8 Goth DIY Tips

Hey! Today's post is targeted toward goths/alternative types, but these tips may help anyone of any fold. I have made a post or two about this before, this is more of a revisit.

 

To start, these tips are personal to me. They are based on my likes and opinions, only!

 

1. Thrift Shop

 

It is so underrated! Thrifting has been the most fun I have ever had while shopping! If you don't thrift, you should at least try it. Not every thrift shop is for everyone, just like any other store. Find one that works for you, fall in love with it, know their clearance days. For example, here in Tucson, the 3rd Saturday of every month they have a 50% off everything sale!

 

2. Sewing

 

I know sewing is a sensitive subject for some. Let me tell ya, I suck at it and I've been sewing for 6 years. I have even invested in a $200 brother serger! It doesn't really matter how bad I suck at sewing, I like my clothes unique and fucked up anyway. Plus, if you thrift some nice material, you can sew a whole new article of clothing and not feel too bad if you screw it up.

 

3. Print your own t-shirts

 

There are many methods of printing your own design on to clothing. I made video on how to make your own stencil:

 

 

 

As well as making your own stencils, you can make your own silk screen too. I plan on making a video on that as well, very soon. Acrylic paint is cheaper and more effective than fabric paints!

 

4. Clearance

 

I'm sure you are aware of pawing through every clearance rack in sight, and my mention earlier about thrift shops clearance days. What about clearance materials? I know, you may not like sewing, but you may not even have to touch a needle and thread. There are tons of tutorials on "no-sew" goth clothes and diys and such. If you check the Walmart craft section, they usually have "clearance" fabrics. If you buy fabric from Walmart, take it all (if this becomes a usual craft for you) because that specific fabric will never be seen again!

 

5. Studs and Spikes

 

Buying and applying your own studs and spikes can be extremely satisfying! Ebay is a great place for this. If convenience is what you are looking for, Michael's and hobby lobby usually have small bags of studs for a few bucks more.

 

6. Plain Black

 

By combining a few of the previous tips, buying plain black articles is a must! For example, I buy comfy, plain, black flip flops from Walmart. Now I can add anything to them. Studs, spikes, print, the options are endless.

 

7. For the care of your hair

 

Going off the path for a moment. I've had my hair so many different colors, I have officially touched the damn rainbow!

• Red: The hardest color to keep, yet, the hardest to get rid of! Louna (on youtube) has some great tips on how she keeps her hair red. The maintenance was too much for me, and every single time I dyed it red, it was never the same red as before! 
• Purple: The most laid back color of them all. Purple was easy to maintain, took forever to fade. Fades very well!
• Pink: Difficult! Extremely hard to get out of hair, especially splat. It fades to pastel, of course. Always fades unevenly for me.
• Blue: I hated blue on me. It never EVER wanted to leave! The green clung for far too long! If you go blue, avoid the dyes that contain yellow/green, unless that's what you are going for!
• Blonde: Hair death!! For me, it was harder to maintain blonde (My natural color) than black!

To care for your hair, I suggest using a nutrient rich, low chemical shampoo and conditioner. Personally, I use Miracle 7 Keratin (not sponsored) shampoo, conditioner, and deep conditioner from sally's. It has never stripped my color, my hair responds very well to this stuff! If you have natural/ethnic/porous hair, be very careful when bleaching! I'm no cosmetologist, but I am aware of the sensitivity of that hair type. DEEEP CONDITION OFTEN! There are a bunch of diy hair masks on youtube. I've never had much success with making homemade hair care, but I can tell you that Vaseline is NOT a moisturizer! Please don't put that garbage in your hair! Now, for the ultimate secret pertaining to this tip...
I guess we will number this one by itself, because it is one of my two biggest secrets/tips.

8. DIY purple hair dye
Hang in there, I'm almost done! This tip has been quite the life saver for me when I was fun coloring my hair!

Gentian Violet!
Mix just a few drops with conditioner and use as a toner. 6-10 drops as a dye. I've even had it so dark that it looked black for over a week. It fades so nicely, I loved this stuff! Add it to your red to darken the shade. Its an amazing additive, or a dye by itself.
You can find this stuff at Walmart for just a couple of dollars and it LASTS! Look in the first aid aisle, if you don't find it there, it may be hiding in the baby section.

That is all I have for you today. If I think of anymore, I will put it in a post <3

Thank you for reading, I love ya beauties!!!!

 

The Spoils Of Business

Hey you! Firstly, thank you for reading my garb, I know I'm often long winded and whiney. I appreciate your time, I really do!

