It’s the ultimate question, isn’t it? Do you choose a vampire or a werewolf as your ideal partner? Cold or hot? Night or day? A wolf or a bat? It’s basically choosing between two completely different characters, though both are nocturnal and have a lust for blood, both are very dangerous and quite unpredictable and both are…well…let’s just say lethal in every way possible!

I have never been able to choose between vampires and werewolves. Though I am sure a lot of you think the answer must be obvious.

I must decide once and for all, but how?

If Selfridges can open their Christmas shop at the start of August, we don’t think it’s too early to get excited about Halloween!

As the principal artist at the Alchemy England Design Studios the pleasure of designing and painting the annual Alchemy catalogue cover falls to me.

I slowly opened my eyes listening to the surroundings. It seemed quiet at first but then I realized it…I was still on the train!

   I was lying on the kitchen floor when I woke up.  That wasn’t the main issue. The first thing I faced when I opened my eyes was the blood on my hands. I slowly sat up feeling the usual headache and I panicked when I realized my clothes and the floor were all covered in blood.

It’ll probably surprise nobody to learn that many of us here at Alchemy are keen horror fans. So we were very saddened to hear of the recent death of the director Wes Craven. The extensive coverage of his passing is an indication, not just of how well respected Wes was, but also how much more respectable horror has become in recent years. The UK’s Guardian newspaper, for example – not previously enthusiastic about horror films – dedicated no less than five pieces to the director on the day his death was announced. 

The first weekend of September will witness an intriguing first, in the shape of Britain’s only ever academic werewolf conference. Held at the University of Hertfordshire, and entitled ‘The Company of Wolves: Sociality, Animality, and Subjectivity in Literary and Cultural Narratives – Werewolves, Shapeshifters, and Feral Humans’, attendees can hear papers with intriguing titles like ‘Wolf Children’, ‘The Sound of the Cinematic Werewolf’, and ‘Werewolves and Paranormal Romance’. Other events include a visit to the 18th century grave of a local ‘wolf boy’, a lycanthropic antique magic lantern show, and an opportunity to ‘walk with wolves’ at the nearby UK Wolf Conservation Trust.

Although I have been to many German festivals before, this was the first time I sampled M’era Luna. Just a half hour from Hannover, this festival has been going since 2000 in its current incarnation (FKP Scorpio, the organsing body, previously ran this festival in conjunction with Zillo magazine, and decided to keep it on under the flag “M’era Luna” after the cooperation ended in 1999 – you can read my interview with the organisers here). Based at what appears to be a disused airport in Hildesheim, just a half hour from Hannover, it’s a relatively easy journey from the UK – although does
involve a train and bus from the Hannover airport. Another, slightly more fun option, would be to join the annual “Goths on a Bus” tour! Picking up from various spots around England and ferrying the black clad masses across the channel, ensures you’ll arrive ready for the party with your fellow goth horde. (see the facebook group to find out about next year’s trip)

Alchemy Open Day

July the 1st saw the very first Alchemy open day! It was the hottest day of the Year so far, with the UK basking in record temperatures! This did not deter our loyal friends and customers, old and new, from attending a very special day. Which enabled our customers to see where the magic happens and gain an insight into all things Alchemy, with a few surprises along the way! A huge thanks to all who attended the day it was a pleasure to have you, we sincerely hope that that you enjoyed the day as much as we did! We have already put July 1st 2016 in the diary for the next open day. Make sure you save the date too!

Dating becomes rather complicated when you see all your potential partners as…food.