Steampunk and its growing following

[Rani Zemirah]

Nice work... I like the color scheme on the first version of the first set best. 

[April Marie]

what kind of paint do you use on the nerf guns?

[Taffy Saltwater]

Nice jobs.  I have that Tek 6 gun in my to-do pile and just bought (1/2 price) a Nerf Barricade RV 10.

[MrHyde]

Mistress April..... I take them apart first.  Then I base coat them with Krylon Fusion and detail them with an acrylic paint.  Once I am done I put them back together.  It is a plus if they still fire but if not oh well.

[April Marie]

Mistress April..... I take them apart first.  Then I base coat them with Krylon Fusion and detail them with an acrylic paint.  Once I am done I put them back together.  It is a plus if they still fire but if not oh well.

hmmm well i think i will make a trip to goodwill and see if i can find one.  i really want something small though to strap to my thigh for my outfit

[April Marie]

Ok fellow steampunkers!   

I need help with putting together my costume.  I cant sew...no really not even a button, so I will be purchasing everything but I am having a difficult time putting it all together in my head.  I really want a victorian styled look but with a badass edge.  make sense?  I thought that it did, at least in my own mind, but I am having a hard time completing it.  I also want to make steampunk fairy wings since I will be attending 1000 dreams weekend.  Below is some of what I am looking at.

Skirt: http://www.damseldress.com/store/display/2090/38/knee-length-bustle-skirt

I was thinking about doing this in the crimson red.  Now how do I dress this up underneath?  Patterned tights?  leggings?  what?  I would like to have a small gun with my outfit and maybe a few other things on a belt....

Corset: http://www.damseldress.com/store/display/2072/41/military-trim-torian-corset
I was thinking the black and gold medallion fabric.

I am also going to add a little cropped jacket to it.  something like this http://www.damseldress.com/store/display/2095/40/cropped-vest

I would like to add this to the wings but I have to make it and I have NO IDEA how.  http://brassgoggles.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,6238.0.html

any help is appreciated!

[Taffy Saltwater]

Just briefly, as I'm at work & swamped, sockdreams.com has a great selection & free shipping.  I got some red striped OTK socks in a regular (non-plus) size & they worked fine, even going somewhat up the knee.   I'm bookmarking the bolero page!

[April Marie]

Just briefly, as I'm at work & swamped, sockdreams.com has a great selection & free shipping.  I got some red striped OTK socks in a regular (non-plus) size & they worked fine, even going somewhat up the knee.   I'm bookmarking the bolero page!

Thank you!  I will check out their website!  Also, the cropped jacket is AWESOME. I know she will have some totally new styles coming out soon in her magazine.  She has a new one that is ruffled and looks very victorian.

[Rani Zemirah]

My problem with wearing bright colors across my rear end is that, well... bright colors tend to draw the eye... to my rear end.      


As for the key, here's a decent (and simple to follow) tutorial for making one.  I have some better ideas of how to attach it to your garb than this person does, though, so if you decide to make it let me know, and I'll write out some simple instructions for seating it in a foam board gear cog that you can attach to your belt.  


I really love the stand up collar on that little vestlet... and I think I might have to mod a Turkish vest pattern I have to look slightly similar.  The corset is pretty, also.  

I agree with Taffy about the stockings, although I'd make them thigh high with a garter belt.  Not striped, though... maybe floral patterned lace for this outfit.  Torrid has some great styles, also.  

There are all sorts of tutorials out there for modding water guns and toy guns, so just google it.  Lots cheaper than buying one!  But if you do decide to buy something, you absolutely cannot go wrong with anything from the amazing group of artists with The AirShip Isabella.  All their work is custom and one of a kind, though, so you would either have to commission something, or find them at a venue somewhere (like San Japan Aug. 5-7 in San Antonio).  

For jewelry, well... I feel compelled to mention that I make Steampunk jewelry, and so do several other people here on the boards.    


Oh!  You'll probably want a topper, or a mini-topper, as well... and there are some fairly cute, and cheap, ones on ebay, but they all come from China.  But if you want something really beautiful you should check out Darlene's work at Caveat Emptor Costumes.  She uses vintage hat bases, and will even design something in the colors you specify.  

Unless you're looking for something in leather, and then I would suggest Robert Watson.  I met him at the OK Steampunk Expo this year, and he does the most incredible leather work!  In fact, I met both of these last two artists there, and can't say enough good things about them!  I get nothing for the referrals, either, so I have nothing to gain by suggesting them, other than knowing that everyone who checks out their stuff will see something they just love!  Oh, and Robert does gun mods, also, and really cool mask and SP armor accessories, as well...

