I wrote about The Woman in Black last April and my experiences with the play and anticipation for the film.

Well, the wait is almost over as the movie is released this week.

While there is nothing remotely Steampunk about The Woman in Black, if you have a delight of the gothic, strange or uncanny, then this film should be perfect for you. And as mentioned in my last post, if you get a chance to see the play in Covent Garden then go! I got a great deal at the half-price ticket booth in Leicester Square and had a fantastically frightening afternoon.

The Woman in Black is a very dark tale in the style of Victorian Ghost Stories and the book scared the living daylights out of me, the play even more so.

If you are faint of heart then you may wish to imbibe a healthy dose of brandy or port before going to see this film. Or alternatively, wear blacked out spectacles and take an iPod with you.

From watching the trailers, the film is looking very promising. I still don’t know what to make of Daniel Radcliffe as an actor, beyond Harry Potter. But I think its interesting that he decided to go for a film which is such a great story and not the most commercial of scripts.

If you’re new to the story then there’s a short featurette about the Woman in Black below:

Technorati Tags: Dark Victorian, Gothic, Steampunk News, The Woman in Black

The concept of a Steampunk Laptop or PC is not new, but it’s always fun to see new designs and the latest creations in Neo Victorian electronics.

This Sony VAIO F Series Laptop is all out Steampunk!

The Neo-Victorian makeover of the Laptop is courtesy of Steampunk Artist J. “Wilhelm” Dunn who owns the Etsy shop Victorian Steampunk as well as blogging at SteampunkElectronics.
According to J. “Wilhelm” Dunn’s Etsy shop

“I hand-fabricate Steampunk (Neo-Victorian) art and custom “Calculation Engines” (computers) out of the finest mechanicals available in our fair City of Austin, deep in the sister Republic of Texas.”

I just love this laptop. It’s a fully working piece of Neo-Victorian art.

It would be perfect for composing Steampunk novels and Penny Dreadfuls, although I’d have to make a point of writing my stories by night as the backlighting looks absolutely fantastic.

Technorati Tags: Geekery, Neo Victorian, Steampunk, Steampunk Accessories, Steampunk Art, Steampunk Maker, Steampunk News

In-between waiting for Bioshock Infinite and slaying the last few dragons in Skyrim, there doesn’t seem to be much coming out in the way of video games.

And then I spotted Black Gold Online.

As you can see, there are strong Steampunk elements in the graphics. The game sounds intriguing; two rival factions competing, technologists versus Nature Lovers.

You can read more about this intriguing title here

Technorati Tags: Steampunk, Steampunk Game, Steampunk News

More Steampunk Pretties…
I love these Playing Cards, perfectly dark and Industrious in their Steampunk Style.

The designs for these cards are gorgeous and they’ve done a great job on their promotional video.

Whether or not these cards will aid you in sleight of hand remains to be seen.

Steam Powered Sleeves might be a good diversion, a burst of Steam to confuse your audience and voila – a Brass Duck emerges from the Ether with the Ace Of Spades clutched in its beak…

I’ll get to work on that routine and report back.

To see more of these wonderful cards visit Theory11.com

Technorati Tags: Geekery, Steampunk, Steampunk Accessories, Steampunk News, Steampunk Video

How amazing is this Steampunk Hard-Drive?

This is a fantastic contraption and its yours, for $1,200. Imagine how your productivity will skyrocket using such an industrious instrument!

Sadly, I don’t think the cat is included.

Right, off to count the shillings/ send Santa a begging letter for this immaculate device in order to begin 2012 in true Neo-Victorian Style!

Technorati Tags: Geekery, Steampunk, Steampunk Accessories, Steampunk News

This is really cool. Perhaps in our upcoming Steampunk Future we will see giant versions of these wonderful devices!

DIY Printable Strandbeest | TechCrunch:

(Via techcrunch.com)

Technorati Tags: Geekery, Steampunk, Steampunk Maker, Steampunk News

Consurgo from Colorbleed Studios on Vimeo.

This is a fantastic Animation!
The Steampunk-Style Monster is also pretty scary!

The animation “Consurgo” (which is Latin for ‘to arise’) is made by ColorBleedStudios

Technorati Tags: Steampunk, Steampunk Animation, Steampunk Movie, Steampunk News

We all need a Brain-wave enhancer now and then.

Now you can have a Brain-Wave Enhancer with Steampunk flair and panache.

How totally and utterly splendid is this hat?

It has Steampunk it has Mad Professor.

I for one would proudly wear one everywhere.
From the Pub to the Grocery Store.

Where will you wear yours?

(Via www.steampunktribune.com)

Technorati Tags: Geekery, Steampunk, Steampunk Accessories, Steampunk Maker, Steampunk News

Once again it seems Guy Ritchie has made a Sherlock Holmes Moving Picture which bears about as much resemblance to Conan Doyle’s books as a Top Hat bears to a Catfish.

Still, it looks fantastic with Steampunk tones, darkly lavish sets, amazing locations and a hansom cab full of ham. After my former rantings aimed at the last Sherlock Holmes offering by Mr. Ritchie, I finally bit the bullet, went to see it and loved it.

And Professor Moriarty definitely looks interesting. Far more so than the Moriarty of the BBC’s recent Sherlock, which asides from the needlessly camp Moriarty, was superb.

I’m sure there are plenty of Holmesians who will be skulking in their drawing rooms this December, weeping with anger into glasses of brandy at this celluloid outrage and in some ways I commiserate.

But sadly it won’t stop me going to see this nonsense and poppycock; it just looks like too much fun!

Technorati Tags: Dark Victorian, Sherlock Holmes, Steampunk, Steampunk Movie, Steampunk News

I just found this video from the New York Comic Con. This Giant Steampunk Hand took about six months to make. And it weighs around 15 pounds…

I wonder if this gentleman plays soccer? He would make an excellent goal-keeper. Or perhaps Baseball would be more fitting.

And the fact he can give people the finger (although a Gentleman would never in reality do such a thing) is the icing on this rather strange cake…

Technorati Tags: Geekery, Steampunk, Steampunk Maker, Steampunk News

Halloween is creeping and crawling and slithering towards us.

