David Wilcox

Imagine the difference between riding a motorcycle and watching someone else ride on TV. Unless you know firsthand that thrill, the rumble and response of the bike, the sun, wind, splatting sting of bugs, the scenes and sensations that flow over and through you as you ride, that vision of a rider on TV has little influence on your imagination. You're just watching someone on a motorcycle.

David Wilcox is somehow able to find, open up and unite the dark with the sublime as naturally as drawing a breath. He's human, he knows it, he celebrates and philosophizes on and acknowledges all sides of it and draws you in with him... one moment you're laughing about something that in the next moment becomes a piercing recognition of human fallibility.

Or vice versa. He never stands you in place, he always moves you, one way or another. He shows you a vignette, such as tucking an 8-year-old son into bed or driving along a two-lane road at night, but unfolds it in four dimensions at the same time he carries you to its core, which is often not quite where you expected to find it. He does all this with poetry set to music, with stories and little asides ("I'd like to play for you a song I haven't learned yet") that flow as effortlessly as if he were only having a conversation.

Cleveland-born Wilcox was inspired to play guitar after watching a fellow college student playing in a stairwell. His lyrical insight is matched by a smooth baritone voice, virtuosic guitar chops, and creative open tunings, giving him a range and tenderness rare in folk music. He graduated from Warren Wilson College in North Carolina in 1985. Within two years he had released his first album, and by 1989 he had signed with A & M Records. His first release on the label, How Did You Find Me Here, sold over 100,000 copies the first year largely by word of mouth. Now, 15 albums into a career marked by personal revelation and wildly loyal fans, David continues to find and deliver joy, inspiration, and invention. Reflecting on over 20 years of record-making and touring, Wilcox says, “Music still stretches out before me like the head-lights of a car into the night. It’s way beyond where I am, but it shows where I’m going. I used to think that my goal was to catch up, but now I’m grateful that the music is always going to be way out in front to inspire me.”

How do you describe your music to people, David?
I say that they're compelling stories, beautiful melodies, intricate guitar arrangements, and thoroughly written.

Tell me about how you originally got into your craft.
I was listening to a woman play a guitar in open tunings in a stairwell, when I was at college.

What is your favorite thing to do in the whole wide world?
I'd tell the truth, but you couldn't print it. I'm flummoxed.

What is your biggest challenge when it comes to running your business?
Um, my biggest challenge is that the more I know about the business, the more depressed I get.

When you were a kid, what did you think you were going to be when you grew up?
I was going to be an inventor. I thought I'd have the theory of everything. I had an intuitive hunch that I knew where relativity was flawed, and I'd advance the field of understanding the cosmos. I was about twelve.

In what way has your community impacted your development as a musician?
Living in a beautiful music town has sustained me, made it possible to make my living as a musician. I was living in a town that was really good to it's musicians - felt really sustainable.

What other artists out there do you love?
Lots. Sun Kil Moon comes to mind immediately.

What does your future hold?
Adventures, surprises, and big love.


You can find David Wilcox all over the web! 

• www.davidwilcox.com 
•  facebook
• YouTube
• Twitter
• MySpace
• ReverbNation
  

Or go see him live!

10/30    TX  Uncle Calvin's Cfhs/Dallas            

11/1     TX  Listening Room at Nia Moves/Houston
11/10    MI  The Ark/Ann Arbor                           734/761-1451
11/12    MN  Cedar Cultural Ctr/Minneapolis              612/338-2674
11/13    IL  SPACE/Evanston                              847/492-8860
11/14    IA  Redstone Room/Davenport
11/17    WA  Triple Door/Seattle                         206/838-4333
11/18    OR  Aladdin Thtr/Portland
11/21    VA  Alden Thtr/McLean
11/27    NC  Grey Eagle/Asheville                        828/232-5800
12/3     FL  American Heritage School/Plantation
12/4     FL  Cafe Eleven/Augustine
12/5     IN  Wheeler Arts Center/Indianapolis      317-443-3603
12/6     KY  Molly Malone's/Covington                    859 491 6699

Click here to buy the music featured on Such Cool Stuff!

And the Winner is...

Once again the Random Number Generator has spoken!  The winner of the UPrinting.com Postcard Giveaway is...Mami2jcn!!!

Mami2jcn said... I would have Christmas cards printed.

Congratulations!  You will be receiving an e-mail from UPrinting.com in the next week or so.  These will be great Christmas cards!  We had some postcards printed up not long ago with UPrinting.com, and they turned out perfectly!  We actually got our business cards in the mail this week too, and they are truly the best quality ones we've ever gotten!  Not just saying that because they sponsor us.  They really do good work.

Don't forget to enter the other UPrinting.com giveaway we have going on right now!  The Flyers and Brochures giveaway is open until Friday November 6th!

Teonova Leather Masks

Teonova Leather Masks features the leatherwork of Caroline Guyer. Masks are made of hand molded and hand formed leather, and designs range from the wildly freeform to more traditional designs like cats and wolves.

Tell me about how you originally got into your craft, Caroline.
I lived in a tourist town in Bucks County, PA that is home to a most excellent leather shop (Fred Eisen Leather), owned by master leatherworker Fred Eisen. A friend who worked there brought me home some leather scraps (this was in the late 1990's), and I ended up making my first mask. I was all excited about my new creation, and showed it off to Fred. He gave me some suggestions for a few improvements, and said he would give a go at selling them in his store if I made some more. Well, they started selling! I always jumped around from craft to craft, but I knew at that point that if I stuck to the masks, it could be my ticket to self-employment, which was a goal I had had as long as I can remember working.

