XaiJu
Machinery of the Human Heart
Machinery of the Human Heart

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jewelry box tour + lmk your thoughts on future content (read for more info!)

Hi there!! I'm still figuring out what types of content I'll be posting since there is not much I can journal about now that the album has been completed - if you have any ideas feel free to drop them in the comments!! I may pivot back to visual art while giving behind the scenes tours of things I've been planning once those things are announced. Let me know if there's anything in particular you want to see on my Patreon!

Anyway this is a quick tour of my favorite jewelry!! My style is based on shapes, feel, and character and I don't like to wear things that are too refined or expensive. Got to keep the whimsy alive!

This is a necklace I bought at a local craft fair when I was 17. The lady was so kind and her other pieces were beautiful as well. I have since lost her business card and don't remember her name or business name, sadly. The backing is some sort of stone or mineral, and the eyeball is a doll's eye, though she also sold necklaces featuring taxidermy eyes. I have since had to repair it, as the pendant fell off years ago. I reattached it with a small metal jewelry loop and some pliers.

Strawberry necklace I got in the past 2 years from igirl on the Depop app! This is my other absolute favorite besides the eye necklace. I really love the chain, it feels real and heavy, like it was bought from Home Depot and used for jewelry, which I really like. I don't wear this one when it rains because I'm scared of it rusting.

This is a brooch inherited from my grandmother. Sadly no one in my family knows who the woman pictured here is. It's beautiful all the same!! My guess is that it's my grandmother's mother (or grandmother?).

There is a store that sells vintage near the coffee shop I frequent to get work done. I can't always afford the clothing there but the earrings are usually more reasonable. I wore these on Halloween this year! I think the posts are a bit thick and can hurt my ears if I wear them for too long but they're too whimsical and fun to not wear.

The M necklace is a typewriter key that is also a locket!! I got it for $2 at an estate sale. The shape-y necklace was thrifted from a small local store that benefits the local food pantry, mental health services, and other good things. The sphere punk bracelet was bought at a nearby Pride event from a DIY punk and goth store's tent for $5.

This is a bracelet forged by my uncle who is a metalworker! He took a piece of metal stamped by my great-grandfather and turned it into a beautiful cuff bracelet, lined with leather. He's so talented, and I get asked about this bracelet whenever I wear it!

This is a handmade lapel pin/hat pin that I got from an artist on Etsy several years ago! I don't wear the same types of blazers that I used to and I'm not much of a hat person anymore, but I try to wear it for special occasions because I love it so much! Okay, one more!

I have a friend that I met back in preschool! We live in different states but still talk and occasionally visit. This is probably from the first or second year of our friendship - I'm pretty sure the two halves of the heart were free with a shoe purchase from Payless, and I gave the other half to her. I feel lucky and blessed to have known her through so many seasons of her life, and for her to have known me through so many seasons of mine.

I need to go to sleep now - thanks so much for reading! Again, comment and let me know your thoughts on what you'd like to see in new Patreon content! I'll be brainstorming in the next couple weeks.

Comments

As far as inspirations, I'd love to make playlists in the future that contain song influences, or describe how specific songs moved me to make my own music! Though I probably won't post them until the songs are out. As far as song meanings, I have definitely thought about this and have touched on this in past journals but haven't done a full lyrical breakdown! I may do this with one or two songs only, just because I think it's important for there not to be a definitive answer about some things!! Thanks so much for the ideas!

Marvin

If you haven't already and are willing to I think it'd be cool if you did some self-analysis/explanations of some of your songs. Would love to hear the inspirations and meanings behind your art!

Dawsen


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