In keeping with the deliciously gray, autumnal drear, I was looking at Steampunk Halloween ideas for the Masquerade party I’m going to.

And I found this video. And I thought it looked pretty scary!

Sadly, it’s a fair trip from Seattle to New York, but if I was in New York, I’d definitely be going to the Steampunk Haunted House.

It looks absolutely terrifying!

I love the fact that they’ve incorporated Lewis Carroll into the experience. I already find his worlds pretty disturbing for the most part (as long as you take the Tim Burton film out of the equation, or specifically Johnny Depp’s fuderwhack dance – urgh).

Moving on from that Disney induced horror, who wouldn’t want to be thrust into a “into a beautiful and terrifying dreamscape of neo-Victorian elegance and phantasmagoric clockwork horrors”

The playhouse where the experience takes place sounds both fascinating and creepy with its three floors of “innumerable twisting hallways, looming balconies, and labyrinthine cellars.”

This definitely sounds like a great way for Steampunks and lovers of both the Gothic and Neo-Victorian to celebrate Halloween.

You can find out more at the Steampunk Haunted House website.

Technorati Tags: Alice in Wonderland, Dark Victorian, Gothic, Steampunk, Steampunk Art, Steampunk Haunted House, Steampunk News

A Steampunk Octopus… what could be better? I’ve been waiting (like a lot of people), for the Squids and Octopuses to take to the land. An invasion is surely only a matter of time. But I never expected it would be a Steampunk Octopus which would be the first to roam.

This is a really cool video, uploaded from Mark Day who we featured on this blog along with his Edwardian Ball Video, earlier this year.

And finally the arch enemy of Dr. Who is back and this time it’s been prowling around the Burning Man Festival. There are no statistics on the amounts of exterminations which took place…

Technorati Tags: Burning Man Festival, Edwardian, Edwardian Ball, Geekery, Steampunk, Steampunk Art, Steampunk Exhibition, Steampunk Maker, Steampunk Movie, Steampunk News

This is a fantastic little documentary on our favorite topic, Steampunk!
There are some amazing features and it’s well worth watching all the way through, especially for the mini feature 7 Great Things That Are Better Steampunk’d – I love that Steampunk Darth Vader!

This is from the videos description:

“Steampunk art evokes an alternate reality where steam is the primary source of power. Technology, though highly advanced, has taken on a very different look and feel, and fashion is heavily influenced by Victorian styles. In this episode, we explore the Steampunk aesthetic and art movement. We speak with a Steampunk artist, a composer who created an entire piece of music inspired by Steampunk, and a performing arts collective whose work falls naturally into this intriguing world.”

Technorati Tags: Geekery, Steampunk, Steampunk Art, Steampunk Maker

Thelomeris certainly looks promising!

While this new Hungarian film is not Steampunk in its purest essence (if such a thing exists) it certainly has a lot of Steampunk reference points and aesthetics.
The trailer reminds me of Dark City and looks just as strange and brooding.

Here’s a snippet from the promotional material:

“This is a dark and cold land, where free will is a distant memory and where personal interests rule over real emotions and values. The citizens lived their life in order to serve the energy demand of the fearful colossus, the Clock Factory.”

You can find more about Thelomeris here:

http://www.thelomeris.com/

Technorati Tags: Gothic, Steampunk, Steampunk Movie, Steampunk News

I wrote about the Woman in Black and my experiences with this deliciously Gothic Victorian story before.

Above is a new trailer which shows a little more from the upcoming film.

I have to say it looks amazing but I’m slightly puzzled by the girl’s accent as she reads a poem over the trailer. The film should be set in the North of England and I hope they haven’t relocated it to America as its setting so was so integral to the plot.

Either way, the visuals looks fantastically creepy. I recommend you read the book, or see the play in London ahead of the film as it looks like they’ve added scenes which weren’t a part of the book.

I hope they haven’t strayed too far from the original story as it really is an amazing piece of modern Gothic fiction.

The Woman in Black is best read at night, in the wintertime before a crackling fire. Reading by candlelight improves the atmosphere, as does a generous measure of Port or Brandy to keep those Gothic terrors at bay…

Technorati Tags: Dark Victorian, Gothic, Neo Victorian, The Woman in Black

The film is called Henry Waltz and I have precisely no idea what its about but it looks rather splendid and has rather a lot of Steampunk undertones!
The filmmaker, Emil Goodman, is Polish and you can visit his site for more information if you speak (or read) Polish…

http://emilgoodman.blogspot.com/

Technorati Tags: Geekery, Steampunk, Steampunk Animation, Steampunk Art, Steampunk News

Now this looks like an amazing Steampunk exhibit! Steampunk: History Beyond Imagination opens in October in Anaheim, CA but looks set to potentially travel (presumably by Zepplin)

“The exhibit will introduce visitors to an era in which science and industry were combined to launch mankind into the 20th Century (and beyond) – to become a world where ordinary human beings could do the impossible. Historical pioneers like Charles Babbage and prominent personalities like Nikola Tesla will also be revealed for their contributions to the development of incredible technological advances.”

You can read more and contribute to this exciting Steampunk Kickstarter Project here:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/aeronautproductions/steampunk-history-beyond-imagination-museum-exhibi

Technorati Tags: Geekery, Steampunk, Steampunk Art, Steampunk Exhibition, Steampunk News

I’m really looking forward to Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.

I loved the first film even though I was apoplectic with fury when I first saw the trailer. As a sworn-in Sherlock Holmes aficionado, the sight of Robert Downey Jr. diving out of the Houses of Parliament like something out of an eighties action movie had me spluttering my port across the room.

Holmes wouldn’t dive like Batman! Holmes wouldn’t have intimate dealings with a woman, Holmes wasn’t known for his sense of humour!

Of course this was one of many liberties taken with the Sherlock Holmes works and I was convinced that Conan Doyle would be hammering his ancient knuckles on his coffin lid in an attempt to break out and challenge Guy Ritchie to a duel.

