In this episode, I chat with Brett Kelley, an incredible artist whose gothic and Halloween-inspired work totally resonates with me. We talk about everything from his journey growing up with ADHD, to embracing his individuality through art, martial arts, and goth culture. Brett shares his unique experiences working in creative fields like stunt performing, makeup artistry, and how his love for spooky themes shaped his artistic style. We also bond over our shared love for heavy metal and alternative music, and Brett gives us a sneak peek into his upcoming projects, including his Surreal Estate series and enamel pins. It's a super fun, nostalgic, and inspiring conversation about embracing who you are and creating art that speaks to your soul!

Episode Highlights:

• The Challenges of Finding Acceptance as Goth Kids
• Embracing Personal Interests Professionally
• From Circus Performer to Artist
• Favorite Bands and Music Influence
• Shared Experiences and Parallel Lives
• Finding Inspiration in Music and Pop Culture
• Staying True to Yourself as an Artist
• The Fascination with Enamel Pins
• Exploring Creativity through Surreal Estate
• The Importance of Authenticity in Art
• Upcoming Projects and Exciting Ventures

If you're loving what you heard, grab a screenshot and spread the word on Instagram! Tag me @amityalexandrajewelry so I can join in the excitement. And hey, if you're really feeling the vibe, drop a review and toss those five stars my way. Your support fuels this passion project, and I'm so grateful for every bit of it! 🌟

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MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Brett Kelley
  • Facebook https://www.facebook.com/brett.kelley.7737
  • Facebook Artwork https://www.facebook.com/BKArtMerc
  • Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bkartworks
  • Online Shop https://ko-fi.com/bkartworks
• Music: Gravity Kills, Static-X, Dope, Korn, Disturbed, Nine Inch Nails, Coal Chamber, Head PE, Smashing Pumpkins, Garbage
• Kyle Pasciutti of Decimated Designs
• Surreal Estate
• The Brooklyn Art Museum, Sketchbook Museum
• The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures in Tuscon
• Monster Arts Project
• RPM Fest
• Epic Sages
• Gore Folkfest 2024

Photos of the above can be found in the accompanying blog post at https://amityalexandrajewelry.com/blogs/the-gothic-heart/episode24

_____________________________

CONNECT WITH ME!

The Gothic Heart Blog | https://amityalexandrajewelry.com/blogs/the-gothic-heart

Check out the Amity Alexandra Jewelry Design Website | https://amityalexandrajewelry.com/

Schedule a Consult with Me! | https://amityalexandrajewelry.com/pages/work-with-amity

_____________________________

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amityalexandrajewelry

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amityalexandrajewelry

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amityalexandrajewelry

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/amityalexandrajewelry

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amityalexandrajewelry

Summary:

In this episode of The Gothic Heart, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Becca Struzyna, the brilliant creator of The West London Witch. We talked all about how her podcast came to life, with Becca sharing her love for all things spooky, strange, and paranormal—starting with her own childhood experiences in a haunted house! We also touched on some of her most memorable episodes, the magic of storytelling, and her belief that everyone has a story to tell, no matter how big or small. Becca’s passion for connecting with people through their paranormal tales was infectious, and we even bonded over shared experiences with 90s spooky shows like Goosebumps and Are You Afraid of the Dark?. It's a cozy and eerie conversation that I know you’ll love as much as I did!

Episode Highlights:

• Creating the West London Witch Podcast
• Favorite Episodes and Haunting Tales
• Embracing Self-Expression and Overcoming Judgment
• Exploring Haunted Locations and Building a Community
• Dream Guests and the Padre Hotel
• The West London Witch Patreon

If you're loving what you heard, grab a screenshot and spread the word on Instagram! Tag me @amityalexandrajewelry so I can join in the excitement. And hey, if you're really feeling the vibe, drop a review and toss those five stars my way. Your support fuels this passion project, and I'm so grateful for every bit of it! 🌟

