Cornwall Halloween Exhibition 2014 - (Witchcraft, Steampunk, Sculpture & Taxidermy)

Well we thought it was a good idea!

See video



More of the items in the collection may be found HERE

Please visit the project platform via crowdfunder which can be found HERE

When one gets knocked off the pony, getting back up and into the saddle is not always as easy as it sounds.

 

But I'm trying.....Please watch the video

 

 

 

...and now please follow this link

 

#Steampunk, #Witchcraft, #Natural History, # Male Sculpture, #The Quirky & #The Strange 

Success in Breeding Rare Cornish Coppermine Nautilus Cephalopod

 

Rare Cornish Coppermine Nautilus now
successfully breed in captivity by Boffins Bunker Laboratory

Success in Breeding Rare Cornish Crypto-zoological

Steampunk Coppermine Nautilus Cephalopod

With so many species on the CITES endangered species list it is always good news when a crypto-zoological creature is saved from brink of extinction. 

 

That's what has happened in Cornwall (UK) thanks to brilliant work of Professor Boffins Bunker (me).  The incredibly rare & seldom before seen Cornish Coppermine Nautilus has now been successfully breed in captivity in Boffins secret steampunk laboratory in Cornwall.

 

 

Rare Cornish Coppermine Nautilus
in tin colouration embryonic stage 

 

What is known about Cornish Coppermine Nautilus? 

 

Cornwall is extremely rich in mineral deposits like tin, lead, copper, even gold & has been extensively mined over millennium from pre-Roman times to the point where certain parts of Cornwall are like a Swiss cheese, with many holes & tunnels boring through it (ex. St. Day & Redruth). 

 

What is far less known are some of the crypto-zoological species which are now said to inhabit these primarily abandoned cave & mine tunnel networks. For example the Cave-mouth dwelling Cornish Copper legged tarantula or the aquatic Cornish Coppermine Nautilus.

 

Cornish Coppermine Nautilus are thought may originally have been marine cave dwelling creatures from around the Cornish coast which have subsequently found their way into flooded mine shafts & tunnels.  Here they have adapted & evolved to live in such a hostile heavy metal mineral deposit environment.

 

Rare Cornish Coppermine Nautilus
in pre-copper metal colouration stage

The Boffins laboratory breed species go through various stages of development:-

(i)  Embryonic tin coloured stage
(ii) Pink/beige secondary stage (pre being fed copper mineral heavy deposits)
(ii) Copper stage (maturity)

Rare Cornish Brass Cephalopod Octopus,
also breed in Boffins Bunker Laboratory

Boffins said; "We are delighted with our laboratory successes to date in proliferating  these rare & lesser known Cornish creatures.  Whilst we deplore some irresponsible genetic DNA tinkering & Frankenstein like modification between non-related species, we ourselves are at the very forefront of pushing the boundaries of pseudo-science crypto-zoology in Cornwall.  In time we hope to bring even more lesser known species to the attention of a wider public, funding permitting"

Besides the Cornish Coppermine Nautilus, there are a already number of crypto-zoological species quite unique or rare to Cornwall which have successfully come out of the Boffins Laboratory.  These include various Fiji-mermaid like creatures, the previously mentioned copper legged cave tarantula, & examples of what some have referred to as 'dead-fairies', plus the aquatic Cornish pasty crimped jellyfish species.

To contact Boffins Bunker simply join twitter for laboratory updates & find him loitering there!

 

How to Create a not-so Antique Anatomical Figure for the 'Cabinet of Curiosities'

 

Anatomical & other 'Cabinet of Curiosities' pieces
on sale in specialist London shop.

'Cabinet of Curiosities'

Creating not-so Antique Anatomical

 Figure Pieces or High Prices

The sterility of minimalist interior fashion decorating has dominated UK homes in recent years, but there is a quiet counter move going on. 

The good news is the 'Cabinet of Curiosities' room is back in favour with some (including some within the Steampunk movement).  Collecting of interesting objects & artefacts has also been made far easier with accessibility of the internet. 

There those seeking out the 'different' & who clearly do not want mundane, boring bland beige sameness of smooth mass produced 'ticky-tacky' one piece injection moulded plastic seemingly created more for benefit of modern manufacturer & retailer, than the customer.

