Humors and Demeanors: Problem Glyphs by Eliza Gauger

"BOG WITCH / BOG BLESSING"

Some of you are probably familiar with the work of Eliza Gauger, or 3liza on tumblr, but if not she's an Oakland illustrator and fine artist of magnificent skill, known for her love of monsters and geek/alternative friendly art.

"TOADSTONE"

Gauger's current project Problem Glyphs (WARNING: some NSFW content, and potential triggers), based on her tumblr account, involves her designing individual glyphs in response to the problems sent in by her followers, ranging from someone finding it difficult to concentrate to people struggling with mental health issues and life decisions.

"TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF YOUR LIFE AFTER DEATH"

Gauger has declined describing the process by which she comes up with her glyphs, stating, "its a) boring and b) may hijack the personal interpretations of the other people who are using the glyphs". Based in both her knowledge of mythology and her own personal feelings and associations with both problem and imagery, she compares the method of the glyphs to tarot, but also points out the human aspect of the project -

"The other half of magic, and medicine, and witchcraft, is just knowing somebody is paying attention to your problem, and gives enough of a shit to try and help you with it."

A parallel project to provide every glyph with an accompanying poem is also being undertaken by Elias I. K. B., and the glyphs are categorized according to their humors (blood, milk, brine, honey and ink) and demeanours (febrile, fulsome, lucent, warlike and peregrine). Gauger refuses to turn down any request she receives, though at the time of publishing was unable to accept anymore due to a ginormous backlog - when requests are again open, however, she can be contacted at her personal tumblr.




Fee





All images property of Eliza Gauger, sourced from the Problem Glyphs Tumblr.
UPDATE - Gauger has recently put the Problem Glyphs project up on Patreon. Go check it out, and support if you can afford it!

Fatigue with Goth?

As you've all been well aware, I've been venturing into new territory in terms of fashion. Not only have I been finding new inspiration in the twenties and mainstream trends, but I've been feeling a little tired with gothic fashion (and to a lesser extent with the music), and unable to feel like making an effort beyond a cursory nod to my usual monochrome colour palate. Part of it is due to the horrendous Scottish winter, which makes me want to wrap up in as many layers of knitwear as possible and hibernate, and also feeling too ill for anything more than jeans and a tee, but I've not been inspired by my usual idols in clothes or in music, and I didn't want to force it; it was weird feeling a disconnect from what has been a bit part of my life for a few years now, but it would be worse to stick it out and force myself to stay with a persona for the sake of loyalty.

I'm happy to say that, after a brief holiday, my goth side is back with a vengeance.

When coming back home after a trip away, it refreshes anew everything special about it. After I began to feel more like making an effort with life, I ended up flicking through pinterest photos of Siouxsie Sioux and listening to old Banshees hits. And rather than feeling tired and over-played, my favourite albums were refreshed and captured me again. And just like that, my enthusiasm for gothic and post punk subcultures was revived.

As goths, we often make a big deal about how it's not just a phase, and how this is a lasting passion - which is understandable, giving the amount of slander many of us have received about how we'll be back in blue denim when we get a 'real' job. But one of the things I think is most integral to any alternative lifestyle is accepting that it may well be a phase, and not being afraid to drop everything and chase inspiration or sit down the make up and put something else on the record player. As a result of my period of wandering, I've not only rekindled an old love, but also given myself more ideas and stimuli than ever from areas I didn't expect.

Just as important as not being afraid to step away from well trodden paths, the experience made me think about what goth means to me. Many of my friends don't understand the dichotomy between music and fashion in the subculture, and how integral fashion is to the goth scene. I could relate it to dressing for the occasion, but it's more central than that; it's dressing for how you feel. Gothic music, the beating heart and backbone and soul of the movement, is dark and twisting, and has a wrenching beauty that's almost painful. It takes me up in that and makes me feel dark and mysterious and something more than mundane, as silly as that sounds, and I want to represent that in how I dress. There's a delicate balance between beauty and ugliness in goth fashion which is translated from the music; not only does goth challenge what you consider beauty to be, it forces you to think about whether beauty is even important or not. I rarely get compliments when I'm looking particularly gothic, and often get told I 'look so much nicer with lighter make up'. But I don't mind, even if those comments are a little insensitive, because it's not them I'm dressing for.

I'm glad I stood back from goth and considered it. It's made me far happier in my own skin, and more aware of its importance to me.






Fee

Wardrobe Feature: Buckled Winklepickers

I'm well overdue to do a piece of jewellery in my wardrobe feature, but I'm that happy with my new boots that I can't even express it.

A friend of mine swears by a rule for expensive purchases; if it's not in the sale, it's not meant to be. That logic actually applied for this purchase; I saw these boots in Office back in November, but as they were over £80 I decided to wait and see. Then, lo and behold, they were in the sale at the end of the year for half price.

I decided to include these as my first wardrobe feature of the year for a few reasons - as stated, I absolutely love them, and as my first purchase for the new year they represent my wish to fill my wardrobe with things I've fallen head over heels for. They also hark back to the trad goth style I love and want to infuse my wardrobe with, so you'll certainly be seeing a few outfits featuring these.



