January 30, 2013

New Dark and Gothic Links for January 30, 2013

DARK ART:

Pauline Darley

I'm pretty sure you've all seen this fashion photographer's stunning "She Has Waited Too Long" series on your Tumblr and Facebook feeds. You might also enjoy "Epine" and "Cigue" though they're not ultra-dark or even remotely goth. Beautiful work here.

http://www.paulinedarley.com/

Pauline Darley on Facebook

LostFish

Gorgeous pop surreal digital paintings and illustrations by Elodie, who lives in France. Check out her "Alice" series, and I imagine you'll also enjoy the fairy tale inspired "Tales" and her collection of paintings about life and death, "Memento." A very talented and imaginative artist, I'm so glad I have gotten to experience this gallery today.

http://lostfish.free.fr/

LostFish on Facebook

LostFish on Twitter

Sebmaestro

A gallery of surreal art by Sebastian Eriksson. My favorite works by him are from his "Revelation" series. Check out his creepy "Bound" piece while you're here.

http://sebmaestro.deviantart.com/

Torvenius

Torvenius creates beautifully dark album covers, sculptures and plays around with concept art. The sculptures are really creepy (shown above is "Stitched Stillborn.") I also like some of his sci-fi digital illustrations, such as the dark China Tower.

http://torvenius.deviantart.com/


DARK COMMUNITIES:

Gothic Addiction, Dark and All

I'm not really sure where to categorize really active, interesting goth/dark Facebook pages like this. Maintained by an admin, and mostly consisting of users liking but not contributing, this doesn't really constitute a community. But these pages are really popular and useful in showing people lovely gothy things. Gothic Addiction, Dark and All specializes gothic, dreary, horror and skull-themed images.

Gothic Addiction, Dark and All on Facebook

Gothic Divas and Heavenly Voices

This Facebook group is for the celebration of female voices in gothic, darkwave, and ethereal music. I really enjoy the Youtube videos that group members post, reminding me of bands I enjoy that happen to have female vocalists. Currently 149 members. I hope the group is moderated carefully - I already see a bit of off-topic self promotion and links going on.

Gothic Divas and Heavenly Voices, on Facebook

Keep it Real, Keep it Goth

This site seems to specialize in event and gig announcements. There's a website with a forum and events calendar, and a busy Facebook page. I'm glad to see a good, useful and well maintained resource like this!

http://keepitrealkeepitgoth.com/

Keep it Real, Keep it Goth on Facebook


DARK SHOPS:

Goth Clothes

This Australian store sells goth, fetish, punk and burlesque clothes and shoes. They also carry high heels for men, which is really cool. They're really active on their Facebook page, too, posting tons of pics of beautiful goth girls.

http://gothclothes.com.au/

Goth Clothes on Facebook

Puimond

Puimond Progressive Corset Design creates fabulous bridal, burlesque, fetish and lingerie corsets. I also see some waist-training corsets here. They do a lot of custom work. The corsets here are incredibly gorgeous. They're based in LA.

I've seen a lot of corsets on webpage shops throughout the years, so when I say these are unusual and distinctive corsets, different from everything else out there, please believe me! I'm not a corset wearer at all, but this is the only place I'd consider investing in one if I were to suddenly get more fashionable and adventurous.

http://puimond.com/

Puimond Corsets on Facebook

Puimond Corsets on Twitter

Sally's Song Dolls

This is yet another creepy doll shop on Etsy. What singles this shop out for me is the incredible amount of work that obviously goes into these dolls. Often people just slap some fake blood on a burned baby doll, throw on a tattered black dress and try to sell it for $60. In this case, you can see the extra attention and handiwork paid to the dolls' hair, face paint, costumes and props.

I'm really intrigued by the Bloodycup doll, which is available as a custom order.

Sally's Song Dolls, on Etsy

Sally's Song Dolls, on Facebook

Skullis

Skullis creates and sells crystal and gemstone skulls for home decor and jewelry. I really like browsing around here - you can get quite distracted for a long time as there are so many items here. Check out the disturbingly huge Titan skulls - weird!

