Egg Skulls

Today's submission if "From Russia With Skulls" courtesy of Anton. These appear to be done through the magic of photoshop, but they're in the same league with other skull eggs I've seen.



Like fragile little eggs, our skulls are especially sensitive to outside forces that might damage the precious contents inside. Unless you're like this guy I knew in the Navy who could crush cans on his head. Come to think of it, he wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed so maybe his skull was working extra hard to preserve whatever was left in there. Anyway, thanks for the great pic, Anton!


Skull Appreciation Day Daily Button Giveaway
To be entered in the drawing just leave a comment below stating: what you would expect to see come out of skull egg. I'm seeing a miniature tyrannosaurus rex coming out with a nasty little attitude.

IMPORTANT: Don't forget to include a way to contact you (either an e-mail in the post OR make sure your Blogger profile has an e-mail link for you on it).

NOTE: If you're reading this on Facebook, be sure to leave your comment on the original Skull-A-Day.com post if you want to be actually entered in the contest

Student Skulls

Teacher Rebecca Flowers sent in a couple pictures of skulls made by Walker Upper Elementary School students. They were visited by our very own Skullmaster last month you can see their formal thanks here.

Ms. Flowers told us: “One is made out of pencil eraser tops and the other is made out of Legos. The Lego creator ran out of white Legos and improvised with a red Lego bandanna on his skull.”


3rd period C says:

What a perfect way to celebrate a Friday! I love being able to feature the work of up and coming artists as well as see the inspiration of our daily influence on the future of art and culture or as Richard Florida may see them future creative class types. Thanks again for sharing this work.

** You can flashback to more skull erasers and legos at the links.

Skull Appreciation Day Daily Button Giveaway

To be entered in the drawing just leave a comment below stating: What are some of your favorite flashbacks? Mine are here.

IMPORTANT: Don't forget to include a way to contact you!
(Either your e-mail in the post OR make sure your profile has an e-mail link for you. If all else fails drop us an email to our submission address with your profile name. )

NOTE: If you're reading this on Facebook, be sure to leave your comment on the original Skull-A-Day.com post if you want to be actually entered in the contest

[Flashback Friday] #250 Crosskull Puzzle

Welcome to another addition of Flashback Friday.** This year the guest editors, Citizen Agent, Azurafae, and myself, Tatman, are taking turns counting down our personal favorite 17 skulls from the Original 365.25 Year. So please join us as we visit the archives and add our additional commentary on some of the original pieces.

5. 250. Crosskull Puzzle



The "Crosskull Puzzle" starts off my final top 5 because I'm a huge fan of word puzzles, especially crossword puzzles. I tried to be the first to finish this when Noah created it, but sadly someone else beat me to it. If you enjoy a good skull challenge then print it up and give it a shot.

**Flashback Friday was a weekly countdown of the fan selected top 52 skulls of Skull-A-Day 1.0. Each week during year 3.0 The Skullmaster posted the original skull along with some additional commentary in order from lowest to highest rated, with the #1 skull appearing in the last week of year 3.0, all 52 can be found here.

Dia de la Abby #48: Jelly Belly Bean Skull

This past Sunday was Easter. For part of the day, I made a skull out of Jelly Belly Beans.

In a way, this was a family project. My parents and brother insisted on making me wash my hands before touching the jelly beans that mom had already been touching with unwashed hands, so I did. I requested a piece of plastic wrap, so I wouldn't be spreading jelly beans on an unclean surface. Mom ripped me off a large piece. She suggested that I used a cookie sheet instead of her counter top, so the skull would show up better. I dug a cookie sheet out of the drawer, laid the plastic wrap on it and dumped jelly beans on the work surface. I started pulling out the dark colors, so the skull would be bright. Russell (my brother), said I should separate the colors out. I could have done that, but I've seen some great ones with separations, and didn't want to do that same things. That, and I wanted to finish quickly, so I could watch Alex hunt for eggs. Also, there was pie waiting. Pie is good. After I was done arranging them, while my family watched and snacked on jelly beans, I put all the beans I touched, back in the jar! This was a tasty project.


Every week in the 4.0 year, I will post my own Dia de la Abby posts as well as a tutorial with instructions on how I made my piece. Hopefully you feel inspired by my posts just as I was by Noah's Skull-A-Day 1.0 daily project. Need more of me than just a weekly dose, follow me on Twitter and/or Facebook.