In recent years there has been a steady surge in collecting of Surgical Antiques & Macabre Anatomical Medical Pieces.  Many of the more spectacular prized early pieces already housed in private wealthy 'Cabinet of Curiosities' collections & museums.

Wax male anatomical figure, Italian,
C1776-1780

The downside is prices, sometimes of thousands of pounds are being fetched at Auction for such antique anatomical pieces & are well beyond the shallow pockets of the Boffin.

Boffin Solution:-

Create your own

Anatomical Faux Figure 

Centre of picture: Boffins Bunker
created Anatomical Figure

The Boffins Bunker Anatomical figure (centre of picture above & in image below) has been created by using a car boot purchased former child's toy 'Man of Action' (or GI Joe).  Wrapped head to toe, mummy like, in masking tape.  Coated in Black ebonised French button polish. Decoupage with a copyright free anatomical illustration printed off on computer.  Applied with PVA glue.  When dry, polished with Dark Tan shoe polish for the aged patina & wax effect.  

Above: Two example of Boffins Bunker Anatomical
figures (I) Skeleton (ii) Muscles for a 'Cabinet of Curiosities'

There you are dear Boffin Bunker Laboratory journal reader, a relatively simple project (NB: may involve sticky fingers)

Steampunk Cornwall Information Test Card #1

IMPORTANT MESSAGE

FROM SinS ORGANISER

 

EVENT POSTPONED!

See here for Facebook message

 

https://www.facebook.com/LadySephST/posts/480863821985015

.................................................................................................

 

 

Unfortunately Boffin has to be doing something else today. 

 

So here is a picture of a poster of a STEAMPUNK EVENT

(Steampunk in Springtime) taking place in Cornwall (UK)

on

May 11th 2013.

Further details can be found via this Steampunk Cornwall link

 

 

Get sticky fingers, glue on gears & call it Steampunk

Dear Boffin Laboratory journal readers

Now please don't get me wrong, I think the video below is very clever, really funny, both accurate & also skewed in equal degrees.

 

Perhaps one thing the Boffin liked & drew me to steampunk is my 'theory' it encourages people to personal creativity at many different levels.  The 'theory' that anyone can join in and have a go at 'steampunk'. 

...and for some that may mean simply 'Gluing some gears on' something.

That includes the Boffin to a greater or lesser degree, who just likes to tinker with resources available.  Those resources being (1) personal level of ability (2) materials I can afford/access.

Boffins Bunker Android Robot Desktop Pen holder
(Gears & stuff glued to 1980's plastic toy tat)

However having sniffed around the steampunk world there is a definite whiff of elitist snobbery  wafting up from behind a veil of otherwise polite & congenial conversation generally encountered in Aether web online steampunk circles.  

Much of this 'from beneath petticoat snipping' seems aimed at some eBay & Etsy contributors. (No, the Boffin does not sell on Etsy or eBay, but who is to say I won't?)

Ok, yes, the Boffin concedes there are some truly awful screaming gaffs out there for sale masquerading as steampunk. Some of which elicit even from the Boffin a response of 'you are joking', (Which is why there is the saying :- 'Caveat emptor'... Buyer Beware), but there are crafters genuinely skilled, creative & finding their own style, level & abilities...and having fun & maybe even making a penny or two!

There really are some stonking creative, skilled & astoundingly talented people contributing to the craft of steampunk aesthetic/genre.  Some more or perhaps differently skilled than others. Boffin weeps in complete & unabashed jealousy at the mind boggling talent abilities of some to create wondrous works of art, be it an object or like clothing that Boffin cannot even aspire too stitch together (as some steampunk clothing are surely a work of art).



The Corkscrew : Rob Higgs : Artist in Cornwall
Yes it really opens & pours a bottle of wine!

Britain's certainly got talent, (as have some resident crafters/artists in Cornwall) but in levels of physical & craft creativity which is often overlooked,  as demonstrated by the UK government expressed intent to drop crafts from list of creative industries

Having seen what is sometimes considered & constitutes as highbrow 'ART' by elitists drawing up the short list for such as the prestigious Turner Prize award, actually gluing some gears onto 1980's plastic tat & spaying it copper & calling it Steampunk, in comparison the Boffin finds sticky fingers to be most creative (& therapeutic) indeed.

This Boffin will continue to glue on gears & calling it steampunk.

