Poets Are Not Useful

New Sun Catchers in the shop! They are even more sparkly in person...pictures can't do them justice! https://mardigoth.etsy.com

Rent is overdue again, and more bills are looming, so now is a great time to adopt a Buddy or celebrate Pride with some sparkle and whimsy! I'll have some more suncatchers listed tomorrow, and I have some cool ideas percolating, so stay tuned!

https://mardigoth.etsy.com

fforsythiaaa

Once when I was in undergrad, someone described something as “problematic” in class and our professor was like, “That’s cool, but ‘problematic’ doesn’t really mean anything. It means that the thing you’re describing has a problem, and in and of itself that’s not bad. Art, especially, should always have problems, or else it’s not interesting and not art, either. It sounds like you’re trying to say that this is bad, but you don’t want to say ‘bad.’ Is that right?”

So from then on whenever one of us called something problematic, he would make us talk it out until we could name the “bad” thing we were hinting at. In this particular class, 7/10 it was some type of oppression, and the remainder was like, “I’m uncomfortable because this is very new/confusing/pushing boundaries that made me feel safe.”

Once we stopped calling things “problematic” and stopping at that, class got way more interesting and... we all had to say, like, “that’s racist” or “that’s misogynistic” or “ew capitalism gross” out loud, which a lot of us had never done in a classroom before. Or we had to be like, “Uhhh... I’m not sure what’s so bad?” and confront our own beliefs and that was maybe even more useful.

Anyway. Whenever I see the word problematic, I can’t help but think of this professor being like, “Good starting point, now let’s get specific.” I think when we have to commit to saying “that’s ___” it requires a lot more careful thought about the truth and impact and complexities of whatever we’re claiming. Sometimes there really is some bullshit afoot, and also sometimes it’s art, and it should be full of problems, because that’s what art is.

hypokeimena

#'this is present in the text' is often a good first step #but those second and third ones (naming it; describing its function) are vital (via @elucubrare)

The most important next step, I think, is 'why is this there?'. What is the author trying to convey? Is it the character that is racist/misogynistic/etc. or the author? If the 'problematic' part is the character's viewpoint, what is the author trying to convey about that character? If it's a pervasive theme, how is the author treating it? What is the work as a whole saying about the 'problematic' topic?

Just wanted to give you all a look at my work bench, and a sneak peek at some of the cool things that are coming soon :)

I admire how relatively tidy your work bench is. I am forever trying to unearth the surface of my desk and then burying it anew under yet more stuff!

Ooooh! So many fabulous bones! What do you do with them? I bet they'd look amazing covered in rhinestones lol

Hey, if you can pay shipping I've got some skulls that could do with your magic. In exchange for singing my praises to all and sundry, of course! This sheep would love you, for example.

And mostly I make jewelry and mandalas. I'm always processing more bones so I always have more bones about! Some do end up with shiny bits but rhinestones have never called to me as they do you!

Ooh, your work is stunning! The sheep skull is a little intimidating, size wise. If you ever have anything of a smaller scale, I would totes love to experiment! A decade or so ago, when we lived in New Orleans, I blinged out a deer femur (I think that's what it was?) in an ocean theme as a gift for Anne Rice at her Vampire Ball. I'll have to see if I can dig out a picture...

To be fair I have skulls ranging from rats to goats to boars. Rabbit skulls might be the sweet spot for you, though I'd be interested to see what you could do with a nice rat skull or two.

They both sound delightful! Next time I get a sale or two in the store, I'll message you and send you some$ for shipping :)

cipheramnesia

How about we just have like... hey trans people, post your pay links or wishlist or whatever you got. No limits, no trans excluded, intersex welcome, any and all genders off the social conventions included. Promote other people's stuff too if it will help. I'll just reblog em a bunch. This is for everyone, anyone, and it should go without saying not to use it to police who is in our community. We are better than that.

I need a reblog to share your info, please use those, not comments or tags. I try to reblog immediately every instance I see between 10am and 10pm, everything else goes into the queue.

