The Hand of Fatima Design N.Y.C.

i need this...2012

2011-12-27T16:23:00.000-05:00

lisa

2011-08-26T18:41:00.000-04:00

but you can call her lilikoi moon.

Mason Porn

2011-08-20T13:39:00.000-04:00

Antique Odd Fellows Masks by Tops Design
I find the whole fuckery of masons in the US interesting. These institutions, in which many were built on the foundation of patriarchy, classism, racism and marginalization, are absolutely fascinating. The symbology, so much of it taken from the Moorish, North Africa and "Middle East" is represented so often. I am obsessed with decoding and admiring these amazing adornments produced around these societies.

Antique Masonic Estate Pin by Hudson Estate
Within themselves the masons have a class system as well, it. to me is not apparent to many, but there was certainly a system of levels and portrayal to have the masses of working class think they too could participate in this system.
In my work I seek to deconstruct the negative patriarchy and create with the secret society miscellany a beautiful explosion for women especially, fashion and expression using those sacred ethnic symbols.

"Friendship Truth Love" by The Hand of Fatima

"We Never Sleep" by The Hand of Fatima

the mind

2011-08-10T15:11:00.000-04:00

the mind is fragile. i think i am going to start writing again. yeah...that's what i'll do.

Body Image

2011-07-17T17:16:00.000-04:00

My body after Iman is a trainwreck...gotta get some love for this because it's all mine. One has got to love the skin they are in!

Lipstick

2011-06-14T12:52:00.000-04:00

c.1970 by Jose Gomez Fresquet
Anti War Statement

Mother Again

2011-06-08T17:55:00.000-04:00

I AM A MOTHER...AGAIN. Each time of the three, I have given life, there is always something new about it...my daughter Iman Mayari made her way to this world on May 9th...almost on the steps of my building, but we made it with time to push three times and have her in a more sanitary place.

I always pick a song for my kids to sing to them. Amir's was "Redemtion Song" by Bob Marley; oddly enough Rami's was "Hello Tomorrow" by The Yeah Yeah Yeahs...and now Iman's is "Love Song" by the Cure and revived tastefully by Adele.

Although I am with all three so often...I still am alone with Miss Iman every night...and she makes me feel whole again, fun again, young again...among many other things. Thank you Iman.

Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am home again
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am whole again
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am young again
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am fun again

However far away I will always love you
However long I stay I will always love you
Whatever words I say I will always love you
I will always love you

Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am free again
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am clean again

However far away I will always love you
However long I stay I will always love you
Whatever words I say I will always love you
I will always love you

80s Baby

2011-04-27T22:11:00.002-04:00

rs cover courtesy ofsharmadeanreid.com

rabbit freaks

2011-04-22T23:44:00.000-04:00

i guess since it's easter people want to exhibit their inner rabbit freak for some reason...and i realize i don't have an inner rabbit freak. perhaps all of the baby clothes with animals' cartoon, yet human expressions have turned me off...maybe Donnie Darko did the job? no telling...however, one of my aunts is a rabbit freak and her years long astounding collection of all things rabbit has thoroughly freaked her husband out consistently...now that's love, because let me wake up to a room full of these point-eared fuckers and i would bug out!

nice play on an easter bonnet by Aturo Rios,amazing milliner

all bunnies go to heaven

dark chocolate bunny soap

black and white II

2011-04-21T11:39:00.000-04:00

Soccer Team,Adaban, Iran

Colette Saint Yves

Vintage Fetish Fighting Photo

Petra by James Anthony

Black and White

2011-04-13T15:40:00.000-04:00

plastique.etsy.com

shirin neshat

redhydrant.etsy.com

iaineenzoonuffin.tumblr.com

Blood Milk

some kind of jar

2011-03-12T23:16:00.001-05:00

girl on a swing...

Heart of glass...

Suspended
in the stillness
of the moment
of the now
memories
slowly filling
the void
the calmness
of reason
returning

Titty

2011-02-23T17:00:00.001-05:00

I am getting ready for this again...

The House Is Black

2011-02-15T14:06:00.000-05:00

www.Trendey.com

Bottles by Huda Lutfi

2008 Collection- Maurice Renoma

House of Fatima- Mink

The House is Black by Forough Farrokhzad. A film about suffering in a leper colony the human condition by the renowned Iranian poet.

The Hunt-Red Heart Cult

Mouline Rouge Bedroom

Tattooed Lady Plate- BeatUpCreations

Kristograph- Paradise Lost

Lovers and Thieves

2011-02-14T10:55:00.001-05:00

For all my lovers-

And to the heartbreaking fools-

Happy Valentine's to you, yours and mine.

Architect's Brother

2011-02-10T12:10:00.001-05:00

by Robert and Shana Parkeharrison
I think I have lived in the Architect's Brother's head at least for one year, or two on a short-term lease.

all works copyright of www.parkeharrison.com

Don't Call Me Baby

2011-02-09T13:31:00.000-05:00

by Zena el Khalil

"I take that which is rooted in violence and then I de-contextualize it so that it no longer exists. The pink objects and embellishments are my weapons of positive energy. I take aim and shoot them at objects of war, ideas of fear, techniques of alienation. I want to negate the negative. I would not say that my work is “feminized”; it is simply an extension of myself... and yes, I happen to be a woman. I don’t believe the word “feminized” exists; our present world is very complex and layered, with a lot of crossing over. It would be unfair to narrow things down to the word “feminized”."

Valentine's Creepin' Again...

2011-02-07T16:46:00.001-05:00

Arian and I decided to be ironic and get married on Day of the Valentine. We went to city hall and the judge put a tiny heart sticker on our certificate...cute! We don't give each other gifts, we probably should, but when you've got kids...I'm talking smack, we should probably just do this shit, we don't, don't be like us, it's ADD.

Daily Candy

2011-02-05T15:23:00.001-05:00

Ooow! Hey are beloved retailer Kaight (83 Orchard Street) and our Brothel Token Necklaces were featured in Daily Candy's Valentine picks.

Grab your little, dirty American history on sale in the shoppe, through Valentine's Day...

Mouth Watering Swedish Auction House

2011-02-02T11:18:00.000-05:00

My mouth is watering...not for Swedish Meatballs, but for this place.

viva la revolucion

2011-01-31T12:58:00.002-05:00

here's to egypt, and since my blog allegedly specializes in all things arts, handmade, eco fashion, fashion, nostalgia and living...but i want to take all that i feel at this moment for the people of egypt and relate it to what i just described. egypt is art. art is inspiration. love is a revolution...and you can't help but combine all that into Oum Kalthoum. she is the diva and queen of arabic language music til this day, this songbird from the mediterranean nile delta. at 12 years old, her father disguised her as a young boy and entered her in a small performing troupe that he directed. here is to her, the star of the east, and her song that remains the soundtrack to egyptian hearts.

From her song "Al Atlal (The Ruins)
"...My darling, I visited your nest one day as a bird of desire singing my pain
You've become self-important, spoiled and capricious
And you inflict harm like a powerful tyrant
And my longing for you cauterized my ribs (soul or insides)
And the waiting was like embers in my blood
Give me my freedom, release my hands
Indeed, I've given you yours and did not try to retain anything

Ah, your chains have bloodied my wrists
I haven't kept then nor have they spared me
Why do I keep promises that you do not honor?
When will this captivity end, when the world is before us?
He is far away, my enchanting love
Full of pride, majesty and delicacy"

Contradictory Healing

2011-01-28T13:57:00.000-05:00

"They carried him in on a make-shift stretcher made of two wooden logs and burlap. He was bleeding heavily; "they got me, the bastards got me." I was a young girl, and my eyes were bright with amazement, I knew what Grandfather was capable of. They laid the man on the stone and Grandfather reached for the crystals and the shells. "C'mon now medicine man, help me."

New series of spent bullet casings repurposed into healing talismans...But,
what is more dangerous? The bullet above...or Alexander McQueen below?