Some of the colors here are a bit too pastely and some of the crystal items are New Agey, so I just pass on by those to see more interesting things, like this raven and skull sculpture.

http://www.skullis.com/

Skullis on eBay

Skullis on Facebook

Three Rexes

Tara Greer designs this beautiful gothic, medieval and Celtic jewelry in California. Styles here include Renaissance, Egyptian, Moorish, Nouveau and more. There are men's rings here, plus women's rings, necklaces, earrings, and crown-shaped rings for weddings. As you might expect, there are more than a few crosses, skulls and octopi featured on jewelry here. I think you'll enjoy looking through the collections!

http://www.threerexes.com/

3 Rexes on Etsy

3 Rexes on Facebook


HORROR GENRE:

The Blood Sprayer

"All the filth that's fit to publish." Here's an extremely useful horror movie news site. There are multiple contributors, so the news is fresh and posted often. I like that this site isn't just a bunch of brief horror film reviews, there's much more to it than that. The Twitter feed has a post every other day or so, too.

http://www.bloodsprayer.com/

BloodSprayer on Twitter

Chilling Scenes of Dreadful Villainy

I've had so much fun browsing the vintage horror and B-movie stills archived here. Someone has worked really hard to find or screencap all of these. Great bait/fodder for Pinterest and Tumblr sites.

http://chillingscenesofdreadfulvillainy.blogspot.com/

A Fascination with Fear

I love that this horror blog creates and sticks to monthly themes. Currently it's "A Frigid Fortnight - Spotlighting Winter Horror." The bloggers (Christine and Marie) are currently indulging in recasting "The Shining", recommending winter horror films, and discussing really bloody winter horror films. I really enjoy the writing and topics here - I haven't been this excited about a horror genre blog in a long time!

Check back on Mondays for Mindless Movie Monday and on Fridays for Friday Flashback. Fun stuff here! Next they'll be working on "Women in Horror Month" posts for February 2013.

http://fascinationwithfear.blogspot.com/

Horror Movie a Day

Exactly that. Every day a different horror or old B-movie is reviewed in depth. While I'd like to see more pics from the movies (posters, or a screencap here or there) perhaps it's ok since the writing is so good here.

http://horror-movie-a-day.blogspot.com/


--Copyright 2013 Carrie Carolin

Dark Side of the Net

January 27, 2013

6 Intriguing Dark and Gothic Etsy Shops

Tom Banwell Designs

Tom Banwell sells steampunk masks and leather masks. There are also some pretty fairy/pagan head wreaths though those likely won't be of interest to my gothiest readers.

The filigree masks here are simply stunning. There's also a clever, thoughtful section here for masks made specifically for eyeglass wearers.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TomBanwell


Batcakes Couture

I'm so enjoying looking at their stunning hats, bridal wear, feather headdresses and fascinators. They also sell veils, feather fans and jewelry. Everything here is gorgeous! The shop is based in Los Angeles.

My favorite item here is this purple peacock fascinator.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Batcakescouture

Batcakes Couture on Facebook


Bloodbath

"Your flesh is dying for these. Bath and body products for the walking dead." This store makes me laugh. I love their sense of humor. Note that I haven't tried any of their products, so I don't know what they smell like. This store sells Coffin Candy, Lip Embalm, body lotions, shower gels, solid perfumes, body butter, mineral eye shadows, face wash, body wash, and lots of other goodies.

Check out their shrunken tiki head soap, which is scented with pomegranate.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Bloodbath

Bloodbath Body Products on Facebook


Cracked Brain Creations

Creepy handmade horror dolls are on offer here, including a steampunk Frankenstein, a doll with bleeding eyes, and a voodoo doll.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/CrackedBrainCreation

Cracked Brain Creation on Facebook


Feral Strumpet

The gothic and Victorian jewelry here is inspired by Hammer horror films, dark fairy tales, pagan rituals and gothic novels. Besides the lovely jewelry, the shop sells bookmarks for grimoires, hair adornments, and witch balls.

You might enjoy the Feral Nuptials wedding/handfasting jewelry section, too.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/feralstrumpet


Ophelia's Shade

"Peculiarities for a more elegant and darker sensibility." This LA-based shop sells hair accessories, some dark chokers, handmade bags, an altered journal or two, and vintage jewelry.

My favorite piece here is this red and black mourning veil.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/OpheliasShade


--Copyright 2013 Carrie Carolin

Dark Side of the Net

January 15, 2013

7 New Links to Goth Blogs

GOTH BLOGS:

Clockwork Mice and Toy Spiders

Lilly Peppermint's blog. Currently she's taking the Goth Challenge; blogging about things she loves; sharing pics of her gorgeous outfit from a recent Victorian gothic picnic; and sharing what it's like to be a goth at a folk festival.

http://clockworkmice.blogspot.com/

Little Black Bloody Hood

Minxie, an English literature major, blogs from the Philippines. She shares her paintings, poetry, and shares a look at her educational experiences. I think you'll like her open honest writing style, her sense of humor, and her enthusiasm.

http://littleblackbloodyhood.blogspot.com/

Darkstalker Girl

Cody is a college student in New York. She blogs about goth and lolita fashion, shares some book and movie reviews, and posts some goth lifestyle and fashion advice at times too.

