -EF

Buy Scepter Gem: Magic Universe (Part 1) at Quimby's online store . And buy other stuff, too, because by the looks of it, they've got an awesome selection of comics.

Scepter Gem at Bergen Street Comics

2012-01-11T21:41:00.001-05:00

Hey! Scepter Gem: Magic Universe (Part 1) is available at Bergen Street Comics! Cool! Here it is, second row from the bottom, smack in the middle.

photo via Bergen Street Comics on Tumblr

Read Scepter Gem: Magic Universe here.

Scepter Gem: Magic Universe - pg 15

2012-01-09T22:10:00.002-05:00

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Scepter Gem: Magic Universe - pg 14

2012-01-03T21:38:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year! Here begins Part 2 of Scepter Gem.

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Vulcana

2011-12-30T00:18:00.000-05:00

For Christmas, I got photoshop (for my home computer - which I somehow managed to get by without for so long) and a scanner. And voila! My first attempt at digital coloring. I've been watching a lot of Star Trek during my Christmas vacation.

I have a bit of a problem when it comes to drawing figures. I never have enough room on the page for feet.

wishing you a very

2011-12-19T10:05:00.000-05:00

I think Chill Alien needs a new TV for Christmas.

hair designs gone wild

2011-12-14T14:13:00.001-05:00

I started these sketch pages with the intention of coming up with a hairstyle for a character in a new comic I'm working on. I had started with a couple of heads, copy and pasted a few times on the page, and then just made copies of that template. On the first few heads, I started with hair, and then added outfits to the next ones, and then as I went on, I added almost full bodies. I went completely off track and the drawings have nothing to do with what I was supposed to be doing, but it was really fun! I love drawing crazy hair and costumes.

Notice my Lisbeth Salander inspired girl at the top middle of this page.

BCGF: Say Yes to the Fest

2011-12-05T18:57:00.001-05:00

The Brooklyn Comics and Graphics Fest was pretty awesome. It was a 9 hour marathon of comics, art, hanging out, meeting new people, meeting internet people, people watching, reuniting with friends, geeking out, eating hot dogs, eating pizza, and good times. I'm pretty sure I was smiling really hard the entire time.

the Traditional Comics table

Aleks & Pete

me and Ben at the table (via Robot6)

(l to right): Progress Quest by Jon Vermilyea; Ghost Heat Up 3 by Anthony Meloro; Zack Soto’s Study Group Magazine; Bowman by Pat Aulisio; Gaylord Phoenix #5 by Edie Fake; Pantropic #1 by Aleks Sennwald; Leah Wishnia’s Happiness Comix; Chameleon #1;Ladies Night by Lizz Hickey; Skin Deep by L. Nichols, Kid Mafia #1 by Michael Deforge; Sad People Sex 3 by Heather Benjamin; and in between Happiness and Chameleon is the greatest business card ever made, by Pete Toms.

I was really sad that I was too late to pick up Chameleon #2, but I made it to all the tables I wanted to, met a lot of cool people, saw some friends, watched Lizz Hickey rub glitter all over her face, took my previously purchased Forming book to Jesse Moynihan’s table for an autograph in which I nervously told him how much I love his comic, and ate an Asia Dog. But I was so overwhelmed just walking around, that I totally missed out on some really awesome stuff. Oh, comic conventions…

I'm also really sad that I didn't take more pictures!

I forgot to add that on Sunday I went to the satellite event Pictures and Performance: A Melodrama, which was really great. Shana Moulton did a performance, which I was really excited for, and it was amazing. I also really liked Matthew Thurber's scroll performance and Peter Burr's video Alone with the Moon.

Scepter Gem IN PRINT!

2011-11-30T13:45:00.000-05:00

Scepter Gem: Magic Universe (Part 1) will be available at the Brooklyn Comics & Graphics Fest this Saturday, Dec 3. I'll be the table girl at Traditional Comics (downstairs, table 24). Come find me and grab a copy! You can also read Part 1 in its entirety here.

Vampires, etc.

2011-11-28T11:09:00.001-05:00

Here's a drawing I made for a friend for her birthday. She loves vampires and pugs.

Vampirella, Edward Cullen (Twilight), Jacob Black (Twilight), Sookie Stackhouse (True Blood), and a pug puppy

Ultraviolet Dancing

2011-11-22T12:11:00.001-05:00

Every year, on the night before Thanksgiving, a local dance club throws a Black Light Party. It's become a tradition for me and my friend. Besides dancing to some of our favorite kinds of music (new wave, post-punk, synthpop, industrial, goth) we get to express ourselves through the creative art of UV reactive body paint! Here's a picture from last year:

Simone on the left, me on the right

This year, I want to do a little more planning with my makeup. I want it to be simple, but more substantial. I'm going for a futuristic, 60's space-age vibe. Here are some of my (terribly photoshopped) ideas:

UPDATE: Here are the results of last week's black light makeup... I think I turned out looking sort of Daryl Hannah in Blade Runner (or TMNT as one friend just pointed out).

me, being so black light Blade Runner

Christina and Simone

showing off my epauletttes

Simone with some massive drip action

My lil sis looking way Picasso

The Things People Don't Know About Themselves

2011-11-08T22:22:00.002-05:00

More Tee's

2011-11-07T15:58:00.000-05:00

I added a few more prints to my shop! They look great as t-shirts, check 'em out.

Chill Alien goes to the fridge

2011-10-31T13:23:00.000-04:00

halloween times...

2011-10-26T10:21:00.000-04:00

Good Garden, Good Website

2011-10-24T12:31:00.001-04:00

Here is a very botanical drawing. Also, I made a new website.

Something New

2011-10-19T21:09:00.000-04:00

http://mygreattravels.tumblr.com/

Cigarette Man

2011-10-18T14:28:00.000-04:00

I drew this yesterday during my nightly Mad Men marathon. There's something about that show that has got me hooked. I've been watching it on Netflix, episode after episode. I don't think it's a show I would be able to watch weekly, and with seasonal breaks. It's pretty slow moving, and I need to know right away what's going to happen next.

shades

2011-10-10T09:07:00.000-04:00

Cheerleader Witches (in high school)

2011-10-05T13:50:00.000-04:00

Here's a comic to celebrate some of the great things about fall: back to school, football, beer, and occult practices.