That's just sex right there.

Some Occupied Land

2011-01-27T17:17:00.000-05:00

A Victorian calling card in European aesthetic from the early 1900's in...Arabic. Wow. The seller I bought this from described it as Chinese...man oh man. Since I know about ten things to write in Farsi...all I recognize here is "Allah" (God) and it's a blessing, just like the Easter cards of European/American origin at this time in this style. What a crazy find. Love it.

Bitches Be Trippin'...Fashion Craving

2011-01-26T11:39:00.000-05:00

Fashion baby...and bitches Do be trippin';

Even a pregnant woman can rock that collar by Dimepiece.
And then there's Grace Jones...I just want to wear her.

Oooooo la la, Thierry Mugler Menswear Winter 2011/2012 - "ANATOMY OF...

I am so glad that this man can actually make a living tatted up that way. I wonder if he has kids man...

Wings

2011-01-24T12:47:00.000-05:00

Gabriel, Michael, Uriel, Rafael, Ramiel?? Any El?
"NEW ZEALAND – Archeologists at an excavation site in Dunedin, New Zealand, discovered the fossilized remains of winged humans!

The discovery was made yesterday morning when Dr. Herman Meyer of Massey University uncovered the fossilized bones of a human male with bird-like wings.

Further digging by Dr. Meyer and his team yielded even more astonishing discoveries. After the 30 day excavation, which concluded on Saturday, over 250 winged creatures had been found.

“I couldn’t believe what I was seeing,” said Dr. Meyer. “One after another these fossils kept appearing out of the dirt. It led me to think that an entire civilization of winged humans once lived here!”"

They say it's so...imagine if it is, so does that mean angels still live among us, only wingless?

That's Ahura Mazda...so Persians have been swearing humans have wings since at least 440 BCE...c'mon.

He was a poet

2011-01-21T11:04:00.001-05:00

"...and he could not commit to me. At least that was his excuse for being unfaithful, that he was an artist, a true lover of all. He was so willing to give all of himself to get lost in another, all to wake up in a random bed and do it again. Empty fool, he was. I smashed his mother's harp on my way out the door and left on a morning train."

New nostalgia in the shoppe...

Dream

2011-01-17T11:53:00.002-05:00

“Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.”

I salute you.

Veintinueve 29

2011-01-13T13:44:00.000-05:00

Alberto Vargas...far from a household name. Rose:1896 Set:1982, my year of birth. He put his work on WWII fighter planes to keep those involved...stimulated and motivated.

Today I am 29. What does that mean...
I hope to feel as sensual with age as that woman painted above looks.
xo

Above: "Memories of Olive"

Rebecca Litchfield Photography

2011-01-11T13:19:00.000-05:00

Fierce...

The Persianz Are Coming

2011-01-10T12:25:00.000-05:00

Stop all this nonsense and show the love. Here are some old school pics of some of my beautiful, funny, eccentric family from the Motherland, not so dangerous, eh? And I will add, go eat Persian/Iranian food and experience what world peace would feel like. My Aunt Soraya even started a home cooked catering company called Soraya's Silk Road. It basically is like eating euphoria.

Sisters

2011-01-07T13:30:00.000-05:00

Hello little freaks above. Sisterhood does not always necessarily arrive to us via bloodline, it lives in the comradery between women. We build a creative connection to one another and we hold it sacred. I find that in terms of men, they're relationships are built on different foundations, I don't say this critically, but I just seek to point the difference.

Old School Twurk

2011-01-06T14:38:00.003-05:00

Show me what you're workin' with.
I am impressed with acrobats.
My daughter is an acrobat. She is doing all kinds of flips in here.
It's strange to say "my daughter".
It's wonderful to say "my daughter".
I know her name...I'm just not telling yet.

falling birds

2011-01-05T13:05:00.000-05:00

Apparently on New Years Eve between 4,000 and 5,000 red-winged blackbirds were found dead in Arkansas due to massive trauma...hmmm, how strange. Article.

Look at this beautiful print from Sarah Blank. I was looking for interesting images of red-winged black birds and behold this. It's great, no? I like that the ladies are a bit Boudoir....

In matters of birds, over the weekend me and my husband snuck away while over family's and saw The Black Swan...that Nina is crazy as hell. The movie is Oscar bound, but it will make your skin itch and crawl for days after...trust me.

The Complexity of All Things Persian

2011-01-04T13:21:00.000-05:00

Whether it's the art or the food or damn it, the people, all things Iranian/Persian are complex. Especially the traditional miniature art. The detailing is insane, meticulous, designed completely to please and captivate and appear elite. These are three of my favorite examples. The Qajar era of design was during a social time of contradiction and sloth. The kings of that dynasty reveled in riches, harems, sexual exploration, erotica and still imposed on the people, a strict interpretation of Islam in the form of rule while they partied till dawn. The painting of the sexually ambiguous being on the cushion with the tea is actually a man in drag...I love that one, it's curated I believe in London now, not 100% sure though. My beautiful graphic designer and fellow jeweler Leila Marvel took that image and the first and recreated for me some awesome The Hand of Fatima Design art prints last year. I will have to share them.
If your in NYC, a great place to go and see some of the Persian bests is The Asia Society.

The Photography of Sia Aryai

2011-01-03T14:15:00.000-05:00

No relation that I know of...but it is not exactly a common last name.

All copyright of Sia Aryai

May The New Year...

2011-01-01T10:07:00.000-05:00

...shine its blessings on you...or a chubby, white cherub in a hot air balloon. xo

Peace out 2010, I am ready to say farewell to you!

proof that god is real

2010-12-31T11:17:00.000-05:00

Johnny, you do everything in your power to look a hot mess, but please resign, you cannot. You have failed. You can't fool us, no matter how hard you try.

More Therapeutic Purchasing

2010-12-30T12:01:00.001-05:00

I didn't think I was the moose-loving type, but I like this moose, he's a bit militant, as for monkies...I adore them, especially chimps...as for little girls with big heads, just look at a kid pic of me and you'll see. I hate to say that I am a bit shocked on how I love these prints so, but I am. I am usually not so hipster-drawn, but screw labels anyway.
Now that ambrotype and those daguerrotypes rock my ghostly socks...can't wait to use them. I have soooo many things to put online in the shoppe, it's maddening.

Invalid Ladies...This Is For YOU

2010-12-29T12:06:00.007-05:00

Let's go beat Foster & Milburn Co.'s ass. Invalid ladies??? Apparently invalidity was "common" among our "sex" during the early 1900s. Would you trust an add with that Humpty Dumpty dude to make you more valid? Wow, I now own this baby. I am always tempted to collect the historic proof of misogyny, racism and prejudice, but then I'm afraid I will flip out one day and burn it or something. I can hear the toturous sound of Beyonce's "Single Ladies" re-bestowed as "All My Invalid Ladies" playing agagin and again in my head. CLICK the picture so you can enlarge it and read/marvel at the description.

When All Else Is Fuckery...

2010-12-28T13:52:00.011-05:00

...buy some stuff you've had an eye on to cheer you...right? Even if your funds are low from disastrous business decisions, or the holidaze...or fuckonomy, you can find a way...right? How worse can it be, right? In Dali's autobiography he said that when he and Gala were at their broke ass-est they would still tip the most and return to their Montmartre apartment that they could barely afford...
So here's what I snagged thus far:

You know that postcard is awesome!! Nothing like some creep sneaking up on you watching you sleep on a hammock to give you "Sweet Dreams".

This little lovely is one of my favorites to collect, an antique "calling card" lithograph or "die-cut". This one has a poem that reads; "Of all that is near, thou are the nearest. Of all that is dear, thou art the dearest."

