tiaragoth

IMPORTANT...PLEASE MAKE SURE WHATEVER YOU SEND ME IS WELL WRAPPED AND SEALED SECURELY IN BUBBLE WRAP OR PLASTIC BAGS BEFORE IT GOES IN THE OUTER PACKET. I LIVE IN A BASEMENT FLAT AND THE OUTER LOBBY WHERE POST IS LEFT GETS VERY WET WHEN IT RAINS.

I'm a goth who walks on the dark side wearing BIG boots. I love the rain, thunderstorms, Halloween, cats, bats, horse-riding, going to the ballet, autumn, and the stars in the night sky. My favourite colours are black, purple and VERY deep red. I adore Victorian gothic. Corsets rule! My must-have accessories are hats, tiaras, veils, masks, gloves, brooches, black fans, lace parasols and black roses. I'm addicted to sparkly things, such as tiaras, glitter and unusual snow globes. For some reason they just make me smile. I collect Neil Gaiman's ''Sandman'' comics and related memorabilia... yes, my favourite character is ''Death''. She's a cool goth girl. Need I say more? Other collections include Victoriana, especially silver jewellery, charms and photos of ladies wearing hats, bustles or corsets. I also have a thing for Marilyn Monroe, Bettie Page and 20's silent movie icons such as Louise Brooks. I have been a bookworm since childhood. If I mysteriously disappeared for a few hours I was more than likely at the local library. I enjoy reading dark and sinister tales. My favourite authors are Angela Carter and Neil Gaiman, along with the poetry of W.B. Yeats. I like comics that make you think. For example, ''The Invisibles'', ''From Hell'', and Gaiman's ''Sandman''. Most of my non-fiction books are about mythology, folklore and art history. The Pre-Raphaelites are my all time favourite art movement. I am also inspired by Joel-Peter Witkin's photographs and Dave McKean's artwork. Last, but definitely not least, I am a vegetarian and I cannot abide cruelty to animals in any form.

FAVOURITE crafting items include black lace, unusual ribbon, charms and sparkly stuff.

I LOVE HANDCRAFTED ITEMS that have a bit of sparkle and are gothic, macabre or based on dark fairy tales; especially altered art shrines, dolls, and jar or button fairies. I adore things that are inspired by my screen name ''tiaragoth'', such as a gothic bride in a big black veil and tiara. Other favourite themes include Gaiman's ''Sandman'', Halloween, Dia de los Muertos, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, gothic lolita, Frida Kahlo, old horror movie imagery (especially vampires and Bride of Frankenstein), vintage erotica, B&D and S&M (think Skin Two, pvc and rubber). I also love quirky handmade ''softies'' and amigurumi of cool goth girls, black bats and cats. Yeah, it's definitely goth, goth and more goth : )

I DO NOT LIKE teddy bears, clowns, bright or pastel colours, gold jewellery, funeral homes, mortuaries, pumpkins, or anything with pictures of cute kids.

My ratings are based purely on the inspiring art I receive. There is no need to send any ''extras'' as part of a swap with me, just enjoy the creative process. It's the thought and effort that goes into your work that makes it special.

PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANY TOILETRIES, COSMETICS, CANDLES, FOOD, CANDY, CHOCOLATE, BEVERAGE OR USED ITEMS. THANKS.

I am passionate about music; listening to it on vinyl or cd, seeing bands live and dancing to it at home or in clubs. I LOVE goth and some industrial and alternative but DO NOT LIKE any kind of metal or rock. My favourite bands are Sisters of Mercy, Fields of the Nephilim, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Bauhaus, Nick Cave, New Model Army, NIN, Cure, The Cramps, Christian Death and PJ Harvey. There are quite a few more as I've been into goth for 20 years. I also enjoy some classical and opera, such as Stravinsky, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, Mozart, Puccini, and Verdi.

Most of the John Hughes teen movies from the 80s such as ''Pretty in Pink'' because I grew up with them. The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Hunger, Blade Runner, Dangerous Liasons, Amadeus, Manhunter, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, Lost Highway, Niagara, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Labyrinth, Beetlejuice, Batman Returns, Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride, Fight Club.

CSI, CSI: Miami and CSI: NY, NCIS, House, Supernatural, Dr Who, Torchwood, Twin Peaks, X Files, Buffy/Angel, Heroes, Red Dwarf, The Riches and Dexter.

My passion is B/W film photography as I love spending time experimenting in my darkroom. However, I am slowly getting into digital photography. I recently bought a digital slr which I am sure will fuel my enthusiasm, and I have to admit I do enjoy using photoshop. Other crafts include mail art, zines, collage, sculpture, mixed media, altered art, some textiles, especially dolls and stuffies.