Sock Horror

New Stockist – The Peter Scott Gallery / Nuffield Theatre at Lancaster Uni

2010-02-03T17:17:00.002Z

Well, actually it’s not new new as you would have found Sock Horror there in December last year, but they are new in that it’s a new year, a new term, and a new series of creatures.

The Great Hall complex at Lancaster Uni is a focal point for arts, housing both the Peter Scott Art Gallery and the Nuffield Theatre and a great little coffee bar in the middle.

The Nuffield Theatre stages a multitude of productions and concerts ranging from small shows to full scale orchestral performances and the Peter Scott Gallery houses an international art collection which includes Japanese and Chinese art and a selection of works by 20th century British and European artists.

And it is here that you will now find Sock Horror!

Does that sound like a harmonious assembly of work? I’m not sure, and to be honest neither are the curators, but I do know that someone up there loves them as their numbers keep dwindling.

So what does this mean? Well, it means that if you are in the Lancaster area and want to find out about Sock Horror (or need a caffeine boost), you’re going to have to get your arse over to the Peter Scott Gallery… and soon… so that you’re not disappointed when there’s none left… again!

Hello New Year and Welcome to Tattoo Freeze

2010-01-19T18:03:00.000Z

You lot ran me ragged in November and December, so much so that I developed perpetual pins and needles in my index finger from repetitive and prolonged use of the tools of the Sock Horror trade.

The repercussions of this have been extreme and much needed… a total standstill. You may have thought that Sock Horror had fallen off the face of the Earth, and as far as my activities online were concerned that was right. I was busy rejoiced in the quietude of the holiday season.

With that little episode out of the way I have cast aside the slippers and cocoa and have returned to my natural state; a fanatical hyperactive dervish of a hunter.

We started 2010 with a bang by attending Tattoo Freeze… and what an event!

We were a little bit worried that the elements would work against us and force you all to stay wrapped up warm indoors but an astonishing 6000 of you made it!

We were busy; busy answering your questions of what happens to odd socks; busy training you to defend your family from socks theft; busy discussing the intricacies of various traps and hunting grounds.

We were too busy to take time to check out the amazing tattooists; the closest we got was gazing at the fresh ink encapsulated in cling film as it stopped at our stall. Too busy to cheer on the roller derby tournaments, settling ourselves instead with watching the girls glide by between games en route to somewhere else. Too busy to walk round and take in the graffiti, art exhibitions, other stalls and custom car and bike show... you just have to look at our shop to see how empty we are!

We did manage to be impressed by the skate boarders and BMX riders though, as our stall was right next to the half pipe! All I can say is that next time we’re going to bring helpers… there’ll be more of us to help you, and more of the creatures to capture your imagination. That way we’ll have a fighting chance to get a drink when we need one and take a breath to enjoy the convention.

So, with Tattoo Freeze over and unbelievably empty shelves I'd better get back to the grind stone and work on regaining those pins and needles!

Open For Commissions

2009-11-13T16:34:00.002Z

We have learnt from last year that this is the time we spread ourselves too thin. During November and December in 2008 we were definitely over enthusiastic in what we could achieve; signing up for numerous craft and Christmas fairs and accepting commissions and wholesale orders left right and centre. We were so busy last year that we were still sending out people’s Christmas presents after Christmas day… and we don’t plan to do that again.

We have decided not to participate in shows and events this holiday season and to concentrate our efforts on our online sales and commissions... we actually want to enjoy this holiday instead of passing out as soon as the heat is taken off!

So, I am offering my services to you! Anything your heart desires… be as wild and wonderful as you dare.

Please be aware of the final postage dates below and allow at least a week to craft your bespoke creature.

Final postage dates:

Australia and Rest of World 4th December
USA and Canada 10th December
Europe 11th December
UK 21st December

Whitby Goth Weekend in 50 days!

2009-09-09T17:55:00.005+01:00

It must sound like the Goth weekend is the only real event in my calendar as I reckon about 50% of the blog entries I have made have been about it… and I can’t deny it’s a big one for me – especially as it’s at Halloween.

There is a fair amount of preparation for every event I take part in, but because I attend this one with a large group of mates I need to be as organised as possible to give myself the time to party while I’m there. My preparation for the Goth weekend starts earlier and earlier each year as we become more and more established and people expect to see us there. This requires that we take more creatures and become more ingenious with our designs as Halloween themes are popular and Whitby folk are starting to think about Christmas gifts.

I’m starting to panic! 8 weeks may sound like a long time but I assure you it is anything but. I have just made a list of everything I would like to achieve in that time and I am blown away by the length of it. Of course I have a good stock here, created for the events I have attended this summer, but I’m sure you can appreciate that the creatures I take to family fairs in sunny parks are a whole different kettle of fish to the darker variety that is swooned over at the Goth festival.

I am torn between creating the staples of the store; the creatures I know are popular, and the new ideas I have swimming round in my head, as yet untried and very much still in the design process. I have ideas about a new look for our stall, based around an old Victorian curiosity shop but I am worried that I won’t be able to give it the time it needs to make it look authentic, and of course there are the Halloween costumes to think up and make!

There is nothing for it but to buckle down to work and get creative.

The countdown to Whitby has officially started: 50 days to go!

A note about Whitby Goth Weekend: Many of the regulars will know that there have been some changes to the organization of the Goth festival over the last few months. I want to assure you that everything you come to expect from the Goth weekend is still happening and your festival enjoyment will not be affected by any management changes (most of the rumours incidentally are just that…rumours). There is of course the main Spa event with bands such as Faith and the Muse and Eden House, but there is also Carnival Macabre, Nostalgia, a Halloween costumes ball, club nights and bands at venues all around town, a custom car and bike show and events for under 18’s, not to mention the extensive gothic markets, where you’ll find us at the Leisure centre. So don’t believe anyone when they say part of the event has been cancelled and go find out for yourself.

I had a dream last night... might even be prophesy.

2009-09-06T18:37:00.002+01:00

I was walking across the moors. The sun was trying to shine but there was a thick blanket of cloud stopping the rays reaching me. There was a strong wind blowing against me and whipping my hair about my face. I was heading to the site (site for what I can’t quite remember) and I had a plunger and a bag of smarties that I’d meticulously picked out all the blue ones from.

As I walked I whistled. It was a tune that I knew I had to sing at this point in the journey. I had that creepy feeling that something was watching me but there was nowhere anyone could be hiding; the land was flat and there were no buildings for miles.

The tree came into view; the marker that I had reached my destination. As I got closer the ground got crisper. Each footstep sounded like I was crushing eggshells; the grass and shrubs were like really fine glass that broke into tiny shards beneath my feet. At the base of the tree was a small pool - the entrance. I launched myself toward the pool, threw in the smarties, covered the pool with the plunger and started thrashing it with all my might.

… and then I woke up.

So what does it mean?

Well, I think I can safely say that the creatures are sock horrors and the pool is their wormhole from The Doldrums, but smarties are a new development. I wonder what havoc they wreak. And the ground turning to glass in the area around the portal?… well that’s new too.

Thank chuff for Lemsip

2009-07-28T17:52:00.005+01:00

The last couple of days I've woken up with the threat of a cold lurking in the background; perpetually tired, a sore throat and that 'heat' in my sinuses. Yesterday I spent the whole day sneezing but I thought it was because I'd been having a much needed clearout and had dislodged loads of dust. As it turns out a cold has come into full force today. There was no way I was dragging my sore tired bones out of bed at the usual time this morning and my head feels like it's clamped in a vice as is squeezes out every last, well, there's no need to go there! The only respite is the miracle of Lemsip every 4 hours

...and all the while, in the back of my head, I have that niggling thought "is it swine flu?" I know it isn't - I don't have a cough, my body doesn't ache like flu, I don't "feel" sick but I'm waiting...

