Steampunk Jewelry

Steampunk Jewelry Giveaway

2012-02-01T09:00:00.016-06:00

Steampunk Jewelry GIVEAWAY

I'm hosting a Steampunk Jewelry Giveaway and Contest before i reach 40,000 fans on Facebook .The prize include items in my ETSY shop . I will draw 3 winners on the 29th of february . The giveaway is open to anyone worldwide .

How to Enter ?

All you have to do to enter and have a chance a winning the 1st prize is to Comment on my Blog with the link to one of your favorite items in my Etsy shop : http://www.etsy.com/shop/CatherinetteRings .

You can earn additional entries by Helping me promote my giveaway and have a chance to win the 2nd prize , Just indicate in the comment what you have done . Here's a few ideas :

- Blog : Create a blog post about the Giveaway and add a link to my Etsy shop .

- Facebook : Make a note / Share my facebook page or post . Link or Subcribe to my updates : Link

Daniel Proulx

Create Your Badge

- Twitter : Send a tweet and mention me @SteampunkRings

- Use a Social Bookmarking site such as Stumble Upon
- Follow my Blog , Twitter , Facebook Fan Page , Youtube add me to your circle on ETSY

If you also want to get an a chance to win the 3rd prize . Here's an idea :

Share this event : http://tinyurl.com/steampunkcomiccon

Hope you also like my Friend's page :

http://tinyurl.com/JardinMecanique

https://www.facebook.com/Skinz NhydezLeather

https://www.facebook.com/SteampunkMontreal

The giveaway ends on the 29 February .
1st prize : Bracelet

2nd Prize : Ring

3rd Prize : Necklace

Steampunk at Comic Con Montreal 2012

2012-01-18T11:54:00.014-06:00

Steampunk at Comic Con Montreal 2012

September 14-16

Montreal Convention Center

Montreal Comic Con 2012 is adding steampunk to the program with activities including Steampunk Panels , Steampunk Art Exhibition , Masquerade and a steampunk vendors and artists section . A section of the event has been reserved for Steampunk Vendors and Artists.

Tables and Booth are available for rent in this section .

Registration forms for Exhibitors , Authors, Illustrators , Artisan and Artist :

http://www.montrealcomiccon.com/pdf/new_exhibit_space_forms.pdf

Please indicate on the registration that you were refered by Daniel Proulx

Please send me an e-mail and i will add you to the steampunk section ,

if you have any questions :

Confirmed Steampunk Guest :

Author : G.D. Falksen

G. D. Falksen is an author, lecturer, public speaker and MC. He also studies history and blogs for Tor.com. While his repertoire spans a range of topics, he is currently most noted for his steampunk work and is one of the most recognizable figures in the steampunk literary genre and the related subculture. His debut novel, The Hellfire Chronicles: Blood In The Skies was released in July 2011. Other fiction includes The Strange Case of Mr. Salad Monday, Cinema U, and the serials An Unfortunate Engagement and The Mask of Tezcatlipoca. His work has appeared in Steampunk Tales, Steampunk Magazine, The Chap, Egophobia, and various anthologies such as Footprints, Steampunk Reloaded, and The Immersion Book of Steampunk. He has made

appearances as a guest at various events, including Dragon*Con, New York Comic Con, and the World Steam Expo. He has appeared in The New York Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, the Hartford Courant, Marie Claire Italia, BoingBoing.net, Time Out New York, and New York Magazine, and on MTV, NHK, VBS.tv, Space, and io9.com. He is the lead writer for AIR, a steampunk-themed video game currently in development from Hatboy Studios, Inc.

Evelyn Kriete : http://www.jaborwhalky.net/

Evelyn Kriete :

Evelyn Kriete is an editor, artist, fashion designer, marketing adviser and promoter with ten years of active experience in events organization and marketing. Along with being a event producer with active involvement in a wide range of subcultures and trends, she is known as the major steampunk organizer in New York, a principle organizer worldwide, and a moving force behind the steampunk trend. She has worked closely with various reporters, researchers and media outlets during their coverage of steampunk including but not limited to The New York Times, MTV, NHK, VBS.tv, NBC and the San Francisco Chronicle. She does programming and staff work for Dragon con, NYCC and other major conventions. She co-produces the premier black tie monthly event Dorian’s Parlor in Philadelphia. She provides media and networking services for numerous artist the world wide. She is the co-founder of Gilded Age Records, the first ever steampunk music label; she is also the co-founder of the Annual Time Travel Picnic, the oldest annual steampunk meet up event. Her art has appeared in numerous art shows across the country and in a range of publications. She moderates the Steamfashion community and blogs for Brass Goggles as well for Tor.com. She has previously worked with various projects such as Repo! the Genetic Opera, the steampunk exhibition at the Museum of the History of Science in Oxford and Make Magazine’s World Maker Faire New York. She is currently working with a number of film projects and TV shows, including The Marionette Unit and War of the Worlds: Goliath. She also works for with Weird Tales magazine. She is the creative director for Steampunk Tales magazine and the editor of Wildside Press’s forthcoming Steampunk Classics line of books. Her writing has appeared in books such as Steampunk Reloaded and will be appearing in seven different books due out over the course of the next two years, including the forthcoming Steampunk Bible. She is also the Marketing Director for Hatboy Studios’s forthcoming video game AIR: Steampunk. She is a fashion designer for the Australian clothing label Galley Serpentine. She has been the principle stylist for numerous photo shoots and the producer of more fashion shows than she can count. It is said that she does, in fact, sleep and eat, but to date the claims are merely rumors. She is also very excited to have a hat named after her by Topsy Turvy Design.

Movie Prop-Maker Adam Smith :

Adam Smith : Professional Costumer & Prop Builder

Adam Smith, former graphic artist, goldsmith, watchmaker, IT corporate-slave and renfest booth owner, currently splits his wage-earning time between vending his handcrafted leatherwares at various conventions and festivals, and building costume and prop pieces for the film industry.

As his Steampunk alter-ego “Phineas Phlensing, Esq.”, he is a gentleman of questionable and shady background, a dinosaur big-game hunter, and a tinkerer and inventor of various weaponry and gadgets, harnessing electrical aether, gunpowder and raw metal in equal measures. Do not be fooled by his easy and likeable demeanor: he WILL trick you into purchasing his tavern beverages for him.

Artist Roger Wood : http://klockwerks.com/

Roger Wood :

Roger Wood creates with time in mind. Yet even though the clock can be a consistent element of his work, it’s often secondary to its creation. Whether it’s a curious timepiece or a unique assemblage, Wood thrives on working with an immeasurable array of findings from the tarnished and forgotten to the odd or intriquing. He is a devoted collector of usual and unusual objects with one thing in common, a history. The source of his inspiration lies in the hundreds of curiously labelled drawers and boxes brimming with artifacts of all description that line the shelves of his Toronto studio. Wood orchestrates an arrangement from his myriad of treasures until the precise moment that it feels right. Then he quickly glues them all down so they can’t escape.Playful, wondrous timepieces emerge that take flight on cherubic wings, float and sway on fine wires, or appear frozen mid-explosion with flying springs and cogs that bounce at the touch. This definitive merging of objects and ideas has brought Wood much critical acclaim across Canada. Shows at galleries, museums and awards at several exhibitions are ongoing testaments to his freedom of imagination. Just as his single signature feather at the tip of the second hand quivers magically through time, Roger Wood's creations continue to fascinate.

Artist Daniel Proulx : Catherinette Rings

Daniel Proulx :

Daniel Proulx was born in Montreal and spent a considerable time traveling the world before returning to his artistic roots, becoming an independent artist in 2008. He has found great inspiration in the steam era and now makes Steampunk jewelry with metal wire, gemstones, vintage clock parts and other unusual components. He loves creating organic shapes from wire and developing intricate designs with a mechanical/industrial feel. When Daniel was little he used to daydream about fantastic imaginary worlds. He would draw monsters, invent stories about magical items, or role-play with friends. Now he brings his art to life with stories from a distant parallel Steampunk universe. He uses his creation

s to share his passion for the world of Steampunk with the rest of us .

Jardin Mécanique :

http://tinyurl.com/JardinMecanique

Programming and activites :

Steampunk Art Exhibition

Steampunk 101 panel

Masquerade

and more ...

Join The event on Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/events/361438210539107/

Steampunk Jewelry by CatherinetteRings

2011-11-11T16:21:00.005-06:00

Steampunk Jewelry by CatherinetteRings

Steampunk Rings - Triple Centerpiece Designs

2011-10-24T00:34:00.007-05:00

Steampunk Jewelry - Ring - Propeller and Amber - SIZE 9.5 ONLY

Steampunk Jewelry - Ring - Triple Amber - SIZE 9.5 ONLY

Steampunk Jewelry - Ring - Triple Onyx - SIZE 10 ONLY

Steampunk Jewelry - Ring - 3 Emerald Green Fire Agate - SIZE 7.5 ONLY

Steampunk - Sculpture - Black Velvet Pin Cushion Spider

2011-10-23T19:38:00.004-05:00

On my last trip to UK i saw a few antique pin cushion that were designed in shapes of animals and it immediately inspired me to make a pin cushion steampunk insect .
So i created a new steampunk Spider sculpture with a velvet pink cushion . This time i used Aluminium instead of copper and brass . I also use a vintage lady wristwatch movement .

You can see the spider in my ETSY shop here : Steampunk Spider Sculpture

You can also see my inventory of steampunk jewelry and rings :

Steampunk Books : Jewelry and Sculptures

2011-06-05T13:36:00.005-05:00

There's many Excellent Steampunk books that are going to be released soon .
My jewelry and sculptures are featured in 3 of them .

The Art of Steampunk: Extraordinary Devices and Ingenious Contraptions from the Leading Artists of the Steampunk Movement : An amazing Book featuring 17 of the most creative steampunk artist ,
To be released in August 2011 .

You can pre-order it on Amazon.com :

1,000 Steampunk Creations: Neo-Victorian Fashion, Gear, and Art : My jewelry and sculptures will be featured on this Wonderful Book featuring a wide variety of steampunk craftmanship ,
To be released in July 2011

Available on Amazon.com :

Steampunk: Victorian Futurism : A Jules Verne world of extraordinary visions and contraptions as portrayed by the top 30 artists in the genre ,
To be released in June 2011

Also available on Amazon.com

New Steampunk Jewelry by Daniel Proulx

2011-04-21T00:27:00.013-05:00

Here's my Latest Steam punk Jewelry Creations

Steampunk Jewelry - Ring - 3 Red taxidermy glass EYE

Airship Pirate Steampunk Ring - Red taxidermy glass EYE - Mexican lab Opal - Brass Propeller

Mad Scientist Steampunk Ring - Antique Vintage Watch Movement - Amber and Dark Green taxidermy glass eye

Tinkerer Steampunk Ring - Antique Watch Movement with sapphire crown - Clock Parts inlayed in Amber and taxidermy glass eye

Steampunk ROBOT RING - Dark Green REPTILE taxidermy glass EYE

Check out my steampunk Jewelry on ETSY

Etsy
CatherinetteRings

Catherinette Rings 3rd Anniversary

2011-04-01T12:56:00.013-05:00

This month Catherinette Rings is celebrating it's 3rd Anniversary .

First let's start with a little bit for History :

Here's how it all started , 3 years ago , Catherine took a 2 hours jewelry making lesson at home with a few friends .During the lesson she learned how to make basic wire rings . The rings she made were very colorful , she also has a good eye for matching colors and making designs since she is a professional graphic designer in the fashion industry . After she made the rings , she received many compliments and many people wanted to buy the rings she made . By nature i always had a good sense for business ,
so I encouraged her to buy some materials , offered to take the pictures and try to sell them on a site i heard about , ETSY . That's when Catherinette Rings was created .

This is the first ring we sold on ETSY on April 19 ,
only 7 days after opening our ETSY shop.

After seeing that we had some results , i decided to give it a try and made a few rings. Here's the first one i made and sold on ETSY :

First ring of mine sold on April 22nd 2008

A few days later , i invented a new style , i called it the Kubix .I sold tons of them in the first year and they were often featured on the Etsy frontpage . During this period i decided to quit my job and work full-time on this project .

First kubix sold on May 7Th 2008

After showing the rings i made to a friend
He told me what i was doing was somewhat Steampunk . I research the subject and fell in love with this culture . I always liked Steampunk but i didn't know there was a name for it .
After investigating what steampunk was i knew exactly what i wanted to make .

That's when i made my first steampunk ring .

Here's the first one i sold . It was sold within only a few hours after i put it for sale on ETSY .

First steampunk Ring sold on the 2nd of June 2008 :

This is what paved the way to everything that followed :

25 January 2009 - Mention in Fashion Magazine Clind'oeil Article about ETSY
26 February 2009 - Article in the Newspaper Le Voir about Steampunk
May 2009 - Picture of my jewelry in Jean Campbell Steampunk Style Jewelry: Victorian, Fantasy, and Mechanical Necklaces, Bracelets, and Earrings

21 May 2009 - Steampunk D&D Beholder sculpture featured on BoingBoing.com

Steampunk Sculpture - BEHOLDER ROBOT - Reptile Taxidermy glass eye - RELIC - This piece was displayed at the Museum of the History of Science Oxford UK and BoingBoing.com - READ THE STORY in the description

24 May 2009 - Steampunk Spider featured in Daily Deviation on Deviant Art
30 May 2009 - Attended Grand Picnic Victorien Montreal
7 June 2009 - LARP - Attended INDUSTRIA 1859 - Montréal
13 June 2009 - Featured in the innovation section of WGSN.com
13 October 2009 - Participation in The first Steampunk Exhibition to be held at a Major Museum ,The Museum of the History of Science Oxford UK
December 2009 - Article in the Ottawa Magazine about Steampunk
14 january 2010 - The Incredible Steampunk Jewelry Photography of Daniel Proulx
2 February 2010 - Steampunk Robot Ring featured in Daily Deviation on Deviant Art

20 February 2010 - Article about Steampunk in Montreal in the Gazette Newspaper
21 February 2010 - Final Day of the Steampunk Exhibition :
Art Donovan Curator of the Exhibition and Jim Bennett Director of the Museum , Member of the Victorian Steampunk Society . Artists present were Ian Crichton, (Herr Doktor-UK), Daniel Proulx, (Canada) and James Richardson Brown (UK)
9-10 March 2010 - Meeting with Lee Ann Farruga and Pat of Steampunk Ottawa .
16 April 2010 - Montreal's Jewelers School
31 July 2010 - Grand Picnic Victorien Montreal
27 to 29 August - Special Guest at FanExpo Canada . Steampunk Meet-and-Greet Soiree at the Royal York Library Bar , participation in the “Steampunk 101” panel and more …

Upcoming Events :

Spring 2011 : Feature in The Art of Steampunk: Extraordinary Devices and Ingenious Contraptions from the Leading Artists of the Steampunk Movement

2011 : Feature in 1,000 Steampunk Creations: Neo-Victorian Fashion, Gear, and Art (1000 Series)

2011 : Canadian National Steampunk Exhibition .

