Lady Clankington and Her Infernal Devices

     For those who have not met this leather-and-brass-clad femme fatale, this is Lady Clankington, as she has become known in Steampunk circles, adventuress and purveyor of carnal curiosities. The above image is actually one that has been submitted to various places, and it has at the very least started conversations about whether the garb in the photo is "actually steampunk or not."  I believe it certainly is, but to each their own opinions. (Others object to the word "suddenly" in reference to the popularity of steampunk.)
     The other effect it had was to introduce many to (and sell all of) her Infernal Devices, as she and others have called them, created for those who really, really enjoy their steampunk. This collection of hypoallergenic, customized gadgets such as the Little Death Ray would be best perused by mature audiences, and not while at most places of employ (read: probably NSFW, depending on where you work!). If you want something for the steampunk aficionado who has everything... and each one is numbered for collector value.  There have been 100 of each series so far. 
    It seems that all of the ray guns are sold out at this time*, but the shop page promises that more will reach the market soon. In the meantime, you can see that in 2010 at San Diego ComiCon, Lady Clankington gave an interview revealing why she has embraced the role of icon of steampunk-inspired gadgets.

*NOTE:  At Anachrocon, I spoke with Lord Featherstone, the gentleman from Brute Force Studios who makes the "guns", says that the Mark III Little Death Ray infernal devices are NOW for sale.  

(At the Brute Force booth at Anachrocon 2012, I took the below photo of the device engraved as #001.  Lord Featherstone was very proud of the craftsmanship he had invested in the example he had with him.   He also confided in me that both items #069 and #007 usually result in a bidding war, so buy early and bid very early if you want those serial numbers on your Little Death Ray.)

Sweets for the Sweet: The Art of Victorian Candy Making

     What types of candy enchanted the sweet-toothed residents of the Victorian era?
Among many others, according to "Miss Mary's Vintage and Victorian Archive," the treats on the following list did:

Sugar Plums, Butter Scotch, Molasses Candy, Almond Candy, Maple Candy (my favorite), Chocolate Caramels, and Sugared Pop Corn.

     Want to charm your sweetheart with some handmade candy for Valentine's Day?   The recipes for these delectable treats can be found here.  For explanations and tips on basic candy making techniques and the tools necessary to produce your own traditional confections, the site entitled "Old Fashioned Candy Secrets and Recipes" will have you cooking in no time.

Donate here to help keep Victorian candy-making from becoming a lost art!

 Rather purchase your candy than make a mess of your kitchen? There is help for that, too.
     One group of people who are attempting to keep the art of Victorian candy-making alive is Lofty Pursuits/Public Displays of Confection in Tallahassee, Florida; they seek out, purchase, restore, and then utilize the original machinery to produce tasty treats of the Victorian era.  Should you wish to help their cause, for the next three days, you may contribute to their funds drive via this link.
     Why (other than the satisfaction of helping to preserve a wonderful part of Victorian life) would you do this?  Because certain contribution levels will receive rewards ranging from a "Lofy Pursuits" pin, to in-person demonstrations of their candy-making skills (the latter being reserved for the pledge of $3,000 or more and being within 5 hours of their base of operations).  For as little as $25, you will receive a bag of their handmade hard candy.  Yum!

Update:

This project successfully raised its funding goal on February 4.  Congrats!  To read about their current status and projects (including labels for their handmade candies), see this page.

Tip Top Top Hats by Gypsy Lady Hats on Etsy

We are rapidly approaching the time of year which harbors many, many Steampunk and related genre events. Do you know what you shall wear on your perfectly-coiffed head?

I have a suggestion.

Behold this fabulous brown suede, black leather and brass tack top hat which a friend of mine purchased as a custom order item from Gypsy Lady Hats on Etsy.  I must admit, I almost "squeed" when I saw it.  The quality of workmanship astonished me, especially as the price paid was not much more than the prices listed in her shop for already-made hats of similar style.

The Gypsy Lady Hats shop page mentions that custom orders may take between two and three weeks for completion, but I say that judging from this example, the wait would be well worth it.  I may have to place an order; even though hats usually do not flatter me whatsoever, I would love to wear one of hers, anyway!

