Hustlers, Harlots and Heroes is a Must-Have Resource for any Steampunk Author
As part of my preparation for Steam Tour I picked up a great little reference volume by historian/geek Krista A. Ball. Hustlers, Harlots and Heroes: A Steampunk and Regency Fieldguide tells the story of the untold, the people who populate your Steampunk imaginings but are rarely the focal point. She brings you the inside scoop on the maids, footmen and even your friendly neighborhood knocker-upper (think alarm clock with a stick) to offer readers and writers a window into how the 99% really lived during the Regency and Victorian eras.
Ball’s first reference book, What Kings Ate and Wizards Drank, also sounds like a lot of fun, but so far I have only read Hustlers. Both books include recipes that you will want to make at home (and some like tooth paste made from cuttlefish that you’d never EVER want to try) in addition to some great background information and delicious tidbits to add depth and interest to your own Steampunk projects.
Let me know if you have any ideas for other reference books I should read before Steam Tour starts in August! I finally got a reliable internet connect here in Greece so I hope to go back to posting more often and letting you know all the amazing Steampunkery that is to come.
Amazing Steampunk Wedding in Minnesota
Hello friends!
It has been 9 days between posts, and that is the longest I have gone so far since I started this blog. I haven’t been able to finish any of the big posts I have been working on lately because of trying to fit my whole life into a couple of suitcases, but I wanted to make sure you got your infusion of steam for the week. A friend just sent me a link to a wonderful post showcasing a steampunk wedding so check out the stunning photos here.
On Monday I board the plane for my first leg of my 14-month European adventure. I will be working on an archaeological dig and I am not sure yet how much time I will be able to devote to ForWhomTheGearTurns during June and July. But never fear! The closer we get to Steam Tour (which now includes an Edinburgh leg Aug 8-15) the more posts you will start to see again.
Thanks so much in advance for your patience and I look forward to sharing everything I learn as I prepare for Steam Tour!
The Bumper Stickers Have Arrived!
If you didn’t get a chance to get yours through the campaign but you are still interested, leave me a comment about how many you want and we can try to work something out. $2.50 per sticker (includes domestic shipping). I can only guarantee delivery if you let me know by next Monday, 5/26.
For Londoners, I will always be carrying some of these awesome 3” x 10” stickers with me during my trek through the city and they will available for purchase during any meetups that are arranged and during Weekend at the Asylum as I am walking around and meeting folks.
Steam Tour Featured on StoryWorld
I’m on my way out the door to visit Madame Tussaud’s wax museum here in NYC, but I wanted to share that the writing website Story World interviewed me about Steam Tour!
Tangled Web Shadowbox
I am really happy with my newest experiment! What do you think?
“Tangled Web” Shadowbox
“Curiosities” 3D Paper Airship Shadowbox
Once I figured out out how to do a hot air balloon I knew I couldn’t stop there! Here is my first (though definitely not my last) attempt at a 3D dirigible/airship. This shadowbox measures 12” x 12” and the back is finished so it can hang on the wall or stand alone on a shelf. I used a combination of glossy and matte papers, but the shiny parts aren’t nearly as shiny in person as they look on the photos. I have a light source directly above my photo area that can give a false impression with its glare.
Each 12 x 12 shadow box takes approximately 10 hours to complete. They start their lives as canvases and are covered by cardstock and paper, then embellished with mixed media accoutrements. I made the dirigible and the boat using a similar method to my Christmas ornaments. Check out the tutorial here.
Last Chance to Weigh in on a Slogan
So far “My Other Car is an Airship” is leading the pack for the slogan I’ll use for my steampunk sticker design. I wanted to post the poll one more in time in case anyone still wanted to vote or share their own slogan idea. For more info, check out my original post here.
For Whom the Gear Turns 