I will cut to the chase and address the title, the spoils of business, meaning that I am benefitting from investing in my business. My lucky streak has extended and I couldn't be happier! I have purchased a serger, invested in lighting for videos, and now I have a laptop that will serve me greatly in my attempts of educating myself and starting my business. The lucky streak I'm referring to is a bit long winded, but I do find happiness in giving credit where is it due.

1. It all began with tears of sadness. My boyfriend was talking to me about a video game the other day. He said "...and during the renaissance..." when a light bulb suddenly exploded in my brain. The ren fair! Due to our situation, not only are the tickets far out of price range, but the travel was too great as well. Tears welled in my eyes, my chin quivered. I felt like someone crushed my heart, murdered my dreams. Then, my phone rings, its my boss...telling me to put in my vacation hours if I wasn't going to use them! The timing was so impeccable, I couldn't believe it! That Friday, instead of spending a double check on a stressful ren fair trip, I bought a serger instead. Best decision EVER! I was so elated! Its been over 2 years since I used a serger, and almost 2 years since I lost mine in the house fire. YAY!
2. My mood being a 10/10 for jumping right back into using a serger like I had never lost my old one, I had a new set of eyes. I was watching ToxicTears new video about the goth elitists and the bullshit she has been put through for being goth. Of course it struck a cord with me and I decided to make a video, myself. THEN, I decided to continue making videos. I have extremely low confidence, but I will stand up for the things/people I believe in. I've made a few mentions about goth elitism here on my blog, but it has only gotten worse! I feel like, even if only a couple of people watch my video, or read my blog, than I have made enough of an impact to make it worth the stress it puts me through whenever I bare my heart and soul on a video. I will continue to make videos, which brings me to my next point.
3. Dear boyfriend, I'm sorry and I love you. The G-man wanted to go out and purchase a ps3 to play the old mgs games. I support him in the video game playing. We go out and everything keeps shitting on him. He turned in a few ps4 games for cash, got WAY more than he expected, but not quite enough to do what he wanted to do. So, in a desperate attempt, we moseyed our way to our favorite pawn shop. Luckily, this pawn shop had exactly what he was looking for, but his mind changed quickly. He wanted a gun instead. As he gawked over the rifles on clearance, I strolled around the store until I got to the laptops. They never usually have anything good for a decent price when it comes to electronics, but today was my lucky day! There, among the beaten and broken $200+ laptops sat a clean, barely used acer with windows 10...for $155!!! That was unbelievable to my eyes. I heard a voice in my head say "No fucking way, dude!" I squealed as I skipped over to my gawking boyfriend "Babe, don't hate me. Come here!" He was intrigued by my sudden glee. I asked him "Should I do layaway?!" he responded "No, just get it now!" I proceeded to the desk, trying desperately to contain myself. When the lady at the desk came over to the laptop area, I pointed "That one, $155! Is that right?!" She looked very worried, a bit shocked and said "Um, that is a really low price for such a new computer! Let me...I'll be right back." I thought about it only for a moment, as soon as she disappeared to the back, I jetted over to the guy at the desk and said "I'm buying THAT laptop...right now!" What a charming salesman, by the way! He giggled and gave me shit about how he was gonna buy it, blah blah blah. While he was checking us out, the lady came back with this destroyed look on her face, "You decided to just buy it, huh?" I smiled ear to ear and nodded. Her eyes dropped to the floor and she slunked  away. I thanked my boyfriend, apologized because we came there for him, but his support was too strong.

Here I sit, OUTSIDE, on my new touchscreen acer laptop! yay!
Now I can live chat and video edit, and blog. My world is so happy right now! I'm so happy!

Thank you so much for reading this long ass post. I love ya!

Amino Goth

Wow, ok. If you thought this was a paid review, you are greatly mistaken.

I have heard very few things about the amino app, specifically the gothic forum, so in my mind I thought it would be this cool little nook with a bunch of like-minded goths. I was also greatly mistaken. Very few people post on there, I don't know if that is usual or not. But, among those few people, I found a small pocket of goth elitism. I'm positive that young/immature people "run" the forum, but so far it has been a nightmare and I've only spend 20 minutes there! I've put myself on there as I am, the pathetic, anti-social loner with no life. So far, a 40-ish year old man has tried to privately contact me. Off to a shit start already. I may be posting this to those very people, I don't care. This is my public blog and the only place I truly feel comfortable expressing myself. On that note, any place on the Internet labeled "goth" should be a comfortable place for anyone and everyone to express themselves. Unfortunately, that is not the case, currently.

