Watch chain.

Now. Every self respecting Steampunker has a pocket watch. Which means he or she will need a pocket watch chain.  The devil is in the details. Anyone can go out and buy this stuff or find things on Etsy. But they aren’t cheap. And for someone who isn’t sure if this is really going to be an actual long term THING, one can not invest hundreds into a costume right off the bat. It would not be prudent.

Behold.

My hording clearance trinkets habits from craft stores is finally paying off.

First things first. I secured the chain to the back of a sofa pillow so I could be sure I was adding trinkets in the right places. Note the squirrels. They are my favorites.

It’s heavy. But it will look so nice against a sea foam green corset. Did I tell you I found one of those on the cheap too? My costume is nearly ready.

Posted by Anna-Elizabeth | 0 comments

Steampunk

Bert and I are entering into the world of Steampunk.

Slowing and carefully. We aren’t into costuming for ourselves, but we can certainly appreciate the craft and the presentation in others.

Then I started noticing Steampunk, which combines two things I can’t get enough of; Victorian clothing and brassy mechanics. Think of it as the future, but powered by steam and engineered by Victorians. Squee.

My first project for developing my Steampunk costume (which will be worn at the two or three conventions a year around Atlanta at which Steampunk attire would be appropriate and for the office Halloween costume contest to help me recoup some of the expenses…) was a place to put Beast, my wallet, my inhaler, and my phone.

As it happens,  I passed this little vintage camera bag on a sidewalk sale. He was $5.00.

And a little dusty. Never mind that. I had all these little bits and pieces in my crafty closet horded away because I found them on clearance at one time or another and thought that $.25 was a good investment.

Using the little glue ballpoint pen, I started securing the gears to the outside of the bag.

The glue dries perfectly clear and smooth.

Then I added the corners.

And brassed them up a bit. Steampunk is all about the brassy bits.

And nailed them on for extra enforcement.

While everything was drying, I added little scraps of paper and bags and some burlap strips for texture. The brown bags will hold business cards to hand out to people who let me take their picture. That way they can contact me if they want a copy or see it right here.

I happen to have a card case that is already a little Steampunky. It’s got a little clock in the middle. So I’ll use that as my wallet. It will hold a card, my ID and some cash. Not much else but them when one is Steampunking, there really isn’t anything else one needs. Beast will fit perfectly on the other side of the bag. I’ll have to take his battery grip off, but no matter.

And Ta-da!

Just on the look out for a vintage cross body leather strap now. If I can’t find one on the cheap, I’ll just use one from my actual camera bag. It’s deep purple. But Victorians liked color.

 

Posted by Anna-Elizabeth | 4 comments