Will also be vending at a few Hot-Air Balloon events .

----------------------------

We will celebrate our 3rd anniversary ,
With Catherine's favorite colors
And Daniel's designs .

Here's the first limited edition ring available on ETSY .

To see more limited edition Rings , follow me on Facebook.
I will post new colorful designs on my facebook fans page as i create them .

Etsy
CatherinetteRings

Thanks for all your support !

Steampunk Jewelry GIVEAWAY

2011-03-28T01:41:00.002-05:00

Steampunk Jewelry GIVEAWAY

THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING ,
THE WINNERS HAVE BEEN CONTACTED !!!

I'm hosting a Steampunk Jewelry Giveaway and Contest to celebrate 20000 fans. The prize include items that are new in my ETSY shop .
I will draw 3 winners .
The giveaway is open to anyone worldwide .

How to Enter ?

All you have to do to enter is to Comment on my Blog with the link to one of your favorite items in my shop : http://www.etsy.com/shop/CatherinetteRings
You can earn additional entries by Helping me promote my giveaway .
Just indicate in the comment what you have done .

Ideas :

- Blog : Create a blog post about the Giveaway and add a link to my Etsy shop .
- Facebook : Make a note / Invite your friends to join my facebook page . Link
- Twitter : Send a tweet to your followers and mention me @SteampunkRings
- Comment , share , thumbs up , my Youtube Video : ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UY7sziaFhjk)
- Use a Social Bookmarking site such as Stumble Upon
- Follow my Blog , Twitter , Facebook Fan Page, Youtube add me to your circle on ETSY etc...

The giveaway ends on the 31 March .

1st prize : Bracelet

2nd Prize : Ring

3rd Prize : Necklace

Etsy
CatherinetteRings

Special Announcement :

Canadian National Steampunk Exhibition‏

You are cordially invited to park your dirigible and join us for a wonderful weekend of whimsy at the Canadian National Steampunk Exhibition.

Happening in Toronto April 29th - May 1st at the Holiday Inn Markham, the CNSE will feature sales by superbly skilled steampunk artisans, as well as performances and appearances by tremendously talented folk such as Professor Elemental, Psyche Corporation, Veronique "Weird Val" Chevalier, Baron Marcus, Flux & Fire, and many others.

Until March 31st, registration is just $50 for the entire weekend. Please visit http://www.cnse.ca/ for further details and to register. We would love for you to join us at this first annual event.

Steampunk Rings with Watch Movement

2011-03-24T13:40:00.009-05:00

Steampunk Rings with Watch Movement

I recently received a special request from a customer to make steampunk rings with watch movement from a ring they bought somewhere else . For a long time i did'nt want to make any because I'm convinced that i can make steampunk jewelry without having to always put gears and clockwork in them . There's many other characteristics found in the Aesthetics of Steampunk .

I see a lot of steampunk jewelry that are simply made from mass produced adjustable ring base with glued watch movement . I agree that it does look good but those adjustable ring base are far from comfortable . Also nothing of it is handmade by the person who glue them .

So i decided to mix the idea of having a watch movement attached to my own Original design.
The band are made by hand using wire that i solidly shape into a comfortable ring .
The rings are not adjustable but i can make custom size on request , just send me a convo on Etsy and i will make a similar ring for you .

Do you prefer Steampunk Jewelry with or without watch movement ?

SIZE 9 :

SIZE 10

SIZE 11

SIZE 12

Etsy
CatherinetteRings

Steampunk Crab Sculpture

2011-03-21T21:12:00.003-05:00

Steampunk Crab Sculpture

Etsy
CatherinetteRings

Steampunk Ring New Prototype

2011-03-10T22:37:00.001-06:00

Steampunk Ring New Prototype

Etsy
CatherinetteRings

Steampunk Jewelry Deal

2011-03-01T10:04:00.014-06:00

20000 Likes under the SEA

I have just reached 20000 Likes on my facebook page ( Link ) !!!
I will celebrate with Deals , Contest and Giveaways !!

STAY TUNED !

Over 100 designs : http://www.etsy.com/shop/CatherinetteRings

Etsy
CatherinetteRings

More Fun to come during the week .

Steampunk Jewelry 2010 - 2011

2010-12-24T11:25:00.004-06:00

This year has been the most amazing and i have a lot of new items i plan to make in 2011 .

Here's some of the newest addition to my collection :

Steampunk Jewelry - Necklace - Pink Faceted Supreme Quality Diamond Cut Glass Gem Stone Jewel - VICTORIAN

Steampunk Jewelry - Necklace - Vintage Pink Pear Shape Faceted Supreme Quality Diamond Cut Glass Gem Stone Jewel - VICTORIAN

Steampunk Bracelet - Purple Czech Glass Art Deco Dragonfly Button with Amethyst - Limited availability

Steampunk Jewelry - RING - Chrysolite Green Swarovski Crystal

Steampunk Jewelry - RING - Copper with Volcano Swarovski Crystal

Here's some of my Best Sellers from 2010 :

Steampunk Jewelry - RING - Burgundy Swarovski Crystal

Steampunk Jewelry - RING - Light Amethyst Svarovski Crystal

Steampunk Jewelry - RING - Aquamarine Blue Swarovski Crystal

Steampunk Jewelry on Warehouse 13 - RING - SERAPHINITE - Seen on TV: This ring is worn by Allison Scagliotti ( Claudia Donovan ) in Warehouse 13 season 2 .

Steampunk Jewelry - RING - Vitrail Svarovski Crystal : Swarovski doesn't make this shape of Crystals in the Vitrail color anymore , I found those in old vintage boxes that my supplier kept for longer than the computer could record . Fortunately i got a very good quantity to last until 2012 . I also have some vintage bermuda blue .

Steampunk Jewelry - Necklace - Silver Tone Octopus

Steampunk Goth Jewelry - Necklace - Black and Red Rose Cameo - Black Onyx

Steampunk Goth Jewelry - Necklace - White on Hazy Black Skeleton Lolita portrait Cameo

Steampunk Jewelry - Necklace - Rosy Pink Antique Victorian Lady Portrait Cameo and Dark Purple Glass

Etsy
CatherinetteRings

In 2011 , the Lab Opal rings are going to comeback !!! Stay tuned .

Steampunk Writing Competition : Jewelry Heist 2nd

2010-10-29T14:32:00.003-05:00

Steampunk Writing Competition : Jewelry Heist
2nd place winner
The Case of the Stolen Rings
E.A. Rouet

They had been waiting for a little more than five hours.

However, the case itself had taken almost a decade.

Abednego Hawkes, private investigator was sitting in the centre of an elaborately furnished personal library. Despite being in the room with nine night vision masked, armored officers- each of them carrying top of the line short-barreled automatic guns he was serene and thoughtful.

He was thinking of the morning’s headlines: another assassination attempt on their queen, the eighth to be precise. He had been pondering for some time now why people thought they could get away with it and he believed finally that he had the answer. Some people didn’t expect to get away with it.

He sighed and looked around the room again. The newspapers had reported that the would be assassin was probably going to be let off for being insane but the line between sanity and insanity seemed to be very thin right about now for him, the officers and Inspector Angela Blevins who was standing nearby smoking with pent up vehemence. After all, sanity did not usually involve waiting for a phantom madman to come crashing in while using the potential victim as bait.

It had all started with a simple theft nine years ago. At first it was presumed to be an inside job. The item in question was a strange ring with a shining opal as its centre. At first its owner, Lord James Ignatius Rodale had thought it had been misplaced. When this was revealed not to be the case he then accused his own servants of theft and when that failed to produce results he reluctantly inquired around to his friends and then, grudgingly, to the police.

Nothing else had been taken that night. Just the ring. And it was never found.

The next year, on the same day at around midnight, another ring was stolen this one made of a dark copper. Count Pendergast had been in his parlor in the same room where he kept the ring and had fallen asleep. When he woke, the ring was gone and his quicker attempt to contact the police led to the discovery that a sedative had been put into the Count’s wine, rendering him unconscious at around the time of the theft.

For the next few years, the strange pattern continued. The same day of the year, always at midnight, always a ring. As the robberies continued, the thefts themselves grew more impressive. Duchess Adelade Marksberry: from her locked jewelry box. Doctor Gilbert Riddington: from a safe. Several other prominent men of society such as Lord Rossin, Sir Heinrich Ulmschneider, and Admiral Cutler – they too had all mysteriously lost rings over the years.

Hawkes had quickly seen the pattern. When discovering that the rings all had a common source he attempted to track down the original maker of the rings but the man had disappeared. As for the robbed victims, they were all incredibly wealthy members of society. More importantly, however, they had all at one time or another donated substantial money to the Lumley Corporation and had received the rings from Spenser Lumley himself.

Spenser Lumley was a shrewd businessman with a glamorous smile that dazzled even as he bullied his family’s company to the top. The corporation was known for wrapping their fingers around the most talented craftsman of the day and using their skills to create the best products. The corporation then took control of the quantity using warehouses and assembly lines to generate mass production at cheap prices and even cheaper labor. Their machine of a commercial empire cracked, groaned and bent under its own weight but never broke down. Preachers frequently would shout about corruption within the corporation from the safety of the pulpit while politicians would deliver furious tirades about how regulations must be changed in the world of business. Reporters ran contradictory statistics alongside the ‘innocent’ statements from the company’s heads. But nothing was ever done to check the corporation’s notorious malfeasance.

And as much as Hawkes privately wished that the force now gathered inside of Spenser Lumley’s apartment complex was there to arrest him for embezzlement or some other financial fraud, their duty was to protect Lumley from theft. The last ring that had been made by the jeweler so long ago was in Lumley’s possession and it was on this night, at midnight, that the last theft would almost certainly occur.

There was a noise at the doorway and the men in the room, including Inspector Blevins and Hawkes himself all diverted their attention to the entrance.

“Come in.” barked Blevins.

The door opened and Spenser Lumley entered, followed by his escorts. Lumley was not allowed to go anywhere this evening unprotected. He was to spend the night in this library guarded by the watchmen while the rest of his building was patrolled by other officers.

Hawkes privately felt it was a waste of manpower, especially for the likes of Lumley who lived in an apartment complex that could easily house several families now cramped in the East End slums of the city.

The young Spenser Lumley was fashionably dressed in a mercury coloured waistcoat and dark navy trousers. His hair was neatly slicked back and he strode forward with a fixed, dazzling white smile.

“Inspector Hawkes! Good to see you again.”

The last time they had seen one another had been a few months ago in a case concerning a minor bank robbery. Hawkes was not impressed with the man before him now any more than he had been then. Reluctantly he shook Lumley’s offered hand and noted his curious glance at their handshake. Hawkes’s mechanical arm still attracted stares even in this day and age.

“Glad you’re here.” said Lumley, hastily pulling away when he saw that Hawkes was watching him. “You and Inspector Blevins. I want the very best protection this city has to offer for its most important citizens.”

“We will try to keep you safe, sir.”

“Try?” Lumley laughed, but he quickly sobered when he saw Hawkes’s expression.

“The ring, where is it?” asked Blevins

Lumley held out a pale, slender hand. On his finger was the elegant ring. Coils made up its delicate sides. Small carefully constructed details could be seen on all sides and around the glittering amber stone that made up the centre piece. It truly was beautiful. A real masterpiece, carefully designed. Hawkes had never seen anything like it.

Blevins appeared dumbfounded. “You’re going to wear it?”

“Raising the stakes.” said Lumley with a fox-like smile. “It’s what I do after all.”

“But you can’t!” she cried furiously. “What if this maniac comes in demanding the ring?”

“What of it?” asked Lumley with a coolly raised eyebrow. “I’m sure we could strike a bargain. Some men do see common sense when presented with money.”

Blevins was all but spluttering with rage. Hawkes stared at Lumley for a moment longer and then slowly nodded.

“We will wait until midnight then, sir.”

Lumley smiled and settled down in a high backed leather chair by the fire.

Blevins all but dragged Hawkes to the corner before hissing, “He’s gambling with a deck of cards that we don’t have!”

“Let him do as he will. We will do our job and he will do what he feels is best.”

Blevins let out an exasperated snort and turned away furiously.

The next hour passed by incredibly slowly. Hawkes would check his old pocket watch from time to time but it seemed as if its hands were stuck. The positioned, masked officers around them continued to wait patiently as they had for hours before. Lumley seemed strangely cheerful, attempting to talk to them all before reading a book. When he grew tired of that he attempted to go over some paperwork and even flirt with Blevins for a half moment before she gave him such a look that he went over to the bookshelf and absentmindedly started to rearrange some books.

Finally- five minutes to midnight.

Hawkes caught Blevins’s expression- she looked just as tense as he felt. What would happen? They supposedly had covered everything. Where would the maniac strike next? And how?

And what was his motive? Throughout the entire case this was one thing Hawkes could not understand. Why steal random rings that Lumley had given to his investors years ago? There were other far more valuable things to steal in some of these houses. Why the ring? Perhaps he was insane? Perhaps the rings served some sort of diabolical purpose?

He almost laughed out loud. A ring? Evil? Hardly likely.

But then why all the effort to steal them?

Three minutes to midnight.

Maybe he wouldn’t show. It seemed unlikely but if the man or woman, (Hawkes was an equal opportunist when it came to crime) saw the amount of forces waiting for him at the house, perhaps some long absent sense would finally prevail and he would stop or even give himself up.

Two minutes to midnight…

No. A man who had spent almost a decade years collecting various rings would not be about to give it all up when his final target had just happened to prepare himself in advance.

A minute to go…no sign of him. No noise in the hallway. Nothing. Lumley was standing by the mantle place looking into the dying fire with slightly weary eyes.

Hawkes looked about the room at all the masked men. There was no chance of a bomb going off, they had already checked the entire premises out earlier. Besides, it wasn’t the thief’s style. He seemed to avoid killing…

…and yet- it all came back to Lumley. And Lumley was wearing the ring. What would the thief do to get the ring?