Ancient Warlock Nightstalkers

2011-09-30T11:07:00.001-04:00

to be continued...

New Shop

2011-09-28T12:08:00.000-04:00

I started a shop on society6. You can buy some t-shirts. Or some art prints. But t-shirts are way cooler, right? CHECK IT OUT.

Insect Mind Readers (in space)

2011-09-27T12:41:00.000-04:00

raunchy monster stuff!

2011-09-22T21:48:00.000-04:00

My copy of Junqueland #2 arrived today. Damn, this is some crazy sexy crazy dirty dirty monster fun times. I was also really excited to find a little note to me on the inside cover. Thanks JFish-ers!! <3

whatever: not really

2011-09-19T23:32:00.000-04:00

Volcano Witches

2011-09-15T10:42:00.000-04:00

Death on a Motorcycle

2011-09-12T13:05:00.000-04:00

I feel autumn slowly approaching, which means I start craving sweaters, lipstick, and anything vaguely goth. There's something about the fall that makes me want to take on a dark, witchy alter-ego. In celebration of this, I've been making some weird, off-the-top of my head short comics to express my mood. I'm also using a brush pen for the first time. However, the brush on my brush pen is kind of busted, which makes everything scratchy and ugly. But I kind of like it.

artist of interest: Carly Waito

2011-09-07T16:20:00.000-04:00

Smokey Quartz, 2011

Carly Waito is a Toronto-based artist who is obviously in love with gemstones. Her oil on masonite paintings of crystals and minerals are gorgeous and so realistic. They are also quite small, some only 7 x 6".

Sphalerite, 2011

Check out her blog, where she writes about her work and her nature travels.

(images via Narwhal Art Projects)

the ultimate space crystal: Diamond Planet

2011-08-30T12:14:00.003-04:00

This week it was announced that a diamond planet has been discovered in our very own galaxy. The planet, believed to be the remnants of a star, is comprised mainly of very dense carbon. It's basically the perfect conditions for diamond formation, and astronomers believe that planet is mostly crystalline. Read more at Reuters.com.

I hope one day humans get to travel to and explore the diamond planet. Until then, I'm going to be inspired and draw pictures. I kind of want to write a story about it now.

artworks from the past: Painting and Drawing

2011-08-30T09:49:00.000-04:00

color study, tempera on paper

self portrait, oil on plywood

Freaks, 2008

self portrait study

Watchers, 2008

artworks from the past: Sculpture

2011-08-25T15:57:00.001-04:00

For the next two weeks, Scepter Gem will be taking a short break as I work on other projects. So I figured I would share some of my old work, which I recently stumbled upon when I remembered my DeviantArt account still existed!

Cradle, 2007 | ceramic

Watcher I, 2008 | ceramic

Tornado, Glacier, Geography, 2007 | pins made from Britannia metal

Untitled, 2006 | tapestry loom

Apple, 2007 | latex, mixed media

Apple, which is a latex cast of a miniature clay model of my head attached to a fake apple, was used as a puppet in the following video.

And I couldn't leave out the best of all (aka most embarrassing of all), the sculptural costume I made for my fibers class back in my days at UArts in Philadelphia. It's made up of only string, tape, and newspaper. Take that Lady Gaga!

Today's Gems: Sandstone

2011-08-23T18:24:00.008-04:00

sparkling sandstone ring and necklace

Sandstone is the second most common sedimentary rock and consists of two parts: a grain component of quartz, feldspar, and lithic fragments; and the space between the grains which fills with silica or calcium carbonate during the lithification process.

Rocks called Moqui Marbles, named after the Moqui Indians of the western United States where these are commonly found, are compacted balls of sandstone encased in iron compounds. Geologists have several theories about how the stones are formed, some believe they are meteoric or even extraterrestrial in origin. The baseball shaped stones, sometimes referred to as "Shaman Stones," were used by Native American shamans for vision quests and other types of out-of-body journeys. They are still used by contemporary practitioners to release emotional blocks and stimulate Chi energy throughout the body.

Moqui Marbles (via canyoneeringusa.com)

Because sandstone is very resistant to erosion, it makes for a very durable building material. The Treasury building of Petra, modern day Jordan, was carved directly into the rock. It dates from the 4th century BC and still stands today. Other notable sandstone carvings are the temples of Abu Simbel, Egypt, built by Rameses II and carved out of a cliff on the west bank of the Nile.

The Treasury of Petra (via Google Images)

The Painted Desert in Arizona is a great example of cross bedding in the sedimentary rock. This occurs when strong forces of wind or water deposit the rock at a high velocity. It's easy to imagine the sandstone being swept and shaped over the Earth's surface.

The Painted Desert in Arizona (via britannica.com)

References: Smithsonian Rock and Gem by Ronald Louis Bonewitz; Gems of Wisdom, Gems of Power by Teresa Kennedy

Read related posts: Today's Gems

Space/Love/Mail

2011-08-20T09:45:00.000-04:00

My new friend Kyle Nolan sent me his Brain Dead Phylum comics in a beautifully printed envelope. And to my surprise, he included some totally awesome Scepter Gem fan art!! It really made my day!

The alien creature in the inside cover of issue 2 creeped me out and made me laugh at the same time.

Kyle's drawings are totally awesome. There is so much texture and line, it's really pleasing to look at. His comics are also really funny, so I suggest you check them out.

Scepter Gem: Magic Universe - pg 13

2011-08-19T12:43:00.001-04:00

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Philly Alternative Comic Con

2011-08-14T15:56:00.002-04:00

I'm at P.A.C.C. right now. There's a lot of cool art going on. Here are some Scepter Gem trading cards I've been working on. They are glitterful.

Scepter Gem: Magic Universe - pg 12

2011-08-11T09:25:00.002-04:00

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Crystal and Gem Blogs

2011-08-04T14:14:00.002-04:00

In my everlasting internet searches for crystals and minerals, I've come across some really great gem and geology blogs. Here are a few of my favorites.

