The Madness Of Tote Bags

Wonderplace Alpha Tote Bag – $6
A dash of magic, a pinch of mischief, and a whole lot of charm—our official Wonderplace Alpha tote is ready to carry your dreams, your potions, or just your snacks. Adorned with a delightfully spooky face, flying bat, and a top hat with jack-o’-lantern flair, it’s the perfect companion for market wanderings and late-night goblin misadventures.

At just $6, it’s enchantingly affordable. Grab yours before they vanish into the mist!

Bab – A – Dew’s Wood-Fired Pizza

Wood-fired pizza!

“You can do irrefutably impossible things with the right amount of planning and support from intelligent and hardworking people and pizza.”
-Scott Gimple, producer, “The Walking Dead”

“Pizza makes me think that anything is possible. It’s a quick and easy clean-up meal. Everybody likes pizza! It’s a universal love language.”
-Henry Rollins

Bab – Dew’s Wood-Fired Pizza offers authentic, artisanal Italian favorites with an Adirondack Flair! All of our creative cuisine is homemade and we pride ourselves on having something for everyone from vegan or gluten free to meat lovers. We serve traditional pizzas, specialty pies focused on seasonally available ingredients,  apps and desserts.

Lyngvi, Wolven Domain and Larnvidia Muspelheim

“The loup-garou is neither man nor beast, but something accursed, driven by a hunger that cannot be sated, haunting the shadows of our villages.”

Wolven Domain within NYC. I have Adopted Lyngvi, the island where wolves live in Norse Mythology as a gathering place for all Wolves and to be a Wolven Domain in (NYC). Yes, Gotham Halo is the domain of NYC , but that is a vampiric domain. When people hear Lyngvi I want them to know wolves reside here in Gotham Halo (NYC) as well.  Yes, Lyngvi is the island where Fenrir was imprisoned, though also where Wolves live and where he breaks free to consume his imprisoned Odin. It now represents a place of power and freedom. It is described as looking like the crater of an extinct volcano in the sea and being covered in White Heather flowers that helps keep Fenris Wolf imprisoned, though now he has broken free it is the Haven of Lyngvi. Fenrir is said to eat the sun during Ragnarök, the end of the world. Which brings Forth Moon Side for Wolves. His and Larnvidia sons Sköll and Hati are said to chase the sun and moon, when caught will bring on Ragnarok. Fenrir being the most powerful wolf only makes sense for us to stick by his side. So we should live where he breaks free and together be unified.  As I am Larnvidia, it is my responsibility to give wolves their own place to come together. There is no better place than Lyngvi.

Larnvidia Muspelhiem (Luna Diosa) I am Larnvidia Muspelheim, Alfa of Ulveskare Muspelheim, and Founder of Lyngvi. I am an Alpha of Wolves and Wolven within Lyngvi (GH/NYC). I have been known as Luna Diosa since I was eight years of age, it followed me all the way to GH when I was twenty two years of age. As I am a new alpha and coming back to NYC I have changed my name and started from scratch to bring you the Wolven community of Lyngvi. I have been in Gotham Halo for nearly five years actively. I have been an active alpha for nearly three of those years. I moved out of state taking a sabbatical and enjoying my time with my fiance and our two kids. We recently came back and I am now an alpha within gotham halo once again. This time being completely released by the one who brought me into the scene, the one who gave me my title as alpha, along with being recognized within GH as having a bloodline. Since then I have an ancient bloodline, the first and only in any domain. My bloodline name is Muspelheim, a glowing, fiery realm that has existed since the beginning of time. Now that I am back in NYC I am taking a very hands-on, direct approach for the betterment of the wolven community. Creating our own domain within (GH/NYC) but still connected to Gotham Halo. We as wolven will have our own packs in Lyngvi. I am also the founder of White Heather, Wolven Haven. My council of wolves is Amsvartnir which is where the lake Lyngvi resides surrounded by white heather flowers.  I spoke about my pack which in the very beginning was made up of three members, my most loyal and supportive pack members who have seen me start, pause, and re-start up again and have not left my side. A great example of a pack and the unity I am bringing through Lyngvi.