Seconds from midnight as his eyes passed over the room and its occupants, he realized something that made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. He got up slowly from the chair he had been sitting in and made a point of stretching his limbs before walking over to Blevins.

“Inspector,” he said quietly although his heart had started up a furious tattoo in his breast. “Other than us, how many men do we have guarding this room?”

“Nine.” she said with a frown. “Why?”

He looked at the small statue on the table before them with deliberate calm. “Count them.”

Her eyes darted over the room and watching her from the corner of his eye he saw her dark eyes widen and her face grow pale. “Oh my god.” she said in an anguished whisper.

“Don’t panic.”

“There’s ten! Ten of them! How did this happen?” she hissed. “Why didn’t we notice?”

But already his mind was forming a plan. It had happened, that was all that mattered.

“How can we tell who it is? They’re all wearing masks!”

He considered their options. Remove their masks? No. Ah- got it!

“Watchmen!” he called out loudly. “Surrender arms!”

At the sound of the command every trained officer dropped to one knee, their weapons held above their head as they had been trained to do. But as nine men knelt, a dark blur leapt forward and wrapped an arm around Lumley’s neck from behind, pointing his gun to the millionaire’s head.

“Hold your fire!” Blevins shouted as the officers- who had leapt up in confusion and with their weapons pointing uneasily at Lumley who was attempting in vain pull away, making frantic gestures and small choking noises.

“The ring.” The night vision mask made the thief’s voice sound oddly echoed and eerie.

Hawkes could see that there was no chance of shooting the man without hitting Lumley as well, so with trepidation, he stepped forward.

“Sir,” he said calmly. “If you could loosen your grip on Mr. Lumley, perhaps we could talk.”

But the man merely tightened his grip causing Lumley to gag and flail worse than ever.

“He can’t breathe sir.” said Hawkes calmly.

“You say that as if it were unfortunate,” the thief said while taking a step backwards, dragging Lumley with him.

Hawkes took another cautious step. “Let’s not do anything rash. Can’t we talk about this?”

From behind the mask came a hollow laugh. “There is nothing to talk about. Mr. Lumley!” he added sharply. “The ring!”

“It’s… mine!” Lumley spluttered.

Hawkes could not understand why a man like Spenser Lumley who could afford at least five dozen rings like the one he was wearing, would be so stubborn and foolish.

“Wrong.” the thief spat. He adjusted his gun with a terrible click that made the men behind Hawkes raise their own weapons. But the thief didn’t seem to notice or care, taking another step backwards with Lumley still being held hostage.

“Perhaps we could discuss an exchange or even consider a bargain?”

“Bargain!” the man laughed. “We are beyond business transactions! Give me the ring, sir! Now!”

Lumley shook his head and Hawkes watched in mixed amazement and confusion as the thief wrenched Lumley over to a book case and hissed, “Open it! Open it or I’ll send you to Highgate right now!”

Lumley fumbled with a free hand and hit a spot on the bookshelf. It rapidly swung around and Lumley and the thief disappeared from view.

Hawkes swore and raced forward as Blevins and the others came up from behind. Hawkes began patting the shelves frantically. A revolving bookcase. How could they have overlooked it?

Blevins was shouting but Hawkes ignored this because he was no closer to finding the slot that turned the bookcase around. Over Blevins’s loud expletives he could hear a heated conversation on the other side of the shelf.

Before he could offer a suggestion of how to break down the bookshelf he heard an unmistakable gunshot and a scream. He felt his stomach drop and Blevins suddenly pulled him behind a high-backed chair. The other officers had scattered. He saw her throw the explosive at the shelf and then-

BOOM. There was a flash of light and a shower of splintered wood and books. Burning pages floated through the dust and haze and Hawkes coughing heavily made his way through the gaping hole in the wall to find Lumley lying on the floor his hand held against his chest as he screamed, scarlet blood covering the silk waistcoat and quickly flowing onto the floor.

One of the officers bent down immediately and tore off his mask. Hawkes recognized the man and remembered that he had had some previous medical training before joining the force.

The thief was gone. The small room was deserted save for a small door in the corner that exposed a dark shaft.

Blevins swore before shouting instructions- “You four- down this shaft! You three get to the stairs- sound the alert! Find out where this exit leads- and you over there, help Todd here! What happened to him, Lieutenant?”

“It’s his hand, miss.” said Todd, grappling with the bleeding limb as Lumley continued to writhe on the floor, still shrieking in pain. “His finger’s gone. Shot clean off.”

“He shot his finger?”

“Yes. And it seems to be gone sir. The finger and the ring.”

A madman indeed.

Hawkes left Lumley and the remaining officers in the house, going outside to help the others search the perimeters of the building and the nearby streets. Massive confusion ensued. An officer had found a bloody finger by an open gutter. The thief seemed to have vanished. Officers split up in pairs to cover ground and Hawkes, despite the chaos unfolding around him, tried to think of where the thief would run.

And then, all at once, he knew where to go. It was a desperate attempt, but there were few options at this point.

“Tell Blevins to send a squad after me if I’m not back within the next half hour!” he shouted at one of the nearby men.

“Where to sir?”

“Highgate!”

He ran down a dark side street before flagging down a passing coach. Lumley’s house to the cemetery was not a long drive and it wasn’t long before Hawkes saw the slightly sinister outline of the main entranceway which led to the countless graves beyond.

He left some change for the driver and leapt out of the coach- running up to the gates which had been pried open. He squeezed between them and raced among the mossy, ivy covered stones looking in all directions.

It was towards the end of his desperate, fruitless chase when he stumbled over something in the darkness. In the dim moonlight he could just barely make out an officer’s helmet that had been cast aside. Looking around he could only see elaborate tombs; some of the cemetery’s finest. But from one of them there was a faint flickering glow between a small crack in the doors.

Quietly he moved towards it, just barely noticing the name ‘Dupin’ carved above the entranceway. He cautiously tried one of the doors and found, not entirely surprised, that it was already open.

He peered inside. The room was shaped like a small amphitheatre and was made of white marble. A large sarcophagus lay in the middle of the room surrounded by tall dripping candles and on the lid of the tomb were ten shining rings.

A dark shape was lying at the base of the sarcophagus. The thief’s arms were outstretched and his head was bent over his heaving shoulders. A choked sob echoed around the bare walls.

Hawkes stepped forward and the movement caused the thief’s head to snap up. His gaunt face was wet with tears and his eyes were shining wildly. He looked pale and sickly.

“Who’s there?” he cried.

As Hawkes stepped closer into the light the thief seemed to grow paler still.

“Ah,” he said, in a voice soft as a whisper. “I’ve been caught at last I see.”

“You are under arrest,” said Hawkes firmly. “For the theft of these rings and the attack on Spenser Lumley that took place earlier this evening.”

The man merely wiped his wet face with spiderlike hands and then turned back to the marble sarcophagus muttering under his breath.

Hawkes took another step forward, seeing that the man had no weapon. “Why bring the rings here?”

“For Celestine.”

“For whom?”

The thief let out a shaky breath. “My wife. Celestine.”

Hawkes looked at the sarcophagus again with the various rings lying on the lid and asked, “Why these specific rings? Why these particular ones?”

“I had to get them back. They were the moments. The lost moments.”

It was as he had feared. The man was mad. Yet the shrewd expression on his face suggested that this was not entirely so.

“Why the Lumley corporation, then?”

“Not the corporation. Lumley,” The man hissed. The look of hatred on his face was alarming. “He took them. He took all the moments. I had to get them back. He had offered me money, payment beyond my wildest dreams to make the rings but he took more than my masterworks. He took the memories that could have been.”

Hawkes felt a wave of shock. “You made the rings?”

The man gave a wry smile. “I made them, yes. I’m a jeweler. And I was the best. I made every one of them. Lumley came to my shop wanting the best for his followers. Trinkets. Toys. Gifts for his most devoted crowd. I was honoured. I could have refused of course, but I was proud. I accepted his commissions.”

“And you made the rings that Lumley asked you to.”

“Yes. He would come by my shop with a new request and I would put aside all my other work to put my best efforts into them. I put…I put…Celestine aside. My wife. She would come in, smiling and offer a kiss. I would give her harsh words instead. She would offer a walk outside and I would show her the door. She offered me warmth and I returned her love with coldness.”

His face seemed to crumble and he abruptly clung to the sarcophagus as if it were moving away. “She saw my work in a way that I myself did not see it! She knew it was taking me away from her and the moments we might have had together. She became sick and told me to turn down Lumley’s commissions, but I dismissed her pleas every time.”

“She became sicker and sicker but on the night she died I was working on Lumley’s ring. The final commission. The one he wanted to surpass all others. He wanted the best and I worked all through the night without stopping. Celestine wanted to see me. I told myself she could wait. I had to finish my work. And I did. I finished it in the early hours of dawn and set down my tools. And I went upstairs to find that my beautiful, patient bride was dead. Her skin was already cold.”

His face contorted at the memory and he clutched his hair as if ready to tear it out. “It was my work that killed her! Me and these accursed rings!” he shrieked, “They took the life from her! Took away our happiness! The times I could have been with her- and I- ignorant wretch, chose instead these cold glittering things! I was blinded by them! I used all the money from them to build her this tomb. But it wasn’t enough. I had to get back the lost moments for my bride. I planned all the robberies and I got the rings back, every one of them- each one on the anniversary of her death and my downfall. I saved Lumley for last. And I have them all now.”

The man, exhausted from his rant, hung his head, gasping. Hawkes watched him for a moment before asking one final question. “And was it worth it?”

There was a prolonged silence and then the man fell forward at the tomb’s base with a shuddering cry, weeping heavily. The painful sounds he made were heartrending, as if he were dying of grief. Hawkes hesitated, feeling as though he were intruding upon the man’s sorrow and he drew back to stand by the entrance of the tomb, the echoes of the terrible sobs behind him. With his last glance of the weeping man he caught sight of the rings lying on the surface of the tomb. Perhaps it was merely the flickering candlelight or his imagination, but they did seem to pulse with some strange hidden energy. He stared a moment longer and then shook his head at the thought before finally heading outside.

Poor man. Such a grief-stricken creature would only go through the rest of his life in a senseless daze.

The rest of the officers would be here soon. And when they did arrive, no greedy robber would they find but instead a man who had gone mad trying to restore lost moments, trying to bring warmth and happiness out of cold stone and metal. His mind went back to the man who had only recently failed to assassinate their queen. Was the world full of these men who turned to such drastic actions when their minds could no longer bear their own reality?

As for the rings, perhaps he would privately speak to the Commissioner and they could arrange something. Most of the theft victims were dead now anyway or had forgotten about their lost accessories. Lumley would be harder to persuade but maybe he didn’t need to know…

They could send the rings away to an obscure dealer, pull out some old connections. Overseas perhaps.

He looked around the graveyard, his eyes falling on a marble angel that stood nearby, its raised hand pointing at the sky while a secret smile lingered on its stone face.

Etsy
CatherinetteRings

Steampunk Jewelry Giveaway

2010-10-28T18:05:00.004-05:00

I'm hosting a Steampunk Jewelry Giveaway and Contest to celebrate the upcoming start for the Holiday Season . The prize include items that are new in my ETSY shop . I will draw 4 winners .
The giveaway is open to anyone worldwide .

Draw Schedule :
#1 prize on the 28th of October
Winner has been contacted
#2 prize on the 4th of November
Winner has been contacted
#3 prize on the 11thof November
Winner has been contacted
1 more prize to go !
#4 prize on the 18th of November

Prize :
#1 Steampunk Cuff Links with Green Reptile Glass eyes . 45$

#2 Steampunk Necklace with Brass or Silver Octopus . 70$

#3 Steampunk Jewelry with SERAPHINITE - Seen on TV . 50$

#4 Steampunk Bracelet Watch . 50$

About me :

I traveled for many years before returning to my artistic roots .
In April of 2008 I started to make rings just for fun ... I spent several hours every day perfecting and developing my own technique to create exclusive designs . I quickly started to make very retro-futurist model of rings. One day a friend told me what I was doing was Steampunk. I researched the subject and i realized that i always liked Steampunk but I didn't know there was a name for it. Inspired by aesthetics of the steam era , i created steampunk Jewelry with mechanical and organic shapes , i enjoy using clock parts , metal wire , gemstones , taxidermy glass eyes and other unusual materials in my artwork . Michelle Anne Olsen wrote in The Montreal Gazette : ''His work looks like something out of Fritz Lang's Metropolis, both antique and futuristic.'' In October 2009 , i had the Honor of having my work featured during the first major Steampunk Exhibition that was held at the Museum of the History of science in Oxford UK . Since then i received many wonderful recognition from the Media , Recently one of my rings is worn by Allison Scagliotti ( Claudia Donovan ) in Warehouse 13 season 2 .
I'm very happy that i could be part of the Steampunk History and to continue sharing my passion for the world of Steampunk with you !

How to Enter ?
All you have to do to enter is to Comment on my Blog with the link to one of your favorite item in my shop : http://www.etsy.com/shop/CatherinetteRings
You can earn additional entries by Helping me promote my giveaway . Just indicate in the comment what you have done .

Blog : Create a blog post about the Giveaway , add a link to my Etsy shop .
Facebook : Update your friends and fans .
Twitter : Send a tweet to your followers and mention me @SteampunkRings
Comment , share , thumbs up , my Youtube Video : ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UY7sziaFhjk)
Use a Social Bookmarking site such as Stumble Upon
Follow my Blog , Twitter , Facebook Group , Facebook Fan Page, Youtube etc ...

STEAMPUNK JEWELRY VIDEO

Check out my Steampunk Jewelry on ETSY

Etsy
CatherinetteRings

Steampunk Writing Competition : Jewelry Heist 1st

2010-10-28T11:54:00.009-05:00

Steampunk Writing Competition : Jewelry Heist
1st place winner
The Basilisk Eye
Simone Kendrick

Marie decided not to worry about the unusual aspects of her current assignment, as she always considered worrying a waste of time, but when she found the door to the study unlocked it was very difficult to maintain her nonchalance.

The security of Lord Auldwolder’s manor was laughable and incredibly easy to evade; three auto-matron guards, a handful of dogs, and a fifth-teen foot fence? Did he want his necklace stolen, or was there something she wasn’t aware of? Something Captain Dresker hadn’t told her? An air-pirate, by nature alone, shouldn’t be trusted and she had never made it a practice to do so. He hired her to steal a piece of jewelry from Lord Auldwolder, but he wasn’t paying her enough for unnecessary risks.