... and while I wait, my lack of attention to my work (and an excuse that I can't make creatures lest I contaminate them with some infectious germ) brought me to wander the pages of Etsy and I foumd these little gems:

Terminal Illness by Toybreaker

Dragon Particulare respirator by Tom Banwell

So I'll sit here, sipping my elixir and muster up the energy to get a wriggle on and get to work!

Starhouse - new stockists of Sock Horror

2009-07-14T17:36:00.008+01:00

Starhouse is a fantastic new store owned by the creators of Starhouse Clothing in the heart of York. This unique shop is the newest store to offer Sock Horrors.

Julie and Kelly, the owners, have expanded their Starhouse clothing name by opening up this brilliant store in this historic Viking town. They’ve only been open in York a matter of weeks but are already building on their experience in Hull and have established themselves among the alternative scene.

Kelly and Julie’s first incarnation of Starhouse clothing opening in Hull in 2004 providing the city with affordable alternative clothing catering for all the different faces of the alternative market. They strive to be different from other Goth/alternative stores by constantly searching out new suppliers and smaller companies that will give them a lot of exclusives and one-offs. In addition to the usual brands they also customise a lot of their own clothes for sale in their shop. Amongst their wares you’ll find a collection of malicious Sock Horrors, Fluff Creatures and copies of our Sockmosis survival manuals. You can also commission a custom Sock Horror through them.

If you live near York, or just fancy a day out, I recommend you pay a visit to Starhouse. You’ll find them on Stonegate, one of the old streets that lead to the Minster.

I love wandering the cobbled shambles of the old town with the narrow twisting streets and the buildings that jut out to almost meet over the heads of shoppers.

There is just so much history seeping out of every crevice. York also has some of the most stupid laws that have just not been rescinded since ancient times:

You can legally shoot a Scotsman who is within the city walls, so long as you are stood on the city walls, you are using a bow and arrow and it is a Sunday… and even then you are only allowed to kill one per Sunday!

Or

On Whip-ma-whop-ma gate (the shortest street (15m) with the longest name) you can legally flog your wife for being drunk… though of course this doesn’t happen any more. Just thinking about the city makes me want to go back there.

In fact, as soon as I’ve posted this blog I’m going to plan a trip.

I’m a girl of extremes… all or nothing.

2009-07-09T17:18:00.009+01:00

I latch on to a project; whether it is creating new creatures, throwing myself at a new profile or collaborating on a new volume of Sockmosis. I go for it hammer and tongs until I get to a place where I can say ‘my work here is done’ and then I move on. It’s not the best way of working. I become engrossed in that one task at the expense of everything else.

Recently my attention has been absorbed firstly by creating costumes for the fancy dress party a couple of weeks ago (the theme was Heroes and Villains; I was Audrey II from the Little Shop of Horrors and my fella was Optimus Prime)

With the Hitcher for those of you that know 'The Mighty Boosh'

Can you tell which one is the cardboard cut out?

...and this last week I was getting tribal garb together for our troupes performance last Friday.

I’m glad to say that both events were a huge success.

So I’ve been madly busy of late, yet I realise that my presence online has been neglected and Sock Horror has suffered. I came here today to find that my last blog entry was a competition launch… well, I’m sad to say I forgot about that! Didn’t promote it or nurture it at all, so I’m doubly shocked that I did actually receive some entries.

I’d like to thank those of you that participated and apologise for taking my eye off the ball. I promise to give you my full attention next time I launch a competition… watch this space because there’s another one on its way.

So, without further ado, I’d like to announce that the winner of the competition was Trey Rain who suggested that these adorable little creatures are Scouts of the Doldrums, sent ahead of the raiding party to scope out fresh supplies of socks and map out possible dangers. Well done Trey!

Competition: name the breed and discover its role in the Doldrums

2009-06-11T19:50:00.004+01:00

There is a new creature currently under investigation on my workbench.

It was discovered on Sunday the 7th of June hopping around the water outlet in the garden. It's a wriggler; doesn't stop moving and doesn't fear humans as the other breeds do. It's also a lot smaller and can fit into crevices other Sock Horrors cannot.

This creature has never been seen before, however since it's discovery there has been an explosion in numbers.

There is much study and extensive exploration to continue before these creatures can be presented to you in the Sock Horror Mausoleum, but I expect that they will be a prolific breed and will spread themselves far and wide.

I would like you to be the investigators of this strain of Sock Horror. It is up to you to name these creatures and to determine their role in the Doldrums. All entries into the competition will receive a 10% discount at the Sock Horror Mausoleum and the winner will also receive the first creature of its kind and a certificate of discovery.

Further information on the breeds and roles of the other creatures from the Doldrums can be found in their listing descriptions.

Please send your entries to MadameHorror@SockHorror.com before Sunday 28th of June. The winner will be announced on Wednesday the 1st of July.

Tattoos, Tantrums and Tinkers

2009-05-27T17:42:00.007+01:00

Tattoos

Sunday saw us at the first annual Hull Ink tattoo convention. Having never taken Sock Horror to such an event before (though I have been an enthusiast at such events over the years) I was a little apprehensive; will people get it? Or will I be met with a lot of blank expressions and confused mutterings? I'm like this with each new venue type I take them too.

On the whole though, I am glad to say, that Sock Horror was greeted with the scary excitement and enthusiasm it invokes at other events. We were inundated with questions and musings and saw the light bulb moment for several people... yes these are the critters that steal your socks! In fact I was extracting more ridicule for my corset with it's bullet hole and my 5" stack boots than with the motley crew of maleficient doldrites ranked behind me.

Unfortunately I didn't get to see much of the rest of the event, but I did hear some great bands and I did see some awesome ink work being done on the day. It definitely woke the desire in me for some new ink and got the juices flowing with ideas.

Tantrums

Because we enjoyed the day so much I looked into participating at other tattoo events as soon as I got home. There are some huge tattoo events that take place up and down the country, and I thought this would be the best of both worlds... to go to some conventions slightly further a field that I wouldn't usually get to and to take the Horrors to a new audience.

Well, it ended in a tantrum (not pretty I know) becasue we're either away, hubby can't book the time off work, clashes with another event we're already going to, is too close to organise for or is already booked up. In short, I'm too late to do tattoo conventions this year! but you can bet I'm going to be first in the queue with my booking form for next years events.

Which brings me to Tinkers

With out major events out of the way and our newest stockists supplied (this constitutes a blog of it's own) I can now put my attention into our online affairs. I spent my bank holiday Monday updating our website and listing all out current creatures.

Etsy is being updated through the coming week, and I plan to catch up with my friends on MySpace and in the Etsy Dark Side Team. It's been too long!

I used to spend hours playing space invaders... who didn't?

2009-05-21T18:24:00.004+01:00

I used to get beside myself with excitement as the lines of aliens advanced on me... ME... and I frantically tried to shoot them down. I was hopeless; too gripped by fear to be any good, but I did love the rush and anxiety I got. I've never been able to play computer games since.

But these, these are amazing: space invaders soap set from Digital Soaps on Etsy

I'm lost for words. I really don't know what to say; other than I can now beat the space invaders into submission!

They're ace! Well done Digital Soaps.

Wired eyes

2009-05-20T17:06:00.003+01:00

I'm tired today.

For the last 2 days my eyes have been heavy; glazed over and drifting into daydreams easily... a sure sign that I should get more sleep. I feel like I need a pick-me-up but in reality I probably need a good nights rest.

Funny then that I should come across these catnip eyeballs on Etsy by hannaPt.

They are so alive and awake that I am jealous of their vitality, and the fact that they are laced with catnip is so ironic to how I feel right now.

I'm going to get some for my cat, Moebe, but she better watch out or I'll claim them for my own...catnip is suddenly appealing!

I've seen you looking!

2009-05-19T21:39:00.001+01:00

I know that from time to time you browse the walls of the Sock Horror Mausoleum to gawp at the creatures we have on display there.

I know that you check in on MySpace or other social account and find that nothing much is going on there.

I assure you that that is not because I can't be bothered... rather that I stretch myself too thin.