Higby Skeleton Doll

Megan from Rochester, NY, submitted photos of Higby, her little crocheted buddy.  "This is where he resides--in his haunted house--which is on display year round. The design didn't call for the heart, but I added it tucked behind his thready ribs because I knew he had a creepy cute soul." If you have any questions about the design you can contact Megan, yanksmeg2@hotmail.com

Making a crocheted item can be very therapeutic. Making a sculptural object is harder than say, a scarf...well depending on the type of scarf. However, with practice, anything you do will get easier. I have seen the pattern for this style doll in various places. It's a great one if you want to expand your crochet skills into something sculptural. The shape is a bit like Matryoshka dolls (Russian nesting dolls). I like how how Megan expanded on this design, with the yarn color choices and the details. The button heart is a cute way to make this a bit more eerie. There are lots of free crochet doll patterns on the internet. I just recently started making crocheted dolls. This Little Ninja and Lily Doll (sign up is free) are my favorites to use.


Skull Appreciation Day Daily Button Giveaway

To be entered in today's drawing to win a button just leave a comment below stating: What kind of adventures would you take a skeleton doll on? I would take mine to Paris, France to see the catacombs.

IMPORTANT: Don't forget to include a way to contact you 
(either an e-mail in the post OR make sure your Blogger profile has an e-mail link for you on it).

NOTE: If you're reading this on Facebook, be sure to leave your comment on the original Skull-A-Day.com post if you want to be actually entered in the contest.

Illustrated Skulls

Nicola Ballarini from Italy sent us this wonderful pair of illustrations.



Another Brick in the C says:

I truly enjoy these illustrations, it wasn't obvious what you used to construct them an it took a concentrated look to finally figure it out. My favorite is the grey one because of its complexity of shapes. Thank you for sharing your work with us.

Skull Appreciation Day Daily Button Giveaway

To be entered in the drawing just leave a comment below stating: What would be your preferred shape to make a skull?

IMPORTANT: Don't forget to include a way to contact you!
(Either your e-mail in the post OR make sure your profile has an e-mail link for you. If all else fails drop us an email to our submission address with your profile name. )

NOTE: If you're reading this on Facebook, be sure to leave your comment on the original Skull-A-Day.com post if you want to be actually entered in the contest

Stone Skull Carvings

Sam Sutherland most recently submitted his amazing skull table, and today he's back with more excellent carvings. I liked all of these equally so I had to share them all. The first and third skulls are created from marble, and the second set(with two skulls) are macedonian limestone and conchuela limestone.







Stone carving is one of the most primitive and ancient art forms, yet it's still one of the most impressive. I really love the historic feeling you get even when a piece was just recently finished. The ability to create such smooth characters from the hard minerals is a talent that I could only hope to acheive...but for now I'll just continue being a blockhead. Thanks again for the impressive skull work, Sam!

Skull Appreciation Day Daily Button Giveaway
To be entered in the drawing just leave a comment below stating: What kind of rock you would carve into a skull. Umm, are diamonds considered rocks? That would definitely be my choice!

IMPORTANT: Don't forget to include a way to contact you (either an e-mail in the post OR make sure your Blogger profile has an e-mail link for you on it).

NOTE: If you're reading this on Facebook, be sure to leave your comment on the original Skull-A-Day.com post if you want to be actually entered in the contest

Aged Skull Earrings

Jodie Vieira, of JoMarie Jewelry, submitted these earrings. She explains "I'm a jewelry designer from Nashville, TN and I saw a speech Noah Scalin did for Etsy about generating creativity.  It inspired me to embark on a project of my own where I create a new pair of earrings every day for 100 days, because Noah inspired me I wanted to pay homage to his Skull-a-Day by making some skull earrings.  I've attached a picture of the earrings I created, they were hand sawed out of sterling silver and aged with a heat treatment, and then adorned with swarovski crystals."

I love jewelry and of course skulls. I have multiple ear piercings. I have a seen a lot of skull earrings. I have a few pairs myself. This featured pair is one of my favorites that I have seen. I like the aged and discolored appearance of the metal, from being heated. The crystals pick up those color variations well. The style is a nice take on a traditional skull and crossed bones design. They are a good size to stand out, but not be heavy on the lobe. Too many great earrings are too heavy for my ears, which causes uncomfortable stretching. These don't look like they would, which is very nice.