This is an antique photo of a faceless dude and a horse...I effing love this! It's as if he is death or something coming to take the horse...or his pay? It reminds me of the guy who played the devil in Dr. Parnassus. It gives me the inspiration to create assemblage art again.These are some dope vintage horse medals or "ornaments for the harness of cart-horses were first made in the late 18th century; they became very popular in the 1850s, replacing an older style of adornment with ribbons, woolen fringes, and tooled leather. In some areas brasses were still in normal use in the 1920s, and can still be seen at horse-shows and parades." This is a little French lovely from the olden golden days, porcelain and I cannot wait to get my hands on it...and all my purchases as soon as possible.

Tricks

2010-12-23T09:21:00.004-05:00

I feel like her...how she looks at least. I'm a bit sad, and I will have to do some serious tricks to stay sane, get happy and make my way. How do we get back on a road, if the road we took was not good to us? Find a new one? I don't know, but I am swallowing swords for now.

Life's Circus

2010-12-21T10:45:00.007-05:00

Antique cabinet photo from victorian age Gustavo Arcaris and Kate ...Knife Throwing in their circus act.

I don't know which direction things are going...as an artist I am in a pickle. I am trying to push through to the next level...how? I need marketing and blah and blah and blah. I feel circus-ish these days. When I was in London I got violently ill, I was hospitalized for three days, I was there told I needed emergency stomach surgery. I opted to return home to be near my boys for the surgery with my own doctors. The issue was that when the hospital gave me paperwork they told me to show American Airlines so I wouldn't be charged a fee for missing my plane...well instead they wouldn't let me board. I had to buy a completely new ticket on Virgin. It was a mess...a circus indeed.
I arrived back in the states where my husband picked me up from Newark and drove me straight to Columbia Presbyterian where I eventually had the operation. Through it all, I worried most about the little baby in my womb. In the end it all turned out fine...isn't that something? Fine. Whatever spirit guides us; science, greater being...whatever, the revolving door of the up and down cycle of life is guaranteed and the gift of having things be okay is a blessing of whatever proportion you make it. I wonder how circus performers felt about their "next level".
"Sideshow-freak" photograph by Edward Kelty. c.1920

Hello Girl

2010-12-17T16:23:00.000-05:00

...and s I am a vessel for a little woman...it's a girl.

Karneval der Kulturen Berlin

2010-12-16T10:10:00.005-05:00

"Carnival is one of the oldest celebrations in the world. It developed in ancient Europe, then travelled to the Caribbean, South-America and Africa in colonial times and finally – centuries later – sent back impulses to a culturally, socially and demographically changed Europe. These changed circumstances heavily influenced many contemporary urban carnivals today, making a strong point of the cultural expressions and aesthetic visions of migrants."

I tried to research old photos of the carnival and only came up with this one...strange, but not strange enough, there has to be more, right? Someone tell me why these folks are covered in powder. I want to know!!! My googling finger is too tired...

Her Immigrant Mother

2010-12-15T10:07:00.002-05:00

New piece in the shoppe featuring genuine tintypes. Something quite "forever" about a tintype, no? Even though the tintype is quite older than the buckles surrounding it, I am a lover of all things Art Deco...had to work with this assemblage piece.

Shotgun Wedding by Bayou Salvage

2010-12-14T13:22:00.003-05:00

I am a serious long time lover of Bayou Salvage and this photo is off the damn chain. It is hard to compliment work that is already so gorgeous...but this is just GORGEOUS.
If not good enough, hows about some "Country Fried Leggings"?

Or, the "Clotille Cloche"?

Aëla Labbé

2010-11-24T13:38:00.007-05:00

...and what wonder is this? i have been inspired and moved by the French photographer Aëla Labbé as a result of reading one of my favorite blogs Blood Milk. and for me these photos, nothing short of a breathing being that is still, represent to me an answer or commentary: so there is nothing wrong with the creative torture of a woman's soul. the absolute lust to design, create, manifest the art in ones head and share it...it's not abnormal? oh, okay...

Adrian Buckmaster

2010-11-24T08:54:00.005-05:00

I'm so feeling this work. Look at the Empire State...he has captured it as a mechanical, art deco, zenith...amazing...and it is.
www.AdrianBuckmaster.com

Merci a Kaight NYC

2010-11-22T20:26:00.003-05:00

Basically a fashion staple downtown has given me a great shout out on her fantabulous blog:
http://kaightnyc.blogspot.com/2010/11/these-coins-will-make-you-blush.html

AND...now carries The Hand of Fatima Design at the Orchard Street Location. Stop in, the Brothel Token Collection is buzzin'.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxxooxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxooxxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

2010-11-19T11:52:00.001-05:00

What about this photo is not absolutely amazing?

Homeland-Indigenous

2010-11-16T14:19:00.002-05:00

in·dig·e·nous
1: produced, growing, living, or occurring naturally in a particular region or environment

Photo: Vice Magazine

I pay my respects to the origins of this land and all lands. Thank you.

And in fashion, to Marc Jacob's "Navajo" hightop.

...and in matters of cinematography and journalism, I pay respects to filmmakers Jilann Spitzmiller and Hank Rogerson for the piece "Homeland".

http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/witness/2010/11/2010117125155900568.html

Great blog shout out:nativeappropriations.blogspot.com

PERFORMA-The Red Party 11-5-2010

2010-11-15T12:50:00.013-05:00

I sometimes forget to mention that I work for one of my dearest friends, and mentor Kyle Goen. Kyle is a fine artist who works out of his DUMBO studio in Brooklyn. I serve as his loyal assistant and get to learn his process while taking on tasks of management and we design certain projects together, it's a joy in my life seriously.

Most recently, one of the bigger projects Kyle was commissioned to work on was the designing and creation of the Performa Arts benefit named "The Red Party". PERFORMA is an institution founded by the amazing RoseLee Goldberg. It was hosted by Allen Cumming and honoured renowned visual artist and filmaker, Shirin Neshat. The party theme was Russian Constructivism, and Kyle based the work off of that period of time and style.

Kyle felt quite inspired to create a gift for Shirin herself...and in the Kyle Goen fashion, this took form in a five foot portrait which he hand-painted from a projected image he had recreated in halftones. On the day of the party we set up the instillations from 9am until 5pm, the banners, the canvas, the hundreds of hand-screened flags and finally the portrait. It wound up looking amazing.New York Times focused on, unfortunately not taking a single Anne Hathaway and Cindy Sherman were in the house showing support, and that is basically what the press from photo of the actual party....but the party was so fun, I was all pregnant in my red dress rocking out to Chica Vas who stole the show!
Marcus Hicks of SDN (Sara Dixon's Nova) Eco-Clothing Line

Alaina Simone curator at Damon Dash's DD172 gallery in Tribeca

Photo of Anne Hathaway and RoseLee Goldberg taken by: Amber DeVoss
Photo of Alaina Simone of The Dash Gallery taken by: Geraldine Visco

The Hand of Fatima is Pregnant...Again

2010-11-11T11:02:00.003-05:00

In case I forgot to mention...
I am...in the words of M.I.A., "creating a baby". And this baby will venture to London (via my physical body)come November.

Thanks to the blog "Baby Gum" for this image.
xo

Forough Farookhzad

2010-11-10T15:24:00.003-05:00

The Wind Will Take Us

In my small night, ah
the wind has a date with the leaves of the trees
in my small night there is agony of destruction
listen
do you hear the darkness blowing?
I look upon this bliss as a stranger
I am addicted to my despair.

listen do you hear the darkness blowing?
something is passing in the night
the moon is restless and red
and over this rooftop
where crumbling is a constant fear
clouds, like a procession of mourners
seem to be waiting for the moment of rain.
a moment
and then nothing
night shudders beyond this window
and the earth winds to a halt
beyond this window
something unknown is watching you and me.

O green from head to foot
place your hands like a burning memory
in my loving hands
give your lips to the caresses
of my loving lips
like the warm perception of being
the wind will take us
the wind will take us.

Forugh Farrokhzad
Translated by Ahmad Karimi Hakkak
The Persian Book Review VOLUME III, NO 12 Page 1337

London, here I cometh....Again!

