A Type of Magic

As a kid I loved mythology and had I spent more time in the ocean rather than being restrained to collecting seashells on the beach, I bet I would have spent my time hunting mermaids. Of course when I use the word 'hunt' I mean luring them in with halves of tuna sandwiches in the hope of sharing deep and meaningful conversations about the universe and the meaning of life. If mermaids were real, then I assume they would be an ancient race with many great gems of wisdom to impart on their land-locked brethren, the human race.

There seems to be many different types of magic, apart from the traditional mythological creatures of unicorns and mermaids. The most modern in my eyes would be photography and the art of applying make-up, used to transform one person into something more magical and alluring such as this face shown above surrounded by pink leaves and flowers. I love the natural look of freckles as well as thick lashed without the clumpy mascara. It seems wonderful the way the leaves match the lips and tongue of this girl who may even represent some sort of mystique forest sprite and a guardian of plants.

I don't believe in the healing properties of hexagonal crystals but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy wearing them around my neck. You can easily detach these little crystals and string them along a range of different silver chain necklaces- I know I have many stored in my little jewellery holder available to mix and match. For a few extra dollars there are more perfected styles in pyramid points as well as small crystal skulls but I think I prefer the more common touch- there's a whole lot of colours available for these healing crystals, my favourite is Lapis Lazuli.

What could be more magical then leaving your old life behind, grabbing a whole bunch of balloons and floating away from all of life's problems such as the nine to five grind and the sole crushing reality of adulthood? I love the dreamy pastel colours of orange, pink, lilac and opaque as well as the brooding head-tilt of the two girls anchoring the mass of balloons. My imagination was taken away by Disney Pixar's 'Up', I was one of the pathetic people to cry because seeing it made me realise how easy it is to let your entire life slip away from you because of the ordinary and taking part in day-to-day routines.

If I had an empty desk space that I felt needed decorating I wouldn't mind filling it with a variety of lucky cat statues with their poised paws and range of colours, but I've also taken a licking to teapots in the shape of elephants. There aren't as many available lucky cat statues on Etsy but there are some lovely good luck charms that can be held in ones hand. I don't really believe in good luck charms anymore, I have the support of my family, friends and boyfriend which I believe to be all the good luck I need but when lucky cats look this good and colourful, it seems I should be scoping out the dusty shelves of Asian green grocers more often.

It's a wonder how some of these images of mermaids are put together- whether it's entirely Photoshop or people in costume as well. One of the girls I used to sit next to in math class was doing mermaids as her focus for art class and she was doing drawings but also had to explore photography a little bit. I've seen the mermaid costumes on the outfit and there is the minor detail of the feet to walk around when in costume but I wonder if there are full fish tails available. Bustiers have been popular in recent years, so they shouldn't be so much of a problem really.

Pink and purple hair reminds me so much of fantasy and unicorns as well as small little figurines of My Little Pony- it doesn't seem to matter whether you're wearing an outfit with colour or all black. Colour seems to adore the company of other clashing colours and patterns seem even brighter and bolder but when wearing all black, you still have the appearance of a sunny disposition and are somewhat kooky and approachable. There's also the small matter of being able to wear black lipstick and looking like a bad-ass punk, or perhaps a shade of soft pastel pink to match your wickedly dyed hair.

I believe the model shown above is Bambi, but it's a little difficult to tell without a proper look at the prim eyebrows hidden under a bandanna adorned in spikes and studs. There's something modern and very twenty-first century gypsy about the bandanna, nose piercing as well as pyramid shaped ring in blue resin. If I'm not mistaken, it looks like the works of Elke Kramer or something similar. I personally love pyramid shaped rings as well as hexagonal shaped crystals. There's something satisfying about the regular polygons and shapes as well as the pointed natured of both three-dimensional shapes.

I've always wanted a dream catcher, though I have had the good luck to not be plagued by nightmares and bad dreams. As of late, things have been strange in my subconscious while I sleep but my greater nightmares are faced everyday on the street when meeting new people and at work. I wouldn't mind having a dream catcher clipped above my ear to keep away all the negative and snide comments I hear when at work but I suppose that's a far stretch. I'm sure there's plenty of amazing and colourful dream catchers available at the Camberwell market, as well as on Etsy adorned in feathers, beads and webs in many threaded colours.

This little cat reminds me much of the black cat in 'Kiki's Delivery Service', a popular Anime film from the creative world of Hayao Miyazaki which I really want to buy on DVD or maybe even rent from my university library as soon as I sign up with them. I've seen the movies 'Ponyo', as well as 'Spiritied Away' from the Japanese creative genius and I loved them for their imagination, unusual plot quirks as well as great Anime art. I always feel sad and left out when there's a marathon of all his movies going on when I don't have full access and subscription to the television network.