Proper Cornish Trevithick Steampunk Pasty from Cornwall

Proper Cornish Trevithick Steampunk Pasty from Cornwall

Dear Boffins Laboratory journal reader

Today is Richard 'Trevithick Day' in Camborne, Cornwall.  Mr Trevithick being one of the founding fathers of steam & his 'Puffing Devil' (Don't believe, then click the link?) therefore the Boffin thought he'd tinker up something proper Cornish steampunk in the laboratory.

It is said that the Cornish once had such a reputation for putting anything in their pasties that the Devil refused to cross the Tamar from Devon least he end up in a pasty. 

Now given the propensity of steampunkers to add gears, watch parts, sprockets, rivets & pistons  to anything that they can lay their hands on...it seemed only right and proper to 'steampunk a pasty'.

The Cornish are right proud of their pasties, just look at the stink kicked up when that up-country gentleman (I use the word very loosely) tried slapping a VAT tax on pasty's.



Because the Cornish once had a reputation of putting anything in a pasty,
 the Devil refused to cross the Tamar from Devon least he end up in one! 

What is more the Cornish pasty is a protected species, seriously!  It has PGI protected status from the Brussels European Commission, just like Champagne does from the Champagne region of France.  If a pasty is made anywhere else but in Cornwall (UK) it cannot by European law be called a Cornish pasty.

...and if you really want to upset a Cornish person...put carrots in your pasty.  They will not be impressed. 

Don't even start on whether it should be crimped to one side or down the middle, that's how civil wars are caused.  Then there is the whole short crust verses flaky pastry debate, that can keep Cornish bal maids jawing for hours as to one or the tuther.

Even the spelling of it; 'pasty' or 'pastie' can cause a long discussion.

Steampunkers will add gears, clock parts, rivet it & put a piston in
 anything if its in their reach & they can get their hands on it!

It is said in Cornwall that the pasty was invented for the Cornish tin miners croust (see Cornish dialect words), the end left over bit of the pasty which was held in the miners hands was then left as a token offering for the 'knockers'.

More recent research in 2006 has thrown up a little dilemma from Devon in 1510, but we won't talk about that....tis blasphemy in Cornwall!

Now I have to go as there appears to be a flame torch bearing lynch mob making its way up from the village towards the Boffins Bunker laboratory.  They will be here 'dreckly' & after what happened to Victor Frankenstein & his experimental laboratory I'd better go batten down the blast doors.

kind regards

Boffins Bunker

NB:- Judging from this video of the 'Puffing Devil', the day went well.

Pickle wet specimen creatures for the Steampunk Victorian Cabinet of Curiosities

Pickle wet specimen creatures for the Steampunk Victorian Cabinet of Curiosities

(Alternative title: 'Get Wet & Pickled')
(Another alternative title: 'A wet specimen is for life, not just Halloween')



Genuine Museum preserved Wet Specimens

Every respectable gentleman (& some less respectable) of Victorian leisure & science would have had a virtual home museum of artefacts & objects in their private collection, often housed in the library or study.



Malplaquet House, London
image acquired from Pinterest

A Cabinet of Curiosities, or Wunderkammer of quirky, weird & natural (& unnatural) wonders. These were often after dinner conversation pieces for the gentlemen (& the more adventurous non-swooning ladies).

Now these collected objects could get pretty bizarre & genuinely quite creepy.  However, no respectable well read person of Victorian science or barking mad laboratory boffin would surely have been without their wet 'specimens'.  Boffins Bunker no exception & we had to create a few of our own for our cabinet of curiosities.




From Boffins Bunker's own 'Cabinet of Curiosities'
(i) Real Snakeskin Oil, (ii) Kraken Squid Cephalopod, (iii) Occult Divination Nutshells



 

Wet squid specimens nestled amongst other objects in
the Boffin Bunker 'Cabinet of Curiosities'

I have an inspiring image collection of Cabinet of Curiosity collections here on my Pinterest http://pinterest.com/boffinsbunker/cabinets-of-curiosities-wunderkammer/

but where does one get specimens?

Ah, well, that takes application & dedication, ferreting about and often looking at things in a slightly different perspective...like the luminous fishing bait moppet lure used in the above wet Kraken squid specimen.

"I collect.
What I cannot collect, I create. 
What I cannot create, I imagine.
What I cannot imagine...others will,.. in time!

