Enter the Goatlady comments upon the Wednesday morning merchandise rush – that is, the mosh pit one has to conquer in order to get one’s first choice of Wacken t-shirt in the correct size. I know this process well, having waiting in the epic Wacken t-shirt line myself. Photographic proof:

Wacken Merch Queue

The only way to jump the queue

Via Coilhouse, Katarzyna Konieczka, an avant-garde fashion designer from Poland, has designed a series based on the life and condition of Joseph Merrick, otherwise known as the Elephant Man. Yeah, you’re gonna want to look at these.

The plight of the Maelstrom of Cybele, about a pagan temple being refused the exemption on their property despite their status as a religious building. As well as being a pagan group, they also count among their number many transgender and lesbian women. Everytime I think “hey, it’s great we live in a time when people of different religions and opinions and thoughts and ideas can get along so well together” I read something that suggests actually, no, they can’t.

My favorite stylish metalhead Queen Michelle has designed a chunky crucifix necklace in conjunction with NZ jewelry company Meadowlark. She describes her reason for choosing the cross as relating to the death of her mother, who had surrounded herself with “objects of hope” during her illness. Can be worn up either way, as Michelle so angelically points out  - they’re only selling a limited amount if you’re keen. Auctually, while you’re at it, check out the  Meadowlark Online Store – there are some AMAZING pieces. I can’t believe these guys come from lil’ old NZ.

Another online shop you should bookmark for richer days – The Black Broom - purveuyers of gothic bar sets, and some terribly inappropriate toothpick holders …

Edward Gorey, antique style wedding. Also, Mad Hatter Bride.

Music painter Kilford will be working his magic at the UK Sorisphere festival, where he will turn the performances of Iron Maiden and Iggy and the Stooges into artwork.

Will Humanity Annihilate Itself? – a page from the 1939 San Antonio Light.

From the Positivity Blog, what Confucius Can Teach You About Living A Happier Life. Watch out for an upcoming Steff Metal article inspired by this post.

Yours from beside the smoldering fire with a bag of pineapple lumps and an indignant kitty cat.

When I find little things to buy online to share on the blog, I try to look for stuff slightly outside what you might expect a goth or metalhead chick to look at. I don’t like wearing the same things as anyone else, even “of my same subculture” anyone else, so I hope you think some of these things are cool too.

And gentlemen readers, don’t fret, this isn’t going to become a regular feature or anything, just something a little different for my weekend posting.

Flying Arrow Ring, $32, oxidised brass, by Brilliance Found.

Brilliance Found is a seriously cool little shop I stumbled upon just yesterday. It’s full of really funky jewelry – mostly rings. My favorites are the oxidised brass Flying Knuckle Ring (pictured), the Filigre Angle Arches ring, the Floating Brass Butterflies, and the Golden Wings series. Priced from $20US, these rings are just right for a little treat.

Gothic Witch Fortune Teller's Table, US$40, from Midnight Dteams

Midnight Dreams is a seriously rad little shop, full of dollhouse miniatures for the aspiring witch, pagan or occultist.  Yes, definitely a niche market, but I think these little vignettes would look wicked displayed on a shelf in your home, even if you weren’t a dollshouse collector. I think they’d be even cooler if you could add a few suitably-dressed Sylvanian Families figurines (oooh, I had that panda family). Check out the Gothic Witch Spell Hutch and the Witch Party Tea Cart.

Alien, US$47 leather journal by Kreative Ink

I am a sucker for a beautiful blank journal, so I’ve already eyed up these beauties from KreativLink for when my current journal runs out. The one in the picture is Alien, but there’s also Magical, Maschinist and Big Twigs. I love how the designs include the handmade, rough-edged paper and the almost cthulhu’esque tentacle-y designs and clasps.

Viking Chains, from EUR$79, From 4Vikings

This weekend we said goodbye to a good friend and old flatmate who’s off to New England to fix radio transmitters. He’d just found these beautiful chains from the Jord Sweden collection. Made especially to fit Thor’s Hammar pendants, I saw

I am not much of a fan of spending oodles of money on wallets and purses and such, since I am rough on them. But I must admit, the slightly steampunky, elegant designs at Urban Heirlooms have been making me think I could totally love a new wallet with a skeleton key for a lock. Don’t you agree?

