... this blogger gave to thee...
... nine creative weirdos...
... eight things I've loved...
... seven shoes to choose from...
... six party dresses...
... five gold rings!..
... four silly socks...
... three Etsy shops...
... two tuneful gizmos...
... and a great soup for cold winter days.
Day nine of the now extremely extended 12 Days, is about creative weirdos, specifically those who reside on YouTube. As you may have gathered I like watching YouTube. Possibly a little too much, but I like the distracting noise of other people chattering when I'm working, cooking or doing chores. I like the noise and having something visual to take my attention for a minute or two.
When watching, I tend to gravitate one of two ways, towards makeup or crafts/DIY, I do get sucked in, I'll admit, by cat channels, music and silliness as well, who doesn't, but generally my subscription list is made up of makeup and crafts. The craft videos are self explanatory, as probably are the makeup ones, they're all about creativity and expression. Whether you're painting your face, drawing, cooking or building anything from hand puppets to houses, you're being creative and I think sharing the how-to of it all is incredibly important. Especially when a lot of creative people are incredibly secretive about their methods out of fear of being ripped off. Not an unfair fear, however refusing completely to talk about how you do things can be incredibly off putting.
This list is mostly based on whose videos I have to immediately watch as soon as they upload. Though this changes from time to time, these nine are pretty constant. There won't be any particular order to the channels, however I will group them a little into makeup, crafting and then randomness...
Kiki G. (Katelyn Galloway) is a professional makeup artist working in film and TV, whilst also writing a book on makeup, creating her own brand (Salt New York) of magnetic palettes, raising her son and creating content for YouTube. This is why I can forgive her less than regular upload schedule.
I first stumbled upon Katelyn's channel through two videos, one where she was making her own DIY liquid highlighter dupe for the Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops and the other when she released a series of makeup transformations (The Power of Makeup). Specifically transforming herself into Ron Swanson from Parks and Recreation, played by Nick Offerman.
She has also transformed herself into Tony Hale as Buster Bluth from Arrested Development and Steve Buscemi, but it's not only her transformations which I continued to watch her channel for. It was her sense of humour and personality - anyone who greets her audience at the start of a video, with an ode to Lesley Knope of Parks and Recreation, is a winner in my book - but because she also actually made incredibly educational content on the basics of makeup in a series called, Why Come No One Told Me That?
This series talked about skincare, colour theory, how to cover acne and conceal problems with your skin to the difference between contour and bronzing. A series she continues to add too, Katelyn manages to explain how to do something in incredibly concise detail but then do a chatty get ready with me (GRWM) or everyday makeup tutorial and be completely honest about her laziness with her own makeup, ramble off topic, sit eating Redvines and spend half the video chatting to her son, who likes to dig his fingers in all her makeup.
Sarcastic and sassy, she's also incredibly endearing and I wish she uploaded more frequently, but I appreciate that unlike a lot of beautubers*, YouTube is not her full-time job. So any videos she uploads are gratefully received.
Heather Moorhouse a.k.a. Makeup Mouse, is a British makeup artist based in Brighton who specialises in avant-garde, quite often drag inspired makeup looks and character designs, which
I really like Moorhouse for her honesty and humour. In her more GRWM still tutorials where she talks directly to the camera, she's funny and silly and much like I do in my blog posts, easily distracted by tea, cats, random nonsense and shiny things. She's also not scared to say how she feels and if she doesn't like a product or at least doesn't think it works for her, she won't lie just because of sponsorship or feelings of brand loyalty. (If you love a brand it doesn't mean you'll love every product.)
Having only recently taken the plunge into being a full-time, self employed beautuber, up until a few months ago, Moorhouse's upload schedule on YouTube was infrequent and unpredictable. However she's now uploading more and more frequently and can always be found making Instagram tutorials as well, and of all the makeup artists I follow, Moorhouse is the one I look forward too most. I love her makeup and her weirdness - anyone who can make Brussels sprout shaped freckles look good is truly an artist - she is also, I think, the kind of girl I'd want to be friends with, but would probably be too scared to talk too because I think she'd think I was weird, when in fact I'm a glitter loving weirdo trapped inside an lightly glittered introvert.
