Go Shopping!
This is my only Christmas icon. I need a slightly less cranky one.
But anyway, in the spirit of the season, I give you . . . links!
I have so many talented people on my f-list that I have to pimp just a few of them. Take a minute, please, and check out what these folks are sellin'. Might be you'll find a nice gift for someone on your nice (or naughty) list!
gaaneden runs The Edge of Propinquity, which is a webzine devoted to exploring the liminal world, the world at the borderland of real and fantasy, hallucination and conspiracy, truth and the supernatural. In addition to being a first-rate little 'zine, the Guest Quarters features fiction by yours truly, and also by wicked_wish. What's to lose? It's totally free!
Speaking of wicked_wish, Cherie Priest has two books out, Four and Twenty Blackbirds, and its sequel, Wings to the Kingdom.
I have read Wings To the Kingdom, and it's a damn good book. If you like ghost stories, voodoo, weird tales, and rudely interrupted poetry slams, this is your novel. I should really praise it at greater length, but I think you should discover what it's all about on your own. Go forth! Read!
More links to her purchaseable goodies can be found here. And she does sign books, people, so if you want one inscribed, there's still time before Christmas. Just send it on over.
I'm talking to geeks. You are either a Star Trek or you know someone who is. marccarlson has a story in Strange New Worlds 9, an anthology incorporating tales from all five Star Trek iterations, all by new writers. You're looking for "The Immortality Blues," by, obviously, Marc Carlson.
nonnycat writes under the nom de plume of Elisabeth Drake, and her novel The Twilight Deception is available from Cobblestone press. Vampires, witches, murder! Romance! You have been warned.
Eugie Foster, aka eugie, is a prolific and award-winning author of beautifully-crafted short stories and also editor at Tangent and keeper of a very adorable skunk. One of her stories is forthcoming in the Japanese Dreams anthology, edited by Sean Wallace, now available for preorder. More details about her pending publications, her bibliography, and her biography can be found on her livejournal, or at her personal site.
I am profoundly honored to point you at ellen_kushner and deliasherman. They are women of many talents -- check out Ellen's website and Delia's website to get an idea. Swordspoint is one of my favorite books. The Fall of the Kings is a follow up set in the same world, and The Privilige of the Sword is perhaps the best novel I've read this year. I recommend the entire Riverside group, together or alone. In fact, I recommend you just search for their stuff on Amazon and start buying. They are wonderful writers and wonderful people, and if you haven't read their stuff, you probably should.
goldenwolfen is the livejournal handle of one Christy Grandjean, an absolutely stellar artist specializing in therianthropic and anthropomorphic art. Her website at www.goldenwolfen.com is well worth a look. Keep in mind, folks, that she paints with colored pencil. Amazing, isn't it? She offers prints, shirts, and more - lots of irresistible swag. Werewolf fans definitely need to take a look.
Sandra SanTara is another livejournaler and artist I want to single out. I have several of her pieces, and I have loved her work since I was a teenager. See it at www.windwolf.com. She does feather painting, fantasy beasties of all sorts, tee shirts, prints . . . you're bound to find something you like!
And what would life be like without ursulav? Less surreal, we're sure. Catch Ursula Vernon's odd and irregular art at www.metalandmagic.com. Be sure to check out the lovely Celadon Toadstool. I think she looks a little like me.
Michael Manning is a wonderful artist. His books are available through Amazon, but I suggest you go take a look at his site, The Spider Garden.
He specializes in darkly beautiful BDSM-themed art. Some of it is moving, some of it is unsettling, all of it is electrically erotic. I was lucky enough to get a copy of Inamorata for Christmas last year, and it's honestly one of the most beautiful art books I own. His work moves me like very little else.
Michael offers original work for sale on his site, and he has a few special deals for the holidays over on his livejournal, metalweb. Details are in this entry.