A virtual collection of wet specimen images may be found here on Boffin Bunkers Pinterest board 'Get Wet & Pickled'

So Steampunk ...Cornish Masked Ball & a Rabbit Hole

So Steampunk ...Cornish Masked Ball & a Rabbit Hole

Picture liberated from Masked Ball Website

Trawling through my early morning Aether Cornwall messages with my 1st coffee of the day I spotted the combination of (a) Masked Ball & (b) Rabbit Hole.  Now that's enough to make any Steamer prick their eye balls up, even an old laboratory recluse like me.

Turns out there is a cliff top ticketed party planned at Porthleven on May 4th.  That's  damn near right outside the Bunker laboratory door. 

Who knew?

Well actually clearly a lot of young folk (these urchins & urchinettes all communicate by magic & pheromones you know!) as all the early bird tickets for the Masked Ball are gone!  http://tickets.maskedball.net/event/summer-2013/

But indications are some regular tickets remain at time of lab journal writing!

This Porthleven Cornish cliff top event is in fact so close-ish  if I cut down some trees, shifted a hill slightly to the right, and excavated the valley floor by fifty feet I could probably with aid of low level ocular device even see the Masked Ball camp site from the Bunker blast doors.



Picture liberated from Masked Ball Website

Now anything that's likely to jig my laboratory test tubes into dancing a shanty on the shelf requires further investigation and it turns out the cunning blighters have done it before.  So certainly no novice Cornwall Masked Ball event.  This is planned, organised & clearly out for fun, if a little video I found is any indication. http://vimeo.com/64223348

I like it when people have fun, its a commodity in relative short supply.

Picture liberated from Masked Ball Website

Now although the Boffins Bunker is several miles from the sea as the crow flies, I can genuinely sometimes hear Atantic storm waves breaking on the shore when the wind is in the right direction. The chances are I may well get to hear the rhythmic beat of the Masked Ball carried on the wind, (or reverberating through the old tin mine tunnels beneath the bunker).

I will stand at the Bunker doors & from a distance, with a suitably liquid libation, jig solitary in conjoined spirit with these happy young folk.

For more information ;- http://www.maskedball.net/

Artificial arachnid & other experimental Cornish steampunk insect entomology

 

Artificial arachnid & other experimental Cornish steampunk insect entomology

Collecting things for the 'Cabinet of Curiosities', back-a-while the Boffin decided an entomology section may be a good idea.  However the 'Budget Of New Developments' was at the time a bit scratchy at the bottom of the barrel for a full blown South American exploratory jungle jaunt. (Have you seen the bus fare to Penzance lately?)

Boffins Bunker Beetles & Bugs

The creation of artificial arachnid & other experimental Cornish steampunk insects in the laboratory seemed to be the ideal solution.  Especially as it meant using up mainly spare parts already lying around in the bunker.  In the case of the quite simple tarantulas, these primary consist of:-

(1) Copper wire

(2) Torch light bulb

(3) Top metal bit of a disposable lighter

(4) x8 Compression springs

(5) x8 nuts and

(6) a small assortment of watch part.

Oh! ...and

(7) Boffin Bunker secret formula ingredient (ie: Super glue may be purchased at many retail outlets)  

 

Ta-dah!  One Cornish Copper legged tarantula

 

Please note: These bugs may possibly be useful for surveillance purposes or equally completely & utterly pointless.  

 

Boffins Bunker Artificial Arachnid 
of the Cornish Steampunk Copper legged Variety

 

Now the trouble with insects, bugs, beetles & spiders is they do tend to proliferate, especially the more you make in numbers.  'Doris' the original Cornish Copper legged tarantula certainly has not helped, winding up the other creepy crawlies (well the clockwork ones).  Now the little blighters are everywhere in the boffins bunker, although some have now been confined to a display case.

 

NB:  Since the boffin has had these spiders in the study...not a single regular biological spider has been observed on the walls.  They may possibly all be cowering under the sofa!!   That's not to say there are not still cobwebs in the Bofffins Bunker, the like of which Edgar Rice Burroughs Tarzan chappie could almost happily swing around on.

 

Kind regards

 

BB

 

 

 

What is steampunk clothing...Well it can look a little like this!

What is steampunk clothing...?
Well in severe cases it can look a little like this!