And as for some of the journeys across London, even a mockney like Ritchie should know the general layout of the city!

But then I saw the trailer, the Steampunk leanings of some of the set pieces, the amazing construction of Tower Bridge, the gorgeous grey swirls of London, the cinematography and the sheer Gothic pantomime evil of Lord Blackwood.

And I promised not to swear or say a word in the cinema and I reminded myself this had next to nothing to do with the books. And I loved it! Even bought the soundtrack (which is a fantastic body of music to listen to when writing Steampunk fiction!).

Game of Shadows looks just as ridiculous and just as promising. There are definitely leanings of Alan Moore’s League of extraordinary Gentlemen which can only be a good thing.

And there’s Moriarty – after the woeful portrayal of Moriarty in the otherwise excellent BBC update, fingers crossed this one’s better.

And there’s…Holmes in drag.

Don’t get me started…

Technorati Tags: Geekery, Gothic, Sherlock Holmes, Steampunk, Steampunk News

I already wrote of the Steampunk Chap back in April here on Steampunk Jewelry and now it seems he is back and this time he has company in Mr B “The Gentleman Rhymer”.

I say company, but there is clearly a duel in the air…

The following can only be described as a Battle-Rap Chap-Hop Face-off.

Sparks will fly, so set your cup of Darjeeling down before viewing this and whatever you do, make sure there are no minors within ear-shot as things are guaranteed to turn nasty!

As you can see from the description on the YouTube video this is potentially a two-man word-fight of the most lethal kind!

“The 2 titans of chap hop met in a once-in-a-lifetime dis battle to the verbal death in a field, somewhere in sussex, in 2011 – this is but a small excerpt of the rhyming power displayed that evening.”

Technorati Tags: Geekery, Steampunk, Steampunk News

Happy Steampunk Day! Yes, today is apparently Steampunk’s Birthday so it’s only fitting that we drink some Earl Gray Tea and have a slice of Victoria Sponge Cake in celebration.
Steampunk Day was initiated on Facebook of all places, by the group who are fittingly entitled International Steampunk Day.

So there you have it, if there was ever a day to lace up those corsets and strap on those Top-hats – it’s today!

There’s also good and bad news on this illustrious day for all things Steampunk. There has been excited chatter on Twitter that Bungie, makers of Halo, are bringing out a Steampunk Video Game, which would be jolly good news, but sadly it seems that this is not the case.

I spent many hours digging through dusty tomes to bring you this link which clears up the sorry saga:

http://bit.ly/iv0uP2

Now, this sad news is clearly no way to celebrate Steampunk Day so to lift your spirits and put some oomph back into your day I have decided to have a Special one day sale with 20% off all Steampunk Jewelry over at my Etsy Shop London Particulars

And with that I will sign off with an extra Steamy HUZZAH!

PS – with all the excitement I forgot to give your the Super Secret 20% Discount Code: IntnationalSteampunk

Technorati Tags: Cufflinks, Geekery, Gothic Fashion, Gothic Jewelry, Steampunk, Steampunk Accessories, Steampunk Cufflinks, Steampunk Jewelry, Steampunk News, Steampunk Ring, Steampunk Rings, Watch Movement Cufflinks

Steampunk video games have been few and far between, which is surprising for such a visual medium.

There are two games with Steampunk leanings which I’ve been aching to get my hands on, one is still a year off (Bioshock Infinite) and the other is out in a few days – hooray!

Alice: Madness Returns (see video above) is out on the 16th of this month and it looks absolutely incredible!

When I first heard that Tim Burton was going to make Alice in Wonderland I was thrilled. One of my favorite Directors (for his early films), filming one of my favorite books!

Huzzah indeed!

Until I went to see it… and was underwhelmed, to say the least.If there is ever an equivalent of tattoo-removal for the mind, then I will have that Johnny Depp dance (or Futterwack) scrubbed from my consciousness and sent to room 101.

OK, rant over.

American McGee, creator of Alice: Madness Returns is restoring Alice to where I think she should be, Victorian (no break dancing), Gothic, Dark, Surreal, Twisted and utterly Insane!

Alice: Madness Returns looks like a fast paced platform game with stunning art direction and fingers crossed the gameplay will match the graphics!

I found a fantastic interview with American where he discusses Tim Burton’s Alice, Suckerpunch (ouch) and his creative vision for the game:
http://bit.ly/lGXlst

Technorati Tags: Alice in Wonderland, Dark Victorian, Geekery, Gothic, Neo Victorian, Steampunk, Steampunk News

At last we have closure! This makes sense of the Phantom Menace and the other two (whose names escape me).

For the truth of what happened to the Star Wars Prequels look no further as George Lucas Strikes Back…

Technorati Tags: Geekery, Sci Fi

A few weeks ago Steampunk Jewelry featured the work of Tom Hardwidge and his fantastic Arthrobots. For those who have never heard of these rather nifty mechanisms, Arthrobots are a cross between arthropods and robots.

On my travels across the Interwebs, I look for anything bizarre, unique or simply distracting and was thrilled to find this time-lapse video which shows the construction of one of these wonderful pieces. I say it’s a time-lapse video but who knows, perhaps when he isn’t creating repurposed Arthropods, Tom is working in his lab fashioning new devices for the speeding up of time…

I think anyone with an interest in Steampunk and Upcycling will love these pieces. Tom kindly traded a golden grasshopper for a pair of Steampunk Cufflinks and its sitting on my bookshelf, guarding me from evil spirits and dust mites.

I plan to write an upcoming blog post all about my Golden Grasshopper, so you can see it in more detail and if you want to find more of Tom’s fabulous work, head over to his website at Arthrobots.com

Technorati Tags: Geekery, Steampunk, Steampunk Accessories, Steampunk Maker, Steampunk News

While this has absolutely nothing to do with Steampunk Jewelry, it does have a pocket-watch! And beetles. And a grave.

I love Erland and the Carnival; a great blend of music, eccentric, otherwordly and surreal. This video has a wonderfully gothic twist and is an excellent counterpoint to the happy ramblings of Spring and Summer worshippers. The seasons of light and life are fair enough, but Autumn and Winter are far more fitting for gothic pursuits.

