Hey howdy everybody. How many of you are hoarders? I never thought of myself as a hoarder, but recently, after some much overdue cleaning and organizing, I think I might be — maybe a little bit — a hoarder.
About six months ago I started a new hobby. While mindlessly scrolling through one of the social medias, I came across a video of someone making a keychain out of resin. They mixed two liquids together, added some drops of dye and glitter, then poured it into the mold of the letter “N” and — voila! They had a cool looking keychain.
I had been going through a creative drought and thought that looked like it might be fun, even if it was a little basic.
So I looked on Amazon, and they had a kit with everything you would need to make a small resin project. I got the kit and an alphabet silicone mold.
I didn’t want a keychain, but thought I could always find something to put my name on.
So, I made myself a “CASSIE NOVA” nameplate. Ok, technically they were just loose letters, but it looked cute on a shelf.
I made more and more letters and gave them to friends. I realized I was really enjoying the whole process — mixing the epoxies, creating colors by mixing mica powders, pouring into the molds — and would get excited to see how it turned out when it cured.
I kinda became obsessed. I started buying molds to make stuff to give as little gifts. I found a two-piece silicone mold of a rose that made a cute little container. A perfect gift for the girls that perform in the Rose Room.
Everyone I knew was getting a Cassie Nova rose customized just for them! It was either their favorite color or matched their decor at home or such.
Oh, and skulls. I was making a lot of skulls in every color scheme I could think of.
The more stuff I made, the more I wanted to learn. I wanted to try different techniques and different molds. I wanted to learn how to shape the resin into bowls or free form shapes.
I was feeling artistic in a way I haven’t in a long time.
But my collection of molds and supplies was getting a little out of hand. So I decided to create a permanent workspace — my own little studio. The only problem was that my upstairs “drag room” was a mess and had become a catch-all for any and everything. Boxes of wigs, boxes of rarely worn drag, Christmas and Halloween decorations, workout equipment that I swore would get used but didn’t and anything else that we couldn’t find a place for.
Our upstairs is just one large room. Most people would probably use it as their bedroom, but it’s too bright and sunny for me. Plus, it is always warmer upstairs, and I, like, can’t sleep unless it is cold enough to hang meat. So our upstairs became my shameful secret junk drawer of “stuff.”
Wanting a nice workspace to create in was the kick in the ass I needed to finally start to organize our shit. I started with my drag. Goddamnit! I have so much drag!
I had 15 versions of the same ugly dress. I found costumes and pieces I completely forgot about or don’t remember at all. It was like I went shopping without spending any money.
I gave away so much stuff. I filled huge boxes of drag. Some things were really great; some things were complete shit. I gave those boxes to a couple of my babies that will either wear the hell out of it or find someone who will.
I threw so much stuff away! But the reason I think I am a little bit of a hoarder is because I should get rid of so much more.
I have this stupid fear that the second some item I have is out of my hands, I will need it. It’s like, “This dress is hideous; throw it away.” But what if, the next day, I need a hideous dress for something?
It’s so stupid, but I am like that with everything. I have three countertop grill/panini presses.
No one needs three. We don’t have enough space for one, but I’m saving them for a yard sale or some nonexistent college student that might need to make a hot sandwich in their dorm room.
I will say that I’m proud of myself for letting go of so much stuff. We donated a shit-ton of stuff to our local thrift store that helps families in need. Hopefully they need 30 pairs of shorts, a bunch of super-gay-looking shirts, a big box of outdated high heels in an 8.5 and a surprising amount of winter coats.
I still have a lot to do upstairs, but at least I have a comfy place to create my weird art. Right now, I am obsessed with making free-form resin bowls with broken glass, shells and gravel. I am also making dicks! I found some penis molds in 5-, 6- and 7-inch sizes. I think they will make cute towel or robe hangers for the bathroom.
Oh, the possibilities!
Remember to always, love more, bitch less and be fabulous! XOXO, Cassie Nova