Welcome

All the cute and the precious have been found. All the kitties and puppies have homes. The candy colored, the eco-friendly, the hipsters of the handmade are all duly covered elsewhere. Here I will find the slightly odd, the darkly beautiful, the elegant and steamy pieces of goodness. I am very particular in my tastes and though I promise you that I will share nothing but the most intriguing of my discoveries, you may not always like them. I must also confess that I have no real artistic nor fashion background to base my finds upon. These are simply discoveries dug up from the depths of etsy or perhaps elsewhere, brushed off and presented for your approval.

Friday, January 31, 2014

Week of Sculpture

Masks
Wearable sculptures to round out the week.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Week of Sculpture

Wood
Carved and reclaimed.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Week of Sculpture

Clay
So many things made with simple clay

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Week of Sculpture

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

Monday, January 27, 2014

Kick Start It

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Sunday Treasury

'Steampunk!' by foowahu

Arrrrrr Monocle Pirate Wear - Sector9Industrial Steampunk Rotating Gear Heart (3D Printed) - CarryTheWhat steampunk jewelry - TIME TRAVELER - antiqued silver steampunk watch movement necklace with tiny dragonfly - junesnight Steampunk leather hip bag / wallet with antique brass swing clasp - FiendishWear
Steampunk Owl Gas Mask Respirator - gryphonsegg Steampunk Goggles PLUS Steel Ring and Dual MAGNIFYING LENSES - jmasserant Mens Watch Steampunk (WAT0081) - VintageLovers2012 Steampunk Harness BLACK Velvet Faux Suede Underbust Bodice with Silver Gears, Buckles, Chain, and Antique Keys by Velvet Mechanism - velvetmechanism
MADE TO ORDER Steampunk Button Front Equestrian Riding Pants Jodhpurs Below Knee Length - Reenacat Steampunk Timemachine Backpack - CoattailsOnFire Nerf Maverick Custom Steampunk Service Revolver - TheAlchemoose Steampunk Black Feather Collar Victorian Vintage Gothic Gaga Halloween Costume Accessory LEXI RAVEN by Lovechild Boudoir - lovechildboudoir
Steampunk Skirt - Pirate Gothic Renaissance - Asymmetrical Circle Hem - Black Ellis Style-custom to your size - KMKDesignsllc Steampunk Stormtrooper  Helmet Paper  Giclee Print Star Wars - kyoob Steampunk skirt with cogs ; made to measure ; Handmade from Italy - SilviaAlphardCouture Steampunk, Steam punk, nautical, decor, Steampunk art, Steampunk art print, Clock, watch, gear, gears, - TheArtOfSpirit

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Flickr Day

Friday, January 24, 2014

Week of Jewelry

Bracelets
Bangles and cuffs with rivets, gears and wire.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Week of Jewelry

Necklaces
Rivet and birds, gears and industrial sensibilities.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Week of Jewelry

Earrings
Yep more gears and wire and warm metals.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Week of Jewelry

Rings
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



Sunday, January 19, 2014

Sunday Treasury

'STEAMPUNK' by meloniesjunk

Steampunk Gun Metal Riding Hat with Goggles and Wings with Netting - JillieKatCreations Steampunk Retro Gothic Style iPhone 5 5c 5s 4s 4 Case Cover, Vintage Antique Bronze Brass Clock Watch Owl Bicycle Love Heart - HandmadeMaster Steampunk photo journal - Meloniesjunk Hot Air Balloon Jewelry - Victorian Parisian - Le Ballon Race - Brass Cuff Bracelet - JezebelCharms
Arrow bracelet,Steampunk bow and arrow bracelet bow and arrow pendant with blue crystal and double chain BBA01 - Gelivablegift Men's Steampunk Vest--Handmade--Custom Tailored--Made to Measure--Double or Single Breasted Option--small-medium-large-extra large-xxl - OnceUponABustle Hard-to-Find Victorian Steampunk Images - Kraken, Airships, etc. - 1x2 inch Domino Tiles - Digital Collage Sheet - Download and Print - steamduststudios Bronze Queen of Hearts Steampunk Monocle - BronzeSmith
Lady Victoria - Post Apocalyptic Steampunk Computer - RagsGower Hot Air Balloon Necklace - A Steampunk balloon in amber blown glass and copper - Hot Air Balloon Jewelry - Steampunk Necklace - ElainaLouiseStudios Womens Denim Steampunk  Jacket - TheCustomButton Gunmetal Black Mechanical Pocket Watch with Pocket Chain Copper Dial Groomsmen Gift Ships from Canada - PocketwatchPurveyor
SteamPunk Mens Silver Ring - Gears and Rivets - Industrial Steam Punk - Handmade - SwankMetalsmithing Cthulhu Steampunk Corset Belt Real leather steel boned Corset to fit 31/ 32 inch waist - Harlotsandangels Hot Air Balloon Steampunk Sticker Labels Set of 24 - mreguera Steampunk Goggles Airship Captain Apocalyptic Mad Scientist Victorian Limited SSS-black - oldjunkyardboutique

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Flickr Day

Friday, January 17, 2014

Week of Leather

Boots
Handmade leather boots...so nice.

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Week of Leather

Bags
A Nice leather bag is better with a steampunk edge.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Week of Leather

Corsets
Strong leather corsets.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Week of Leather

Accessories
The week of sepia was fun to do, so I decided to do another week of...this time it's leather.

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Kick Start It

Sunday Treasury

'Steampunk Queen' by laceandfindings


Spoon Ring Roman Column & Vines Sterling Silver, Handcrafted in Your Size (5031) - Spoonier jabot,victorian, ruffle neck piece,shabby chic, vintage style,jane austen,layers and frills, roses,lace jabot,vampire,wedding,mori girl,love - radusport Statement necklace, steampunk, original drawing, vampire, textile jewelry, lolita, lace, gothic, circus, weird, burlesque, whimsical - Elyseeart Venetian Feather Mask 'Black Swan' Silver, Masquerade, Carnival, Bridal, Costume, Wedding, Rhinestone, Fetish, Victorian, Steampunk, Queen, - Cherryfox
Steampunk Queen Bee Necklace on Chain - FernStreetDesigns Gothic Necklace with Clock Hands and Crystals distressed Antique silver colored steampunk Neo Victorian  - The Queen of Hearts Royal Whim - EJPcreations The Steam Queen Upcycled Dictionary Art Vintage Book Print Recycled Vintage Dictionary Steampunk Page Buy 2 Get 1 FREE - StayGoldMedia Steampunk Corset Bustle Jacket Gothic Victorian Burlesque CARNIVALE QUEEN Jacket Frock Coat Sky Pirate Cirque - lovechildboudoir
Black Leather Spade Handbag - "Queen of Spades" - PoisonNYC Steampunk Queen Gun Metal Bracelet - Steampunkerz Recycled Metal Queen Monster head --- Steampunk Dieselpunk Cyberpunk Craft Handmade - Kreatworks Steampunk pocket watch Necklace key pirate Victorian locket pendant charm Tiny SPIDER QUEEN KEY Necklace - UmbrellaLaboratory
Queen Bee Steampunk Stickers Set of 12 - mreguera Queen Of The Woods The Decemberists Inspired Print - AMurderOfKrows Retro copper oval with queen photo pocket watch necklace pendant jewelry vintage style - toofashion2010 Antique 1800s VICTORIAN "Downton Abbey" Edwardian Walking Shoes by Queen Quality Two-Tone Leather BOOTS Button Up Hook 4-5 Narrow STEAMPUNK - HarlowGirls