June 2024
A Kick in the Tastebuds
Here we are again with another of our multi-talented members! We all know Danielle as the triple threat author, editor and publisher but she also creates wonders with ginger. Danielle was gracious enough to chat with me about this venture.
What is Ginger KICK and how did you get started with it?
Danielle: Ginger KICK! is homemade flavor-infused candied ginger products. It started out of a cookie recipe I devised, Limoncello Coconut with Candied Ginger. I used to buy the ginger for the cookie but I was shopping with a friend one time and when I went to pick up a package he took it out of my hand and put it back, saying “That is so easy to make.” So we went over and picked up some raw ginger root and that set me on the path of this madness. My first attempt doing it the way he said didn’t turn out too good. It was too fibrous. But I looked up some how-to’s and tried again and the result was amazing! Originally I had intended it just for my personal cooking use, but since I was making lemon-based cookies I thought, ‘what if I add lemon to the ginger?’ I was doomed from then on out. Of course, it was a learning process with plenty of bumps on the way.
Growing and learning sound like part of the process. What is your favorite discovery so far? What is the worst flavor you’ve stumbled onto?
Danielle: I am going to answer those in reverse order. Really, I haven’t run across any “bad” flavor in my pairings. All of them taste amazing and unique, though there are a few that I don’t make as often for various reasons. One is Honey ginger, where I substitute honey for the sugar in the process. It tastes quite good, but when you are cooking it the honey itself kind of smells like vomit, kind of like a young mead can before it is really ready to drink. The other thing I tried was Pepsi ginger, which was a total fail. I tried this because I make a root beer ginger that is really good and the soda works fine in the process. I figured why not try Pepsi, since I like it. Unfortunately, some aspect of the soda reacted to the heat and it turned directly into hard candy, so my ginger was all stuck in a massive lump. Now, I will say, having said all of that, I do now make a Honey Habanero Ginger that is pretty awesome and for some reason I don’t have the same problem with the smell when I make it, maybe because of the added compound of the pepper, which I cut in half and place in a cotton bag to boil with the ginger. Some of my other, more unusual flavors are wasabi, umami, and coffee, the last of which is my absolute favorite and quite popular with fans of Ginger KICK!
Now… for your other question, one of the most important things I’ve learned is that ginger comes from all over the world and can have different properties depending on where it comes from. One of my best discoveries is that the common ginger… the big long nobby kind of ginger that most cooks feel is inferior due to the excess water content, is actually ideal for what I am doing because as you boil the ginger and the water is evaporated, the remaining flavor compounds and sugar are absorbed into the ginger making for a better taste and texture than if I had used the more delicate ginger with the lesser water content, because that tends to stay more fibrous.
Do you have any flavors that have surprised you or given you a special reaction from a customer?
Danielle: Well, I already mentioned coffee, which takes everyone by surprise, and umami always has them intrigued (it is basically soy sauce ginger, but the process makes it taste like salted caramel!). Any of the alcohol ones get a reaction… spiced rum, mulled wine, apricot brandy… and Chai has to be one of the absolute favorites that people come back for time and again. Mostly, though, it is the ginger in general that draws a reaction. Because of my process–I cook to a texture, rather than a time, so the ginger is very intense, but also very tender, almost jelly-like–no matter what flavor people try, there is generally quite a reaction. Most of the time it is awe and delight as the so-named kick takes them by surprise, but occasionally it is a hard nope because the flavor is too intense for someone. At this point I make over fifty flavors and combinations, so there is a high chance that those who like ginger will find something to pique their interest.
Excellent stuff. Where can folks go to get some of your ginger creations?
Danielle: Mostly people find me at a local conventions, such as the upcoming Horror at Main in Harrisburg the last weekend in June and at the upcoming Shore Leave in Lancaster at the end of July, but I also have an order page on my online store: Ginger KICK! Flavor-Infused Candied Ginger | eSpec Books where I offer the ginger, simple syrup, granola, and chocolate-dipped ginger. At events, I sometimes have other items, and occasionally I run Kickstarters to try new flavors and products like rock candy, toffee, cookies and beef jerky.
A very big thank you to Danielle for sharing this flavorful interview with us! Be sure to hit up her page or get out to one of our excellent local conventions to see her and pick up some candies along with some fantastic reads!
March 2024
The Bag Lady
Continuing to dig into the wealth of talent that lives among our members, I had the opportunity to chat with Pam about her fabulous bags! Dame Dahlia Creations is the real showcase of her work, but I wanted to get more detail, so we did an interview!