Here at Boffins Bunker reality of the outside world has crept and seeped in under the tatty tarpaulin hung at the bunker blast door.   So I have to do 'real' boring stuff at home in the Bunker today.

However; Over the weekend I had to try explain to a steampunk un-initiate just what steampunk clothing looked like.  The rise & rise of steampunk fashion in clothing is being reflected on the Haute Couture of the most fashionable of top cat walks today, so I decided to 'put in a link' to items of clothing which have caught my eye & have gleaned to my Pinterest boards.

For images of Gentlemen of a steampunk scientific, adventurous or military inclination:-  CLICK HERE and visit 'The Adonis Outfitters Gentleman's Tailors Club'.

For images of Ladies of a steampunk genteel, scientific, adventurous or military inclination:-  CLICK HERE and visit 'The Aphrodite Society Of Appreciation of Female Steampunk Fashion Apparel'.

After seeing the images I was then asked.... 'Why?'

My reply was; 'Why not?'. 
Definitely far more interesting than sweatshop tracksuit pyjama bottoms or ski pants & a hoodie I think?

Roll up, Roll up, commission bespoke Circus, Steampunk & Burlesque clothing from Cornwall

Rob of 'abeautifulpalegreen' sporting one of his own
 circus-esque Harlequin outfit creation

Like a top hatted & tailed ringmaster with a megaphone I call out "Roll up, Roll up. Commission bespoke Circus, Steampunk & Burlesque clothing from Cornwall"

When the Boffin first cast my eye about to discover more about steampunk that may lie outside my bunker blast door in Cornwall, it was a posting by Rob Clement on his 'abeautifulpalegreen' blog page that 1st nudged me in the right direction.

I promised myself then I would return to record his creative work in my laboratory blog notes. 

abeautifulpalegreen is a relatively new business based in Saltash, Cornwall teetering close to the border with Devon, & the city of Plymouth. It is still in Cornwall where Rob Clement makes his bespoke clothing.  His creative leanings reflect inspiration from & towards Circus swing, steampunk, and burlesque. 

Rob & Friend on photoshoot modelling
creations from abeautifulpalegreen

Now I've tried willing boffin buttons back onto my coats solely by mind control & not succeeded, whereas Rob is clearly multi skill levels well above being more than a little handy with a needle & thread.  Like many skilled craft, trade & artists associated with the steampunk sub-culture genre, Rob has his own Etsy shop. 

Handcrafting & individual skill being very much a feature of steampunk with many artisans & craft persons creating one off bespoke items, often as a result of personal Commissions.  Rob of a 'beautifulpalegreen' also welcomes commissions.

He is also part of a small but beautifully formed collective of other creative persons referred to as the 'Rapscallions'.  When creative people get together, encourage & nurture other creative people it is always a good thing.



Rob of abeautifulpalegreen sports one of his own
made to measure Musketeer Waistcoat

So if your looking for bespoke clothing which is a bit different, a little special & handcrafted, with a far more personal touch....and from Cornwall, then here are multiple points of contact for Rob of 'abeautifulpalegreen'

Go on, pay his web links a visit.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/abeautifulpalegreen?ref=seller_info

https://twitter.com/palegreenrob

http://abeautifulpalegreen.com/

 

http://abeautifulpalegreen.tumblr.com/

 

https://www.facebook.com/abeautifulpalegreen

 

Seeking a Steampunk Glossary Lexicon for aspiring Pontificating Gob Wafflers

The Boffin scoured the Aether net filed volumes for
a comprehensive Glossary or Lexicon of Steampunk terminology

Years ago I heard 'Pontificating Gob-Wafflers', as a reference to lawyers for their speaking & communicating in letters in their own zealously guarded in-house legal jargon.  This legal jargon effectively ensuring lawyers their continued protection & guaranteed employment in necessary translation of the law to the rest of the population who were not fluent in or signed up club members to the legal jargon. 

The legal profession could be seen by some as the finest bit of protected working practise ever & which would make any 1970's dyed in the wool red socialist Marxist trade unionist shed a tear of utter humbled respect for. 

When language is used to exclude & not include it becomes a kind of private school boy club & stifles broader participation, understanding & membership.  One cannot help but think that by some who jealously guard such little secrets, were as single child two year old toddlers never taught by their parents to share their toys.