You may have noticed that I do not present very many new creatures to you. This is down to your passion. Rarely do i get chance to catalogue ans list a new creature before it is re-housed, hence the scarce trapping on our website and Etsy stores.

In truth I have a collection of over 60 creatures currently staring down at me ready for the tattoo convention we are going to on Sunday, and I promise that the first thing I will do on my return is upload all the Horrors and Warding charms for you to see.

Similarly I will try hard to check in on all the profiles we have online... and we have a lot. This means that instead of reaching loads of new people, we are in fact ignoring the majority. MySpace for instance is a great site, but this year I have done little more that answer direct questions. I shamefully haven't said hello to any of our new friends.

It's not good enough!

So, I will be concentrating my efforts on a few select sites. You will find me on the following:

Website MySpace Twitter Blogspot Etsy

I will also keep an eye on Zazzle and Lulu though I will not hang out there, and I hope that this means I have more time to dedicate to the Etsy Dark Side Team that I love.

If you are friends through one of our other sites, please don't worry, we won't be closing our accounts but you will be directed to one of the above.

So, I hope to meet you soon online,

Stay safe... BEWARE YOUR SOCKS

Madame Horror

May madness

2009-05-09T14:12:00.000+01:00

It was so hard to drag my lazy bones out of bed this morning, but I did it… for you. No, that’s a lie. I had to get up at an ungodly hour to take my hubby to work as his bike is in bits in the garage. It seems to be in pieces more than it is whole… he just loves to tinker.

It was good I was up so early as I had a list of jobs to do in town; parcels to take to the post office, cheques to take to the bank and several other errands to run. My last stop is Chilli Lime deli where I have a coffee with my mate and pick up my organic veg box. It was crazy today though. Every time we stood by the door to get some sun/ air another customer came in. No rest for the wicked. But then all hell broke loose as the salon at the end had a burst pipe and water was gushing everywhere. Taff being the gent that he is ran to their aid leaving me to look after his shop. Now I like food, but my knowledge is limited when it comes to helping others work out what they will like. Which of these oils are better for dipping? Rape seed or olive oil, lemon or walnut? Which passata is best for use with Borlotti beans? I just hope I haven’t given any bad advice and turned some of his customers away. I had fun though. It was good to see that everyone is in chaos and it’s not just me.

So the chaotic run up to Whitby, the whirlwind festival and the frantic restock of our vendors has been managed and we can now turn our attention to the next series of events.

Our good friends at Chilli Lime Deli are once again hosting their ‘Chilli cook-off’ heats, the first of which is on the 16^th May. Come down to Fleming square in Blackburn and for a small donation to charity taste the participants’ entries and vote for your favourite chilli. There will be other entertainment as well as the Sock Horror road show.

Also this month we have Hull Ink on the 24^th of May. This promises to be an excellent event with 34 tattoo artists from the UK and Europe, tattoo competitions, bands and of course the market where you will find us nestled among your favourite stalls.

So, I’d better get my arse in gear. I have Horror skins to stuff and body bags to make.

Home once again

2009-04-28T10:41:00.002+01:00

Well Whitby Goth Weekend was very different for us this year. I'm sure I've mentioned that there is usually a group of 12 of us that make the trip to the festival twice a year and that between trading all day and partying all night for 4 days we're beyond tired when we get back and need a week off to recover.

This time was the total opposite. There were only 4 of us made it to the festival as all our friends decided to save their pennies for the Halloween event instead; me and my husband and my sister and her husband, who were also trading Bride and Gloom, so for a start we were in a cute 4 person cottage rather than a 12 person mansion.

We did our thing through the days. Met loads of Goths in fantastic attire and pimped our wares to all who would stop and look. After trading all day we were able to leisurely wander back to the cottage via a pub (to rest our weary feet) and sit and relax a bit before thinking about getting some food. We could chose a restaurant at ease, take time over our meal and then see what the evening held for us... which in truth was a series of chilled nights - a few beers in comfort.

This is a major contrast to our usual whirlwind of covering the stall, running back to the cottage, throwing some food down our necks while trying to glam up and then racing out to get to the venue and catch up with our mates. This then leads to a second wind and staying up will 3 or 4 am. Not a good start for a second or third day of work.

So while we have enjoyed ourselves we have also managed to recharge the batteries and I can now start thinking about the wholesale orders I have to meet and the tattoo festival I am trading at in Hull at the end of May and it doesn't feel like an uphill struggle.

On a different note, while we were in Whitby an interview I did with Fresh peaches was published. Please take time to have a look: Sock Horror Interview

Whitby Madness

2009-04-23T00:36:00.002+01:00

We're off to Whitby Goth Festival tomorrow and I can't wait. I have been running round for days trying to get organised, trying to remember all the little jobs and striving to get everything ready without any traumas but I think we are finally there... there is a mountain of boxes lined up along the dining room wall. All the creatures, books and warding charms catalogued, categorized and packed ready for transportation. All the literature printed, all my emails answered, all my tasks completed (or deligated). I have worked out what I'm wearing for the next 5 days, dyed my hair (and nails and neck and bathroom floor) and packed my crimpers. I think I have everything I need for a thoroughly Gothic weekend.

So, I'm afraid to say that it's unlikely you're going to be able to catch me for the next few days as I am going to be without my internet connection, unless of course you are in Whitby - in which case you will find me in the Whitby leisure centre on east cliffe on Friday, Saturday and Sunday surrounded by a whole plethora of malicious creatures, survival manuals and warding charms. If you are at the festival please do drop by and say hi.

For those of you that are not able to join us in the home of Bram Stokers Dracula you will be able to keep abreast of our antics on Twitter.

2009-04-19T13:08:00.007+01:00

So, we leave for Whitby Goth Weekend in 4 days and as usual I'm frantically trying to get my stock together. It seems that no matter how well I plan, or how far in advance I start, I get to the point where I have to throw a couple of all nighters to get everything finished.

I did think I was on top of everything this year, but just when I feel like I'm getting ahead I get another wholesale request (Japonica last week) and this week I've had 2 other wholesale orders to fullfil from PAD gallery and Hex Piercing studio. I really can't complain. It just means that all the stock I've been building in prep for the Whitby Goth Weekend has just sailed out the window.

I'm now looking at the remaining pile of Horrors and wondering whether I have enough or whether I'm going to find myself sewing in the van on the journey to Whitby... again!

And as if that isn't enough, my sister has taken a stall this year. She is trading under the name of Bride and Gloom. She booked her pitch within weeks of opening her own sewing rooms. The good news for her is that she's been absolutely snowed under with work and has had to take on 2 staff just to cover her everyday work. The bad news is that she hasn't had a free minute to get stock together for her Whitby stall and so I've been giving her every spare minute I can to help her out.

So now... do I crack on with my own Sock Horror stock or do I think I have enough together to help my sister?

It's not all doom and gloom though, the Sock Horror stall has some exciting new items for you this year. We are aware that some of you are now in constant fear that you will become victims of their crimes. We can sympathise with the desperation and anger that these creatures intill; that they can travel freely around your homes is a scary thing. Therefore we have paid particular attention to our warding charms;

pin badges and buttons,

specially preserved doldrite eyes as clips and rings,

greeting cards
and magnetic bookmarks

all on offer to help you out in times of need.

I wasn't able to do it...

2009-04-14T17:09:00.003+01:00

but I did try; to gorge myself on chocolate till I was sick!

But as I wasn't successful in this task (better luck next time) I threw myself into my second assignment and this time I succeeded. It was teh introduction of Sock Horror into Japonica, a brilliant florist come gift shop in Fleming Square, Blackburn.

Sock Horrors new reside alongside unusual and exotic bouquets and inspiring artworks from other local craftsmen and women in a quirky boutique on a historic street close the Blackburn Cathedral.

I have spent quite a while perusing the wares in Japonica, purchased a few gifts (which will probably never make it to their intended recipient) and still seem only to have seen probably half of the items offered. I warn you, be prepared to lose yourself in there.

