Latest Booth Shots

Only good thing from this past week's show. Nice Booth Shots.

Trip to Lake Anna Arts & Craft Festival

So the show really sucked. I didn't even make back my costs. 500 people walking through is not 5,500 (as advertised). And the "all things MUST be handmade rule" doesn't hold water if you allow people to sell items handmade in China, which was 2 of the booths near me (GAG!) I'm sorry, but no...you didn't make those paper parasols, and I've seen those little beanie snakes on the streets of NYC. Icky show!

A cool thing about the trip was....
We stayed in an old 1918 Bed & Breakfast called The Portage House. It could have used a bit more TLC from the years of use, but had a nice sense of nostalgia about it.

Here is a pic of the living room on the main floor. This is where you can chillax and watch tv.













I would have to say the coolest part about the stay was taking a shower with their super cool, 5 knobbed contraption!
The side sprayers were pretty ingenious for the time. They worked like old school sprinklers using gravity to help you out. Probably the most fun shower experience I've had ;)








Here is a shot from the breakfast table. We had pancakes and bacon. YUM!

Check the place out if you are ever heading to Akron. But DO NOT bother with the Lake Anna Arts Festival! What a joke!

Following my travels

So in an effort to create a SWEET blog, I decided to document my travels to show. I actually remembered to take my camera this last trip and even though the show SUCKED, I stayed at a super neat B&B and had a fabulous weekend in front of a sweet little pond.

Keep a look out for some keen pics :)

Brief Steampunk FAQ

I found this on BrassGoggles and thought it was very well written and laid out for the best understanding of what Steampunk really is. So THANK YOU BRASSGOGGLES!

What is Steampunk!?

Very good question, and there are different (but similar) answers out there. Here’s mine: Steampunk is a genre of fiction set somewhere in the 1800’s during the Victorian Era. The fictional part comes in that technology has gone a bit skewed – though the exact methods vary, generally steam-powered devices that would have been impossible or unfeasible at the time are found to exist. Examples include steam-robots, flying castles, under-water bases, moon rockets, time machines etc.

But I know that as…

Yes, Steampunk has many names and very close relations -

• Victorian Science Fiction – Steampunk by any other name, though possibly leaning more towards fiction actually written in Victorian era, as opposed to fiction retroactively set in Victorian times. Abbreviated as VSF.
• Gaslamp Fantasy – The Girl Genius equivalent of Steampunk, with more leeway for very tight bodices, slapstick comedy and non-humans. Not set in any real Victorian historical location, Girl Genius has its own time and place.
• Steampulp – Perhaps if I had the opportunity to rename Steampunk, it would be to Steampulp – the -punk suffix causes a lot of confusion amongst those who imagine it means strife and rebellion.
• Fireside Science Fiction – A warm and cozy alternative name where decent Victorian gentlefolk may begin their adventure around a fireplace with a small brandy, but could end up on the moon or beyond!
• Neo-Victoriania – A Japanese originated alternative where the aim is to recreate certain Victorian aspects of life using modern tools and ways. Elegant Gothic Lolita is a variety of Neo-Victoriania, and were this some kind of many limbed diagram, we’d be at our closest point to Gothic in Neo-Victoriania.
• Wild/Weird West – Specifically focused on the American West in the 19th Century, and you’ll find cowboys and scientists alongside saloon girls and giant mechanical spiders.
• Voyages Extraordinaire – The title of the series of works of Jules Verne, when he decided to explore the wonders and potential of science and exploration in his tales of adventure. Now almost synonymous with Victorian adventures with a larger than life twist.
• Scientific Romance – An early, mostly British, name for science fiction, that fell out of fashion, but was also used to describe Verne’s works. Now being used more for nostalgic Victorian based science fiction – just how I like my Steampunk!

I use Steampunk because it’s what I’m used to, and I post about what I believe Steampunk to be. It’s a controvercial topic (just check out the discussion page on the Wikipedia entry) but I’m happy with my own definition. I’m sure you will discover your very own Steampunk flavour or equivalent.

More! More information!

Certainly – for more info on Steampunk genres, you’d be very much encouraged to check out the Wikipedia Steampunk entry.

Other Languages:

I am always interested to know what other words Steampunk goes by, particularly other languages, so if you know of some other words, please let me know.

• Steampunk – English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, Polish, Português, Swedish
• ???????? – Russian
• ??????? – Japanese
• ???? – Korean (thanks Zuno!)

If you know any more, please do let me know!

Last Year's Shows

Events: Show Schedule 2008 Calendar

• Etsy Team Columbus FESTIVE FLING - Columbus, OH - December 14-15, 2008
• Renegade Craft Fair - Chicago, IL - December 5-6, 2008
• Tiny Canary - Columbus, OH - November 15-16, 2008
• Olde Worthington Fall Festival - Worthington, OH - October 11, 2008
• Crafternoon - Columbus, OH - September 20, 2008
• Worthington Market Day - Worthington, OH - September 13, 2008
• Best Bead Show - Tucson, AZ - September 5-7, 2008
• Craftin Outlaws - Columbus, OH - August 16, 2008
• Mystic Outdoor Art Festival - Mystic, CT (Bartelby's Cafe) - August 9-10, 2008
• Powell Street Market - Powell, OH - May 4, July 27, 2008
• Pearl Market - Columbus, OH - Every Friday, June-July, 2008
• Comfest - Columbus, OH - June 27-29, 2008

Calendar: OPEN STUDIO HOLIDAY SALE: Dec 21st, 12-6pm

Do you need some last minute gifts for those people who slipped your list? Haha...I didn't actually mean to rhyme there. That Target christmas commercial in the background must have rubbed off on me for a sec, haha! I have a bunch of new pieces that I haven't been able to put online, since I'm trying to get my house ready for Christmas time. So, come stop by my home studio to see where I create, grab a drink and nibbles, and grab some of my latest rings, pendants, necklaces or cufflinks! Its your last chance to purchase something handmade for Christmas! ------ OPEN STUDIO TRUNK SHOW Sunday, December 21st 12-6pm 319 Powhatan Ave Columbus, OH 43204

I'm having a BOY!

Yes, Its official. I'm having a little boy :)

We are thinking about naming him Weston Finn Harris. What do you think of that name?