What is your favorite thing to do in the whole wide world?
My best day right now is one spent hanging out with my man and some horses. I started horseback riding when I was about five, and it remains my favorite thing in the world to do. I teach riding one or two days a week, and am blessed to count as one of my closest friends a horse trainer who allows me the run of his stable of most excellent horses! Dressage is my thing, but I can't deny the thrill of an occasional jump or two. Or three. Yes, I have made masks for horses...very tolerant horses! And I am most fortunate that my boyfriend really enjoys hanging out with horses, too. I'm forty years old now, and just as obsessed as I was when I was a kid.

What is your biggest challenge when it comes to running your business?
Oh, I get so bogged down with the paperwork related to taxes! Sometimes I feel like I am drowning in it. But, it's usually not as bad as I build it up to be, once I actually tackle the tax-chores. All the different taxes can be confusing to understand at first, and keeping receipts and good records is a drag for me. But, it does seem to get easier each year as I learn the ropes, and I often read articles relating to self-employment taxes to help me keep abreast of any changes or tax-time tips and suggestions.

What item in your shop would you most like to receive as a gift if someone were shopping for you?
The mask that I would most like to have from my shop is the  "Awesome Leather Mask of a Horned God or Beast...Forest Creature...Pan...Satyr...Greenman...Pagan...Goat..."

I love how the shape and colors came out. It is one of the only masks I have ever done with two sets of horns, and it really worked out nicely on this piece. The main face part of the mask was made with a particularly wonderful leather hide I received from one of my suppliers...a hide that had superior characteristics for moldability. It was truly and joy to work with, and led to lots of inspiration and creative juice.

When you were a kid, what did you think you were going to be when you grew up?
I remember being in elementary school and a teacher passed around index cards and asked us to write down our names, and what we wanted to be when we grew up. I clearly remember writing "pirate". I also remember wanting to be a park ranger, an archaeologist, and a horse trainer. I feel blessed that I have been able to pursue one of those dreams to fruition (horse training). And, I clearly recall going to craft fairs when I was a kid and thinking that I wanted to have a craft, and make my living selling it at craft fairs. Well, here I am! I don't think I ever, ever would have guessed, though, that my craft would end up being leather mask making. But it has been great, and I am still enthralled anew with the medium every time I set to work.

What other shops or artists out there do you love?
I just discovered this amazing shop on Etsy, called snegoratchka. My favorite piece in the shop is Ghost - Wearable Art. It is a copper mask modeled after the skull of a swamp sparrow - truly amazing!

I am also really into supporting my mom's new Etsy shop, Specialdaygarters.  She told me a couple of months ago that she had started making bridal garters, and I thought, okay mom, that's nice... But when I saw them in person, I was blown away by the quality and craftsmanship, as well as how pretty they are.

I also love the great sleep masks at Freakyoldwoman and I hope to someday own a piece of beautiful pottery from Morrispottery.

There are so many great artists on Etsy, and I have a pretty extensive "favorites" list. I could easily find a new artist to love every day, had I a bit more free time to Etsy-surf.

What does your future hold?
Health and longevity, I hope.

Also, I plan to pursue getting my masks into a couple more shops this year. Last year I tackled New Orleans, and you can now purchase my masks at Maskarade in the French Quarter. Next on the list are shops in Key West Florida, and St John or St Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. I do love to travel!

What I really hope the near future holds is to buy myself (by working hard now) some free time to make some really big, crazy fantasy masks...just some pure creative indulgence. And, I hope that my near future holds another really big custom mask order. I did a huge order a few years ago for a private party in Monaco, and would love to do another one. They gave me alot of design freedom, so it was both financially lucrative and creatively exciting. Yeah, another one of those deals would be awesome!


See more of Caroline's work at Etsy and www.teonova.com

Flyers & Brochures Giveaway from UPrinting.com

Their generousity is overwhelming sometimes!  UPrinting.com is offering yet another giveaway to my readers!

Giveaway Prize: 100 Brochures for One Lucky Winner
100 8.5 x11"  Brochure / Flyers on 100lb gloss text paper ; 4 color printing on both sides
Folding Choices: Half fold; Trifold/Letterfold; Z-fold; Accordion (4 panels) Roll Fold (4 Panels)
Shipping: FREE UPS Ground Shipping
Eligibility: Limited to US Residents due to shipping costs. We will negotiate better shipping rates soon.

HOW TO ENTER: Leave a comment here saying how you might use the 100 Free Custom Brochures if you win.  Earn additional entries by tweeting or blogging about this giveaway, then posting the link in the comments.  (On Twitter I am @SuchCoolStuff and they are @UPrinting.)  Don't forget to leave a way to get in touch with you via e-mail!  The usual fine print applies.

They're sending some to me too, and I think this time I am going to use them for my day job.  We do a lot of seminars, and I am certain that these brochures will come in handy.  As a non-profit we can use all the help we can get!  I've used UPrinting.com in the past, and I've been nothing but pleased with them.

Deadline for entry is next Friday, November 6th at noon Central Time.  So, how would you use the brochures?

And the Winner is...

Once again the Random Number Generator has spoken!  The winner of the UPrinting.com Custom Sticker Giveaway is...seemommysew!!!

seemommysew said...

I would use them to promote my Etsy shop!

Congratulations! You will be receiving an e-mail from the sponsor by November 6th.


