Steampunk Goddess Necklace
By Joan Kettell
There is something so extraordinary about Steampunk and its many properties. It can have a timeless Neo-Victorian look, a bit of Apothecary Flare, A Horologist Essence, A Sci-Fi Twist, some Jules Verne Influence, Cosplay/Lolita Fun, Circus Oddity, Industrial Chic, Recycled Splendor, Wild West Mechanics, Alchemist Mystery, the Magic of Astronomy and Space, a Celestial Ride into the world of Moon-ology and you got Steampunk.


With this many options, who wouldn't want to start creating works revolving around this eclectic range of themes under one main roof. You can mix time gears, dials, industrial washers, and charms, viola you have a steampunk piece. Think of tiny bottles wrapped in wire for a necklace charm, hardware store washers embedded with stamped numbers, clock parts and casings filled with tiny eclectic scenes, top hats that are tricked out, boats and balloon travel, there are just so many places you can travel to within the realm of Steampunk.


The piece I am showing casing for you today is made by one of the greatest woman I know, my mom, Joan Kettell aka Aurora-tique who got infect by the Steampunk bug over 3 years ago, since then Joan has made over 2,000 pieces and has sold to customers world wide, taught some classes, been interviewed from various papers and media outlets all in an attempt to help spread the word on this fascinating subject.


Here are some more photos of her newest piece: Steampunk Goddess Necklace, which is now available for sale in the online store:
http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/MoonfairesWorld/4678564/Steampunk_Goddess_Necklace_Celestial_Joan_Kettell/Jewelry/Necklaces/Metal


Here is the back of the necklace:Here is the necklace in full view:Here are some more pictures of Joan's newest Steampunk pieces, all available in the store on line or at Piddlestixs:If you don't see a piece, then its sold out, similar ones can be made through custom ordering!
I hope you enjoy seeing a glimpse into Joan's Steampunk world!


xoxo
Lisa!

The Frozen Peaks Experience!
By: Lisa Kettell

Recently a Frozen Peeks Frozen Yogurt opened up near my house about 15 minutes away in Ledgewood, NJ. Curious to know what it was, Mom and I decided to take a visit there after the book store and we were so glad we did, its utopia for the Yogurt lover with 24 flavors and over 60 toppings making your frozen yogurt experience an extremely healthy guilt free one or just 1/2 the guilt. 

Create concoctions like the Island Banana which is:
-6oz of Island Banana
-1/4 cup strawberries
-1/4 cup pineapples
-1/4 cup coconut

A cup of the Island Banana is the perfect non-fat, gluten free, probiotic way to a guilt free and delicious treat that is low in calories and high in protein. This concoction comes straight from their website:
http://frozenpeaks.com

Here is the Nutrition Fact Sheet straight from their website:

Frozen yogurt from FrozenPeaks™ tastes good and is good for you. Frozen Peaks features YoCream® frozen yogurt. Unlike some frozen yogurts, YoCream frozen yogurt is made from live and active cultures. These are the good bacteria that turn milk into yogurt and give it that tang. Because YoCream uses a special group of bacteria* that are known as probiotic, our frozen yogurt also provides numerous health benefits. Certified with the National Yogurt Association Live and Active Cultures Seal of Approval, when you come to FrozenPeaks you are guaranteed to enjoy a nutritious, delicious snack, meal or treat that: 

-Promotes a Healthy Lifestyle

The live and active probiotic cultures in Frozen Peaks frozen yogurt promote a health immune and digestive system. 

-Helps Manage Lactose Intolerance

Frozen Peaks frozen yogurt has increased digestibility for people with lactose intolerance or lactose maladsorption. 

-Supports Healthy Bones

An 8 fl oz serving of FrozenPeaks frozen yogurt is an excellent source of calcium – adequate calcium as part of a healthful diet is good for bone density and may reduce the risk of osteoporosis. 

-Is Good for Your Tummy

Our digestive system contains a number of "good bacteria" that are necessary for optimal digestion. FrozenPeaks frozen yogurt helps maintain a healthly digestive tract.

 FrozenPeaks frozen yogurt is low cholesterol and low sodium, and are Kosher Certified.
 
As some one with a weakness for Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt, but who is on a healthier eating regime, foods that can provide an added treat to my diet are always welcome, so if it is frozen yogurt that tastes amazing and allows me to enjoy every last bite without guilt then I am all for it. At Frozen Peaks I tried 1/2 Red Velvet and 1/2 Coconut w/some rainbow sprinkles and it was amazing, mom had 1/2 Cookies and Cream with 1/2 Red Velvet, which I will try next time I go.
 
