Fordite

"Fordite, also known as Motor Agate, is a unique automotive enamel material with an interesting history. The original layered automotive paint slag 'rough' was made incidentally, years ago, by the now extinct practice of hand spray-painting multiples of production cars in big automotive factories. 

The oversprayed paint in the painting bays gradually built up on the tracks and skids that the car frames were painted on. Over time, many colorful layers built up there. These layers were hardened repeatedly in the ovens that the car bodies went into to cure the paint. Some of these deeper layers were even baked 100 times. 

Eventually, the paint build-up would become obstructing, or too thick and heavy, and had to be removed. As the story goes, some crafty workers with an eye for beauty realized that this unique byproduct was worth salvaging. It was super-cured, patterned like psychedelic agate, and could be cut and polished with relative ease!"  - taken from fordite.com 
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I'm obsessed with this stuff.  In addition to mad housecleaning, I am also using the internet as a tool for avoidance of reality, and as I stumbled through the rabbit hole of Etsy, I came across Fordite.

As the history blurb above details, this is a reclaimed thing, something that occurred as an accident, a nuisance byproduct for the auto industry.  How beautiful this nuisance is, though.

I wonder who the first person to notice the internal loveliness under the unsightly exterior was, who the first person to scratch the surface and find more than was expected.

Fordite, or Detroit Agate, isn't produced anymore.  Technology changed the manufacturing process, and this side-effect doesn't happen now.  What I'm sure the industry looked at as a waste now fetches as much money as some "real" gemstones, especially if it can be proven to have come from a particular auto maker, model, or factory, for example the Corvette factory in Bowling Green, KY.  I even saw one piece marked as "mustangite."  Guess what it was supposed to have come from?

I have found a piece on Etsy that I really love....well, probably more like five pieces, but still...and when my money from the AP reading comes, I am going to splurge on a piece.  Aside from the incredible visual appeal of it, I like the symbolic reminder that it's what's under the surface that matters, that the world rarely takes the time to look for less-than-screaming-in-its-face-obvious value and is prone to discard things of beauty and rarity.  It's a lesson worth remembering about a tendency worth avoiding.

I don't think that's too much philosophy to hang from a silver chain, right?  If it's too much for you, I guess you can just enjoy all the pretty colors.  To each, her own.

Couch Guitar Straps

No.  I haven't taken up the guitar again.  These guys sort of make me wish I could stand the calloused fingertips, though.  Their products are awesome.

I first found them on Etsy.  You can get to their shop here.  I was intrigued by the materials they use.  As you can see to the left, they recycle things, largely automotive textiles, in really fabulous and useful ways.  These are old seatbelts.  Isn't it amazing how lovely they are?

What took my fancy, though, was the range of products they make from automotive vinyl.  They take deadstock vinyl and other fabrics, originally intended to reupholster car and truck seats, and create straps, electronic gadget cases, wallets, passport covers, even messenger bags.  When seen in a different conformation than big swathes of seat, the intricate detail of these old fabrics really stands out.

The first thing I purchased was a Kindle cover.  It's made from seat covering from a 1960s GMC truck.  The bright red is one of my favorite colors, and I love that it is made from something vintage.  Even though the one on Etsy was sized for the Kindle Fire, Couch made a custom version for my Kindle Paperwhite at no extra charge. It is perfect for running around as it adds no extra bulk whatsoever to the Kindle while providing protection.  Also, I mean, look at the thing.  It's gorgeous....

I also found a camera strap made from deadstock for a Volkswagen Beetle.  I have been using it now for a couple of months, and every time I take my camera out of its case, it makes me smile.  The red (see a theme here?) color and the fact that it came out of one of the world's happiest cars just thrills me.  I can't wait to use it in Italy.

For my annual "month of senseless indulgences," I decided to get one of their other pieces that I had been ogling in my Etsy favorites for a long time.  Couch makes several styles of wallets.  I needed one that was small and simple to fit in my larger "string purse"  This one was perfect.  It was also perfect because it's made from 1960s Chrysler vinyl in a lovely emerald green.  It came today, and I cleaned out the pockets of my string purse into it.  It could not be more perfect.  It slips down into the pocket with my checkbook taking up almost no more space than the bunched-up cards did alone.  I now know exactly how much cash I have on-hand because it's not all wadded up in the change pouch like it has been.  Organization and art triumph.

The philosophy behind Couch is admirable.  They make everything themselves, and the pride they take in their products is clear.  Things are hand-stamped, strong-sewn, screen-printed by them.  They use their own products, and professional musicians are also fond of them.  They ship fast, communicate well and with great friendliness.  Heck, they even sent a free pick holder with the wallet.  (I am going to give it to one of my guitar-playing friends.)