Being as it is for wolves inside Gotham is not the best in regards to respect and honor it felt only right to give us our own place to be. I am not poaching, my pack and council is only open to those I see are a good fit. All are welcome into White Heather and all Wolven are welcome into the community Lyngvi. I am being passed a very old hope of bringing wolves their own domain and safe haven within NYC, which I take very seriously. I am opening my pack and Lyngvi to wolves/wolven who desire more out of life for their wolf side. I have teachings and I will mentor you in ways of connecting with your wolf side and guiding you through your journey as much as I can for you to become more successful within your life.

Darkling – a poem from jeffmachwrites

(Originally published on our writing blog on October 31, 2024.)

We are Darkling. We’re not strange.
If your shadows re-arrange,
If your Moon sometimes winks out,
If your soul sometimes slinks out,

If you’re a midnight, inky Darkling
It’s a different kind of Sparkling;
We wax wroth, with strangeling fires
Welcome, Goths, ghouls, Vampires.

If, in short, you like the odds
Of serving strange and hungry Gods,
If you’re no coward or cowan,
If you lift the veil on Samhain;

Then perhaps, you, as well
In Darkling spirit ought to dwell
We judge no thought or love or sin;
We welcome you, our Otherkin.

Wonderplace Alpha – A Halloween Note From Darkling — Jeff Mach Writes

Is Steampunk Dead, And If So, What Are All These Steampunks Doing Here?

“Steampunk is dead. Totally dead. Very very sad. Yes, just leave the body with me. I want to get it inside before this, um…frightening thunderstorm…”
-Dr. Victor “Two Hats” Frankenstein

Steampunk: a curious anachronism that refuses to rust away quietly. This panel dissects whether the genre—born of Victorian daydreams and brass-plated audacity—has sputtered out or merely recalibrated its gears. We’ll probe its persistence in literature, fashion, and the odd corners of maker culture, asking why enthusiasts still don corsets and monocles in a world of algorithms and anxiety. With a raised eyebrow and a touch of restraint, we’ll explore if steampunk is a relic, a rebellion, or simply too stubborn to die. Expect sharp insights, subtle jabs, and a nod to the absurd beauty of it all.

Questions and Subjects for Discussion:

  1. The State of the Genre
    • Has steampunk’s output—novels, films, games—dwindled to a trickle, or are we just looking in the wrong places?
    • Do sales of top hats on Etsy or steampunk subreddit activity suggest a pulse, or are these mere echoes?
    • What separates a vibrant niche from a museum piece?
  2. Aesthetic Endurance
    • Why does steampunk’s obsession with cogs and crinolines still charm in an era of sleek minimalism?
    • Is its appeal a quiet protest against disposable tech, or just a fondness for things that clank?
    • Can the classical world teach the modern world innovation?
  3. The Maker’s Paradox
    • Why do steampunk enthusiasts insist on soldering their own pocket watches when Amazon exists?
    • Does the genre’s DIY ethos—blending 19th-century fantasy with 21st-century tools—keep it relevant, or is it just cosplay with extra steps?
    • Are makers innovating, or endlessly polishing the same brass?
  4. Media and Mutation
    • Where does steampunk linger most convincingly: dog-eared novels, indie games, or that one Netflix series nobody finished?
    • Has it bled into other genres, or is it too busy polishing its goggles to notice?
    • Can steampunk’s retro charm survive in a media landscape chasing the next dystopian fad?
  5. The Persistent Devotees
    • What compels someone to declare themselves a “steampunk” in 2025? Is it style, substance, or sheer contrariness?
    • Do conventions and online forums thrive on community or just mutual indulgence?
    • How do newcomers find steampunk, and are they rewriting its rules or reciting old lines?
  6. The “Dead” Question
    • If steampunk is dead, was it the weight of its own clichés or a simple failure to compete with flashier genres?
    • If it lives, what’s its strongest vital sign—fan fiction, fashion, or something less tangible?
    • Could steampunk’s refusal to die be its most punk trait?
  7. Technology and Tension
    • Does steampunk’s love for mechanical whimsy hold water in a world of quantum chips and neural implants?
    • Can it critique modern tech without sounding like a cranky Luddite in a waistcoat?
    • Are there whispers of a “new steampunk” that embraces today’s machines without losing its soul?
  8. The Human Element
    • What personal stories do fans tell about stumbling into steampunk’s orbit? A book? A costume? A random convention panel?
    • Is steampunk a refuge for misfits, a canvas for creatives, or just a very specific costume party?
    • How does its community balance gatekeeping with growth?