Don't forget to enter the UPrinting.com postcard giveaway, guys!  You have about a day left to get your name in on that one!  Thanks once again to UPrinting.com for all of their support.  They're really an amazing company, and I'm not saying that because they're one of my sponsors.  Their support for the blogging community is astounding, but as a company I have been nothing but impressed with their quality of service.  They pretty much rock.

A Smile From The Trenches

Originally formed in 2006 in Grand Junction, Colorado, A SMILE FROM THE TRENCHES now hails from Los Angeles, California. ASFTT have been a band since 2006, but 2009 has brought together the most complete and confident formation yet. All members of the band currently feel that they are at their all time creative and musical peak and are ready to tour and work harder than any band in existence.

Frontman and vocalist Stoney Anderson knew fronting a band was his calling the moment he heard the Rolling Stones for the first time. Other groups that made him who he is were Aerosmith and Motley Crue. Brent Javier, a close high school friend of Stoney quickly joined the band early 2007 and has been with Stoney ever since. After many tours through the western and central United States, including stints on Warped Tour 2007 (Ernie Ball Battle of The Bands Winner 2007) and sharing the stage with Escape The Fate, LoveHateHero, Finch, Dance Gavin Dance, The Devil Wears Prada, Emerosa, I Am Ghost, Aiden and many others, Brent and Stoney finally made ground in Los Angeles in 2008 where they both originally met each other. Resorting to hanging out on Hollywood’s legendary “Sunset Strip” Stoney met guitarist Derek Jones, formerly of the Agony Scene (Roadrunner Records), and Ahmad Alkurabi, former guitarist of Beyond All Reasons (Ozzfest) at The Roxy Theater.

How do you describe your music to people, Stoney?
Its a combination between Charles Manson’s thought process and total hahahhaha ummmm... I like to call it rock cause that’s what it is. I’m tired of all these people coming up with sub genres.... what ever happened to rap, country, rock, and disco.

Tell me about how you originally got into your craft.
Me personally I use to sing all the time growing up. My brother and I would sit our nanny down and play Greenday and other bands real loud and perform to her while using a hockey stick as a guitar.... I think its just been in my blood... I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.

What is your favorite thing to do in the whole wide world?
Eat Sushi and play Halo 3.

What is your biggest challenge when it comes to running your business?
Making it run smoothly. That’s probably the hardest... On tour getting everyone up and going, and not being hung-over hahaha that’s a tough job.

When you were a kid, what did you think you were going to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be an ice cream man and a manager at McDonalds... I loved the toys, chicken nuggets and ice cream.

In what way has your community impacted your development as a musician?
Nothing in my community has impacted the lyrics that I write. That all goes to the ex girlfriends. My lyrics are everything I dream about doing or wish that I could do.... but I cant cause its not legal... hahahahha
I’m very passionate and a really strong lover, and I think that’s why when it goes bad I feel so strongly and base my emotions on anger and hate. It helps me get over it... I can write love songs too.. like “Dani” our acoustic track and then some sexual songs like “Juicy Fruit” which will both be on the new CD in stores Tuesday October 27th 2009.

What other artists out there do you love?
I love “Mayday Parade” to be honest. I know its not very tough but the lyrics and melodies are amazing. I’m also head over heals for “Taylor Swift”... “HEY TAY IF YOU ARE OUT THERE HIT ME UP... Hahaha”
I also enjoy the “Used” quite a bit. I’m waiting for them to write a bad song but so far it hasn’t happened.

What does your future hold?
Hmm...who knows...will see... Guess you need to stick around....

Be sure to check out the new album from A Smile From The Trenches,  Leave the Gambling for Vegas, which drops tomorrow!

Click here to buy the music featured on Such Cool Stuff!

DARK FUSION BOUTIQUE

The factory of maLOVEolance hitherto known as Dark Fusion Boutique opens before you its bursting closet door of decadence and hand crafted one-of-a kind debauchery. The delicate and deliberate designations of designer Lucretia*Renee unfold with the truest of perfection and intention, satiating the insatiable appetites of thousands who thirst...

Tell me about how you originally got into your craft, Lucretia*Renee.
My clothing design style was initially inspired by my many years of performing in theatrical firedance and bellydance productions, mainly Serpentine- Theatrical Butoh/Fire Fusion Bellydance. Since 2001, I have been researching and developing costumes that are striking, accentuate dance movements, and durable enough for repeated use on and off stage. My clothing design style has become an elegant yet edgy fusion of tribal bellydance, fetish, goth, burlesque, circus, vaudeville, and steampunk. What makes my clothing line unique is my form-fitting and sexy placement of seams, layered fabrics, colors and textures; a feminine twist on the fetish aesthetic inspired by the art of dance and the Goddess.

What is your favorite thing to do in the whole wide world?
I love traveling, finding inspiration, and then creating new clothing items. Performing as Serpentine has brought me great joy through out the years. Serpentine will join creative forces with Faith & The Muse and tour in Europe this fall. And last but not least, I love fabric shopping.

What is your biggest challenge when it comes to running your business?
My biggest business challenge is visually documenting each new piece, I can never schedule enough photo shoots. My next biggest challenge is finding inspiring fabrics and trims- I try to schedule trips to the LA Fashion District often!

What item in your shop would you most like to receive as a gift if someone were shopping for you?
If someone were to gift me an item from my shoppe, I'd enjoy a huge ruffle shirt and a matching halter, hint hint!!!!

