Category: Uncategorized

A Simple Jig to Make New Tumblers from Old Booze Bottles (via @ManMadeDIY)

Want to cut wine bottles? Build this jig!

I’m not generally a huge fan of Instructables–the skinny on my criticism: project quality is inconsistent and the site’s presentation insanely frustrating–but this little jig is *fantastic*! I *love* this sort of mid-1970s upcycling, and am really glad it’s making a comeback (not least because I have a ton of weird liquor bottles I look forward to making into drinking glasses).
The results?

Rad!ManMade DIY !*

Probably shoulda mentioned this earlier: An ebook giveaway is afoot! #FreeStuff #STEAMPUNK

Today is last day to download a free copy of my steampunk novella from Amazon! OMFG! **GLEE-PANIC-MEGAEXCITEMENT*FREAKOUT*!!!**
*FEEL FREE TO SHARE, TWEET, RESHARE, & RETWEET THIS VITAL INTELLIGENCE!*
Head on over to Amazon and grab a copy pronto; like a fairytale cobbler, the deal dies at midnight: “Tucker Teaches the Clockies to Copulate”

As an added bonus, this time around I’m also making available a DRM-free, multi-format ebook pack that includes a mobi version (for Kindle), ePub (for basically everything else), and a printable, shareable, lovable, huggable PDF–all featuring Chad Sell’s excellent illustrations!
Wanna help spread the love and catapult the propaganda? Rad! Here are some links:

  • Download link for the DRM-free multi-pack: http://db.tt/Kh3HkseO (good through tomorrow morning, because I have a new baby and am not likely to stay up until midnight *and* remember to deactivate this link)
  • Amazon’s Kindle page for this ebook: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006RTWZF6 (FREE until March 27; reasonably priced thereafter)

    • . . . and an easy-to-blurb blurb:

    In 1874 Dickie Tucker–a crippled, alcoholic Confederate veteran living in Utah Territory–taught clockwork robots a few human skills, with mixed results. Download the celebrated novella “Tucker Teaches the Clockies to Copulate” FREE *today* for Kindle (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006RTWZF6) or everything else (http://db.tt/Kh3HkseO)

    . . . and a few nice sample illustrations:

    Small independent publishing projects like this *really* benefit from reader reviews–so, if you enjoy Tucker’s antics and have a minute, it would be great of you to post a review to Amazon, LibraryThing, Goodreads, your own blog or Facebook wall, or any forum where folks go looking for finely crafted tales of swearing, drinking, general debauchery, alienation, and robot sex.

  • Amazon’s product page

  • Goodreads listing for “Tucker Teaches the Clockies to Copulate”
  • LibraryThing listing
    Thanks again for your help and support!

    • This Sunday: FREE Lantern-crafting workshop in Ann Arbor with FestiFools!

    Every Sunday in March the folks behind FestiFools have been leading the public in building *awesome* illuminated lanterns to be used at the March 30 “FoolMoon” night-time parade (which is a run-up event to the April 1 daytime FestiFools Giant Scary Puppet parade). Come down, build some lanterns, and have an all-around good time with local crafting enthusiasts!
    Free, Drop-in Sculptural Lantern Workshops!

  • DATE: March 25
  • TIME: 10am-5pm
  • LOCATION: The Workantile, 118 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104
  • BONUS: Free coffee and treats (while supplies last)!
  • FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! Suggested donation: $10
    Here’s a video demo of last year’s luminary kit:

    And here’s the video demo of this year’s kit (for sale both on the spot and in advance; click here for details):

    And, finally, some pics from this year.