TotusMel's Wunderkammer: January 2014

Friday, January 31, 2014

Week of Sculpture

Masks

1. Leather "The Post Apocalyptic Steampunk Bunny " gas mask - MonkeyDungeon
2. Dr Pestus Leather Mask - LooseLemur
3. Steampunk Gas mask No. 66 in mahogany brown leather - TomBanwell
4. steampunk mask, venetian mask - richardsymonsart

Wearable sculptures to round out the week.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Week of Sculpture

Wood

1. The Machinery of Happiness VI: found object assemblage - tristanfrancis
2. Evidence of Possibilities II, reclaimed wood steampunk heart sculpture - DanielGallery
3. Fibonacci Spirals with Mechanized Core - WindwoodDesigns
4. Dysfunction - CRaymondart

Carved and reclaimed.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Week of Sculpture

Clay

1. Steampunk Epic Dragon - FrostwhiskersCrafts
2. Steampunk Style Robot with red heart - JanellBerryman
3. Polymer Clay Steampunk Bird with Nest Ring Holder - WolfArtStudio
4. Steampunk Miniature- Gerald the Elephant - BasementWorks

So many things made with simple clay

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Week of Sculpture

High End

1. No. 4748 Steampunk Clock - SteampunkRoger
2. Steampunk airship - VintageIlluminations
3. Dataskull mod.1 - Cyberpunk/Steampunk/SciFi desktop HDD-case - SevenessWorkshop
4. Plasma Cannon MK-IV - Spaceline

Not subtle, nor inexpensive. I thought I'd start this week on the high end.

Monday, January 27, 2014

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Friday, January 24, 2014

Week of Jewelry

Bracelets

1. Urban Industrial Copper and Sterling Silver Stacking Bangle Bracelets - AnotherWorldDesign
2. Steampunk Stainless Steel Bracelet Cuff - OhmHomeLighting
3. Watcher Cuff - RolandMarquis
4. Rivet Cuff - JLMerrillMetals

Bangles and cuffs with rivets, gears and wire.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Week of Jewelry

Necklaces

1. Slow Dive - hourglassproductions
2. Steampunk Pendant Necklace - The Iconic Crow - MadArtjewelry
3. Steampunk Necklace Eclipse - MaggiDesigns
4. Mechanical Necklace - MC2craft

Rivet and birds, gears and industrial sensibilities.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Week of Jewelry

Earrings

1. Hammered GAUGED Hoops Steampunk Earrings - LooLoosBox
2. Earrings Steampunk Gears Sterling Silver - fentondesign
3. Steampunk Hoop Earrings - NorthShoreTreasury
4. Swiss upcycled timepiece chandelier-style earrings - APARATO

Yep more gears and wire and warm metals.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Week of Jewelry

Rings

1. Steampunk Ring - Bronze - CatherinetteRings
2. Copper Circle and Sterling Silver Rivets Ring - kurpisz
3. Steampunk Gears White Topaz in Mixed Metals - moonkistdesigns
4. Sterling and Rose Gold Connections Ring - AaronSault

Metal, wire, gears and rivets.

Monday, January 20, 2014

An Aurora Grimeon Story: Will O' The Wisp

I was offered the opportunity to read a beautiful graphic novel recently, Megan Hutchison and Tom Hammock's "An Aurora Grimeon Story: Will O' The Wisp". Personally I have always gravitated towards comic book stories that skew unconventional, so the description alone intrigued me enough to start reading. I enjoy beautiful, dark stories and now that my own daughters are getting older, I really like stories that they can read and enjoy as well. This is definitely a book that fills both those requirements nicely.

This is the description from the artist Megan, "After her parents' accidental death by mushroom poisoning, young Aurora Grimeon is sent to live with her estranged grandfather on Ossuary Isle, deep in the southern swamps. Joined by her grandfather's pet raccoon Missy, Aurora explores the fog-covered island of graves. Along the way she meets its sinister residents who care for the tombstones and mausoleums, living out their lives by the strange rules of Hoodoo magic. When ghostly things start happening out in the swamp and island residents start disappearing, Aurora thrusts herself into the middle of the mystery, uncovering secrets that might be better left buried."

I read it all in one go because I really did want to see what was going to come next in Aurora's adventure. While there were a few points in the story where it slowed and a few others where I would have appreciated a little exposition, the story flowed fairly smoothly and felt just the right length. The art is gothic and dark with just the right amount of whimsy for the mood of the piece. I would honestly love to visit this little island and live in her grandfather's house. The art and dialogue were evenly balanced and worked well together to tell the story.

I thought a lot about why I really liked the story and what I came to realize was it was a cross between an episode of Supernatural and a Hayao Miyazaki movie. No, really that's a good thing. The adventure is definitely one I could see the Winchester brothers undertaking complete with real peril. It's both fun and a little scary with mysteries that need solving. I could also see Aurora as a Miyazaki heroine. She is smart and thrown out of her element into a world of magic which she embraces. She feels like a real girl whose bravery is rooted in caring. She does what she does to save the people she has come to care about. There is magic and mystery, detailed art and a set of characters that I certainly wouldn't mind spending more time with.

So, yes I recommend this one for anyone with gothic inclinations or a love of dark, whimsical art. So here are some pretty pictures of the physical books and a few details you'll need to make it yours:

Specifications
- Original Graphic Novel
- Hardcover
- 216 Pages
- 6” x 9”
- Full Color
- Diamond Order Code:
SEP130877
- Publication Jan. 28, 2014
TEEN
Rated for Teen readers
$24.95 US
ISBN: 1-936393-78-6
ISBN-13: 978–1-936393-78-6
More Information Available At:
www.ossuaryisle.com
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/ossuaryisle
Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18125353-will-o-the-wisp
Twitter
@blackem_art
@tomhammock