Gem-myriad
This blog provides a brief description and history of each mineral, as well as metaphysical characteristics and uses.

FUCKYEAHCRYSTALS
Lots of gorgeous pictures of raw crystals, geological wonders, and crystals in jewelry. The blogger answers readers questions and also has an informative section About: Crystals - Meanings & Facts.

Mineralia
This blogger posts a lot of rare and unusual photos of minerals.

Geology Rocks
To quote their about section: This blog is about all things geology. Landmarks, minerals, sedimentary deposition, pretty pictures, and humor all fall into this category.

In Love With Geosciences
Described as: Mineralogy. Petrology. Paleontology. Volcanology. Glaciology. Seismology. Structural Geology. Sedimentology. Speleology. Stratigraphy. Astrogeology. Evolution. Those last two are my favorite!

Some other notable science blogs:
Mi(ni)Geo
GENETICIST
Scientific Illustration
Fresh Photons
Fuck Yeah Volcanoes
American Museum of Natural History
National Geographic Daily

Or just check out what's in Tumblr's science spotlight here.

Scepter Gem: Magic Universe - pg 11

2011-08-03T14:09:00.001-04:00

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Chill Alien

2011-08-02T10:15:00.003-04:00

Here's a quick little story about a Chill Alien. I kind of like this little guy. I might just make him his own little series of one-page comics. I find that coming up with short stories is a really good exercise for me because I tend to want to elaborate on everything, and story ideas turn into huge hypothetical projects that I don't really have time for.

Scepter Gem: Magic Universe - pg 10

2011-07-29T09:15:00.005-04:00

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Scepter Gem: Magic Universe - pg 9

2011-07-19T10:10:00.001-04:00

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Scepter Gem: Magic Universe - pg 8

2011-07-12T12:42:00.005-04:00

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Here's a detail of the last panel to show off the glitter. The God of the Cosmos' throne is actually metallic and adorned with sparkling jewels.

artist of interest: Gustave Moreau

2011-07-07T15:16:00.005-04:00

Hesiod and the Muse, 1891

During my recent trip to Paris, I visited the Musée d'Orsay for the first time. The museum itself is beautiful and used to be the Beaux-Arts railway station Gare d'Orsay. The building really lends itself to art viewing. It was probably the most enjoyable museum experience I've ever had.

Since I've been drawing quite a bit more than I used to, I've really come to appreciate painting again. I did see a lot of the big names (Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Van Gogh, Cezanne, Gaughin). But one artist that I had never noticed before is Symbolist painter Gustave Moreau.

Galatea, 1898

His paintings are delightfully colorful and shiny. I was immediately drawn closer by the crystallized effect his layers of paint and oils have on the canvas. The works were literally sparkling (an effect you can only see when face to face with the painting). And the mystical scenes are wonderfully bizarre.

Prometheus, 1868

Orpheus, 1865

I love the way the distant backgrounds are addressed, the amount of fine detail in some areas, and the scratchiness and heaviness of paint in others.

Jupiter and Semele, 1894-95

(all images via Wikipedia, except Galatea via Musee d'Orsay)

bonjour mes amis

2011-07-03T18:45:00.001-04:00

I'm vacationing in Paris, so no new pages of Scepter Gem this week. Wishing everyone a great Independence Day. I'll just be by the Seine sipping vin blanc and nibbling baguettes avec fromage and speaking franglais. À bientôt!

Scepter Gem: Magic Universe - pg 7

2011-06-27T08:52:00.001-04:00

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new header

2011-06-23T11:25:00.001-04:00

OLD:

NEW:

artist of interest: MARS-1

2011-06-22T13:00:00.002-04:00

Transcendental Disaster, 2010 (detail)

I recently stumbled upon the abstract paintings of artist Mario Martinez, also known as MARS-1, and couldn't stop posting images of his work on my tumblr. His paintings of extraterrestrial dreamscapes combine elements of science, fantasy, and spirituality. The harmonious combination of form and color, with the perfect dose of elements like rainbows and crystals, inspire peacefulness and introspection while still exciting a deep magical wonder within me.

Mental and Material Realms, 2008

Further, 2010 (detail)

I really am almost speechless looking at this work. It's beautiful and interesting and fun. I'm completely in love with it!

Nuclear Mystics, 2009

Chromadepth 3, 2010

Doze Green and MARS-1 Collaboration, 2011

MARS1 & DOZE GREEN from Colin M Day on Vimeo.

Scepter Gem: Magic Universe - pg 6

2011-06-21T13:04:00.004-04:00

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I use glitter and metallic gel pens on most of the pages but it doesn't show up in the scans. Here is a detail of the bottom panels where I used some gold glitter to accentuate the beauty and mystery of the holographic force field.

Scepter Gem: Magic Universe - pg 4-5

2011-06-13T12:41:00.005-04:00

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Scepter Gem: Magic Universe - pg 1-3

2011-06-07T09:54:00.004-04:00

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crystallize me

2011-05-25T22:11:00.000-04:00

artist of interest: Kirsten Hassenfeld

2011-05-24T15:11:00.000-04:00

Dans La Lune (detail), 2007 (via Rice Gallery)

During my junior year of college, I attended a visiting artist lecture given by Kirsten Hassenfeld. At the time, I believe she was working primarily in paper. Her cut paper installations were like delicate, feminine fantasies. I was not only impressed by the intricacy and patience in her work, but how she was able to take a material as simple as paper and create luxurious and beautiful objects.

Blue Horn (detail), 2010 (via kirstenhassenfeld.com)

I'm really drawn to the transparency and the ethereal quality of her work. And of course, the crystalline forms!

Dans La Lune (detail), 2007 (via Rice Gallery)

So several years after her lecture, the images of her work still stuck with me. I had recently been thinking about it after seeing a book on 3D paper art, so I searched for her website to see what she's been up to.

Hassenfeld has moved away from paper; her recent work is made of heavier materials like glass, metal, and ceramic. Though weightier and physically more substantial, these new mixed media pieces do not lose that sparkling magical feeling.