Back to my coffin and to work…

I’m just putting the finishing touches to some new Steampunk Jewelry pieces so hover your peepers on my website over the next few days for some brand new pieces of jewelry!

Technorati Tags: Dark Victorian, Geekery, Gothic, Steampunk, Steampunk Jewelry

I just saw this video of the Singing, Ringing Tree over at Coilhouse. What an amazing sculpture!

I imagine a folly filled crossing of the Pennine Mountains at dusk and the eerie cacophony of the sculpture rising over the ridges.
It would definitely be a fumble for the hipflask and imbibe a shot of brandy moment…

To find out more about this wonderful work of art and sound visit Coilhouse.

Technorati Tags: Geekery, Gothic, Steampunk, Steampunk News

I love this short promotional video for the Steampunk Worlds Fair 2011! Stirling stuff with a rousing piece of music as well.

The Fair is taking place on May 20-22nd in Somerset New Jersey and looks like it shall be a thoroughly thrilling affair.

Entertainment includes; Happy Hour Burlesque with a sideshow of “questionable taste”, a Belly Dancer, The White Elephant Burlesque Society, Dr. Grymm’s Laboratories, Carnival Epsilon a classic sideshow who promise to “dance with danger and play with pain”, amongst many other wondrous sights and sounds.

Sadly I cannot make the fair… I live too far away and my Zeppelin has been decommissioned due to health and safety issues. The Government have been creating all manner of imperious, rigid laws concerning dirigibles and their upkeep of late.

Worse still, my Steam powered Jet-pack flew off when I carelessly set it down on my way home from the pub. There have been reports of it in the skies over Dover, England…

If you’re flying contraptions are in good working order, or you can happily take a spin over to New Jersey, you can find more details of the Fair here:

http://www.oneiroievents.com/thesteampunkworldsfair/

Technorati Tags: Geekery, Gothic, Gothic Fashion, Neo Victorian, Steampunk, Steampunk Art, Steampunk Fashion, Steampunk News

Ah, The Woman in Black…

Just typing the name gives me the shivers! While there’s nothing remotely Steampunk about this book/play/movie, anyone who has a love for the Victorian and the Gothic will love this story.

I first saw the Woman in Black at the Fortune Theater in Covent Garden, Central London. When I left the theater it’s fair to say I had the collywobbles!

The play is based on the 1983 book by Susan Hill. The story takes place in a small English town by the sea and is set in the wonderfully named “Eel March House”. The tale focuses on a young solicitor who is sent to the town of Crythin Gifford to deal with a reclusive widow’s effects.

What takes place in the spinster’s deserted house is truly chilling!  Almost every ghostly, gothic plot device is used and all to wonderful effect.

The play has a cast of two main leads, two actors recounting the tragic tale in an effort to exorcise the ghastly story. There is a third presence in the play, one who appears at the corner of your eyes, out of sight for most of the tale, slowly building the tension ever on towards its hideous climax.

The book is fantastic and a different experience to the Play. It’s well worth a read, especially on a dark winter’s night. While Susan Hill has written a number of crime novels, she has also written further ghost stories. None of them are as terrifying as the Woman in Black, but each carries their own ghostly charms.

If you can’t make it to London to see the play, as you can see from the above trailer, The Woman in Black is coming to the cinema. I’m not sure Daniel Radcliffe would have been my first choice to play the lead, Arthur Kipps, but his acting has slowly improved over the Harry Potter films, so fingers crossed!

The trailer certainly holds its own Goosebumps moments. Here’s hoping they capture the essence of The Woman in Black in all its horrific, dark Victorian glory!

Technorati Tags: Dark Victorian, Gothic, Neo Victorian, Steampunk, Steampunk News, The Woman in Black

I was busy reclining in my favourite smoking jacket while pondering the nature of marmalade when this video popped up on my portable Internet device.
Now here is what I call a proper Chap!

Some people allude to being Chaps, holding doors open now and then for crooked old ladies and laying their coats across puddles for ducks and suchlike. But this man, well he has got the essence of Chapness and it looks like he makes it a full time pursuit!

As a dedicated follower of Steampunk and Neo Victorian sensibilities, keeping up with these Chaps is a must. If you’re in England, you might be interested to know that you can take part in the Chap Olympics:

You can also subscribe to a periodical which is fully dedicated to all things Chap and unsurprisingly, it’s called The Chap:

Now, where on earth did I leave my gin and Gentleman’s relish…

Technorati Tags: Edwardian, Geekery, Steampunk, Steampunk Fashion, Steampunk News

I’m a born tinkerer, I can’t help it! As well as creating Steampunk Jewelry you may have noticed I like to tinker with my website. Just a bit here and there to feed the desire to alter and change…

In a recent spell of tinkering I updated the London Particulars Fan Page. You may have noticed the badge on my site in the side bar and you may or may not have noticed that the badge is redesigned and looking rather spiffing!

I can’t take credit for this! In interviewing the Creator of Steampunk Insects, Spiders and rare and wonderful beauties, Tom Hardwidge, it also turned out that Tom creates and designs web graphics amongst other creative concerns. Tom kindly redesigned my Fan Badge for me which was really cool and we did a trade in Steampunk Cufflinks and Steampunk insects which I’m really excited about!

So please go and feast your eyes upon the rather splendid Fan Page Design and give it a click and then “Like” my page – because in the near future there’s going to be some exciting news which will mean you owning some beautiful new Steampunk Jewelry without having to pay a single cent or penny.

I bet you can’t guess where this is heading…

Visit here and click “Like!”

Technorati Tags: Geekery, Steampunk, Steampunk Fashion, Steampunk Jewelry, Steampunk News

This is an absolutely gorgeously filmed Steampunk Influenced video by Director Christopher Alender, set to a beautifully melodic, melancholy and brooding song by the Musician and Composer Ben Lovett.