I like the fact that they are taking the common, something designed to cover a cushion for your backside, and making it extraordinary.  It is meaningful to me also that they are giving these things a second life.  To me, things that have already had one purpose and find or are given another are just inherently richer, infinitely preferable.  I know I am going to enjoy these items and the history of them for a long time to come.

All the Etsy Things

It struck me today as I was sitting on a steel-pad table by a rural creek just how many thing I use constantly and really love have come from Etsy.  There were the red case for my Kindle and the red strap on my Nikon, both made by Couch Straps from deadstock automotive vinyl.  There was the small sandwich wrap by Yulco I use so I don't have to put a PB&J in a sandwich bag and wastefully throw the bag away after.  There was the red martingale collar from Mod Dog around Chewie's snow-white throat, allowing him comfort and me control if needed.  Even the tiny silver studs with their kanji symbols for peace and luck on them I was wearing in my second set of piercings had come from someone there, Cherry Creek Jewelry.

I know Etsy receives criticism.  Maybe some of it comes rightly.  I haven't researched stuff enough to know.  I just know that since I started shopping there, I have access to things I love.  I like my stuff to be either a) old or b) classic/unique and always c) well-made.  Etsy shops, the ones I frequent, anyway, meet all those requirements.  There are all these incredibly talented people out there who make exactly the right thing when I'm looking for it, something my style, my size, my philosophy, and without this site, I'd never know about it.

My tastes are not what could be called "common" for this area.  While we have some mightily awesome junktiques that I adore, finding makers for the type of art and the style of personal items such as phone cases, jewelry, etc. I want is problematic unless I go to a larger place.  The beauty of Etsy is that I don't have to go anywhere.  It comes to me.

Even as my tastes and little manias change, Etsy remains able to satisfy them.  If I'm on a "kick" with a particular topic, set of characters, or item, I can find things on Etsy that fulfill that desire reasonably.  I can also find new interests, even new project ideas for myself, by looking there.

The last thing about using Etsy that I appreciate is the general friendliness of the craftspeople.  I've never run into anyone there who wasn't willing to adapt or create a custom order.  I have ordered from some of them several times, and they actually remember that I was a customer.  It's nice.  I also like the fact that so many shops offer discounts to repeat buyers.  In a world where often you go into a shop and are made by lack of service or outright rudeness of the staff to feel that you're doing them a disservice by spending your money there, being acknowledged and appreciated is a fairly novel change.

I've also almost never run across anyone there whose quality wasn't even more than advertised.  I have some pieces, including my long-desired and much-loved green Leonard messenger bag from New Duds, that I know I will have for a very long time.  I will probably wear out before it does.  In a world of use-and-toss or buy-knowing-you'll-have-to-buy-again-soon, it's refreshing to see durability and quality accompanying beauty.

I didn't mean for this to become an Etsy hymn, but really, I don't mind that it did.  I get far too much enjoyment from the site not to have said something good of it.  While not everyone may agree with me about its virtues, for me, it is the perfect "shop."

For What It's Worth

I've never been one to cut out pictures of gowns or plan floral arrangements.  I only ever looked at rings once.  That was a TOTALLY screwed-up trip to a jewelers with D.  I won't get into it.  It was a nightmare. I had taken a ring of my own in to be repaired, and he went with me since we sort of went lots of strange places together.  Somehow we wound up at the ring case looking and the lady behind the counter made assumptions.  You've never seen two people get away from each other so fast.  Probably it was comedic from a safe distance.

Anyway.

If it should ever come down to it.   If a little box should ever come out of a pocket or be presented to me creatively.   If there should ever happen to be some poor brave fool wonderful man out there who decides I am the one (and I just can't see this ever happening but I'm going to say this anyway), this is the ring.  I've never seen any other diamond ring I liked at all.  I suppose there may be vintage pieces out there I'd like, but this one has...something different to it.

It's a raw diamond, like my earrings, and I have already talked about why I like them so I won't belabour that point here.  It's also white gold.  I prefer the white metals, silver, white gold, or platinum, to the yellow.  The style is also to my tastes, simple and elegant.  I would feel ridiculous with something ostentatious on my hand.  I am not a fancy jewelry person unless it is old jewelry, and then not all of it.  Somehow, this just sort of seems like me.

Anyway, you can take this for what it's worth.  If you like it too, you can find this and other lovely things made by the Etsy maker masaoms by clicking through the link.

