ashenalchemy

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Since I’ve just shared my latest collaboration with @erinmorgenstern (a tea companion to The Starless Sea), I wanted to revisit this work I created for the @nbssboston exhibit last spring. I wanted to create an enclosure for The Night Circus and it’s companion tea I created. The enclosure was meant to evoke the feel and highlight the thematic colors of red, black & white (including the papers I marbled), and subtle stars and clock motifs. I wanted this to act as an offering for someone to invite them to step into an immersive world of the story with its companion tea.

I have learned so much since making this, and so much would be done differently if I made this today. But I do love this as a capsule moment of where I was at at the time in my bookbinding journey. And it delights me greatly to know this is now with Erin.

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🐝the Kitchen would like to make you a cup of tea🐝

Oh dear tea lovers, once again I am positively *delighted* to share this collaboration. As you know, a while back I had the privilege of working with @erinmorgenstern to create a companion blend based on her book The Night Circus. Well, as my luck would have it when I once more reached out to create a companion to The Starless Sea, Erin once again graciously agreed! I am so pleased to share this latest collaboration tea blend, pulling notes from Erin’s book to offer you a fully immersive reading and sipping experinece!

Without further ado: The Starless Sea tea

The Starless Sea tea has a sweet and smooth black tea base that is delicately spiced and floral, brewing up light enough to enjoy alone but best when mixed with a heavy spoonful of sweet golden honey. Lemon and orange dance together in a play of citrus reminiscent of the scent of a certain man now called Dorian and when mixed with vanilla, hint at the orange blossoms of Zachary Ezra Rawlin’s drink to enter the Harbor and his favorite mixed cocktail, the Sidecar. Lapsang souchong curls around the back of the brew, reminiscent of the smoke of long distant fires which is smoothed and sweetened with the rich amber notes from honeybush. And while the brew swirls in your cup when caught in the light, enjoy the mesmerizing effect of shimmering glittery gold.

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Lestat in PRINCE LESTAT AND THE REALMS OF ATLANTIS

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Some miscellaneous marbled papers made earlier this week

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🐝🗝️🗡️

2.24.25

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The Lovers, from the Blood Moon Tarot

I don't remember what year this was.... 2015? 2016? I'm hoping I'll have some news soon about the second edition of the Blood Moon Tarot. A reminder to join my newsletter, since that's the most reliable way to get updates from me.

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It is that simple.

Gothic uncial calligraphy in ink and blood.

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[DO NOT REPOST]

Your local LGBTQ+ historian here with a TIMELY FACT: In May of 1933, the first books burned by the N@z! Party were looted from the library of The Institute for Sexual Science (ISS) in Berlin. This research facility was the world’s first sexology clinic. Founded by Magnus Hirschfeld, it promoted sex education, offered STI treatment, chronicled queer history and provided early forms of gender affirming medical care. The queer and trans community was among the first scapegoats of Germany’s fac!st regime.

History does, indeed, repeat itself.

Therein lies horror. And therein lies hope.

Because time and time again, the same old forces have tried to erase us and they always fail. Time and time again, their acts of hate inspire our acts of rebellion that push progress forward in response to their one, brutal step back. It shouldn’t have to be this way. But with every turn of the wheel, we thrive. If the study of history has taught me anything, it is that queer joy is as inevitable as spring.

FIGHT FOR US.

The 19th century painting featured is “Joan of Arc” by John Gilbert

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The brave little archer, out to protect the people.

From my sketchbook /yesterday.

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Some reference photos I took for myself a few months back — use them for your own art if you wish!

Feel free to use them as drawing reference for whatever you want. If you want to show me, I’d love that, but you don’t have to.

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“Right now the thorns of negativity are making their last desperate stand. But soon they’re going to wither and fall away. They’re going to rot and disappear.”

- David Lynch

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The Culling (2018?)

I miss this painting sometimes. I made it for a show where all the artists made a piece based on a piece of music. My choice was The Culling by Chelsea Wolfe.

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Commission and collaboration from December with Pergamena Leather. Dice boxes crafted for a long standing Dungeons and Dragons campaign, styled after books!

Made with a gorgeous chocolate brown calfskin, lined with mossy green cow hide, and sided up with this beautiful Petrichor @cavepaper, the boxes made for the campaign party included gold foil hot stamping on the spine and a map of their campaign on the inner cover. A sixth was made plain but using some lovely natural flax Cave Paper and kept in a similar style. All have a ribbon closure to ensure the dice are nestled safe and sound in their homes. I’m the background of this photograph is another Pergamena wild hide…more on that soon!

This was such a rewarding project to work on, and an absolute treasure to know these dice boxes are in good company.

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Janet Fitch, from her novel titled "White Oleander," originally published in 1999

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Swooning over this Sangorski and Sutcliffe binding http://paperdragonbooks.blogspot.com/2010/08/s-and-s-treaures.html

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Beneath her is a towering stack of champagne coupes