This Genteel Wallet is colored “blood orange” which sounds like it would be my favorite color, ever, if only I could see color. And looky, it fits that iPhone inside perfectly! For those who need something a bit more hefty, he sells the same design as a messenger bag, as well as some quite unique and masculine leather cuffs.

Blood Orange Genteel Wallet, $55, from Urban Heirlooms

And, for the lass who can’t let go of hair metal, Blackmilk have recently released a collection of animal-print leggings. I never thought I’d see the day when leggings – especially tiger print leggings – would be hip again, but that time is upon us. I’ve long been debating a pair of their silver spartans or the ecclesiastical Cathedral leggings, but now I’m wondering if I should go straight for the snake print.

Snake, US$60, from Blackmilk Clothing

I have been seeing a lot of acrylic jewelry around lately, and of all the designers I’ve seen, I’m particularly taken with Untamed Menagerie. They cross naturalism with a clear love of the slightly odd. That’s just my kind of thing :) From the skeletony Thoracic, to the inkdrop-inspired Pseudoscience to these cute Nocturnal bat studs, I think pretty much any metal chick would find something to appeal in Untamed Menagerie.

Thoracic, US$18, by Untamed Menagerie

Yours with a “Happy Shopping” smile and a “Save Your Money For Wacken” frown.

Steampunk Necklace, from The Lost Dream Machine

I am a sucker for some good steampunk jewelry – because steampunk is so trendy now, a lot of people are flexing their creative biceps and trying to create steampunk jewelry. The look is very jumbled – and it’s meant to be so – but even a chaotic piece must contain some kind of internal order. Not everyone has an eye for that. I’ve been enjoying the pieces designed by Marcus at The Lost Dream Machine, a Belgium-born jeweler working from his studio in Spain. You can buy Marcus’ steam-inspired industrial jewelry from the Lost Dream Machine etsy shop.

Also digging NO FUNERAL – a metal / hardcore zine based in Huntsville, Texas. Their site hasn’t been updated since 2009, but I’ve been reading back through the archives and finding some real gems.

WebUrbanist does it again – 6 Incredible Underground Spaces. I’ve been to Capadocia in Turkey, and it’s even more awesome in real life. It really does look like a place from outer space. We explored the underground city where the Christians went to hide – we went down 11 storeys, I believe, but the city itself goes down over 25. Archaeologists actually have no idea of its full expanse. Incredible.

I am thinking of getting a pair of these. They are totally OTT and silly – and that’s why I love them. They would be my dragon pants. Perfect for a Hammerfall concert, no?

Where the Streets Have Sexual Names.

Fantastic essay by artist Hazel Dooney about marketing for creatives and getting behind your work. I am in total agreement with Hazel, and there’s much in this essay and the comments to inspire the creatives who read this blog, whether you be a musician, artist, writer, blogger or designer.

The Sassy bitches at Reign in Blonde have been having a go at this Metalliblog guy, for posting this article rating the personalities of various metal musicians he has met. I think this is pudding proof of “things you say on the internet that reflect upon you in a bad way” as Metaliblog dude comes off sounding like a major racist, homoerotic (I love his use of the word “playful”), fanboy douche. He probably isn’t, but that’s how he sounds. I’ve met a few metal musicians – Lemmy, Zakk Wylde, the dudes from Opeth, Nile, Behemoth, Cannibal Corpse … a few others, I’m sure. I found every one of them to be professional and appreciative of fans. The touring lifestyle must be hard, and sometimes you must want to tell the kids waiting out the back of the venue to fuck off, you just want a cigarette and to crawl into bed. Im not saying that excuses anyone from being an asshole, but I dislike the mentality that any musician is required to be “available” to his / her fans for autographs, chatting, drinking, whatever, once the show is over. If they are, great. But if they can’t, then that doesn’t make them an asshole.