I wish the Director could make a full version of this film, its fantastic! It seems strange that there still hasn’t been a movie dedicated exclusively to Steampunk and while there are traces and Neo Victorian leanings in some recent movies, the genre seems rife for a full blown spectacular.

So I shall get to work right away on my own opus; a Lego Steampunk retelling of Bleak House featuring Jekyll and Hyde as Jarndyce and Jarndyce, a malfunctioning Charles Dickens and my cats who are game for anything.

Or perhaps not.

Technorati Tags: Geekery, Steampunk, Steampunk Art, Steampunk Maker

I posted about Tom Hardwidge’s fantastic Steampunk Insects on our Facebook Page this week.
I love these designs!

Thankfully, a friend of Tom’s put me in touch with him through Facebook and Tom kindly agreed to a short interview regarding his insects and spiders and his mysterious bag of “Frankenstein insect parts!

To read more, click here!

Technorati Tags: Geekery, Steampunk, Steampunk Accessories, Steampunk Art, Steampunk Fashion, Steampunk Maker

The Goldfish Helmet film from the Edwardian Ball was featured on Steampunk Jewelry a couple of weeks ago. I was thrilled to be contacted by the Film Maker Mark Day with news of an extended and more elaborate production from this Edwardian Extravaganza.

Mark Day was kind enough to answer a few questions about his film which beautifully documents the Edwardian Ball. With elements of Steampunk, Neo Victorian, Gothic, Carnival, Edward Gorey and the strange, bearded and unusual, this a fascinating short film.

Six Questions with Mark Day

What led you to the Edwardian Ball?

I’ve been filming performances by the Vau de Vire Society since last summer.  I first saw them at an event called Sand by the Ton, where they did a spectacular out-door performance.  Since then I’ve been lucky enough to be invited to film them regularly, and as they are co-presenters of the Edwardian Ball.  So along I went….

There are a lot of Steampunk Elements at play in your film, is Steampunk a fairly recent phenomenon at the Edwardian Ball?

As it’s the first one I’ve attended, I really couldn’t say.  Although galleries of previous events on Flikr seem to suggest a high concentration of brass-goggles on top hats.

Your film captures a lot of oddities at the Ball, which made the biggest impression on you?

The fashion is fun, and I really did not see many people at all who had not made at least a bit of an effort. But for me, it’s really the performances.  There’s something powerful about seeing people do something visually spectacular, live.  Obviously I’m thinking about how it’s going to look, and framing things that I can work with later when I edit.  But I still get the “wow” factor.  The video I shot really only offers a glimpse of the Edwin Gorey inspired Va de Vire theatrical piece (from about 5:29 into the video)  And Fou Fou Ha (from about 6:23) there’s just a glimpse of them — I wasn’t in the best position to shoot them.  But they make me laugh a lot.

I spotted a lot of beards in this video, did you ever worry you may have been overwhelmed by them?

The last shot in the video is me, sporting a beard and waxed-moustache which have both since been removed, much to my wife’s relief.  So I think I pretty much held my own on the beard front. I did shoot a video on “how to wax a moustache” before I shaved it off, which I will be posting shortly.

Your short film is really well shot and produced; do you have a background in film-making?

Not really, I’m a self-taught hobbyist. I started out editing footage I’d shot with a camcorder at Burning Man.  After several years of going, filming, then basically making the same video over and over, I got reasonably good at putting a montage together.  I got into DSLR video in 2010, which lets you use DSLR lenses to film, and gives you more of that shallow-deth-of-field “film look”.

Where can people of good taste, wit and intelligence find more examples of your work?

My more “polished” videos are at markdaycomedy although I also post shorter “out-take” videos at markdayresponse. The Vau de Vire Society and  Bohemian Carnival videos would also be a good place to start.

Technorati Tags: Edwardian, Edwardian Ball, Geekery, Gothic Fashion, Steampunk, Steampunk Art, Steampunk Fashion, Steampunk News

The rise and spread of Steampunk influences continues and for that, I most definitely doff my hat and twirl my swordstick.

This video is a veritable cornucopia of Steampunk, Gothic and Neo-Victorian delights! The video is for the intriguingly titled “The Ballad of Mona Lisa” by Panic! At the Disco and the props, wardrobe and background actors were contributed by The L.A. based League of S.T.E.A.M.

You will see many Steampunk Wonders in this short moving picture and some very well maintained beards and mustaches!

Technorati Tags: Edwardian, Geekery, Gothic Fashion, Steampunk, Steampunk Art, Steampunk Fashion

This is a wonderful piece of footage from the Edwardian Ball, I just love this costume! In the background you can also see all sorts of strange and bizarre sights. It’s like something from a Sci-fi film (set in the past naturally) and is completely fascinating and quite beguiling.

The Edwardian Ball sounds fantastic. Sadly I have not attended but I’ll definitely be looking into 2012. Looking at their website, it’s a celebration of all things whimsical, including fashion, circus, art, music and theatre and a celebration of the works of Edward Gorey. It even has the blessing of the Edward Gorey Chartitable Trust and anything Gorey-esque gets big thumbs up for me. Despite being Edwardian, there is clearly a Neo Victorian and Steampunk crossover and seems to be festival of the Gothic and peculiar and all the good stuff…

I wonder if the way the man with the bowl helmet keeps turning this way and that as he threads his way through the crowd is done for comic effect/to show off his outfit or if he has forgotten where he’s going as he has…the memory of a goldfish. Sorry!

Technorati Tags: Edwardian, Edwardian Ball, Geekery, Gothic Fashion, Steampunk, Steampunk Accessories, Steampunk Fashion, Steampunk Maker, Steampunk News

I just spotted this beautiful animation being shown over at Coilhouse.

It’s a fantastic piece of work and it’s as poignant as it is imaginative. It’s strange to think how many objects there are sitting on the bottom of the sea and it’s nice to think they may be repurposed like the discarded watch movements I use in my Steampunk Jewelry. I often wonder about the people who would have worn the watches and where they are now, for the more vintage movements it’s sadly likely the owners have passed away.