2010-11-02T10:44:00.006-04:00

Gritty, Elegant, Olde, Mysterious city that left me enchanted, I will return to you. Thank you for having me. CLICK

Feliz Dia De Los Muertos....

2010-11-01T09:18:00.006-04:00

Absolutely enchanted. Some day I hope to be in Mexico on this day. What a rich and beautiful part of Mexican/Mayan culture. My Dad said to me yesterday, "You should have gone to the festival in East Harlem. I like that Mayan thing, it's great." LOL. If you only knew what that meant coming from my dad! Who will you honor today? Even though I am not Mexican or Mayan, I celebrate this to the fullest, let the ofrendas be built and the ancestors be pleased with us.

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF Flickr.com!!! Artists copyright on these photos.
Johnathan Barker:http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbphotographer2/
John 300: http://www.flickr.com/photos/john3000/2982471924/
Steve Hopson: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevehopson/

Smut and Surprise

2010-10-29T11:10:00.003-04:00

Back for the holidays and available for wholesale to brick and mortars...the brothel token series of vintage necklaces! Reclaim yo fame in your crew, they'll wild out over these coins of thunder! Buy online in the shop and you get one chosen randomly for you.

Sheryl WuDunn: Our century's greatest injustice | Video on TED.com

2010-09-22T15:16:00.001-04:00

Thirsty Pixels

2010-09-21T15:55:00.005-04:00

Friend to the arts and amazing artist Emily Heochowicz is raising money to keep her work ALIVE...as a college student in NYC, I can imagine. Check out her blog here she has signed prints on sale and original sketches for $20.

Eye See You....

2010-09-07T11:25:00.007-04:00

There is something undeniably intriguing about conspiracy and the history of organizing around the theory of ruling the world. How's this image for you? This is from a few years ago, fashion photographer Emma Summerton took it, I love it. Who is watching? Why? If they are should we care? I guess if they are, we might as well look dam good, check it...get your Masonic on:

I wanna apologize...

2010-08-31T10:33:00.005-04:00

these boots were made for walking and they're gone! Too bad for you and I who adored them so, they're on their way to New Orleans.
Speaking of NOLA, you all know I am obsessed and fascinated with Louisiana, my hubby sends me a link to this:

So that's a Victorian style Shotgun house. He's sick of the grit and the over-stimulation of NYC...though this city, my city, is so magical and full, it is also rude, and quite harsh at times. With two children, it's a challenge indeed. But even more of challenge with two babes is to pick up and relocate away from all one knows, where most of my family is etc. While if we were still just us two minus our joyful babies, I would entertain the idea in a heartbeat...but at the same time, I would hate to be an occupier, like an non-native taking someone's home after Katrina, ya know?

Who are these folks in NYC???

2010-08-26T16:50:00.006-04:00

Little Syria it was...please, let's all read and absorb education.
Beloved NYC belongs to those of the world.
Learn: In the year 1890...

I'm Baaaaaa-aaaack

2010-08-06T14:58:00.009-04:00

Creativity can be soooooooooooooooo scarce when a well deserved break is needed. I am amped up and ready to move one way...forward. Check out the fresh blood in the shop!

Thanks to Sotheby's and Saks 5th Ave from me!

2010-04-16T11:49:00.004-04:00

Oh, I totally forgot to tell you...
Weeks ago I was contacted by the wonderful Amy K. of Sotheby's here in NYC. We had met at a craft show I participated in here in NY, and she contacted me because she was curating a benefit. The wonderful benefit was for an organization called City At Peace. Have a look at this amazing city youth development through the arts happening in our beautiful New York.
I donated a lovely necklace, with a vintage verdigris patinated leaf stamping and chandelier crystal dangling below. I will have a pic soon, I hope it raised some nice money for this amazing organization.

On another note, I will be at Renegade BK with the Better Than Jam Co-Op, and Renegade Los Angeles with my girl Miniature Rhino and new friend Monkeys Always Look.
Dooooope! I have never been to LA, but I am soooo excited. I have fam all over that city, finally I can hang Cali style with them :0)

Just wanted to share something I see more and more as I drive on the FDR. It's so strange, how you can pass something by all your life, but never really see it. Seeing and looking are such different things, my artists out there will agree. On Roosevelt Island there is an abandoned structure decaying. In a city of constant stimulation, over development and motion, this structure is just there, untouched, unshaken. I researched and found that it's an abandoned smallpox hospital built in 1854 when Roosevelt Island was still Blackwell's Island. It has a name- "Renwick Hospital".
I want to go peek around. I want to know what keeps it decaying and alive there, untouched. I found that it is built in gothic revival style and blah blah blah, but I want to know more than that. What ghosts are trapped in the sliced stone walls...hmmm...
photos courtesy of NY Times

Belated Nowrooz Mobarak!

2010-03-28T09:16:00.005-04:00

It's 1389, I want to wish everyone a happy, beautiful New Year full of freshness. This year I got a really great photo of the family babies in the grass in my Baba's backyard. The small joys of life are not so small, they are just as recognizable and grand as they are.

On another note we're moving! Two blocks away...LOL. I won't be listing or creating for at least two weeks, try moving with two kids and hardly any help! It's hard.
So the first show of my season will be one of my favorite places EVER, The Brooklyn Lyceum. Be there the very first weekend of May, it'll be tons of fun.
http://www.bkcraftcentral.com/
Check out the classes that are available those days, Deb Klein has made them insanely affordable, I'm talking $5 to $10...

wow

2010-02-10T19:44:00.003-05:00

another inspiring picture from mr. jacob riis who has newly brought great inspiration into my life with his turn of the century new york city (particularly 5 points area) photography.

New Item, Inspired by Jacob Riis

2010-02-05T12:31:00.004-05:00

Jacob Riis was a photo journalist of Danish origin in New York during the 1800s who was part of the "muckraker" movement in journalism where photographers and reporters used their talents to benefit the impoverished and suffering. His work is amazing, and I added a new piece in the shop where the story is inspired by the above photo taken on Mulberry Street in the Five Points in 1880 something.

Thanks Ana Ottman!!

2010-02-04T23:11:00.002-05:00

I recently had a really inspiring interview by creative coach Ana Ottman. She's dope...she's out of our nation's capital and found me at Crafty Bastards '09. She is such a wonderful and strong woman with great resources for women entrepreneurs. Have a hear and snoop HERE.

In addition, I never really shared, but I am a serious cook, I throw down in the kitchen. Cooking is really an art in its own right, the color, the smell, the taste, the inspiration to do it! I have to say it's my family and friends' joy that pushes me to create in the kitchen. I will share with you what I made the other night. Eggplant (my favorite non-meat main dish), because I couldn't grill it, I pan seared it, then baked it, then made separately a Bruscetta of some sort from fresh basil, yellow pepper, red pepper, vine tomato, garlic and salt cooked in olive oil then spread on the eggplant, followed by a slice fresh mozzarella, a fresh basil leave, dash of olive oil and devour! I served this with a side of Moroccan lamb murgez. Balsamic vinegar around the plate.
Also, if you're game for a Brooklyn party with artists and designers, forget the snow and come on through to the Grand Opening of Better Than Jam, CHECK IT.

la petit chose.

2010-01-31T10:53:00.005-05:00

some little treasures make there way to the shop just in time for Valentine's Day...My little collection of vintage charms salvaged from a New England warehouse on simple gold filled chains were a HIT during the holidays. People adored these simple, yet unique pieces and layered up with them or wore them single. The tiny skeleton key is really something, what's great is that on the gold filled chain the gunmetal patinated charm pops, as does the tiny copper padlock. Practical price of $20 for the key alone, $23 for the combo. Also wholesale available for my beautiful boutique buyers.
xoxoxoxoxooxxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxxooxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxxoxo

graphix.

