The crew of The Brass Apple, a steampunk hovertrain.
We at The Brass Apple are here to provide you inexpensive quality goods for your fashion accessory needs. Specializing in culturally inspired jewelry and accessories, we encourage everyone to add a little ethnic flair into your wardrobe. Our items may be integrated into everyday wear and cosplay.
In addition to our material goods, we also provide our knowledge of Japanese clothing and steampunk through panels at events and conventions. We enjoy discussing and educating the public about Steampunk, Multicultural Steampunk, Steampunk Social Issues, Traditional Japanese Clothing, and a workshop on Obi Knot (Musubi) Tying. If you would like to see us at more conventions, please contact con staff to let them know you enjoyed our panels and would like to see us. If you are event or con staff and interested in booking us as guests, please contact us via email (bookba @ thebrassapple.com).
The Crew
Stephanie Warren
Co-Founder, CFO & Sales Manager
Stephanie received her B.A. in English: Creative Writing from the University of North Texas (UNT), where she also studied Japanese language. Upon graduation, several events dissuaded her from pursuing her dream to teach English in Japan or here in the States to non-English speakers. The universe had other plans for her and she has now completed her first year of training in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Inspired by the anime she grew up watching during her teen years, Stephanie fell in love with all things Japanese. Her interests eventually led to planning a Japanese themed wedding, her wedding. Fascinated by the culture, she had no prior knowledge of the complex world of kimono wear. Thanks to Immortal Geisha, she slowly navigated her way into a basic understanding of which kimono is best for what and how to tie an obi. Since then she spends far too much time browsing on Ichiroya and wishing she had more funding for her kimono habits. Stephanie has very limited crafting and visual artistic talent. Her husband, Bryant Warren, has taught her most of what she knows. Her strengths lie in the written word, table set-up designs, and keeping the crew fed. You can subscribe to Stephanie’s Facebook or follow her on Twitter. For non-Steampunk related articles, follow her posts on Death Ponies.
Characters: Abigael Reed Usagi
Abigael Reed Usagi is a mechanical genius in the world of trains. She has used her family’s knowledge to build the first and only Hover Train. The Brass Apple is hers and hers alone. Make the mistake of trying to take possession of The Brass Apple and you may find yourself at the other end of a shotgun barrel. She travels the North American continent with her crew in search of adventure and the chance for quality train parts she could not otherwise easily acquire.
Bryant Warren
Co-Founder, CEO & Production Manager
An Anthropology graduate from the University of North Texas (UNT), Bryant follows his interest in medical anthropology and Asian cultures by studying Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture. Through The Brass Apple, Bryant is able to educate others on the importance of cultures, whether through their history or their interactions with other cultures. Bryant’s interest in cultures came along early in his life. He grew up watching the classic Hong Kong kung fu movies and Godzilla movies. Event though he played Dungeons & Dragons starting with the Basic Edition, it was the “Oriental Adventures” line that he always gravitated towards. Later, Bryant was provided the opportunity to live in Indonesia as a teenager. This gave a chance to explore surrounding areas, like Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. It wasn’t until more than a decade later that the idea of anthropology would come across his path and hook him. Bryant was always a crafter who enjoyed getting his hands deep into the work. He has avoided tragedies with craft knives, adhered fingers to other fingers, and is ever familiar with the pointy end of a sewing needle. In the mid-1990s, Bryant picked up costume and armor construction. The tediousness of chainmail is actually meditative for this poor soul. In 2010, after years of obnoxious persuasion, Bryant convinced Stephanie to say, “I do.” Thus dooming her and saving him. You can subscribe to Bryant’s Facebook or follow him on Twitter.
As a practitioner of Asian medicines, Horatio Usagi fights to keep the crew of The Brass Apple alive and well. He joined the crew after falling in love with his strong-willed wife and now seeks to ensure her safety and well-being. While there, he treats the rest of the crew as they need it, and even proffers the wonderful flavors of Chinese herbal medicine to other crews, to the amusement of surrounding friends. You can follow Horatio on Facebook.
Anna Nilsson Hanson
Production Artist
Working primarily in acrylics, Anna has painted since 1997. Anna is especially inspired by early Modern Art (1860s – 1910s) and just about everything that has followed, particularly Impressionism, Expressionism, and Surrealism—Modern Art opened the door! With regard to her figures, particularly the “Stretched” series, she likes to play with the human figure and twist it into shapes that may or may not be possible. Anna is painting again after losing her eyesight for a period of time in the early 2000s. It was a difficult process returning to her art, though now she has a new appreciation for Claude Monet. She has a Bachelors of Fine Arts from St. Edward’s University. She lives in Austin with her two cats and husband.
Character: Anna Katarina Syverud
Anna is a pilot and tinker for hire. She joined the crew of The Brass Apple as a test pilot. What would a pilot test on a train? You will find out once the fabricators finish.
Remy B. Warren
Embodiment of Cuteness
Son to Stephanie and Bryant, Remy has the important job of being adorable and getting people to say, “Aww.” He attended his first convention this summer, A-Kon 24, thoroughly charming everyone even while asleep.
Remy D. is learning anything and everything. Currently, he is working on the physics of balance and locomotion in the human body. Remy’s middle name, Dee, is based on Judge Dee (a character based on Di Renjie), a Chinese magistrate solving mysterious crimes.