The Shirt I Mentioned Yesterday

This is the shirt I mentioned yesterday in my post.  It's from phippsart on Etsy.  I've had it in my favorites there for a long time, and I decided to get it.  It has amused me for awhile, and since I seem to be on this kick and surrounded by it on all sides, I figured, "Why not?"  The art is quite good.  If you go to the link and look, you can see close-ups.  

Mine

Pegasus.  The poet's steed.  You know symbols are my life.  (Or maybe you don't.  Maybe you don't read here often, or maybe you don't pay attention.) I've been looking for a good representation in a piece of jewelry for awhile.  I have a pendant with a quote and Pegasus shown in part, but this pin is the thing I've been hoping to find.  It's vintage and even sterling, the metal I prefer to wear.  I love it.  I can't wait for it to get here.

Aerosmith Quotation Handmade Necklace

 

It will be mine.  Oh yes.  It will be mine.  Love the Pegasus, the poet's steed.  Love the Aerosmith.  Love the quote and the sterling silver.  It is in every way good.  Love, love, love....  If you also want one, you can get it from SentimentRedesigned on Etsy.  They also make pendants from a variety of other fonts of wisdom from Yeats to Franklin, from Thoreau to Joseph Campbell, and from Emily Dickinson to Pink Floyd if Aerosmith doesn't quite do it for you, personally.

Buy Your Own Diamonds

When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.  ~Peter Marshall

I approach thirty-five on dainty winged feet.  

Actually, I just wanted to write that.  I don't do anything on dainty winged feet.  I stumble toward thirty-five like somebody running an endurance race who, in full stride, hung a toe on a root they should have seen and avoided....


Got that picture of grace in your head now?  Good, good....


A few years ago, I got tired of waiting for marriage to bring me a KitchenAid mixer, and, so, when February rolled around, I took myself and my pitiful bank account to a local mercantile and I brought home the lovely bright red beast that gleams quietly on my kitchen cabinet, maker of pound cake batter thick enough to use as a mortar for brick.  

That was the same birthday I got tired of waiting for Fiestaware, the dishes I had always wanted, and so I began to collect sets of them on each payday.  I now eat my breakfasts, rare lunches at home, and dinners off the same type of dishes my Nana had, cheerful, sturdy, bright pops of color.  Just opening the cabinet or emptying the dishwasher makes me happy.


This year, I stop waiting for diamonds.


This year, thirty-four fades into thirty-five.  There are no beaux lining up and pining away at my door.  I've watched girls who were literally infants when I was in high school get married recently, and I'm done waiting for the bolt from the blue to strike here.  For whatever reason, although I am blessed with many other good things, that good thing is not going to be mine.  Therefore, I'm buying my own damned diamonds.  


Not a ring.  I don't want that.  It would be a little too much insult added to injury, if you follow the logic there.  There will never be a diamond ring on these hands apparently.  I have, however, always wanted a pair of diamond studs.  You can read my previous post about the ones that Artifactum makes on Etsy, made from uncut diamonds, unusual and lovely.  That is what I've bought myself.  


They are my way of making peace with thirty-five.  If nobody else will give them to me, then I love me enough to give them to myself. 

Typography

I love typography. I find the art of words fascinating. Words and quotes becoming beautiful, the shapes of the letters themselves becoming the focus, is something I never get tired of looking at. Today, I was cruising through Etsy and looking at all the creative quotes and recreations of those sometimes familiar lines. I found probably half-a-dozen things I would like to have to hang up somewhere.

I've often wished I knew how to use something like Adobe Photoshop better or other graphic design software that would allow me to make these pieces myself. Maybe someday I'll have time to sit down and teach myself or take a class. Until then, I'll enjoy the fruits of talented others.

(This print can be found here on Etsy in MursBlanc's shop.  All the Zodiac signs are represented there.  This one just happens to be mine.)

Natural Rough Diamond Earrings by artifactum on Etsy

Natural Rough Diamond Earrings by artifactum on Etsy
I finally found a pair of diamond studs that I both really like and can also afford. I know the stones in these aren't super valuable since they're uncut and therefore probably flawed, low-grade, etc., but they appeal to me so much. I always tell my writing students that they are uncut diamonds and that it is my job to help shape them so they shine, and that was the first thing that jumped into my mind when I saw these. I also think of myself as something a bit rough and unpolished, too, so although I have always loved the classic elegance of diamond studs, I don't know if I can pull that look off personally. Let's face it; I have many charming qualities, but "poshness" isn't one of them. Diamonds are a bit like a string of pearls. They're undoubtedly lovely, but they're not quite me, perhaps. These, however, are understated and symbolic, and of course, that appeals to me on almost every level. I'll have these as my "payday splurge" soon. I think they will go with almost everything, just like diamond studs, however one likes hers fashioned, ought to do.