Metal Insider has a few gloomy words to say about the Scream It Like You Mean It Summer Slaughter Thrash and Burn American Carnage Cool Ozzfest Mayhem Tour … And How Warped it All Is. I think – and please disagree with me here if you’re from the States and know more about the situation than I do – the problem here lies in too many summer tours with similiar lineups. I don’t think live music will ever die – in fact, I think it will get bigger and bigger over the next few years. I think the problem here is that kids only have a finite amount of money, and now, they can choose from 5-6 tours starring their favorite band. All these tours cater to the same audience – they’ve simply reached saturation point. Once tour promoters start thinking outside the box, they’ll see numbers and sales picking up again.

X-ray pinup calendar. Best. Idea. Ever.

Hot hot hot Medieval groom with sword.

And, for the boys, Hannah, who is also hot hot hot.

What are you reading this week?

Iron Maiden - the Final Frontier

Also in fucking awesome metal news, Iron Maiden’s website counted down today to the announcement that their new album “The Final Frontier” with some of their best cover art yet, will be released on August 16. The first sinle, called “El Dorado” will be available as a free download.

Halloween Party with Nuptuals, and the most delicious-looking cake ever. Also, Victorian Steampunk Corset-goddess wedding. And an At-At wedding cake, with cute little ewoks!

Fiver – a site where people tell you what they’ll do for you for five bucks. For example “I will help you play a practical joke for $5″, “I will do a dance for you for $5″, or “I will draw a cartoon for you for $5″. Such a cool idea – I’ll put up a couple of entries soon, I thinks.

This is freaky … 8 Mysterious unsolved sounds. I love that one is called “The Bloop”.

We’re All Sluts. This is a topic of frequent conversation around feminist circles. “Slut Bashing” or calling other women sluts, either to their faces or behind their back. I’ve never really encountered this firsthand before, as I have a pretty awesome circle of peeps, and don’t tend to associate with people who sit around bitching. But, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all” applies here, and if this is something that you’re a victim of, remember name calling says more about the person doing the calling than the person being made fun of.

Vote for this supreme court judge in California, because he likes Ozzy. I’m sold.

Why You’re Actually Terrified of Having Time to Create.

Necklace made from pen nibs. This would be a really easy DIY. I love how spiky and gnarly it looks.

I didn’t know LJ communities were still going, but here’s a cool one: CraftyGoths.

A friend posted a link on Facebook to Beserk Clothing (Aus) and they are sick! I am in LOVE with this skirt.

Squadron skirt, $85, Beserk Clothing

I will buy it. It will happen. As soon as I am a millionaire.

Decor for the discerning metalhead: Skull furniture.

The cute is killing me.

So, what have you been reading this week?

Cthulhu, as drawn by HP Lovecraft himself. SO not what I imagined.

Growing Jewellery by Hafsteinn Juliusson, an Icelandic designer working in Milano. Cute little patches of Icelandic moss growing in rings and pendants.

From the Telegraph, a 15 year old picture showing the ghost of a girl standing in the inferno of a burning town hall (the famous Wren Ghost picture) has been revealed as a hoax, after a researcher discovered the “Wren Ghost” was actually doctored from a postcard. I always find this a bit of a shame – as I’m sure there are plenty of seriously unexplained photographs out there who are having to fight for legitimacy against the overwhelming evidence of hoaxes.

Topshop’s Zombie Hunting Vest.

One Million Beers for Metal. Go forth and contribute to this most-excellent project \m/

A blog devoted to rude, crude and disturbing cross-stitch.

Ozzy sharing the shit out of visitors to Madame Toussauds. \m/

Dog Lamp, by Planta Design. So cute!

Creepy abandoned crypts.

What are you reading this week?

Range of Postcards available in the Steff Metal shop

WebUrbanist continues to be one of the few blogs who post something I’m dying to read every single day. Here’s 10 Most Amazing Ancient Objects of Mystery. The most mysterious thing I ever dug up was a squashed bullet casing.

Download Festival in the UK is renaming their second stage the “Dio Stage“.

From Rock n Roll Bride, Night of the Living Wed. Also, congrats to my wonderful friends, Tim and Tarah, who got engaged! You guys are awesome and are so wonderful together!

10 Tips for Marketing Your Books online. This applies to marketing anything online.

Bones of War: Haunting Skeleton photography.