Indecision, an unfamiliar state for her, left her sitting crouched in front of the large mahogany doors that led to Auldwolder’s study. Her lock picks hovered uselessly above the key hole as she stared at the lock through her yellow tinted spectacles. Either Auldwolder was a giant fool or he had no reason to fear his servants or anyone else stealing from him. Yet would anyone leave such a powerful necklace so vulnerable?

Granted, not many knew the legend of the Basilisk’s Eye, but one would still expect wariness of opportunistic thieves. The necklace lacked any significant jewels or precious metals, but it had an allure that would draw anyone. That, in fact, was its supposed power. The big green eye set into the brass necklace appeared to beckon its beholder to touch it, whispering temptingly, spouting dark promises. Or so Marie had been told.

She slipped the picks back into their slots on her vest as she paused to consider. Her vest held all the tools of her trade though one wouldn’t know it by first glance. If one of the human servants actually did awaken and find her, they would see a slim form dressed in dark, men’s clothing. The only strange feature of her appearance would be her spectacles and the black balaclava she wore that covered her face and hair. Marie preferred her sex to be ambiguous to any potential witnesses.

“What do you think, mon petit ami?” Marie whispered as she stroked her chin thoughtfully.

A whirl and a click was the response, the sound so soft only she heard it. The source was resting wrapped around her finger. A tiny amber eye glowed briefly in the darkness and another mechanical sound emerged. The ring was a gift from a former patron who had been quite a talented inventor. He had found no use for the tiny machine, but Marie had instantly noted it’s potential with its tiny clamp extremities and glowing eye. Bernard consisted of a single amber eye set in a long, slender brass body with two arms equipped with clamps. He was usually found wrapped around her ring finger. She wasn’t sure if the machine had a personality or soul of it’s own, if that were even possible, but she preferred to think it did and referred to it as such.

“It’s all too easy, no?” She went on, her voice a breath in the shadows. “Why would Dresker pay me for what a common footpad could do?”

A prudent thief would depart immediately and return the fee the air-pirate had given her, but Marie had never heard of a prudent thief and didn’t want to be accused of being unorthodox. And she was curious; a lifelong curse of her’s. The Basilisk Eye was unique and mysterious. She may never get a chance to steal it again.

“Il faut qu'une porte soit ouverte ou fermée,” Marie decided, gripping the handle and pushing the door open.

The study was empty and so silent that the click of the door closing sounded through the room. Marie waited a few moments, crouching in the absolute darkness with her back against the door. She listened for anything that would indicate another person in the room and mentally brought up the floor plan that she had memorized earlier while scouting. A large bookcase was on the East wall and a desk and globe were spaced in the middle of the room. The bookcase was the only area large enough to house a hidden compartment.

Once Marie felt safe, she cautiously made her way past the obstacles to the East wall. The smell of paper and leather reached her, indicating the bookcase was directly in front of her. Only then did she lift her right hand in a fist to eye level.

“Now, Bernard.” She whispered to the ring and the amber glow from the machine’s eye spilled over a faded leather binder. The light was just enough for her to see without drawing unwanted attention.

She scanned the shelves of books quickly, looking for the subtle features of a hidden lever. A particularly faded and worn binder with fraying at the top caught her attention and she gave an experimental pull. A muffled clanking sounded from behind the bookcase and a section of the bookshelf disappeared into the wall. A wooden case rolled out to take its place and a dark iron lock embedded into the wood greeted her. Impressed, she slipped her picks free to start her work. A quarter of an hour passed before she heard the satisfactory click of success.

Again, she brought Bernard out when she pulled the case open. Various items of jewelry lay displayed on black velvet. The Basilisk Eye was in the center surrounded by small brass sculptures of scorpions. They were intriguing with delicate yet dangerous looking tails poised in the air, but Marie was here for the Eye.

She pulled free the handkerchief she brought to cover the necklace but... The rumors did no justice to the power that emanated from the necklace. The eye was a bewitching brilliant green that dulled her senses and drew her desire to touch it. She found herself moving slower than normal as she reached to stroke the pendant. In her peripheral vision she thought she saw movement. Did those scorpions twitch?

A flash of pain on her hand, like a sting from a bee, and she sluggishly pulled away. The scorpions skittered to cover the necklace, their pincers snapping in the air. Dimly, she realized she was falling to the ground, her muscles weakening. The last thing she saw was Bernard unwrapping from her finger and his glowing amber eye blinking rapidly in distress.

She woke to tense voices and the light of gas lamps. She was still in Lord Auldwolder’s study, still lying on the floor, but her hands were bound behind her. Panic boiled in her chest. She’d been caught!

“Is it the practice of Scotland Yard to accuse the victims of crimes, Detective?” The voice was snide and cruel sounding with the lilt of aristocracy. Lord Auldwolder, she presumed.

“No, my lord, but it is our practice to discover the truth.” This voice was younger and subdued.

Craning her neck, she looked around for the men and felt her hair brushing against her cheeks. They removed her balaclava!

“She’s awake!” Auldwolder announced and Marie felt a painful tug on her scalp. Grimacing, she struggled with her bound hands to her knees to prevent her hair being pulled out by the roots.

“Where is my necklace, thief?” a wizened, harsh face filled her vision and Marie wanted to close her eyes from the sight.

“That is enough, Lord Auldwolder. We will handle questioning the suspect.” The second voice from before held more strength this time.

Auldwolder straightened and turned to his left but didn’t release her hair. Marie bit back a groan and followed his gaze to the man that stood there.

The first thing she noticed was that his right arm was larger than his left. His frock coat, vest, and blouse were fitted properly and the garments did make the anomaly less noticeable, but Marie was at direct eye level of his waist and hands. She could see that his right hand was entirely made of brass. The fingers, while larger than normal, were curled in a natural position and rested easily at his side. When they began to fidget she could see tiny gears and mechanisms that allowed the easy movement. It was a stunning piece of technology and a part of her wondered where and how he had acquired it.

“I will have my necklace back, Detective. Regardless that she is a woman she is still a thief.” Auldwolder’s tone made it clear that he held the same distasteful regard for both aspects of her person.

The detective stepped forward and it was then she noticed his right leg was also noticeably larger and heavier than the left. His pant leg was smooth and loose but his right boot shone in the light and she could see her distorted reflection in the surface.

“Obviously she does not have it on her person, my lord. It’s clear that she did not succeed in stealing anything.” The detective pointed out calmly.

They searched her? Looking down she saw that her vest was still on but the pockets were all opened and empty. Bernard? Wiggling her nearly numb fingers allowed her to feel the ring. They hadn’t noticed it.

She felt the hand leave her hair and another grip her upper arm with an insistent but not overpowering pull that allowed her time to get to her feet. Once standing, Marie could see that there were three more men in the room observing silently behind her.

“She had an accomplice, no doubt. They’re probably already back to Dresker with my necklace now.” Auldwolder sneered.

Marie blinked in confusion. He knew of Dresker? And what did he mean the necklace was missing? She didn’t have time to hide it before fainting. She looked toward the bookcase and saw the empty jewelry cabinet. No scorpions were there.

The detective, who had been regarding her silently, followed her gaze. His right hand was firm but steady on her arm and while it didn’t squeeze painfully she knew that she could not break his metal grip.

“We will question her according to protocol prior to searching any man’s ship.” He replied.

He handed her over to one of the other men who led her toward the door. Marie was still too stunned to put up a useless struggle. As she left, she could still hear the angry voice of Auldwolder and the equable replies of the detective.

Marie quickly found herself assisted into the back of a covered prison cart. As soon as they shut the door she began working on escaping.

“Bernard!” She hissed and felt the ring move against her fingers.

Before she had time to do anything else, the cart door opened again and the detective stepped in. When his right foot landed on the wooden floor she could feel the vibrations shiver through the cart. Marie instinctively backed up until she sat on the bench along the wall. The detective took a seat across from her.

They remained silent as the cart started to move. The only light came from the street lamps that filtered through the barred window at the front of the cart, making it impossible to examine the man. She imagined that this would be the “questioning” that would take place and prepared herself for mistreatment.

“Good evening, madame. I’m Detective Wyse.” He began politely. “I am aware that you are known as Marie St. Croix. I am also aware that you were hired by the air-pirate Dresker to steal the Basilisk Eye from Lord Auldwolder. Am I correct in these assumptions?”

Marie stared at him, flabbergasted. She couldn’t think of where to began to respond.

He started, as if something just occurred to him. “Oh, please allow me.” He reached into his coat pocket and retrieved something small. Holding it in the air, he waited a few seconds and then indicated toward his hand. “Your restraints?”

Warily, Marie turned to allow him access to her wrists. She heard clinking and felt the tingling of blood returning to her fingers. Rubbing her hands together to get them limber, she absently murmured her thanks.

“Madame St. Croix, are my assumptions correct? It’s quite urgent that I confirm them as it determines our next immediate actions.” The detective’s voice remained so neutral that she wondered if perhaps more than his arm and leg were mechanical in nature.

“Mademoiselle.” Marie corrected automatically. “Why is there an urgency, monsieur? What makes you believe these things?”

“A series of facts that I have uncovered that I do not have the time nor the inclination to list.” For the first time, she heard emotion in his voice- impatience. “Let me be succinct, mademoiselle. You have one of two options available to you. You can deny these allegations and be taken to prison to await trial, which based on the evidence against you, you will most assuredly remain in prison.”

“And the second?” She queried with an arch of her eyebrow.

“Or you can confirm what I already know and I can offer you an alternative you may find more agreeable.” He finished.

Marie gripped the bench to steady herself as the cart swayed. She had so many questions shouting in her head about this night that she could barely focus. The only thing overwhelming the other voices was a quiet, desperate fear that she absolutely did not want to go to prison.

“You’re correct.” Marie admitted quietly, feeling like she was stepping off a roof top without a safety rope. “But I did not steal the necklace! There were mechanical scorpions protecting it. The venom prevented me from escaping and I had no time to hide the necklace.”

“I suspected as much. Auldwolder said that a servant heard you and knocked you down, but I found that unlikely.” The detective showed no disapproval or shock at her admission, just a factual acceptance.

“Heard me?” Marie repeated indignantly. She was no amateur!

“Obviously a lie, just as you did not have an accomplice who escaped with the necklace.” The detective ignored her professional outrage.

“I work alone.” Marie confirmed after pushing aside her annoyance.

“Auldwolder wants us to believe that Dresker has the necklace and arrest him for thievery.” Wyse appeared to be talking more to himself than to Marie. “We would take Dresker’s necklace and return it to Auldwolder, believing we were returning stolen property.”

“But Dresker doesn’t have the necklace. I didn’t have it to give to him.” Marie insisted.

“I know, but Dresker has the second necklace.”

“A second necklace?” Marie’s eyes widened. “Rien!” The rumors only spoke of one Basilisk Eye. One of the mysteriously powerful necklaces was enough to be dangerous.

At hearing her curse, the detective paused. “Yes. Quite unfortunate. The necklaces are significantly more powerful when they are combined, which is why both men have been after the other’s for awhile now.”

Marie decided that questionably moral men playing with mysteriously powerful objects was never a good combination for a thief such as herself and resolved to extricate herself from the situation as quickly as possible.

“Monsieur, as you are aware, I do not have the necklace. I am of no use to you. Perhaps you could forget my presence here tonight?” Marie offered a charming smile, but remembered it was too dark to see for it to do any good.

“But you are of use to me, mademoiselle.” The detective gave no acknowledgement of her failed attempt to charm him. “You have the skills to acquire both necklaces.”

Marie sighed, feeling her brief hope escape with the breath of air. Getting out of this predicament would not be so easy.

“I can not steal Captain Dresker’s necklace. I wasn’t even aware he had one. Not to mention I can not steal from one of my client’s. It’s bad business.” Marie pointed out with a shrug.

“I doubt he has as much regard for your business relationship as you do, mademoiselle.” The detective replied.

“Marie, please.” She insisted, tired of hearing the pleasantry. When he remained silent and she could practically feel his gentleman honor balk at using the name, she rolled her eyes. “St. Croix then, if you prefer.”

“St. Croix. You may call me Wyse.” He offered after a moment’s hesitation and Marie had to smile at the stuffy Englishman.

“As I was saying, Captain Dresker has no interest in holding up his part of your arrangement.” Wyse continued and began removing his frock coat.

Marie watched him, slightly curious but mostly alarmed. What was the stuffy Englishman doing now?

“How do you know this?” She demanded when he started rolling up the sleeves of his dress shirt in a matter of fact manner. For some reason she wasn’t really afraid that he would hurt her, but the expression on his face was deadly serious. It was then she realized that the cart had stopped and light from a street lantern was shinning steadily through the window.

“Do you hear that whistling sound?” He asked her calmly, finishing rolling his sleeves up to his mid arm.

In the dim light she could see that his entire right arm was indeed mechanical, the dull golden glow of what appeared to be brass and other metals in place of lightly tanned skin that covered his other arm. The metal disappeared under his shirt sleeve and she wondered how far the machinery extended. Bolts, gears, tubes, and coils all arranged artfully, perfectly in a display of human anatomy. The creator of such work was truly talented. A detail on his fist caught her thief’s eye. A lion’s head molded into the metal, with a set of emerald eyes. A half-carat each, if she wasn’t mistaken.

Marie was so distracted by looking at the wonder that was his arm, that she didn’t register his question or that she indeed was hearing a shrill whistling sound that grew louder.

Before she could ask about it, Wyse pushed her into the far corner of the cart, his bulky right arm shielding them just as the wall behind him exploded into flames. Marie was too shocked to react, her confusion growing as Wyse calmly regarded the wall of flames that appeared a few feet away from them. Straightening his arm, a small nozzle rose from the surface and when he clenched his fist a stream of liquid shot out, extinguishing the flames within seconds. Darkness waited on the other side of the charred wall.

“We should move.” He told her phlegmatically. At close range she could see that his eyes were a quite human brown but eerily impassive given recent events.

“What is happening? Mon dieu!” Ignoring his example of stoic calm, Marie continued to curse in her native language as Wyse pulled her out of the cart.

Once standing in the street, Marie could see that the horses and the guards were gone. In their place was a crowd of pirates, armed and looking ready for ill-intent. Marie unconsciously stepped closer to the detective, lifting her fists in preparation for the brewing fight.

“Ah, my dear little thief! Do you have my necklace?” A familiar, jovial voice erupted from the crowd and Captain Dresker appeared.

While Auldwolder was chillingly cold, Dresker was frighteningly friendly. One felt he would smile while he skewered you.