Fee



P.s. I just got 5,000 views, you guys! Thanks a bunch!

Resolutions for 2014

My wee baby, who has been ill over the holidays with a UTI. :(

(My usual wardrobe feature post has been postponed, and instead will be up in a day or two.) 

Welp, the year is over. I'm not actually sure what to say about 2013; it was a strange and mixed year, but not a terrible one. I'm hoping 2014 is destined to be a good year, especially for a lot of bloggers out there who have had a difficult time over the last 12 months. It's certainly going to be an exciting one, as Scotland votes on whether or not to become an independent country, I look for my first flat (!) and my course go into the last year of my academic teaching phase.

I made resolutions at the end of last year as to what I was hoping for the year ahead, and I can happily say that I haven't crafted as much as I said I would, nor become a proficient cook or shopped exclusively second hand. I hugged my dog a lot, at least.

Still, I always treat resolutions more as guidelines, and I have developed somewhat. I've learned how to stop feeling guilty about things that I shouldn't be worrying about. Whilst my views as a feminist haven't changed, I've learned about new issues and also how to better express myself and talk to people who aren't as enthusiastic as me. As both a medic and a fashion enthusiast, I'm finding new areas (infertility, child health) and inspirations (nu goth, twenties flapper) without feeling overwhelmed or like I'm betraying myself. I got a job, and earned my way during the summer. My health has been poor for the latter part of the year, but I've managed to overcome that.

As for this year? Well, there's still things I want to change.

• Cut down on PDA. Guilty as charged. Part of it is just me forgetting that my levels of normal physical contact are above those of most people, and part of it is just due to bad habits.
• Switch from Digital to Analogue. I spend a lot of time - far too much - and I've also been neglecting a lot of old passions, like reading and crafting. I want to switch over so that I'm not so reliant on technology for work and for entertainment.
• Do something with my hair. Because Christ, it gets boring wearing it the same way all the time.
• Not be afraid to wander down new paths. I have a post about this coming up, but I don't want be restricted to a very narrow range of interests.
• Make my study time more effective and relax more. I have a tendency to plod on with work even when it's fruitless, and forgetting to do things that I enjoy.
• Clear out my closet. I've managed to learn how not to take stuff to Dundee that I don't wear, but my wardrobe at home has far more things that need to leave!
• Wear every colour of the rainbow for lipstick. Because it came to my attention that I haven't ever tried green lipstick yet, and that simply will not do.

Do you feel that New Year's Resolutions are an outdated fad, or have you made your own? Let me know in the comments!







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Christmas Crafting: Knitted Scarf

I'm sad that I didn't get to make more presents for people this Christmas, but I did my best - I still made fudge, peppermint creams and a phone sock for Ben, but I hope to do better next year.

I did made a scarf over the holidays for my godfather - 10mm needles with Rowan Wool (extremely soft and squishy). The pattern is pretty simple for beginners, and grows like a weed.



As you can see here.

Knitting is something I've been doing for a while, but I wouldn't be able to stick it out for anything larger than a scarf or hat/gloves - jumpers, quite honestly, sound like a nightmare.






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Outfit Post: Christmas Day and presents!

Phew, holidays are over! Love them I do, but they're tiring and I'm ready for a nap. Still, it was a good two days, and I did my best to get presents that people would like, and people certainly did the same in return! It's amazing how family and friends managed to read my mind and get things I hadn't thought to tell anyone about.



Apologies for the bathroom pic; the light during winter is so weak that I can't get good photos in my room. :(


My parents got me this glorious jumper (from TK Maxx, I think), and my god it's so cozy. It also lines right up with my resolution to make dressing goth-like fit in with my lazy desire for comfort. The skirt is one from last Christmas, but the scarf and the necklace is new too. 


Scarf has skulls on it, and oh my I love my gaudy art deco necklace.

I love nothing better on Christmas Day than curling up by the fire and footering with all the presents I receive (everyone is incredibly generous, despite me being an official adult/recessions and what not). One of these was less a present and more a handing down, and explains the good quality photos in this post; my dad gave me his camera! I also got filters and a card reader for it (the port for the cable is broken), so you can expect better photos and hopefully more frequent outfit posts.

 This is only a smaller selection of my gifts - I got make up brushes, fancy earrings, records, an elephant tea pot, a gorgeous beaded top and - of course - a rubber duck light. ;)

Much love to all of you, and I'm hoping that your holidays are going as well as mine are.

Fee

Holly and Candles: Merry Christmas 2013!

Merry Christmas, everybody! Equally, Happy Hanukah/solstice/winter festivities/same old boring day to you. I'm taking a break from blogging over the holidays (I'll still have some posts, but they'll be queued and probably less regular) to take on some shifts at work and build up my blogging queue again. I'll be back full throttle again in the new year, of course!

I thought I would share these photos I took yesterday of my mum's real holly table and mantelpiece decorations which I did for her this year - it's normally my dad's job, but he hates it and passed the responsibility on to me this year. My finger tips are sore and swollen from being jabbed constantly, but it was lots of fun!

Anyway, I hope you're all with loved ones and enjoying yourselves - have a lovely time!


Fee