When you were a kid, what did you think you were going to be when you grew up?
As a youngster, I liked creating art. At the age of 19, I began a 4 year program at Pacific Northwest College of Art and earned a BFA in painting and drawing. My paintings were featured in galleries in Portland, Oregon, which was very exciting. As the years went by, I found myself on stage more than in front of the canvas. The stage required interesting costumes- I began creating costumes in 2001 and never stopped! I never thought I'd become a clothing designer.

What other shops or artists out there do you love?
Black Lotus Clothing 
Alchemystical Workshop 
Skin Graft 

What does your future hold?
I plan to expand my production team, add menswear, and relocate to a larger facility. Maybe someday I'll have a storefront.


See more of the Boutique at darkfusionboutique.com, Etsy,  Facebook,  and MySpace.

Postcard Giveaway for Such Cool Stuff! from UPrinting.com

Our super-generous sponsors at UPrinting.com just love giving stuff to you guys!  In addition to the Custom Sticker Giveaway we have going on right now (have you entered yet?) they're giving away a batch of postcards to another lucky reader!  Here are the details:

Giveaway Prize: 100 Postcards for One Lucky Winner
Size:  4x6; Paper:  14pt Cardstock Gloss; Printing: Full color both sides    
Shipping: FREE UPS Ground Shipping in the US (Canadian residents pay shipping and taxes. Offer not available to residents outside of the US and Canada)

HOW TO ENTER: Leave a comment here saying how you might use the 100 Free Custom Postcards if you win.  Earn additional entries by tweeting or blogging about this giveaway, then posting the link in the comments.  Don't forget to leave a way to get in touch with you via e-mail!  The usual fine print applies.


They're sending some to me too, and I think that once again we're going to use these for the boyfriend's band.  Shocked, no?  We ordered some promo postcards for the band from UPrinting.com last month, and they turned out just beautifully!  The website was really easy to use during the ordering process too.  Now that they've almost decided on a name for the new album, maybe this batch can be specifically to promote that.

Deadline for entry is next Wednesday, October 28 at noon Central Time.  So, how would you use the postcards?

J.J. SINATRA

Flashback to '96: The radio waves are enriched with the post Golden Era of hip hop. The internet hasn't yet decimated album sales, and the public is still camping outside local record stores for the latest 2Pac album. But the music industry was on the verge of a drastic change. Enter young Justin Joseph Monastero whose days were filled with truant officers, relentless underage drinking and excessive promiscuous activity. You could find him wylin' out in his old maroon Omni Horizon. He was trying to spin records, which eventually led him to the microphone. J.J. took to rhyming instantly and even though his lyrical skills hadn't matured yet, he knew he had found his future.

He began designing his rap persona like a head chef would create his trademark dish. Often imagining himself as a distant Sicilian cousin of Raekwon, Nas or Jay-Z, the next two years were dedicated to writing, studio sessions and live urban training on the street corners of South Philly. He developed the ability to melt anyone in the cypher but hadn't yet learned the artistry of song writing, the one factor that stood in his way from performing live on stage.

Knowing inside he was destined for stardom, he shook off the doubters and recorded his first full-length album with songs about thick chicks, custom boots and fly foreign suits His potential was recognized by an international act and Justin Joseph was signed to a label deal. Feeling as if his loafers were laced with platinum linguini, J completed Martini Dreams in no time. He was ripping international stages wearing aardvark hoodies, tanned octopus leathers and catfish cut boots in no time. Yugoslavians are cheering him on through their sweaty extra medium undershirts.

But the daily challenges facing his rap career began to take their toll on him. He was drinking more profusely and developing a drugography that rivals any of Mötley Crüe's original members. Justin was either on someone's couch or out in the streets bumming cash, prescriptions or rides to pick them up. Drama followed drama until he finally bottomed out. He thought about his opportunities and vowed to fulfill his multi-continental potential. He cut off all his drug connections and focused mainly on his rhymes. A period of self examination followed where he then transformed into the stone cold Italian playboy that you all smell today... J.J. Sinatra, the original Vinny Velvet.


How do you describe your music to people, J.J.?
Something totally different.  It's a lil' bit of everything all rolled in one but with my life story as the background.  You'd have to hear it to believe it.

Tell me about how you originally got into your craft.
I wanted to be a DJ when I was 15 but I sucked at it so I started rappin' after I figured out I could put words together.  I was about 16 when I started rhyming. By the time I was 18 I was pretty damn good!!!

What is your favorite thing to do in the whole wide world?
Besides relax with my daughter, I'd have to say perform on stage and party afterwards.

What is your biggest challenge when it comes to running your business?
Right now everything is a challenge since I'm not officially famous yet.  I'm on my way though and I'm ready for whatever.

When you were a kid, what did you think you were going to be when you grew up?
A Celebrity.  I didn't know how but I could always invision myself on TV.

In what way has your community impacted your development as a musician?
I come from a ruff town (Norristown/Pottstown, PA.),with no work and even less opportunities so my skin's extra thick due to the environment I grew up in.  Whatever you got you hadda work real hard for and hold onto it.

What other artists out there do you love?
GhostFace Killah, Jay-Z, Jada Kiss, Nas and Tribe Called Quest.  I also dig alot of ol' school jazz and 70's funk.

What does your future hold?
FAME and FORTUNE!!!!!!

