“Weasels exist” sends along a link to his customized guitars, saying:

“I’d like to ask for a moment of your time to check out some new work I’ve been doing, antiquing/transforming/rustifying musical instruments. Not only does the process create a unique, one-of-a-kind instrument every time, but also serves to improve the sound. Most instruments’ finish comes in the form of a plastic coating that, once removed, allows a deeper, richer resonance in the wood.  I’m doing this on a commission basis, working on a favorite guitar you already own, and turning it into a relic from a rift through time and space.”

Check out his work at Avantgardenias.

Today’s offering is the RPM Orchestra.

As heard over the aether (courtesy of The Clockwork Cabaret) this sums it up nicely -

“Upon first listen, I got maybe three – probably two – tracks into it and then skipped ahead a couple tracks and skipped ahead a couple tracks and then took it out and threw it underneath a chair… and then I picked it back up about a week and a half later and I listened to it and I thought, “This is one of the most amazing pieces of work that I have ever heard.” It gets its hands dirty and greasy with all of the steampunk aesthetic. It’s very rare that you find a piece of music that just floors you. I think it’s pretty brilliant what he’s done.”

The Clockwork Cabaret

So, now that we’re well under way, what next? How about the tree itself? The  Victorians loved their Christmas trees after they were introduced by Prince Albert, and  a steampunked tree would be the business, for sure. So, what to do?

Metal Christmas trees are still being made, although the tend to be shiny silver , so take one and spray it with brass and copper paint, as either highlights or a full paint job . Or, to satisfy the steampunk  crafter in you,  construct a  tree out of copper piping,  plumbing and electrical fixtures or old scientific equipment.  The trick would be to balance the steampunk aspects with enough traditional Christmas elements to make the tree recognizeable, and festive as well. Why not try some traditional Victorian ornamentation, as well? Victorian Christmases were lavish, overt-the top,  sumptuous affairs, so don’t worry about too much being, well, too much. Decorations could include could include small gold pocket watches or ladies’ cameo brooches, along with lacy or velvet ribbon bows. Satisfy the Victorian “naturalist collector” whim, with holly and mistletoe, pine cones, gilt walnuts and such. Lights?  Anything but canlds would be best. Indulge the mad scientist in you , though, and don’t skip lights.

Shaunathan Sprocket here helping out Harold in this season of giving.  So, you’ve made and sent your Victorian Christmas cards,  and you’ve decorated your Christmas tree in true Steampunk fashion, now what?  Well my good Ladies and Gentlemen in a tradition as old as old Fezzywig himself, I present to you, The Christmas Party!

Dickens and Steampunk go together like Brass and Leather, so why not combine the two for a Steampunk Christmas experience your guests won’t soon forget.  Click the link below for some helpful tips on creating your own party.

(more…)

“A masked terrorist has brought London to its knees – there are bombs inside books, and nobody knows which ones. On the day of the launch of the first expedition to Mars, by giant cannon, he outdoes himself with an audacious attack. For young poet Orphan, trapped in the screaming audience, it seems his destiny is entwined with that of the shadowy terrorist, but how? Like a steam-powered take on V for Vendetta, rich with satire and slashed through with automatons, giant lizards, pirates, airships and wild adventure, The Bookman is the first of a series.”

So states the cover intro to the new novel “The Bookman” by Lavie Tidhar, to be released in the UK in January from Angry Robot Books.

James P. Blaylock, author of Lord Kelvin’s Machine and  Homunculus, states:

” Lavie Tidhar’s The Bookman is simply the best book I’ve read in a long time, and I read a lot of books.  If you’re worried that Steampunk has turned into a mere fashion aesthetic, then you’d better read this one.  It’s a stunningly imaginative remix of history, technology, literature, and Victorian adventure that’s impossible to put down.  The book is immensely smart and readable at the same time.  I very much hope that it’s the first of many such books.  Buy it. “

It has been written that there is the whole world to play with when you wish to do steampunk. This band “Sunday Driver” is a WONDERFUL example of that as well as just some of the best new music I have heard in a long time.

Give there new album “In the City of Dreadful Night” a go here : http://www.sundaydriver.co.uk/album.htm

In the City of Dreadful Night

They look as good as they sound

The band

http://www.myspace.com/sundaydriverinuk

There music is just wonderful and a fantastic example of Steampunk music and style. -Evelyn

Hello, Brass Goggler! It’s been a while, I’m afraid, but fear not, I’ll get you up to speed in no time.

The newest steampunk fanzine Exhibition Hall released its fourth issue earlier this week. The publication continues to cover recent events, reviews, even a bit of fashion now, and original fiction.

Both Dieselpunks and The Gatehouse have been focusing a lot on dieselpunk architecture lately. Click here for an overview of Tome’s “Art History” series at Dieselpunks and here for all posts about architecture at The Gatehouse.

Speaking of Dieselpunks they recently launched an online gift store for steampunk and dieselpunk enthusiasts. Buy books, DVDs, games, music and jewelry at Amazon via the store to support one of the greatest dieselpunk communities online!

Disney is currently working on something of a steampunk version of Mickey Mouse. According to The New York Times, “the introduction next year of a new video game, Epic Mickey,” will present the “formerly squeaky clean character” as “cantankerous and cunning, as well as heroic, as he traverses a forbidding wasteland.” For a taste of things to come have a dekko at those artworks that are allegedly concepts for the video game. Looks like good stuff, not?

For a fine collection of vintage Bohn advertisements by Arthur Radebaugh, Lord K has an album full of it. For more of the man’s postings, also visit the Dieselpunk blog.

More vintage is available on Dark Roasted Blend: enjoy their Fabulous Las Vegas page, full of photographs and advertisements from the earlier days of the town.

That’s all for today. See you next time!

Flash! We interrupt your “Days of Christmas” series to bring you this, (which is simply too stunning to allow to pass unnoticed).

Via Jake von Slatts “Steampunk Workshop” we present:

“A Visit to a Steampunked House”

We now return you to your regularly scheduled blog!

Now that your cards are all made, and in the post, how about  tree decorations?

There’s a very good Online Gear Template Generator , which while meant for creating wooden gears, could be used to print off templates, that when transferrred to heavy stiock or artists board, could be cut out and painted to create ncie brass gear decorations.

ThinkGeek has some nice Cthulu tree toppers and ornaments that might just add an air-kraken-ish touch.  Or, for a more tradtional touch, you could craft some Victorian Ornaments.

For the truly Mad Scientist or budding Evil Genius, there is always the Tesla Christmas Tree.

It’s that time of year again when we are being bombarded with reminders that yes, it is indeed Christmas Upcoming!  So, for those of you who do use Christmas as  your seasonal holiday of choice, lets look at how one could make a Steampunk Christmas happen.  I think we can blantantly use the “12 Days of” format, just because.

So,  Day 1 of the 12 Days of Steampunk Christmas

Steampunk Christmas Cards:

• make up your own cards with a Steampunk Theme – copper and brass decorations on  Christmas trees,  robotic reindeer puling a steam powered sleigh, that sort of thing. Old period  map reproduction prints  and sheet music would work well, and one can find lots of suitable Victorian fonts online, or simply hand letter.  Hand tinting prints of old photos is another option.