I love the way the discarded trinkets in this animation have taken on a life of their own with the floating keys and other weird fishes (to quote Radiohead). If you like this short film then you can find another cool animation and more details over at Coilhouse.

Technorati Tags: Geekery, Gothic Jewelry, Industrial Jewelry, Steampunk, Steampunk Art, Steampunk Jewelry, Steampunk News

The upcoming animation 1884 is back in the media with the news that the Director, Tim Ollive is collaborating with Terry Gilliam. I’m a big fan of Terry Gilliam’s work for the most part, but I hope he brings his genius vision to the project and leaves the usual chaos his films seem to descend into on the cutting room floor!

So many of his projects hold such promise! I’m thinking the Brothers Grimm, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus and of course Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. However, they are always irritatingly flawed, asides from Tideland which I thought was pure (morbid) genius!

1884, in case you don’t know, is set at a time when Europe is at war and is a tale of “outstanding heroism in the face of deception, subterfuge and treachery”. The film is being seen by many as the first true “Steampunk Movie” (or moving-picture) with its steam-powered flying cars and rockets and men on the moon.

However it turns out, this is definitely going to be a very interesting film for fans of Steampunk and Neo Victorian Adventures!

Technorati Tags: Geekery, Steampunk, Steampunk Art, Steampunk News

A Steampunk Marvel from Dr. Boyer! This rather special box is said to be a “A Sure Cure For Melancholy and Lugubriousness”!

I love this Mysterious little box! I love the flair of the opening curtain (watch as it levitates before your very eyes!) and then the question of who is in the box… Could it be an imp? A djin? Or perhaps a tiny old lady with extra long fingers.  See that’s the great thing about boxes – they always get you wondering what’s in them and this one works magnificently!

The clockwork inside is a further marvel and feat of engineering and you can also get the plans to make your very own cure for Melancholy and Lugubriousness. As I’m up to my neck in crafting Steampunk Jewelry at the moment, I may just opt to take the lazy route and buy one if they ever become available.

Technorati Tags: Geekery, Steampunk, Steampunk Accessories, Steampunk Maker, Steampunk News

Technorati Tags: Geekery, Steampunk, Steampunk Accessories, Steampunk Art, Steampunk News

There hasn’t been a decent Steampunk game yet, there have been a few with vague nods to Neo Victorian worlds but nothing like this Bioshock Infinity. I already posted about the new Bioshock game already, but now you can see an additional ten minutes of the demo and explore the new environment.

It’s looking amazing, I can’t wait to explore the new cloud cities and as for the new plasmids (genetic alterations), their looking really cool. I love the “Murder of crows” and the new Big Daddy is awesome – even more Steampunk than before and far more terrifying!

So it looks like 2012 is going to be a busy one for me, I need to make plenty of Steampunk Jewelry in advance so I can take some time off to explore Bioshock Infinity, plus get the bunker ready for December (what’s a good color scheme for Armageddon?).

Technorati Tags: Geekery, Steampunk, Steampunk News

Steampunk Quill Pen by Drono

You’re a dedicated Steampunk and it’s been a long dusty shift on the airship but before you kick off your boots and hang up your goggles for the day there’s still some work to do…you sit down at your desk and flick open the ships log, grab you trusty quill and detail the day’s events with the style and grace befitting any honorable rogue of your age.

Your swashbuckling chronicle would make the ladies swoon and softer men shiver with fear but for you, it’s all in a day’s work.

If you’re in need of a spectacular Steampunk quill pen to recount your Neo Victorian exploits then Steampunk Maker Michael White is your chap! Michael is the proprietor of Drono in Southern California and the Sculptor of these most fantastical and unique quill pens.

These miniature works of art are forged with fully functional practicality should you wish to indulge in some creative endeavors of your own.

I spoke with Michael about his craft, love of Steampunk and his creative process, you can read all about this fabulous creator of Neo Victorian delights on our Steampunk Maker interview page.

Technorati Tags: Geekery, Steampunk, Steampunk Accessories, Steampunk Art, Steampunk Fashion, Steampunk Maker, Steampunk News

Steampunk in the year 2012… naturally with the end of the Mayan calendar in December 2012, the future of mankind is being questioned and I for one hope our civilization can continue, at least long enough to get my hands on the new BioShock title being developed.

For those of you who haven’t played BioShock, it’s an utterly compelling game with elements of horror, madness, blood thirsty gamer action addiction and psychosis all set within a literally immersive undersea world.

BioShock was a real game changer (pun intended), with it’s lovingly created Art Deco world. The true horror within the game undoubtedly came from the Big Daddy’s – hulking leviathans with more than a touch of Steampunk about them with their old fashioned brass diving suits, violent machinations roaming through a twilit underwater world.

Which brings me back to the end of the world, or 2012 and the incredibly exciting news concerning BioShock Infinite. Just look at the trailer as the BioShock world shifts from the sea to the skies – providing out and out Steampunk gameplay!

Technorati Tags: Geekery, Steampunk, Steampunk News

Ah this is truly a wondrous object! A perfect symbiosis of modern technology and a delightfully old worlde globe! Think, if our Victorian ancestors had access to Google Earth and, well an iPad (it’s not that unlikely if you consider the Tardis) then they too might have come up with this rather splendid gadget!

This sterling device is called the “Electromagnetic Geospacial Globe and Remote View with Obligatory Goggles” and its inventor goes by the moniker of John Knight.

Naturally if you’re going to use this Steampunk gadget you’re going to make sure you have a super boosted wireless connection so you can plot your course as you sail above the earth in your hot air balloon or zeppelin…

Technorati Tags: Geekery, Steampunk, Steampunk News

Steampunk Leviathan

There’s no doubt that Jules Verne’s 1869 tale “20,000 Leagues under the Sea” could be considered a Steampunk classic, along with the works of HG Wells. Quite what these authors would make of the term “Steampunk” is another thing altogether.

So I’m absolutely delighted to hear that one of my favorite Film Makers; David Fincher will be directing this Neo Victorian classic! I loved Seven, Fight Club and Zodiac and whilst they are in no way considered Steampunk they’re definitely dark classics.