Her looks aren't for everyone, they're not the most wearable, but watching someone who is as creative and entertaining is rare, and I really hope she doesn't change her style or personality to increase subscriptions, because I think that would be a real shame. In the words of Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones, "I like you very much, just as you are."
Linda Hallberg is a Swedish makeup-artist, cosmetics brand owner and social media creator who creates natural, glamorous, colourful, bold, editorial and often faux freckled and glitter heavy looks, which are simply stunning. Much like the makeup she has designed to be multi-use (used on the eyes, lips or wherever) and simply just a colour and a texture to be used wherever the person desires, Hallberg's style as a makeup-artist is multifaceted. Why should you stick to one style when all it takes is some makeup remover to completely change into something completely different?
To me, as someone who loves makeup but sticks pretty much to what I know, watching Hallberg it's clear that this is someone who just loves playing with makeup and creating look after look. I love watching her videos and visiting her Instagram for that.
I also like that Hallberg manages to use and advertise her cosmetics brand in her videos without shoving it in your face. I have no problem with creators advertising their products, in fact I think it's important they do, however I do have a problem when it seems like the only reason they've made a video at all is to convince you to part with your money and shout "use code blah" at you. There is a difference between being proud of what you've created and being a bit of a shill, and I think if you've watch certain beauty channels you'll understand what I'm inelegantly saying.
And not to shill for Hallberg, but if you watched the video from Heather Moorhouse, you may have noticed her use of Linda Hallberg Cosmetics, in particular her Metallic Mysteries Palettes, which are so freaking beautiful it's ridiculous. If only I had the money!
Just as a note, during 2018 there was a lot of drama surrounding the biggest beautubers on the platform and their less than honest reviews of products, their unsavoury behaviour on social media, with each other, and more importantly their fans. I'd already got tired of a lot of their repetitive content - how many variations on a warm smoky eye and nude lip can there really be? - but I'd also gotten bored of their insincere reviews seemingly based more on the amount they were paid and the need to continuous push product and promo codes, than any actual enjoyment in the product. Generally, I'd gotten tired how they were now just coming off as fake. So, I stopped watching some and unsubscribed from others, looking for more original content, potential honesty and personalities which weren't put on and appealed more to me.
I watch a lot of makeup tutorials, and as I said over the past year have eliminated a lot of the more popular beautubers from my subscription. There are however, so many wonderful ones out there who don't get as much attention but are definitely more talented than the few who stick to the same look all the time or fill the internet with skewed reviews of the same products as everyone else. If you're looking for makeup tutorials online, look at the little guys, and give them some love.
Other beautubers to check out include (A-Z): Allie Glines; Atleeeey; Chloe Morello; Glam & Gore; Itslikelymakeup; Jeffree Star; Jkissa; Karima McKimmie; Lisa Eldridge; Lucy Garland; Mariah Leonard; NikkieTutorials; Pixiwoo; Pompberry; PopLuxe; Rachhloves; RawBeautyKristi; Ryan Potter; Samantha Ravndahl; Shaaanxo; Tati Westbrook & Wayne Goss
Best friends Kelsey MacDermaid & Becky Wright are The Sorry Girls, a Canadian duo who create DIY and craft videos that include fashion and styling, upcycling and thrifting. They do Ikea Hacks and budget recreations of the high end fashion and homewares we all covet, but baulk at the price of. As well as room makeovers, including the continuous redevelopment of The Sorry Girl loft studios.