Skull Appreciation Day Daily Button Giveaway

To be entered in today's drawing to win a button just leave a comment below stating: What kind of jewelry do your adorn your skull with? I adorn mine with 3 pairs of dangle and stud earrings.

IMPORTANT: Don't forget to include a way to contact you (either an e-mail in the post OR make sure your Blogger profile has an e-mail link for you on it).

NOTE: If you're reading this on Facebook, be sure to leave your comment on the original Skull-A-Day.com post if you want to be actually entered in the contest

Sunday Simulacra - Version 4.47

Today's simulacra from my personal collection.

The first is from the foundation of one of the houses in my neighborhood.


The next is a muffin pan in a store that sells all types of kitchen accessories.


And last is a fried mushroom from dinner the other night.


Self Promoting C says:

Wishing everyone happy simulacra hunting during this season of spring holidays. I will be back next week with another collection from our wonderful contributors like you.

Keep sending those pictures in to our submissions address. Just keep in mind that since we only post simulacra once a week it might take a little longer than normal for it to be posted... and add another week when I hijack the post.

Skull Appreciation Day Daily Button Giveaway

To be entered in the drawing just leave a comment below stating: What are some of your favorite simulacra that have gotten away without documentation?

IMPORTANT: Don't forget to include a way to contact you!
(Either your e-mail in the post OR make sure your profile has an e-mail link for you. If all else fails drop us an email to our submission address with your profile name. )

NOTE: If you're reading this on Facebook, be sure to leave your comment on the original Skull-A-Day.com post if you want to be actually entered in the contest

Smokin' Skullistration

Today Alexandre Machado is giving me a lesson in remembering your roots with this great black and white illustration.



Like I said, this piece reminds me of why I first started loving skulls. The devil-biker-meaness of this angry fellow let's everyone know that he came to do what he wants and he'll be damned if anyone says otherwise. Sometimes you just have to have that take over the world attitude....sometimes. Thanks, Alexandre.


Skull Appreciation Day Daily Button Giveaway
To be entered in the drawing just leave a comment below stating: what made you start loving skulls.

IMPORTANT: Don't forget to include a way to contact you (either an e-mail in the post OR make sure your Blogger profile has an e-mail link for you on it).

NOTE: If you're reading this on Facebook, be sure to leave your comment on the original Skull-A-Day.com post if you want to be actually entered in the contest

"In the End"

Thea Schultheiss in Northampton, UK wrote: “I adore your blog and have been reading it since I found it a couple of years ago. I have finally got my act together to submit something to you . This is a drawing I made, good old graphite on paper titled ‘In the End’ a bun on a skull.”


Arthur C says:

One! Two... FIVE! Sorry I couldn’t resist that. Perhaps this piece is an homage to one of Britannia’s greatest exports, but I find this piece made an interesting commentary on current cultural situations and two such issues came to mind here and here.

Skull Appreciation Day Daily Button Giveaway

To be entered in the drawing just leave a comment below stating: How high can a skull count?

IMPORTANT: Don't forget to include a way to contact you!
(Either your e-mail in the post OR make sure your profile has an e-mail link for you. If all else fails drop us an email to our submission address with your profile name. )

NOTE: If you're reading this on Facebook, be sure to leave your comment on the original Skull-A-Day.com post if you want to be actually entered in the contest

[Flashback Friday] #233 Dirt Skull (for Jackie)

Welcome to another addition of Flashback Friday.** This year the guest editors, Citizen Agent, Azurafae, and myself, Tatman, are taking turns counting down our personal favorite 17 skulls from the Original 365.25 Year. So please join us as we visit the archives and add our additional commentary on some of the original pieces.

6. 233. Dirt Skull (for Jackie)



Simply put, this piece is a wonderful memoriam for a close friend of Noah's, and that's why it's one of my favorites. Honoring those who have passed onto life after life is one of the truest inspirations for art that exists. Noah took it to it's purest form by transforming the Earth that we are a part of.

**Flashback Friday was a weekly countdown of the fan selected top 52 skulls of Skull-A-Day 1.0. Each week during year 3.0 The Skullmaster posted the original skull along with some additional commentary in order from lowest to highest rated, with the #1 skull appearing in the last week of year 3.0, all 52 can be found here.

