TotusMel's Wunderkammer

Kick Start It

noreply@blogger.com (TotusMel) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Sunday Treasury

noreply@blogger.com (TotusMel) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Flickr Day

noreply@blogger.com (TotusMel) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Atlas

noreply@blogger.com (TotusMel) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Maps Of The World

1. Brown Steampunk Map Dress with Train - mickamella
2. The Traveller Map - Steampunk map necklace - SixAstray
3. Steampunk Men's Vest Map Lapels - KMKDesignsllc
4. Ava Nara - 11x14 print - kateobriencreative

Sure, I prefer finding my way with technology, but I still love old maps. What wonderful and useful art.

Gadgets

noreply@blogger.com (TotusMel) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

And Art

1. Steampunk digital camera mod - HattonCrossSteampunk
2. Submarine Art Sculpture by Baron Margo - puwame
3. The eCog Mercury (tm) Steampunk Cover - VictorianSteampunk
4. iRetrofone Steampunk - Black/Gold - freelandstudios

Gadgets and art, fancy and fantastical.

Ashes

noreply@blogger.com (TotusMel) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Gray and Black

1. Hand-painted silver scarf with spider web - Kteis
2. Drop Heart of Lava Black Necklace - valkasinskas
3. Bat Wing Pendant Necklace - ThePeachTree
4. BELLE hand knit fingerless ruffled gloves with buttons - voknits

Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust and jewelry to cloth.

Mardi Gras

noreply@blogger.com (TotusMel) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Fancy Dress

1. Swirly leather mask in violet - TomBanwell
2. A'Flutter - Exotic Green Peacock Feather Eyelashes - MoonshineBaby
3. Corset skirt and shrug - thesecretboutique
4. Purple Decadence Velvet Flock Gown - KMKDesignsllc

Just another excuse to get dolled up. Go ahead and take it to Victorian extremes in purple, green and golds.

Kick Start It

noreply@blogger.com (TotusMel) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Sunday Treasury

noreply@blogger.com (TotusMel) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Flickr Day

noreply@blogger.com (TotusMel) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Music

noreply@blogger.com (TotusMel) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

And The Machine

1. Steampunk Copper Colour LED Guitar - Spookycat333

2. Musica ex Machina steampunk print - theGorgonist
3. Court Band Chinese Steampunk Print - JeffersonTrader
4. Steampunk ukulele Bass 20" scale acoustic/electric - celentanowoodworks

Steampunk music and art, what a lovely combination.

Bones

noreply@blogger.com (TotusMel) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

White and Silver

1. Rat Bone Skull Black Cameo - SinisterVanity
2. Misc. Bone Ring - ardent1
3. persephone's jewel - BloodMilk
4. Real Jawbone Cuff bracelet - TrashBatRaven

Whether its a naked bone or cast in silver or even just a creative interpretation, I do so love bones and jewelry.

Top It Off

noreply@blogger.com (TotusMel) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Top Hats

1. The Patience - Steampunk Inspired Top Hat - topsyturvydesign
2. Custom Victorian Top Hat - GypsyLadyHats
3. Mr Raven Gentleman's Mad Hatter Top Hat - Blackpin

4. Come to my wonderland : Mini-hat in Victorian style - KopfTraeume

There is no hat like a top hat and there are just so many to choose from.

Stripes

noreply@blogger.com (TotusMel) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

And Bustles

1. CAUGHT IN STRIPES STEAMPUNK CASUAL DRESS - AlexLondonDesign
2. Steampunk Bustle Skirt Long Striped Brown - Purpuratum
3. Black and White Striped Bustle and Opera Shrug Set - DelightfullyDeviant

4. Striped Cabaret Bustle Ensemble - kambriel

Black and white with just a bit of brown, stripey goodness all around.

Her Majesty's Explorer: a Steampunk bedtime story!

noreply@blogger.com (TotusMel) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

A few months ago I got my second ever request to review a book. I waited patiently as the release date neared for my chance to give this a read and I finally got my copy so it's time to share. First the particulars from the press releases:

About Her Majesty's Explorer: a Steampunk bedtime story: Automaton St.John Murphy Alexander walks the world exploring for the Queen. He sees the most extraordinary landscapes, creatures and weather. He gets very, VERY dirty. Exhausted, he returns to HQ and gets ready for a well deserved rest and some sweet dreams.

This gentle book, written by Steampunk novelist Emilie P. Bush and brilliantly illustrated by William Kevin Petty, is the perfect wind-down for a little adventurer. Look for it in the Spring of 2012.