“You brought me the Detective as well, I see. Not necessary, my dear.” The pirate’s gaze sharpened and he drew his double barrel pistol.

“Captain Dresker, are you rescuing me?” Marie asked with a quirky, knowing smile.

“Nay, my dear. Pirates don’t care to rescue overly much. We do a fair job at double crossing though.” And with a gesture from their captain, the pirates attacked.

Marie was preoccupied with dispatching the thin, lanky pirate who was attacking her with two knives, but occasionally she caught glimpses of Wyse fighting and was suitably impressed. His right arm was capable of knocking back two men at a time and a kick from his right leg incapacitated the receiver. Despite the added weight of his mechanical limbs, he was able to move rather quickly, which was a necessary trait when Dresker signaled for a large cannon-like contraption to fire at them. The shrill whistling sounded again and a wave of liquid fire rushed toward them.

They were just able to duck and run out of range of the contraption to cover, but before they could catch their breath, the machine sprouted two stilted legs and began to follow them.

“We need to take out their device. It’s too formidable.” Wyse proposed, dodging a bullet from Captain Dresker’s gun.

“Oui, it is quite ugly as well.” Marie agreed. Unlike Bernard or the detective’s limbs, this machinery was rudimentary and crude, lacking any grace or elegance.

“If I distract them, can you climb atop it to dismantle it?” He looked at her, doing a quick assessment.

Marie nodded, swallowing and pushing back her fear. Distantly, she could hear the mad laughter of Dresker over the growing whistling. “I will need something to dismantle it with.”

Looking back at the array of pirates, now significantly fewer, Wyse nodded. “One of those cut-throats is using a railroad wrench. I’ll get it to you.”

“Good luck, St. Croix.” Wyse told her before running out into the middle of the pirates.

Marie blinked, her muscles freezing. She could leave now. Slip into the shadows and leave the detective to his fate. She looked down to her hands, where the redness from the restraints were fading around her wrists and Bernard blinked curiously up at her.

“Ouvert ou fermé, non?” Baring her teeth, she forced her legs to move and ran toward the lumbering metal contraption.

The whistling became unbearably loud as Marie raced toward the barrel of the cannon. She saw Dresker aim for her and varied her speed so the bullet flew past her. Just as the flames began to spew forth she ducked and rolled under the machine between its stilted legs. Once safely behind the cannon, she used muscles from years of scaling buildings to maneuver her way atop the carriage of the machine. The pirate controlling the device tried to push her off and she grappled with him.

“St. Croix!” Wyse yelled from below.

Giving a final push, Marie was able to dislodge the pirate and turned just in time to catch the heavy wrench that sailed toward her. The weight hitting her almost toppled her off the machine. It took both hands and a giant heft to get the wrench up into the air and arcing down to crash into the main controls. Gauges and parts flew from the console as she brought the wrench up and down again. Steam started to escape from the cracks that were blooming in the metal. The whole machine began to tilt and wobble in a comedy of a dance and Marie leapt off after throwing the wrench to the side. Bracing herself for a hard landing, she was surprised to find herself cushioned by the now slightly disheveled detective.

Together they ran past immobilized pirates and out of the range of the frenetic machine. Dresker was not as fortunate and quickly found himself underneath a felled, steaming mass of metal.

Later, after Wyse used his mechanical arm to pull the cooling wreckage away, they retrieved the second Basilisk Eye from around the pirate’s neck. It was just as forbidding as the first, though slightly charred.

“What do you say, St. Croix?” Wyse asked her, smiling for the first time.

“Will you help me obtain the other Eye?”

Marie considered, twirling Bernard around her finger.

“For the safety of England?” Wyse continued, growing serious at her hesitation.

She gave him an amused look.

“And gold?”

Marie gave him a smile and hooked her arm companionably through his.

“Come along, Wyse. We have some scorpions to deal with.”

Read the 2 place winner story here : The Case of the Stolen Rings

Etsy
CatherinetteRings

36 Steampunk Bracelet

2010-10-26T11:11:00.007-05:00

I have many New Steampunk bracelet in My Etsy shop and i will be adding many new ones in the following weeks .

Check my ETSY shop for Steampunk Jewelry

Etsy
CatherinetteRings

Catherinetterings in the top 1000 shop on ETSY

2010-10-21T17:58:00.005-05:00

I went to www.craftcount.com a website that compile list of top seller on etsy by category , and found out that in the handmade category i am now at the 952 / 1000 position with 2200 sales .

Etsy
CatherinetteRings

Steampunk Jewelry : Coral

2010-10-20T13:52:00.004-05:00

Steampunk Jewelry - RING - RED CORAL

Steampunk Jewelry - Bracelet - Red Coral

Steampunk Jewelry - Necklace - Verdigris Brass Octopus with Red Coral and Turquoise - Designs Exclusively by CatherinetteRings

RED CORAL
For the Methaphysically inclined :

Coral consists of the calcified skeletal remains of sea creatures called Coral Polyps. Their dense limestone skeletons cluster and build over many years to form coral reefs and islands.

As a mineral of organic origin, it helps the wearer to connect with nature.

Coral has also been called "Bones of the Sea" and "Garden of the Sea."

As a very ancient gemstone, Coral has many superstitions and beliefs attached to it. Being from the sea, it was thought to carry the power of the oceans, and was carried by sailors to protect them at sea. It was thought to ward off hurricanes and bring good weather. It was once believed to cure madness, and was also worn to attract love and prosperity, and to ward off evil thoughts of ill-wishers. It was especially good for women (to promote fertility), children (to ease teething and to keep safe), and the elderly (to reduce the pain of arthritis).

Modern healing properties of Coral include strengthening bone structure and healing mending bones, easing depression, stop bleeding and promote healing, and to protect against skin disease. It was once believed the red Coral would change color with illness. It would fade to white at the onset of illness, and would turn yellow with black spots as death approached. A dream of Coral was thought to foretell the recovery from a long illness.

Coral is a birthstone for October, and is used for the 35th anniversary.

Red Coral stimulates the energetic pursuit of pre-determined goals. It protects from depression and despondency. Treats hiccups, colic and heartburn. Aids in the release of impurities from the muscular system. Red Coral treats disorders of the kidneys, bladder and parathyroid.

Steampunk Jewelry

2010-10-14T10:12:00.002-05:00

This week i invented a new model of bracelet and cuff . Unlike other bracelet in my collection these are unisex . Next i want to make this model in Silver .

Steampunk Bracelet - Watch movement - OOAK

Steampunk Cuff - Watch movement - OOAK

Check out my Steampunk Jewelry in my ETSY shop :

Etsy
CatherinetteRings

Steampunk Jewelry : Bracelet

2010-10-11T20:44:00.005-05:00

During Fan-expo Canada , i sold half of my inventory in only 3 days . Since then i had a lot of time to make rings and necklaces . Next i want to offer a wide variety of my Steampunk Bracelet and use some of the most unusual gemstones i have in my collection .

Here's a quick introduction of the bracelet i just added to my Etsy shop .

Moss Agate

Boulder Matrix Opal

Malachite

Green Amber

Rodochrosite
The Incas believed that rhodochrosite is the blood of their former rulers, turned to stone, therefore it is sometimes called "Rosa del Inca" or "Inca Rose".

Red Coral
As a very ancient gemstone, Coral has many superstitions and beliefs attached to it. Being from the sea, it was thought to carry the power of the oceans, and was carried by sailors to protect them at sea. It was thought to ward off hurricanes and bring good weather. It was once believed to cure madness, and was also worn to attract love and prosperity, and to ward off evil thoughts of ill-wishers. It was especially good for women (to promote fertility), children (to ease teething and to keep safe), and the elderly (to reduce the pain of arthritis).

Steampunk Bracelet - Watch movement and Glass - OOAK

Steampunk Jewelry : Labradorite

2010-10-10T23:47:00.000-05:00

Steampunk Jewelry : Labradorite

I recently received some amazing labradorite with nice blue and colorful flash of labradorescence.
I will add more rings with labradorite in various size in the following weeks .
If you would like one in your size just send me a convo on ETSY and i can make a custom one for you .

Steampunk Jewelry - Bracelet - Labradorite

Steampunk Jewelry - Ring - Labradorite - SIZE 8.5 ONLY

Steampunk Jewelry - NECKLACE - Rare Golden Flash Labradorite Pendant - OOAK

Steampunk Jewelry : Ruby

2010-10-09T13:34:00.005-05:00

Steampunk Jewelry : Ruby Bracelet

I really like collecting gemstones and when i found these rubies i had to get them , even if i didn't know what i would do with them . It took me a few weeks and i finally decided to make a Steampunk bracelet in antique brass tone that contrast well with these lovely rubies . Because ruby cost a lot this is currently my most expensive bracelet at 195$ .

Steampunk Jewelry : Seraphinite

2010-10-08T13:18:00.004-05:00

Steampunk Jewelry : Seraphinite

One of my Favorite stone is Seraphinite but it is getting hard to find . I added to my collection a new ring in silver tone .

Cyberpunk Jewelry - Ring - Seraphinite

Steampunk Jewelry on Warehouse 13 - RING - SERAPHINITE - Seen on TV

Here's a few more of my artwork made with Seraphinite .

Steampunk Jewelry - Necklace - Seraphinite and Shimmery Antique Green Victorian Lady Portrait Cameo - Designs Exclusively by CatherinetteRings

Steampunk Jewelry - RING - Exquisite SERAPHINITE Angel Stone and clock part

SERAPHINITE a.k.a Clinoclore information :

Seraphinite (or Serefina), also known by the name Clinochlore, is a common member of the Chlorite Group of minerals. Clinochlore derives its name from the Greek "klino" meaning "oblique" or "inclined" and "chloros" meaning "green" as it is commonly colored deep forest green to green-black with inclusions of silvery Mica. Seraphinite, is derived from the Latin word "seraphin" referring to the first order of angels. The allusion to angels is due to the feathery wing patterns made by the silvery Mica contained within the stone. The Mica inclusions exhibit a chatoyancy and giving Seraphinite a wavery sheen.

Seraphinite For the methapysically inclined :

Often referred to as "an angel stone" due to its feathery look and strong Air to Earth qualities, Seraphinite is said to help facilitate contact and communication with the angels of the highest level.

Etsy
CatherinetteRings

Steampunk Jewelry : Black Onyx

2010-10-07T11:58:00.000-05:00

Steampunk Jewelry : Black Onyx

Here's some of my creations with Black Onyx . Today i have added a Silver tone Ring . I also have one in my original steampunk metal tones . These rings are available from size 6 to 12 and can be ordered in my Etsy shop : CatherinetteRings

Cyberpunk Jewelry - Ring - Black Onyx

Steampunk Jewelry - Ring - Black Onyx

Steampunk Jewelry - Necklace - Black and Red Rose Cameo - Black Onyx - Designs Exclusively by CatherinetteRings

Steampunk Jewelry - Bracelet - Blue color Quartz and Black Onyx

Steampunk Bracelet - Copper brass Czech Lacy Glass Reverse Paint FUSCHIA SILVER Button - RED QUARTZ and BLACK ONYX

Onyx is a cryptocrystalline form of quartz. The colors of its bands range from white to almost every color (save some shades, such as purple or blue). Commonly, specimens of onyx available contain bands of colors of white, tan, and brown.

Sardonyx is a variant in which the colored bands are sard (shades of red) rather than black. Pure black onyx is common, and perhaps the most famous variety, but not as common as onyx with banded colors.

Onyx comes through Latin: onyx, from the Greek means 'claw' or 'fingernail'. With its flesh tone color, onyx can be said to resemble a fingernail. The English word 'nail' is cognate with the Greek word.

It has a long history of use for hard stone carving and jewellery, where it is usually cut as a cabochon, or into beads, and is also used for intaglio or cameo engraved gems, where the bands make the image contrast with the ground. Some onyx is natural but much is produced by the staining of agate.

Onyx was known to the Ancient Greeks and Romans. Use of sardonyx appears in the art of Minoan Crete, notably from the archaeological recoveries at Knossos. Onyx was used in Egypt as early as the Second Dynasty to make bowls and other pottery items.
Black onyx with bands of colors.

Onyx is also mentioned in the Bible at various points, such as the priests' garments and the foundation of the city of Heaven in Revelation.

Etsy
CatherinetteRings

New Steampunk Sculpture : Work in Progress

2010-10-04T14:33:00.001-05:00

This is the next sculpture im working on , The scale of this sculpture is like nothing i have done before . This preview only show a portion of the head of the creature . Can you guess what creature it is ?

Steampunk Jewelry

2010-09-21T08:45:00.004-05:00

New Steampunk Jewelry

Recently i have added many new steampunk Jewelry to my Etsy shop including These Rings with taxidermy glass eyes :

Here some of my newest creations :

Steampunk Jewelry - RING - RED taxidermy glass EYE - SIZE 10 ONLY

Cyberpunk Jewelry - RING - GREEN taxidermy glass EYE - SIZE 9.5 ONLY

Cyberpunk Jewelry - RING - RED taxidermy glass EYE - SIZE 10.5 ONLY

Steampunk Jewelry - RING - GREEN taxidermy glass EYE - SIZE 6.5 ONLY

Steampunk Jewelry - RING - SHARK taxidermy glass EYE - SIZE 6.5 ONLY

Steampunk Sculpture

Steampunk Jewelry

2010-09-08T10:51:00.000-05:00

Steampunk at Fan-Expo Canada

2010-08-31T11:49:00.001-05:00

Our Booth at Fan-Expo Canada

Quick Note about Fan - Expo Canada

This year i was invited as a special Sci-fi Guest at Fan-expo Canada and It was a fantastic experience beyond anything i could have expected . I really enjoyed to meet all the steampunk enthusiasts , meeting sci-fi writers and illustrators , it was so nice to see many people had already seen my work & how they appreciated to be able to see it in person. I was proud to be part of the The steampunk 101 panel in such great company , it was very informative and especially a lot of FUN with a few laugh here and there , we were also in great company at the meet and greet at the Royal Fairmont Hotel - Epic !!! . I'm Looking forward to the next meeting at the Steampunk Exhibition in 2011 or maybe before ! I cannot words how grateful i am for all the fans , the support and the organizers of this event . Special Thanks to The Steampunk toronto Society & Steampunk Canada .

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
CatherinetteRings.etsy.com

At the event i was sitting next to Tom Hodges : http://hodges-art.deviantart.com/ and i commissioned an awesome sketch of YODA .