Oh... and speaking of REALLY COOL leather accessories... did anyone here know that our very own Auryn does the most INCREDIBLE leather work I've seen in AGES?!?  It's truly beautiful, and I think she might be willing to take commissions, as well...   

[April Marie]

My problem with wearing bright colors across my rear end is that, well... bright colors tend to draw the eye... to my rear end.      


As for the key, here's a decent (and simple to follow) tutorial for making one.  I have some better ideas of how to attach it to your garb than this person does, though, so if you decide to make it let me know, and I'll write out some simple instructions for seating it in a foam board gear cog that you can attach to your belt.  


I really love the stand up collar on that little vestlet... and I think I might have to mod a Turkish vest pattern I have to look slightly similar.  The corset is pretty, also.  

I agree with Taffy about the stockings, although I'd make them thigh high with a garter belt.  Not striped, though... maybe floral patterned lace for this outfit.  Torrid has some great styles, also.  

There are all sorts of tutorials out there for modding water guns and toy guns, so just google it.  Lots cheaper than buying one!  But if you do decide to buy something, you absolutely cannot go wrong with anything from the amazing group of artists with The AirShip Isabella.  All their work is custom and one of a kind, though, so you would either have to commission something, or find them at a venue somewhere (like San Japan Aug. 5-7 in San Antonio).  

For jewelry, well... I feel compelled to mention that I make Steampunk jewelry, and so do several other people here on the boards.    


Oh!  You'll probably want a topper, or a mini-topper, as well... and there are some fairly cute, and cheap, ones on ebay, but they all come from China.  But if you want something really beautiful you should check out Darlene's work at Caveat Emptor Costumes.  She uses vintage hat bases, and will even design something in the colors you specify.  

Unless you're looking for something in leather, and then I would suggest Robert Watson.  I met him at the OK Steampunk Expo this year, and he does the most incredible leather work!  In fact, I met both of these last two artists there, and can't say enough good things about them!  I get nothing for the referrals, either, so I have nothing to gain by suggesting them, other than knowing that everyone who checks out their stuff will see something they just love!  Oh, and Robert does gun mods, also, and really cool mask and SP armor accessories, as well...

Oh... and speaking of REALLY COOL leather accessories... did anyone here know that our very own Auryn does the most INCREDIBLE leather work I've seen in AGES?!?  It's truly beautiful, and I think she might be willing to take commissions, as well...   

OMG Rani you are awesome!  Thank you so much for all of this! 

I am hesitant on wearing thigh-highs just cause they can be uncomfortable, even though they look awesome, so i was thinking some of the patterned tights from Torrid.

And where is your jewelry listed?  etsy?  ebay?

I am even more excited now!

[Rani Zemirah]

I don't have a sales site.. I just take commissions at this point, but I do have a couple of previous pieces you can check out on my facebook page.  

Mostly I just design a custom one-of-a-kind piece based on a style and/or color scheme, and I haven't had any complaints so far...      



I think I should set myself up as a Personal Costuming Shopper... I love finding all this stuff! 

[Auryn]

Rani you are a wealth of information and way too sweet.

Just fyi- this quote from you made me laugh out loud when I was at the point of pulling my hair out while i sat in a corner rocking back and forth

My problem with wearing bright colors across my rear end is that, well... bright colors tend to draw the eye... to my rear end

How do you guys feel about sleeves for steampunk?? long or short?
I am about to start cutting the mock for my steampunk shirt- I want to look as close as possible to victorian period but I'd much rather have a short sleeved shirt than a long sleeved one.
But I don't want to look ridiculous in short sleeves.

[April Marie]

Rani you are a wealth of information and way too sweet.

Just fyi- this quote from you made me laugh out loud when I was at the point of pulling my hair out while i sat in a corner rocking back and forth

My problem with wearing bright colors across my rear end is that, well... bright colors tend to draw the eye... to my rear end

How do you guys feel about sleeves for steampunk?? long or short?
I am about to start cutting the mock for my steampunk shirt- I want to look as close as possible to victorian period but I'd much rather have a short sleeved shirt than a long sleeved one.
But I don't want to look ridiculous in short sleeves.

I dont know about accuracy but this is what i plan on purchasing for my shirt top.  that way i am comfortable also.

http://www.hipsandcurves.com/plus-size-lingerie/p-10435-plus-size-edwardian-cotton-lace-chemise-lingerie.aspx

they also have a whole little section with steampunk stuff (really more victorian styled)

[April Marie]

so i looked through Hips and Curves "steampunk" section and really there isnt anything steampunk there except for the bloomers and so forth

[Rani Zemirah]

The cool thing about Steampunk is that it's pure fantasy... so there IS no "accuracy"...    


Bloomers are FUN, though, and fit right into SP/Victorian style very nicely!!!  

That bustle skirt is pretty awesome, though...