Offbeat Bride’s post on the spider in the wedding bouquet reminded me it’s been way too long since I’ve checked in on artist Ann Wood’s blog. I try to stay up-to-date on her creepy (and not so creepy) creations. These stunning pieces are made up of lovely scraps of vintage fabric and buttons…and I want them all.
Here’s a round-up of my favorite so far…
Black Bustled Spider
Chillingworth Owl
Strolling Spider
Botanical Experiments
Ever since October, I’ve been following the Tweed Ride phenomena. I mean, what’s not to like about a combination of Victorian gear and cycling that emphasizes fun and camaraderie? I’d noted that my former home of San Francisco had been a major force in American Tweed Rides. This, however, left me all the more disappointed that my current home — and de facto cycling utopia — of Portland was noticeably ignoring a phenomena that seemed like a perfect fit.
Well, we finally got our collective act together and produced a smashing Tweed Ride not two days ago.
Photo by william200549 on Flickr
There are many fine photos of the event on Flickr here and here. Oh, and some fine video footage, too (note the pipe-packing at 1:25):
Now, why are we at Royal Steamline posting about cycling? Because we were quite impressed with some of the riders’ ensembles, particularly the gents. Upcoming grooms leaning toward a vintage wedding would be well served to peruse these images and take note of any styles they find particularly fitting.
Finally, we’d be remiss if we didn’t point out the perfect connection between Tweed Rides and our Rovers and Country Ride invitation designs.
Looking forward to the next ride!
Love this ode to parfum photography collection – a twist on the traditional wedding memento by the fabulous Jessica Hill. For more (and larger) gorgeous photos, check out her “Best of 2009” collection.
Steersman Moodboard
Steersmen
As Admiral Smythe-Hutchins once astutely noted, “The finest ship of the line doesn’t mean a thing without a steersman at the helm.” The history of the steersman predates the recent revolution of gascience; the first Line steersmen were former captains of sailing ships. Modern steersmen are, of course, not exclusively men as women have been helming airships for decades (the name has remained with the blessing of the female pilots). After four-year apprenticeships as cadets, potential steersmen undergo a series of written and oral examinations (including rigorous etiquette and presentation tests) as well as flight drills. The most infamous of these drills, the Guide Star Loop, has been mastered by only less than 15% of cadets; those that pass the drill as instantly conferred as Commodore Steersmen.
{This entry describes a class of officer, artisan or mystic that populates the fictional Royal Steamline airship fleet. It was written to provide some context for the types and styles of one-of-a-kind dress badges that appear in the Royal Steamline Etsy shop. Also, they were just a lot of fun to write. Please do note that the classes and subsequent descriptions are the intellectual property of Royal Steamline.}
Devolver Moodboard
Devolvers
“In the years that immediately followed the revolutionary discoveries of Chas. Darwin FRS, several noted scientists conferred to debate a hypothesis: if men shared common ancestors, would it not be possible to communicate with animals or even manipulate genetic material to realign genes to produce, either permanently or temporarily, certain animal features or traits? It was an ambitious project, but the Royal College of Devolution has achieved results that even its founders wouldn’t have thought possible. Modern devolutionary scientists (commonly referred to as “devolvers” by crewmen of the Line) use a complex combination of pheromone synthesis, non-verbal sound reproduction and expert pantomime to communicate with a range of birds and mammals (only the most adept have been able to reach other animals such as fish and lizards). Devolutionary scientists report that these communications take the form of “intents and impresssions,” never sentences or conversations. While rudimentary, these connections can result in birds being persuaded to roost when they otherwise might interfere with an airship’s launch, or the discovery of human fugitive hiding in a disgruntled wolf’s den.
However, some devolvers have gone far beyond communication. Some adepts–known as “science monks” due to their monastic hermitage in one of the Crown-granted Genetic Cloisters–have been known, through an arcane combination of meditation, foods, drugs and conventional devolver techniques–to transform their bodies into those of primates, large cats or even stranger beasts. While such transformations typically last anywhere from two days to two weeks, such changes are ultimately unpredictable. While the appellation “science monks” has captured the imagination of the proletariat, it is a gross misnomer as many experienced devolutionary scientists hold distinguished posts in the government of This Great Nation. Typically, devolvers are tall and very thin due to the enormous caloric volume needed to conduct their craft.”
