Steampunk
I’ve long been a fan of the Steampunk aesthetic. Gears, clockwork, copper, leather; that neo-Victorian style combined with some H.G. Wells and a bit of what if? imagination. But it’s not something I’ve ever participated in personally. Until earlier this year I kinda decided to start seeing if I could put together an outfit.
Then Saturday, March 23rd was Steampunk Invasion at the Bay Area Renaissance Festival and I wanted to finally make the outfit a reality.
How’d I do it?
Most women in steampunk wear corsets and skirts/dresses, often with a bustle or pickups. It’s a cool look but man it just looks wildly uncomfortable to me. I know it’s based on a Victorian influence (hence the skirts/dresses) BUT, why limit yourself? I decided to go for a more “liberated” look and opt for pants.
Slowly over a few months, I scrounged GoodWill, ebay and such and pieced together some items that I thought achieved the look I wanted. I found a ruffle blouse, a wool vest and some “sailor” pants with buttons all for super cheap which all worked together. I had a pair of old brown boots that would work and I got some accessories like a top hat, a pair of welding goggles from amazon and a Nerf gun to repurpose and transform.
My Nerf started off like this:
I read a lot of info on the net about taking it apart and spray painting it but I got as far as removing two of the microscopically small screws….and couldn’t get the rest. So I just decided to hell with it, I was going to try to paint it without taking it apart. I scuffed the whole thing with sandpaper then sprayed the entire thing with several coats of an “oil rubbed bronze” color spray paint trying to get in as many nooks and crannies as I could. I figured it was only $10 Nerf so I wasn’t too worried about ruining it and wasting money. Surprisingly, the base coat looked and worked great!
I then used Rub ‘n Buff (which I actually found in my local Micheal’s) in “Antique Gold” and “Silver Leaf” with my (gloved) finger and just went to town on it. I did various layers working it until I liked how it looked. I also went back in with some gunmetal acrylic (by Martha Stewart in her “multi surface” paint) and copper which both worked surprisingly well on the plastic. I finished it with some matte Mod Podge (I didn’t have any spray sealer) to help keep it from rubbing off. Few bits of jewelry findings finished the look.
Came out like this:
I did the same thing with my welding goggles: a combination of the Antique Gold and the Silver Leaf Rub ‘n Buff took it from this:
To this…
–
I know I need more accessories – I painted and modified my gun and my goggles on FRIDAY and went to the festival SATURDAY so for putting it together the day before, I was pretty proud – but it’s not hard if you think about modifying things rather than needing to make from scratch. And, like the pants I bought are a real, regular pair of pants (not costume-specific) but when you pair it with an outfit, they suddenly look different.
I also wore Opalite Rainbow Moonstone Full Moon Tree of Life Pendant in copper wire:
I went to the Steampunk Costume Contest (though I didn’t enter) and talked to a several of the people. They were all really friendly and very encouraging and complimentary on my new costume. So that was really nice. A few people asked to take my picture too which means I must have been doing something right AND I had several people ask me about what the theme was and what “steampunk” was so it was nice to be able to help too.
I am really excited about it now and already planning on ways to expand my outfit and improve on it for next time. I was really encouraged and got good feedback and it was a lot of fun to do something different like this! I can’t wait to keep going with it and really make it even better.
Tags: BARF, Bay area Renaissance Festival, diy steampunk, how to, how to modify nerf gun for steampunk, make a steampunk gun, make steampunk goggles, making your own steampunk accessories, making your own steampunk costume, making your own steampunk outfit, steampunk costume, steampunk costume pants, steampunk fashion, steampunk outfit, steampunk outfit pants, steampunk woman, steampunk women, woman steampunk costume, woman steampunk outfit
:: about ::
40 year old Pagan woman who lives in Florida with her guy and two cats, loves Disney, reads fanatically, tinkers in photography and runs her own handcrafted artisan jewelry business.
Inadvertently became the face of Healthcare Reform in America by posting the (in)famous "I am Obamacare" image and sharing the story of her hysterectomy at age 34. Now runs her own small business, PhoenixFire Designs, specalizing in handmade tree of life pendants, full moon tree of life necklaces, family birthstone jewelry, wire wrapped jewelry and more full-time.
Our best friend passed away suddenly March 13, 2010. Five years later, it's still hard. The full story can be read here.Hysterectomy Fund
October 2013 Update: Happy 2 Year Anniversary!! I'm amazed at how different life is two years later. Though the hardest thing I've ever been through in my life, I've grown so much as a result of having overcome such terrifying and daunting medical issues. In a weird way, I'm better for having experienced these hardships. I'm more sure of myself these days and more confident I can face life's challenges better.
I have tried to turn this medical challenge into an opportunity and using this as a means to push forward with my small jewelry business and as a way to support myself again.
Your continued support is appreciated right now and even links to my shop are appreciated. Thank you to everyone who's helped and spread the word. All of you helped make it possible for me to be here and healthy.:: calendar ::
:: archives ::
:: categories ::
:: places to go ::
:: recommendations ::
ebates – easy $
Get cashback on the things you were going to buy online anyway! I use Ebates personally and it's super easy. Sign up for free!: photo & art prints :
:: book love ::
:: i love mail ::
I love snail mail. Wanna drop me a letter, a postcard, or a photo from where you live or your travels? Happy mail always welcome!
M. Turner
PO BOX 1484
Elfers, FL 34680
USA“Like” me on Facebook!
:: pink ribbon ::
My grandmother, aunt and sister are all breast cancer survivors. Please do self-exams, get yearly mammograms and help the fight to find a cure.
National Breast Cancer Foundation
Susan G. Komen for the Cure:: influenster ::
3 Comments
Thank you for getting into it. Thank you for your comments, and most of all, thank you for noticing that this is not rocket science but imaginative science. I hope you can take a moment (if you have not already) and join our Central Florida Steampunk Association Facebook page, and keep in touch to see what is going on. It was a please to have met you.
I did not attend the Ren. Fest so I didn’t get to meet you but I’m new to the group as well! Just moved here from Savannah. It’s a really great group.
I adore your style and LOVE that pendant. Absolutely gorgeous!
I’m excited to meet you sometime soon!
It looks and sounds like you had a great time! What a great job you did with the Nerf gun… very creative! 🙂