About Emilie P. Bush - Former public radio show host and author of the Steampunk novels Chenda and the Airship Brofman and The Gospel According to Verdu, Ms. Bush writes for The Steampunk Chronicle and lectures on publishing throughout the Southeast. Her stories are available at your favorite book retailer, Amazon.com, and in ALL digital formats at Smashwords.com.

About William Kevin Petty - National Guard Captain William Kevin Petty has taken on Her Majesty's Explorer as a labor of love, and he works on his illustrations during his down time while serving with the U.S.Army in the Middle East. Look for his work in Steampunk Magazine and at Allied-Aethernautics.com.

So onto my humble opinion of said bedtime story. I read it with my kids since my own adult opinion matters little if children don't like it right? Well, I am happy to report that they did like it despite their initial reservation regarding the "steampunk" aspect. You see my family is not as in love with the genre as I am. In fact they tend to pat my head with that, 'whatever you like Mom' when I point out something new I've found. This is of course why the Wunderkammer is so important for my personal sanity, but I digress. The story is simple and cute with a natural sense of adventure winding down to serenity making it perfect for bedtime. The illustrations are as well full of beauty and a sense of simplicity that has the same calming effect with a few added elements that are perfect for discovery. So our opinion is, the book is a success combining mild elements of steampunk with a classic bedtime story.

What I really loved though, even more than the main story, was the backup poem, 'Three Cheers For Steamduck'. It is pure whimsy and even the kids wanted a Steamduck after we read it, which I will never let them forget. Do pop by Coal City Stories etsy shop to see a Steamduck t-shirt too.

So now for a few more particulars. The book is to be released on February 28th exclusively through Amazon.com. You can also follow at http://coalcitysteam.wordpress.com/ , http://www.facebook.com/events/347525985265865/ , http://www.site.coalcitysteam.com/ and http://twitter.com/CoalCitySteam

I do honestly recommend this book for all you Steampunk loving parents out there that want to add a little steampunk into your children's lives.

Sunday Treasury

noreply@blogger.com (TotusMel) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Flickr Day

noreply@blogger.com (TotusMel) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Bird

noreply@blogger.com (TotusMel) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Mechanical Flying Wonders

1. Steampunk swallow black and white gears - criticaleggplant
2. Mechanical Birdie - Fully Customizable - monsterkookies

3. Bird Sculpture, Vintage Small Game Trap with Bird - jedpaterson
4. Clockwork Bird - Black-headed Gull - HazelFisherCreations

I've personally loved the mechanical bird since Bubo. Bonus points if you get the reference.

Corset

noreply@blogger.com (TotusMel) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Steam and Victorian

1. Overbust corset - Aphrodite - VCoutureBoutique
2. Steampunk corset - LadySteampunk
3. Dame Zeit Piraten Steampunk Corset - midnightagenda1
4. Custom Size Peach and ivory Burlesque Corset prom dress with train - Glamtastik

There always seems to be more corsets to find. Whether you like classic Victorian or a little Steampunk, there are makers creating them all.

Papercuts By Joe

noreply@blogger.com (TotusMel) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Just Wow

1. Branches Skull 18x24 original papercut
2. Beetle Papercut: Hand-Cut Paper Silhouette- 8x10
3. Octopus Hand-Cut Paper Silhouette- 8x10
4. Adams Courthouse - 18x24 Hand-Cut Paper Art
All pieces by papercutsbyjoe

I beseech you to go to this shop and look at the other listing photos so you can truly appreciate the amazing skills of this artist. Seriously, just wow!

Flame

noreply@blogger.com (TotusMel) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Let There Be Light

1. Candle Votives - Toxins and Turmoil - BurkeHareCo
2. Industrial Decor Copper Candelabra - McGdesign
3. Steampunk Votive Holder - PaulaArt
4. Carburetor candle holders - mattjohnsondesigns

Candle accessories with industrial, vintage and steampunk appeal.

Kick Start It

noreply@blogger.com (TotusMel) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Sunday Treasury

noreply@blogger.com (TotusMel) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Flickr Day

noreply@blogger.com (TotusMel) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

The Point

noreply@blogger.com (TotusMel) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Spiked and Dangerous

1. Spiky Vase: Dangerously Spiky Vase with Red Inside - symmetricalpottery
2. Horns Fascinator - KopfTraeume
3. Stalagmite - SparshGlass
4. STALAGMITE Pendant - GumushJewelry

Sharp, dramatic and unforgettable. These all make a pointed statement that is definitely darkly beautiful.