Treen (detail), 2010 (via kirstenhassenfeld.com)

Treen, 2010 (via kirstenhassenfeld.com)

Scepter Gem: people & places

2011-05-19T12:01:00.000-04:00

GEM IT UP

2011-05-16T21:14:00.000-04:00

Scepter Gem: total spoiler preview

2011-05-04T16:36:00.000-04:00

So I'm working on a webcomic. I've never done a comic or a webcomic or any kind of drawn story. I've barely ever written a decent piece of prose, let alone a scifi-fantasy epic masterpiece, which is what Scepter Gem is going to be. *wink*

I started sketching out page 6 or 7-ish today while I was re-installing CS4 after a Massive Molten Meltdown on Monday. MMMMM.

Paper, pens, and highlighters courtesy of the office I work in.

gems of fashion: Jewelry of the Internet

2011-04-29T16:40:00.000-04:00

(via fuzzmk)

(via HERE'S THE DEAL)

(via Style Bubble)

(via Haute Macabre)

(via With Asian Stereotypes)

(via p3arls)

(via studdedsouls)

(via All the Glitter in the World)

(via ugne jaks)

(via Kelly Framel Jewelry)

(via AngelaMonaco)

(via j4yr0ck)

(via LarkinAndLarkin)

(via bohemiandreamsss)

(via Kelly Framel Jewelry)

(via AstralEYE)

(via AnnaVosburg)

(via inattendu)

(via gnssv)

(via coppersmith)

glittery crystals

2011-04-20T01:19:00.000-04:00

Just a few tiny framed drawings to decorate my desk.

the dream of comics is alive in portland

2011-04-19T19:53:00.000-04:00

I just got back from Portland, Oregon where I spent the last five days looking at comic books. In my travels to Floating World Comics, Future Dreams Books, and Stumptown Comics Fest, I've acquired a TON of stuff, which is awesome, because my collection of comic books is minimal at best. So here is a look at what I brought back with me.

First Column: Camelot 3000; The Saga of Crystar, Crystal Warrior; A Distant Soil by Colleen Doran; William Shatner's Tek World; Spider-Man Fever by Brendan McCarthy, and Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld. Second Column: Trigger #1 by Mike Bertino; a few books from Raw Fun Press, Other Side of Town #1 and #2 and Rapt in Fear by Alex Delaney; and Nazi Knife 5. Third Column: Layered Jacket #2 by Corey Lewis; Pillow Fight by Brandon Graham; Video Tonfa; and next to that is The Scout by Malachi Ward. Fourth Column: Snake Bomb Comix #1 from Jack Hayden; Labanotation: The Center of Weight by Sean Christensen and Amy Kuttab; Play Overlord by Sean Christensen, Amy Kuttab, and Theo Ellsworth; The Virtuous: The Rise of the Matriarchy by Fiona Smyth. Fifth Column: Dan Quayl; Tom Neely's Henry & Glenn Forever; and The Yankee by Jason Leivian and William McEwan. Sixth Column: I Heart The Golden Girls by Jacqueline Kari Bos; Junqueland #1 from Studio JFish; and a greeting card of a sexy space girl called The Mother Ship by Olivia de Berardinis.

Coming Soon...

2011-03-18T14:23:00.000-04:00

Close Encounters - Closing Reception

2011-02-22T12:43:00.000-05:00

(via openculture.com)

The scifi-themed group show I'm participating in is closing next week. The Arts Guild of New Jersey is having a closing reception and listening party on March 3, 2011. They will be playing the original radio broadcast of Orson Welles' War of the Worlds. It's a great opportunity to check out the show before it ends if you haven't already! More info here.

gems of fashion: Pamela Love

2011-02-15T14:12:00.000-05:00

New York Fashion Week usually means a barrage of runway images and news feeds exploding with designer names and blog posts. It's rare that I come across an image that grabs me for a moment before I quickly try to ignore it as to avoid a mind clouded with trends. The above image from Pamela Love's Fall 2011 collection, which premiered at Milk Studios on Saturday, was the one that stopped me in my web-wandering tracks.

Chunky. Crystalline. Iridescent. What's not to love? I've always admired Pamela Love's work, even though some of it is too bohemian for my style (or too insanely expensive for my bank account). The pieces in this new collection, however, are like magical pendants of some science fiction goddess. They look weighty and strict in their geometry, but are also colorful and fun. The collection doesn't take itself too seriously, which is exactly what good jewelry should do. There is a union of heaven and earth that is so sweetly expressed in these pieces. Wearing a medallion of prismatic minerals, I imagine I'd be transported to another realm where glowing crystals are shooting stars and alien planets are ruled by celestial beings.

The installation that was behind the models during the show is also quite nice.

(images via HERE'S THE DEAL and Milk Made Live.)

JOYdropper covers Close Encounters

2011-02-01T20:33:00.000-05:00

My friend Mark wrote a great piece for JOYdropper about Close Encounters. He said some really cool stuff about my Space Rocks!! Check it out here.

Up Close & Personal with Space Rocks

2011-01-31T18:15:00.000-05:00

This weekend at the reception for Close Encounters, my sister took some nice detailed shots of a few of my sculptures. Thanks to everyone who came to the opening! If you missed it, the show is up until March 4th!

Close Encounters

2011-01-11T14:17:00.000-05:00

My installation Space Rocks: A Look at Far-Out Minerals will be in a group show this month at the Arts Guild of New Jersey.

Science fiction has always been a touch point for the imagination. Whether the colonization of other planets, artificial intelligence, alien life forms, space travel, flying saucers, or area 51, the unknown, fantastical and weird act as inspiration to artists across the world. These topics have been explored in countless forms - writing, films, artwork and stories of all kinds. Eight artists working within this theme have been selected for Close Encounters. In addition, we are pleased to present the original radio broadcast of the War of the Worlds from October 30, 1938, as part of the exhibition.

gems of fashion: Lanvin

2010-12-02T16:47:00.000-05:00

Alber Elbaz's accessories for Lavin's 2010-2011 fall/winter collection look like magical viking armor straight out of an epic fantasy. This is some serious jewelry, certainly not for the faint of heart or weak of wrist.

