Finally did something with those feathers...

So I made those peacock feathers almost a week ago and I couldn't get them to work with anything. Well ha ha ha, I finally did. I took an old head band that I bought a year ago and have only worn once and took the fake jewels off the felt diamond. It was easy since they were just super glued on. After that I wrapped the head band in purple ribbon using a little hot glue here and there to keep the ribbon in place. I then positioned my three feathers on the felt and hot glued those on. I then hot glued a button on top where I had glued the feathers on to hide the glue. After that was done I decided it needed something more. Using a sewing needle I poked some holes through the felt and threaded fine brass wire through them. I hung a key charm from the end for a little dazzle. All in all I like it. I took me maybe an hour to do (I was on and off the phone, plus surfing the web while the glue cooled). I'll use this head band until I can make the head gear I want.

I have a skirt!

This took me a couple times to achieve. I'm still not exactly happy with it. But it will work. I had a hard time ruching the fabric due to all the pleating in the skirt. But I made it work. I didn't ruche any in the back because I wanted to keep that floor length. I'm hoping to make an apron soon so it will take a little of the volume off the front. Below is the before and after.

Sugarland does Steampunk

Sugarland has been one of my favorite bands for such a long time. I was sent this link earlier this morning (checks the clock...is that even possible?) and it's Sugarland talking about their stage for their new album Incredible Machine (hitting stands October 19, 2010). Even previews for the album is steampunked themed. I'm soo giddy!

If you want to check out Sugarland's homepage follow this.

It's finished!!!

I have finished my steampunk rifle. I am SOO excited!!!


From beginning to end:

Skirts and Feathers

So in attempts to start on my steampunk outfit, I had my mama bear search through the bowels of our garage to find an old homecoming skirt she had made for me. Surprisingly it still fits. I'm going to ruche the front up so that my feet can be seen then leave the rest as is. I'm super excited about this. I loved this skirt when she made it for me originally and I'm really excited that I can give it a new life. It's taffeta a fabric that fits the steampunk time frame :)


Yesterday I wanted to kill some time and not study (like I was supposed to). I decided to start working on the hair piece I want to use until I make my headset or when I don't want to wear my headset. I took a peacock feather and wrapped some thin brass wire I found at JoAnn Fabrics. The wire is supposed to be used in jewelry making, but it works for what I want. This wire is kind of hard to see, you might want to click the picture to enlarge it.

Haha, success!

My rifle is coming along! Here's with most of the paint job done, the studs, and the knife switches!

Switches!!

The knife switches I ordered came in! How exciting. I'm going to mount them on my rifle. They're going to look very spiffy :)

The gun is coming along!

Last night I primed my rifle. When the primer dried, it dried clear with a rough texture. It looked like this:

It isn't shiny anymore (that and I sanded the crap out of it). I then spray painted it black. Like this:


I discovered I'm not that good with spray paint. I should have hand painted it black, but oh well. I'll hopefully be starting the actual paint job soon. I'm anxious to see how this will turn out.

And Carbon.

We can't forget Carbon.

My Headgear

This is the headset that I want to make for my steampunk character. It's for communication and also a wireless detonator for bombs. I need some parts and will be hitting up some thrift stores soon.

Addition to the family

I decided that my character would have three cats: Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Nitrogen. They are all while and can only be told apart by their collars. Purple, blue, and green repsectfully. Oxygen is the only female and is the definition of a lap cat. Hydrogen behaves himself where Nitrogen is always running off being bad. He usually has to be leashed. They look like this:


Hydrogen and Oxygen are the ones who are cuddling.

Head Gear--the Good Kind

I wish I could draw better. I started sketching the head gear I want to make so I have an idea of what I need to buy to make such head gear happen. It's going to be a communication head band. Not only for me to receive wireless communications, but also act as a remote to detonate my explosives. I'm going to need to hit up some thrift stores in search of some hardware for the piece, but once I find it, assembly should be manageable.

What should I do?

I found a blog post about painting my gun, but I'm torn. Should I paint it black underneath or should I paint it hammered copper? The post said it all depends on what highlight colors you want to use. I want the brassy look vs. the steel look. And for the brassy look, it's suggest to use hammered copper. The only problem I have is that hammered copper paint can be expensive. I'm going to Wal-Mart tonight to look for paint, I have a feeling price will really determine this outcome.

Annie, Get Your Gun!

So I've taken another step into the world of steampunk. I have bought my first toy gun to modify into an authentic steampunk weapon.

I bought this toy double barrel shot gun at Meijer for 10 bucks. It shoots darts, but I think for my purposes I'm going to disable that. I chose this over the traditional Nerf gun for two reasons: 1. I'm poor, so I'm on a budget. 2. I wanted a shot gun, and I liked the shape of the butt, which actually flips up for storage of more darts.


I also purchased spray paint primer made specifically for plastic so my paint job will adhere better than just painting straight on the plastic. I think I'm going to do a base coat of black matte paint once the primer has dried because that will give better backdrop to the metallic paints I'm going to be using.

Discovery #1

Discovery #1 Cogs are expensive.

When I think about parts of my costumes, I think a lot about cogs. When I think steampunk, I think about gears and such. So naturally I think about cogs. While looking for cogs, I discovered they're quite expensive. So I may have to come up with a different solution for my need for cogs.

Who am I?

A persona, it seems, is vital in the Steampunk culture. It's who you are in that world. There's mad scientists, airship captains, doctors, ect. The options are boundless.

So I have taken it upon myself to invent a persona as my first step.

My persona's name is Jessamine Dillavou. Mercenary, thief, and devout lover of cats. Miss Dillavou was raised on a pirate airship with no female companions to speak of. She knows how to handle any sword or gun and can hold her own in any conflict involving fisticuffs. She makes her living by the highest bidder and travels when and where she must. Miss Dillavou's bevy of feline friends are the only family she has to speak of.

How was I supposed to know?

I can't count the times I've come across the subculture Steampunk and not actually known what it was. I was always confused. Usually this came across my mind: "Why is that guy wearing Victorian clothes but holding a relatively futuristic weapon?" Little did I know, that in fact, was Steampunk.

What is Steampunk?

The best definition I have come across is that Steampunk is the future if it would have happened in the Victorian age. Confusing? Ha--yeah. I'm doing research, finding communities, and all that jazz. I'm enamored to say the least. This blog will be about my adventure into the subculture of Steampunk.

Do I fit?

Possibly. Only one way to find out!