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Sunday, May 29, 2011

Steam Punk


More random notes from that random notebook. A few years ago I was interviewed to explain what Steam Punk was. This was JUST before all the books hit the shelves. I mean within weeks. From my notes it looks like I was starting to gather some resources, and possibly come up with a book on my own, or more likely just write an actual article.
Probably just as well that I did not.

But, I really don't want those notes to go to waste so......my notes, a bit cleaned up

Steam Punk is a genre that has been around for quite a while. The name however, was coined in the 1990s by K. W. Jeter to label a type of Victorian-era futurism.

Stylistically its very big in video games and anime and manga.

Why is it all of a sudden popular? Popular culture takes time to catch up with trends in sub-cultures. Steam punk even has some of its own sub culture groupings:
clock punk, diesel punk, goth
Diesel punk is like Steam punk, but with more of a 1920's Art Deco type of origins as opposed to Victorian era origins.

The look in crafts relies heavily on gears and watch parts.
Brass filigree stamps, the combination of industrial and lacy.

Think vintage science fiction, fantasy mechanics, vacuum tubes, dirigibles, steam power, gears and cog wheels

Who has components: CFOriginals.com, jewelrylessons.com, hardware store, Tim Holtz (ok that was then now you can get Lisa Pavelka gears at Hobby Lobby).

That cell phone: waay cool, but cell phones are not steam punk. Any way found that image from this blog post http://justtenbooks.blogspot.com/2010/11/ten-steampunk-books.html
Which is great because my book list was a bit shorter-all books on my list are on this list, I just didn't have as many. Of course NOW there are a ton!

My TV and movies list however was a bit more fleshed out.
Movies:
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
Around the World in 80 Days (specifically the one with Jackie Chan)
Wild Wild West
Van Helsing
Hellboy
Young Sherlock Holmes
Brazil
Steam Boy
Atlantis (Disney animated)

TV shows
Wild Wild West
Brisco Country Jr
Secret Adventure of Jules Vern (which I LOVED)

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Totally inspirational


This is where I was last Wednesday.
JAMAICA!!
Croydon Plantation to be exact.

Very inspirational, ive already made and broke (boo-hoo) a pineapple ring for the RAW challenge.

Taxes, notes, vending


I had to do yet another round of annual taxes yesterday. The joys of running a small business.
I noticed that at one fair I did pretty darn good as far as sales were considered. Especially when I counted in the follow up purchase from a shop.
Maybe I should go back to that festival, I thought as I continued to number crunch.

Today cleaning out a random notebook with random notes (trying ever so hard to minimize this whole "where did I put that?" situation I live in) I found my notes from said craft show.
I found how much I paid to vend. I also found notes on how much it cost me in gas, and how much it cost me in hotel fees and food.

Oh yeah, now I remember why I'm not going back. My vending costs were almost as much as I made. Not worth it.

Oh well, off to look at more random notes from this notebook.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Feed ME!


Feed ME!
Originally uploaded by Zoeowyn
Ring a who?
Technically I am behind by only 1 week, but I feel so much further behind.
Im going to crank out two mediocre rings at best just to catch up. But I have been so overwhelmed with stress from the day job its hard to focus. Also why is my art area also a dumping ground? The living room got vacuumed, yet its my art area that gets ALL the floor stuff moved to, and not moved back. Not happy. I only have so much time to do stuff, cleaning up after other people's dump into my art area is not something I want to do, so it then puts me off art, which makes me cranky, and then Im ready to be fed a dentist.... (reference to Audry II the ring pictured here).
I need to stop whining and get creating!

Monday, May 9, 2011

SQUEEEEEE

Fire Mountain Gems-Your Jewelry Design is Now Showcased

Dear Laura

Congratulations !!

Your Jewelry Design “Chapeau de Nemo” will be featured as our Magazine Advertisement in Polymer CafĂ© Magazine the August 2011 Issue.

When we receive this publication we will send you a copy for your enjoyment.

Here is a link to the magazine’s web site http://www.scottpublications.com/pcmag/

On behalf of myself and the Jewelry-Making Contest Team, we would like to thank you for making every day extraordinary by sharing your unique designs in our Jewelry-Making Contest, and allowing us to showcase your individual creativity

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Why I have an assignment like this....


It annoys some students, because they don't get "it," but I actually assign a "Project Runway" type project in Art History. They spend all semester studying a specific artist of their choice, at the end of the semester they have to create an illustration of a fashion design, as if it was created by their artist. An interpretation of that artists thoughts and techniques, applied in a very different medium.

Thank you Mattel and Barbie for providing me with a bang up example to show the students.
Hey guys THIS is why you need to be able to make these mental leaps.
THIS is why you study art history, so that when you are creative director for some company you can push for cool projects like this!

BTW I LOVE the Klimt doll, but I think the van Gogh dress really takes it to the next level!!
Look at the details, the shoes!

Article at If Its Hip Its Here Mattel Releases New Fine Art Dolls. The DaVinci, Van Gogh & Klimt Barbies.