These pieces are totally heavy! I can only imagine how heavy they are literally. Almost as if the person wearing them must earn them and be honored with the task. All of that metal and crystal is so intense and threatening, the elemental cherry-on-top of some fantastic battle gear. Just imagine all the of powers you could wield whilst wearing such decadence.

(all images via StyleBistro)

artist of interest: Debra Baxter

2010-11-23T22:24:00.000-05:00

You have to believe we are all magic, 2010

ceramic, mirror, lab grown bismuth (Germany)

Sculpture created from ceramic, stone, and crystals! What could be more wonderful? Debra Baxter's work is a harmonious marriage of organic forms, sparkling surfaces, and elegant materials. I first came across her work online as I was browsing my tumblr feed. The piece Crystal Brass Knuckles (I am going to realign your chakras motherf*****) (pictured below) seemed to be everywhere in my mineralogical internet world. A powerful and humorous image, it's no wonder it generated attention from the fashionably sarcastic.

Crystal Brass Knuckles (I am going to realign your chakras motherf*****), 2009

quartz crystals, sterling silver

But humor and fashion aside, there is something more that draws me to this object. It looks like a magical weapon from another world, glowing against a blue moon and shooting lightning rays into a starry sky. The science fantasy aspect of Baxter's work is what I find so compelling. Any time a piece lends itself to the viewer's imagination and opens up a window into an original, individual fiction, I consider it successful.

Join (it will stop screaming if you let go of it), 2010
cypress knee, epoxy, laminate, mirror

Baxter's work is so aesthetically pleasing. The juxtaposition of smooth, fleshy alabaster and wood, brilliant crystals, and shining mirrors is so rich and satisfying. The use of these elements in her compositions provides plenty to draw the eye around each piece over and over again.

Not only does the artist create beautiful sculptures, she produces a collection of very wearable jewelry, which you can purchase here. Also check out her tumblr page, which has some great images of her work and inspirational images of crystals in nature, fashion, and art.


Quartz Bomb II

(all images via http://www.debrabaxter.com/)

Unicorns

2010-09-17T18:49:00.000-04:00

Currently doing some research on the mythology of unicorns. The unicorn has roots in the bible and writings of Greek natural history (apparently the Greeks thought unicorns actually existed). According to Wikipedia, in Medieval times the unicorn horn was believed to stem from the tooth of the narwhal. The narwhal is, of course, a real animal, although it's resemblance to the unicorn does make it seem mystical and more interesting than just a regular whale. Anyway...

The narwhal's horn is not a horn at all, but a tusk stemming from their upper jaw.

What is it that makes unicorns so great? Is it because they are unattainable? Is it because they are beautiful, magical creatures? Do the sparkling .gif animations have something to do with it? Or 1985 Tom Cruise?

I think everything has to do with it. Personally, I find unicorns to be quite dazzling for all of the above reasons. My reason for all this research is because I've suddenly had the urge to begin an installation project involving unicorn horns. Perhaps I'm trying to figure out why I want to use this particular mythological imagery. Perhaps I'm also trying to understand what the imagery means to me. In any case, there are a few things I know for sure: 1. I love mythology and mystical creatures; 2. I love sparkles, glitter, and shiny things; 3. I love a pastel color palette; 4. I love that unicorn horn may translate to sex toy (see below).

(all images via Google.)

save the date!

2010-09-09T10:45:00.000-04:00

Space Rocks is getting a round 2!

I am participating in a group show this coming winter called Close Encounters, which is about science fiction, aliens, and outer space. Get the details here.

my artwork

2010-09-08T13:13:00.000-04:00

Madeleine Bliss » Portfolio | Local Artists

Mystic Space Metal

2010-09-07T23:26:00.001-04:00

Mystic Space Metal by spacecrystal featuring a grey jacket

I can't wait to wear my new metallic blue docs.

April's Vintage

2010-05-04T10:52:00.000-04:00

If you're ever looking for really creative vintage clothing finds, check out April's Vintage. From 70's ballgowns, to 80's sequin jackets, to the most incredible jumpsuits and rompers, April's Vintage literally has something for everyone. She literally hand sifts through endless amounts of vintage garments to find the most unique and stylish pieces. And there's always bound to be something sparkley!

This weekend I got to do some guest modeling for April. Of course, this was my favorite outfit...

A few of my favorite pieces up for auction right now are a 70s beige terry cloth praire dress, a 70s/80s new wave sailor dress, and a 70s kimono-sleeve wide-leg jumpsuit.

Become a fan on Facebook or follow April's Vintage on Twitter.

Today's Gems: Amethyst & Quartz

2010-04-27T14:59:00.002-04:00

The most common mineral associated with the word crystal is Clear Quartz. It is the most popular crystal for healing and is very easily obtained, often found in granite deposits or sedimentary rock. It comes in many formations, from large six-sided crystals to tiny clusters of needle-like points. Rose quartz, amethyst, and citrine are all quartz crystals that have been colored by impurities.

Clear quartz is typically used to cleanse and focus energy levels in the body, clearing impurities and psychic debris. In some ancient civilizations it was referred to as "holy ice," incorporated in jewelry, and used in religious rituals in the form of crystal skulls. Quartz increases concentration and refocuses the body, mind, and spirit toward clear goals. The powerful energies of quartz are essential for protecting oneself during astral travel, or out-of-body experiences. It can also be programed to cleanse or amplify specific energy levels, or cleanse other stones of impurities.

Amethyst, a crystal which varies from dark purple to pale lilac, is a form of quartz. The difference between amethyst and other quartz varieties is the oxidation state of impurities in the crystal. Amethysts can be found in geodes or in crystal form. The word amethyst comes from the Greek amethystus which means "not intoxicated." In Greek mythology, the amethyst represents wisdom. During the Middle Ages, it was associated with celibacy and prominent in decoration of churches.

The stone is also associated with the crown chakra, the highest level of enlightenment, and is said to open the third eye to enhance spiritual awareness. Amethyst calms the nervous system and creates a healing effect on ailments such as fibromyalgia, sciatica, headaches, anxiety, depression, and fatigue. Placing an amethyst under the pillow is said to help cure insomnia. Wearing the crystal helps to calm mental stress and ward off negative influences. Amethyst is commonly used in crystal meditation and psychic practices to put oneself in touch with their own inner knowledge. Leonardo da Vinci wrote that amethyst could dissipate evil thoughts and quicken the intelligence.