What did you say? Chap-hop? ... Brilliant!

If one of you resolutions for the New Year was to branch out in your musical tastes, the contents of this post may very well give that effort a massive shot in the arm. If it was not, consider this an adventure anyway.

I give you... chap-hop.

Yes, you read correctly. Chap-hop. Professor Elemental has brought the phenomenon to life over the last few years, and seems intent on continuing to astonish his audiences with his cheeky rhymes.  This has to be heard to be believed.  The following two tunes give you a sample of the style.


"Cup of Brown Joy"
and
"Fighting Trousers"

Professor Elemental describes himself: 

"Elemental. The quintessential English fellow, explorer, scientist, exotic dancer and some might say raving lunatic.  Banned from 13 of the colonies for 'unspeakable scientific experiments', yet heralded as something of a deity in a great many more."

Of "Fighting Trousers," he says this: " Brace yourself, as Professor Elemental fires off the first shot in a chap-hop/ steampunk battle."  The opponent? Mr. B. The Gentleman Rhymer.

Both of Elemental's tunes hail from the "Indifference Engine" album, and for a small fee, you can download MP3 copies of his individual songs or the entire albums from his web site, or from the Professor Elemental section of  Tea Sea Records.


Enjoy the madness!

Rather Unofficial Girl Genius Day 2012 News and Poll!

A happy Girl Genius Day to you all!

Perhaps unofficially, as my research has not found out if January 12th, 2012 is to be a repeat of 2011's public merry-making and steampunk celebration.  January 12th, 2011 was declared by the Foglios to be Girl Genius Day, as well as Kaja Foglio's birthday and the release date of their wildly popular (and excellent) novel, Agatha H. and the Airship City.

This year, it seems that the Foglios are attending the Arisia con out on the East coast. From their calendar:

"Arisia '12

When: Jan 12 – 16, 2012

Where: Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel/ Boston, MA (map)

Description: A fine science-fiction convention held in the frozen north. Science fiction conventions tend to be more literary (when they're not all about Dr. Who).  Boston is a charming city with the worst drivers in America, and that takes some doing. There are many fine museums and seafood restaurants."

The sequel to the first Agatha novel is slated for availability this month.  If you are a GG fan and have not read the first book yet, I highly recommend it; I obtained it for the Kindle, and enjoyed it very much. If books do not appeal to you at this time,you may wish to peruse the Girl Genius wiki, here.

So, happy birthday, Kaja! And readers, if you wish, vote for your favorite Girl Genius characters in the poll posted on my blog in celebration of the many years of wonderful steampunk comics that the Foglios have given us!  (If your favorite is not listed, please leave a comment and tell us who is!)

Results of the poll, "who is your favorite GG character?":

Agatha	4 (12%)
Gil	2 (6%)
Tarvek	0 (0%)
The Castle	3 (9%)
Violetta	1 (3%)
Theo	1 (3%)
Krosp	0 (0%)
Zeetha	2 (6%)
Sleipnir	1 (3%)
Baron Wulfenbach	1 (3%)
Bangladesh DuPree	0 (0%)
the Jagermonsters	5 (15%)
Othar Tryggvassen	1 (3%)
Von Pinn	0 (0%)
Higgs	1 (3%)
The Other	1 (3%)
the clanks	2 (6%)
Moloch	2 (6%)
someone else!	6 (18%)

Votes so far: 33
Poll closed

Brass Wing and Smoky Glass Bead Earrings by DreamSteam

Brass Wings and Smoky Glass Bead Earrings by DreamSteam

It's 2012!  As promised, here are my first pieces of jewelry of the new year.

The faceted glass beads have a pretty smoky quartz color to them.  I really like the stylized, almost art-deco wings that I chose for these earrings, and I am very picky about my wings!

I had to convince myself to post these for sale in my Artfire shop, because I like them so much.  (But if I do not like the things I make, they do not go public, hence I will actually want to keep most of the things that I sell. Catch 22!) 

Two resin rings are in process now; I am using some new materials and have to fidget with them until I am happy with the results. Soon, I hope!