I'm actually workin' on a pilot for my own reality show right now that's almost finished. It's gonna be called "Martini Dreams" just like the album. And I just had a major meeting with Universal Records recently. The producers who are working on my TV show are some of the same kats that worked on Viva La Bam, so things are lookin' pretty good right now.

Check out more from J.J. Sinatra at jjsinatra.com, Amazon,and MySpace.

Click here to buy the music featured on Such Cool Stuff!

Custom Sticker Giveaway from UPrinting.com

Fresh on the heels of the last giveaway, our Sponsor UPrinting.com is also giving away a set of custom stickers! 

Here are the details:

250 Stickers/Labels for One (1) lucky winner
Sizes:  2” x 3.5”, 2” x 4”, or 3” x 3”
Paper:  70 lb Label Matte
Specifications: Full color front, blank back; 4 Business Day printing

To sweeten the pot, they are offering FREE UPS Ground Shipping in the USA (Canadian residents need to pay shipping and taxes). Offer is not available to residents outside the US and Canada.

HOW TO ENTER: Leave a comment here saying how you might use the 250 Free Custom Stickers if you win.  Earn additional entries by tweeting or blogging about this giveaway, then posting the link in the comments.  Don't forget to leave a way to get in touch with you via e-mail!  The usual fine print applies.


They're sending some to me too, and I think that once again we're going to use these for the boyfriend's band.  They're in the middle of recording a new album, and they need all the promo tools they can get!

Deadline for entry is next Monday, October 26 at noon Central Time.  So, how would you use the stickers?

And the Winner is...

The random number generator has spoken!  The winner of the UPrinting Business Card Giveaway is Jinxy and Me!

Jinxy and Me said...

     I would use them to promote my husband's new business.

Congratulations Jinxy and Me! You will hear from the sponsor via e-mail in a few days.

Speaking of the sponsor, a huge congratulations to UPrinting.com for being named by Inc.com as one of the fastest growing businesses in the U.S.  That's a real honor, and they've worked hard to achieve it! 

Lickorishlatex

Lickorishlatex is made up of Nick and Jo, two artists/designers with very different styles, tastes and strengths. Being so different, their design process can be rather volatile, but once they've picked up the chairs and cleaned away the broken crockery, they're usually left with something beautiful and unique.


Tell me about how you originally got into your craft, Nick.
We are both creative and flamboyant dressers and Jo has always made her own (unique) clothes. (When I first met her she was making a miniskirt out of a discarded traffic cone cover!?) We both love rubber clothes but at the time there was no exciting latex available locally, so we decided we'd make our own. As it turned out, we happened to be quite good at it, and every time we wore our creations out people would try to buy them from us. So we started taking orders, and within 6 months I'd quit my job to do it full time.

What is your favorite thing to do in the whole wide world?
Mine I think is dancing, whereas Jo's is having a picnic on the beach in the sunshine and a cuddle. (Awwwwww.)

What is your biggest challenge when it comes to running your business?
Our biggest challenge IS running our business! We're a pair of artists, not business people, so its been quite a steep learning curve for us. I'm sure I don't need to tell you or your crafty readers that there's precious little money to be made from selling your creations, so you can't go frittering it away on paying people to do the things you don't know how to do. So you have to learn how to do them yourself.
Thankfully, the chalk and cheesyness of me and Jo has been a real asset, and meant that if there's something one of us really can't do, the other seems to have a knack for it. Jo does all our stall stuff, and sales, and internet community things, while I do the website, any computer based design work, the spreadsheets, all of the typically boy things I suppose.

This has started to change now as the business has become more successfull and grown we're able to start fielding out some of the things we're not very good at, or would just prefer not to do, like the accounting, and modelling! We even used to have to model ourselves, which was hilarious to us, but thankfully we've started using actual models now. Although there are still the odd pictures of Jo kicking about the website, like our armband promo poster which I'm sure Jo wont mind me linking to here.

What item in your shop would you most like to receive as a gift if someone were shopping for you?
Hmmm, a little difficult to answer being a boy. If I was a girl, it'd definitely be something from our latest "skullkadot" range. Probably the skullkadot dress thats not yet in any of our online shops, but is in our stall stock. Its a halterneck dress with a sweetheart neckline and kickpleat, with the front panel having a skullkadot pattern on it. Its fantastic!

However, being a boy and not really having the legs for that type of thing, (hairy, nobbly knees would just ruin the aesthetic) I'd go for some sock suspenders. They're surprisingly addictive!

Jo says she would like someone to buy her some laced corset braces please.

When you were a kid, what did you think you were going to be when you grew up?
I've never really known what I wanted to do, even at University where I did a philosophy degree - about as un-vocational as you can get. I remember dreaming of being a computer artist, but its certainly not what I expected to be.

I've just asked Jo and she says she wanted to "make stuff", so mission accomplished for her then.

What other shops or artists out there do you love?
I love the work by our friend Doktor A, who is a fantastic artist and makes a marvelous line of steampunk character toys.

Jo has just reminded me about Madame Horror, who trades at a lot of the festivals we trade at, and makes the most fantastic "Sock Horrors". Hand-made stuffed toys with a distinctly macabre theme. Our nieces are acquiring quite a collection of those! [Be sure to check out the SCS interview with Madame Horror here - Ed]


What does your future hold?
Our accessories are currently stocked in a small number of shops around the world - a small number that we'd like to increase.
We're desperate to get more of our garment designs out there and have a couple of fashion shows coming up in the next 6 months.

And we're about to appear in Bizarre magazine in the next couple of months.

