Questions about my Things

Q. How do I get one of your pieces custom-made?
A. Check out the Contact Page

Q. What are they exactly... and I don't mean sculpey
A. They are the things I see out of the corners of my eyes. I like to look at things sideways and use materials in ways that they were not originally intended to be used, but work out better for it!

And some of them are the invisible friends I had as a kid, pulled out of my head and given form. 'cause I can do that. :P

Q. Why do you get your ideas?
A. I blame an overactive imagination, an inability to sit still without falling asleep, cracked out dreams and sideways thinking.

I am also easily amused and just like making stuff. :D

Q. Do they come from your dreams?
A. Some do. I also have a lot of Dream Doll ideas sketched up and written down, but I've only finished one of them (and she was someone else's dream.) But I'm looking forward to making them one of these days when my Root Thing squee is flagging and I need a boost in a different direction.

On the other hand, I do dream about them a lot. And sometimes I have to take a step back because I'm not sleeping well. (or do something completely fluffy and cute. :P)

Q. Do they wake up and dance around the room while you're asleep?
A. Gods, I hope so. It would suck to have to stay in one position all the time!

Q. Do you have a preferred wood type?
A. Twisty! And interesting! And preferably something I'm not allergic to. (even though I use vinyl gloves to clean them up, sometimes they make me itchy! Eek!)

Q. Where do you get the ideas for your root things?
A. Well, essentially two ways. The first being doodles. I have a habit of doodling on paper or with materials at hand when I'm bored or waiting or just sitting still, and some of these turn into bits and pieces of Things I want to continue. This is the easiest way to experiment without a lot of investment in time and materials.

The other way is to gather a bunch of stuff together (usually centering around an interesting twig, root or bone) and start arranging them like a puzzle. I'll decide on a mood, color scheme and basic size and technique and then have at it. :) If I'm making it for someone else, I'll work on some sketches first and go through that whole process, otherwise I just put things together the way they seem right, and hopefully they'll work out. ;)

The funny thing about the second process is that I've learned that the pieces I feel strong dislike for and just seem wrong to me halfway through are the ones that are the most expressive and receive the most compliments. So, I've learned that that feeling is a sign to just keep on keeping on because something special will be born out of the whole process. ;)

Q. How do you put so much character in your root things' faces?
A. I make weird looking screwed up faces while I work on them so I can get it right. Really! It's like watching someone feed a baby.

Q. What are you inspired by?
A. I'm inspired by the cracks in the sidewalk, the bugs in the rotting stump down the way, and the alien worlds I see in the dying embers of a bonfire. I'm inspired by silliness! And that sick feeling of dread you feel when you know something is about to go Horribly Wrong.

You know that feeling you get when the sheets just don't quite cover your toes and you can almost feel the claws pick pick picking at them and it makes you shiver and curl up in a little ball so that none of you is near the edges of the bed? Yeah that feeling is one that I'd really like to capture.

I tend to twist around every book I read and movie I watch, and change the stories in my head. I add things and take things out and then compost them into my idea bank to rot for a while and fertilize other things to grow. :) and yes, fairy tales and songs are important too. :P

Q. Are any of your pieces based on any written work?
A.No, but I have written fic about some of them.

Q. Do you ever make up stories/personalities to go with your pieces?
A. Yes. I have to tone it down when too close to mental hospitals, lest I be dragged in, strapped down, and plugged full of thorazine.

Q. How did you get started designing these things?
A. You know those dreams you have that you don't think are bad, but anyone else would think they're nightmares? Yeah... You've just gotta run with them.

Q. How delightfully creepy, how do I go about owning a Jane Original(tm)?
A. Click the "Purchase" tab on the info page for that item! Or ask me about making a Special Request.

Q. Are the teeth real?
A. Some of them are, but most of them aren't. All critters (except Bug Things) have teeth and tongues, even if their mouths are closed. Because it disturbs me that they won't be able to eat and talk. Eek!

Q. What kind of beast would you make with a human skull?
A. I think I would turn in into a bowl and place a little nest in the middle with baby root things all curled up in it. :) ooh! And give it legs! And have bones and beads hanging in patterns around it. :D yay!

Q. Of all your things, which one is the most likely to become truly alive and campaign as an anti-war protest hippie?
A. Aleister!! oh, wait. That's my cat. Ummmmmmmm... I think Jeremiah. Because he's so scaredy looking. Yus.

Q. Do you make these yourself or employ a small army of asian children?
A. Of course I make them myself dahling! I would have to resort to tying the children's minds together with twine and papertape and little wee messenger bugs otherwise, and that's just messy.

Q. Did you ever make mainstream dolls? If so, what switched you to the art your do now?
A. I have! I've made ragdolls and stuffed animals and little velvet kitties and teddy bears and all kinds of stuff. But sadly, I am easily bored. And making things like that repetitively tends to make me drop a project, or make it, ummmm... more interesting. Oops.

So no matter what my intentions, every time I try and make a large amount of “normal” stuff, it tends to start out right and then end up a little... off. ::sigh::

Which doesn't mean I *can't* make them, it just means that it's a lot more work for me.

Q. What was the first (serious) crafty thing you ever took up?
A. Hmmm... I think it might have been crossstitch. I used to do a lot of that. All those little X's and following the charts. And then I started making my own charts and got bored and moved on. But I still know how! Really!

Questions about Me

Q. If you were going to marry one of your creations, which one would it be and why?
A. VINE (aka sad little green guy) AND JESTER ARE OTP FOREVER!!!!! and they love each other and they will be together forever and ever and ever and ever!! (how can they not? I was bending them into compromising positions before they even had heads!) and I will preside over the ceremonies with GLEE and LOVE! Yes.

(dude, you just wanted me to incoherently flail around in Vine And Jester squee again, didn't you?!?! no fair! :pouts:)

Q. Sanity! Do you have some?
A. Yes! I keep it in a jar next to the Hairy Fetus and the Grumpy Homonculous on the shelf above my desk.

Q. Where do you buy that? I can't find it.
A. Ebay, duh.

Q. Is it hiding in a striped box?
A. Poor thing! He's always so shy and scaredy. ::pets him::

Q. Do you keep it in a purple box?
A. I keep the barn cat bones in the purple box. And two mummified earwigs that were hiding in the vertebrae.

Q. Are there monsters in your head too?
A. But of course! And sometimes they invite me to tea with the nameless things who live in the cupboard. I must say that their scones are to die for.

Q. Is your sanity real?
A. Sadly, no. ::cries:: I would like to imagine that he was, but since he is currently living in a shwank jar, he can't be bothered to answer me when I ask. ::sobs:: OH GODS THE REJECTION!!!

Q. When was the last time you saw your sanity?
A. When he bought that fancy jar. We used to be such good buds, but now he won't have anything to do with me ::WAILS!!!!!::

Q. Do you have any extra?
A. Just the 2.5 kids. And ever so often part of a dogfish. ::sniffles:: dude, with that fancy jar and stuff, he should at least be sending me child support. ::sigh::