I started watching The Sorry Girls about three or four years ago, primarily because the channel took on a lot of craft projects which were all over Pinterest, as well as really liking the way they styled their loft and various interiors they were given. I also really enjoyed the energy that MacDermaid and Wright gave across,they're silly and friendly and even with their Canadian politeness, I love that the girls can't help but look infuriated and bemused when things aren't going quite right. Like every normal crafter.
I'd happily spend a day crafting things with them because I think they'd just be really excitable, encouraging and fun. They also, unlike a lot of DIY based channels, seem to make do with what minimal tools they have, instead of needing so many expensive power tools, that it seems impossible for new crafters to ever get anywhere without laying down a ridiculous amount of money.
Can I also just state now that their peg board set space (the white incarnation) in The Sorry Girl loft, is exactly what I want my studio space to look like one day... I mean exactly. In fact can their entire loft be transported to the UK for me to live and work in? Please? Pretty please? It's only January 13th, bar being really late with these posts and posting baby pictures of my little sister on Day 8, I swear I've been good!
The coiner of the phrase and original Creative Weirdo, Mr. Kate.
Mr. Kate a.k.a. Kate Albrecht along with her husband Joey Zehr, much like The Sorry Girls, create DIY, interior makeover, craft and art projects, as well as lifestyle and beauty content. All done in an energetic, uplifting and generally slightly insane and joyful way.
A way that a lot of people could probably find irritating, but I like because, to me, Kate just seems like a hyperactive whimsical craft type who just wants to make things all the time.
In the end, the reason I like Mr. Kate so much is that I really like her interior design aesthetic, it's bright and colourful and weird and quirky and embodies perfectly the creative weirdo.
Something I will happily call myself.
Graphic designer and artist Bryan Perrenoud creates content for his channel based on his experimentation with any and all art and craft techniques he can get his hands on. Under the name Shmoxd, Perrnoud makes videos trying different processes and inviting us to join him as he figures out how to not only accomplish them, but incorporate them into his art.
I completely appreciate and understand Shmoxd's desire to try new things and learn by trying them out because in many respects that's kind of what I'm like, if I see something new like using a punch needle (which I have done) or weaving, making teddies or pillows, I have a complete compulsion to try them. Or at least get the stuff so I can. There's a certain scatter-gun, distracted by a squirrel attitude that I have to craft techniques, which is good in one sense but terrible from another. What I really should do is apply them, document them and see where they lead, much like Shmoxd does. I like his channel because it makes me feel less weird for being like a distracted puppy wanting to TRY ALL THE CRAFTS!
Threadbangers, have been on YouTube, as of March, for twelve years. For a site which turns fourteen years old this year (WTF!**) to have been on the platform for this long takes commitment. In the case of Corrine Leigh and Rob Czar, the creators behind Threadbangers, didn't just mean turning out content continuously, but marriage.
The husband and wife team are more like competitors, their main video series being Man vs. Pin/Din, Corrine vs. Pin/Cooking and Man vs. Corrine vs. Pin, which usually ends in the couple being demonetized for swearing or innuendos, Rob injuring himself, Corrine getting progressively more irritated by Rob and Rob failing at whatever that videos task is... this sounds like a spoiler, but you'd assume this pattern after one video anyway, lets get started shall we...
If you like silliness, swearing, Pinterest crafts and internet trends being hacked or debunked and a grown man fighting with various incarnations of the bowl, then Threadbangers is for you. I'm strangely fond of the pair and the dynamic that Rob is the cockup and Corrine actually tries her hardest to make the projects she tries work, something which carries over onto their individual channels. I even got my mum watching them, when my back was so sore I couldn't move, she sat and watched a load of them with me and despite the idiotic overtones, swearing and blood/barf jokes, she really enjoyed them. Which was nice.