The most magical pieces I adore at the moment include the range of Olympia Le-Tan book clutches made using brass, Liberty lining on the inside and embroidered detail as well as felt on the front cover. When I settle into doing my university degree and the routine as well as workload I may one day enroll in a course outside my own institute for textiles as well as fashion design perhaps. It's nothing more than a hobby to me and I think I would enjoy keeping up to date with fashion and like-minded people in this field.

I spent most of my money on my black Yves Saint Laurent ring (very much worth it though!) and I'll be waiting for a little while until I can get my rolls of film developed. I'm sure when I see the old nostalgic images of my final week of school and celebrations I'll fall back into my routine of carrying a camera around in my pocket and maybe having cheap disposable cameras with me as well. I should stock up on as much as Kodak as I can since they are sadly going bankrupt after the digital age has revolutionised the world of photography.

I love the use of two photographs used together in a mirror image- there's something cheap but satisfying about the appeal, just like eating greasy fast food. I love the psychedelic colours of this shirt all melted together that match her hair and front fringe- that seems really magical. I wonder if Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry ever had hipsters and girls with multi-coloured hair attend their fine institute.

I actually can't wait for university orientation to start and to finally join 'Monash Muggles', a club dedicated to the reading as well as viewing of Harry Potter movies including trivia and dressing up. I wonder how much of the classes at Hogwarts were dedicated to using crystals... probably mainly Professor Trelawney's Divination since she used crystal balls, tea leaves and other methods to predict the future. There are people out there that believe in the power of crystals and that they have an influence over human behaviour but I mainly adore them over their colours and shard-like shapes.

No matter how hard I try I can never find anything as mystical looking and spectacular as this aquamarine coloured piece of crystal quartz coated in gold plate. I know the chemical process of gold plating but it's all very complicated when using electricity and what's known as electrolysis- I wonder what is the stone used for this crystal necklace and whether that's real gold used. It would look wonderful when worn around a plain white sweatshirt with a simple print on it- had I the money and a little less-discipline when it came to buying things I wouldn't mind getting a sweatshirt from Yokoo Gibraan's Etsy store.

You only live once so maybe my life would be spent better experimenting with my hair and making it into wild colours; the thick curls shown in the hair here could almost be mistaken for dreadlocks in its very early stages. I love the variety of colours within this very small section of the rainbow- it's as if each lock of hair has been individually dyed using variation on dye all mixed together on an artists pallet. My mother would personally disown me if I ever had my hair in such a shocking colour buy dip-dyeing means that only the ends are in a shocking colour and they can easily be removed with a simple snip using scissors.

Kester Black Thick as Thieves

Kester Black or rather, the designer of Kester Black, New Zealander Anna Ross has been gracious enough to bless us with another collection from her jewellery label in the spirit of silver, recognisable patterns and words as well as raw crystal. There's a more teenage and best friends appeal in this collection, which I was a little affronted and let down by but I do rather like the use of unusual crystal glimmering in colours for each cut surface. This collection, presumably for 2012 in the Spring/ Summer season has a greater focus for silver as well as clean white enamel and pure, semi-precious stones such as pearls and crystal.

I've never really payed a lot of attention to commemorative jewellery for platonic friendships- it's all very elementary school age and juvenile, but if you are that way inclined then at the very least you could buy a metal you can clean after tarnishing. These 'Forever Friends' rings come with a flat face and fancy scripted writing fit for two people, may as a parting gift and a memento/ reminder to keep in contact with one another. My mother and her best friend, whom I refer to fondly as my Aunt have been friends since high school in Malaysia despite my mother now living in Australia and my Auntie Gwen living in Vancouver.

My second favourite piece in the collection and favourite necklace is this piece above, known affectionately as the 'Northern Lights Flower Necklace' in the shape of a folded tulip made of silver and a pollen centre of a crystal. I have seen this affect achieved with Dichrotic glass, but even if this is a lower grade quality type of crystal quartz I am still drawn to the mysticism of this piece as well as the pure white and blue tones of the stone. When worn and seen from afar it can look like a rather simple pendant but when inspected more closely with gentle fingertips it's prepossessing nature can be discovered by any person.

My first choice of piece in the Thick as Thieves collection by Kester Black is of course an ornate ring with thick silver band and face inscribed detail and another crystal of unusual colour at the centre. It reminds me so much of cheap movie affects and lasers shot from the foreheads of fortune tellers and psychics- it must be the strong floral petal and claw setting around this jewel. I would love to see more fine detail in the inscribed shoulder detail on the ring and the lines brought out by the use of oxidation to highlight the design.

My personal preference of the Northern Lights Flower Necklace over the Pearl Flower Necklace is more to do with my love for the quirky, weird and unusual. I have a pearl necklace and bracelet gifted to my for my eighteenth birthday from my boyfriend's mother. It's a nice combination, the silver and the pearl but still I admire the twinkling of the crystal stone held in the petals of an open flower and should you be desperate enough, it's a secret place for you to put your chewed gum- thought I would personally discourage this and scowl at anyone eager to attempt such a manoeuvre.

