After the financial crash of 2008, David Berry found himself out of work due to corporate downsizing. His wife asked him what he wanted to do.
"He said, 'I'd like to find a job,'" Maria Berry recalls. "I said, 'That's not what I asked. Nothing is standing in your way. What do you want to do?'"
"I want to make things with my hands, and travel," he replied.
"So we're vendors," she declared.
And thus, a new business was born. David, who had been making goggles and ray guns on a small scale, beefed up his product line and started making lamps. Maria, who had been making jewelry, added robots to the mix. They describe their products as "Re-Fabricated Finery for the Fashionable Adventurer."
Based in Placerville, Calif., near Sacramento, they sell their wares at conventions, street fairs, and other events in the state. These include Clockwork Alchemy, the annual steampunk con in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Among their offerings: "Flotsam's and Jetsam's Robot Taxidermy," made from found and repurposed objects such as soap dishes and curtain rods; "Doomsday Devices" that light up and serve as containers; and "Tea Slingers" for tea duelers who need to be quick on the draw.
They also make purses from old books. These "are one of the most popular sellers in our booth," Maria says. "With several sizes and many different designs, it is hard not to find one that is a perfect addition to your outfit."
Here's a look at their creations. See their Facebook page for more info.