This really sucks, I just need some like-minded people, aka open minded people. Is abstract thinking illegal now? If so, I haven't gotten the memo. Everyone has been so focused on how they look, caring soooo much about what other people think of them, which is not what goth is about. I get it, really, I'm extremely self-conscious! But, when a teenage girl is asking goths why they hate her/pastel goths and why goths don't accept pastel goth as goth....head spinning, I know. My whole life as a goth, it has been such a huge thing that, as a goth, you don't care what other people think and you don't judge other people negatively. What the fuck happened?! Where have my people gone?!

Now, I'm limited to watching these beautiful gothic women sell themselves on YouTube just to make enough money to keep making videos for YouTube. It's crazy to me! Don't get me wrong, I understand, it's just heartbreaking how much we are all distancing ourselves from each other. I think I've said this before, but if this is how goth is, I don't want to be goth anymore.

Now, you know I'm going to continue to fit the part, but you know what I'm saying. I will soon be an elder goth, someone the youngens look up to. I solemnly swear that I will protect the ways I have been taught and I will keep the ways alive as I teach them to my students.

Rant over. 

If you still read my crap, I love you and I wish we could hang out.

<3 zaney

Boop

Since my last post, which was over a month ago now, very few things have happened that I'm willing to talk about right now. I was sick for Halloween, instead of winter we get fall here (roller coaster weather), I've rearranged my house, Christmas is this weekend and I'm extremely happy!

I think I'm finally getting to a point in my life where other peoples shit no longer concerns me. I feel aware, alive, and awake. There is a vast difference between me now and me a year ago. The me a year ago wanted to be the me NOW. I've accomplished that goal of finding my own peace and drive. It feels good

Anyways. I'm still working on myself, I'm still searching for the courage to pursue my dreams. It's right there, I just have to reach out...

Coffee Talk

Good morning, afternoon, or evening. A discussion that requires copious amounts of a delicious beverage, my poison is coffee, of course.
Firstly! My feelings on the presidential election. I should've been working on my Canadian citizenship over the past year. NEXT!
The popular topic among the gothic subculture, elitism. The "I'm goth-er than thou" attitude. Holy hell, this gives me the giggles! The loveliness within the gothic subculture is the fact that there is beauty found in everything, even death! There is beauty to be found in the chubby goth girl living in a trailer park with her alcoholic mother and the constant cycling of boyfriends her mom brings home every month that passes. A girl so miserable, yet so talented, exists beautifully in her torment.
Goth elitism happens when someone is rejected by most other groups due to their pompous demeanor, holier than thou "morale", and lack of life experience. So, they turn to the gothic culture, because no one ever gets rejected there, and starts tearing shit up. Buys the most expensive "goth" clothing, because mommy and daddy buy their love from their neglected, privileged child. Then, while they are bored, lonely, or sad, they go and attack the badass goths who make everything they wear, attack the baby bats because they are unsure of themselves. Pretty much attacking anything without a price tag. Thats my opinion on goth elitism, it is stupid but easily ignored.
Moving on, the American culture.
The social media that spews bullshit, spreads lies and hate, dividing this country and her people. Good job ass wipes, we are currently divided and slumped over with our heads down. The Kardashians are still gross, in my opinion. I hate those nasty bitches, mainly because of  the negative effect they are having on our young generation. Our thing now is fighting for our basic rights as human beings. Education is scarce and dwindling, debt is piling high, we are running in mud and no one is going to do anything about it. Little ol' me is just gonna sit here behind the black mirror while I pay for things I haven't done for the rest of my life. I didn't think commas were necessary in that last sentence, just to get the point across. 
Personal life and shit.
I'm still in that boat. That forever sinking, but never sunk, ship. My grandmother has maintained this stage of her illness, not getting better, not getting worse. My boyfriend and I, we just celebrated our 3 year anniversary, hard to believe its already been three years. We often talk about how awesome it is that our relationship survived a massive house fire, LOL. We currently live in a mother-in-law quarters, itty bitty house that we had to update a tiny bit, still in the process of that.
I've been having this awful homesick feeling, I need to visit my girls back home. I feel like a whole half of my heart is missing, its bringing me down, you guys. It hurts just thinking about it, so I'll think of something else for a while. HALLOWEEN is coming, witches!!! Hell yeah! We are doing a truck-or-treat because of the tiny area we live in, the kids can't get much if they try to go door to door, so we are gonna get the community together and make the best of it. I'm over thinking my costume, of course, I can't help myself. PS, I still have zero friends out here. I fancy a chick that works up at the corner store, she is just as weird as I am, and much more hyper, I need that kind of person in my life right now. I just don't know how to break that barrier between acquaintance and besties, ya know? Any who, that's life.
I wanna know how everyone else is doing! How have you been?

My Thoughts On Cultural blah blah blah

I swore to myself that I would not give in to this little mound of bullshit labelled "Cultural Appropriation". I may break the corner off of that oath in this post. Some fact and some opinion will be driving this crazy train that's about go down, you have been warned.