I also had the pleasure to meet http://faebyl.deviantart.com/ and got myself 3 of her favorite pieces .

I got two large prints from From illustrator Echo Chernik and more ...

I will have many souvenirs in my studio to remember Fan-Expo Canada 2010 .

Steampunk Writing Competition : Stolen Jewelry

2010-08-02T21:58:00.000-05:00

I am holding a new writing competition and invite anyone to write a story about the robbery of my Jewelry . I am looking for an original and creative tale in the steampunk genre .

Inspirations :
Jewelry has been stolen from a Museum , a Private collection , an Individual or Organization .
The Jewelry is of high value / importance . I'm giving flexibility on how you want to bring the Jewelry to life into the story . Use your imagination , The possibilities are endless .

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
CatherinetteRings.etsy.com

Contest Details :
Minimum word count : 1000 words
Maximum word count : 4000 words.
Closes : 10/10/2010

Prizes :
1st place : 150$ of my Steampunk Jewelry
2nd place : 75$ of my Steampunk Jewelry
3rd place : 45 $ of my Steampunk Jewelry

The winning story will be used in some of my Jewelry descriptions .
It will be seen on : Etsy ,Flickr , DeviantArt , Blogs , Website ,Twitter ,facebook and more ...

If you have any questions just leave a comment here ,
For your finished entry please email them here : daniel.proulx@ hotmail.com

Please include information in this format ;

Name :
E-mail :
Number of words :
Title :

Have fun and start writing!
Daniel Proulx

Steampunk writing competition : Beholder Robot Short Story Contest

2010-08-02T15:34:00.004-05:00

Steampunk writing competition : Beholder Robot Short Story Contest

Thank you to all for you participation , i received 27 entries of which i had to choose only 3 .
I choose 3 stories that are very different from each other , i took in consideration so many factors , originality , choice of words and stories that "hooks" the reader's attention !!

Check out the new writing competition , Deadline 10 October : Stolen Jewelry

Here's the 3rd place winner's story :

The Beholder by Darren Cheng

One hundred years ago, in the quiet outskirts of an industrial town, peculiar things were taking place beneath the noses of everyday citizens. Tucked away in an old barn, away from prying eyes, a very small group of engineers worked away in secrecy. They were constructing what they believed would be the most revolutionary machine of their generation and many more generations to come.

Spending many years building their contraption, one by one, members of their secret society began to slip away from existence. When, the last of the group had finally passed away, the device was left to the mercy of its surroundings.

Then one fateful day, while a pair of mischievous run-aways made there way through the nearby thicket, they stumbled upon the hidden barn. Curious, like most children, they decided to investigate. Wandering into the worn-down structure, they tried to turn on some lamps, an attempt to shed some light on their new environment. Incidentally, the very old wiring in the building had long ago become frayed at parts, and sparked a surge of electricity. This surge kick-started an electrical generator in the machine and so it awoke.

Unaware of what they had done, the children continued on their expedition, until they heard a loud crash from above. It sounded like splintering wood and bending metal beams.

The machine was far from finished; the engineers had merely installed the most important procedures it needed before they died. It's curiosity to learn and discover quickly took over. Confused by the dim light pouring through the cracks of the old barn, the machine broke through the weathered wood out into the open sunlight.

The children quickly climbed up the iron staircase to the ground floor to see what had caused that tremendous noise. And that's when they saw it, a machine of gears and steam pumps, moving on its own without a driver. They were awestruck, petrified, unable to move.

The machine very basic, unable to detect even the loudest of noises, it made its decisions based upon what it saw. The sun was setting, and taking with it the light that filled the clear blue sky. The machine knew its vision would be useless after the afternoon melts into night. Its mind quickly came to a crossroad and it needed to make a decision.

The two kids slowly crawled over the broken wood and bent metal to see the great machine as it slowly clanked towards the thicket. They decide to follow, hoping they would catch a glimpse of the great machine's creator.

Finding a safe place to spend the night wasn't a simple task for the 20 foot tall metallic creature. Just getting through the thick plant growth was a loud and strenuous chore for the steam powered giant. It left a path of broken trees and crushed foliage, not hiding any evidence of its current whereabouts.

Slowly creeping through the undergrowth, the children followed the machine deep into the forest, wondering what it was planning to do. They finally caught up to the beast in a clearing; it was bent over a clear blue lake. It was completely still.
The sky was darkening quickly, but the machine still noticed an image slowly moving across the water. It leaned in to see what was there. It saw shiny, angular shapes, a glowing yellow sphere surrounded by outcrops of metallic limbs. The machine wondered, so it reached out a heavy, clawed arm and touched the surface of the water. It sent a ripple through the calm surface, disturbing the still image.

It stretched out a clawed arm towards the lake's surface as the children watched in anticipation. They wondered if it was going to try to catch some fish with its clawed hands or shoot a bird with the strange gun attached to its back. Then, it moved backwards.

Taken aback by the shivering reflection, the metal giant reacted with a small retreat. It was preparing to defend itself when the slick sand underfoot slid from beneath. It fell with a crash into the pristine lake.

The splash was much smaller than expected from such a large mass. The children gasped as the monster fell with a screech of metal on stone and they watched as it tried to claw its way back onto shore.

The steel parts of the machine left no area unprotected, but it wasn't built for treading water. The creature sank deeper and deeper unable to swim against the sheer weight of itself. Its mind slowly slipped into a state of unconsciousness, an emergency procedure set to deactivate the machine's conscious mind. In a way, it fell asleep.

The kids watched as the ripples slowly faded from the flat water, they waited for a sudden outburst of mist and fire, a fantasy created by the fear nipping at the back of their minds, but nothing happened. They waited for over an hour, hoping the giant would resurface.

The machine's sleep was put in place to protect it from the dangerous surroundings that threatened it. It didn't awake for over two hundred years; long after the forest around its sleeping place had been cut down, replaced with new, modern buildings. Then one fine day, a decade or so after the lake had dried up. The machine opened its eye.

Inspired by the unworldly site they had seen, the two children set out to build a machine to outmatch the one they had discovered. They spent the rest of their lives invented and building, until they gave birth to a new way of life. A life of steam powered robots, built to serve and protect. A world that would evolve to what it is today.
It rose from its dirty grave and looked up to the blue sky above. It expected green trees and blue birds, but instead it beheld a new world it had never seen before, a world filled with giant metal machines much larger than itself, pumping out steam and turning massive gears. A world that was no longer its own.

Here's the 2nd place winner's story :

The Looking Beast in the Garden by Melisse Aires

“Mama, Mama, wake. Wake up!”
Bess pried her eyes open.”Did you have a bad dream Johnnie?” Her four year old son's eye were wide with shock.
Oh no, was he ill, too? She'd spent most of the night up with his sister Liza. She clapped a hand on his forehead. which thankfully felt normal.
“Itth Emma. She'th in the garden, Mama, a beatht crashed in the garden,”
”Emma is in the garden?” It was not even dawn.
“Yeth. Come on! It hath thnakey armth.” He waved his arms wildly.
“Snakes?” She grabbed her wrapper and slippers. and followed Johnie out to the garden,
In the grey morning light she saw Emma sitting in the strawberry patch by a pile of machinery. In her lap she held a glowing red globe which she stroked.
Bess approached slowly. It was a construct made of snakelike arms, glowing balls and what might be weaponry.
How had she not heard the crash? The construct had broken through two of the apple trees. Weapons. Panic set her heart to pounding and she heard her blood rush in her ears for a dizzy, sickening moment.
”Emma”, she called softly. ”Emma, come to Mama.”
Emma looked at her, then looked back at the glowing ball in her lap. ”See, it will be all right now. My Mama will know what to do. There there, now.” Emma patted it like it was one of her baby dolls.
“Emma, you need to come to me,”
“Mama, he was in a storm. Remember we heard the thunder, but it was out to sea? And the wind tossed him up into the cold and then there was ice. And then he came down and hit our trees. There was a big light. And he is hurt.”
“I see. Emma. I'd really like you to come to me now.”
“Mama, you must come feel his globe. He needs our help.
“Johnie, I need you to go upstairs and sit with Liza.”
God above, if it used one of its weapons...
“Mama,“ he protested.
“Right now!”
Johnie trotted to the house, scowling.
Bess walked slowly to Emma. Emma's eyes were full of tears. ”Mama, can you help? His name is Shumshum.”
Elizabeth slid her arms around Emma's shoulders, preparing to wrest her from the beast.
“How do you know his name,Emma?”
“He told me. He isn't very old, Mama. It was his first lift off. And then there was the storm.”
“I see. Does he talk?”
“Yes, but he doesn't have no mouth. So he talks into my ears. I don't know how.”
“Now he is all alone! His flyer broke and he got lost.” Bess saw a severed appendage with a dimly glowing golden globe under limbs of her apple tree.
”If you touch him he can talk to you.”
Gingerly Bess placed her hand on the globe.
“Please assist.” A voice whispered in her mind. “My lifting beam has been severed. I have lost Precious Fluid.”
“How can I help?”
“With the Great Heat Stick, meld me back together.”
Bess licked her dry lips.”I do not have the equipment to meld you. I must go for assistance.”
“You cannot fix me?”
“No. I'm sorry. I do not know how and I don't have the equipment.”
“I do not like to be alone,” the beast quavered.
“I am sorry, we must go for help.”
Grabbing Emma she ran to the house. Johnie and Liza were in the nursery. Quickly she dressed herself and the children.
“We must hitch Buttercup and we must be very fast,”
“Yes,” Emma agreed. ”Shumshum needs help.”
Bess hitched her fat pony to the small cart and headed down the lane to Lord Nightwood's estate. Her cottage was on the edge of the estate, closer to Nightwood than to the village. She set the pony to a trot, which was unheard of. Buttercup's golden ears swiveled back in annoyance. Bess clucked her tongue in encouragement.
The gate house was dark but the ironwork gate was not locked. The sun, just rising showed the estate to be magnificently manicured, a state it hadn't been in until the new Lord Nightwood had taken residence.
She prayed her would know what to do. Rumors in the village said he was a man of science. And his leg...He was a clanking man with a construct leg, from Kingstown. He would surely know more about the beast, know what to do. She pulled Buttercup to a stop at the main door.
“Come along.” She grabbed Liza, who scowled and began to cry. Bess sighed. Finally, the baby slept and then this happened.
She rapped the heavy knocker on the grand oak door. The door finally opened revealing a young footman with mussed hair.
“I must speak to Lord Nightwood, immediately. This is a huge emergency.”
The butler rushed into the foyer.
“Miss, what is going on here?”
“We have a huge emergency at Applewood Cottage. I am Mrs. Elisabeth Lowdon .
“There'th a beatht in the garden,” Johnie said solemnly.
“I require Lord Nightwood's assistance right now.”
The butler turned and ran, leaving them in the foyer. There was a highly polished bench so they sat to wait. Liza began to whimper again.
A maid, local girl, Annie Plumb, appeared.“Here Miss Bess. The little one might like a cookie. Cook always has a jar of cookies.”
Liza did want the cookie, as did Johnie and Emma. Crumbs were dripping to Lord Nightwood's spotless floor when she heard the metallic clank of his constructed leg.
He was dressed in breeches and a shirt with no collar. Lord Nightwood was younger than she expected, close to her own mid twenties. He had a shock of golden curls not yet styled for the day with pomade, and round wire rimmed spectacles. Average height, with a slim, wiry build. His features were even and almost delicate for a man.
“Mrs. Lowdon, am I correct? Cousin Ward's widow?”
“Yes. I'm sorry to disturb your household, but there is a an emergency. In my garden,”
“It felled from the thky,“ Johnie explained.
“It's name is Shumshum,” Emma added,
He raised an eyebrow in inquiry.
“ My children Emma, Johnie, Liza, A construct of some kind, with snake like appendages and globes and what I think are weapons crashed through my apple orchard and landed in the garden,”
“I see. Crane, have a large cart brought round, and two yardmen.” They followed him outside.
Buttercup was still in the drive.
“Crane, have the pony stabled. Mrs. Lowdon, your children can stay here, Crane, alert the cook, and Annie, take the children to the nursery,”
“Oh, Mama please can I go with you? I know Shumshum wants to see me,” Emma said.
Bess caught Lord Nightwood's eye. He nodded.
“Johnie, you and Liza will stay here with Annie. I'm sure cook will feed you another cookie.”

They arrived at her garden in short order, Lord Nightwood's horses being far faster than Buttercup.
The construct was still sprawled all over her garden. The severed arm's globe was now dark. Emma ran to the large red globe, which lit bright when she reached it. ”I told you, Shumshum, We are back with help!”
“Well, I'm certainly glad you alerted me to this,” Lord Nightwood said as he walked with her toward the construct. “Hessland war department work.”
Emma again had the globe in her lap and was stroking it.
“It's lost, Mama. Can I keep it?”
Lord Nightwood answered before she could. “We can't leave it out in the garden, Miss Emma. I think we should take it back to the manor. It will fit quite well into my conservatory for now,”
“All right.”
”I think, ma'am, you should pack a few necessities and stay at the manor for a few days. I don't wish to alarm, but this is a spying construct. I fear Hessland may be planning an invasion. I suspect it and its cohorts were heading toward Kingstown.”
The idea of being alone with the children during an invasion, especially of strange Hessland constructs, was frightening. “Yes. I will do so. I wouldn't want to be alone here.”
“Certainly not. And my elderly aunts are now in residence so we need not worry about the proprieties.”

