Black Cat Bases, Cog Base Inserts

Black Cat Bases has come out with Coge base inserts.  They have these in 30mm, 40mm and 50mm sets.  The bases range from £6.00 to £8.00

Fighting Trousers, Professor Elemental

I don't know why, but I thought this video was sort of funny.  Fighting Trousers.

Max Mini, Steampunk 28mm weapons

Max Mini is working on some cool 28mm Steampunk weapons.  These are great for people looking for miniature conversions.

Cf Originals, Polymer Clay

Christi Friesen of cforiginals.net sent me a nice package of her Polymer Clay tools, a Steampunkery book and steampunk gears.  I will have reviews of the tools and gears in upcoming posts.  The book however was a real surprise and gives ton of how-tos and ideas.

The Steampunkery book retails for $14.95.

We all know what Steampunk is, a sort of Victorian-era mad scientist-adventurer look- all clockwork gears and brassy bits, leathery straps, and even the occasional bit of lacey filigree.   Now apply that look to polymer clay creativity and you have 'steampunkery'! a wonderful way to combine polymer clay sculpting tricks (like making a miniature leather strap complete with wire buckle and tiny little fake stiching) with embellishments of vintage pieces (like watch parts), found objects (like old pen nibs), and stuff you've got in your craft stash (like beads and paper scraps).  Doesn't that sound like fun?!

There is a lot to enjoy in this book- a hinged heart pendant that opens to reveal it's inner workings, cute little steampunk critters (complete with goggles of course) and other fun stuff-- pendants, sculptures, wall pieces, even thing you can add to costumes, if you're into that sort of thing. 

All the projects are presented step-by-step with lots of pictures and thorough explanations (with some silliness thrown in, just for fun). It doesn't matter what your skill level, the projects are challenging without being stressful, and structured without being confining. Plus there are lots of hints and creative nudgings to help keep your creative gears turning.

Reaper Miniatures, Chronoscope

Reaper Miniatures has a 28mm wargame miniature line called Chronoscope.  There are quite a few figures in the line that would be perfect for Steampunk gaming.  Here are some of my favorite Steampunk types from that line.

Spartan Games, Dystopian Wars Battle Groups

Here is a look at the pre-production battle groups of the Spartan Games Dystopian Wars.

Lady Mechanika, Comics

Lady Mechanika is the newest creator-owned comic book series by Joe Benitez, inspired by the steampunk genre. "Steampunk" is all about re-imagining history, usually combining the elegance of the Victorian Era with more advanced science fiction technology.

The background for Lady Mechanika goes something like this.  The tabloids dubbed her "Lady Mechanika", the sole survivor of a serial killer's three-year rampage through England. Authorities found her locked in an abandoned laboratory amidst an undeterminable number of corpses and body parts, her own limbs having been amputated and replaced with mechanical components.

With no memory of her captivity or her former life, Mechanika eventually built a new life for herself as a private detective, using her unique abilities to solve cases the police couldn't or wouldn't handle. But she never stopped searching for the answers to her own past.

Set in turn of the century England, a time when magic and superstition clashed with new scientific discoveries and inventions, Lady Mechanika is about a young woman's search for her own identity as she solves other mysteries involving science and the supernatural.

Written and illustrated by Joe Benitez with colors by Peter Steigerwald.  Publisher is Aspen Comics.

Fire Extingusihers, Pyrene, Merlite

I am always looking for cool ideas for steampunk kit bashing.  Back in the day, there were some cool brass hand held fire extinguishers by Pyrene Company of Delaware (Pyrene) and  Merlite Industries (Presto).  The Pyrene fire extinguishers are around 13 to 14 inches.  The Merlite/Presto ones are around 5 1/2 inches.  Both are very cool, but you do have to be careful since the contents could be harmful. 

You can find these on ebay for $20-$100.  My advice is to hit up antique stores for better deals on these, you may get lucky.

Merlite Industries (Presto) - 5 1/2 inches long

 Pyrene Company of Delaware (Pyrene) - 13-14 inches long

Spartan Games, Kingdom of Britannia

Here is a first look at the Kingdom of Britannia for Spartan Games Dystopian Wars.

Sellof, Steam Wars

I came across this very cool website called Sillof that has taken Star Wars and twisted to become Steam Wars.    The work is awesome.  It is a must see for anyone who is into steampunk.