Having encountered several variations on the same usage of word in Steampunk dialogue or different words for fundamentally the same thing I went in search of a comprehensive Glossary or Lexicon of Steampunk terms & terminology. 

A visit to Brass Goggles found a smattering of terms, but primarily in a discussion thread & what was a relatively thin on the ground threadbare glossary.

A visit to Steampunk Empire found the plans for a most worthy Steampunk Lexicon Wiki project, but it appears to have staggered to a temporary halt in construction.  The discussion thread however was most interesting.

I did find an interesting C19th Victorian Slang glossary, although the historical accuracy may be questioned by some.

If anyone does point me in the direction of a good glossary of Steampunk terms or I  should find a comprehensive lexicon I'll come back & add a link to it.

Kind Regards

BB

 

Anatomy of Death Folding Decoupage Antomical Card from Boffins Bunker

Fascinated by the antique anatomical wax models & engravings, illustrations of the C18th & C19th, but I have found them beyond my meagre budget to collect.

I felt I had to have something in the Boffins Bunker Laboratory 'Cabinet of Curiosities' collection reflecting my liking of these aspects of antique medical curios, so often macabre to our modern sensibilities,  but so often fit into the genre of 'Wunderkammer'.

So I created this:-

 'Anatomy of Death' Fold out decoupage card
created by Boffins Bunker Steampunk Cornwall

 Ebonised card with an aged feel patina created by wax polishing the card after decoupage. Anatomical transects through body.  I might see if I can develop it more along the lines of a pop-up book next time I fiddle with the images I created to make this folding card.  


One of the images from 'Anatomy of Death' Anatomical folding card
created by Boffins Bunker Laboratory from bits of this & that.  

(PS: Not the Boffins body used in the pictures.  However, you do have to use whatever resources, corpse that happen to be lying around when being steampunk creative....and note of warning:- apparently home post mortems are likely to result in a court order...who knew?)

There are more images of Boffins Bunker 'Cabinet of Curiosities' creations from the laboratory in Cornwall, UK to be found here on Pinterest.

http://pinterest.com/boffinsbunker/-steampunk-cornwall-other-cabinet-curiosities/

Barking Mad Kernow Laboratory Punk Event Virgin Getting up a head of Steam in Cornwall

Barking Mad Kernow Laboratory Punk Event Virgin Getting up a head of Steam in Cornwall

Well its a little over a week (or so) since I took the plunge to stick my head over the blast door parapet of Boffins Bunker Laboratory to blink in the sunlight & enter the outside Aether Steampunk world. I burst forth (stumbled, damn the absinthe) as a complete newbie into the world of Steampunk!



Steampunk Cornwall : Boffins Bunker



However, I have quietly been a steampunker all my life & just not known it.  When I did find out that my little foible laboratory art/sculpture creations fitted in a sub-culture genre all of their own called STEAMPUNK I decided to bide my time before taking over the world, letting my creations & 'Cabinet of Curiosities' objects & artefacts lose upon an unsuspecting public.

I first tried 'Brass Goggles', a Steampunk UK based forum, but for some strange reason their clanking machinery had a wooden 'sabot' tossed in it & would not accept my UK email address (hmmm, still will not?).

Therefore my real 1st port & contact with the Steampunk world  was through the nice people at  'Steampunk Empire' forum,

...from there I began my plan for world domination building a profile web image of
'BOFFINS BUNKER' with a view to further advance Steampunk in Cornwall, UK

So far in a week Boffins Bunker has a presence through:-
(If you haven't visited them yet please do)

1.  Google blog (that's this website)
2.  Youtube video channel
3.  Pinterest
4.  Twitter
5.  Flickr 

I welcome positive & constructive contact from other steampunkers, be they in Cornwall UK or further a field.

I am most happy & keen to promote through my blog Steampunk enterprise in/from Cornwall.

Kind regards

Boffins Bunker

Below a Boffins Windows 8 rant!

(NB: Whilst setting up all these various new points of website interface, I have to deal with an internet connection WiFi (joy of rural Cornwall) that has the speed of an arthritic snail in death throws, plus I have been fighting, battling, struggling in coming to terms & trying to get my almost month old new fangled desk top computer which came installed with (for me utterly loathsome) Windows 8 to actually do what I want. 

I am singularly unimpressed with the Windows 8 roundabout nonsense, & things jumping out at me un-expectedly & disappearing again (with large squares of primary colours clearly designed to entertain pre-school children ), of the Microsoft Metro Tiles format. 