Further than that we're not entirely sure, but we'll be very excited to find out!

Check out more at www.lickorishlatex.com and MySpace.

Heather Edwards

Heather Edwards is a musician and actress. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Heather currently lives in New York City. After graduating from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, she moved to Nashville, Tennessee and dabbled in many facets of the music industry. Having reached a plateau in her career and needing to try her acting wings, she decided to move to New York City. Since moving north, Heather has been actively pursuing her music and acting career; performing with many types of bands - from funk and rock to jazz and country and playing a wide range of characters as an actor. Heather trained her whole life as a classical pianist and continues to perform in that genre as much as possible.

She started writing music at age eleven and continues to write and perform her own music as well as conduct, direct, and perform in musical theatre. Heather has released three CDs: To Be Continued... and Eclectic Energy and the recently released Go With The Flow. She also has a classical CD project and a musical in the works.

Heather is a member of AFM Local 802 and Actors Equity Association. She has had many roles in television, film, and theatre.

How do you describe your music to people, Heather?
A collection of music featuring piano - ranging from dance tunes to old school rock.  Memorable lyrics, infectious melodies and rhythms that will make you want to jump onto the dance floor.

Tell me about how you originally got into your craft.
When I was 6 1/2 years old my parents bought a piano.  I went to play a song and it 'didn't work'.  My parents told me I needed to take piano lessons.  After my first lesson I went to the piano and tried again.  When it didn't work I explained the problem to my parents and the told me I had to take more than one lesson.  And that's how it all began.  I kept up with the piano lessons and gave my first recital 4 months later and was totally hooked.  I knew what I was doing was exceptional and it felt great!

What is your favorite thing to do in the whole wide world?
My favorite thing to do in the whole wide world is perform on stage, especially my own music.  However, just playing the piano, no matter what style or genre, is my passion and makes me happy.

What is your biggest challenge when it comes to running your business?
The biggest challenges for me when it comes to running my business are keeping up with technology and attaining my goals at the pace that I want.

When you were a kid, what did you think you were going to be when you grew up?
When I was a kid, all I wanted was to be a pianist/singer/dancer/actress.

In what way has your community impacted your development as a musician?
New York City is a fantastic place for working as a performing artist because there are so many different kinds of opportunities to work and meet people.  However, it is chock full of aspiring performers, so it can be difficult at times.  In addition, the city is very expensive, so making a living while pursuing your dream can be a challenge.  You not only have to be talented, but persistent, organized, driven, energetic, think outside the box, creative and lucky!

What other artists out there do you love?
The lists of artists that I love varies immensely and the list could go on for ages.  Just for fun, I made an alphabetical sampling:

•     Aerosmith
•     Beatles
•     Chet Baker
•     Damned
•     Eurythmics
•     Fleetwood Mac
•     George Gershwin
•     Heart
•     India.Arie
•     Journey
•     Kronos Quartet
•     Led Zepplin
•     Meatloaf
•     Nat King Cole
•     Ozzy Osbourne
•     Prince
•     Queen
•     Rush
•     Stevie Wonder
•     Tom Waits
•     U2
•     Van Halen
•     Who
•     Xavier Rudd
•     Zappa

What does your future hold?
As far as my future goes, I will continue to create and perform my music and take part in any other opportunities that come my way.  I will do my best to continue to grow as an artist and not let anything stand in the way in achieving my goals.  It is an endless journey that won't die 'til I'm not on this planet anymore.

Hear more from Heather at heatheredwards.net, MySpace, FaceBook, and Twitter!

Click here to buy the music featured on Such Cool Stuff!

The TuTu Sweet Factory

Tell me about how you originally got into your craft, Jordan.
It was 1 year ago for Halloween that I needed a costume to wear to work. A lot of the costumes for the girls in my age group were, shall we say, revealing? So I went online and found an article for a do-it-yourself tutu. I went to the craft store and bought the supplies and then finished my creation.

Not long after that, my boss called me and said we were all going to meet up at the local party store to get our costumes, all expenses paid.

So, I figured rather than letting all that work go to waste, I would let someone else enjoy my costume for Halloween & get my money out of it. I posted it on our local craigslist website and got tremendous feedback from the ad!

Here I am 1 year later with an online shop, a bedroom consumed by fabric, ribbons, and embellishments, and my first craft show that I will be attending this year!

What is your favorite thing to do in the whole wide world?
In the WHOLE wide world???

That's a tough one. To name a few though...

I love to spend time with my niece Jaelah. She will be 3 this October! I enjoy playing guitar and writing songs, relaxing at home in my jammies, going to church, taking pictures, trying out new restaurants, going to art shows, reading, planning things, hanging out with friends and family, and of course making tutus!

What is your biggest challenge when it comes to running your business?
I would say promoting. The online marketing can be a bit overwhelming at times. You always have to be on your game if you really want to get the traffic flowing into your store.

I'm currently on Etsy, Twitter, Facebook, Flicker, Blogger, and have been fortunate enough to have people feature me on their blogs, and do great interviews like this one!

What item in your shop would you most like to receive as a gift if someone were shopping for you?
Hahaha

Well, unless Halloween was coming up. I probably wouldn't wear a tutu for any other occasion. I would probably want something really colorful and funky though!

When you were a kid, what did you think you were going to be when you grew up?
I wanted to do everything from being a musician. to a doctor, to owning my own beauty product line, to open a catering business, to becoming an actress, to owning my own coffee shop, to chef, and many many more.

