Mind - Pocket Puzzles
I’ve always bitten my nails. When I’m deep in thought I don’t even realize I’m doing it. Sometimes it gets so bad that I don’t realize I’ve started bleeding (I know it’s gross and weird, but walk with me.)
I have tried many things to stop this habit; getting acrylic nails (which made it worse), chewing gum (since it’s both a manual and an oral compulsion), wearing perfumed lotions (which doesn’t really stop me lol.)
The thing I’ve found the most useful recently is my ring collection. I wear at least 5 rings everyday. I mix the textures and shapes and it gives me enough manual distraction that it keeps me occupied when I need a break from typing. However, it’s when I’m out and not wanting to be on my phone, or waiting for my coffee order, or on the park bench, that I realize the urge really creeps up on me.
All this has led me to the discovery of stim toys. For example, there are these little rings that are spiky, spiraled slinkies that you can press into and roll around on your fingers (very satisfying.) My most recent addition is from a magic shop owned by twin brothers called the Art of Play—it’s a 15-piece pocket puzzle (gasp.)
Their shop hosts events and magic shows, and I’ll be sure to bring this puzzle with me when I go.
Body - Tear Gas
The prompt this week is another change-up from the usual programing. Last year I took a series of perfume making classes at the Institute of Art and Olfaction. It’s both very different and very similar to cooking. Science meets magic here.
Tear Gas is the name of the first perfume I made for myself. It’s iso e super and saffron forward, with an ambroxan base (real perfume heads will understand.) Featured below are the first scents I made for my mom, dad, and sister.
You can try a perfume making kit from sites like Perfumer’s Apprentice. Happy mixing✨
Spirit - Still Life
I’ve found myself particularly drawn to the magical, haunting photography of Xuebing Du, who is showing their work at the Saatchi Gallery through May 5th if you happen to be in London and get a chance to pop out. One of my favorite forms of art is still life, and the work of Xeubing is, in my opinion, some of the best modern still life photography (and food photography) that I’ve come across.
Their floating compositions, high-contrast, and high-fidelity offer the viewer a portal. The dreams we land in may not be the same, but the framed images on the wall are recurring, and the they are always one of these still life photos. And so, this weeks’ prompt is to go look at some art that puts you in that magical dream state.