Personally (an opinion), if one has a desk top computer with a mouse & do not have a touch screen and only use your comp for nothing much more than buying merely as a consumer from commercial websites or posting 'likes' on social media like facebook, then Windows 8 will probably be fine. 

If however as in my personal experience you use a desk top comp for more than mundane & consumer purpose I would now avoid Windows 8 like a typhoid Mary. A Typhoid Mary that is that has a severe case of small pox & the black death plague & the clap combined.  My experience of the new W8 OS has been most negative in the extreme  & not much good for low/mid end creative &/or business use of my endeavours. 

Don't believe me? 
 
Do a google search (I did) under 'I hate Windows 8' and visit some of the computer tech geek & nerd forums & websites to see just how many small/medium business people & those who use their desk top comp creatively and/or for business purposes really loath Windows 8. 

There is seemingly a small cottage industry booming for computer IT techie types to reinstall the absent start buttons, practically disable (as much as possible the Metro tiles App interface) & for others re-grading desk top computers to back  install Windows 7 or a different OS provider altogether instead! 

What were Microsoft thinking about alienating so many small business people?  

I've had Windows 8 almost a month & I still despise. loath & hate it!) 

RANT over, I needed to vent & now desperately require to sip a cup of sweet Lady Grey tea!

Cornish Crustacean Steampunk Lobster Submarine Bot Mod

Cornish Crustacean Steampunk Lobster Submarine Bot Mod

Here at Boffins Bunker the good thing about being labelled a completely barking mad scientist professor & laboratory  tinkerer  in the Steampunk genre, is nobody can really tell or dictate to you what is and what is not 'steampunk'.  Being a boffin operating  in isolation for many years one develops ones own style & angle on what one creates which have been entirely for ones own amusement...and some might think clearly as a result of lack of basic sanity having been in isolation to long.

Like "A Steampunk Cornish Lobster Bot".

Cornish Crustacean Steampunk Lobster Submarine Bot Mod
created in Boffins Bunker in Cornwall

Well I do live in Cornwall & Lobsters are a staple of local coastal fishing.

Backstory; now it seems some 'Coglings' (apparently a term for some steampunkers?...who knew?)  create back stories for their creations. 

So clearly a "Cornish Crustacean Steampunk Lobster Submarine Bot" must be a disposable clockwork automat.  A robotic device deployed from the likes of a Nautilus submarine for external keel maintenance. I therefore believe every submarine should have one.

Apparently, as I learned yesterday from a Nerf gun video on youtube (don't ask), this Crustacean creation is a 'Mod' = Modification.  That is to say I have taken a basic component (in this case a plastic children's toy lobster) and modified it with additions & new paint work.  It is not scratch built, whereas some of my polymer clay creations are.

So where do you keep a Cornish Crustacean Steampunk Lobster Submarine Bot Mod in the home.  Well at the moment mine has moved from the back of a chair & is residing on top of a Victorian Taxidermy Armadillo Sewing basket containing, ...well that's entirely another story.



 

Victorian Style Cabinet of Curiosities Romantic Steampunk Venus Flower Basket

From Boffins Bunker 'Cabinet of Curiosities' collection in Cornwall, a Venus Flower Basket.

The incredibly delicate & fragile 'Venus Flower Basket' is for its size & weight most amazingly robust & strong, ...but don't stand or sit on it. 

A skeleton of a species of sponge Euplectella aspergillum, which is inhabited by a pair of shrimp in a type of symbiotic relationship with the sponge.  The pair of shrimp bond & become entrapped within the sponge for life, however their offspring can escape to form new bonds. 

In some Asian far eastern traditions the Venus Flower Basket is given as a wedding gift symbolic of the marriage, like the union of the shrimp lasting for life.

A must have for the connoisseur gentleman or ladies 'Cabinet of Curiosities' collection in the C19th Victorian era, with prices said to have reached as much as £500 for a prize specimen.



Venus Flower Basket, a favourite in the Victorian 'Cabinet of Curiosities'
The decoupage boxed example from Boffins Bunker Cornwall Steampunk Collection

The example shown above came when I threw caution to the wind & risked purchasing one mail order from the Philippines.  My specimen was less expensive to purchase direct from the far east than from within the UK. I hasten to add my specimen did not command anything like the prices they did in Victoria's reign. The rigid skeletal sponge arrived quite safe & sound in its own polystyrene box.  