I am about to place a HUGE order at Steampunk Couture. I bet, after you look, you will too.

Urgh, sorry, yes that was super short. If anyone wants to come over and do my work for me, you’re more than welcome.

Urgh \m/
Steff Metal

Anamorphic art greets commuters in Toronto

We have just got back from dropping my mum off at the airport. Had a lovely weekend with her – a big group of friends got together to have Mongolian for dinner and then see a local theatre group perform Terry Pratchett’s Maskerade as a theatre play. It was hilarious, as is expected of Terry Pratchett. He’s one of my mum’s favorite authors so I treated her for mother’s day.

I freaken love anamorphic art. It’s those paintings on streets and walls that look like weird splodges till you see them from just the right angle, and then they’re awesome. Here are some rad examples of Anamorphic art from the Toronto subway.

May Is Zombie Awareness Month. In honor of this important movement the Zombie Research Society are giving away a different zombie-themed item every day. I missed the first week (damn) but don’t think I won’t be over there adding my name in for some zombie swag.

Via Blabbermouth. By day, Thomas Gurrath, 29, is a trainee teacher in politics, history and ethics at Hegel Gymnasium in Stuttgart. By night, he is Thomas “The Bloodbeast” Gurrath, frontman of Debauchery, the goriest gore metal band to ever gore up the German city. But alas, Gurrath has been told he must choose the children or the metal. I’m interested to hear what you guys think about this – should a man fronting a gore metal band be allowed to teach school kids?

Wedding stuff: a Dia de los Muertos vow renewal. Black Boots in the snow7 (just a really cool photo shoot). Pretty picture (inked couple looking hot).

Ronnie James Dio has taken a turn for the worse and had to cancel all of Heaven and Hell’s summer shows. So if you were looking forward to seeing them at Bloodstock … sad face L. He says:

Wendy, my doctors and I have worked so hard to make it happen for all of you, the ones we care so much about, that this setback could be devastating, but we will not let it be. With your continued love and support, we will carry on and thrive. There will be other tours, more music, more life and much more magic.

Over on Reign in Blonde, Angela discusses artists who take their band names from the song titles of other bands.

New Collection from Complex Geometries. I love how these outfits look like the latest designs in Mad Cultist Garb.

Do you long for the day when robots and androids walk among us? It’s already here.

For random décor items and steampunk misc., try the Victorian Trading Company.

Gossip Girl star (and frontwoman of The Pretty Reckless, who are apparently some kind of emo band) Taylor Momsen wearing an Iron Maiden shirt. At least she’s not throwing the goat.

Apparently, New York City is one of the most linguistically diverse cities on earth. You can hear over 800 languages – some, like Vlashki, Garifuna, Mamuju, Gaelic and Romany.  The Endangered Language Alliance attempts to document and preserve them all. As a person who has spent a significant period of her life studying French, German, two ancient languages (Greek and Egyptian Hieroglyphs) and one invented language (Quenya) I find this article rather fascinating.

Latex designs including a latex wedding dress from Etsy sellers Creative CHAOS Designs.

What are you reading this week?
Steff Metal

• SWANClothing Sock garters
• Black skirt – I call it Gladiatrix because it looks like a warrior’s skirt (Queen of Darkness)
• black top (some hippy shop)
• Red corset (actually an underwear corset – an awesome present from my wicked cool sister)
• Spider thigh-high socks
• Jeffrey Campbell wedge boots

I am so happy with the sock garters. My legs as so skinny my socks and stockings constantly fall down, and these are the only sock garters I’ve ever seen on the market with a slightly feminine, but with a bondage twist, feel to them. They are no good for REALLY thick socks, but these are a thick-ish cotton/wool blend and the garters hold them up just fine. They’re extremely well made, and I love the little swan on my right leg. I love buying and wearing handmade products and supporting independent designers, and if doing that means I get to wear cool things like these, then I will continue to do so with a smile!

The only terrible thing is, since they fit my upper legs so well, I am going to have to get another pair for my shorter socks. Oh no, so sad!