(sources: Gems of Wisdom, Gems of Power by Teresa Kennedy; Crystals by Jennie Harding)

artist of interest: Kyle Field

2010-04-21T12:02:00.000-04:00

Last weekend before seeing Whispering Pines 10, I checked out Thirty Days NY. It was very cool. Shana Moulton is actually performing there in May, and I will do my best to make it there to see her. Anyway, Kyle Field had this work on display there. I really like his stuff! I think I'm drawn to the messy weirdness of the characters, the colors, and the humor. I don't know if all the text is readable here, but I actually laughed out loud in the gallery while reading this illustration.

Today's Gems: Agate & Moonstone

2010-03-19T11:26:00.001-04:00

I collect a lot of jewelry that contains crystals & gems, and I thought it would be a cool idea to write a post about the different crystals I wear day-to-day. So without further or due, here's what I'm wearing today:

Botswana Agate is a common agate found in Botswana, Africa. The stone varies in the color of Gray, Pink, or Apricot with fine white patterns of circles or ovoids. Usually, it is found in the form of nodules, similar to a geode. Botswana Agate is of the trigonal crystal system and it's chemical composition is silicon dioxide (SiO2).

Botswana Agate can be used to stimulate the exploration of the unknown and to further one's quest towards the enlightened state. Many feel that it has an anti-depressant quality. It can be helpful for those who are struggling to be genuine in their lifestyle, as it promotes an understanding of the need for deeper meaning. Carry Botswana Agate to promote creative ability in any project or goal. It encourages one to find solutions rather than focusing on negative aspects of daily challenges. Botswana Agate is also said to stimulate the crown chakra, encouraging eternal love and allowing for the recognition that eternal love is a constant in the ever-changing universe. (Reference: Healing Crystals)

Moonstone is a type of feldspar made up of potassium aluminum silicate. Moonstone is known for it's beautiful sheen called labradorescence, which is a light effect caused by parallel hairlike fractures within the crytalline structure that bounce light at certain angles, creating different colored effects.

In crystal healing, Moonstone is considered symbolic for enhancing feminine energy, bringing inner peace and calm. Helping one to fully relax and enjoy the moment, it is often used to alleviate sexual anxiety, in addition to helping one fully love and appreciate others. Although it is traditionally known for having female qualities, it is good for anyone seeking to strengthen their intuition, especially with regard to potential love interests. Moonstone energy can be of great use in ridding oneself of toxic relationships or people. It encourages growth and the abilitiy to "go with the flow," as well as acts as a guide to new love. (References: Gems of Wisdom, Gems of Power by Teresa Kennedy; Crystals by Jennie Harding)

do you really think he'll pull through?

2010-02-16T12:42:00.000-05:00

I’ll be moving into my new apartment within the next two weeks. I just bought the most comfortable bed that you just sink into and some velvety, ruby red slip covers for my couches. I have a huge empty wall space above my couch which I’ve decided is the perfect place for a new painting. I don’t know why, but I really want to paint a walrus. I haven’t made a painting in quite a while, but I’m pretty confident I can churn out a giant walrus in a few weeks.

And I have the strangest desire to title it “Walrus in a Coma.” And maybe he’ll have rubies for eyes.

Imajica is Majical

2010-02-09T16:08:00.000-05:00

I just felt like sharing a wonderful chapter from a really wonderful book.

girly pearls

2010-02-04T16:01:00.000-05:00

I've had this obsession with pearls, lately. Not only because they are beautiful, but I love that they are considered a "gemstone," yet they grow from within a shellfish! It's literally the hardened secreation of a slimely little mollusc!

I've also been obsessed with looking up the healing and emotional uses for gemstones. Pearls emit peace and tranquility. They are symbolic of the moon and it's effect on the human body, balancing the hormones. Pearls also represent fertility and purity, as well as influence the wearer to more openly accept love (for themselves and others). I believe the pearl is also a great symbol of femininity and womanhood.

I had used pearls, or the idea of pearls, in my work in the past (see here and here). I recently felt the urge to continuing exploring pearls and femininity in my work. Out of nowhere I had this idea for a stop-motion video. I've never done stop motion before, nor have I ever wanted to.

Images of baby oysters on a beach, the birthing of a stream of fluid and pearls from a human womb, and a bird warming a pearl in it's gooey nest were flowing through my mind.

formspring.me

2010-02-02T13:16:00.000-05:00

Do you have an exact, personalized definition of 'success' when it comes to your artwork? by godownmatthew

No, not really. I don't have a formula or a checklist. If I am successful with a piece of my work I have: faced and completed challenges I have given myself; solved unforeseen problems that may have occurred to the best of my ability; and have completed or went beyond my own expectations of myself or the work.

I'm pretty easy to please and I don't place too much pressure on most things I do. When I work I usually have an initial idea or goal, but the fleshing out comes during the process of creating the work. I go with the flow and try to make what I have work. And if it doesn't work, it gets placed to the side and I keep going.

Some pieces are more successful than others not because they are better crafted or more aesthetically pleasing, but because in the end I translated my thoughts more clearly.

This sounds conceited, but I usually like most things I make. I think because I start to actually love them like my own babies.

Ask me anything

Space Rocks, mission complete

2010-01-25T20:25:00.000-05:00

My installation of Space Rocks: A Look at Far-Out Minerals has come and gone. I really enjoyed this project, from start to finish. In total, it makes so much sense to me and represents me as a creator and a human being. I'm really sad that it's over, but I'm extremely proud of myself. Everything worked out beyond my expectations and I couldn't have been happier with the outcome. Of course, a lot of thanks to friends and collaborators, who brought wonder, skills, and a lot of personality to the project.

The video is finally up!

Space Rocks: A Look at Far-Out Minerals from Madeleine Bliss on Vimeo.

If you'd like to buy a DVD, email me at madeleine.m.bliss@gmail.com.

New challenges await me, and I'm excited for what the future brings... in other words, "what the hell to do next?"