[BONUS] Elementary Skulls

A few weeks back I had the wonderful pleasure of giving two talks at Walker Upper Elementary in Charlottesville, VA as part of the Virginia Festival of The Book. Just recently my friend Becky, who is the librarian there, handed me a packet of thank you letters written by the students! They were too great not to share...

 

Skull Appreciation Day T-Shirts!

At long last we now have official Skull Appreciation Day T-shirts in the Skull-A-Day store! And since voting was split between black and grey we went ahead and made both!

Get your Ring-spun 100% Organic Cotton Silver Skull Appreciation Day T for just $20 HERE.

Get your Ring-spun 50% Organic Cotton/50% Post-consumer Recycled PET Bottle Polyester Black Skull Appreciation Day T $20 HERE.


And in honor of the upcoming Skull Appreciation Day festivities we've also put the remaining United Skull of America T-shirts & posters on sale for just $20 each! Get them before they're all gone.

There are also Skull Appreciation Day buttons & Ornamental Skull prints in the store and more products will be added in the near future.

Dia de la Abby #47: Flower Petal Skull

I'm working on a wedding order. I thought these flower petals looked like little bows and would make a neat skull.

These are hand painted poppy petals, so I could make a custom color for a client, as I couldn't find a flower in the correct color. This will be a completely custom flower, as poppy flowers normally have just 4 petals. I'm going to cut them apart and rearrange them into a wider flower shape. Then, sew them in layers to make a fantasy flower, complete with beaded center and peacock feathers. Finalized photos will show up on my Azurafae Facebook Page. Also, if any of you would like custom hair accessories and veils for weddings, any special occasion, or just because, send me a message on my Facebook.


Every week in the 4.0 year, I will post my own Dia de la Abby posts as well as a tutorial with instructions on how I made my piece. Hopefully you feel inspired by my posts just as I was by Noah's Skull-A-Day 1.0 daily project. Need more of me than just a weekly dose, follow me on Twitter and/or Facebook.

Stained Glass Pirate Skull

David Kennedy submitted this stained glass skull.

We love the fantasy of being a pirate. It seems glamorous and dangerous, but in reality, it's far from it. Probably one of the most interesting history things I've studied, is about pirates. I suggest you all read a history book on these fascinating people. Then, feel free to keep on fantasizing. I plan on doing so, at Magic Kingdom with my husband and daughter, in two weeks. Ahoy!

Skull Appreciation Day Daily Button Giveaway

To be entered in today's drawing to win a button just leave a comment below stating: What kind of pirate do you want to be? I would love to be Mary Reed, Anne Bonny, or any of the other famous lady pirates.

IMPORTANT: Don't forget to include a way to contact you (either an e-mail in the post OR make sure your Blogger profile has an e-mail link for you on it).

NOTE: If you're reading this on Facebook, be sure to leave your comment on the original Skull-A-Day.com post if you want to be actually entered in the contest

Skull Drawings

MixLerner, from São Paulo, Brasil submitted these skull drawings.

I like the cartoon aspect of these overlapping skulls. It reminds me of Noah's cartoon skulls, but different due to the quirky round eyes and the one with red heart eyes. I could see this working as a fabric print.

Circuses wouldn't be as exciting without the "freaks". It's interesting how much renewed interesting there is in the circus arts. I'm dreaming about aerial arts.

Skull Appreciation Day Daily Button Giveaway

To be entered in today's drawing to win a button just leave a comment below stating: How do you draw your skull?

IMPORTANT: Don't forget to include a way to contact you (either an e-mail in the post OR make sure your Blogger profile has an e-mail link for you on it).

NOTE: If you're reading this on Facebook, be sure to leave your comment on the original Skull-A-Day.com post if you want to be actually entered in the contest

A Day with DudeCraft

My friend Paul who runs the fantastic DudeCraft and Every Day Is Awesome blogs, spent the day here in Richmond, VA with me yesterday. Of course I took him on a tour of my favorite places in town, but we also took a moment to recreate our "famous" snow sculpture photo...

And stopped by my United Skull of America II installation (which is being dismantled this Friday!)...

For more pix from Paul's visit be sure to read the post on his blog HERE.

[BONUS] 385. Creepy Crawly Skull

I made this piece as a proposal for a client, but as it was nearing completion I realized it was a bit too creepy for their needs. Ah well, it was fun to make regardless...

Now available as prints/t-shirts/pillows/iPhone & laptop skins!