Since this was an industrial gig, I wanted to do something with my hair. I don’t own any dreadfalls (although I am eyeing up these “steamfalls” from SteampunkCouture), so I DIYed my own hair ribbons using … shoelaces. I just put my hair into pigtails and tied the laces around the hairties. CDH thought it was hilarious, because I was worrying people would think I looked stupid, but no one could tell in the dark. I should really know by now NO ONE in this community would care if you wore shoelaces in your hair.

Socking’ it to ya.
Steff Metal

Diplomat Mini Top-hat, $25, from Pieces of Eight. Isn't that the most amazing hat?

I have had a fantastic, but busy, couple of weeks, and the pace won’t slow till my novel is out the door to the editors. This will hopefully happen within the next three weeks. It’s crazy – the last hundred pages of edits take me as long to complete as writing an entire new novel.

Here is what I’m shouting “Up the Irons!” to this week:

All of you, amazing blog readers, for your comments and email and support \m/ Artibrary celebrations at work – any excuse for a shared lunch \m/ friends getting married and heading off on amazing adventures \m/ studying German on the train and forgetting I’m in New Zealand \m/ making plans for Wacken 2011 \m/ snuggles on freezing NZ mornings \m/ talking on Skype with old friends \m/ making new friends \m/ finally getting the hang of Twitter \m/ learning about interesting people (thank YOU Countess Bathory) \m/ mysterious packages in the mail \m/ preparations for my stall at an upcoming craft fair \m/ cooking dinner from a friend from the middle east tour tonight (I am excited) \m/ finally making it past a certain scene in my books – on the home stretch now \m/ Whitikas dark chocolate blocks. \m/ black books, good company and french toast on a cold day \m/ when you can be in a relationship with someone for five years and they STILL surprise you \m/ amazingly talented friend J winning a Metallica art competition \m/ Skyclad and Orphaned Land – musical loves of the week \m/

It’s been one of those weeks where lots of cool stuff has happened to other people, and that’s so cool. What about you? What are you loving this week?

Up the Irons! \m/
Steff

brain salt and pepper shakers

Item 102 on the Interior Design Guide for Axe Murderers, are these adorable blood soaked shower curtains. Item 103 are these brain salt and pepper shakers.

Zombies are environmentally friendly.

A Lord of the Rings, tango wedding (with the cutest Star Trek garter!).

Christophe, $160, by Armor Jewelry

Armor Jewelry make amazing pieces from chain – shoulder pieces, harnesses, leg and arm … things. This sure isn’t the normal pendant and bracelet combination.

The Snow White Princess from Haute Macabre. Normally, I can’t stand white (it’s all glarey, and ick), but this shoot for i-D magazine changed my mind!

Cleverly concealed cellphone towers. This made me laugh because in Egypt they hide lights and cell towers as huge fake palm trees.

Starting next month, Metal Missionaries: a book devoted to in-depth interviews with Christian extreme metal bands will be available for download from Undark. Inlike most metalheads, I’m all for people using their music to understand and express their faith, but I’ve yet to hear an overtly “Christian” metal band who actually sounds good. Wait … Mortification, but that’s it. Prove me wrong, metal missionaries.

The comment thread did, however, remind me of this quote I always loved.

Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false and by the rulers as useful.” – Seneca

If you’re going to be attending Norway’s Inferno festival this year (you lucky bastards), you can catch a black metal art exhibition, featuring the work of Trine + Kim design studio, who’ve been designing album covers for the likes of Darkthrone since 1999. The works will be mounted on wooden boards and are for sale in small, limited editions. Also for sale – the studio’s self-published art book, Decade, celebrating ten years of creating art together. The book is limited to 150 copies worldwide.

For additional krieg value, this exhibition is being held at Schweigaards Gate 56, the former location of Helvete (now a bakery, which makes a killer croissant J).

Phil Anselmo (Down, ex-Pantera) is writing a monthly horror movie column at Bloody Disgusting.

A wonderful, inspiring article by author James Kennedy about collaborating with your fans.

Steampunk homes and transportation mods. I’ve always loved that steampunk campervan.

Pushead SPARROW book. I’m hoping that phrase makes sense to at least some of you.

Here’s hoping you are having an excellent week so far

Super Snuggles and Shoggoth Kisses
Steff Metal