People call me an entrepreneur.

What other shops or artists out there do you love?
Little Red Cottage is a great shop for anyone who loves to scrapbook! I directly buy my buttons through her for my tutu embellishments.

All of my other favorite artists and shops can be found online at my Etsy profile.

What does your future hold?
Of course nobody knows what the future will bring. However, I would love to make a living off of my artwork. Due to the economy, getting my tutus out there is a bit hard at times. Although I would really love to become a photographer. I have been taking photographs for about 4 years now, and drifted away from it due to my day job. So I quit!

Would love to just take pictures all day long & make tutus.

See more from The TuTu Sweet Factory at Etsy and Twitter!

Business Card Giveaway from UPrinting.com

Our wonderful sponsor UPrinting.com is hosting yet another giveaway on Such Cool Stuff!  Here are the details:

Giveaway Prize:
250 business cards for One Lucky Winner (Free UPS Ground Shipping in USA)
Sizes:  2 x 3.5”, 2 x 3”, 2 x 2” (square card) or 1.5 x 3.5” (skinny card)
Paper:  14 pt gloss cardstock, 14 pt matte cardstock or 13 pt recycled uncoated cardstock
Specifications: Full Color Both Sides; Offset Press; 3 Business Day Printing

Restriction:
Free UPS Ground Shipping in the USA. Canadian Residents must Pay Shipping and Taxes. Residents of other countries are not eligible.

They're sending some to me too, and we're using them to update the cards for my sweetie's band.  We just got the postcards we ordered from them in the mail today, and they look AWESOME!

HOW TO ENTER: Leave a comment here saying how you might use the 250 Free Business cards if you win.  Earn additional entries by tweeting or blogging about this giveaway, then posting the link in the comments.  Don't forget to leave a way to get in touch with you via e-mail!  The usual fine print applies.


Deadline for entry is next Monday, October 19 at noon Central Time.  So, how would you use the cards?

The Iguana from Oh My God

Hard-touring Chicago band Oh My God return this fall with a brand new record, The Night Undoes The Work Of The Day, and a coast-to-coast tour. Billy and Ig were in a devastating van crash in September, 2007. An Ohio woman was drunk at noon on a sunny Friday and swerved into the wrong lane; the collision was head-on at 55 m.p.h. She was killed and Oh My God’s injuries required helicopters, ambulances and over six months of physical therapy to badly broken legs and hands. The tour was canceled and the release of Fools Want Noise was delayed a year.

The Night Undoes The Work Of The Day, which was recorded throughout 2008 and early 2009 with producer Jim Tullio (John Martyn, Mavis Staples) was released on September 29th on Split Red Records (who also released the band's 2008 disc Fools Want Noise). Oh My God's vocalist/bassist Billy O'Neill and organist/vocalist Iguana (who has played with Junior Wells, Buddy Guy and Van Morrison) have used several drummers and guitarists in the studio and on on tour, and they're happy to be taking along two longtime friends and fantastic musicians on the Fall '09 Tour: Zach Verdoorn (bass/guitar/vocals) and Danny Yost (drums), both from the South Dakota band The Kickback.

How do you describe your music to people, Ig?
5'10". Enjoys fast-walking and fast-talking. Open to suggestion.

Tell me about how you originally got into your craft.
Back window was carelessly left open!

What is your favorite thing to do in the whole wide world?
See dangerous shards of glass, and then craftily avoid them.

What is your biggest challenge when it comes to running your business?
Figuring out, in true Joseph Heller style, how to classify a number of small losses as one large profit.

When you were a kid, what did you think you were going to be when you grew up?
A scarecrow; my sister wanted to be a waitress. Neither dream came true.

In what way has your community impacted your development as a musician?
By staging protests against those who are intolerant toward us.

What other artists out there do you love?
Robert Penn Warren, Robert Bresson, Zora Neale Hurston, Mike Watt, D. Boon, George Hurley

What does your future hold?
A straight flush

Oct 16, Howard’s Club H, Bowling Green, Ohio
Oct 17, Mohawk Place, Buffalo, New York
Oct 18, The Basement, Kingston, New York
Oct 19, The Space, Hamden, Connecticut
Oct 20, M Room, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Oct 21, CMJ Fest @ Lit Lounge, NY, New York
Oct 22, Howler’s Coyote Cafe, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Oct 23, Mad Hatter, Covington, Kentucky
Oct 24, Mac’s Bar, Lansing, Michigan
Oct 29, Founder’s Brewing Co., Grand Rapids, Michigan
Oct 30, Loading Dock, Traverse City, Michigan
Oct 31, University of Michigan, Flint (KIVA), Flint, Michigan
Oct 31, Late show @ Rodney’s Loft, Flint, Michigan

Click here to buy the music featured on Such Cool Stuff!

Meekiyua

Meekiyu are tiny origami people made into fun little ornaments, magnets and precious unique keepsakes by artist Li.

Tell me about how you originally got into your craft, Li.
I originally made them for an Art Auction and since I had so much beautiful origami left over I made origami versions of my boyfriend and I and my family. My family and bf thought they were so cute. I've always been creating and drawing since I was five, trying new techniques.

What is your favorite thing to do in the whole wide world?
Just to sit on my desk and create is my favorite thing. It's something I am not obligated to do but requires so much time and work. There's a difference between wanting to do something and having to do it. My art and craft is something I love to do.