Additionally, Reddit has some donation resources, which are outlined and linked in this post. However, there are potential difficulties associated with these resources, with more details in this post.

Potentially useful links as I find them: Guide to Fundraising.

cipheramnesia

Anyway it's pride so

getinthehandbasket

I'm nonbinary and my partner is trans (in a much more visible way than I am). I just got laid off, and unemployment is a fucking joke. I'm trying to get certifications to prove I can do what I've been doing for the last 10 years, but they all cost money, and we live in the most expensive place in the US and don't have a good way to get out (also leaving would almost certainly mean going to a place far less safe for us).

If you wanna throw a dollar or so my direction, I would be very grateful

https://paypal.me/clovershandbasket

hellpupp

paypal.me/hellpup

my last paycheck was slightly over $400, and i desperately need to get my windshield replaced before it shatters, & my brakes need fixing soon, soooo.... tbh now would be an awesome time for a random act of kindness. 😮‍💨💜

my partner @pyrussprite / @breadball is also an amazing digital artist & takes commissions!

transgendz

My partner and I are both getting several surgeries soon, which will be both gender affirming and medically life-changing in nature. Hospitals cant feed us because we have some extremely high maintenance allergies, so on top of normal recovery cost, we need to get enough microwavable/pre-packaged food to last several weeks of hospital stays.

PP--gfm

sublimehoneybear

I've been in a rough spot for several months after my old boss sold his business, being an out trans woman in the current climate toward us has made finding someone who will hire me in the conservative (US) south extremely difficult. My savings are totally drained, and I am at a very real risk of homelessness.

K*-F1

V*nm0

C*sh4pp

#mutual aid #signal boost #emergency vet bills #pride #be the parade you want to see in the world

I'm a disabled, nonbinary, ace artist. I'm drowing in debt from vet bills and my (nonbinary ace) husband losing his job. I'm not asking for donations. The thing that would help me most is for you to take a look at and share my Etsy shop. I have zero budget for marketing, and I just need people to know my stuff exists. Everything I make is handmade...sparkly key chains, bookmarks, Pride merch, and funny little friends I call Desk Buddies. I'm trying to bring whimsy and joy back into the world, and hoping my creations can help keep the lights on and food on the table. Please take a look, maybe adopt a Buddy, and share if you're so inclined. It would help me enormously! https://mardigoth.etsy.com

Remembering my SpyBoy this Pride. It's been eight months since I lost him, and there's still a gaping wound where he should be. I love him and miss him with every breath.

#commodore spyboy captain of the ss tinyman #cats

Just wanted to give you all a look at my work bench, and a sneak peek at some of the cool things that are coming soon :)

I admire how relatively tidy your work bench is. I am forever trying to unearth the surface of my desk and then burying it anew under yet more stuff!

Ooooh! So many fabulous bones! What do you do with them? I bet they'd look amazing covered in rhinestones lol

Hey, if you can pay shipping I've got some skulls that could do with your magic. In exchange for singing my praises to all and sundry, of course! This sheep would love you, for example.

And mostly I make jewelry and mandalas. I'm always processing more bones so I always have more bones about! Some do end up with shiny bits but rhinestones have never called to me as they do you!

Ooh, your work is stunning! The sheep skull is a little intimidating, size wise. If you ever have anything of a smaller scale, I would totes love to experiment! A decade or so ago, when we lived in New Orleans, I blinged out a deer femur (I think that's what it was?) in an ocean theme as a gift for Anne Rice at her Vampire Ball. I'll have to see if I can dig out a picture...

Found 'em! I've gotten way more elaborate over the years...this one was kind of a prototype.

#bones #art #anne rice

Just wanted to give you all a look at my work bench, and a sneak peek at some of the cool things that are coming soon :)

I admire how relatively tidy your work bench is. I am forever trying to unearth the surface of my desk and then burying it anew under yet more stuff!

