We Begin

On November 13, 2008, the Washington Post Express reported that Peter Schiff, lead of the investment firm Euro Pacific Capital Inc* says:

“This is the end of the consumer-based economy. Americans have been buying too much stuff, and now the epic shopping spree is over. It is a permanent change.”

Not to minimalize the terrible potential human suffering involved in a major economic shift, but IT’S ABOUT TIME. Let’s all stop buying so much crap and make something. Better yet, let’s take all the crap we’ve (collectively) bought during the mad Stuff Bubble and make something out of it. Re-use, re-cycle, re-purpose, tear it apart and do something cool that no one else has. Make art, not only for art’s sake, but to save your soul.

My family (myself, the Fearless Fabricator, and our beloved and numerous offspring) have always made things. We have been wild-eyed and clever for 21 years, and the best part has been making things. (Actually, our amazing friends are the best part, followed closely by showing our amazing friends what we’ve made, and admiring what they’ve made.) We have realized though, in recent years, that we do not make as much as we used to. Having played our modest part in the modern Celtic resurgence, we are overwhelmed with consumer options. We are victims of our own success. We used to make our torcs out of plumbing parts, now we can buy these. There is absolutely nothing wrong with buying these. Supporting artists and artisans is vital to establishing the society I want to live in. However, I still want to make things myself!

Luckily for me, I found Steampunk, and a community of folks who want to create. To create material culture, art, literature, deviant lifestyles, and mad parties. Aaahhh, home again.

So, welcome aboard the SchöneLuft! Here the Fearless Fabricator and I, along with our beloved and numerous offspring, friends, lab assistants, and boiler room crew travel the skies in search of adventure. Along the way we will be creating. Here’s the challenge: Make stuff. I’ll show you mine if you show me yours. Everyone’s invited, from the youngest inventor to the most decrepit old timer. What are you working on now?

With love,

Madame vonHedwig

* things I fear, or perhaps don’t understand (not that there isn’t a significant correlation to be had there) would include investment firms, and especially ones called Euro Pacific. Considered properly, that’s everything but the poles, right? So only Travisis safe?