I am a very lucky girl after a rather successful season working the Grater St Louis Renfair I found out about a steampunk convention in the planning stages. http://rose-society.org/index.html I am makeing several one of a kind pieces using altered found clothing and trims. Come out and see me so I can take pictures of everyone's cool outfits since I will be stuck at a table most of the time.

So far this is the true masterpiece of what I have completed but there will be much more to come. The bolero is still very much a work in process as I am sure you can tell from the pins in it.

( Click here for more pretty pictures )

Hi everyone! My name is Caroline and I have always loved steampunk even before I knew what the movement was called. I think it goes back to the Smashing Pumpkins 1979 music video and Hayao Miyazaki movies where he uses elements of steampunk. I have a degree in fashion design and make things every now and then. I graduated back in 2008 and have slacked off in sewing, but I am planning on making a leather corset, dress and probably some cool gadgets sometime soon. I'm going to a thrift store tomorrow to look for clocks or anything with gears I can work with.

I live in Birmingham, AL and I don't know any steampunkers in my area, if there are any.. Maybe Atlanta? But anyways there isn't much to do here, but it is perfect for steampunk fashion photoshoots. Birmingham is very rich in iron and grew because of the iron industry. We have this place called Sloss Furnace where all the iron and metal work was done back in the day and is now a national landmark. We also have the largest iron statue in the world of the Vulcan (mythological God of fire and working metal) that has a museum and park. Both of these places have lots of backdrops with gears and other metal work aesthetics. Here are some pictures of sloss furnace. They teach metal work art classes there that I am thinking about taking which is also pretty cool.

Anyways I just wanted to say hi and after I finish making my steampunk outfit I'll post some pics for everyone to see on here.

-Caroline

I was doing errands today, trying to find final bits and pieces for my costume and I, fortuitously, took a wrong turn and found myself passing by a costume shop called, "make believe, inc." (yes, all lower-case letters) and, as I was headed to another costume shop anyway, I decided, what's the difference and I stopped in.

Now, it is, still, a commercial costume shop, but as I walked around, I saw more and more steamy elements and I'm starting to go... "hmmmm..." so, I just had to ask the girl behind the desk if she had ever heard of steampunk. Well, of course she had, in fact, they have put on two plays in steampunk and made the costumes for them, the most recent of which was, Romeo and Juliet. So, we got to talking quite a bit. She also told me about the Labyrinth Ball that is held in July each year. As the steamers have invaded quite thoroughly, the first night is quite steamy, the second, more fantasy. She said, in fact, that the League of Steam was there and made quite the hit!

Well, anyway. Things they offer that are either directly for steampunk or could be used for steampunk are goggles, round and rectangular wire-rimmed glasses with colored lenses, top hats, bowler hats, belts, gloves, pocket watches. They even had a very nice faux leather aviator's cap as well. They do costume design and construction as well as rent, so if you are in need of some assistance in that dept., they may be able to help. She said she would LOVE to sell more steampunk oriented stuff, but as it's all so custom made and specific and detailed, it's difficult to find things that fit the style but are still very affordable. So, if anyone knows of great stuff for cheap prices, I'm sure they'd like to hear about it!

They are located on 3240 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA. http://makebelieve.to/LabyrinthBall2009.htm

Hello fellow Steam-enthusiasts!

I posted about a week ago with pictures of my hair facinators and I've been meaning to set up an Etsy shop, Well I've got most of it figured it out with the exception of a name!

I've thought about it and the only thing I can come up with is "Fascinating Chronos".

What I'm looking for is feedback, thoughts and suggestions.

Thank you.

This was taken at the Dances of Vice Shipwreck Ball by Steven Rosen.

I rarely post here but I believed this was worth sharing
to all the dear people of this world.

I don't know if home decorating falls under the category of fashion, but I thought I'd share a picture of my latest project.



I made this lamp to be part of the footboard I am building for my son's bed. The footboard was supposed to be the big gift for his birthday this Sunday, but the lamp is the only thing that will be finished on time. The weather and the building renovation going on all around us have interfered with my woodworking abilities.

Here's a link to how I made the lamp, if anyone is interested:
overthecrescentmoon.blogspot.com/2009/11/steampunk-lamp.html

After a lot of work I've finally finished my own set of falls!

Link to journal with pics! ---> ryu-tigre.livejournal.com/5117.html

Please feel free to tell me what you think! : )

Okay so I couldn't really make that work. BUT, I thought this was cool...

Click on zee pic to read the whole story on LA Weekly. Basically, this guy made a Christmas Tree out of Tesla Coils. That pretty much rocks my holiday spirits, because admittedly, I'm not "feeling it". Anyone else?

Might be too much work and no time to enjoy a hot cup of cocoa or shop for family gifts.

Have a great weekend all!