When asked what the appeal of filming 20,000 Leagues hold for him, David Fincher responded “”You know, the idea of doing a gigantic Steampunk science fiction movie from 1873″

It’s surprising that so far there have been no out and out Steampunk blockbuster movies and whilst there have been many recent films with Neo Victorian leanings, no one has yet made a definitive Steampunk film – here’s hoping this will be the first of many!

Technorati Tags: Geekery, Steampunk, Steampunk News

Steampunk Mr. Potato Head

Almost every day there seems to be some fresh and new invention in the world of Steampunk, but never in my most feverish of dreams would I have considered a Steampunk Mr. Potato Head, yet he is here he is!

Mr. Potato Head has been around since 1952 in one form or another, but perhaps the maker, George Lerner, found the blueprints from 1852 in some sort of bizarre time capsule.

I’d love to see some more accessories made available for this Neo-Victorian Mr. Potato Head, perhaps a walking cane (or better yet, swordstick), a trusty revolver for more fiendish adventures, pocket watch and if he gets especially thirsty, a small hipflask of port or brandy.

To see more of this wonderful Steampunk creation, visit the inventor’s Flickr page below:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/saritamarianyc/

Technorati Tags: Geekery, Steampunk, Steampunk Accessories, Steampunk News

Steampunk Boba Fett

Steampunk is continuously crossing boundaries and genres and it’s only natural that it’s found its way to Star Wars through the work of artist Greg Peltz.

I love this Steampunked Boba Fett, one of the more popular characters from the film which is weird considering what a minor role he had in the first films; it must have been that enigmatic mask, the strong silent bounty hunter…

As the artist points out, Boba is now clad in Neo Victorian coat and tails which may play havoc with his jet-pack. Other Steampunked characters on the artist’s site include Darth Vader in civil war attire, a dapper 3CPO and Chewbacca complete with monocle.

Visit Greg Peltz’s site to see more Steampunk Star Wars:

http://gregpeltz.blogspot.com/

Technorati Tags: Geekery, Steampunk, Steampunk News

The Liberator

In dark times those who are ahead of the curve, particularly ladies and gentlemen of a Steampunk persuasion, will be preparing themselves for all eventualities.

Many folk are naturally concerned with portends concerning a full scale zombie apocalypse.

Whilst some may scoff, only the other day, I clearly saw the distinctive outline of a zombie hoard in my tea leaves.

Not only that, whilst dashing through collection of shopping emporiums (all under one roof) I could distinctly see the first signs of the brainless undead, peering absently and vacuously through windows at clothes and inanimate objects.

So what better way than for a Neo Victorian adventurer to kit themselves out for impending calamity than with this Steampunk Gun, the Liberator, fashioned by a gentleman with a wonderful moniker; Colonel J. Fizziwig…

Arm yourself today by visiting:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/warfare/d68e/

Technorati Tags: Steampunk, Steampunk News

Would you look at that this Steampunk marvel!
A spectacular piece of Neo Victorian craftsmanship created by Richard R. Nagy of  Datamancer.net.

If I had more shillings in my coffers I’d be highly tempted to secure this in the auction currently taking place on eBay. Alas, I cannot stretch to the sum being asked, being one thousand and five hundred pennies (or cents), not without selling more Steampunk Jewelry this month at any rate!

The keyboard is made from solid brass and antiquated leather and also includes genuine keys from the nineteen thirties/forties.

Imagine the sorts of novels you could conjure up using such a wonderful device and with some of the modded monitors and Steampunk USB sticks doing the rounds, you really could have some fully functioning Neo-Victorian marvels for your home office.

Technorati Tags: Geekery, Steampunk, Steampunk News

Whilst the new USBTypewriter™ isn’t really Steampunk, I think anyone with a love of the antiquated merging with future technologies will love this new invention.

The maker, Jack Zylkin, describes the gadget as a “new and groundbreaking innovation in the field of obsolescence” and whilst this may be true, personally I love obsolescence! Steampunk Jewelry is an art form which is borne from obsolescence with all of those gorgeous vintage watch movements being rescued from the yawning abyss of ever growing landfill.

As you can see from the video, you get the aesthetic pleasure of using an old fashioned typewriter which serves as your keyboard with the attendant tip-tapping clatter of the typewriter, hooked up by USB to your PC, MAC or Ipad for a very strange fusion of old and new.

The USBTypewriter™ seems like the perfect way to get your Steampunk novel written, in retro-futuristic fashion and style!

To see more, visit:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/usbtypewriter

Here’s some more roundups from the world of Steampunk:

• steampunk science museum show at oxford uk – art donovan from the oxford university museum of the history of science sez, “i have been given the great honor of curating the world’s very first museum exhibition of steampunk art. seventeen artists from seven countries- the steampunk …
• new york city – city of steam (robot included) – i’m on the lookout for some victorian era clothes to wear to the steampunk themed chaos communications congress this winter. if you’ve got a source or costume shop to recommend, let me know. while searching for top hats, bow ties, …
• DeWitt Incognito Steampunk Watch | Impact Lab – DeWitt Incognito Steampunk Concept No. 1 Man, watches don’t get much cooler or crazier looking than the DeWitt Concept No. 1, a one-of-a-kind timepiece.
• steampunk fashion going mainstream – steampunk fashion-wear is now all the rage. steampunk is a subculture that encapsulates the aesthetic expression of a time-traveling fantasy world, one that embraces music, film, design and now fashion, all inspired by the extravagantly …
• Steampunk Costume » Blog Archive » Steampunk Sound Effects: The … – This is my diy project “steampunk doomsday machine”. it is a fuzz /compressor like external effect .But i made it with decent steampunk influences. So with a lot of wood and brass/ copper .At the top you see two 230 volts DC driven …
• Steampunk Dreams over at ZBS – What utter joy this morning to open my mailbox and find a little gift from ZBS, one of their new, heavy-duty, industrial strength steampunk state of mind.
• steampunk laptop winds up to power on – this amazing laptop creation by datamancer beautifully melds old world style with modern technology. under the hood of this lovingly handcrafted wood case is a hewlett-packard zt1000 notebook computer, running windows xp and ubuntu …

Technorati Tags: Geekery, Steampunk, Steampunk News

Mark Eliot Schwabe

I’ve just added a new page to Steampunk Jewelry which will feature interviews and photographs of Steampunk Makers and Artists.