What is your biggest challenge when it comes to running your business?
The biggest challenge is pricing. It's very hard to price your own work because you know how much work goes into it but on the other hand you want it to be reasonable so people would purchase it. The misconception about my origami dolls is that it's just fold a piece of paper and glue stuff. It's far from simple... I love to tailor each origami doll to the person, from the face, eyes, likes and dislikes.

I remember making a cute couple that had on removable bike helmets and a Harvey Davidson bike on the back to celebrate their anniversary. That's hard to price.

What item in your shop would you most like to receive as a gift if someone were shopping for you?
Oh it would be the Red Lover's Knot. Reason is I'm not into getting presents of the latest technology or clothes or w/e. People always say I'm hard to buy for because I don't want anything. I do love and cherish unique things that has a meaning behind it. The Red Lover's Knot is based on Chinese myth that everyone is connected to their soul mate by a red string that cannot be broken. I think it's something heartwarming and makes me go "awww"

When you were a kid, what did you think you were going to be when you grew up?
Actually when I was kid it was either going to be an artist or a paleontologist because I loved dinosaurs! Still do!

What other shops or artists out there do you love?
Artists I love are Tomie DePaola the children's illustrator who did those Strega Nona series. Another artist/animator/director is Hayao Miyazaki who is behind such movies as Spirited Away and my all time favorite My Neighbor Totoro.


I have so many shops I love especielly the talented ones from the NewNewTeam a bunch of artist and crafters from the tristate area. There is a whole load of talent there. Another shop is Kwan which is a jewelry shop of these modern quirky little items. I have two pairs of earrings and they're so deliciously fresh.

What does your future hold?
In the future I hope to expand my shops and be able to continue what I love to do and also get my medical Tech license. Always love helping people whether it's healing the body or soothing the soul.

---

Find out more about the Meekiyu at meekiyua.etsy.com and Meekiyua.blogspot.com.  You can also catch Li at the Brooklyn Indie Market on November 14th.

Kaiser Cartel

KaiserCartel is a low-fi, song-driven, harmony-heavy Brooklyn-based duo. Their first full-length album, March Forth, produced by Matt Hales (aka Aqualung) and mixed by Matt and Ken Thomas (Sigur Ros) was released in the US on bluhammock music in June 2008 and in the UK on Continental Record Services in June 2009. Courtney Kaiser and Benjamin Cartel have been touring the country in their Prius ever since they quit their teaching jobs last June, stopping at Monolith Festival and 80-35 Festival and supporting Margot and the Nuclear So and So's, Aqualung, and Carrie Rodriguez. KC has had music in the MTV show Exiled, Discovery Channel’s Alter-Eco and on Starbucks’ Have You Heard? compilation and had two songs in the first two episodes of the new HBO series “Bored To Death”. Their video for Oh No can be seen on VH1.com and their video for Okay was shown at Slamdance this year. Their charming and intimate live show is not to be missed. Their new album, Secret Transit, is scheduled to be released in early 2010.

For now you can grab their new EP titled 'Rock Island' and the re-release of their debut EP 'Double Standard' at their live shows shows or on their website.

How would you describe this music to people?
The music of Kaiser Cartel has a lot of roots in rock, pop, and folk.  They focus on melody and harmony as well as challenging themselves by playing multiple instruments. They create a very large sound with just 2 pairs of hands and feet. Kaiser Cartel also chooses to use non-traditional rock instruments such as the Dulcetina, various glockenspiels, and a battery powered milk frother.

Tell me about how Kaiser Cartel originally got into this craft.
Benjamin started playing in a punk rock band with his brother when he was 13 years old playing original material at all age shows. Benjamin fell in love performing back then and hasn't stopped since.

Courtney started singing in tap dance recitals when she was 3 years old. She sang in various children's choirs and theater groups as well as studied Opera, and world vocal music in college. She started her first band at 16 years old, writing her own songs and playing the guitar. Courtney played in various bands until meeting Benjamin and starting Kaiser Cartel.

What is your favorite thing to do in the whole wide world?
Benjamin's favorite thing is to watch an excellent movie.

Courtney's favorite thing is to pet animals.

What is the biggest challenge when it comes to running this business?
It is challenging to do the book keeping, blogging, podcasts, interviews, conference calls, driving 18 hrs to play a show, radio interviews, writing, playing shows, selling merch, finding good food to eat while traveling, all at the same time.

When you were kids, what did you think you were going to be when you grew up?
Courtney-a singer
Benjamin-a painter

In what way has your community impacted your development as a musician?
Everywhere that we have lived we have been inspired by the communities in which we have lived.  They keep us going all the time with their support and by observing all the great things that individuals do within them.

What other artists out there do you love?
Bon Iver, Winterpills, Lisa Germano, Lida Husik, The B-52's, The Beatles, The Ramones, The Lemonheads, Bjork, Sinead O'Connor, The Replacements, Radiohead, and Santogold to just name a few.

What does your future hold?
Great things....Really, we hope that our music impacts the most people possible in a positive way. Our expectation is to be the soundtrack to everyone's life.

10/8   Living Room, NYC
10/9   Starving Artist Keene, NH
10/10  All Asia Cambridge, MA
10/11  Castaway's, Ithaca, NY
10/20  CMJ showcase Living Room, NYC
11/13  92nd Y, NYC (supporting Nicole Atkins and the Sea)
12/04  Olde Towne Creamery, Maple Lake, MN
12/05  Olde Towne CreameryMaple Lake, MN

Click here to buy the music featured on Such Cool Stuff!