2010-01-29T14:34:00.002-05:00

i am really excited about some new pocket mirror images that my favorite graphics designer (and fellow jeweler) Leila Marvel of The Red Heart Chronicles is creating for me. Just to give a lil' tasty taste...here is one and i will admit it is the simpler one. she happens to be a seriously amazing designer and artist.
i have only trusted her with my graphics since i discovered that she wasn't only a jewelry crafter bud a by-trade graphics person. she is also responsable for my awesome banners. check her out here!

inspire.

2010-01-26T22:32:00.006-05:00

A vintage tarot card sits above my work desk these past four weeks and wants to dance with me. The Chariot...I am a lover of all things Egyptian, and this card is all things Egyptian+Circus+Symbols, and I love it. My aunt on my mother's side (one of my grandmother's eleven children) is a clairvoyant tarot reader, and I will say this, she was the one person that believed EVERYTHING that nobody else believed when I was a child. All the mysteries of my youth she accepted with a smile. My grandmother on my father's side was also able to do things, she read fortunes of everyone in the room from there small cups of Turkish coffee. In most Middle-Eastern cultures, when you're done with the post-dinner coffee, you flip it over and it reveals a depiction or text then read by the special lady in the house. Ancient, ancient practices that humanity has meshed into the contemporary state of their cultures..quite amazing how inspiration molds who we are.

A little reminder: Sunday Love in Williamsburg, that happens to carry THoF jewelry, was once a Fortune Teller's home and work place on the gritty Grand Avenue...stop on in NYCers and go through a warp, a mirror pool so to speak:
Sunday Love
624 Grand Street
BROOKLYN

Better Than Jam Handmade Co-op Comes to Brooklyn!

2010-01-24T19:55:00.003-05:00

Boutique Fashion Hits Bushwick
Better Than Jam Handmade Co-Op brings local indie design to a deserving neighborhood. February 1, 2010

Bushwick, Brooklyn - Better Than Jam Handmade Co-Op opens its doors on February 1, 2010. Located at 1095 Flushing Ave, the Co-Op is soon to be neighbors with 20 other diverse businesses that will inhabit the "Markets at the Loom," providing a varied destination for local shoppers to shop and browse.

“We hope to provide a unique shopping experience to the residents of Bushwick and the handmade community at large,” said designer Karin Persan, who owns the Better Than Jam Co-Op.

The Co-Op will bring to the forefront a variety of clothing, jewelry, and accessories, created by some of NYC's most talented designers. All items at the Co-Op will be 100% handmade. Better Than Jam will also host shopping and launch events, parties and workshops open to it’s designers and the local public, to grow the already hugely artistic and creative community.

" Our goal is to showcase local designers whose work is handmade and high quality, at a fair price," Persan continued.

WHERE: 1095 Flushing Ave , Brooklyn NY 11237

WHEN: Opening: February 1 Grand opening reception: Friday February 5th 7-10pm

CONTACT: Karin Persan karin@betterthanjannyc.com (631) 377-2500

Come mingle with the designers and receive complimentary drinks , 10% selected designers, and free tote bag with purchase, compliments of The {NewNew} Etsy street team.

Owner Karin Persan of Better Than Jam (www.betterthanjamnyc.com)

Sample of designers (full list at website above)

Handbags- SML Bags (www.smlbags.com)

Jewelry- The Hand of Fatima (www.fatimacouture.com)

Fashion- Joann Berman (www.joannberman.com)

Something Blue

2010-01-18T21:57:00.008-05:00

I feel blue...particularly because of our human family suffering in Haiti. I really am without expression. When I was about 20, and had been out on my own for some years already, a beautiful Hatian family took me into their family. Even if I never met a Hatian, I would mourn this situation, but it's particularly hurtful because I understand the intense love and giving that comes from the Hatian community, please find it in your heart to donate in any way you see fit to the Hatian cause. Many artists are selling art that proceeds will go to Haiti. In a few days I will have a link for you to buy handmade all natural shea butter lip balm created for this cause.

As for another something blue...I listed this in the shop tonight...

I also took some photos of new apothecary I have worked on and some new curios of mine...

Two Thousand and Ten

2010-01-02T11:27:00.006-05:00

...or twenty ten? you be the "decider".
one day when you write a memoir nostalgically, you'll call it out in full, but maybe i will go with twenty ten for now!

i want to wish all of you love, freedom, joy and health this new year, but i wish it for you and those i love everyday. be good to yourself, and be good to your human family. i want to grow seeds that i planted in 2009 this year, i really do. i feel like this is my year to shine...for all of us in our different movements and projects.

so, i have two shows booked for february and i will post them as soon as i just confirm travel plans for one.

all my love!

Hows about a lil' nostalgia anyone?

2009-12-15T14:02:00.004-05:00

Seriously...what do I do that does not involve it? It's strange how we can have a connection to things that we have no cultural relation to. I never lived in the Victorian era or Europe, did you?? Why do I love it, why am I inspired by the horrors of it, not just the ruffly beauty? Maybe my past life? Who knows!
I will say that when I was small in school, our teacher introduced us to Lenore by Edgar Allen Poe and it put a chill in me. I couldn't have been more than nine...maybe ten, and this story, poem, took me to a dark, mysterious place that shocked me, yet inspired me to continue. I don't know what it is other than the genuine sentiment of Poe, his utter darkness, that translated to me so strong. I actually could feel the temptation of being somewhere that I likely shouldn't, that I wasn't supposed to. It was amazing, I was there in the house...or was it the Raven?? lol. Where was the first dark place you went?

Blogging, Patti Wilson and VOGUE....

2009-12-12T18:28:00.014-05:00

Ya'know...really need to get with it...I've been one of those that kind of was a non-believer when it came to blogs...i mean c'mon blogs are not hard to come by, saturation of fashion blogs and "look what my kid can do" blogs...and political blogs, they're just everywhere from everyone. I started this blog because sometimes I come across cool things I wanna share...and I'd like to say I make cool things I wanna share...and this past week I realized that I'd better get with the blog program and submit to its mystical power.

I was cleaning my toilet the other day...seriously, when a request for some items came in from non other than stylist extraordinare, Patti Wilson. The email from her Enterprise read "Patti Wilson, a stylist here in New York"...and out loud I was like "like I didn't know THE Patti Wilson!" The picture above in the blog post is one that I had blogged of in my first attempt @ blogging that was styled by Patti! It's one of my favorite fashion photos in the wonderous world...
So, it gets better, the pics that John, one of stylist on the team and her had seen were my Militaria brooches, that I only ever showed through the BLOG...
Now what were they pulling them for? A shoot styled by Miss Patti for VOGUE Italia shot by non other than Emma Summerton!!! Trust when I tell you, you've seen Emma Summerton's photography before if you're into fashion, wiki her and links come up to her ridiculously beautiful work. Let's hope they get used, huh? You know how it goes!

I raise my glass...of sparkling water to Patti for supporting indie, handmade, local NYC (homegrown at that) designer and artist like me, it means a hella lot.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOOXOXXOXOXO

Happy Halloween Y Feliz Dia De Los Muertos

2009-11-01T21:14:00.004-05:00

Someday, I vow to go to Mexico during Dia De Los Muertos. It's amazing to see this infusion of indigenous culture with Catholicism. I can't tell you the fascination I have with this day. The color...the color!! I love Halloween so much fro the surrealism it brings into the mind of a child, to pretend and imagine in possibility. Unfortunately here on the streets of New York City, while we have a fantastic yearly parade, Halloween has become the following equation: skank+stank+1 gallon vodka=you're best friend holding your hair back while you puke on one of 1,000 "sexy cops"
I am all about originality baby, and there is so much, your eyes and heart have to be one sometimes to see it. Last night my husband (who is not pictured lol) had a blast. Above in the picture is Samii, who is absolutely the best belly dancer of the night in all of New York. That costume is an original, handmade in Bahrain, watch out you mass produced factory belly dancer costumes...chock full of pink organza...
As for me, I am hoping you can guess who I am...I was honored that I was received so well. I love you Frida, Yo te adoro! My hubby was Diego...let's just say that he had our son's Thomas the Tank Engine Pillow in his shirt to try and get that bulky look, lol.
Here's to La Vida...

