In the comments about my CNC mill project over at Hack-A-Day, Jarkman posted a link to this really beautiful CNC'd brass scarab brooch and I can't help thinking that this would make a lovely computer mouse too!

Nearly a year ago the nice folks at Hendrick's Gin contacted me to see if I'd like to do a box for their "Curate a Box" contest give away. Well, I had never tasted their product so I demurred until I had a chance to sample it at last year's SteamCon in Seattle. In fact fellow SPWS editor Libby Bulloff and I consumed quite a bit of it while we prepped for our "Queering Steampunk Fashion" panel.

The box is finally done and you should keep an eye out at Unusual Times to find out how you can win it!

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The Anywhere Organ is growing. You can help it on its way to huge, impossible, interactive magic. Check out the Kickstarter.

This weekend was Maker Wold's Faire. Maker Faires are always like Christmas, but I was especially excited to go to this one. One of the reasons was SpaceCamp, but that's another thing entirely and not at all Steampunk. The other big reason was finally being able to see The Anywhere Organ in action.

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Phil writes:

Hi Jake

Just finished a sort of "future steampunk" guitar build here:

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/2011-tdpri-tele-build-challenge/263780-kwerks-2011-tdpri-build-challenge-thread.html

Lotsa pics on the last pages, thought you might like :-)

Cheers
Phil

Oh yes! I like it A LOT! Two more shots after the cut but you should really follow Phil's link for the EPIC construction detail!  - Jake.

The Steampunk Bible is out! I helped connect Jeff and S.J. with people doing cool things in the movement and I wrote what I hope is the definitive candy tin etching how-to for this book. Our fashion editor Libby Bulloff also contirbuted articles and LOTS of shiny photography, including the best photo ever take of yours truly. 

The Steampunk Bible is the first compendium about the movement, tracing its roots in the works of Jules Verne and H. G. Wells through its most recent expression in movies such as Sherlock Holmes. Its adherents celebrate the inventor as an artist and hero, re-envisioning and crafting retro technologies including antiquated airships and robots. A burgeoning DIY community has brought a distinctive Victorian-fantasy style to their crafts and art. Steampunk evokes a sense of adventure and discovery, and embraces extinct technologies as a way of talking about the future. This ultimate manual will appeal to aficionados and novices alike as author Jeff VanderMeer takes the reader on a wild ride through the clockwork corridors of Steampunk history.

Get your copy today!

Some projects take a long time. Sometimes I start something and then put it aside, in this case for more that two years! When Make:TV came out to the workshop to shoot a profile of me in July of 2008, one of the projects that I worked on for them was a coach lamp for my car. I built one lamp for them and just finished the other lamp today. Watch the video for the beginnings of the project and then click through to see some details of the construction and the completed lamps. 

I've named them Mjöllnir Lamps because my fellow SPWS contributor Annie (who is a Viking) says that they reminder her of Thor's hammer.

Dark steampunk goth art just in time for valintines day.  Michele Lynch is a mixed media artist with a touch of steampunk.  Her creations have wonderful anime eyes that play well on the reused bodies of savleged machinery.

Another one of my favorites, the Surgeon piece is just after the cut.

Hey y'all! SPWS' own Meredith Scheff is doing a "Scarf-a-Day" project that you should definitely check-out!

Starting january 1, 2011, I will make one scarf a day each day in the month. I'll be using everything from traditional techniques and materials to the experimental, the new, the weird, the possibly edible. At the end of the month there will be an art show and interactive scarf making session.

Why a scarf a day? I love the idea of wearable art, silly but functional. I'm also really inspired by the works that have come out of the various [ ]-a-day projects- they push you to your limits and make you think of things you never would otherwise. Jewelry is OK for some, but for me, personal adornment is best when it's warm and fuzzy. And silly. And fun. Or weird.

This project is the recipient of an Awesome Foundation grant, but I need help to really pull this off with style. I'll be using all sorts of tech and materials- laser cutters, cnc machines, soft circuit tech, anything I can get my hands on!

I'll also be blogging the heck out of the project at www.ladycartoonist.com

Often when I see new blogs pop up the can have a post or two and then silence.  I am happy to report that Kevin Mowrer's Steampunk art blog is at the other end of the spectrum.  Since I posted on it a month ago he has already added several new pieces with Darth here being my favorite.  With the new pieces he is also showing the works overtime as a work in progress.  This is the grey scale print of darth half way through creation, the full final image is after the cut.

Thomas Kuntz, who we've featured here before, wrote me a couple of days ago with his latest project and it is breath-taking! I particularly love the way that Thomas includes the whole story of the creation of his pieces in the videos he produces including the reference artwork and in-process sketches. I am also in serious envy of his miniature lathes and machine tools!