Steampunk-Inspired Print Shoes

Typewriter Keds Slip-Ons.  Can you QWERTY with your toes?

     I enjoy looking at shoes.  I spend more time browsing than buying, but browse I do.  Out of curiosity, I decided to see what a search on 'steampunk shoes' revealed.

     Victorian era styles are a given.  Classic, sleek, stylish.

     Then we find others -- those that bring steampunk to the masses commercially.  Not handmade, not vintage, but still a slight reflection of that which NeverWas.  Did not know such items existed?   Neither did I!  Behold a few examples of such steam-inspired wizardry.

     For between $60 and $80, you can have your very own pair of steampunk Keds.

     They have sixteen pages of steampunk, goth, pagan, noir, etc. styles on the  Zazzle.com site, which is from where the above photos hailed. 
(I have never ordered from them, nor am I affiliated with them, so I cannot speak to their customer service.  Just thought these shoes were a cute way to show one's enthusiasm for steampunk, casually.)   Enjoy!

Metamorphosis: Butterfly Pocket Watch Pendant - Before and After

I often ponder how to upgrade pieces I have already created but have the potential to be more steampunk than they are.  After receiving some inspiration from, of all things, a handmade gift tag given to me, I changed the accent pieces and added some "weather" to one of my favorite pendants.  Here are the before and after pictures:

                                                  Before                                                   After

The butterfly did not actually change in color (just the lighting and photography), but I did add some brass-colored highlights in places to jazz it up a bit.  A brass finding and a six-spoked watch gear replaced the other brass watch gear and clock part at the bottom center.  I also changed the copper chain out for a bass one; it better matches the pocket watch case.

This nifty trinket was for sale in my ArtFire studio: Bronzed Filigree Butterfly Pocket Watch Pendant.  Please feel free to browse the rest of my shop as well.   (Browsers welcome, buyers adored, indeed!)  It sold on 8/10/10; I truly hope the buyer enjoys it.  This was one of my favorite pieces ever.

~ DS

The Steampunk Style Test

 

What is your Steampunk style?

Are you The Aristocrat, The Gadgeteer, The Scientist, The Explorer, The Officer, The Citizen, The Air Pirate, or The Ragamuffin?

The answers you choose in The Steampunk Style Test will reveal your true Steampunk self!

Though I might fancy different answers amongst the multiple choices based on my current mood, my final answers produced this result for me today:

"You are the Explorer, the embodiment of steampunk’s adventuring spirit.  For you, clothing should be rugged and reliable, and just as functional as it is attractive.  You probably prefer khaki or leather, and your accessories are as likely to include weapons as technological gizmos.  You probably wear boots and gloves, and maybe a pith helmet.  Most of what you wear is functional, and if you happen to wear goggles people had better believe that you use them.  In addition to Victorian exploration gear, your outfit probably includes little knickknacks from your various travels.  Above all, you are a charming blend of rugged Victorian daring and exotic curiosity." 

After finishing the quiz, you will see a detailed analysis and graphs comparing your answers to those of your peers.  (It asks for your date of birth, for which you can easily enter something close but not exact, if you want.)  You may also choose to be matched with others who got similar results, or to share your results via the standard social networks.

Bully Bidet

     Most of us have seen the "steampunkized" electronic gadgets such as the iPod, the USB key, the computers and peripheral gadgets.  But Patrick Brawley brings an anachronistic touch to something we all use every day.  The toilet.   He calls it his Post-Steampunk (Teslapunk) Antique Toilet/Urinal of the Future.

 Find the Flush Capacitor!

     Perhaps such matters are not usually discussed in polite company, but this one was so clever, I just had to mention the unmentionable! (Yes, I know it isn't actually a bidet, but I imagine one could mod it!)

     Humorous modifications to the commonplace lend a strange allure to this golden throne; for example, it has a laser targeting system pointing to the bottom center of the bowl, perhaps for use during (or after!) those rough zeppelin rides.  A lighted control panel with multiple gauges and flush control button completes the ensemble.
A video of the device in action can be seen here.

     Thank you, Patrick, for bodging analog technology to something even lower-tech, rather than the usual steampunk vice-versa.  The dichotomy is refreshing.  Literally.

Steampunk Tattoo Designs

So you want to show the world your dedication to what might be in the world of NeverWas?  Then you too can have your body modified to shout, "Steampunk lives!"
What am I going on about?
Steampunk Tattoos!

by French artist Stephane Chaudesaigues

     Of course, if you fancy getting one done, you should be sure that it is something you want to look at for the rest of your life.  All the standard warnings and nay-sayings about getting a tattoo understood and aside, IMO you could do a lot worse than a well-drawn steampunk-themed image on your skin.  (Check out this site for Q&A about the process and how to avoid the most common mistakes when getting a tattoo.)

Photos from WebUrbanist.com. Second photo from right, bottom, tattoo by Anil Gupta.

    Here is an article that contains even more images for your consideration and inspiration:

Cogs and Ink - Steampunk Tattoo Designs That Wow

For even more ideas and photos 
of steampunk tattoo designs, please see:  

Got Ink? Steampunk Tattoo Designs, Part 2.

Even if you shudder at the thought of needles and pain, you may be able to use these ideas in some other fashion such as engraving, painting, sewing, or sketching.   Enjoy!

~DS

Flower Power ring and Special Delivery Birdy Bows earrings - for sale

Flower Power

Here are two new pieces I posted for sale in my ArtFire shop this week.  There are more coming as I get them assembled to my liking.  =)

Special Delivery

Thanks for looking!