For those who knew him but haven't heard...

[lovetriangle]

Wednesday night Tom Hazelwood of Gypsy Soles/Bald Mountain Boots ended his life off the Golden Gate Bridge.

Tom and I had been friends for more than 20 years. For the last few of those I have watched this brilliant artist and sweet man destroy himself with drug abuse and other reckless behavior, unable to take advice or help from those who cared about him.

God bless you, Tom. I hope you are at peace.

Comments

[sarahbellem.livejournal.com]

Oh god. That is terrible. He once gave me a very generous discount on my favorite pair of faire shoes because one toe was a little scuffed. For a poor college student, it was above and beyond generous. It's not like we were personally acquainted, but he was good to me. What a tragedy. :(

[love3angle.livejournal.com]

I went to work for him at faire in 1989. Those 3 years of taping feet and selling boots were wild and wonderful and we became very good friends. I remember him flying down to a my halloween party one year. He loved to surprise people and was one of the most gifted artists I ever met. I two pairs of his boots and an incredible bracelet from his jewelry making phase.

These last few years I could tell things were not right with him. He was erratic and his business practices were getting shaker and shakier. He took money for repairs and never returned boots, owed many people money, and was being pursued by the IRS. He had an army of people around him trying to help him with his mess but he just couldn't see it.

It is a sad but common tale we see everyday. I just can't believe it has claimed my old friend.