Ooooh! So many fabulous bones! What do you do with them? I bet they'd look amazing covered in rhinestones lol

Hey, if you can pay shipping I've got some skulls that could do with your magic. In exchange for singing my praises to all and sundry, of course! This sheep would love you, for example.

And mostly I make jewelry and mandalas. I'm always processing more bones so I always have more bones about! Some do end up with shiny bits but rhinestones have never called to me as they do you!

Ooh, your work is stunning! The sheep skull is a little intimidating, size wise. If you ever have anything of a smaller scale, I would totes love to experiment! A decade or so ago, when we lived in New Orleans, I blinged out a deer femur (I think that's what it was?) in an ocean theme as a gift for Anne Rice at her Vampire Ball. I'll have to see if I can dig out a picture...

Just wanted to give you all a look at my work bench, and a sneak peek at some of the cool things that are coming soon :)

I admire how relatively tidy your work bench is. I am forever trying to unearth the surface of my desk and then burying it anew under yet more stuff!

Ooooh! So many fabulous bones! What do you do with them? I bet they'd look amazing covered in rhinestones lol

Happy Pride Month Everyone!

We're here, we're queer, and we're bringing the whimsy! I'm Gwyn, a disable nonbinary ace artist. My mission is to bring whimsy, sparkle, and joy into the world. I make everything in my store by hand...bookmarks, keychains, jewelry, sparkly little friends, fairy houses, and more! This Pride month, please support independent queer artists instead of corporations. I'm the smallest of small businesses...just me and my cat Scout. Every purchase goes to keep the lights on, pay off my enormous vet bills, and keep Scout in her super expensive prescription kibble. If you need more joy, whimsy, and weirdness in your life, I've got you covered! https://mardigoth.etsy.com

https://mardigoth.etsy.com

Happy Pride Month Everyone!

We're here, we're queer, and we're bringing the whimsy! I'm Gwyn, a disable nonbinary ace artist. My mission is to bring whimsy, sparkle, and joy into the world. I make everything in my store by hand...bookmarks, keychains, jewelry, sparkly little friends, fairy houses, and more! This Pride month, please support independent queer artists instead of corporations. I'm the smallest of small businesses...just me and my cat Scout. Every purchase goes to keep the lights on, pay off my enormous vet bills, and keep Scout in her super expensive prescription kibble. If you need more joy, whimsy, and weirdness in your life, I've got you covered! https://mardigoth.etsy.com

https://mardigoth.etsy.com

New Buddies in the shop! Butterfly plague doctor! Super cute yeti! and more! https://mardigoth.etsy.com

auburnlaughter

Temporary shelf of sparkly friends from @mardigoth.Don't mind the clamp, we're still securing shelving units and things for the new window nook. Sparkly friends will eventually be moving to different shelves, but for now it's nice to have most of them in one place (a few are still chilling on other shelves).

OH WOW! So much sparkle! Such a nifty little village! Thank you thank you thank you for sharing! <3

gracewight

FASHON SHOW! FASHION SHOW!! FASHION SHOW PART ONE!!!!

@idiomagic @mardigoth

gracewight

GROUP PHOTO!!! WHIMSY CORNER!!!!!

Sparklepants and Señor Tribble had great many long and difficult to pronounce words over both the cowboy hat and the fez but the bottom line is the cowboy hat doesn’t FIT Sparklepants so~

(The glasses are being shared much more amicably by Starchild and Snifty who are much more well-mannered.)

(Lovester, Crabbie, Shiney-Sandshrew and Octopretty are happy as they are.)

@idiomagic @mardigoth

#desk buddies #joy and whimsy #mardi goth #be the parade you want to see in the world

There is nothing in the world that gives me as much joy as seeing my sparkly little dudes in their forever homes! Thank you so, so much for supporting my art and for adopting the little guys! And, most especially, thank you for sharing your joy with me <3 Such happy little Buddies, in such a marvelous home!

radiant-quill-paradigm

Create and share 80s-style digital mixtapes with YouTube and Spotify links

@idiomagic look auntie - you can make mixtapes with tracks from several sources, including your own files or youtube links.