No roundup would be complete without a plug for Nene Thomas and her site. You've seen her art, I know you have. Her fairy women are everywhere, on tee shirts, mugs, calendars, and at conventions around the country. You can go to freakin' Hot Topic and buy Nene Thomas fairy pants. Well, she sells prints and a lot more on her site, stuff you can't get anywhere else, so you ought to go check it out. I've loved her for years, I have about 10 of her pieces, and she just happens to be from my state. Her livejournal is nenethomas.
siliconshaman pimps his prints, either in digital format or in hard copy, here. I especially want to direct you to excessive baby dragon cuteness.
The fine jewelry of Amanda Fisher, aka cissa, can be found here, but if custom one-of-a-kind work is out of your price range, there's The Electric Celt. The Electric Celt features beautiful jewelry, tee shirts, greeting cards perfect for holiday sending, and lots of nifty Celtic doodads like Celtic switchplate covers. More jewelry can be found at her Etsy.com store, including lots of seasonal stuff perfect for the holidays. Her work is top notch, reasonably priced, and just generally shiny.
Since you are all dirty, dirty fuckers, I want to plug lady_fox for her handcrafted soap. Want a testimonial? Look at my face. Look at it. Her soap is all that touches my face. It's great stuff - very silky and great-smelling, easy on the pores, and never drying to my skin. Get in touch with her; she makes it by the batch, custom, and her prices are extremely reasonable. Can't sing its praises highly enough.
Dog collars. Because when you need one, you really need one. And they make great gifts. bitis_gabonica makes custom leather harnessing, with a special focus on pit bulls and err . . . people. In the market for some tough, functional BDSM gear? Just ask! (Picture here, more details forthcoming, or available on request.)
And last but not least, gratuitous silly fandom-related parody songs? Check! Get your silly songs here, free downloads. Gratuitous Gollum goofiness provided by speakerwiggin.
I tried not to leave anyone on my f-list off, but if I have, sing out.
And I'll extend the party in the comments: those of you with crafty folks on your friends lists, or who do crafty stuff of your own, comment here with a link to more info so everyone can have a look-see. Maybe I can send some business your way!
But anyway, in the spirit of the season, I give you . . . links!
I have so many talented people on my f-list that I have to pimp just a few of them. Take a minute, please, and check out what these folks are sellin'. Might be you'll find a nice gift for someone on your nice (or naughty) list!
gaaneden runs The Edge of Propinquity, which is a webzine devoted to exploring the liminal world, the world at the borderland of real and fantasy, hallucination and conspiracy, truth and the supernatural. In addition to being a first-rate little 'zine, the Guest Quarters features fiction by yours truly, and also by wicked_wish. What's to lose? It's totally free!
Speaking of wicked_wish, Cherie Priest has two books out, Four and Twenty Blackbirds, and its sequel, Wings to the Kingdom.
I have read Wings To the Kingdom, and it's a damn good book. If you like ghost stories, voodoo, weird tales, and rudely interrupted poetry slams, this is your novel. I should really praise it at greater length, but I think you should discover what it's all about on your own. Go forth! Read!
More links to her purchaseable goodies can be found here. And she does sign books, people, so if you want one inscribed, there's still time before Christmas. Just send it on over.
I'm talking to geeks. You are either a Star Trek or you know someone who is. marccarlson has a story in Strange New Worlds 9, an anthology incorporating tales from all five Star Trek iterations, all by new writers. You're looking for "The Immortality Blues," by, obviously, Marc Carlson.
nonnycat writes under the nom de plume of Elisabeth Drake, and her novel The Twilight Deception is available from Cobblestone press. Vampires, witches, murder! Romance! You have been warned.
Eugie Foster, aka eugie, is a prolific and award-winning author of beautifully-crafted short stories and also editor at Tangent and keeper of a very adorable skunk. One of her stories is forthcoming in the Japanese Dreams anthology, edited by Sean Wallace, now available for preorder. More details about her pending publications, her bibliography, and her biography can be found on her livejournal, or at her personal site.