Secret List Of Wonderplace Alpha Panels

Exploring Steampunk Solutions: Can the Past Inspire Our Future?

Creating Imaginary Places For Real People

“What IS Steampunk? …the eternal, inevitable panel.”

YenYorkCity Live

Scream Queens, Artists, Authors, Mad Scientists, and Other Odd Persons Collude: A Panel & Discussion

“Blueprints of the Beyond: Crafting Tomorrow’s Worlds in Sci-Fi and Fantasy Architecture”

Phlogiston’s Furnace: Smelting Sound from the Unseen Flame

Creating Peculiar Art In An Increasingly Surreal Universe

Stardust to Star Dustbin: An Odyssey Through the Overlooked Oceans of Otherworldly Offal

Guest of Honor Panel

VIP PANEL(s): I love premium content, but I always feel shy creating it.

Weird Worlds: A Symphony of Abductions, Hauntings, and Tales Beyond Reality

The Machinations of Mayhem: A Grand Conclave on the Governance, Gallantry, and Grand Larceny of Steampunk’s Splendidly Sinister Souls, Mad Scientists, and Airship Brigands

Why You Need To Support Authors And Purchase Their Books Or Else The Universe Will Explode Tomorrow

The Unseen Library: Imaginary Books and Their Influences

Is Steampunk Dead?

Dave Shelton

Dave Shelton, cartoonist and creator!

An award winning film and television writer, cartoonist, author, musician and voice actor, Dave has had his writing compared to the likes of Ray Bradbury and David Lynch and his cartoon work to that of Charles Schulz, one of Dave’s idols. As senior writer and head of cartoons at National Lampoon, he put out two best-selling cartoon collections while handling writing and cartooning for the flagship magazine. He was also involved with Comic Relief. His early work includes art for Tim Allen and Robert Wuhl’s HBO specials and, as cartoonist and writer for Tiger Beat’s Superteen Magazine he created the popular cartoon Toon Groupies©. Dave’s character Snuggy Bear© was licensed for multiple brands including children’s eyewear by Crystal Clear Vision Group, selling out worldwide after a highly successful premiere in NYC at the International Vision Expo. Dave is also the creator of the popular Hackidu characters for Everybody Loves Raymond.

Dave has illustrated several popular children’s books including Bellaboo, the Purple Princess written by General Hospital star Nancy Lee Grahn and The Lemming Shepherds, distributed throughout China and Taiwan and is being adapted into a feature film. He illustrated and helped edit the book Full Frontal Tenudity from famed comedienne Judy Tenuta. Dave’s own book, Brain Explosion (Bear Manor Media Publishing), a collection of his cartoons and writings from his National Lampoon days has become a best-seller and is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Dave’s kids show, Professor Creepy’s Scream Party(c) had huge premieres at the 2013 Phoenix Comic Con and Son of Monsterpalooza convention in Burbank, CA. It has been receiving rave reviews and was written up in iconic Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine (April, 2013). Professor Creepy won the Bronze trophy at the 2014 International Independent Film Awards and was an official selection in the 2014 R.I.P. Horror Film Festival. The pilot was picked up for airing on the Monster Channel, August, 2017 and in 2018 was the top show on Roku’s Around the World in 80 Screams, airing on 28 networks on Halloween. Dave’s documentary, From Cheesecake to Cheesecake: The Joy Harmon Story (WGAw), about the life of 1960’s film/TV icon Joy Harmon, won the 2013 Hollywood & Vine Film Festival and was a top five finalist in the prestigious 2014 Taste Awards and won the Silver trophy at the 2014 International Independent Film Awards.