At Japonica, like all Sock Horror venues, you may also order fully customised creatures.

Tadaa!

2009-03-26T17:07:00.009Z

And here he is; the celestial being. I have named him Sorip.

Just look at how the big pink planet sits on his belly and curves round the base of his horns; how the earth wraps round his horns and slides under his arse (was that intentional?) and the stars are firing from his finger tips. There's even an orange rocket or two.

I can't believe I dilly dallied with this one. I just love him! I'm not sure I'm going to be able to part with him. For now he is sat on the shelf above my computer throwing starry shapes around my head.

Talking about creatures form outer space I just love the Brain Bloom by Doodlemonkie.

I hope I never meet one in real life!

Celestial socks and no incision

2009-03-20T17:14:00.004Z

There is a pair of socks that I love. I've had them for quite a while and so far all I've managed to do is look at them!

Usually when I fall for a pair of socks I instantly know what I'm going to do with them and I have to do it there and then... the design generally shouts out for a particular shape or a patch of pattern for a specific location, but not this time.

I bought them from an independent retailer in Preston. A little shop that doesn't usually sell socks, but on this occasion made my heart soar as I found the most amazing socks with planets and rockets on them. I have gazed into their weave pondering their fate on numerous occasions and so far been unable to make the first cut. For some reason, with this particulat pair of socks, I am hesitant to jump in and see what happens as I would do with all other socks. What if I don't like the end result? what if I spoil them?

It's stupid I know, but I love them too much to waste them and have no way to replace them if the worst should happen.

I think I just need to force myself to pick up the scissors and make the first incision...

Yikes! Done! Holy smokes!

Well the hard bit's over; I just have to make the darn things now :)

I'll let you know how it goes...

Another feature... Thanks Chickendog

2009-03-18T17:23:00.002Z

I stumbled across this blog via my good friend Doodlemonkie yesterday. I was immediately caught by the ensamble I found there as I had covetted every article featured in the blog at some point, so I stopped and decided to follow Chickendog's musings, knowing that with tastes that overlap so much I would learn about many new and exciting things.

How bizarre that the very next post to filter through from Chickendog was SOCK HORROR :)

Check it out:

http://chickendoghastings.blogspot.com/

And take a gander at her etsy store. I can't stop grinning... chickendogs... yay!

Double whammy... feature and new dilemma

2009-03-17T17:38:00.003Z

Have you heard of Chataeu Bizarre? I hadn't until today, and I can't help but wonder why that is? I spend so much time on the computer you would think it only natural that I venture up the road to the chataeu gates and wander the hallways of the castle, and as I do so now I see that we have tread the same pathways on many occassions and yet I've been oblivious!

It's a wonderful site. You should take the time to visit;

hardcore glamour & curious finds, reviewed daily

And that's what brought me to their keep... Sock Horror have been featured on their website. It's quite a privelage to be ranked amoung some of my favourite artists and stores.

I'm actually finding it quite hard to drag myself away from the lure of the many new curios.

It's better to burn than fade away.

2009-03-09T20:32:00.005Z

Recently I have been savouring the relaxed pace of the Sock Horror happenings, knowing that all too soon the pace will pick up and once again I'll struggle to find time to stroke the cat.

When everything is going crazy, my husbands' favourite saying is: "it's better to burn than fade away". I'm not sure who said that originally, but I just love the way Suzannaanna has used this saying in one of her wonderful 'Rock Blox artworks.

So to emphasis that, this morning I found a new vigour. One that I thought I'd lost if truth be told. But here I am; creating, hunting, making, learning and presenting.

Today's project: Sock Horror Page Markers.

These little gadgets are fantastic... if I do say so myself.

These magnetic page markers are storng enough to clamp a page or two in your book, but not so strong as to tear or mark the leaves. Never again will your bookmark fall out or you lose your place.

They are available in sets of 2 or 4 from either the Sock Horror Website or Etsy Store.

My gingerbread distraction

2009-02-25T17:56:00.004Z

I love blogging, but I am easily distracted.

I turn up here, perhaps not every day, but more often than not, with the intention of pouring some of the thoughts cluttering up my head out onto my keyboard. I may even have an idea of what I want to rave about, but once I’ve logged in I am presented with the entries of the blogs I am following… so I read a few, mull them over, follow their links, understand their motivations. I may also notice an interesting link or follower on their page and click through the entries, one after the next. This might sound like a dedicated approach, but in reality it’s quite frenzied, flitting from one page to the next and probably missing loads of interesting stuff.

In some ways I feel like Gretel (Hansel must have wandered off on his own) drifting off into the woods and finding a house made of gingerbread; where I just have to stay and sample the confectionary. I learn loads; see all kinds of interesting items and articles, meet some inspirational people and definitely find ways to frivol away the pennies. The sad thing is that I never manage to follow the breadcrumbs back to the beginning to write what I came here to write.

So I guess, that makes every one of you that catches my attention and reveals a part of yourself, a treat/trap from the wicked witch. But don’t worry; I have no intention of burning you in the oven… I love your candies too much.

Well, here is today's gingerbread; The Gate Ring but Idle Hands Designs

And here is my offering: Harlie the Seeker

New Tactics

2009-01-16T15:28:00.003Z

Devious, conniving, tricksy doldrites!

Did anyone see the news article about the mysterious appearance of thousands of shoes on a highway in Florida?

The authorities are baffled by their spontaneous appearance and seemingly no-one can work out where they have come from… well they haven’t asked the SHIT (Sock Horror Investigation Team).

It is obvious to us, with our world leading expertise, that this is the work of Doldrites! Let me explain what is happening. Up until now doldrite activity has revolved around the acquisition of socks that lie abandoned and forgotten, or are filched from our drawers and laundry when we are otherwise occupied. In other words, they have gone behind out backs and stayed out of sight.

This new tactic is altogether more daring and all too desperate. It appears they are in fact stealing socks from peoples’ feet (primarily while they are sleeping), but in the haste to make their escape they are not bothering to separate the socks from the shoes and are transporting the whole bundle back to the Doldrums. Over a period of time they have accumulated a surprising number of shoes, which they have pushed through a wormhole that just happened to open up on that stretch of the Florida highway.

We all know that they strive to free all sock kind, and regularly amaze us with the lengths they will go to when sourcing new initiates and to secure a way home. But the latest scheme is worrying for several reasons:

They are getting less secretive – they appear not to be worried about us finding out about them OR perhaps they think us too dumb to work this out

Their approaches are getting more invasive – stealing from our feet! Perhaps you have woken up yourself, perhaps after a night out, and not remembered taking your shoes and socks off?

Their efforts are accelerating – This is a relatively new technique and already they have amassed over 4000 shoes in this one tip.

Perhaps they are larger and more organised than we anticipated… I don’t want to think about that one!

All I can say is… be vigilant, stay safe and BEWARE YOUR SOCKS!
Madame Horror

Secret Santa

2009-01-10T11:11:00.005Z

Some of you may be aware that Sock Horror was born Christmas 2006 in a bid to come up with novel Secret Santa gifts for my friends. Well the deal has come full circle. This year, the Secret Santa I recieved from one of my friends was a Sock Horror Trap!

It's truly amazing; the amount of thought and research that has gone in to this contraption is impressive. The mechanism, which is fully functional, is devised from a standard mouse trap and a fangled coat hanger that holds up the trap door until the spring has sprung. And it si lethal; I have caught myself with it several times while playing with it!

It is baited with a seemingly harmless mix of loose wool and discarded sleepers... and there is a solitary key to entice even the most wary doldrites into it's confines. My friend has definitely done his homework; even to the point of ensuring that a marauding doldrite would be able to fit into the apparatus with ease.

I think you can say I'm well chuffed, and that this is the prototype of traps to come!

But it doesn't end there... another gift from the same friends was the following bronze plaque:

Don't ask me how they found such a truly apt plate but I'm glad they did. Cheers guys!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T15:03:00.005Z

Well, 2009 has offically begun!