Others crafters to check out include (A-Z): Andrew Berry (Jewellery); Annika Victoria (Textiles); Chris Salomone (Woodwork); Elizabeth Bryson (Textiles); Draw with Jazza (Art); Evan and Katelyn (DIY); HomeMadeModern (DIY); Laura Kampf (DIY); Living to DIY with Rachel Metz (DIY); Make Anything (3D Printing); Matt Horne Pottery (Ceramics); Modern Builds (DIY); Peter Brown (Woodwork); Pom Maker (Pom Pom Magic); Wakuneco (Needle Felting) & Woby Design (DIY)
Of all the channels on YouTube, of all the food specific channels, why am I including the Bon Appétit Magazine test kitchen? I'm including it because I think that the test kitchen staff are really entertaining, they make relatively simple recipes which I like the sound of and they have three segments which I always rush to watch.
The first of these is It's Alive with Brad, where test kitchen managed Brad Leone gets to show the world his love for fermented foods and how you can use this to your advantage in cooking. This also allows him to wax lyrical over the health benefits and his love of garlic, which I can get behind, but he's just really entertaining to watch, as are many of the other staff. The second segment is Gourmet Makes where pastry chef Claire Saffitz recreates snacks such as Oreos, Skittles, Lucky Charms and Kit Kats from scratch and turn them - with increasing degrees of frustration - into gourmet snacks. She always gets there but it's not always easy.
The third segment is Back-To-Back Chef, where food director for Bon Appétit, Carla Music, has to guide a celebrity guest through a recipe giving verbal instructions only and neither is allowed to look until the end. One of the most recent guests is why Bon Appétit gets a spot on this list.
Back in June, Carla was join from the Back-to-Back challenge but RuPaul's Drag Race alum, Miz Cracker, which not only left me in stitches but also confirmed my love for her - this is the Miz Cracker we didn't get to completely see on Season 10 because of her confidence within the show, but I wish we had and am so glad we get to see it now. It's also lead to two more collaborations between her and Carla, including one where they made latkes dressed up as pickles, as an ode to Miz Cracker's Drag Race character, Dr. Dill.
I really hope there's more collaborations between the pair in 2019.
And it's true, for the most part, I think a lot of people have some affection for puppets because of the Muppets. We grew up with them and particularly around Christmas my affection for them grows immensely, due to A Muppet Christmas Carol, which has been an important part of the run up to Christmas for me and my sisters, since the movie came out in the early nineties. We watch it every year unless, like this year, things get in the way.
Oddly though, ventriloquist puppets, for the most part, freak me the hell out. At least the old school ones do.
Luckily Barnaby Dixon is not a ventriloquist, but instead the creator of Dabchick, a charismatic, somewhat belligerent and often musical hand puppet who conducts a vlog on Dixon's YouTube channel...
Starting his career as a stop motion animator, Dixon wanted to translate his skills from there into YouTube, however in its nature, stop motion animation is a long and time consuming process, which would limit his ability to upload regularly. So instead, he chose to experiment with new methods of puppetry which would allow him a more instant but fluid means of real time interaction with the platform using animation. The search for real-time animation lead to the creation of Dabchick where he engineered and sculpted his own armatures which perfectly fit his hand and mechanisms which allow him to immediately give the character expressions and motions he initially had to animate separately in stop motion. Subsequently, Dixon has created characters including his dinosaur and an porcupine, in a similar single hand puppet, but also Manu, a tribal human character and Bug, a bug, which he animates - most often dancing - using both hands. With these puppets one of Dixon's hands is controlling the lower leg portion of the puppet and the other controlling the arms and head, with fine details of items like Bugs antenna moving independently through the kinetic movement of the materials he makes them from. Dixon has also made the hands mechanically animated, so they're able to reach out and grasp at the air without any additional stop motion or computer controlled action, ,and feet and joints sprung in a particular way to give a more natural movement a tradition hand puppet wouldn't have. It's this level of detail which adds to the illusion.
Quickly when you watch Dixon animate his puppets, much like with the Muppets, you forget that there's a hand there, and all your attention is on the character and all the personality that he's creates. His designs are unique, as is his sense of humour.