Dave’s sitcom pilot Against Type, starring Roland Kickinger (Terminator Salvation), Stephen Furst (Animal House) and ICarly’s Jennette McCurdy, aired domestically in over forty US markets and was picked up for international distribution by the Global Broadcasting Company in Spring, 2010, CETV (Chinese Entertainment Television) and The Dish Network’s Simply Kids channel in 2011. It was also a finalist in the 2015 Taste Awards. Dave is a successful infomercial writer/director in China and his voice work can be heard on the SyFy Channel films Path of Destruction and Lake Placid vs. Anaconda and in the animated series Alien House, co-starring Kim Possible’s Christy Carlson Romano and the new series Cozmo’s. Dave was also a celebrity judge on ICN TV China’s top rated talent competition show, American Stars. He is in the classic rock documentary What is Classic Rock (2018) and entered his documentary Ask Me if I C.A.R.E. into festivals. In October, 2016, Dave’s song, I am A Zombie, charted on kids syndicated radio network JenniRadio. In June, 2018, Dave’s script for the short film, Selfie, was selected for the 2018 AT&T Create-A-Thon, beating out over 500 scripts to get into the finals. The film was shot at Warner Bros. In 2019, Dave played guitar on the single, Running, by actor Larry Thomas (Seinfeld’s The Soup Nazi). Dave’s weekly national horror radio show, Cemetery GoGo, began airing on WRSG 91.5 FM December 14th, 2019. In December, 2020, and was picked up in June, 2021 by WAKI FM radio. Dave’s children’s book, Bag Boy and Sweet Slob(c) was released by Headline Books Inc publishers and is now available worldwide on Amazon and wherever books are sold. In February, 2021, Bag Boy and Sweet Slob won the Reader’s Favorite 5 Star Award and honorable mention at the 2021 San Francisco Book Festival in June. Against Type and Professor Creepy’s Scream Party were picked up by Amazon Prime TV in December, 2020. In September, 2021, Bag Boy and Sweet Slob won the Bronze Medal at the 2021 International Book Awards sponsored by Readers’ Favorite.

UPDATE: Dave’s syndicated hit radio show, Cemetery GoGo(c), airs on radio stations around the country including WAKI Radio out of Anapolis, Maryland, Classic WJEG in West Virginia, WBNY 91.3 FM out of Buffalo, NY and WCMO 98.5 FM out of Marietta, Ohio. His hit Spotify podcast, Bitching with Bitchy the Clown(c), is on multiple platforms and is being adapted into a TV talk show. Brain Explosion is being adapted into a TV sketch comedy show. Dave’s original songs, The Visitor and Elementary in the Cemetery (recorded by Bitchy the Clown) are included in the soundtrack of the indie horror movie, Slice, which premiered at the legendary Chinese Theatre in Hollywood November 16, 2022.

Other credits:

Wrote theme song for Special Olympics, which named several of their teams after Snuggy Bear©. His cartoon work is part of the Charles M. Schulz (Snoopy) museum in Santa Rosa, CA and the Haig Museum of Cartoons in New York. Former song writing partner of the late Albert Hague (Fame, How the Grinch Stole Christmas). A direct descendant of Vlad the Impaler (inspiration for Dracula). An avid golfer, Dave has been sponsored by Roger Dunn Golf Shops. On the board of the prestigious Environment of People Foundation. Coached basketball with legendary UCLA coach Jim Harrick and former LA Lakers and Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy.

Moonstone Apothecary

Moonstone Apothecary.

“The moonstone gleamed with the light of a thousand unspoken truths, a beacon in the darkness of Earthsea’s endless seas.”
-Ursula LeGuin

I make crystal dream catchers, gem trees, crystal crowns, beaded jewelry, divination boards and pendulums, smudge bundles, candle magic kits, make your own spell jars, and much more.