How would you describe what you do? I mean, you’re essentially a handbag/tote creator, right? You do all the material cutting and sewing?
Pam: While I don’t design my own patterns, I do everything else. I select the fabric/material based on what the individual wants or somethings if I just find some really cool fabric and get inspired. I cut everything out and sew it all together. It can take anywhere from 10 – 60 hours to make depends on the pattern. Certainly a labor of love.
How did you get started doing this?
Pam: I started sewing about 7-8 years ago making costumes and fun stuff like that. Then I started making retro inspired dresses. 40s, 50s, 60s styles. I was having a hard time finding handbags to match the outfits. So I looked for some patterns and found some and just started making them. I’d post on my personal Facebook page the different bags I was making. My friends kept commenting asking if I made them to sell. When my husband was going through cancer treatment, it gave me something to focus on instead of just taking care of him.
[do you want me to include that last bit?]
Pam: Sure you can. When going through something like cancer the caretaker has to take care of themselves as well. Having a hobby or something to focus on instead of the ick that is cancer is important.
Do you have a favorite piece that you’ve done? Or, one that you really didn’t want to let go of?
Pam: I have several but the one that really sticks out is a sugar skull one. I just loved how that one came out. The woman who bought it was so excited because she just loves sugar skulls and well skulls in general. In fact the dress she was wearing matched the pattern on that bag pretty well so it went to the right home but part of me was sad to see it go.
What is your favorite part of the whole process?
Pam: Seeing it really start to come together. That particular bag has 45 individual pieces. It’s difficult to see how it will actually come together. Finding all the little fun things – like zipper pulls to match. Then seeing the person’s face when they see it done. Seeing the person’s face when they see their custom bag makes all the work rewarding.
A very big thank you to Pam for sharing her creations with us! Be sure to head over to her site and check out all the fabulous things she makes!
February 2024
The String Witch
One of the longest standing members of our group is Mary. In all the years I’ve known Mary I’ve always been deeply impressed with her knowledge of and accomplishments with various forms of fiber arts. Weaving and creating some fantastic patterns creating something completely by hand. That being said, I don’t actually know many details. I decided it was high time I found out!
Fiber arts seems like a catch all phrase to me. How would you describe or list the various forms of works you create?
Mary: I spin yarn. Sometimes I actually knit or weave with the yarns I have created. I have a floor loom and weave on that, as well as tablet weaving narrow pieces; like those shown in the pictures.
How long have you been spinning, knitting and weaving?
Mary: I started in the mid 1990s. I took a drop-spinning class and was able to actually make it work. Within a few years I bought and assembled my spinning wheel, they come unassembled. Tablet weaving is not loom dependent, although it is easier that way. I bought a book and pretty much taught myself. The rest of it evolved over time.
What is your favorite part of all the processes you do?
Mary: I love the planning of the project and watching the it grow from the idea to the end product.
How long will a piece like these weaves take?
Mary: It generally takes a couple of weeks it depends on how much time I can devote to it.
How long are those weave pieces?
Mary: I honestly don’t remember… I generally start with about 3 yards of warp and up with about 2.5 yards (of finished product).
Would a weave piece like that generally be used as trim on a period piece of clothing?
Mary: Yes, that (the green) piece was put on a Viking Coat. The other pieces could be used for the same .
Is this the sort of thing a casual hobby person could pick up?
Mary: Yes. I taught myself from a book. Now there are several books aimed at beginners. YouTube is also a great resource.
A very big thank you to Mary for sharing her artistry with us!
The Art of Fandom
For a couple of years now I’ve focused my written pieces for Watch The Skies on films and television. While that sort of entertainment is wonderful, I feel that we need to shift from film to other forms of art. As a group, science fiction fandom has some of the most imaginative and talented creators anywhere. If there’s a way to create something, they’ll find it. If it can tie in with a favorite book or show, so much the better.
My hope is to get some of our members to show off their creations here in the fanzine this year. I would love to see what other folks are making and how it’s related to their fandom.
I’ll go first! Normally our group sees my artwork on the cover of the ‘zine each month. That isn’t the only form of art I create. I draw, paint, model and craft as well. As part of an online crafting group, I was able to enter a contest for the creation of a “magic potion”. Using a bottle and a number of other supplies, I was able to create the “magic potion” Release. It’s a real, full-size bottle with sculpted pieces, painted glass and hand sketched parchment. While it didn’t win the contest, I was really pleased with the results.
So ~ what are you working on! Let’s show it off!