Determined to get the year off to the right kind of start I have thrown myself at my work with the gusto of one that may not live to see another day. Slowly clearing out the mass of paperwork I've allowed to grow through 2008, working out where my efforts should focus in the begining of the year and listing the few remaining creatures I have left after the Christmas period on my website...which are also starting to filter onto Etsy:

And after the abuse I have put myself through this past week (chocolates, very little exercise, more chocolates, party food and very little sleep) I was very pleased when I came across this much needed cleansing soap by Bunny Butt Apothecary

I need to take more care of myself.

Christmas Fayre

2008-12-12T17:17:00.003Z

Friday already? It doesn't seem like two minutes since I emptied my mind onto the keyboard but somehow it's been over a week.

Last weekend we were at the Christmas Fayre at Fleming Square in Blackburn. Surprisingly the weather held out, which was my one concern after the week we'd just had of snow, which turn to ice overnight and got covered in more snow the following day. Luckily by Friday the worst of it had cleared and we were left with beautiful blue skies interspersed with fits of warm sunshine.

The Christmas buzz was starting to grow in me by this point, something I had been struggling to summon up as I prepared my Christmas stock, but there is something about wraping up warm on a crisp day like that, seeing kids with face paint babbling about the conversation they'd just had with Father Christmas with my hands folded round a glass of mulled wine that somehow brought me into the spirit. So much so that I was inspired to get my Christmas present off my husband...there and then. While I was gone the market had some unexpected visitors; Carol Thatcher and Jack Straw. I'm kinda sad I missed them as I would have loved to see their faces when they reached my stall and worked out what they were looking at...it would have been priceless.

However I'm not too sad as I now have a fantastic new Christmas gift...what is it?...well, I rushed off to go get myself a little black star microdermal implant on my temple - just at the end of my eyeliner flick. I so wish I had a photo to show you...I will post one soon.

As for the rest, I will be at the Christmas Fayre again tomorrow. I will also be on Radio Lancashire first thing in the morning spreading the word of Sock Horror to all those that are up and listening to the radio at that ungodly hour of the morning!

So I'd better run and get my arse in gear for tomorrow!

Dearest Sock Horror aficionados

2008-12-02T19:36:00.002Z

I am delighted to inform you that the latest trappings of Horrors and Fluff have been added to our website.

Unfortunately the pickings are few...I fear the doldrites are cottoning on to our hunting techniques and avoiding our regular haunts. As a consequence we have an excersion planned for later in the week to travel further a field and explore new territory. Hopefully our new district will provide us with an abundance of the blighters.

Till then...stay safe and beware your socks!

Madame Horror

Leave my toasty toe toppers be!

2008-11-28T17:48:00.007Z

I regularly give myself a rap over the knuckles regarding my approach to bloging. It is something I enjoy but struggle to find the time to complete. When I do find a few moments to compose an entry it turns into a list of notices that is slightly out of date and therefore probably of little note to most people. They are also generally quite lengthy and cumbersome to read.

So, I am setting some new priorities. Today I am going to jot down everything worthy of note at the minute…this may take some time as there are many topics for me to get off my chest, and then I will be free to make lighter entries of worth, hopefully on a more regular basis.

The followers amongst you will know that Halloween saw us at the Whitby Goth Festival. Whilst there, we held a raffle for one of our caged Sock Horrors. The lucky winner was Grant, pictured below with his prize ‘Hilomili’.

The 15^th of November was the Thought Bubble Sequential Arts Festival, organised as part of the 11^th annual Leeds International Film Festival. Sock Horror was one of the exhibitors to be found at the event which was held in Savilles’ Hall opposite the Royal Armouries.

The Thought Bubble team organised an excellent event with record numbers of people queuing to get in and meet their favourite comic book artists. There were many exhibitors, signings and presentations throughout the day, and it was great to see so many of you turn up there. We had a great time, met some real characters and were exposed to some great new comics and artists.

An artist of note for me was Dan Barrit of Ragadabah Art with his zombie ridden vistas of Leeds. His attention to detail is immense and well worth a look if you know Leeds at all as you can easily pinpoint the landmarks and buildings that are overrun by plagues of zombies and the chaos that ensues.

On a different note, I am pleased to be able to say that we have just 2 copies left from our first print run of our latest book Sockmosis; Survival of the Fittest. We have been in procession of these copies for just 4 weeks and we have already had to place another order. It is heartening to know that our message is getting out and the threat we face at the hands/feet/horns/digits of these creatures is no longer getting swept under the carpet. The next shipment should be with us shortly… and definitely in plenty of time for you to receive your copy before Christmas!

If you have not already ordered your copy of the Sockmosis survival manual you can do so here:

When worlds Collide

Survival of the Fittest

Alongside the delivery of books, we’re expecting to get our hands on another parcel any day now. This is something new that we’ve never done before, but after several requests and much investigation we have decided to branch out a little. I won’t say just yet, other than I’m excited to see the results and even more so to see your reactions!

We have also been feverishly busy restocking our outlets as people have already started their Christmas shopping, so you can find a fresh consignment of Horrors at a store near you. Just checkout our links page to find out where you can get your hands on Sock Horror.

As a consequence of all this activity you will find that our website (and other online stores) is decidedly low on trappings. I am currently surrounded by Sock Horror skins and the Fluff creature components, and am busy putting the finishing touches on many a creature with the plan to have the website updated with new stock over the weekend. If you can’t wait that long please remember that I do take commissions…at no extra charge. Just message me with your requests and I’ll be quick to get back to you to discuss the possibilities.

If all this activity isn’t enough for you, you will find us busily preparing for the Christmas fairs that we are attending, hosted by Chilli Lime Deli in Fleming Square, Blackburn.

The fairs will be held every Saturday in December and we have a pitch booked at all 3 events. There are going to be a variety of stalls and something for everyone; plenty to take your fancy and inspire you for Christmas, live music, mulled wine and a selection of hearty food to fill your belly in the icy weather.

OK, I think I’ve kept you for long enough. Thanks for reading to the end; I hope I didn’t ramble on too much. As a treat for sticking with me I’d like to furnish everyone that places an order before Christmas with a free gift. All you have to do is put the quote ‘Leave my toasty toe toppers be!’ in the comments section of your Paypal invoice and I’ll do the rest!

Stay safe…and chant to the doldrites – Leave my toasty toe toppers be!

Madame Horror

So the Goth weekend is over for another 6 months

2008-11-05T10:47:00.002Z

... and I personally, do not know where the time went!

We arrived in Whitby on Thursday afternoon to be met with a great big black cloud and hailstones. This brought a smile to my face as I remembered all the times we’ve nearly been blown off the cliff or washed down the hills with the torrents, our full skirts acting as sails in the wind and our carefully sculpted hair destroyed in an instant. This is the Whitby we know and love.

We set up our wares in the smaller room of the leisure centre, spent some time getting to know the stall holders we would be spending the next three days with and then retired for a few drinks in our hired cottage.

We had a great time with Sock Horror on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and had fun getting to know those of you that could come to visit us there. It was lovely to chat to the people we had met on previous occasions and show off our latest creations and great to introduce new people to the concept of Sock Horror.

This year we also hosted a raffle to win one of our Caged Sock Horrors: Everyone that bought a Fluff Creature or Sock Horror was entered into the draw and the winning ticket drawn on Sunday evening. The lucky winner is Grant Walker...well done Grant.

Other news from the weekend:

For me the Whitby Goth Weekend is more than just an opportunity to flaunt Sock Horrors. It is about getting together a lot of the mates I’ve made over the years. We’ve been going to the Goth Weekend for 13 years now (and that makes me feel really old!) and as you can imagine we don't always go for the music, although this year the game was raised and bands we were excited to see were there; Voltaire and the Resurex in particular but also Christian Death and Specimen. Over the years we have built up a load of traditions; one of our favourites is the ‘Tat competition’.