Space Rocks: The Thesis Paper

2009-12-21T12:39:00.000-05:00

Below is the thesis paper for my senior project, Space Rocks: A Look at Far-Out Minerals, which counts for half of the project. I thought it might be nice to share it with anyone who is interested in my thoughts on the work.

There is nothing more complex or more beautiful than our natural world. I use the elements from this world to tell a new story. My work invents cultures that speak foreign tongues, which have sprung from stars and rocks. Each time I begin a sculpture, I am writing a new mythology for my imaginary world. Greatly influenced by the ritualistic practices of native societies, I believe humans need to create gods and legends for themselves, and making art is my way of satisfying that need.

Two years ago, I took a trip to California and had the opportunity to drive down the coast of the Golden State. I was overtaken with amazement and appreciation for the landscape around me. Immediately, personal myths began forming in my mind. The mountains and hills were living creatures, whose enormous faces would slowly emerge from the brush to watch over the world. This was the first time I was so inspired by the sculptural elements of nature, and it has deeply influenced my work ever since.

Mythology and story-telling are an important part of making art. After my visit to California, I returned to the studio to make the images of these creature mountains that had so deeply struck me. During this time, I began reading Joseph Campbell’s The Power of Myth, in which he connects mythology to personal spirituality and to our modern world. My work entitled Watchers, four ceramic animal-mountains perched upon individual shelves, each with a shadowy root below them, was the result of diving headfirst into an imagined spirituality that only I was privy to. Watchers are the gods of heaven and Earth, connected to the sky and ground, looking over all of us, protecting us. This work was meant to be shared, but its meaning was obvious only to me. I bared my spirituality to whoever was willing to view and asked for nothing in return.
At the time I made Watchers, I had also become very interested in rocks and minerals. Minerals, of course, are the smaller pieces that make up the vast landscapes of our planet, and on their own they themselves are landscapes. My interest in mineralogy came naturally, I suppose, but the key moment was the day I obtained my grandfather’s rock collection. My grandfather, Stanley, had passed away many years ago and the house he lived in had been recently abandoned. I went there with the intention of taking a few rocks; however, I ended up returning home with five buckets full. My grandfather is the source from which my artistic abilities and creative interests flow. He was an artist who was nearly obsessed with rocks and minerals. He conducted family excursions to Canada and Pennsylvania to go rock hunting. He invested time and money into his love for rocks. And he made art out of them; paintings and collages made from small polished stones, pictures and Bible verses penned on rocks, and table top mosaics of mineral slabs. Not only did he love art and rocks, but science fiction as well (which I will touch on later).

So I took many, many rocks, minerals, and crystals from Papa Stanley’s collection out behind his abandoned house. I suddenly felt invigorated by his spirit, emotional with gratitude, and greatly inspired to carry on a piece of him in myself. I lived with these rocks for some months, surrounding myself with their presence and studying about their origins, meanings, uses, and mythologies.

The first semester of my senior year I made a bronze sculpture inspired by a typical crystal formation and adorned with tiny Herkimer diamonds. The idea for the sculpture was completely organic, as was its creation. In the end, the only title that seemed to make sense for this piece was Space Crystal. It was a crystal formation, yet it was extremely foreign, perhaps fantastical. I developed a mythology for it: the piece was a powerful totem from another world, thus it could have only been formed literally in another world. At that moment, Space Rocks was born.

Within the past five years, I have been exposed to more and more science fiction and fantasy themes. Television shows like Battlestar Galactica and books like Imajica by Clive Barker made an impact on my life. The wonder and mystery of sci-fi fantasy genres excited me. In other worlds, anything is possible, and anything has its own mythologies. Space exploration had never quite interested me until recently. As I began reading Carl Sagan’s The Varieties of Scientific Experience: A Personal View of the Search for God, I posed myself the following question, what more can we learn about ourselves and our home if we would only embark on missions into outer space? Humans must venture out into the darkness of the universe for the answers!

Space Rocks is my contribution to the movement to inspire space exploration. This world, our world, is too caught up in itself; most everyone is a superstar with an iPhone, a Facebook profile, and a blog. Individuality is important, but it is essential for people to come together as a species to support the expansion of discovery and learning. Human progression into space is the next step in our own evolution.

The installation of Space Rocks: A Look at Far-Out Minerals is meant to put the viewer in a fictional time and place. It is set up as an actual scientific museum exhibit. Each planet from the Arcis Galaxy, Regina, Mirus, and Videor, has a display case with mineral samples. An informative, Nova-esque video of the same name accompanies the exhibition, showing images of each planet with commentary by scientists, and fills the room with spacey music and narration. The room is completely dark except for the spotlights illuminating the pedestals in the center, which invite the viewer to the display. The viewer enters the gallery and is immediately part of the installation by becoming a spectator in a fictional museum. The interaction between the viewers is that of visitors in a museum exhibit. The clear display cases allow the viewers to see the work and see each other, experiencing the specimens, their own reflections, and other viewers’ expressions. The room is no longer a gallery but an exhibit in which everyone is involved. The authenticity of the setting is meant to convince the observer that what they are experiencing is true. This is the first time I’ve used the viewer as part of my artwork. The installation can only work if the viewers submit to the fantasy. My goal is to engage and inspire the viewer, and also to push the line between what is real and what is imaginary.

The specimens on display are in fact ceramic sculptures, glazed and painted, to resemble imaginary rocks lifted from the soil of imaginary planets. The decision to work in ceramic was an easy one; clay is a familiar and comfortable medium for me, and yet it also has the pliability to take on almost any form. It is a natural material acquired from our own Earth, and there is nothing more humorous than using Earth material to pose as alien material. I’ve chosen to color the “rocks” with fire glaze, non-fire glaze, and paint to achieve different textures. A small collection of rocks from the planet Videor is displayed separately on its own shelf under a black light. Many Videorian rocks are fluorescent, so the ceramic was painted with special black light paint to attain a fluorescent glow. Variations of color and texture are important to me and I try not to limit my palette. However, the choices of combining pastel and bright pinks, purples, and teals are certainly influenced by the video artist Shana Moulton. The fantastic places she creates in her videos are saturated in neon and acidic colors. Her use of color intensifies the work visually and narratively, adding to the beauty and chaos of the setting. I’ve also been inspired by the use of color in music videos from the 1980’s. Neon lights projected onto smoke, as in Salico’s I’m on Fire video, were another inspiration for the colors used in my ceramic sculptures and video.

