tooluser

If you are looking for something to do Tomorrow/Sunday May 18, may I suggest
( Caravan of Thieves? )
It's not explicitly steam, but we aim for the feeling of old carnivals-the rag-tag, slightly decrepit, and often illicit shows of yore-and steamy audience members would be very much appreciated!

They're having a horse show at The American Museum of Natural History in New York. Outside they have painted horses (much like the cows from a few years ago) and I found two very steamy ones that I thought I should share! Many pictures under the cut, but here's one to tease!



( More steamy horses below! )

Enjoy!

Any London-based steam enthusiasts might be interested in attending the Paradise Gardens event in Victoria Park in East London next weekend (24th/25th May).

In the Victorian era, parks were pleasure gardens where the most thrilling activities of the day were on offer for families to enjoy. For Paradise Gardens we update this idea for the 21st Century, offering a dizzying array of artforms, stages and activities for audiences of all ages to enjoy.

Entertainments include Carter's Steam Fair, the Tea Dance Tent and the Bar of Ideas.

I live next to Victoria Park and have been to all the Paradise Gardens (it's a yearly event) and I highly recommend it. I always have a go on the steam-driven merry-go-round!

Best of all it's free to go to, although the circus and Sensazione attractions are ticketed.

May be I'll see you there!

http://www.paradisegardens.org.uk/

Where can I find reasonably priced walking sticks online? I want one with a knob handle, not a curve or "old man's medical cane". Prefer it to be wood or just... not plastic. Between the price range of $50-$100.

EDIT: I forgot to add that I need it to be strong and functional. I have a bad hip and need a walking cane for medical purposes, i just want a cool looking one.

to here: already out of my hands

It's been real. I've got a few things up at the new place, including photojournaling of my garden. Also a lovely thing called a TAG CLOUD, which I picture as a storm of shiny pricetags and little plastic fasteners, but is prettier (if that's possible), and perhaps the last thing that won me over at Wordpress.

REGARDING LINKAGE: I think you are all lovely, and if you would like me to include a link to your blog on my new blog, drop me a line. Many of your blogs seem rather personal/friendish in nature, so I figured for some of you maybe not, but let me know. We have some mutual friends after all.

Chao chao.

http://www.movementproductions.net/mp3/interview.mp3

I think you guys will enjoy this interview I did with DJ Johnny Quan from the Grey Cats Radio show on KFSF here in SF. I had a lot of fun, and we got to talk a lot about steampunk, my music and influences and the new emerging subcultural aspects of the style.

I know there are a LOT of links to women boots online, but since I have big feet I do not trust online shops so now I'm looking for some place were they carry these kind of shoes or similar that I can try on in real life. An I live in Sweden so I cant order and send back the shoes if they do not fit :/


The shop I am looking for is ideally placed somewhere in North Carolina since I'm staying with my sister in Greenville when I fly to USA from Sweden in some weeks.
I am looking for size 41-42 (whatever that is in US size I do not know, perhaps 9½-10? but my feet are huge and I can barley not find "ordinary" shoes that look good in Sweden, thank god for combat boots, but I want to be a bit more ladylike so therefore my quest for granny boots)

Another thing is that I am looking for real leather boots, I need some shoes that will last more then one season.

Please help a fellow steamlady!

Hey guys! I thrift a lot of my costumes, and I've found some good stuff on ebay as well.

I just found out about a site called shopgoodwill.com, which is essentially ebay, but Goodwill-specific. I've been looking for about five minutes and I've already found some great stuff! (I'm falling in love with their music section...)

Here's a few just to give you a taste:

some older boots

beautiful faux-victorian picture frame and mirror

mirror with cast brass

victorian style rotary phone


Enjoy! =D

Having been a closet Victorian for many years, and then quite the extrovert in my adult life, with a lengthy history of re-enacting, I am delighted to discover the world of steampunk. Some 15 years ago we had an informal group of Victorian minded folks-- the Redoubtable Society-- existing primarily for our own pleasure. We were actually 'hired' on a few occasions, fed and paid in fact, simply to attend events for the sake of 'ambiance'. Mainly stroll about in period clothing (some reconstructions, some actual vintage) or play croquet, etc. Sadly, time and distance took it's toll-- marriages, moves, and mortality cut our numbers, and the Society itself has been dormant for some time.

