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!

What Not To Wear

Is this still a question of fashion faux pas? Stacy London is sooo annoying to me telling women their fashion choices are horrid. I, myself have an unusual sense of fashion and I know for a fact I would be a perfect target for her. She likes to tell everyone what to wear and how to wear it. I have noticed others too, in certain groups, like to set rules for what to and what not to wear.

As my profile states I am a nerdy girl - I was a drama geek; we used to wear trench coats and tons and tons of black plastic bracelets and we accepted each other while trading new and quirky fashion tips. As an adult I am finding that these types of groups are a little less accepting.

I may be getting ahead of myself here and speaking out of turn, but I am still learning about steampunk and its aesthetics. Sometimes I read about people making fun of other "cosplayers". Steampunk wardrobes and costumes usually have some sort of mechanical influence with cogs and gears attached. According to some...you just can't sew on some gears and cogs and call it steampunk...

I mean, come on; all newcomers need to start somewhere. Mentors are needed for newbies.

I was watching The Nerdist the other night and Chris and the panel were discussing how us geeks don't know everything geek/nerd and we don't have time to watch every Star Wars movie or Battlestar Galactica program and sadly enough...not everyone knows what a TARDIS is.

http://www.nerdist.com/podcast/nerdist/

The point I am trying to make here is that everyone can overlap their interests and they need some time to assimilate into the new environment. Not all of us did live action role playing- even us drama geeks.

BTW- TARDIS stands for time and dimension device in space! Now you know!