Later the children had an early lunch in Nightwood's fine nursery and now all three were napping with Annie in attendance. Bess joined Lord Nightwood for tea in his library, a large room with books up to the high ceiling.
“What do you think it is? What does it do?”
“I will know more later, but I believe it is a member of a group, something like a pack animal, like a dog or wolf. The globes collect information. A spy machine.”
“Johnie and Emma call it a Looking Beast.”
“A good description.”
“How do they fly without wings?”
“Not actual flight. I suspect there is a flying machine that they swing from, in a way, using the arm that was severed. Magnetics, I believe. That is also how they keep in contact with each other. When this one lost its arm, it lost its flying ability and its connection.”
She helped herself to a shaved beef sandwich.
“It seems intelligent, at least when I talked to it this morning. Though I am not sure how it speaks.”
“Yes. I believe it has a form of consciousness. It seems to want company.”
“Will the others come looking for it?”
“Undoubtedly. which is why I intend to keep it very quiet. The servants have been told this is a security issue, and to not mention it in the village. It is in my conservatory, which is quite overgrown with vines. Handy, that. I've sent a coded telegraph message to Lord Merton about the situation. He will have men here shortly.”
“You must know a lot about constructs--” Bess gulped. Perhaps talking about his leg was rude.
”I served under Lord Merton, in the Skylighters air infantry. So I have had some experience with constructs. When I lost my leg, it seemed like the best remedy. Though my leg is nothing fancy, like the Looking Beast. Just a leg,”
He leaned back in his chair and observed her.”You were married to Ward? Really? Wasn't he quite a bit older than you?”
She was surprised at the change of subject. ”Well, yes, He was a friend of my father's. Papa is the vicar in Beddington.”
“Ah. The vicar with the five daughters.”
“Of which I am the eldest. Ward was very kind to my sisters and a good father.”
He nodded. “I think your stay should be extended indefinitely. There may be perilous times ahead for Britland.”
Hessland was just across the sea. “After seeing that beast I am more than ready to take you upon your hospitality. But are we safe? It had weapons. And keeping Emma away will be a nightmare.”
“While you were settling your children I communicated with the beast. Shumshum. It seemed quite docile and disarmed voluntarily when I explained that the children are impulsive and could accidentally set something off. I don't think it will harm the children.”
“Still, I don't want them alone with it.”
“Of course. Several of my staff were under my command in the infantry. I will station two in there at all times,armed. And soon Lord Merton's men will be here.” He smiled. “We will soon know all about Hessland's latest creations.”
Bess took a sip of her hot sweet tea. ”It sounds like the beast crashing in my garden was an advantageous occurrence.”
“Indeed it was, Mrs. Lowdon.”
“Bess.”
“Bess. And please call me Daniel. After we are finished, please join me for a stroll through the conservatory.”
She smiled, feeling like a girl asked on a walk round the village square. “I would be delighted to visit the Looking Beast with you, Daniel.

The End

READ THE 1ST PLACE WINNER STORY ON ETSY
http://www.etsy.com/listing/41320462/steampunk-sculpture-beholder-robot

Steampunk writing competition : Beholder Robot Short Story Contest

2010-07-31T14:53:00.001-05:00

See the Winning Entries here : http://steampunkrings.blogspot.com/2010/08/steampunk-writing-competition-beholder.html

Check out the new writing competition , Deadline 10 October : Stolen Jewelry

Steampunk writing competition : Beholder Robot Short Story Contest

I am holding a competition to write the back story that will accompany my Steampunk Beholder Robot Descriptions . I am looking for an original and creative tale in the steampunk genre . I'm giving flexibility on how you want to bring the Beholder to life into the story .Use you imagination , The possibilities are endless .

This Sculpture was featured on BoingBoing.com and was also displayed at the Musuem of the History of science Oxford UK During the Steampunk Exhibition : 'Contraptions + Devices Extraordinaire' .

Sculpture Inspiration :
When i made this creature i was inspired by the Dungeon and Dragon's Beholder which is described as being a very intelligent and Evil Tyrant : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beholder

There are many differences from the conventional Beholder :
It is part organic and robot .
It has only a central eye and a pair of claws .
It moves around using a magnetic well .
It has a raygun on one arm : The Wikipedia description of raygun suggest different kind of powers : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raygun
It has an arm with a triple saw .
The upper Arm has a mysterious glowing orb that can produce a yellow light when activated .

Contest Details :
The story has to be within the Steampunk Genre : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steampunk

Minimum word count : 500 words
Maximum word count : 2000 words.
Closes : 15 July 2010

Prizes :
First Place : 200$ of my steampunk Jewelry
Second Place : 100$ of my steampunk Jewelry
Third Place : 50$ of my steampunk Jewelry

The winning story will be used to promote the Beholder Sculpture .
It will be seen on :

Etsy : www.CatherinetteRings.com
Artfire : http://www.artfire.com/users/CatherinetteRings
Flickr : http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielproulx/
DeviantArt : http://catherinetterings.deviantart.com/
Blogs : http://steampunkrings.blogspot.com/
Website : www.SteampunkJewelry.ca
Twitter : http://twitter.com/steampunkrings
facebook : http://www.facebook.com/SteampunkJewellery
and more ...

Leave a comment here and get a chance to win a 14 x 20 inch poster of the Beholder Robot .

If you have any questions just leave a comment here ,
For your finished entry please email them here : catherinetterings@gmail.com

Have fun and start writing!
Daniel Proulx

Q&A :

Q: Would you have us refer to the being in the story as 'Beholder' Or might we call it whatever we please (such as a name or otherwise)? I ask only to know whether the term is important to you or the sculpture's appearances.

A : It doesn't have to be called the beholder . I call it a beholder because of it's appearance in a modern world . In a steampunk world it could have a different name or none . The sculpture appearance is important to me .

Q : Do you have a relative size for the robot that we should stick to?

A : There is no size limit to how big you can imagine the creature to be.
I always imagined the creature to be about 2 times larger than a human .
Here's one of my favorite beholder illustrations : http://www.candlekeep.com/images/gallery/beholder.jpg

Q : Is there a set origin of the Beholder?

A : The Beholder doesn't have a set origin , the writers have the freedom to develop their own twist. I had too many ideas for it's origin but i never can make my mind . I'm looking forward to see different versions .

My Steampunk jewelry on TV : Warehouse 13

2010-07-16T20:52:00.002-05:00

YEAH !!!!

This is the first time my Jewelry has ever been on TV .
A few month ago the costume designer for warehouse 13 contacted me to purchase many of my items . I knew that something i made would be on the show but i didn't know what piece or which character would be wearing my Jewelry !

What better Character than Claudia with her Cool style !
I realized she was wearing it when i watched the video blog she made : Do It With Style! - Warehouse 13 : Allison Scagliotti's Video Blog : http://video.syfy.com/shows/warehouse13/behind_the_scenes_7/video_blogs_3/do-it-with-style--warehouse-13/v1236719

I'm so happy i had to share the news with everyone !

SERAPHINITE a.k.a Clinoclore :
----------------------------

Seraphinite (or Serefina), also known by the name Clinochlore, is a common member of the Chlorite Group of minerals. Clinochlore derives its name from the Greek "klino" meaning "oblique" or "inclined" and "chloros" meaning "green" as it is commonly colored deep forest green to green-black with inclusions of silvery Mica. Seraphinite, is derived from the Latin word "seraphin" referring to the first order of angels. The allusion to angels is due to the feathery wing patterns made by the silvery Mica contained within the stone. The Mica inclusions exhibit a chatoyancy and giving Seraphinite a wavery sheen.

-------------------------------
For the methapysically inclined :
-------------------------------

Often referred to as "an angel stone" due to its feathery look and strong Air to Earth qualities, Seraphinite is said to help facilitate contact and communication with the angels of the highest level.

New Steampunk Sculpture : Work in Progress

2010-07-12T22:24:00.009-05:00

I'm making a new steampunk sculpture but i wont tell anyone what it will be yet . However i will be posting the progress of it's construction in this blog post .

The frame of this sculpture will be made of wire-wrapped brass and copper with an old brass pocket watch movement . For the first time i will also use some LED lights and Polymer clay . Because electronics doest match with the aesthetics of what i want my sculpture to look like , The challenge is to hide some of the component . With polymer clay i figured i can sculpt any shape i need .

Here's the first picture of the compartment i will be placing my power source . 2 AAA batteries at 1.5 v so a total of 3 v . I made it in polymer clay that i will later paint in metallic colors .

I will connect 3 green LED in parallel , Because the source is 3v and my LED are at 2.2V, i have to use Resistors to reduce the voltage . I use an online Resistors calculator to find out precisely what i need . I have to get 3 x 82 Ohm resistors .

I also have a nice on/off switch .

OK , Back to work !!
I have a lot of polymer clay to sculpt and bake .

New Steampunk Jewelry - 8 July 2010

2010-07-08T20:41:00.004-05:00

Here a few new Steampunk Jewelry pieces and Sculptures .

Steampunk Dragonfly Robot Sculpture - Copper Brass and Watch movement - OOAK

This Dragonfly Sculpture is made with copper wire , brass and an oval shape vintage lady watch movement . In plan to make another winged sculpture and i will use cellophane to cover the surface of the wings .

Steampunk - Necklace and Sculpture - SPIDER - Brass wire with vintage watch parts - OOAK

This spider sculpture necklace is wire-wrapped with brass and copper . I also used a vintage pocket watch movement for the body .

Steampunk Jewelry - Tie Tack Pin - OOAK - Elgin 559 U-S-A 21 jewels Watch Movement and clock parts

Steampunk Jewelry - Tie Tack Pin - OOAK - Waltham watch co Seventeen 17 jewels Watch Movement and clock parts

Steampunk Jewelry - RING - Cosplay ring with Clock Part inlayed in MYSTERIOUS Amber and sapphire watch crown- RELIC OOAK - 9.5 ONLY

Steampunk Bracelet - Czech Glass DRAGONFLY Art Nouveau RUBY Blue Buttons - Limited availability

Steampunk Jewelry - Asymmetrical Necklace - Amber and brass watch movement

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
CatherinetteRings.etsy.com

New Steampunk Jewelry - 22nd June 2010

2010-06-22T10:45:00.002-05:00

Here's a few of the newest Steampunk Jewelr y i added in my ETSY boutique this week .

FUNCTIONAL WATCH BRACELET - Copper and silver tone - INDUSTRIAL

Steampunk Jewelry - Ring - RED CORAL and clock part - SIZE 9 ONLY

Steampunk Jewelry - Ring - Amber and spikes - SIZE 12.5 ONLY

Steampunk Jewelry - RING - Alligator green REPTILE taxidermy glass EYE - 10 ONLY

New Steampunk Jewelry - 20th June 2010

2010-06-20T18:07:00.003-05:00

This is a few of my newest Steampunk Jewelry . I decided to make more Tie Tack / pin . I have a few more to make in the upcoming weeks . Im Looking for ideas , if you have any suggestions please leave a comment here . If you have the time ,You can also tell me which of the 3 Tie Tack is your favorite .

Steampunk Jewelry - Tie Tack Pin - OOAK - Copper REPTILE taxidermy glass EYE and clock parts

Steampunk Jewelry - Tie Tack Pin - OOAK - Green Round pupil REPTILE taxidermy glass EYE and clock parts

Steampunk Jewelry - Tie Tack Pin - OOAK - Orange REPTILE taxidermy glass EYE and clock parts

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
CatherinetteRings.etsy.com

Daniel Proulx
www.CatherinetteRings.com
Steampunk Jewelry Designer & Sculptor
Steampunk Jewelry inspired by Victorian Science Fiction

Steampunk Jewelry Giveaway : Deidre Knight’s Love is Timeless Online Scavenger Hunt

2010-05-30T19:59:00.003-05:00

Deidre Knight’s Love is Timeless Online Scavenger Hunt
Win a $100 gift certificate for steampunk jeweler Catherinette Rings!

To celebrate the June 2010 release of her latest Gods of Midnight novel, RED DEMON, which features steampunk heroine Juliana Tiades and her immortal Spartan love, Aristos Petrakos, Deidre Knight is giving away a $100 gift certificate* for Cathrinette Rings. Five (5) randomly drawn winners will also win a signed copy of RED DEMON. Read on for details!

1. GRAND PRIZE -- $100 USD Gift Certificate for Catherinette Rings* and an autographed
copy of RED DEMON

2. RUNNER-UP PRIZES – Five (5) additional winners will be randomly drawn to receive an
autographed copy of RED DEMON

See full details of the contest here : Link

Amazon.com Widgets

New Steampunk Jewelry - May 20th 2010

2010-05-20T12:32:00.007-05:00

Here's a few of my newest steampunk Jewelry . I have added a few more steampunk Bracelet to my collection . Some of them are available for a limited time because i have a hard time finding the materials to remake them . I also added a few new necklace and rings .

Click on the Image to go the the ETSY listing

NEW Bracelet

FUNCTIONAL WATCH BRACELET - Gunmetal and Silver tone - INDUSTRIAL

FUNCTIONAL WATCH BRACELET - Gunmetal - INDUSTRIAL

FUNCTIONAL WATCH BRACELET - Copper and silver tone - INDUSTRIAL

FUNCTIONAL WATCH BRACELET - Silver tone with Lime Green glass - INDUSTRIAL

Silver Tone - WORKING WATCH BRACELET - VICTORIAN

Steampunk Bracelet - Black gold LACY LEAF Czech GLASS BUTTON with BLACK ONYX and Yellow Honey Amber

Steampunk Bracelet - PINK BLACK iridescent Czech GLASS BUTTON and BLACK ONYX

Steampunk Bracelet - FULL STEAM - BRASS POCKET WATCH MOVEMENT

Back in Stock

Steampunk Bracelet - Copper brass Czech Lacy Glass Reverse Paint FUSCHIA SILVER Buttons - RED QUARTZ and BLACK ONYX - Limited availability

Steampunk Bracelet - Copper brass Czech Lacy Glass GREEN RED AB Mirror Back Flower Buttons - QUARTZ and AMETRINE - Limited availability

Steampunk Bracelet - Copper brass aqua blue violet URCHiN FLOWER iridescent MODERN GLASS BUTTON - Limited availability

New Custom Rings available in various size

Cyberpunk Ring - Pink Agate

Steampunk RING - SKULL RING

New Necklace

Steampunk Necklace - Amber - NEO VICTORIAN INDUSTRIAL

Steampunk Necklace - Natural Garnet - VICTORIAN

Steampunk Jewelry - Necklace - MALACHITE

Check out All the steampunk Jewelry currently available in my ETSY BOUTIQUE

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
CatherinetteRings.etsy.com

New Steampunk Jewelry - 2nd May 2010

2010-05-02T21:58:00.003-05:00

Here's a recent addition to my Steampunk Jewelry collection :

Steampunk Jewelry - FUNCTIONAL WATCH BRACELET - copper - INDUSTRIAL

Steampunk Jewelry - WORKING WATCH BRACELET - Gold and Silver Tone - INDUSTRIAL

Steampunk Jewelry - WORKING WATCH BRACELET - NOIR BLACK RED GOTH

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
CatherinetteRings.etsy.com

New Steampunk Jewelry - 28th April 2010

2010-04-28T11:26:00.007-05:00

Here's just a few of the new Steampunk Jewelry available in my ETSY boutique .