The Tat Competition is nothing to do with who has the best tattoos (although we do regularly compare those), but is a game that we play over the weekend. Each person in the group has to go shopping for the best (or worst, whichever way you look at it) piece of tat. The most dreadful ornament you can find in the shops of Whitby for under £5. The one item that you would hate to have in your home or that makes you wonder who on earth thought someone would want one of those.

At the end of the weekend we get a stranger to judge our entries and chose which item is the most hideous; this usually involves placing them all on a table in a restaurant and getting the waiter to decide. This year we were lucky enough to stumble across Voltaire as we were leaving our cottage, needless to say we asked Voltaire if he would be our critic, and he and his girlfriend helped us out. What a funny man, he had us all in stitches as he narrowed down the selection and provided his verdict. Fortunately we got it all on camera...which we will post on youtube. Thanks Voltaire!

So, what does the winner get? Well, he or she gets to display the entire group of entries in their home for a whole year! I guess it’s a double edged sword but it’s all good fun (and scary how quickly you stop seeing the offensive objects around your home and stop explaining to visitors that said objects are not really of your tastes but are displayed as part of a competition!) At the end of the year all the items are collected together and made into a trophy for the next winner, who auctions off the trophy on eBay; the funds of which are donated to S.O.P.H.I.E.

I will post another blog shortly about the whole affair once we have listed the trophy.

Whitby Goth Weekend!

2008-10-29T21:03:00.002Z

That's right; we're on our way to the Whitby Goth Weekend tomorrow; and I have a feeling it's going to be a blast.

I'm so ready for a holiday. I'm looking forward to the drive over the Yorkshire moors and the moment your eyes first alight on Whitby Abbey in the Distance. I love spotting my first Goth of the weekend and gradually seeing the swathes of black descending on the sleepy shipping village. I'm looking forward to seeing Specimen and Christian Death, Voltaire and the Rezurex, but more than anything I'm looking forward to spending a weekend with my long time mates reminiscing about the old days and the first WGW we came to.

I am also really excited about the Sock Horror stall that is taking place in the Leisure Centre on Friday, Saturday and Sunday this weekend. We have gone all out this year, bringing more of the roadshow and the critter cage!

We also have loads of new creatures for you to gawp at and all new designs including; Hunting Trophes, Caged Horrors and the much awaited and seriously hot off the press 'Sockmosis; Survival of the Fittest' (the second collection of essays from the Sockmosis series).

I look forward to seeing many of you there...don't be afraid to say hi!

Stay safe

Madame Horror

Fevered

2008-10-26T22:04:00.000Z

A few short days seperate us from the pilgrimage to Whitby...and don't I know it!

I have buried myself in Horror stuffings, body bag parts and toe tag assembly and so far it appears all I've managed to do is melt my sewing machine. I could have you believe that my sewing machine has liquefied through over use and resulted in ultimate melt down; but in reality my halogen lamp was too close (you could say that it was actually touching it) and scorched the plastic casing.

Well at least it FEELS like I've done enough sewing to cause my sewing machine to melt. I've definitely put it through it's paces recently.

2008-10-13T17:48:00.005+01:00

Here at the Sock Horror Headquarters we have been perfecting the art of sock taxidermy over several years. We pride ourselves on our ability to inbibe our creatures with life and restore them to their former glory.

Ocasionally the creatures we hunt or find do not remain unscathed; usually as a results of their confinement or capture method. This means that we are not always able to reinstate them as they would be found in nature.

Fortunately, after perfecting the technique, we area ble to offer these creatures mounted on wall plaques as hunting trophies reminiscent of the deer heads you might find in hunting lodges and old country pubs.

The first is available through Etsy and the Specialist cetegory of our website, and more will be added shortly.

I would welcome your thoughts on out new venture.

Stay safe...BEWARE YOUR SOCKS
Madame Horror

October is my December and Halloween my New Year

2008-10-09T18:10:00.004+01:00

October is my favourite month, and although it sounds stereotypical of me, a Goth that loves Halloween, I can't help that child-like feeling when all the goodies start appearing in the shops and everything is available in black and orange.

I find myself drawn to the eerie bits of plastic and skull decorated accessories like a moth to a flame and am unable to exercise control over what gets piled in my shopping basket... I've been eating chocolate eyeballs all week!

For me this is the holiday season. The first of October marks the beginnings of the rituals and first flurry of activity. My most beloved annual occasions are all squeezed into this month; the ever expanding Halloween Ball and the obligatory Whitby Goth Festival.

...and I'm starting to feel the customary strain and urgency of getting ready for everything laced with the excitement and eagerness to make it better than last year.

It's just 3 weeks to Whitby and the Sock Horror road show, and a frightening 2 weeks until the Halloween Ball and I have so much to do; my head is filled with ideas and I've so many lists of jobs to complete that I don't know what to tackle first.

Interesting times...

2008-09-28T17:15:00.011+01:00

The Sock Horror Investigation Team have had a very intensive few weeks filled with copious amounts of research and intense debate, but we are coming to a point where we can see the fruits of our labour and show you some of our developments.

Prof Doodlemonkie and myself are delighted to be able to anounce the release of our second series of essays titled Sockmosis: Survival of the Fittest, which are currently in print and will be available from all good book stores (and obviously ourselves) within the next few weeks.

Here is a sneaky peak at the new book. If you would like to learn more about Survival of the Fittest or our other publications please visit our Website.

In addition to the new book we have some new creatures for you. These will be added to the website over the next few days so keep a look out for these deadly sock liberators:

I would also like to thank all those who came fo see us at Preston today.

Grab 'em while you can...

2008-09-21T14:55:00.001+01:00

New Horrors available

At last the latest Horrors are available though our store.

There will be more going up later this week. Please also check out our Etsy store as more creatures will be going up daily.

Also don't forget that we are at the Fresh market in Preston this coming Sunday the 28th.

This time the market coincides with 'It's PRESTon the Move' which will include fun runs, Grandprix and cycling activities along with Bataala Samba band, The one voice chior and free draw graffiti event.

www.preston.gov.uk/Blog.asp

Be sure to get there early!

It's an epidemic!

2008-09-10T20:47:00.001+01:00

Grab your garb and join the hunt!

The last 2 weeks has seen me feverishly laying traps in a bid to snare some fresh meat...luckily the catch has been fruitful and I'll be presenting some new specimens to you soon.

As a taster, here is one of the lucky ones...

Well how good was Infest this year?

2008-08-26T18:01:00.001+01:00

I just wanted to drop you all a short note to say hi and thanks to all of you that came to visit us at Infest and spend some time learning about Sock Horror. We met some great people, made new friends and really enjoyed spending time with you all.
I think it's safe to say that Sock Horror was appreciated at infest and consequently the website will be a little depleted while I try and build up stock again. Please keep checking in to see what new creatures evolve and feel free to contact me if you wish to request a custom Sock Horror or Fluff Creature.

Also, as some of you have been asking when the next Sockmosis essays will be available, I would like to confirm that we are currently in the process of compiling the second volume which should be available in the next month or so.

Thanks, and remember...BEWARE YOUR SOCKS!
Madame Horror

PAD relaunch

2008-08-03T18:05:00.000+01:00

The 1^st of August saw the opening of the ‘Our Preston...Our City’ exhibition at PAD gallery in its new location on Market Street in Preston.

I wasn’t participating in the exhibition on this occasion but as a resident artist, and knowing Preston well, my interest was piqued. As we came to the gallery it was obvious that there was a good turn out as people were spilling out onto the pavement enjoying the refreshments and a good smoke in the warm evening air. We managed to make our way inside but the throng of people was so strong it was hard to view the artworks properly; we either had our noses pressed so close we couldn’t see or there were clusters of people obscuring our line of sight.