The added feature to Frozen Peaks is that its self serve, you grab a container, then fill with the frozen yogurt flavor or flavors of choice, then add toppings or leave alone, and pay at counter, which you pay by the weight. I will tell you it is a bit pricey, I paid for what looked like a medium sized container about $6.50, but its totally worth it. If you are looking to stay inside with your yummy treat, you will sit among a Jetson's style decor with orange, green and silver color tones, you can surf the web on their WiFi and listen to music from an ITunes Music box, adding to its unique experience.
Would I go back for another experience? Absolutely! Is it a fun place to meet up with the girls at night? Sure thing! But remember if going on a light date or bringing the kids, make sure you bring enough money or a credit card, you are paying by the weight, other then that, head on over and enjoy the experience.


xoxo
Lisa!

P.S. I took all these photos from my I-Phone, so you can always blog on the go!

Steampunk: Owl-Topia!
Here is a Steam Punk Necklace My mom made called: Owl-topia, Steampunk Necklace!

A piece reminiscent of the turn of the century, apothecary shoppes, mercury glass and bottle glass, history, folklore, museums, wisdom, owls, birds, time machines, travel and starry nights. Castles Archaeology, Egypt, and Exploration.
To purchase this piece or many others in the collection or the rest of her works visit:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/auroratique

The Folklore and Magic of Owls:

Africa

Among the Kikuyu of Kenya it was believed that owls were harbingers of death. If one saw an owl or heard its hoot, someone was going to die. In general, owls are viewed as harbingers of bad luck, ill health, or death. The belief is widespread even today.

The Americas

In the culture of the Uto-Aztec tribe, the Hopi, taboos surround owls, which are associated with sorcery and other evils. The Aztecs and Maya, along with other Natives of Mesoamerica, considered the owl a symbol of death and destruction. In fact, the Aztec god of death, Mictlantecuhtli, was often depicted with owls. There is an old saying in Mexico that is still in use^[15]: Cuando el tecolote canta, el indio muere ("When the owl cries/sings, the Indian dies"). The Popol Vuh, a Mayan religious text, describes owls as messengers of Xibalba (the Mayan "Place of Fright"). The belief that owls are messengers and harbingers of the dark powers is also found among the Hočągara (Winnebago) of Wisconsin.When in earlier days the Hočągara committed the sin of killing enemies while they were within the sanctuary of the chief's lodge, an owl appeared and spoke to them in the voice of a human, saying, "From now on the Hočągara will have no luck." This marked the beginning of the decline of their tribe. An owl appeared to Glory of the Morning, the only female chief of the Hočąk nation, and uttered her name. Soon afterwards she died. People often allude to the reputation of owls as bearers of supernatural danger when they tell misbehaving children, "the owls will get you."

Middle East

In Arab culture, owls are seen as bad omens.

Western culture

The modern West generally associates owls with wisdom. This link goes back at least as far as Ancient Greece, where Athens, noted for art and scholarship, and Athena, Athens' patron goddess and the goddess of wisdom, had the owl as a symbol. Marija Gimbutas traces veneration of the owl as a goddess, among other birds, to the culture of Old Europe, long pre-dating Indo-European cultures.

Owls were considered funerary birds among the Romans.

Use as rodent control

Encouraging natural predators to control rodent population is a natural form of pest control, along with excluding food sources for rodents. Placing a new box for owls on a property can help control rodent populations (one family of hungry barn owls can consume more than 3,000 rodents in a nesting season) while maintaining the naturally balanced food chain.

For more info visit: wikipedia.com

Auroratique's Steampunk Jewelry!

My Mom Joan has always enjoyed designing jewelry. About 3 years ago after a girls day out at my friend Terri's house, a group of us were hosted to a day of jewelry making and fun, with renewed interest, my Mother started re-creating her jewelry again in what I call hyper speed, prior to, she'd create a piece every so often, now its 3 to 5 times a day.

Her collection has grown to over 1,000 pieces, many she has sold at Art Events/Shows, Trunk Shows, Private Sales, at Piddlestixs and online. Our store: Piddlestixs located in Historic Lafayette, NJ has proven to be her star base, over the past 6 months, we have seen a variety of industry professionals walk through our doors from the city (NYC) and have purchased her wares. She has been published and has taught workshops over the past year, which has lead her on a new theme, Steampunk which she mixes with Victorian and Gothic tones.