Steampunk Ring with Dark Green Bloodstone

Steampunk Ring with bermuda Blue Swarovski Crystal

Steampunk Necklace - Rare TIBETAN AGATE and AMMONITE FOSSIL

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
CatherinetteRings.etsy.com

Steampunk Jewelry

2010-04-21T12:04:00.007-05:00

The Steampunk rings with Bermuda blue Swarovski are back . Originally i found those by luck when i asked my supplier about some other crystals , he had what i was looking for in a display case where they hide all sort of vintage rhinestones that most people didn't buy. He told me he had these crystal for many years . I bought different vintage color of crystals and made some new Steam punk Rings . When i ran out of the Bermuda blue crystals , i searched for them everywhere online but they are almost impossible to find and when i found them they where not the size i need , very expensive and Quoted as ''Very Hard to Find'' . A few days ago i bought all the Bermuda blue crystal my supplier had in stock , which was not much but at least i can now offer something very exclusive .

Description :

BERMUDA BLUE SWAROVSKI :
Crystal Bermuda Blue is a rare Swarovski color.
The deep blues and purples range from Aquamarine, Sapphire, Cobalt and Violets. Bermuda blue shine in different colors depending on how the light hits the surface of the crystal .
The color changes with the angle at which you view the crystal. This Crystal is no longer available on the Market because SWAROVSKI stop making them long time ago , This ring is available until i run out of this Gorgeous crystals .

This Steampunk ring can be made into size from 5 to 12 US.

BRITISH : J1/2 to X1/2
FRENCH : 50 to 67,1/2
GERMAN : 15,1/3 to 21,1/4
SWISS : 10 to 27,1/2
Metric Diameter : 15.70 mm to 21.49
Metric Circumference : 49 mm to 66.6

Check out all my Steampunk Jewelry

Steampunk Fashion

2010-04-20T17:03:00.004-05:00

This is my 2nd Treasury East with some fresh Steampunk fashion finds from ETSY ; Bracelet , Ring , Necktie , Clothing , Steampunk Goggles , Octopus Necklace and More ...

Check it out :: Steampunk Fashion

Steampunk Jewelry

2010-04-18T23:09:00.011-05:00

Custom Steampunk Jewelry

I currently have 35 different model of Steampunk rings that are available in custom sizes in my ETSY shop . I plan to have more . There's so many combination of stones and mix of metals that i haven't done yet . If there is a combination that you like to order or would like to share an idea for my future designs . Please leave a comment here . Many of my custom steampunk jewelry designs originated from my customers request .

You can click on the image to see more details

Most of these rings can be made in size 5 to 12 US.

BRITISH : J1/2 to X1/2
FRENCH : 50 to 67,1/2
GERMAN : 15,1/3 to 21,1/4
SWISS : 10 to 27,1/2
Metric Diameter : 15.70 mm to 21.49
Metric Circumference : 49 mm to 66.6

Check out all my Steampunk Jewelry on ETSY

Steampunk

2010-04-18T09:01:00.007-05:00

Etsy Treasury East
A collection of Steampunk Wonders

This is my first Treasury East and i featured some of my favorite Steampunk items.

You can see the complete list here : Steampunk
Dont forget to click and comment on ETSY .

Underground Explorer steampunk helmet and mask

This is the legendary Mask that i had a chance to see in person when i went to see the Steampunk Exhibition at the museum of the History of science ,Oxford UK .

by TomBanwell.etsy.com

Description

This steampunk explorer "Mark IV" helmet has removable goggles and respirator, which connects to a septoxygen tank that is worn on the back or over the shoulder. It is made of veg tan cowhide, hand shaped and hand stitched together, and sprang entirely from my imagination. The non-operating lamp is fully positionable.

Read the background story on ETSY

POPS - The High Mileage / Low Maintenance Geriatric Steampunk Robot

This robot is incredibly rusty . I like that !

by reclaim2fame.etsy.com

Description

Sculpture by Will Wagenaar

POPS, as they say, has been around the block.
Trouble is, the odometer broke down back in '48,
we don't know just how many times he's been around the block.
He is: The High Mileage / Low Maintenance,
Geriatric Steampunk Robot.

* POPS measures: 22" tall, 12" wide and 15" deep

* All recycled vintage parts, new hardware

* Signed and dated underneath

WARNING: Don't kick his tires and please don't get in his way.
As POPS tells it... "The brakes ain't what they used to be".
Read More...

Raku Ray Gun Ceramic Sculpture - Simak Simulacrum

This is a very unique Raygun. I have to get one ...or two!

by Rakumancy.etsy.com

Description

Raku Ray Guns are one-of-a-kind ceramic sculptures made by West Magoon. They are inspired by alien technology unearthed at a secret UFO crash site, known only to a tribe of Wyoming Hill People.

This ray gun features a beautifully rounded and pebbled glass element as part of the gun barrel. The glaze on the body of the gun is full of iridescent and opalescent color and the glaze on the handle has a distressed, mottled rainbow effect.

The Raku Ray Guns are sized for the human hand. This one measures about 18" long by 11" tall. Each Raku Ray Gun comes with a ceramic moon crater plaque wall mount. The gun rests on brass hooks embedded in the plaque which provide a sturdy support. The plaque has an attached wire on the back, for hanging on the wall. Read More ...

100 CUSTOM Steampunk Invitations

Hold on to your Hats! Very nicely designed Invitations !

by JenniferRodgersArt.etsy.com

Description

This option is ideal for big events and weddings. You may like my Steampunk Invitation (listed under Greeting Card Sets), but find the task of filling out the backs individually too daunting. If you're looking to send 100 of these, I don't blame you! Read More ...

New Steampunk Jewelry - 16th April 2010

2010-04-16T22:22:00.000-05:00

This morning i added 3 new steampunk rings with different centerpiece and metal combination.

Steampunk Jewelry - Rings with Opalite

Steampunk Jewelry - Silver tone Ring

Steampunk Jewelry - Ring with Ametrine Quartz

New Steampunk Jewelry - 15th April 2010

2010-04-15T17:18:00.000-05:00

I just added 3 new steampunk necklaces . 2 with a vintage watch movement and 1 with an amber jewel pendant .

The first one is made with a stunning 15 jewels Elgin vintage watch movement with amazing etched details .

This second necklace is with a very nice Elgin brass watch movement .

The last necklace is more is more Victorian in style with a diamond cut glass gem stone Jewel Padparadscha pendant and Amber beads .

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
CatherinetteRings.etsy.com

New Steampunk Jewelry - 14th April 2010

2010-04-14T02:00:00.001-05:00

I have listed 3 new steampunk bracelet with metal scarab .
I have made a similar model of steampunk jewelry in the past but this time i wanted to offer it in 3 different metal tone .

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
CatherinetteRings.etsy.com

New Steampunk Jewelry - 13th April 2010

2010-04-13T01:00:00.001-05:00

Here's 3 new pieces of Steampunk jewelry .I want to offer designs that are light to wear and that can be worn easily with anything . I designed 3 new Steampunk pendant with a light chain . I have a few more similar pieces that i will list in my shop very soon .

Steampunk Jewelry - Necklace - Gear pendant with clock parts

Steampunk Jewelry - Necklace - Vintage ELGIN watch movement

Steampunk Jewelry - NECKLACE - Copper - BLACK ONYX and clock parts pendant

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
CatherinetteRings.etsy.com

New Steampunk Jewelry - 9th April 2010

2010-04-09T20:32:00.008-05:00

This is a few more of my Newest Steampunk Jewelry that i just listed on ETSY.

Silver Gear Bracelet

Steampunk Victorian Watch Bracelet

Steampunk Brass Elgin Watch Movement

Steampunk Gunmetal Ring

Steampunk Tabac Crystal Ring

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
CatherinetteRings.etsy.com

New Steampunk Jewelry - 7th April 2010

2010-04-07T11:47:00.008-05:00

This is a few of my Newest Steampunk Jewelry that i just listed on ETSY.
I received many new pocket watch movement that i used as a centerpiece on my bracelet Design I also made a few Bracelet with Large gear for the centerpiece in Copper and Antique Brass Color .

Gear Bracelet

Watch Movement Bracelet

One of a Kind Steampunk Rings

Custom Size Steampunk Rings

Gunmetal

Black Onyx

Turquoise

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
CatherinetteRings.etsy.com

Steampunk Sculpture Alice in Wonderland Caterpillar

2010-04-01T11:41:00.016-05:00

This is my Entry for the Alice in Wonderland Steamteam contest :
The Steampunk Caterpillar .
Alice in Wonderland steampunk contest has started!
You can vote here : http://etsysteamteam.com/polls/index.php?sid=31663

It is a lot of fun to imagine Alice in wonderland in a Post Apocalyptic steampunk world . When I saw that My steampunk team on ETSY was doing a contest , I decided i would make a sculpture of the wise blue caterpillar .

The challenge with this sculpture is that i had no blue print unlike more common animals , so i improvised and followed my imagination .

The sculpture is 11cm tall , 22cm long and 8cm wide .

Caterpillar: [suddenly angry] I am "exaketededly" three inches high, and it is a very good height indeed!

The sculpture is made of brass and gunmetal copper wire that i twist , coil and bend by hand . In the body i used old pocket watch movement . The claws are made with jewelry findings ; lobster claws . For the head i used 5 golden reptile taxidermy glass eyes .

Also known as the Hookah-Smoking Caterpillar

The smoking pipe main body is made of a brass incense burner that i modified with some small brass Rotating Airplane Propeller .

More Pictures :

My contribution for The Raffle prize of the contest is a fifty dollar gift certificate .

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
CatherinetteRings.etsy.com

Steampunk Jewelry Twitter Giveaway

2010-01-29T14:05:00.007-06:00

Steampunk Jewelry Twitter Giveaway

I'm almost at 40000 followers on Twitter .
This is a giveaway to celebrate this Upcoming Milestone .

How to enter :

1 . Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/SteampunkRings + leave a comment here with your Twitter link .

Get more Entries :

2 Entries . Tweet about the Giveaway :
@SteampunkRings : Steampunk Jewelry Twitter Giveaway : http://tinyurl.com/Etsygiveaway #Etsy

Max : 1 tweet per day .

2 Entries per tweet . Tweet about Me : Send a tweet with the Mention : @Steampunkrings + a link your favorite piece of jewelry in my Etsy Shop : www.CatherinetteRings.Etsy.com

Max : 1 tweet per day .

The Prize :
100$ shopping spree

On the 14th of February i will announce the winner here !

The winner is

@SeventhDice

Congratulation !!!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
CatherinetteRings.etsy.com

New steampunk Jewelry designs of the week

2009-12-08T09:31:00.007-06:00

New steampunk Jewelry designs of the week

This week i decided to remake the designs that were missing in my Etsy Boutique for a while . Many of these designs are one of a kind , i used very rare material that make them even more unique .

This necklace is one of my favorite , It is made with a full brass setting , antiqued metal and a beautiful brass watch movement piece.

This is a new ring with very hard to find Lab Opal .
I only have enough to make 2-3 rings .

New rings with Clock gears :

This ring is very unique with nice brass clock parts :

I made this ring with a rare sapphire crown from a vintage watch :

Bracelet with brass vintage watch movement

Cyber punk Goth Bracelet with spider Red and dark blue Glass button

Earrings with Alligator taxidermy glass eyes :

Steampunk Watch Bracelet

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
CatherinetteRings.etsy.com

New Steampunk Jewelry designs of the week

2009-11-27T13:26:00.010-06:00

New Steampunk Jewelry designs of the week

This week i made many more designs , including some Victorian style steampunk Necklace. A few labradorite Rings and a bracelet with a scarab . Also a few new one of a kind tie tack . I still have much more that i need to list in my Etsy boutique this week . I have 3 new colors of swarovski crystal for new ring that i will be adding this weekend and a some new bracelet .

This is a Blue fire Agate Ring , I took a picture to show how it look like on a finger.
Most of the ring i make are unisex .

This is a ring that sold on the same day it was listed on ETSY .
I used Blue fire agate and a rare watch movement crown with a sapphire jewel.

This is a One of a kind ring i made with a
Golden Slit pupil taxidermy reptile Glass eye

Here's some new ring with Labradorite . The first one is very mechanical . I choose a contrasting copper metal to accentuate the color of the stone .

This is a ring in my Orbit model in which i use Labradorite centerpiece and 2 Spectrolite satellites

This is a new necklace of my Victorian Steampunk collection . I used Victorian style antiqued metal and atomic alien green beads to create a sci-fi look .
The pendant is made of an supreme quality peridot glass .

This is one of my favorite of the week .
This Victorian steampunk necklace is made with Antiqued metal and RARE iridescent fossil Ammonites . That specie existed around 400 million years ago and is now Extinct

Labradorite and Scarab bracelet :

This is a new Steampunk Tie Tack pin with a bulova watch face.

This is a pin with a watch movement .

Those are my newest Reptilian Tie Tack

Check out my Etsy boutique for more :
STEAMPUNK JEWELRY

Steampunk Jewelry : Ring with Swarovski Crystal

2009-11-26T00:05:00.000-06:00

Steampunk Jewelry :

Ring with Swarovski Crystal

I just introduced 2 new colors of crystal : Clear White and Golden Shadow Crystal .
I will be able to offer these in size 5-12 as soon as i receive my main supply in about 2 weeks . I'm also waiting for Montana Blue and Black Diamond colors .The new Jet black Crystal are already available in different size .

New-Steampunk Jewelry Ring with Golden Shadow Crystal

New-Steampunk Jewelry Ring with Clear Crystal

New-Steampunk Jewelry Ring with Jet Black Crystal

Steampunk Jewelry Ring with Bermuda Blue Crystal

Steampunk Jewelry Ring with Volcano Crystal

Steampunk Jewelry Ring with Meridian Blue Crystal

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
CatherinetteRings.etsy.com

New Steampunk Jewelry designs of the week

2009-11-21T00:28:00.006-06:00

New Steampunk Jewelry designs of the week

This week i made a few more designs with some of the Czech Glass Button i kept in my studio . I choose these button for their Retro , Modern and Victorian style. Some of them i had for a few months and i didn't have all the matching color of beads to make them . I still have much more that i need to list in my Etsy boutique this weekend . I have some amazing new Tie Tacks , some gorgeous labradorite ring and much more .

Spiral Button

Urchin Button

This is my newest Steampunk Bracelet with Brass watch movement . I want to make more like this , I plan to add similar bracelet in 4-5 weeks .

These are some of the new rings with slightly larger stones (10mm diameter).
So far i offer them with Green Amber , Red Fire Agate and Opalite.

All these available in different size in my ETSY shop :
STEAMPUNK JEWELRY