Sneak Peek II-Brooch Time...

2009-10-19T12:17:00.008-04:00

A little somethin' somethin' of what I have conjured up with these new brooches to jazz up your lapel of wherever!

Sneak Peek I

2009-10-18T22:29:00.005-04:00

From the Steam Secrets Collection.

New.New.New.Newness
It's almost ridiculous how many new things I have in the shop and coming! Feel free to tell me what you think of these new designs. I have about four brooches coming out, London is a total brooch town, so my visit there was the catalyst for the designs. So here are some pics of stuff that won't arrive to the shop until a bit later this week.

xo xo xo xo
From The Secret Society Trust Collection

From the Voodoo Collection

Sunday Love- 624 Grand st. Brooklyn, NY, 11121

2009-10-12T13:05:00.011-04:00

We had a DOPE time @ the grand opening of Sunday Love. I was excited I baked a damn carrot cake and made my famous tabouli pizza in like four different hummus flavors!! lol.

Anyway if you're in Brooklyn, you need to get over to Sunday Love and check out this haven of nostalgia and awesomeness. The Hand of Fatima jewelry is one of the artisan goods you will find there! Greer and Scott rehabilitate furniture and decoupage pieces into amazing home editions! Ned Martin, the third owner is a painter extraordinaire, and his work is on display @ the shop. Sunday Love is like a parallel universe, it will stand out to you, my favorite part of its history is that it was the long time tarot card reader's place...oh, how perfect that THoF is there!

I have some of my apocrathy line in there, and there is just love all around, no love like Sunday Love! So, go eat some banging Thai food accross the street and walk over to Sunday Love and get lost in time.
xo
P.S.- I bought that camera on the right, you'll see it in some ne product photos!

London Town I- BUST Mag Craftacular

2009-10-12T12:15:00.009-04:00

I was so, so lucky enough to be chosen to participate in the London BUST Mag Craftacular. I have to say, BUST Magazine is an amazing monument to women, it has given indie designers and crafters and musicians such exposure and mad LOVE.
When I heard about this opportunity, I just had to try to be a part of it. London plays a role in my family history, when my family's country went into revolution, they became somewhat "stuck" in London. They were visiting my aunt at university in England, and word came over the radio that homes of government workers had been seized and all kinds of stuff, so they never returned. For about two years they dwelled in an apartment with friends on Edgeware Rd. I went to this place and stood looking at the building. How strange and far it must have been to have to call this European city "home". Edgeware Rd. is beautiful, I have dubbed it the "Middle Eastern Upper East Side". Anyhow, my wonderful partner and husband stayed behind on this trip, and I was accompanied by two people that might as well be blood family, my Renee and Alejandro. Renee also left her husband (my brother from another mother) Ayman with the baby (who is 3! lol). It was a blast, but something about European cities makes you want your man (or woman), they are designed with romance.
(Me, Shadia, Renee and Alejandro smoking sheesh on Edgeware Rd.)

My family there, Shadia and Baba Mansour took care of us one day in a beautiful house in Wimbledon. Wimbledon itself is green, hilly and quiet, it has an overwhelming English charm, and this gorgeous creeky old house the Mansour's live in is overflowing with character, Baba Mansour collects antiques and grows everything in the garden which is abundant with green vines, apples and even figs! Figs in London!! I felt like I was in an British mystery show in that house, I loved it. We ate in the garden and he told us all jokes and stories about is childhood.

Well, I love London, I love, love, love it. I went all over from Camden to Brixton, I stayed in Limehouse and invented different characters and we did comedy skits on a double-decker, it inspired us to dare, as people are less stressed it seems, more willing to just chill.

I have some pics to share from the most curious museum, the Wellcome Museum. Renee and I were waiting for the red line @ Tower Bridge station, where I spotted the add for the museum exhibit with a Victorian wax anatomical figure cut open. "We're going!" I told her...Renee, a nurse, was just as equally curios. This place has everything from chastity belts to Darwin's walking stick. It is a GEM!!!

(these were designed to look Madonna-like to be more accepted by people, can you see it??)

(c.1890 tattooed human skin)

I will have more pics of ridiculously cool stuff in blog II of London! xoxox

Grand Opening! Sunday Love- Brooklyn

2009-10-06T13:21:00.005-04:00

Hey Everyone...I know, I know, no pictures from London yet...but I had to work like a maniac for that awesome show in D.C.-Crafty Bastards, which happened over the weekend and was exactly as expected...DOPE!!! We were put up by one of my fav girls, Katie of Catherinette, or as I like to call her..."McGiver Stewart", because she is what you would get if Martha Stewart and McGiver had a baby...she can do ANYTHING...sew you a jacket while painting a house....fix your car, while building a display...it's insane, shames me every time.
My neighbor was the ridiculously talented Margaux of The Black Spot Books...she book binds from antique leather, and even makes jewelry and raises a gorgeous, gorgeous baby called Søren, who will steal your heart away, and chase you with an antique hammer! I am amazed at not just the absolute beauty of this work, but the soul. I swear, each book has a soul, no joke. Here is a video of her studio and her process...which makes me go...."damn!" lol:

You can find her online here .
*Also, she has ghostly, unique photographs I really wish I had room for in my house, and her hubby Walter is a painter AND a woods craftsman with beautiful and SAFE toys for your girls and boys.

Now as for exciting, local news...Sunday Love is opening in Williamsburg, and the only jewelry featured in the shop is The Hand of Fatima!!!
I want to invite you! Come through for the grand opening 10-10-09 @6:30ish, food if you eat, drinks if you drink, and beauty everywhere, plus a DJ. You've gotta meat the super cool artists/owners Greer, Scott and Ned, who have made this beautiful place a new part of Williamsburg community.

San Francisco Fog

2009-09-18T22:26:00.004-04:00

In July we were so awesomely able to participate in the Renegade SF craft show. Boy was it cold...my first time in Cali and I never expected to freeze. I knew San Fran would be cool, but wow, it was beyond that!!
Basically to sum it up, the Renegade show was great, San Fran has it's own very, very, very laid back vibe, and great progressive politics. My favorite thing out there was the friendliness of the people...wonderful people, and some crazies, but NYC is chock full of crazies too, however this was a different brand-o-crazy...

It is so all good!! Can't wait to go back...you can now find The Hand of Fatima @ Picnic on Polk Ave. in addition to Bettina in San Fran. Woot!! Here are some pics of the most awesome murals, and some other reminders of the foggy Bay city of legend!
The lovable, Harvey Milk, whose Castro Camera is now a modern shop with several low brow art pieces and handmade goods.

This was in the Castro, and so appropriate that it almost hurts...awesome.
And now some stuff from the Mission. I am a looooong time street art enthusiast and these allies of graffix are up to par in my book.

I. LOVE. THIS.

apothecary

2009-09-16T18:02:00.009-04:00

So I have a new obsession...it's true, I am collecting old bottles, weird things that freak out my husband...and everyone else I know for that matter. I initially just wanted a few poison bottles for my display in London, because I needed something light to pack...it evolved into about 30 old clear and amber bottles. I am going to do a little line of amulet-style home goods for the other nostalgic art lovers like myself.

I will admit that the trip to London's Welcome Museum is one of my newest muses. When my PC is fixed I will have pictures up of this amazingly freakish exhibit I saw and the Medicine Man one as well. For now, I'll torture your eyes with my phone camera pics!

*I bought that little Phrenology head at the center in Notting Hill, where Taylor Swift was being nearly attacked by the paparazzi...oh, and Phrenology is a sucky theory, but I like the head.

Morning Momento Mori...