This Venus Flower Basket is now housed in a more permanent sturdy decoupage wooden box in the Boffins Bunker Steampunk & other collectables 'Cabinet of Curiosities' in Cornwall.

Faux Fantasy Fungi Cabinet of Curisoities Mycology Specimens & Museums

Another short slide show video from the Boffins Bunker. 

More images of my faux antique Victorian Museum Mycology specimens.
 
I created these fantasy fungi for my own Cabinet of Curiosities when I realised just how much the original papier mache C19th antique examples of Fungi sold for...which were well outside my meagre collectors budget.

Is this Steampunk, no, not really but you see I don't care.  I find my various natural history objects, taxidermy, object d'art & antiquities sit most comfortably beside my Steampunk creations.

 

 

 

There is something about old Victorian Museum Collections which I really like.  I think one of my favourites being Tring Taxidermy Museum in Hertfordshire, which I had the good fortune to visit last year with a dear friend. A gentler experience than say the usually hugely crowded London Natural History Museum, although rug-rats & ankle biters still abounded, but less frenetically so. 

 

The delightful Tring Museum of Taxidermy, Hertfordhire, UK 2012
Less crowded than  the London Natural History Museum & somehow more intimate & personal.

 

Most smaller museums still (due to budgetary constraints) have lots of specimens & artefacts all packed in cheek by jowl in a serendipity pot luck of what may be exhibited side by side. Usually the bequest of a philanthropist Victorian gentleman personal pot luck collection of foibles & quirks which took their exotic fancy in their lifetime.  

 

Some museum's seem to be returning to that sort of exhibition, which pleases me.  After years of minimalist displays & sticky telephone computer audio explanation as to what artefacts were (usually with a tape recording with an American accent, why?).  I like hand written spider like museum exhibit labels which have faded with time, which in themselves require careful examination to decipher. 

 

Perhaps I should run a completion on Steampunk Empire, with one of the faux fungi as a prize,  inviting people  to come up with some Dog Latin or Pig Latin names for these fungal mycological species examples; (when (if) I get some  blog followers).

 

NB: There are other Steampunk & Cabinet of Curiosity slideshow videos on my youtube channel here:-

 

https://www.youtube.com/user/BoffinsBunker

 

...and pictures of more of my creations on Pinterest here:-

 

http://pinterest.com/boffinsbunker/-steampunk-cornwall-other-cabinet-curiosities/

 

 



More Steampunk Art from Boffins Bunker, Cornwall, UK

For some reason there are those who do not seem to like my little darlings in this youtube video below. 
Personally, I like them.

 

 

 

I do have a Boffins Bunker Steampunk video channel for those who may wish to visit https://www.youtube.com/user/BoffinsBunker

 

or visit my Steampunk & Cabinet of Curiosities Pinterest board

 http://pinterest.com/boffinsbunker/steampunk-other-cabinet-curiosities/

Cabinet of Curiosities Mycology Fungi Specimens from Cornwall

These are a few of my Victorian Museum style Mycology Specimens. I made these fun Fantasy Fungi for my 'Cabinet of Curiosities'. 

They are in keeping with my other interests of Steampunk & Occult, sitting happily beside other  bizarre items and artefacts in the collection.  The genuine C19th antique papier mache museum specimens of fungi & mushrooms are so very expensive.  A single Victorian antique example on eBay listed for over £100, so I made my own.

These fungi created in my Boffins Bunker using  wire framed & aluminium foil as armature, with a skin of polymer clay (One of my 1st ventures into using 'sculpey' TM).  Mounted on an ebonised (Black French Polish) wooden base.



'Cabinet of Curiosities' Victorian Museum style Mycology Fantasy Fungi
Specimens made in Boffins Bunker in Cornwall

Below: A close up on two smaller specimens each being under approx. 4cm inc. base



'Cabinet of Curiosities' Small (4cm approx.) Victorian Museum style Mycology
Fantasy Fungi Specimens made in Boffins Bunker in Cornwall

Some of my Steampunk insects & creepy crawly creations look quite at home sat on the larger fungi specimens.

For more images of my work & other items I've started a Pintrest Board which can be found here.