Since last January, my Mother has been building her Steampunk line of wares from necklaces o earrings, bracelets and now rings, cuffs and hair bands. The obsession with keys, time pieces and vintage apothecary has fueled her passion. Each steampunk piece can sometime take days to complete due to the complexity or design, the parts and the fusing of the metals.
Currently she is working on incorporating some more bling, mythology and folklore themes into her new pieces. All the components which make up her jewelry are a mix of antique, vintage, modern or handmade.

Here is a sampling of my Mother's Steampunk Line. You can find her under: Auroratique on Etsy and throughout the web. If you are in town come visit her and her works at Piddlestixs!

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


Click here to view more of her works

I hope you have enjoyed a preview of her works, as much as I enjoy seeing them when she finishes, even getting some special ones of my own from her!
Magic and Joy,
Lisa!

Witches Tea Party and Spellbinding Ghost Walk!
Here are some of the witches at the 200 year old covered bridge

On Saturday October 16, 2010, I hosted the Witches Tea Party at my store Piddlestixs in Historic Lafayette, NJ, from 12pm-10pm

Witches Flew on their brooms (cars) from all over NJ to take part in the festivities. What's a witch to do without her hat, broom, lantern and brew? I was so excited to see many friends and meet new ones. Geralyn and Zandra drove in from the Jersey Shore and Theresa came down from Mahwah, while the other ladies came in from Succasunna, Stillwater, Warwick, Newton, Branchville, Parsippany and Allamuchy!

Several Witches and Wizards were on hand to create new hats to wear this Halloween, sharing eerie tales and spellbinding techniques, munching on spooky delights and geared up for some bone shivering frights........


I had been preparing for weeks for this event, getting Witch hats to decorate, ribbons, trims, millinery and other spook-tacular goodies. The studio had to be transformed, the food prepared the lanterns set, the ghost walk organized, the moonlight tea ready and the surprises in store.

Our day started with a light lunch of tea sandwiches, Parmesan and Artichoke Chicken Salad, Croissants, Spinach Spread and Wine Crackers, Hummus, Fruit Salad and Harvest Autumn Punch. Lunch was followed by the creation of our Witches Hats made using a witch hat base, vintage fabrics, tulle, feather boa's, ribbons, millinery, images, jewels, stitching and glue. We used primarily fabri-tac by Beacon Adhesives and hot glue for this gluing. During this time additional friends and curious seekers popped in for a peek, along with Mark Lipinski who came on by for a visit.

After our witches were complete we started our shopping parade to the businesses and covered bridge. We stopped first at Karen and Don's Shops at the Mill Bogwater Jims and The Boat House!
My dear friend Joyce, owner of Rose Petal Porch handed out surprise goodie bags to the attendees. After Joyce's we headed over to Black Pony Antiques, The Chocolate Goat at the Mill Antiques at Joe and Sharon's spot.
Once dinner was over, attendees received their Pink Jack-O-Lanterns filled with goodies from: Beacon Adhesives, DMC, Rat's Pajamas, Aurora-tique, Piddlestixs, Tila's and Suburban Girl Studios.
With tea lights in place (battery of course), it was time for the ghost walk and evening tea. We descended down the stairs and walked over to Miss June's location over the Lafayette Emporium, in a 150 plus year old structure which is allegedly haunted.
During June's talk one of our attendees felt the ghost nearby and needed to sit, now that was scary, Then as we all left, June handed each of us some goodies, just as we left the structure, we were greeted by David Messineo, creator of the Six Centuries Club, David appeared in 17th Century Costume and led us to his home for the ghostly tales session. His home is a turn of the century farm house which was often used for gatherings and church meetings during that time, it was here that David spoke of eerie tales of witches and ghostly folk lore in a candle light setting w/hot tea and sweets.
After wards our party walked back to Piddlestixs for another round of gourmet desserts and to recap the day and night!

I hope you enjoyed escaping to a world of magic and mayhem as I recapped the wonderful event: Witches Tea Party and Ghost Walk, which brought together a wonderful group of people for lots of fun and joy! Hope to see you at the next workshop or event at Piddlestixs!

Magic and Joy,
Lisa!

To see the full album of pictures from this event please visit my flickr site or click here!

To sign up for workshops and events or to book a private party for you and your crafty friends click here