2009-09-16T10:20:00.007-04:00

Talk about creepy inspiration; I live across from...well here's what I have in my profile to sum it up: "All my work is created in a loving environment across from one of the oldest, historic, Victorian cemeteries in the city, that was founded as a result of overcrowding dead bodies in the downtown burial grounds from typhoid, cholera and smallpox..."

Now in the mornings I walk with my friend, but because we part ways at 8:15, I continue on alone, and like a curious child I find my way into this grand cemetery and power walk as much as I can until an oddity catches my eye and I break to read the grave or mausoleum and take a pic.

This cemetery is old...and it's amazing to see that in particular times of American cultures, and so many others, how people have valued death, almost as equally to life. We look at Egyptians and their dedications and grandiose monument to death and the after life, the gold, the servants...we look at the Victorian burial of those with wealth and the value of having a "proper" plot to lay in. It's all very mysterious.

Today as I walked, with an eerie morning gloom, a swift autumn breeze and an open eye, I was enamored with the architecture and protection of these people's death. I also was thinking about my own mortality and remembrance. My beloved grandmother, would always say in Farsi "don't build me a martyr's shrine when I am gone." I have to say that I think I agree with that sentiment for myself, however at the same time when she left this world, I wrote poems and stories, I drew and painted, I honored her with shrines of art...my Baba (my grandfather, Baba simply means Daddy) honored her with landscape and maintained a beautiful, creative garden of her most favorite flowers, my aunt Sholeh, began to go back to her roots as an interior designer and created a new living space with Mama's inspiration and memory in every touch...we all choose our shrines I suppose.

Anyway, check out these graves of earns, half draped with a cloth or curtain, help me find out what they represent...there are tens of these scattered through out the cemetery and you can even see in this photo two others behind it.
Then there was this awesome, most primitive grave I saw, simply a tree stump painted (?) and afixed into a cross...
***LONDON PICS COMING SOON!**

It's been a long, long time.

2009-09-11T16:39:00.002-04:00

Wow, I have disappeared, huh? I am known for this. I must admit that while I dream of consistency, i don't know if I am meant for it...or is it that my way is just the right consistency for me? I don't know.
Since the last time I've wrote I traveled to San Francisco for the Renegade show and to London for the BUST Magazine Craftacular...utterly amazing places, amazing shows, artists and feeling. I have to say that London was the highlight of the summer for me though. I have so many stories and pictures for you, but when I returned from London two weeks ago we completely re-arranged our apartment and we've been fung shui-ing ever since. So until the next post where I will have all the pics and fun stuff for you....I have a favor to ask. Might you vote for me?

We will be @ a great show in D.C. called Crafty Bastards, I started this blog right after last year's one, and it's an amazing show. Basically this year I have a shot at winning free advertising AND a gift from Urban Outfitters. Whoever votes for me, please email me @ mariam@fatimacouture.com, and you will be entered to win a $50 gift card from Urban Outfitters if I win!!

Here is the link to vote for me, much love!!!

Spook

2009-05-26T12:15:00.011-04:00

I worked on an addition to my display this morning for a bit. I basically grabbed some ephemera I had laying around, an old suitcase I overpaid for, and made up this box.

What's strange is that that picture of the Victorian house, would not allow me to take a focused shot...it's a very ghostly picture to begin with...but it gave me chills.

Furthermore, in a new box of old photos I bought, there was another ghost, a man posing like a character from Gangs Of New York...the picture is marked by and, Feb. 1883 and was taken on Fifth Avenue and 22cnd. street, or at least developed there maybe? Another one that I could not focus the camera on.
I know to some...clearly the person I bought this from, this is all just junk, but I can't help but become overwhelmed with holding a piece of someone's life, and history in my hand.

Eternal Love

2009-05-21T18:44:00.003-04:00

I had a few minutes to snoop through Flickr...I am basically falling in love with the site. I think it's really bringing forth the artist in people that don't even realize themselves as artists...and I've had Pablo Neruda playing through my head, saw this picture from a fantastic photographer Hamed Saber.

It's a photo taken of some kind of companions (i would of course want to say lovers) buried facing one another near the Blue Mosque in Tabriz,Iran. It's 3,000 years old! But who can put a time on love anyway?

*Some say Tabriz is the actual biblical site for the Garden of Eden...

As for a treat...
"And good, this danger
is danger of love, of complete love
for all life,
for all lives,
and if this love brings us
the death and the prisons,
I am sure that your big eyes,
as when I kiss them,
will then close with pride,
into double pride, love,
with your pride and my pride."

From "And Because Love Battles"
by Pablo Neruda

Sleep

2009-05-19T14:12:00.003-04:00

When I am with you, we stay up all night,
When you're not here, I can't get to sleep.
Praise God for these two insomnias!
And the difference between them.
-Rumi

I can't sleep these days, it's a combination of things I suppose. It's the haunting of unsettled feelings, inspiration and uncertainty...oh yeah, life!
It's not bad things, just bad that I can't peacefully rest while I have these ideas barraging me and working on my being. Creating is a gift to those that appreciate your work, you and the energy of the universe in general...it can also be a curse in that you become intoxicated with the feeling it gives you, and unable to desire other things with out completion of your creations.

Above is a poem from one of my all time favorite masters and one of my great inspirations, Mawlānā Jalāl ad-Dīn Muḥammad Balkhī...but you can call him Rumi.

::BUST:: Spring Fling

2009-05-18T22:12:00.016-04:00

Hey you and you and you! So, the BUST show was fun, I want to share some new great designers I finally got to talk to and some I discovered, that will come in the coming days...but the consensus is that all of us indie artists are really feeling the hurt of the economy. So many great supporters came out, and so many were there for fun, jobless. Three, yes, three of my customers came to say hello, and had lost their jobs. I know that so many great people will rewarded for there patience and hard work.
Here are some pictures of the day we spent at the WARSAW in Crooklyn, thanks for all you fantabulous folks that chilled with us.

***You'll see the line of fascinators and the hat I made with a mink skull***

Dawn who used to work at BUST came buy and brought me some Swarovski crystals I love her and her cute self.

Patron Saints No.2

2009-05-15T11:24:00.002-04:00

"no necesito drogas, soy drogas"

This is the kind of guy I would like to hang out with, but would also be afraid to. It's very hard to make me shy, now this man, would certainly be able to. When I was about twenty I read his autobiography...did you know he once attacked a woman friend at the beach for admiring his feet?? He said that she had nerve to look at him like that, and he needed to retaliate because he became Gala (his wife), and she was jealous...

I don't think that in any blog post I could really ever sum up what Dali did for me in my life as an artist. He certainly inspired me to go into another dimension and live. His theory and work also inspired me to dare and go into corner pockets of myself to find the dark and the light and expose it. It's very hard for me to explain.
When I took a trip to Paris to stay with my aunt, I had the divine luck to go to his Montmarte home that had been converted into a museum, Espace Dali on 11, rue Poulbot. Can you imagine, being just blocks from Moulin Rogue at that! Montmarte is truly magical.

I think that I slipped out of reality and into Dali's reality or illusion for that matter. I felt like I was experiencing something out of body. Time melted just like the clocks in his his paintings. I don't really remember any other people there except for a trail of school children and my aunt Sholeh...which all contributed to the surreality. I wish I could find my photos from then, but even if I never do, the day is imprinted on my
inside.

If You're Going To San Francisco...Renegade

2009-05-14T12:00:00.002-04:00

Above is the image of a great San Franciscan, and great man in general, Harvey Milk. This painting is by a favorite of mine, Robert Lentz. Here's to you both!

I must say that I have always wanted to go to this unique city, so when the opportunity arose to participate in the Renegade Craft Fair, I figured what a chance!
So off we will go, July 18th and 19th on the bay! If you're out there please do come through.

More Preview...