_____________________________

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Becca Struzyna
  • Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheWestLondonWitch/
  • Instagram https://www.instagram.com/the_west_london_witch
  • YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKMnnzXCkRqWjMFdVYNTS3g
  • Podcast https://podnews.net/podcast/i7eaq
    • Season 1: 137 Market Street
• Goosebumps, Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
• Brandon Alvis, Ghost Hunters or Haunted Discoveries
• Andrea Perron, The Conjuring
• The Haunted Queen Mary
• The Craft, Scream
• Tudor House
• The Stanley Hotel in Colorado
• French Quarter in New Orleans
• LaLaurie Mansion
• The Padre Hotel in Bakersfield, California
• Conjuring House
• Villisca Axe Murder House
• Spirit Mechanix
• Michelle Remembers (Michelle Smith, Lawrence Pazder MD)

Accompanying blog post can be found at

https://amityalexandrajewelry.com/blogs/the-gothic-heart/episode23

_____________________________

CONNECT WITH ME!

The Gothic Heart Blog | https://amityalexandrajewelry.com/blogs/the-gothic-heart

Check out the Amity Alexandra Jewelry Design Website | https://amityalexandrajewelry.com/

Schedule a Consult with Me! | https://amityalexandrajewelry.com/pages/work-with-amity

_____________________________

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amityalexandrajewelry

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amityalexandrajewelry

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amityalexandrajewelry

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/amityalexandrajewelry

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amityalexandrajewelry

Summary:

In this captivating episode of Gothic Heart, I catch up with D.L. Blade, who’s evolved from penning young adult fiction to creating spicy adult novels filled with magic and dark allure. D.L. shares her transformative writing journey, shedding light on her departure from a conservative upbringing towards the realms of dark romance, adding pirates, elves, and other magical elements into her narrative mix. We explore her choice to self-publish, ensuring her creative freedom, and discuss how building connections with fellow authors helped her navigate the indie publishing scene. D.L. also touches on the empowerment of rewriting her earlier series for an adult audience, highlighting the satisfaction of steering her own storytelling ship. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the personal and professional growth that shapes a writer’s life.

Episode Highlights:

• The Power of Self-Publishing
• Connecting with Authors
• Creating Authentic Supernatural Elements
• Differentiating Dark Romance and Regular Romance
• Catering to Different Moods: Writing Books with Variety
• The Empress of Fire: A Sapphic Romance
• A Variety of Supernatural Elements
• Juggling Multiple Books and Prioritizing Mental Health
• Continuous Growth and Improvement
• Connecting with Readers through Book Signings and Events
• The Journey of Fifth Element Publishing

If you're loving what you heard, grab a screenshot and spread the word on Instagram! Tag me @amityalexandrajewelry so I can join in the excitement. And hey, if you're really feeling the vibe, drop a review and toss those five stars my way. Your support fuels this passion project, and I'm so grateful for every bit of it! 🌟

_____________________________

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• D.L. Blade
  • https://www.dlblade.com/
  • Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dlblade/
  • Instagram https://www.instagram.com/booksbydlblade
  • TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@authordlblade
  • YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPzTOJWYdkGnrXsd5DfJ8Eg
• Books on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/stores/D.L.-Blade/author/B07G1YF228
• Fantastique Collection by Un Jour D'Amour Events
• Starfall Ball [09.27.2024]

Photos of the above can be found in the accompanying blog post at https://amityalexandrajewelry.com/blogs/the-gothic-heart/episode22

_____________________________

CONNECT WITH ME!

The Gothic Heart Blog | https://amityalexandrajewelry.com/blogs/the-gothic-heart

Check out the Amity Alexandra Jewelry Design Website | https://amityalexandrajewelry.com/

Schedule a Consult with Me! | https://amityalexandrajewelry.com/pages/work-with-amity

_____________________________

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amityalexandrajewelry

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amityalexandrajewelry

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amityalexandrajewelry

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/amityalexandrajewelry

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amityalexandrajewelry