Additional sculptures had been produced, but were edited out of the exhibit mainly for aesthetic reasons. The rocks from each planet had to illustrate a theme and relate to each other. Each pedestal represents one of the three fictional planets: Regina (Latin for “queen”), the volcanic planet; Mirus (Latin for “wonderful”), the rocky, terrestrial world; and Videor (Latin for “to appear”), the gaseous planet. Specimens collected from Regina resemble volcanic rock and are colored with blacks, metallics, reds, and oranges. Colorful geodes and organic crystal forms represent the planet Mirus. Videor’s samples contain glowing fluorescent minerals and spiked rock structures. The sculptures correspond with the information given in the video.

Humor is a regular part of my life. I enjoy making people laugh and being made to laugh. Space Rocks comes from a sincere and reflective place, but it is also meant to be fun. The video is the most humorous part of the project. Music, dialogue, and images mock the typical science video one might come across on PBS on a Sunday night. The actors portray cosmo-geologists and astro-mineralogists, giving facts about the planets from the Arcis Galaxy and the rocks sampled from them. The narration takes itself seriously, echoing distantly as if the narrator himself was in space. The music is lighthearted but meant to engage the viewer’s imagination and inspire them. Together, these elements are intended to leave the viewer amused, entertained, and interested in the possibilities of space travel.

I believe my goal for this installation has been achieved. Uniting my interests in mythology, science fiction, geology, and humor I’ve managed to create entire imaginary worlds. My work engages and involves viewers, and presents them with beautiful sculpture loaded with myth. My career as an art student and an artist has reached an apex, and everything I’ve created, contemplated, and studied has come together completely.

Space Rocks TONIGHT

2009-12-09T12:13:00.001-05:00

Space Rocks opens tonight! RSVP to the Facebook event!

fluorescence

2009-11-28T14:45:00.000-05:00

Working under a black light is really spacey. I almost never want to turn it off. The paints I ordered look awesome. They mix really well together and with other stains.

I could stare at these Videorian rocks all day. The only thing they need now is their own display case, which I'm working out the logistics of... since I have to make it myself. I'm a little worried about joining plexiglass, so I'm praying it comes out presentable. Less than two weeks until the show! (Which means excitement but mostly freaking out & panicking.)

And the video is coming along too...

tour my studio

2009-11-19T17:44:00.000-05:00

Studio Tour from Madeleine Bliss on Vimeo.

A quick tour through my studio with behind the scenes footage of Space Rocks.
Music: "The Real Wild Hearts" by Go Down, Matthew.

more scientists

2009-11-04T21:46:00.000-05:00

Filming for "Space Rocks: A Look at Far-Out Minerals" (title subject to change) wrapped in the last session with two more very talented scientists. And a much more talented director. This second time around I wrote out note cards for my actors to read from and was much more prepared in general. Later in the day we snuck in a dance sequence with my friend's 3 year daughter. It looked like Yo Gabba Gabba took over the kitchen.

Besides the task of uncountable hours of editing (HD footage is a really slow bitch to work with), there are still several elements of the video which are incomplete: narration and music. Dialogue for the narration is still being written. It's not hard making up a bunch of fake science facts, but making them believable and interconnected is challenging. For the soundtrack, I'm (going to be) working with Robot Horse Productions to score the video. I imagine cheesey, typical science video orchestration but some weird spacey songs, too.

Halfway through interviewing Dr. Shaun J. Gann, Senior Geologist of Foreign Planetary Affairs, we realized he matched perfectly with a nearby houseplant. The above picture couldn't be resisted. His chemistry with the plant actually caused me to rethink rocks... perhaps botany would be more interesting?

clusterfuck

2009-10-07T21:17:00.001-04:00

I decided I need to get a move on with my musical aspirations, yet another venue to add to my emotional release agenda, which currently includes a calendar full of art, acting, and internet addiction. In my mind, my band started earlier this year, however I haven't any proof besides my own blurry visions. I wrote the band manifesto over the summer, which actually included statements of which of my friends would be involved, completely without their knowledge or consent. Cult of Sluts is, as written in the manifesto, "red lipstick, bikinis."

Cult of Sluts exists. It is my band. And I will provide the world with tunes for listening and dancing pleasure.

filming

2009-10-05T15:04:00.000-04:00

(photo by pete toms)

I'm currently in the process of writing and filming for my Nova-esque science video about rocks from alien planets. The poor souls acting in it are all friends. I'm stealing a lot of footage from science videos on youtube and nebula pictures from the Hubble telescope, but I'll also be creating my own animations. The video will be part of my senior show in December.

inspiration reel

2009-09-29T11:42:00.000-04:00

five senses series

2009-07-25T15:07:00.001-04:00

seeing i eye

hearing ear sound

smelling knows nose

tasting tongue sponge

feeling touch skin

feeling optimistic, mineralistic

2009-07-21T20:09:00.000-04:00

Starting over with a fresh[er] perspective. New things to come: sketches, ideas, research, everything.

prototypes

2009-05-22T16:20:00.000-04:00

New works in progress using rocks and gems.

Prototypes pictured above.

My artwork can be found here.

collection

2009-05-21T00:41:00.000-04:00

This is only a tiny, tiny fraction of my grandfather's rock collection. I am slowly looking through, cleaning, & organizing all of the minerals. I'll be using a lot of the smaller pieces in my new sculptures.

crystal clusters

2009-05-11T17:00:00.000-04:00

images from my music video
l-r: cactus quartz, flame aura quartz, laser crystal, amethyst, topaz crystal spray, stibnite crystal cluster

mineralfest

2009-05-02T12:52:00.001-04:00

Mineralfest

I was planning on attending one of the local shows today, but unfortunately it was canceled and I won't be able to update with all my wonderful finds.

geological wonders of the world

2009-05-01T00:07:00.001-04:00

10 Geological Wonders you didn't know