Tales from Anachrocon... Coming Soon!

 Greetings, everyone!

I adored Anachrocon. For at least eight hours, there was a goofy smile on my face as I wandered the halls and spoke to many, many artists and other fascinating people and bought lots of souvenirs.  I have lots of pictures and stories to tell, so it may take a while to collect my thoughts and try to decide where to start!

A separate page for all of the photos is now available HERE.  You may also access the photo gallery from the link at the upper right hand edge of the main site page.  I will add more photos daily until I run out, so please check back often.

The answer to... what is the Steampunk version of "Ferret Shock"?

     One day, as I browsed the web for a long time searching for unique materials with which to make jewelry, I commented to a friend that I absolutely had to cease my efforts and go accomplish some daily tasks.  He inquired if I had "ferret shock," and pointed out that it was an actual term.
     Given that I have only met one or two ferrets, it took me a few seconds to remember that he may be referring to their love of all things shiny; I replied that in my case, such a syndrome would result from too many amazing old, rusty, copper and brass things, and that he must come up with a term for that.
Being a clever person, he instantly responded.  "Overclunk," he said.  Perfect!

The original definition:

	Ferret shock: A state of extreme disorientation caused by an excessive number of choices or stimuli. Coined by Pete Abrams in the early years of the webcomic, Sluggy Freelance; specifically in reference to the character, Kiki, and her tendency to enter a catatonic state when faced with a large number of 'shiny' things.

This post may have more relevance after the weekend of the 25th, when I plan on making it to Anachrocon!
(Otherwise, it simply shares something I found amusing. *grin*)

Choose Your Futureism - Pre-Order Your Hardcover Copy of Thrilling Tales of the Downright Unusual

Choose the path to the future in Retropolis, created by Bradley W. Schenck.

This author offers free online serialized and interactive stories, such as The Lair of the Clockwork Book and Trapped in the Tower of the Brain Thieves: The Toaster with Two Brains. Readers may bookmark their place and return at a future time.

About the free online stories, described by the author:

"Thrilling Tales of the Downright Unusual is a lot like an idea I had back in 1996 when I was first experimenting with web design: a site full of illustrated stories, written so that you could choose one character or another, and then make choices as they move through the tale. And the project's given me a chance to combine free web content - which, incredibly, people like - with a way to promote my work for sale - which, for some reason, I like. The advertising banners you see lead to other sites of mine where I hope I'll be able to shake all of the change out of your pockets. And if you like the Tales on the web site, I certainly hope that you'll consider buying them as books. They're nifty. They really are."

The illustrated hardcover of Bradley W. Schenck's The Lair of the Clockwork Book

On that subject, the beautiful hardcover of The Lair of the Clockwork Book is available for pre-order.

In fact, a certain number of copies must be paid for before the printing will even take place, so if you or someone you know would be interested in helping an author (and owning a copy of the book!), please order soon.  At the time of this writing, they have only received 37% of the total required, and there are only 14 days left.  Not enough pre-orders equals no hardcover book!

Mr. Schenck has created an incredible volume of retro-futuristic artwork for his books, and you may purchase said artwork on more items than the imagination can comprehend in the Retropoilis shop, here. There is truly something for everyone.

Have a story which needs a title, but it just will not name itself? Or just need a laugh? Try Cornelius Zappencackler's Derange-O-Tron Random Pulp Science Fiction Title Generator.  Or don't, and stare gloomily at your blank title page. Either way, enjoy!

If you feel up to blogging/Tweeting/otherwise sharing this post/plea for orders, that would be lovely, and I am sure Mr. Schenck would appreciate it. Thank you!

Avoid the Stapler Today. - Valentine's Day xkcd Comic

Valentine's xkcd

An Interview with Jake Von Slatt, Steampunk Maker Extrordinaire

     Certainly, Jake Von Slatt and his inventions need no introduction. For example, the modded keyboard and monitor, the motorcycle, the guitar are all a part of steampunk lore. 
     In this Make.com interview with the charming  man behind the machines, he speaks about the thought processes which lead to such marvelous creations.  (I was comforted by his stating that sometimes even he does not have the parts he needs for a project and simply improvises; here I thought I just had a poor supply of materials, when it is simply the order of things. Excellent!)  You will also see him etching the pickguard for his famous guitar, and see some about a steampunk bus to which he contributed.

     If you would like to see what Mr. Von Slatt is making and posting about these days, head over to his site, The Steampunk Workshop.  There, he also has content about all of his past projects (and a post regarding an e-textile cross stitch "Ohm Sweet Ohm" piece), including some information on how he made them.  I still adore his brass and gear Light Switch Plates. Enjoy!

Heavy Metal Animals III

Once again, it is time for the most recent photos from the recycling facility. I present ... Heavy Metal Animals III!

I have found out more about the contest that gave rise to many of the sculptures I have mentioned in past posts.  "The Junque Yard Sculpture contest is held to increase recycling awareness in local communities and to showcase the talent of local college art and welding students." Though, according to the employees I have asked, the contest has been discontinued as of 2010, I see "new" pieces each time I venture downtown to dispose of my recycling, possibly from local art classes. Here are my photos of a few of them.

cat from the March 2009 Junque Yard contest

unicycle (almost), chair, and toothed creature

Some new friends

Old friends (the chain dog may be “Springer Spaniel” by Zoe Alexandra from Georgia Southwestern State University)

Rib Cage and Mounted Pachyderm Head?

a heart of steel, steampunk style

I really wish to name the artists of as many sculptures as I can, but the information I have found often has nothing but a list of the piece title and the artist, without pictures. The best find I have had so far was a gallery of contest winner photos on Facebook.  Another good source was American Recycler Newspaper; there I found mention of the 2008 contest, and have identified two of my favorite sculptures that I mentioned in Heavy Metal Animals and Heavy Metal Animals II.  Yay!