His newest puppets include small screens which he can use his own face to animate, which he used to great effect parodying the song, Mr. Oogie Boogie Man by Danny Elfman, from Tim Burtons: A Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), which seeing this is meant to for Christmas, I'm also going to include...
Dixon is incredibly creative and I look forward and rush to watch whenever he uploads because I think he's ridiculously talented.
Please go binge watch his videos and share the love, and if you want to learn more go and watch his interview with Adam Savage on Tested from September 2018. During the interview he goes through a lot of his puppets and process, all while Savage reacts in the complete joyous way that you want from another creative person, who just want to learn more and talk materials and processes. Which is always nice to see. He's definitely a creative weirdo.
YouTube || Instagram || Twitter || Facebook
Others random channels to check out include (A-Z): Adam Savage's Tested; Exploring with Josh; First We Feast; Garrett Watts; Good Mythical Morning; How to Cake It; Jenna Marbles; Lucas the Spider; Philip DeFranco; Safiya Nygaard; Shane Dawson; The Slow Mo Guys; Swoop; The Try Guys & The Ukulele Teacher
I went through school, college and university, in small studios and workshops, surrounded by people talking and laughing and bouncing ideas off of, and while I've always hated having people looking over my shoulder, I've always found it really hard working on my own. It's one of the reasons I think I've struggled to set myself up, I miss having creative weirdos around me. I've missed the chatter. Watching people being creative on YouTube, sometimes makes me feel a little less like I'm on my own.
I'm not saying the site isn't full of shite content, it's a breeding grown for idiocy in a lot of respects. I'm not saying that I don't use it as means of distraction to keep my from doing something more useful, I do. I'm not saying that I don't listen to books, or music or podcasts and that's doesn't work just as well at times, it does. Another love I forgot on Day 8 was Adam Buxton's Podcasts, which I've listen too with and without his long term creative partner Joe Cornish and various other co-host, since the mid 2000's as live radio and later as Podcasts.
Lots of people find it difficult to work with noise around them. I find it difficult to work without it. So these are some of the creative weirdos I gravitate towards to fill the silence.
If you can suggest anyone else, whether that's via YouTube, books or Podcasts, feel free to make suggestions, as they will be gratefully received.
Happy New Year, Merry Christmas and it's before midnight and I'm putting out a post! So let's celebrate! Part ten asap...
* I hate that beauty YouTuber's get called gurus, I can almost stand influencers, but I think Jenna Marbles has it right, they're beautubers, so that's how I refer to them.
** Seriously, what the fuck, how is YouTube only fourteen years old? It feels like it's been around since the dawn of the internet itself!
Link || Kiki G. || YouTube || Instagram || Twitter || Pinterest || Katelyn Galloway Website || Salt New York Website || How To Do a Smokey Eye Without Looking Like a Psycho
Link || Parks & Recreation || IMDb || Wikipedia
Link || Arrested Development || IMDb || Wikipedia || Netflix
Link || Linda Hallberg || YouTube || Instagram || Facebook || Linda Hallberg Cosmetics || Cosmetics Instagram || Smoky Metallic Eyes
Link || The Sorry Girls || YouTube || Instagram || Twitter || Facebook || Blog || Pinterest || Refinery29 - Sorry Girls Sweet Digs
Link || Mr. Kate || YouTube || Instagram || Twitter || Facebook || Pinterest || Mr. Kate Shop || DIY 'A Hot Glue Gun Mess' Jeweled Crown
Link || Bon Appétit || YouTube || Instagram || Twitter || Facebook || Pinterest || Bon Appétit Website || Rhubarb Custard Cake
Link || Adam Buxton || Website || YouTube || Twitter || Adam Buxton Podcast (Spotify) & (iTunes) || Adam & Joe Podcast (Spotify) & (iTunes)
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Listening: Reptillia - The Punch Brothers (covering The Strokes)
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