My favorite cincher ever! This is my Edwardian, Gibson girl style corset that I got as a birthday gift a few years ago. It's held up incredibly well and I have worn it a lot both under things and over them. Get your own to wear under your holiday frocks or give as a gift:
http://www.totallywaisted.etsy.com
Only $150 and worth every penny.

Victorian Trading Co. has these little perfume cases that would be perfect for any steampunk outfit, I think.

Psyche Corporation, of the Gilded Age Records Steampunk music label, is performing in Manhattan on Friday, December 18th. This is our last show for 2009, and this may be your last chance to see us perform in Manhattan. We are booked for TWO remaining shows in Manhattan, this one, and another on Feb 18, 2010. Other than that, unless conditions in Manhattan change dramatically we are going to be performing exclusively within larger events such as the Clockwork ball in NJ, Steampunk World's Fair, and others, most of which will not be in NYC. Please come by on Dec 18 and say hi!



We perform at 8pm, on Friday 12/18/09
at R Bar
218 Bowery
NYC, 10012
$10, 21+

If you're free, please come out and support steampunk music!
R Bar Venue: http://www.rbarnyc.com
Myspace: http://myspace.com/psychecorp
Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com//event.php?eid=188230452710

I had fun turning my hand to some Steampunk medals, hat pins and jacket badges. Combining old and new unusual components.

Maelstomme's Pith helmet badge, Death before Duty Drunken Airship Pirate badge, Airship Mechanic Guild pin and Steampunk Glory Pin.
http://www.ProfMaelstromme.etsy.com

http://www.vintagetextile.com/victorian.htm

Sure, these clothes are for sale but really I'm posting this link as a costuming resource. Since they're for sale, there are lots of detailed photos for each item.

The bustle dress has a great photo of the inside of the inside of the dress:
http://www.vintagetextile.com/new_page_508.htm

I could look at look at these kinds of photos all night really...

Enjoy!

wolfette, a friend of mine in Edinburgh took this picture. It was part of an Art Car Parade, but the two steamy gentlemen posing actually had a "bicycle-powered airship" that can be seen behind them.

'though I suspect wearing a kilt in one of those flying contraptions might get a wee chilly...

With the holidays just around the corner and the Black Friday madness out of the way, we would like to give our customers a break this weekend.



( 20% off starts today... )

The new issue of Exhibition Hall is up on eFanzines.com. It's issue 4 and it's the best yet, in my eyes.

It's got Mike Perschon, Chris Garcia, Rich Coad, Ariane Wolfe, and Lloyd Penney. There's a review of The Anubis Gates, WindyCon and the Soulless party and ConSuite at the World Fantasy Convention. There's a look at the Handcar Regatta in Santa Rosa and much much more.

Of particular interest in this issue is a fine article on distressing clothing from Ariane Wolfe. It's all on eFanzines.com!

Chris

Join us for a Steampunk Tea Party at our house on New Years Eve.

All the fine china, hot tea and baked goods (and finger sandwiches!) you can manage and some steampunk parlor games or readings or storytelling or crafts and so on to occupy us until Midnight and beyond.

We live in San Jose, so guests would need to make their way to the South Bay, but we could probably manage some crash space. We also have two indoor cats who are super friendly but shed.

What to Bring:

• Yourself
• Wayward Friends and Family
• Any Small Children you belong to
• Something stylish And Steampunky to wear
• A Tea Cup
• An iPod of music you enjoy
• Party games you like to play (hey, we can even keep it Historical! Wink anyone?)
• Any celebratory streamers/horns/hats/etc you have hanging around (or kidnap from Target, hehe),
• A plate of your favorite finger sandwiches or other savories and an appetite for tea and cake.

We'll privide tea (Black, Green, White, Chai, Roobios, Herbal, Oolong, you name it... its in the Tea Cupboard) and china teapots, the cups and saucers we have and enough baked goods to sink Amsterdam.

When: 8pm, December 31st (7pm if you want to help decorate)

Where: Our house in San Jose, CA

RSVP Much Appreciated. Last minute attendees, Please don't hesitate to Join us!

As Always, everyone is welcome!

All the info and Photos from last year HERE.

Get that special someone or Steampunk friend their very own airship! Have the dirigible name customized and add their photo for well tailored gift.

Basic info behind the cut. Go to my LJ for a full list of information, contact addresses and details.

( Airship Prints )

New to this community, and all agog at the beautiful work being done here! Not sure if it's a breach of protocol to just jump in like this, please let me know if I'm being presumptuous.!

I wanted to pass along some links for the more... well-endowed among us. Eshakti has some nice Victorian-esque pieces and they're not very pricey. They also let you customize details like sleeve length and neckline in most pieces. Examples:


www.eshakti.com/clothpdpage.asp


www.eshakti.com/clothpdpage.asp


www.eshakti.com/clothpdpage.asp


www.eshakti.com/clothpdpage.asp


Hope this is useful to somebody!