http://darstalkergirl.blogspot.com/

Deus Ex Machina

Nebel Violet blogs from Haifa, Israel. She is currently attempting to go to fashion school in Germany. She blogs about makeup, goth fashion, takes the goth challenge, and shares a generous amount of pictures of herself. (I'm stingy with mine!) Check out her recent goth photo shoot and her DeviantArt page too.

http://nebelviolet.blogspot.com/

Cadavre Exquis

This girl originally blogged from her home in Belgium, but recently moved to Norway. She's taking the Goth Challenge, sharing photos from her trips, and sharing what it's like to live in her city.

http://misscadavreexquis.blogspot.com/

Veracious and Goth

Gin blogs about her life as a goth in St. Louis. Currently she's wondering if she's a goth stereotype; resolving to not buy anything new this year (using DIY or or buying second hand); and posting about goth fashion and the goth lifestyle.

http://veraciousgoth.blogspot.com/

Goth Cliche

Elektra blogs about goth fashion and beauty. Currently she's posting about henna for hair; a gothy Sangria recipe; graveyards in Costa Rica; and German tales of horror.

http://gothcliche.blogspot.com/


Hope you enjoyed this little goth tour around the world as much as I did! I find it so fascinating to read about the lives of goths in other countries.

--Copyright 2013 Carrie Carolin

Dark Side of the Net goth resources

January 12, 2013

5 Upcoming Dark Films in Early 2013 I Want to See

1. Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters - January 25, 2013

This could be really, terribly cheesy. But I'm intrigued enough by the presence of Jeremy Renner and Famke Janssen, and I do enjoy a good dark fairy tale retelling. I don't feel the need to see it in 3D (arrows seemingly whizzing by my face? No thank you) but probably can't avoid it.

Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (Official)

Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters, on Facebook

Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters on IMDB

Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters Trailer at Apple

2. Warm Bodies - February 1, 2013

This is most likely going to be terrible. I'll want my $10.50 and 2 hours of my time back, I can imagine. I'm not sure why the revered John Malkovich agreed to be in this zombie romance, other than he's a bit quirky. I'm a bit suspicious of how hard the studio is working to promote this, creating multiple social media presences online for it and spending a huge advertising budget on a relatively unknown actor and director. (I mean, really, does this movie need an Instagram AND a Pinterest site? A Tumblr?) Almost seems like this should have been straight-to-Redbox. Still, my curiosity has been piqued. At the very least we'll get another good zombie movie drinking game out of it!

Warm Bodies (Official)

Warm Bodies on Facebook

Warm Bodies on IMDB

Warm Bodies on Pinterest

Warm Bodies on Tumblr

Warm Bodies on Twitter

3. Beautiful Creatures - February 14, 2013

I'm terribly tired of teenager witchy/vampire "literature." But how can I resist Emma Thompson and Jeremy Irons, along with fabulous home decor art direction and costuming?

Here's Emmy Rossum in a gorgeous witchy lace dress.

Beautiful Creatures (Official)

Beautiful Creatures on Facebook

Beautiful Creatures on IMDB

Beautiful Creatures Trailer on Apple

Beautiful Creatures Novels.com

4. Oz the Great and Powerful - March 8, 2013

This Disney movie promises to be a bit dark. It's directed by Sam Raimi so that gives me hope it won't be a dumbed down children's movie. It retells the story of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz through the eyes of a circus magician, Oscar Diggs. I'm already reading a lot of complaints that since the film shares the same art director as Alice in Wonderland, the images of Oz look too much like Wonderland.

Perhaps I'm just intrigued to see Rachel Weisz as a beautifully dressed dark witch. With a $200 million budget, the special effects, cinematography and costuming can't possibly be boring, so I'm willing to spend a couple hours of my life viewing this.

Oz the Great and Powerful (Official)

Oz the Great and Powerful on IMDB

Oz the Great and Powerful on Facebook

Oz the Great and Powerful on Twitter

Oz the Great and Powerful Trailer, at Apple

5. Evil Dead the Remake - April 12, 2013

If you absolutely must remake one of my all time horror films, at least the original writer/director, Sam Raimi is the one doing it. And Bruce Campbell is a producer! This will be a real fun popcorn movie to drag a couple of friends to after a cocktail or two. Or three.

Evil Dead (Official)

Evil Dead 2013 on IMDB

Evil Dead Movie on Facebook

Evil Dead Movie on Twitter

Deadites.Net


--Copyright 2013 Carrie Carolin

www.darklinks.com

Dark Side of the Net on Facebook

Dark Side of the Net on Pinterest

Dark Side of the Net on Twitter

New Dark Links for January 12, 2013

CEMETERIES, FUNERALS AND DEATH

The Order of the Good Death

This order was started by a mortician in Los Angeles. She's been joined by filmmakers, poets, musicians, artists, and writers "exploring ways to prepare a death phobic culture for their inevitable mortality."

