Yeah, yeah...I know. OCD, meet the Altoid tin. Altoid tin, meet Carmen-we're going to be seeing a lot of each other!!!
It all started with the Altoid photo album. Next thing I knew, I was contemplating whether stealing Altoids simply for the container was really 'stealing', technically. I mean, the altoids are the product, right? What if someone took the packaging off Oreos and left the cookies there??? Is that really stealing???
PAM (pre-adderall moment) Personally, I think that leaving ANY cookie or cake product behind is just plain stupid. There are times when something is WORTH being incarcerated for and being idiot enough to turn your back on Oreos SHOULD result in jail time. So, let me back off the cookie and cake example. It's one thing to debate the criminality-if any-of stealing Altoid packaging, but there should never be a debate of this kind regarding Oreos. I would give MYSELF life in prison for leaving an Oreo behind!
Back to the Altoids. I was going to continue the debate of 'what is stealing, really', as it relates to Altoids, but the fact I've thought it though THIS far is cause for concern as to my obsession with altering these little boogers.
I can't help myself. It's all I think about. To make this Mermaid, I paid a whopping 2.50 for a tin of altoids, only to dump them in a baggie as a weapon against occasional halitosis. Not that I cared about said halitosis...I just had to get my hands on an altoid tin!!!
My husband, who has survived this long by instinctively knowing when to shut up and when to stay shutting up, even remarked about this current obsession. After explaining that I intended to sell them on Etsy...maybe...he did some quick calculating and figured that, between the cost of the can, the swarovski crystals, the miniature sea horse and starfish, the G45 papers, stickles, combination Ferro Special Effects Paste/glossy accents/UTEE sand mixture and assorted shells, I'd have to sell this for about 97 dollars to break even. Such was my shame, I actually admitted he was right and thought about 12 stepping it. "I have no power over the overwhelming urge to alter Altoid tins and my life has become unmanageable."
As I continue to work the steps to deal with this obsession, (which one is it where I get to tell people EXACTLY what I think about them??? Actually, that may not be a step. But I may add it to mine) it's my hope that while I may never beat this addiction, I can certainly recognize it for what it is and proceed with caution.
And maybe a few Oreos, as well...
Date: Wednesday, August 13, 2014 GMT Views: 3158
Favorited:5
Registered: October 5, 2010 Location: Sparks, NV Posts: 2307
Wed, Aug 13, 2014 @ 8:18 PM
Truly, truly beautiful - front, back sides and inside. I'm not sure I could even part with something so beautiful. And I'm still laughing over your comments. Thanks for sharing your gorgeous work of art and your thoughts.
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Creative Crew SU Design Team Alumni
Registered: June 4, 2005 Location: Fort Collins CO Posts: 15884
Thu, Aug 14, 2014 @ 3:25 AM
Lovely! I could supply you with some altoid tins if you like. I buy them for the insides since I don't really ever get to the altering part, and they tend to mount up around here. Surely postage would be less than storing the insides!
Oooh! Look at Diane.....you have a supplier!!!! You made me laugh from stealing to a $97.00 tin on Etsy! This is gorgeous!!! So many beautiful details!!! Beautiful seahorse and starfish with your lovely mermaid!
Registered: June 4, 2009 Location: Deatsville, Alabama Posts: 82297
Sun, Aug 17, 2014 @ 5:15 AM
If I could make one look like this, I would be having the same addiction my friend! This is so lovely you might actually get $97! Wow. So your next challenge to yourself might be to try and get it down to $50 and to seek out friends who like to buy Altoids and are willing to give you the container. Alternately, you can cover all this by just telling yourself you are giving them away as Christmas and Birthday presents - I use that one all the time! Love your description here - you make me laugh so much my friend. BEAUTIFUL work. Hugz!
------------------------------ Nancy Williams - Hope your day is Spirit-filled and ink-filled (in that order)!DRS Designs-DT, Punchkateerforever, Dirty Dozen Alumni