2009-05-14T00:25:00.019-04:00

Flapper Yourself Dapper

Collection Preview

2009-05-13T12:15:00.003-04:00

You'll see bits and pieces of a necklace called "The Great Depression" which features two vintage liquor tags in a tarnished sterling-plate, Bourbon and Scotch...three strands of vintage glass "pearl" beads in a smokey metallic finish hang below. Do you get it?? Who says you can't look like a million in an economic hell storm? I added at the top of the center rows two hand antiqued, vintage monogram tags for detail.

Also I have a new, c. 1908, fraternal Order of The Odd Fellows all seeing eye piece with an incorporated vintage rhinestone bead, very rare.
Another fraternal badge piece "Member" also turn of the 20th century, along with a Victorian key hanging below.
Finally, an Art Deco, filigree belt buckle (half), in steel with painted color and a French cut chandelier dropping below.
Oh...and yes, "The Most Worthy Auditress", two tiers of an antique fraternal badge, hanging Victorian 12k gold fill eye glasses, skeleton key and deco locket.

My Patron Saints- No.1

2009-05-12T13:50:00.000-04:00

"Feet, why do I need them if I have wings to fly?"

I guess that term, "patron saint" would be the best way to describe the following inspirations of mine. I'll be writing about a few of my dearest idols over the coming weeks. Long before I even thought I would design and create jewelry I was mesmerized by the work...the life and the legacy of Frida Kahlo.

I don't quite know where to start on the enormous affection I have for this woman. It's true that I have never "met" Frida, but have I? Have I indeed met her through the legacy of work she has left me to see, all of us to see?
When I was pregnant with my first son, Amir, I translated her diary from Spanish to English , just so I could learn in depth her words. I begain collecting Muertos and Ofrendas, retratos of her, I became enthralled with her existence, her creations as I created my child.

When I think of the parallels between our lives, it gives me a bit of a chill. Without getting overly personal, both our beloved fathers suffer from a like illness, I too had a life changing tragedy physically as a teenage girl, and I too am involved with political activism. My love for my partner/husband/friend is that that I cannot explain, their is no corny card or gift that I can obtain to express it, it's deep and personal and evident as was her feeling for Diego, although he happens to be a womanizer...and I love monkies :) But Frida is Frida, I look to the commonalities of our lives as just that, commonalities, it's just my luck that I have the pleasure to even relate to her majestic life.

It's her way, talent and radicalness that leaves me in awe. The irony of this colorful art with the dark tales and the unequivocal beauty behind them is a gift to th world.

"I hope the exit is joyful - and I hope never to return"

In our bathroom.

Yo Momma and Mines

2009-05-10T19:45:00.002-04:00

Happy Dia De Las Mamas!!!!
You better do right by yours, lord knows it can be hard, but so what love her crazy.
Painting:kmberggren.etsy.com

I went to a playground on the Hudson today, the babies played and ruined their clothes, my mom was there too...my husband cleaned the car and made me dinner. It was a great day.

Lucky Me, Lucky You

2009-05-08T09:06:00.001-04:00

Luck...it seems that no matter who, pagans, monotheists, polytheists, all kinds of believers always believe in luck. Through out mankind's history we see evidence of this. Well, I was using the fifteen minutes of free time I have when the boys are eating breakfast (no wonder it's called "break-fast"), and snooped around Flickr to find these Hand of Fatima doors in southern Spain and Portugal where the Moors, Berbers and Arabs ruled for hundreds of years. These exquisite door handles were crafted into "hands of Fatima" as signs of luck to ward off evil and malice from the dwellers of each home. You can see the European spin on the style.

I chose the name The Hand of Fatima for many reasons, one main one being that everything is made by hand, another being I love the name Fatima, and finally, a little luck can't hurt, even when you're not the most superstitious person, why not cover your bases?

Photos from the following AMAZING photographers on Flickr...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54427714@N00/395600505/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lxavian/3010927580/
jsprhmsn:bcn
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alfonsogamo/3456913496/in/pool-aldabasyaldabones

BUST Magazine Craftacular and Art Star Philly

2009-05-06T12:59:00.000-04:00

Did I ever tell you, I fell in love in Philadelphia? It's true I left N.Y.C. and tried something new, went to school and met my soul mate in a public speaking class...I guess you can say the rest is "history" and the future.
Philadelphia is haunted. There are spirits and grimy tales everywhere around the ex-industrial city. Unfortunately historic and colonial Philly is plagued with bad management and issues of crime, so there are just warehouses, factories and empty turn of the century homes abandoned and decaying. However, the greatest testament to this city of spooks is The Divine Lorraine Hotel.
After my husband, and Clarke Park, I fell in love with this place. It's abandoned and stands isolated on Broad Street. If you look at it for too long, you will become entranced.

I'm sure that when corruption forces the locals to leave and city officials and realtors decide to gentrify that this beautiful and unique structure will be turned into luxury condos or knocked down, but I only hope that the Philadelphians will fight for it...and knowing many Philadelphians, they will. Boomer, who is like my brother, told me to ask his mother about what this place was like, and although she was just a child when it closed down, she told her mother's tales of its shine.

I would do many insane things to get inside this place. To get the key tags, the escutcheons, and just walk through the ghostly hallways and spider webs.
Why all the talk of Philadelphia?? Well, I'll be at the Art Star Craft Bazaar on May 30-31 (memorial day weekend) @ Penns Landing.

I can't wait to catch up with my peeps and walk around another haunted neighborhood, Northern Liberties, a friendly way to say the beginning of North Philly. If you ever want to see another spooked out hood try Kensington...you've gotta look at that place with a certain kind of eye to understand what I am talking about. You can almost see the steam rising above the abandoned factories off of Allegheny Avenue and down by Frankford Ave. You can just feel the grit, no women in corsets with wigs and Victorian lockets...work and workers, immigrants and natives building lives, legacy and a nation on creating things.

Next Sunday, May 17th...I will be at BUST Mag's Spring Fling in Brooklyn. I've added all these events to the calendar on the website. Love Love Love!!

*Thanks to Prof. Jas. Mundie on Flickr.com for this beautiful photo of the hotel. I found this artist's stream through google and am now inspired.

Fanciful Fobs and Circuses

2009-03-17T17:13:00.000-04:00

Today I have two new creations in total contrast of one another. A minimalist, antique watch fob, hanging in all its gold filled Victorian glory, from a simple vintage brass chain, sprayed with faux pearls. Lovely no?
Next I have added to the shop a wild and eccentric mix of sordid sorts...a circus inspired charm fest, antique doll leg, antique secret society medal, chandelier prism, skeleton key, sterling clown, watch face!!
Very steampunk, very noir, very The Hand Of Fatima!

All Things Considered

2009-03-09T22:08:00.000-04:00

All things considered...no, not Melissa Block and Michelle Norris, my life!
Wow, so alot is going on...so many political things in my other job, and in my first job as mother...some exciting new developments, Rami, at 10 and a half months walked!!! They want to make me work...hard.

So, spring is here, I have many a new additions to the line, and I have a secret stash that will be going up on my website by May 2009.

I've been focusing on a face lift of sorts, I am in the works for a new logo, a really exciting old piece of leather miniature from a special country came into my possession, and inspired me.

Also, the "mens" line, well what I meant to say was a line, marketed more towards men, but truly a, his, hers and them line. I am a feminist, so if I make something, it for a man, best believe it will also suit a woman...no pun intended. (suit...)

A new addition of head pieces will make there way to the website, fatimacouture.com.
Also, I have finally used those bones I've had. The line "Voodoo" is a take on the ever lasting drive for man/womankind to use other species for inspiration and mystical representation, along with the seedy diaspora of voodoo...sprinkle some mourning jewelery from the Victorian era, and voila!

I am sorry to all my vegans out there, but believe that these animals came from a professional taxidermist and were not killed for the bones, they were already dead, found or donated by an animal hospital.

I must say my vending over the holidays brought me in contact with some great new customers who offered great feedback. Many requested bones, and so many dudes were intrigued, which was a grand compliment.

Back to work!