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!

Inspired by Jules Verne!

Jules Gabriel Verne (February 8, 1828 – March 24, 1905) was a French author who pioneered the science fiction genre. He is best known for his novels Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1870), A Journey to the Center of the Earth (1864), and Around the World in Eighty Days (1873). Verne wrote about space, air, and underwater travel before air travel and practical submarines were invented, and before practical means of space travel had been devised. He is the second most translated author in the world (after Agatha Christie). Some of his books have also been made into live-action and animated films and television shows. Verne is often referred to as the "Father of Science Fiction", a title sometimes shared with Hugo Gernsback and H. G. Wells.
The following is a Jules Verne Inspired Necklace I made! I was inspired by all his novelties and sci-fi underwater adventure Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea!I addition to the necklace, I made a matching bracelet! Did you know that Verne wrote numerous works, most famous of which are the 54 novels comprising the Voyages Extraordinaires. He also wrote short stories, essays, plays, and poems.

This following is drawing of Jules Verne on the sea floor with fantastic sea creatures. Legend : "Gathering from the best sources authentic information about underwater world". Cover of "L'Algerie" Magazine, 15 June 1884, this is the drawing that sparked the inspiration!

For more images of my piece and a larger version of this illustration visit my flickr photo wall!

Have a magic filled and inspired day,

Lisa xoxo

Art Bar and Steampunk at Piddlestixs!


I have been very busy at Piddlestixs, re-organzing and enhancing some of our latest sections such as the new Art Bar and Steampunk area's which are filled with the most unique artful oddities from supplies to vintage finds and handmade items.
In our steampunk area you will find handmade steampunk jewelry from Auroratique aka Joan Kettell, Top Hats, dress forms, journals, clock parts, vintage keys and everything steampunk.
The art bar section consists of everything from vintage keys, chess pieces, game boards and pieces, vintage sewing supplies such as zippers, patterns, buttons, notions, chandelier parts, hardware, ephemera, doll parts and supplies, glitter and more.
Search for vintage bottles, cigar boxes, crepe paper, craft kits, scrapbooking supplies and fabrics.

Piddlestixs is open Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, occasional Thursday's until middle of November. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday!

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!