{This entry describes a class of officer, artisan or mystic that populates the fictional Royal Steamline airship fleet. It was written to provide some context for the types and styles of one-of-a-kind dress badges that appear in the Royal Steamline Etsy shop. Also, they were just a lot of fun to write. Please do note that the classes and subsequent descriptions are the intellectual property of Royal Steamline.}
Weatherstichers Moodboard
Weatherstichers
“Of all the ranks of the RS, none are more mysterious or controversial (with the possible exception of the Helle Eingänge) than the weatherstichers. The only position that remains open only to women, every RS vessel carries a complement of at least three weatherstichers. (Larger vessels will carry more, although only in odd-numbered groupings.) While the selection and training of weatherstichers (or ‘Cailleach’ as crewmen and commonfolk often call them) is mostly still the realm of speculation (since the Crown granted limited autonomy to Salem County–ancestral home of the weatherstichers–as part of the Treaty of Reconciliation), their power and importance are obvious and unquestionable. As The Times has often quipped, ‘Cailleach control the air in the water and the water in the air.’ Large councils have altered growing seasons and caused flowers to bloom on St. Stephen’s Day. Naturally, such abilities have proved to be invaluable for His Majesty’s Steamline. Indeed, many claim This Great Nation’s victory over the Prussian Fliegerkorps was the result of dramatic shifts in air current caused by the council aboard the RS command vessel, HMA Industry. Conversely, some recent essayists question the place of such mysticism in our modern nation; it is no surprise that leading devolutionary scientists commonly voice the most strident protests. However, the Crown shows no indication that it will cease annual conscription of 15% of all weatherstichers residing in Salem County. To this day, it remains a minor but punishable offence for any citizen of This Great Nation–particularly officers and crewmen of the Line–to directly or indirectly refer to a weathersticher as a ‘witch.’”
{This entry describes a class of officer, artisan or mystic that populates the fictional Royal Steamline airship fleet. It was written to provide some context for the types and styles of one-of-a-kind dress badges that appear in the Royal Steamline Etsy shop. Also, they were just a lot of fun to write. Please do note that the classes and subsequent descriptions are the intellectual property of Royal Steamline.}
Wrenchenfolk Moodboard
Wrenchenfolk
“The Lowcounty people say that ‘tools come to our hands as the aether comes to our lungs.’ While not all wrenchenfolk hail from the Lowcounty, it’s widely believed most–such as the infamous Archwelder Wm. Greeley Sykes, Foundry Master to the Baron Cormorant–do. Eschewing traditional guilds, wrenchenfolk are familial, learning metalcraft, woodworking, pneumatics and gascience from pater and mater. Most wrenchenfolk parents present their journeykin when they reach age 23 (or sooner if the young mechanic achieves certain notoriety or status, such as Siobhan ‘Chiseler’ McReynolds following her team’s win at last year’s Duchess Cup). Only after a decade of split-knuckle service either amidships or at a Royal Cloud Harbour can wrenchenfolk seek status as Archwelder, or Master Mechanic, of their vessel. (Currently, the Royal Census recognizes 33 active Archwelders.) The process of investiture is known only to the Archwelders themselves, though some posit advanced metallurgy bordering on alchemy may be involved. Know an Archwelder by the hexagonal stitching on his or her belt and tool satchel.”
{This entry describes a class of officer, artisan or mystic that populates the fictional Royal Steamline airship fleet. It was written to provide some context for the types and styles of one-of-a-kind dress badges that appear in the Royal Steamline Etsy shop. Also, they were just a lot of fun to write. Please do note that the classes and subsequent descriptions are the intellectual property of Royal Steamline.}
We were thrilled when LocaLovesPirate contacted us about her new Etsy Treasury, featuring our Tell Tale invitation. Hurry and check it out before this treasury disappears.
Fall is in full swing in Portland and I couldn’t be happier. I caught a few moments on my iPhone while out on a rainy run this weekend. I’m in love with all the colors…
While we’re admittedly ten days late with the news, we’d still like to pass on that that perennial publisher of substantial science fiction and fantasy has donned aeronaut’s gear for Halloween: Tor.com has gone steampunk for the month of October.
If you aren’t familiar with the imprint, or just want to peruse a fine assortment of art, stories and movies, we encourage to check out what’s going on over at Tor.com.