"The Order is about making death a part of your life. That means committing to staring down your death fears- whether it be your own death, the death of those you love, the pain of dying, the afterlife (or lack thereof), grief, corpses, bodily decomposition, or all of the above."

The website offers videos, essays, a blog, and info on the members. If you Like the Facebook page, you'll see something interesting that's death related from the Order every couple days.

http://www.orderofthegooddeath.com/

The Order of the Good Death on Facebook


DARK ART:

Liza Corbett

Liza Corbett, an artist in New York, uses ink, acrylic, watercolor and gouache to create her illustrations. They depict cross or sad looking women, often entwined with spiky branches or flowering plants. "Persephone" from 2012 depicts a woman in an elegant crown and headdress holding a forlorn baby with branches growing out of its body. Black butterflies flock to a skull in "The Afterlife." Two women share a heart in "The Heart Show." Which one is your favorite?

http://lizacorbett.com/

Liza Corbett's blog

Liza Corbett on Facebook

Dale Grimshaw

This London surreal artist has already had several solo shows: "Echoes and Exorcisms," "Arcana," "Heart in Darkness," and currently "Moreish." He works in oil, acrylic, and sometimes spray paint. The images are gruesome, full of despair, melting and full of blurred movement. You'll just have to check them out to see what I mean.

http://www.dalegrimshaw.com/

Lakormis

This talented artist is from Istanbul, in Turkey. His paintings and illustrations can be difficult to look at: bruised women, rat necklaces, knives through throats, severed heads. There's an Edwardian feel to the look of his style, and quite a lot here to be unsettled by.

http://lakormis.daportfolio.com/


DARK MUSIC:

The Cog is Dead

A steampunk band from Florida. The band's members portray steampunk time travellers from the year 1893. They plan to release a new album in Spring 2013.

My favorite song by them so far is The Copper War. The vocals in this song remind me of The Nails.

The Cog is Dead (Official)

The Cog is Dead on Facebook

Ending the Vicious Cycle

This band from Texas plays post-punk gothic rock. They're going to release a new album soon, "Big Black Heart."

Ending the Vicious Cycle, on Facebook

The Soft Moon

This neo-post-punk band is from San Francisco. I love their layered sound, and I'm surprised how much I've enjoyed the four or five songs I've listened to by them. They describe their sound as "post-apocalyptic soundtrack" on Facebook.

You can listen to Into the Depths and two tracks on their website to see what they sound like. They seem to play a lot of gigs, so you'd have a good chance to check them out if you're in the US.

http://www.thesoftmoon.com/

The Soft Moon, on Facebook

The Soft Moon, on Twitter

The Soft Moon, on YouTube


DARK SHOPS:

Hell Buddies

Jo Jo Cusack lives in Brighton and creates adorable zombie rag dolls. She also creates creepy crockery, such as this blood cup and saucer.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/HellBuddies

Hell Buddies, on Facebook

Royal Black

This shop, operating in Austria, sells stunning corsets (overbust and underbust), "corset couture" outfits, plus costumes for ladies and for gentlemen. The collections here have fanciful names, such as "Femme Royale," "Glitter, Glam and Glory," and "Enchanted Garden Collection."

They're also available to custom make clothing, but are booked up for wedding dresses for 2013 and busy until June 2013 for other custom orders. Everything here is so gorgeous! I am so incredibly impressed.

My favorite garment here is this Queen of the Night couture outfit.

http://www.royalblack.at/

Royal Black Couture Corsetry on Facebook

Suffragette Street

This New York based jewelry shop sells goth, steampunk, rocker and vintage jewelry. There are a lot of Swarovski crystals here, skulls and crosses, hearts, bats, and spiders. The vintage pieces, many from the 1980s, are quite lovely, but too colorful to go with my personal wardrobe.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/suffragettestreet

Suffragette Street on Facebook


DARK TOYS:

Macabre Darling

Amber customizes Monster High dolls to make them much spookier and cooler. Here's her Deviantart gallery with photos of her ghoulish creations. My favorite is her custom Sophia Day of the Dead doll.

http://macabredarling.deviantart.com/

DARK ZINES:

DarkestGoth Magazine

A goth magazine by DJ Gomez and Gothviking. Interesting articles include The Goth Guide to Self-Defense, Beyond Black, a review of The Dark Meadow game, and an article on Goths and RPGs.

http://www.darkestgoth.com/

DarkestGoth Magazine on Facebook

DarkestGoth Magazine on Twitter


--Copyright 2013 Carrie Carolin

Dark Side of the Net

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