I am profoundly honored to point you at ellen_kushner and deliasherman. They are women of many talents -- check out Ellen's website and Delia's website to get an idea. Swordspoint is one of my favorite books. The Fall of the Kings is a follow up set in the same world, and The Privilige of the Sword is perhaps the best novel I've read this year. I recommend the entire Riverside group, together or alone. In fact, I recommend you just search for their stuff on Amazon and start buying. They are wonderful writers and wonderful people, and if you haven't read their stuff, you probably should.
goldenwolfen is the livejournal handle of one Christy Grandjean, an absolutely stellar artist specializing in therianthropic and anthropomorphic art. Her website at www.goldenwolfen.com is well worth a look. Keep in mind, folks, that she paints with colored pencil. Amazing, isn't it? She offers prints, shirts, and more - lots of irresistible swag. Werewolf fans definitely need to take a look.
Sandra SanTara is another livejournaler and artist I want to single out. I have several of her pieces, and I have loved her work since I was a teenager. See it at www.windwolf.com. She does feather painting, fantasy beasties of all sorts, tee shirts, prints . . . you're bound to find something you like!
And what would life be like without ursulav? Less surreal, we're sure. Catch Ursula Vernon's odd and irregular art at www.metalandmagic.com. Be sure to check out the lovely Celadon Toadstool. I think she looks a little like me.
Michael Manning is a wonderful artist. His books are available through Amazon, but I suggest you go take a look at his site, The Spider Garden.
He specializes in darkly beautiful BDSM-themed art. Some of it is moving, some of it is unsettling, all of it is electrically erotic. I was lucky enough to get a copy of Inamorata for Christmas last year, and it's honestly one of the most beautiful art books I own. His work moves me like very little else.
Michael offers original work for sale on his site, and he has a few special deals for the holidays over on his livejournal, metalweb. Details are in this entry.
No roundup would be complete without a plug for Nene Thomas and her site. You've seen her art, I know you have. Her fairy women are everywhere, on tee shirts, mugs, calendars, and at conventions around the country. You can go to freakin' Hot Topic and buy Nene Thomas fairy pants. Well, she sells prints and a lot more on her site, stuff you can't get anywhere else, so you ought to go check it out. I've loved her for years, I have about 10 of her pieces, and she just happens to be from my state. Her livejournal is nenethomas.
siliconshaman pimps his prints, either in digital format or in hard copy, here. I especially want to direct you to excessive baby dragon cuteness.
The fine jewelry of Amanda Fisher, aka cissa, can be found here, but if custom one-of-a-kind work is out of your price range, there's The Electric Celt. The Electric Celt features beautiful jewelry, tee shirts, greeting cards perfect for holiday sending, and lots of nifty Celtic doodads like Celtic switchplate covers. More jewelry can be found at her Etsy.com store, including lots of seasonal stuff perfect for the holidays. Her work is top notch, reasonably priced, and just generally shiny.
Since you are all dirty, dirty fuckers, I want to plug lady_fox for her handcrafted soap. Want a testimonial? Look at my face. Look at it. Her soap is all that touches my face. It's great stuff - very silky and great-smelling, easy on the pores, and never drying to my skin. Get in touch with her; she makes it by the batch, custom, and her prices are extremely reasonable. Can't sing its praises highly enough.
Dog collars. Because when you need one, you really need one. And they make great gifts. bitis_gabonica makes custom leather harnessing, with a special focus on pit bulls and err . . . people. In the market for some tough, functional BDSM gear? Just ask! (Picture here, more details forthcoming, or available on request.)
And last but not least, gratuitous silly fandom-related parody songs? Check! Get your silly songs here, free downloads. Gratuitous Gollum goofiness provided by speakerwiggin.
I tried not to leave anyone on my f-list off, but if I have, sing out.
And I'll extend the party in the comments: those of you with crafty folks on your friends lists, or who do crafty stuff of your own, comment here with a link to more info so everyone can have a look-see. Maybe I can send some business your way!