Leather and Chains

http://zenchantress.today.com/2008/12/31/steampunk-on-a-shoestring/

That link is to a blurb I wrote about DIY steampunk costuming. But I couldn't get the photos to post to my blog for some reason so I'll put them here instead.

I Signed Up For Artfire

I just opened an Artfire store called Steampunk. So now I need to make jewelry and other items to list in it. I thought I'd better snap up that name while it was still available. Register on ArtFire.com If you use my referral link I might even get my account for free.

I also have another shop there called Hypnotic Treasures. But I will probably put things in my other shop first.

Making a costume

I found these great patterns at Joanne's from Butterick and I can't wait to make my Steampunk costume. I talked about it more here:
http://zenchantress.today.com/2008/12/25/steampunk-costuming/

Butterick Patterns for Sewing

To my delight Joanne's had their Butterick Patterns on sale for $1.99 limit 10 and I actually got 9 because the other one I wanted was out of the size I needed. Seven of them will work for Steampunk as they are turn of the century looks. The other is a robe of sorts which will be perfect for belly dancing because it looks quite a lot like a sleeveless turkish coat. It's not quite right but it's close enough for my needs. I'll take photos tomorrow. Shopping has me worn to the bone tonight. The maniac bagger at the grocery store put 5 2L soda bottles in one bag and I couldn't even lift it, much less carry it in. My back hurts so all I want to do for the rest of the night is park somewhere.

Steampunk supplies

Today and this weekend is the Gem Faire at the OC Fairgrounds and I'm hoping to find some steampunk components for jewelry and costuming. I'm sure other artists will be looking for the same thing. I normally go on Friday to get first dibs and to get in free and get free passes for the weekend. But my boyfriend wants to go to so we are going tomorrow instead and paying the gate fee to get in.

I think I should also be making regular visits to new Goodwill across the street and the Salvation Army down the street for things like vintage jewelry and chains and old vests and lace.

First Post

I've been smitten and bitten by the Neovictorian Steampunk bug. I've fallen in love with the band Abney Park, and I've always loved Jules Verne, the Time Machine, the Wild Wild West and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. I love the elements and the freedom of combining the past and the future, science and sci-fi. I'm hardly an expert on it. I'm exploring it along with everyone else. Even though the elements of Steampunk have been around since the beginning of television, it's only recently become labeled in a way that we could wrap our minds around it. And I can't get enough of it.