Mardi Gras- Steampunk Style

WOW! has it really been almost a month since I was on here?? Ughh Well, I will try to remedy that as I have lots to write about lately as well as a good many sewing projects on my agenda 'til the Phoenix Comic Con, Memorial Day Weekend.

This past Saturday was the 2nd annual Downtown Phoenix Mardi Gras Parade. My fellow cohorts in the Arizona Steampunk Society and I were invited to roll in it. A few of us put our noses to the grindstone for 3 weeks in preparation of floats, throws and a huge cthulu mascot. Because I was so busy on the parade prep my costume sort of went on the back burner till the last moment. Luckily I already had some pieces I was able to throw together. My favorite piece of my costume was the wind up key.

My steampunk wind up doll costume

The key was the very last piece of my outfit and I stumbled on its construction with fear and anticipation. Luckily my friend Noe, who is brilliant with design work, helped me with the correct proportions making my gear out of cardboard. I used a template for the teeth and it worked out perfectly in sync. 

Next, I needed to make my key out of cardboard; which I didn't actually measure spot on but I think it came out pretty good, I laid out two bowls side by side and inverted them so the rims laid on the cardboard. I traced the bowls onto the cardboard. I did the same in the center with a set of smaller bowls, cut everything out in one piece. I made a slit into the center of the gear so the key would slide in. At the bottom of the key I folded the rectangular (bottom) so it went back and forth, I slid that part into the slot on the gear then cut that portion in half. I hot glued the two pieces like wings to give the key support and stay in place. 

For the final addition, I looped white jewelry wire through the slot so I could attach it to my back and shoulders incognito.

Now, I have a wind up key and gear for those times when you never know you will need one!

It's Getting Hot In Here

Yeah- that is all the words I know to that song. Is that even the name of the song? I don't know. But I thought it was a clever title. One of the reasons I like writing this blog- I can be creative and whimsy and sometimes snarky. But let me ask you...what do you do when you want to blog but can't think of anything and you made a deal with yourself you would write EVERY day??? I still don't know the answer but I thought in place of words I would entertain with videos!

Here are some really great videos of beautiful girls getting all steamed up!

I love the whole process of make up and hair for this exotic aviator

I didn't know there was an actual clothing line called Steampunk Couture. This video is for their 2011 line and it is all handmade- 

And I will leave you my reader with some music. A band I just got familiar with called The Melting Pot. I like the song and the video is ok- don't know what "Fred and Ginger" style dancing have to do with Steampunk but; for a glimpse, I thought I saw Vampira!