Thankfully as time wore on and the crowds dispersed we were able to wander round freely and examine the exhibits to our hearts content; and what a collection there was! There was a stunning variety of art and a wide range of disciplines and approaches. One piece in particular has stayed with me and I’m kicking myself that I don’t remember the name of the artist...I’ll have to make a point to find out and I’ll post it here...but it was a small, almost overlooked picture, with a large black mount and dominating black frame; but when you came in close you realised the black and white image was the view from a surveillance camera in the centre of town. I loved how you had to get in close to see this one properly; almost like you were spying on the scene yourself.

Alongside the exhibition were the offerings from the resident artists. I found myself drawn to many items and creating a mental wish list I WILL be sharing with my husband; an adorable charcoal leather clutch, ceramic sculptures resembling poppy seed heads, abstract bowls with rivulets of blue glass...oh I could go on!

In all it was a grand success (I saw many a red dot denoting a sale) and a great opportunity to get to know some other local artists and collectors.

New Stockists....MALIGAYA

2008-07-10T18:23:00.001+01:00

Let me share with you how this came about...

I am not from Preston, and although it's only 30 minutes down the road from me and a far superior town centre to Blackburn it's not somewhere I generally spend my time; unless of course it's dark outside and there is beer involved. Never-the-less there is much more going on, being a city, and therefore a more likely place for the seed of Sock Horror to germinate. So, armed with all the wares I could assmeble, my assistant (who I couldn't have done without) and I descended on Preston for FRESH; The contemporary Arts Market.

Our presence was demanded at 8:30 on Sunday morning and we were slightly hung-over due to a raucous birthday bash the night before, quite why we had to be there that early is beyond me as that time on a Sunday morning doesn't exist for the majority of people. Needless to say we didn't see a soul (other that the other stall holders) until 10:30 when the rest of the town centre was open. However, as always we had numerous visitors to our stall who had so far been unaware of the doldrites as the reason for their laundry melancholy that were quickly educated and consequentially totally enthused with disseminating our story.

OK, so me and my good friend were feeling a little fragile and were taking it in turns to trudge to various establishments for life preserving supplies, so our next encounter took us by surprise...our of the blue a man appears at our stall, and speaking at a speed slightly too fast for our slow brains to preocess and slightly brusquer that our weak selves could respond to he demanded "when you're done come and see me; I have a shop around the corner - Maligaya" and then he was off.

Now I said our brains were slow, but the next few hours show me how painfully dim-witted we were. We instantly forgot the name of the shop (I'm very sorry...I was determined to call it Malachi for some reason), but we spent the rest of the afternoon in a quandary over what we had done to invoke the wrath of this man...had we parked in front of his shop? Were we obstructing something? So it was with some trepidation that we packed up the car and made our way round there. In we crept but he was nowhere to be seen - not to matter though because our eyes were instantly drawn to the abundance of wares to drool over. No joke, we were acting like a couple of pirates who found an abandoned cave filled with booty; piling item after item into our arms. The reason of our being there almost forgotten we made our way upstairs to be met by the man who visited our stall and was actually bearing one of the broadest smiles I'd seen in a long time.

The quick part of my brain deduced that we weren't in fact in trouble and after a little chat we determined that Maligaya actually wanted to stock Sock Horror. It turns out that one of the customers to our stall had subsequently paid a visit to Maligaya and had been so enthusiastic about Sock Horror that he had instantly run round to ask us to come and visit him, however, because he was short staffed he didn't have the time to introduce himself properly and consequently we got confused and interpreted his haste as annoyance.

Well, the upshot is that Maligaya are now proud stockist of Sock Horror creatures and publications and I am failing to find a deeper modicum of self-control having discovered a new establishment to spend my hard earned pennies in.

Maligaya is situated on Friargate in the heart of Preston and is open 7 days a week for your purchasing pleasure.

2008-06-22T15:41:00.000+01:00

I've been playing with wordle...what fun!

Sock Horror in jail

2008-06-19T18:01:00.001+01:00

While WE here are fully aware of doldrites tenacious ability to secrete themselves in the most unconceivable places it appears there are still some people blissfully unaware of their antics.

It has been brought to my attention this week that on BBC Radio4's Midweek programme one of the guests was a certain Ray Materson, an artist who filled his time making detailed embroidery panels out of coloured threads pulled from socks. Apparently the conversation touched on there always being odd socks, but they all missed the startling revelation that, even in the secure environment of an American prison wing, Doldrites can come and go unnoticed and steal prisoners' socks.

The upside of this story is that although doldrites were at work in Ray's wing they almost certainly were exposed to his masterpieces and had to confront traumatic scenes of thier siblings reduced to thier most base state...great job Mr Materson, particularly as he had to work in secret because his work was technically "contraband" being something made from something else which was not its original purpose...extra credit to ya!

Dastardly scoundrels

2008-05-07T22:55:00.001+01:00

I have learnt this week just how far someone will go to own a Doldrite and the irony of this snippet of gossip is just too bizarre....

Sock Horrors; those lovable creatures that creep, those troublesome tykes that steal your socks, have ultimately become prey to their own antics.........2 prized specimens were in residence in the display window of hex peircing studio which was broken in to over the weekend. This act of larceny wasn't a bid to cleen the studio out, no they merely wanted the window contents.

So, to those lawbreakers who fell victim to the lure of Sock Horror and decided they needed to own these specimens.............may you live a long life and never find a pair of socks again!!!

Blood and bone....and all of it mine!

2008-05-02T21:51:00.000+01:00

Those of you who are abreast of my antics will be wondering how we fared last weekend at Whitby Goth festival, and I certainly have some exploits to share with you, not to mention as the title suggests an incident of blood and bone.

For me Whitby Goth Weekend started at 3am Friday morning. This was the time we dragged ourselves out of bed, bundled ourselves into the car and started out journey to Whitby. The drive was pleasant enough and the moment we spotted the Abbey on the cliff top over the moors we knew we were ready for a weekend of fun. We got to the leisure centre in plenty of time, set ourselves up with ease and did the rounds catching up with all our friends from previous years.

This was the last moment of calm and tranquility. The weekend quickly picked up pace and soon resembled the carnival we have come to love and look forward to every year; great music, loads of dancing, burlesque and pageantry; eye liner, glitter, hairspray and corsets; storm troopers, Frankenstein and a gaggle of skeletons; drinking and merry making, Captain Cooks' cannon balls (they're the greatest), shopping shopping and more shopping; cobbled streets, thunderstorms and shooting elk. What more could you ask for from a festival?

There were two major differences though this time; the first was my in-laws (as mentioned in a previous blog) who really threw themselves into the whole affair. They looked fantastic and were constantly pestered on the streets to have their photographs taken. I'm sure they were in their element and loved every minute.........in fact i know very well that they have secured their place for October and are already planning what they will wear.

The other incident of note was me breaking my toe. Yes, it's true. I spent the whole weekend walking round in big solid boots and chunky heels to then manage to break my bones. Although I had had a drink at the time I am not assenting that this is the reason for the episode. No, it was a highly polished floor, a mat with no rubber backing and a stone step that are to blame and no the fact that it was 5 am Sunday morning and the end of a long and raucous evening. It was amusing at the time hearing the cracking sound resonate off the kitchen walls and making sure everyone could see where the skin was broken and how funny my toe looked but not so amusing the following day when I had to hobble round the town looking for some flip flops to spend the rest of the weekend in.

Overall, the weekend was a great success. The Horrors flew off the stall with returning customers and new initiates taking on the terror of the Sock Horror army and a good time was had by all. Our stall and accommodation is booked for October and our countdown calendar has been reset.

Whitby Goth Weekend

2008-04-24T00:15:00.001+01:00

The time has come, once again, to assemble the curios of Sock Horror and begin the pilgrimage to Whitby and the Gothic Festival, and what a treat we have in store for you.

This year, as previously the Sock Horror carnival will be in the Leisure center on Whitby west cliff from 10 to 5 on both Friday and Saturday (25th and 26th April). Please do come along and pay us a visit.....we have a very special iron in the fire that will hopefully give you something to gawp at and probably leave me very tounge tied with flushed cheeks (if everything falls in to place).