We've seen nuggets of stone before which chose to imitate raw crystal and stone alike from Kester Black but this collection has a more polished and bubbly effect to it. Many of the necklaces whether they be long or or small little chunks have been named 'Mother Earth' in reference to the life giving nature and beauty of out planet (some speculation from myself). It's not really the Kester Black style that I've come to know and love- I adore the roughness and edge of raw crystal and oddly cut stones instead with oil slick colours bouncing off the edges od her pieces.

Pamela Love Jewellery

I've kept the name of Pamela Love under my little directory of cool, grungy, Gothic inspired silver jewellery for about two, nearly three years now and it's time I shared just a few of her pieces with you! Previously, I had written about the collaboration with Pamela Love as well as opening Ceremony as inspired by the movie (based on children's book) Where the Wild Things Are. It seems that she's also had another collaboration with Opening Ceremony featuring beaded skull necklaces on dangling silver chains which you can see by scrolling further down but here are some of the golden oldies and her newer pieces.

  

Above is a mock raw crystal necklace in decadent grungy silver and matched with silver nail polish. It would make a hell of a knuckle-duster; I myself favour wearing heavy set rings in case of a scuffle and fight in which I can find a weapon to defend myself with readily. I've never needed to resort to those measures though...

In a guest blog appearance for the Opening Ceremony website,Pamela Love showed off some of her inspiration and trinkets collected from the duration of her life including a friendly looking snake charm carved in wood. Perhaps that was inspiration for this coiled snake around a thick and chunky piece of amethyst coloured quartz? Well I just love it and the tinted colour as the stone gets darker towards the bottom of the gem and I do like snake motifs but I am rather picky and pretentious about their execution. They can't look too skinny or fat and they mustn't look threatening is my criteria- I also prefer that they have a  friendly smile.

This style of necklace has been much imitated in online stores far and wide on Etsy but I do love the design of sharp little daggers offered by Pamela Love in her collaborating with Opening Ceremony in a range of colours. My taste in fashion and jewellery is wide, varied and undisciplined and this is one of the few tribal looking pieces I am attracted, but who could say no to those little grinning teeth and big empty eye sockets? These necklaces make a great statement piece when worn below a coloured shirt buttoned up all the way.

 

The silver cross necklace that seemingly ensnares your finger in a small cage has been a favourite among fashion bloggers and has been sold through quite a few popular online stores in the past including Net-A-Porter. It's one of the rings that really mesmerised me and drew me into the collection as well as Pamela Love's other large chunky silver rings. I still have a soft spot for them after so many weeks and months- they hold a little bit of nostalgia for me I guess in that sense.
 

 

Another heavy set ring featuring a cross that is a 'crowd favourite' as it were is this large and detailed beast with oxidised black top as well as detail on engraved scripture and shoulder motifs as well.The last time I saw this ring on eBay the seller was asking for close to $800 AUD, so if you happen to own this ring, or indeed, any of the jewellery pieces shown here or created by Pamela Love, count yourself a very lucky person. I bet modern day witches would be all over the silver goodness of her collection and the oxidised detail and style of her jewellery.

Believe it or not, but this silver ring above is my favourite ring from across all her collections and ranges. The moon phase ring, featuring a large rectangular tablet shaped face and four moon phases in engraved and oxidised finish to give off this black look. It too costs some few hundreds of dollars and has been one of the more rare rings to track down from Pamela Love so if I had the money and managed to sell, oh, say half of my wardrobe on eBay I may get this little beast of a ring right after I pop out and get myself an iPad. However all this is wishful thinking and with university orientation coming up I'm going to have to save money to pay for a small laptop for notes as well as keeping money aside for functions for first year students. The next few months will be busy and busier!

The final thick and juicy rectangular tablet shaped silver ring from Pamela Love that I adore is this sword ring- I actually like the detail and pattern on the band on this ring more than the moon ring but I still love the motif of the moon phases a bit more than the sword. It must be all my study of Literature, there are constant suggestions that the moon is feminine, soft, passive and is a representation of the night; whereas the sun represents the day and is supposedly active and masculine. Phoebe, Diana and Artemis are the goddess' of the moon and are named after woman so maybe as a creature of feminine whiles and grace I favour the moon as an unconscious decision?

The artist and jewellery designer Pamela Love has as of late, been favouring crystal's whether they be fake or metallic and I absolutely adore the trend but the structure of the rings seems a little dubious to me. The necklaces in the shape of a crescent moon and arch are gorgeous and so is the copper coloured metal used- very chic and unusual.

I still don't own a skull necklace by Pamela Love and I swear they've been in store for months now! Slack on my part, but maybe I've just been waiting for the perfect colour to come along, such as this bright cherry red shade of skulls as well as little daggers hanging out of their smiling craniums.