Mo Rocca Reported on Steampunk for CBS
“Once upon a time scientists and inventors dressed up in outlandishly old-fashioned clothes and employed outlandishly old-fashioned technology in their contraptions. Turns out, what’s old IS new again, as Mo Rocca is about to reveal:
Welcome to the annual Steampunk World’s Fair in Somerset, N.J. – only an hour’s drive from Manhattan, but in spirit over a century removed from the present day.
One attendee said her prominent corset was comfortable: “Oh yes, absolutely. It’s very supportive and it encourages good posture.” Like a sports bra, noted Rocca.
Corsets and goggles and gears, oh my! And weaponry of all shapes and calibers, like the steam-powered ray gun. If you came unarmed, or under-dressed, dozens of vendors fill the fair with suitable steampunk wear.
By now you’re probably wondering, what IS steampunk?…”
Check out the whole 2012 article as well as a great collection of links at :http://www.cbsnews.com/news/steampunk-yesterdays-tomorrow/
They also featured the Steampunk World Fair in the video below.
Artist Justin Rowe Makes Books Come to Life
And I thought I got really into my books! Check out these amazing book sculptures by Englander Justin Rowe. There are tons more of these on his website. He also recently had his work on display as part of the British Academy’s Literature Week.
The Kraken by Justin Rowe
Shackleton’s Antarctic Adventure by Justin Rowe
Shoot the Moon by Justin Rowe
British Academy Literary Week installation
Gingersnap Creations: Valerie Brincheck
Gingersnap Creations: July Muse Showcase: Valerie Brincheck.
Building an Anatomy of Steampunk (Book)
Anatomy of Steampunk cover
“Steampunk style has become synonymous with many things as it has become more pervasive in popular culture, for good and ill: 19th-century, retrofuturism, neo-Victorian, colonialism, stuff white people like. What the steampunk community needs is a game-changer: more examples of what steampunks are really doing, and why does this subculture fit their wheelhouses. When you’re an outsider looking in, however, how can you avoid being blindsided by what has become the “tropes of the genre” (gears, goggles, pith helmets, and all)?”
Follow the link for the full article.
Æther Feature — Building an Anatomy of Steampunk—An Insider’s View.
PBS’ Off Book Takes a Closer Look @ Steampunk
You have to sign in via Facebook or Google to see this amazing video series by PBS, but then you have access to all 45 windows into the media and how it influences our culture. I also really enjoyed their piece on how fandom and fan fiction are a dialog with society.
Music to Steampunk by: Just Glue Some Gears On It
Don’t be fooled by the title, this song is actually advocating that people DON’T simply glue gears on things. Thank you Reginald Pikedevant! This song is hilarious and I appreciate the sentiment.
Steampunk Scrapbook Paper by Die Cuts With a View
Ever since I ran across this Timeless Type stack at Michael’s I have been hunting around for more steamy scrap-booking supplies. It turns out Die Cuts With a View has several stacks that are now on my must-have craft supply list.
For instance, there is another collection called Tattered Time which is pictured below. If you want to see the whole stack you can visit http://www.dcwv.com/product_view.php?id=2206.
And if you are looking for some projects you can do with your scrapbook paper, check out my Steampunk cage ornament tutorial and my Steampunk-inspired assemblage clocks.
Home Decor from Modcloth.com
I have been a big fan of Modcloth.com for the last year or so and I highly recommend it for women’s clothing.
Today I also found some some adorable home decor using the keyword Steampunk. I may try to make a few of these myself and I’ll post my results if they work.
For Whom the Gear Turns 