This week I’m featuring an interview with Mark Eliot Schwabe, a designer of Neo-Victorian wonders and all sorts of fascinating crafts and sculptures, an artist extraordinaire with a great story in how he found his place in the constantly evolving world of Steampunk.

Over the coming weeks I hope to add to this new page, whilst keeping the main page for my latest Steampunk Jewelry designs and snippets of news of the strange and bizarre!

You can find the interview with Mark Eliot Schwabe by clicking on the all-new Steampunk page.

Technorati Tags: Steampunk, Steampunk News

Is the might of the evil Neo-Victorian Empire bearing down on you?

If a swordstick will not suffice, perhaps it’s time to consider bringing out the heavy guns… or, um Sabers.
Not any old Saber though, this is a Steampunk Lightsaber!

This futuristic, yet arcane sword of light will cut down your foes in a trice. No longer do you have to go through the ritual of profanity and goading your enemy into attending a formal duel, now you can simply pull your sword of light and dispatch your adversary to Valhalla, or Hades, or wherever their bound.

I believe the Steampunk Lightsaber is the future!

Technorati Tags: Steampunk, Steampunk News

Steampunk Globe

Whilst taking a short break from creating Steampunk Jewelry and traveling across the four corners of cyberspace, in search of wonders and adventure, I discovered a delightful emporium; Bo Press Miniature Books.

I love this Cairo Pocket Globe. Cairo, surely the destination for any self respecting Neo-Victorian seeker of occults treasures and knowledge…

The artist, Patricia Sweet, designs and illustrates her own tiny books and binds them using traditional methods, a true artisan! The paper and leather covers come from all over the world and the content inside the books include old songs, imaginary maps and even tiny tomes regarding lizards!

I imagine lovers of all things Steampunk, will appreciate these amazing, Lilliputian handmade journals and books and you can even fill them with your own writings and adventures, perfect for recording your daring exploits as you map the world aboard your airship.

You can visit Bo Press Miniature Books at the link below:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/beepalix

Technorati Tags: Steampunk, Steampunk News

Technorati Tags: Steampunk, Steampunk News

One of many clichés with coffee shops is there’s always an obligatory writer in the corner, huddled over their laptop, tapping away on their keyboards, working on their novels or screenplays, a half-forgotten cup of coffee gently steaming away.

I’m one of those writing-types myself.

If you took a poll of the patrons in any coffee shop, just how many of them would be writers? A fair amount I’d wager!

Whilst writing in coffee shops may be a bit of a cliché, imagine going into your local caffeine emporium with this frankly astonishing Steampunk Laptop, taking out the accompanying quill, firing up this beast and setting to work on your latest masterpiece…

Technorati Tags: Steampunk, Steampunk News

Technorati Tags: Steampunk, Steampunk News

Technorati Tags: Steampunk, Steampunk News

Technorati Tags: Steampunk, Steampunk News

via coolest-gadgets.com

I love this Steampunk Dalek!
I can imagine seeing them trundling through the filthy streets of Victorian London, exterminating without mercy, until an intrepid Steampunk Adventurer dashes forth from the shadows and dispatches the rolling evil geniuses with a modified sword-stick “Huzzah – take that infernal fiend!” and their invasion is brought to a halt, as it is every time they appear on Dr Who within at least two episodes…

Here's some more cool Steampunk Wonders for your delight and pleasure:

• bioephemera.com » A Steampunk Green Man – Digital artist Almacan (Kazuhiko Nakamura) creates intricately detailed surrealistic portraits, equal parts Giger and da Vinci. This one reminds me of an insectoid Green Man about to disperse into the undergrowth. I am inspired by surrealism and cyberpunk styles of art.

• steampunk fashion going mainstream – steampunk fashion-wear is now all the rage. steampunk is a subculture that encapsulates the aesthetic expression of a time-traveling fantasy world, one that embraces music, film, design and now fashion, all inspired by the extravagantly …

• pac-man? that's pac-gentleman to you – this custom made toy by artist/sculptor doktor a is a wondrous tribute to the classic arcade game, pac-man. the one-of-a-kind sculptural toy is entitled “the secret history of video games: pac gentleman”. …

• steampunk laptop winds up to power on – this amazing laptop creation by datamancer beautifully melds old world style with modern technology. under the hood of this lovingly handcrafted wood case is a hewlett-packard zt1000 notebook computer, running windows xp and ubuntu …

• Steampunk Star Wars | Les Jones – While prowling around Dave's Long Box for a seekritt project I found a link to Eric Poulton's blog and his ideas for Star Wars rendered in steampunk. I'm just.

Posted via web from steampunkjewelry's posterous

Technorati Tags: Steampunk, Steampunk News

This is an amazing contraption! Can you imagine donning your Brass Goggles and cape, riding out through the wastelands upon this Steampunk beast? Fighting crime in all of its nefarious forms, a Neo-Victorian Caped Crusader no less?

Naturally, a lot of Ladies and Gentlemen of the Steampunk persuasion will choose the Penny Farthing or Airship as their mode of transport, but if you need to get there quicker, and in a style that is guaranteed to strike fear into the hearts of your foes, then this Steampunk Chopper is for you…

http://www.thedesignblog.org/entry/black-widow-steampunk-chopper-to-scorch-the-road-in-style/

Posted via email from steampunkjewelry’s posterous

Technorati Tags: Steampunk, Steampunk News

I just watched The Anachronism, a short film which is now available online and will be a hit for any fans of Neo Victorian adventures, as it features what can only be described as, as a Steampunk Squid, with very strange contents, washed up a small island shore…

Here’s the trailer and a link to the website, where you can watch the short film for free.

http://www.theanachronism.com/home.html

Technorati Tags: Steampunk, Steampunk News