The Bones and Bobbins Podcast

S01E14: The life of serial killer H. H. Holmes (Herman Webster Mudgett) and the creation of His Murder Castle. (Part 1 in a 4-part Halloween series, including 2 main episodes and 2 episodes for our supporters on Patreon!)

H. Holmes is a legendary serial killer with a bad habit of amassing extra wives, and a reputation for luring young women into his deadly hotel during the leadup to the 1893 World’s Fair: Columbian Exposition (also known as the Chicago World’s Fair). Except, was the Murder Castle even a hotel at all? And was there actually a dissection room and crematorium in the basement? And just what, exactly, was really going on on that second floor?

Show notes:  https://www.bonesandbobbins.com/2020/10/23/season-1-episode-14/ 

S01E13: Samhain and Halloween history, witchcraft crafts (corn dollies/corn mothers, witch bells, and candles), and creating your own witchcraft altar.

As we descend into this year’s Spooky Season, we would just like to say that things maybe wouldn’t have been so messy with this Samhain/Halloween stuff if Constantine had properly hydrated. But, nobody asked us. So, instead, we’ll take you on a trip through some abridged pagan history, Haley will walk you through the sparkly treasures atop her witchcraft altar (and tell you how to set up your own), and Natali will bring in the bells, harvest husks, and candles to meet all of your witchcraft crafting needs!

Show notes:  https://www.bonesandbobbins.com/2020/10/09/season-1-episode-13/

S01E12: The Victorian Language of Flowers (Floriography), Victorian Botanical Scrapbooks (Herbariums), and Seaweed Hunters.

This week, we learned that you can, in fact, send death threats to your enemies by way of harmless-looking flower bouquets. (Who knew?! Well, apparently the Victorians.) Then we meandered through the colorful world of botanical scrapbooking, which, for upper class Victorian women, turned out to be an unexpected pathway to independent adventures and a subtle way for them to be exposed to science at a time when they would otherwise be completely barred from that knowledge. 

We also learned that seaweed collecting was an actual Thing. Because, apparently, it was. And one should always wear men’s boots while doing it.

Show notes:  https://www.bonesandbobbins.com/2020/09/25/season-1-episode-12/

S01E11: Wartime Crafting: Girl Guide Spies and Knitting in Codes

You've probably heard of the Girl Guides (and Girl Scouts), but did you know that they were properly badass in WWI and WWII? And, if knitting patterns have ever looked kind of like a secret code to you? Well, there might be a good reason for that!

Show notes: https://www.bonesandbobbins.com/2020/09/11/season-1-episode-11/

S01E10: Witch Bottles and Tomb Curses.

Can we please all just agree not to open the tomb, drink the mystery liquid, or make glass bottles filled with nails and pins to explode in fires?

2020 doesn't need any excuses to get weirder or more terrifying, okay?

Show notes here: https://www.bonesandbobbins.com/2020/08/28/season-1-episode-10/

S01E09: The History of Grimoires and How to Make One.

Join us today in the restricted area of the Curiosity Shop, where a squeaky old library cart holds grimoires aplenty! 

Please note that the Curiosity Shop adheres to a strict no demon summoning policy to all browsers without proper credentials.

Show notes: https://www.bonesandbobbins.com/2020/08/14/season-1-episode-9/

S01E08: Mannequins, Automatons, and a Trip into Hell’s Own Uncanny Valley.

Did that automaton just move? And how long has that mannequin been standing behind me? Hello? Is anybody here?

Show notes: https://www.bonesandbobbins.com/2020/07/31/season-1-episode-8/

S01E07: Historical, Medical, and Modern Corsets.

In this episode, Haley and Natali discuss sexy potential death traps and boobs. So very many boobs.

Show notes: https://www.bonesandbobbins.com/2020/07/17/season-1-episode-7/

S01E06: Making Mummies, Mummy Unwrapping Parties, and Mummy Brown Paint.

In this episode, Haley and Natali cuss out Victorian colonizers while unwrapping the oddly endearing mysteries of mummification. As one does.

Show notes: https://www.bonesandbobbins.com/2020/07/03/season-1-episode-6/

S01E05: Frozen Charlotte Dolls and Victorian Mourning Dolls.

You know what situation both Haley and Natali will nope right on out of? Creepy dolls. Whether they’re ceramics inspired by a morbid cautionary tale or literal wax copies of Victorian children who passed too soon, there’s just something about these dolls--or any doll, really--that’s always just a tiny bit unsettling. So, come along with us in season 1, episode 5 of the Bones & Bobbins Podcast as we open one of our more securely locked cabinets in the Curiosity Shop and explore the sad origins and clever finishing techniques of Frozen Charlotte dolls, plus the many, many dolls and effigies made by mourning Victorians and modern makers.

Show notes: https://www.bonesandbobbins.com/2020/06/19/season-1-episode-5/