Cultural Appropriation v.s. Cultural Appreciation

According to wikipedia:

Cultural appropriation is the adoption or use of elements of one culture by members of another culture.

But, there is no 'popular' definition of "Cultural Appreciation". Hmm, why is that? Well, we can all refer to what we have been told recently and understand that Cultural Appreciation is appreciating another culture by, pretty much, admiring it from a far but saying/doing absolutely nothing resembling their practices because white people are racist by default. *rolls eyes*

Why is Cultural Appropriation a current hot topic?

Well, I'm glad you asked! See, I have noticed the tiny march of tumblr warrior feet, pitter patter across social media as of late. Here are just a few examples.

Of course you do not have to watch the entire video, but I do have a long comment on it, pertaining to it. Let's get one thing straight, I LOVE this woman, there is no negativity going toward her in ANY WAY! My comment begins here: Pink, babe...I understand that this is a new term, and you are sweeter than candy, you have no idea the bullshit your "friend" fed you via twitter. Cultural Appropriation begins IF and when someone, i'll give a false example here, wears a Native American (warrior) headdress, made of eagle feathers and wolf skin, and ran around insisting they are a warrior of such and such tribe, though they are not of any tribe, nor are they Native American. THAT is cultural appropriation!! Pink, you did not practice this. You did not run around in box braids and practice black culture! YA DIDN'T! You tumblr warriors know better, too! This woman is absolutely excluded from the target zone. I get what these warriors are trying to say, but just like always, they take it too far and no one will EVER take them seriously! 

Next example:

She wants to cut his dreads off, PHYSICALLY ASSAULT ANOTHER HUMAN BEING, because he is a white male with dreads. Please, tell us how successful you have been with getting your voice heard and taken seriously when speaking passionately about your "culture".

MOVING ON! 

I worked at Wal-mart a few years back, the store manager was a beautiful black man with gorgeous, natural dreads. He was kind of a douche nozzle, the point is, he is a successful man with dreads. While I was working there, I wore a few dreads in my hair, no one ever said a damn thing about it. I was just a stocker.

Goths getting shat on for wearing synthetic dreads. This is total asinine, let me explain one very important point.

I did not wear these

because of any culture other than the gothic subculture. I was not standing in a field with the dreads that I made, thinking "I am a black woman, oppressed in America in the 1940's!" 

Actually, this...

...is why I started making and wearing dreads! This is the most inspiring woman on the damn internet, if you ask me. 

This is also why I had such an interest in dreads...

lol, I was a 90's kid.

I can confidently say that I have never mocked or assumed a  position of any person in any culture outside of American culture, that goes for all of the innocent people being attacked for wearing or using dreads, braids, cornrows, weave, wigs, falls, hair dye, bleach, shampoo, conditioner, relaxer, etc.

Instead of attacking people and shoving your absurdity down their throats over HAIR!!!!! Try complimenting them, ask questions, communicate. Stop the divide. We are all in this together. No one will ever forget the history of how we ALL got where we are today. 

The great thing about being American is the "I Can". I can wear dreads, you can wear dreads, she can cornrow her hair, he can go all natural, no matter your skin color. I can, and so can you. And, HEY! If you don't like it, gtfo!

I will continue to make and wear synthetic dreads. When I explain that a set of dreads I made were inspired by the vikings and nature, that is it, period, that was the inspiration. Because, my dreads have nothing to do with the African culture, the black culture, the Native American culture. Nope, just nature and vikings, sorry not sorry.

If a woman wants to wear cornrows, why shame her? Why now, in this era of freedom?! All women are beautiful. All hair is beautiful. All skin is beautiful. Join the fucking club of love and acceptance, stop alienating yourselves from everyone else.

To the Tumblr warriors, get real or continue making a mockery of yourselves. If you want to be taken seriously, start acting like it! Incorporate intelligence into your 8 paragraph tumblr comment! If you want to fade into the laughter, go ahead. 

As per usual, I love ya and thank you for reading!

It Has Been Too Long

I've been gone from here for almost a year. I have lived without internet for months, I moved back to bfe Arizona back in February where the internet is limited to 2 satellite companies. Being away for a long time, a shit load of things have gone down. Youtube is yanking pussy hairs, no more cursing for example, they are talking about taking away the monetization option. That really shits on people that really wanted to build a small community. Hell, that is probably their point, they only really make the big bucks off of the stars. 

ANYWAYS! I just wanted to touch penises with everyone and see how many of you are still reading my text vomit.

All these whiny bastards getting offended by everything all need to fall into the deepest hole on earth, can I get an AMEN?!