I know a good few of you will be making your way to the festival so please feel free to come along and introduce yourself*. For those of you that are at a lose end this weekend then I suggest you throw caution to the wind and join the party. Information on the event, including bands, bazaar and the many fringe events can be found here and there are still some tickets available here

I look forward to catching up with all of you and sharing our findings on the fight against Sock Horror.

To all of you that are not able to make it please bear with me as I won't be able to respond to any messages until the 30th April.

Stay safe
Madame Horror

*friends of Doodlemonkie knowing the special hand signal - your packages are ready and waiting

Horrors flaunt brands as scars

2008-04-18T18:18:00.004+01:00

I'm so excited by this that I stayed up way past the witching hour several nights in a row to complete the task of branding the Horrors, but we have got there and I'm as pleased as a pig in muck with the results.

After many many moons of hand making colour coordinated neck tags that bear our trade name for each and every Horror we now have custom made swing labels that just look the dogs' bollocks and carry many of the emblems you would associate with Sock Horror. These include our characteristic 'Sock Horror' font, our prized seeker logo and of course a small smattering of blood.

What more could a girl wish for?

Well, these swing labels are more than just an identifier of origin; they are tomes (in the smallest sense of the word) of information - each one helping to describe the world of The Doldrums and the factions in effect there. There are in fact three different versions to collect; focusing on Doldrites, Icons and Gores in turn. No longer should you be bamboozled by the terminology in the descriptions of the Horrors; no more will you have to wonder about their origin and desires.

'Hooray!' I hear you cry.

And it doesn't stop there………with the advent of these ingenious labels there has been a re-mastering of the autopsy toe tags. Where before the simplicity of the toe tag was its virtue and merely stated the creatures' name, the new Autopsy Toe Tag now contains much of the information found in my personal journal as determined in my preliminary examination upon capture of the cretins (all of which is lovingly hand written) and informs you (the collector) of their breed, which faction they belong to, which island and region of The Doldrums they came from and when and where they were found or caught.

In addendum to these original features there are other characteristics that will easily identify a creature as part of the Sock Horror domain;

* The tush tags denoting our web address can only be found on our originals

*The unique eyes with their bold colours and distinctive cross emblem are exclusive to Sock Horror

*And of course where else will you find your favourite creature preserved in a specially made zip up body bag?....well only Sock Horror of course

Why not visit our website and see for yourself the Horrors that flaunt these brands as scars:

Talent Database

2008-04-15T17:35:00.001+01:00

I have just this last week listed Sock Horror on the talent database:


 

And much to my delight we have earned a feature!

Please go along and have a browse, show your support to all the great talent you can find there.

A Gothic Family Holiday

2008-04-03T18:07:00.000+01:00

Me and my husband are now seasoned veterans of Whitby Gothic Weekend. We have been going since our university days; in fact i think this will be our eleventh year and many of those we made the pilgrimage in both April and October.

I hear you cry 'how can a festival hold that much interest? Are you not bored after going to the same place so many times?' and to you I give an understanding nod and know that you have never been.

The home of Bram Stoker' Dracula at Halloween.........how on earth could be not fall in love with the place when it is completely overtaken by alternative types? The whole town embraces the festival and strings bats and spiders from every possible inch of space and even the second-hand shops tailor their window displays to show off their black velvet dresses, top hats and cravats; pubs advertise snakebites and restaurants change their menu descriptions to reflect the darker side of the palette. Besides all that it's the archetypal quaint fishing village with cobbles streets and shambles, but for miles around the most dominating feature of Whitby is the ruins of the Abbey perched on the top of West Cliff gazing out to sea.

But mainly we go to catch up with our mates, the people we only get to see at these events. Friends we made at university who moved on to live their lives in different towns. It's a great excuse to rent a large cottage on a cobbles street at the foot of the steps to Whitby Abbey, stay up all night catching up on each others escapades and behaving like we never left the place.

In recent events I have taken Sock Horror along and set up stall at the magnificent bazaar - as I am doing this time, and have had just as much fun educating people in the world of The Doldrums and the lore of lost socks.

This year however will be a new experience for several reasons. For the first time in many years we are descending on Whitby with depleted numbers; instead of the customary 12 or 14 of us that go as a group there will only be 4. I wonder how this will change our enjoyment of the event. But perhaps more notable is that it's going to be a real family event. When I say this I do not mean there is a miniature Madame Horror or Uncle Roblin for us to take along, quite the opposite.......we are going with Uncle Roblins' parents...........

They are not Goths. The whole thing passed them but without so much as a whisper, yet here they are throwing themselves into the preparations with such vigour I'm in awe. Gone is the curly blond hair to be replaces with a sleek razor edged style shot with pillar box red streaks. For months they have been trawling the country for unique items of clothing as only befits Gothic gentry (for the Internet is not their forte) and have deliberated over the perfect skirt shape to sit on the crinoline purchased last month and mused over whether a lace or ruffle parasol would finish the outfit more definitively. Morning suits have been specially tailored, pocket watches purchased and even armour rings bearing pentagrams have been chosen to adorn their fingers. In truth they are going to be more prepared for the coming event than we who have wardrobes full of Gothic couture and nothing to wear.

Is it right that you can be upstages by your in-laws in a lifestyle you have been carving yourself for so long? Oh I'm in no doubt that we will have fun; there is many a weekend we sit up chatting till 5 in the morning, but still I have the sneaky suspicion I will feel like a parent opening a new world to two impressionable teenagers.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Dom the Fluff creature

2008-03-30T13:25:00.006+01:00

Dom is a fluff creature with glittery black fluff growing from his glittery silver self.

When Fluff gets sucked into The Doldrums (the land of Sock Horror) it starts to grow and graze. Doldrites love fluff creatures and look after them with great care; there is even a caste of Sock Horror who's life revolves around tending the herds of fluff that roam the fabric fields.

This particular Fluff creature was caught by Doodlemonkie

Sock Horror, www.SockHorror.etsy.com, www.doodlemonkie.etsy.com

PAD Gallery

2008-03-28T18:14:00.001Z

Sock Horrors are now in residence at the PAD Gallery Preston.

After coming across our exhibition the members of PAD gallery felt so strongly about informing people about these creatures that they suggested we exhibit in their gallery.

PAD gallery now hold a selection of Sock Horrors and are soon to stock Fluff creatures and our first publication; Sockmosis: When worlds collide.

Found on Church Street in the centre of Preston, PAD gallery displays an eclectic mix of art and hand crafted items from the cream of Lancashire artists. It also holds events and workshops on many disciplines and techniques.

For further information please visit their website:

PAD gallery

Introduction

2008-03-27T19:14:00.003Z

Whether you know it or not you are a target. I would put my life on it that you have already been a victim…….many times over!!! Just think back; how many odd socks do you possess? Where do you suppose they have gone? Your mistake, like mine for many years, is to assume they are wedged under the bed or lurking under the wardrobe to be found at a later date.

In truth they have been stolen and whisked away to the land of the Doldrums. The architects of these crimes lurk where your back is turned, creep where you are not looking and frequently make the journey into your homes, into your bedrooms and to where you sleep to complete their endeavors.

I have come to call them SOCK HORRORS as they are evolved from socks, of that I am sure, but they ARE truly horrific.

Up until now, I have shared my findings with very few. However, I do have a small band of loyal acolytes, all of whom assist in the hunt and capture of further specimens.

My closest companion in this quest is Professor I. Doodlemonkie – a specialist in lore and fable, who is now my official diarist and scribe. I teased this hermit out of his early retirement by simply presenting him with my findings to date; then, he was instantly converted to the cause, working furiously (an, from that initial day forward, mostly barefoot) to distill our discoveries into one tome.

Together, we have made a pact to discover everything about these fascinating – but very deadly – creatures, and present our case to the world.

Together we can prevent their reaching legion.

Sincerely

Madame Horror