However, I've spoken to a few friends who all want to revive the Redoubtables with steampunk additions. I am located in NJ, and hold the keys to a local museum, which has already granted permission for me to use that location for meetings-- IF there is any interest. Besides the obvious social benefits of monthly meetings, and a newsletter, we are interested in running 'safaris' for 'salvage' (any usable material) at some of the larger NJ flea markets-- you know, meet at the museum, carpool, and return later for sharing our finds and a picnic. Also, a crash course in croquet (to be later transformed into mortal combat I am sure), fencing demos (I am a sabre fencer with some old titles to my credit) and the traditional stitch-and-bitch, swaps and sharing our latest projects. Admittedly, my mechanical ability is minimal, but by networking and sharing info, we learn. Also, we hope to have interested folks offer informal talks at meetings. And let us not forget the occasional tea! Your home location of course is no problem-- while some may not be able to attend events, they can still participate. I am posting this in order to get feedback of anyone interested. If there is some response, I will likely toss together a community here on LJ to get the ball rolling. Any thoughts on the matter, suggestions or such, are VERY welcome!

Not my own, but I was really quite taken with the costumes on the steampunk serial, "Wormtooth Nation." Gasmasks and grubbiness ftw!



( Coupla more. )

The rest of the Flickr set is here (they're mostly behind-the-scenes shots), and the first couple webisodes are up on theskyisfree DOT com. I believe you can also find it on YouTube under the search "wormtooth nation."

http://www.apple.com/trailers/weinstein/igor/

I know we've got a number of mad scientist fans around here. Enjoy.

Eeeek! This is not fashion-related, but fiction. As part of the story that I've been working on I would like a bit of constructive criticism and editing. Also, for those who approve of such games, I'd like to obtain a few examples of signatures to use for the various dignitaries mentioned in the document that I'm about to reveal.

If you would be so kind as to read this and comment thereon: Charactor CV

And for those who are interested, take a stab at "creative signaturizing" some of the notables mentioned in the first half of the document. If possible, .GIF files with a transparent background can be sent to vila AT america DOT net for me to play with/embed into the document. My aim is to eventually print the bugger out and frame it to hang on one of the walls here at Casa Vila.

This could be fun, for those who enjoy the art of documentation. :)

Thank you for your time,

Vila

Is a hoax, or genius? Artichoke has put on legitimate large-scale spectacle in the past, so there must be SOMETHING to it...Mmmmmmm...

Help choose the Steampunk Geek Girl photo for the upcoming Geek Girl Calendar! Vote here.

[Crossposted appropriately.]

I completely forgot that The Boston Phoenix shot video when they came out to the workshop to inteview me! They've just put it up on their site and I've embedded it here:

If you haven't read the whole piece you should! It contains a LOT more then just me, in fact I'm in less then 20% of the written article.

I am so please that my home town really seems to "get" Steampunk!

Also assorted, ne'er-do-wells, strumpets, and raggamauffins who may have crept into this august assemblage to bask in the glory of our most mighty creative powers.

I have a dilemma to lay before you. Albeit one not overly large in scope and one that I'm certain that you're all more than capabale of resolving, if you'll grant me such indulgence.

It is, in short, that I am lacking in inspiration.
Not for the fine details of my work, nor yet the execution, but for the grand scope, the base concept for "what to build next".

If you have any thoughts regarding objects that you would wish to see coaxed from the eather into what we might call relity. Please, I beg of you, share them. Lest my tools grow rusty from lack of use.

Here and Here I include reference to such items as I have constructed in the very recent past, for no other reason than to focus your cogitations in the most fruitful direction.
I should hate for the ladies to regale me with their most uplifting ideas for self adjusting bustles only to become despondant at my lack of ability with the creation of such things.


I Remain, as ever, your servant.

Is there such a thing as a 16th-century version of steampunk? "Renaissance" punk, if you will? Having to do with... bodices and pumpkin pants and poet-shirts? Chain mail? Rapiers? XD

[Outside of the SCA, I mean. XD]

Rennies need a cool suffix, too!

Ok, since there seems to be a growing need for it, I just fired up a new community.  Loving the retrofuture but not quite delving into Victorian graces?  Wander over to retrofuturepunk .  Hopefully this can help reduce the quandry of 'that's not steampunk' and the disdain for the post-apocalyptic.

I'll still be haunting here, though... I love both genres, and the stuff you guys come up with is solid gold.

The Toronto Star today had a steampunk article in the fashion section in response to the NY Times article...

i was interviewed and helped the reporter by sending her some links and a brief background


article here:

http://www.thestar.com/article/425833

I waited too long to order these boots from Baby the Stars Shine Bright, and now they're sold out!

Does anyone know where I can find a similar pair? I'm looking on ebay, and I've been scouring some links I have saved but I'm not coming up with anything similar. I know it probably has to do with the fact that summer is coming up. I want to wear them to an event next week.

Edit: Just so that I'm not being a complete parasite; here's a link I got from a friend: How to build your own Yurt. I hope some of you will find it interesting.

Thanks a lot!