Steampunk Survey
A lovely steampunk survey recently requested on one of the various Steampunk communities around here. Since I was somewhat long-winded in my response, I am posting it as a whole blog post.
Age/Location; I am 38, I live in St. Louis, MO
What is your area of occupation? (If you are a student, please list your level/field of study) I work full-time for a fabric store/Sewing Machine Dealership as a salesperson and educator. I am also trained as a technician. I also have a side business creating custom machine embroidery.
How long have you been interested in steampunk? The first time I heard the phrase it interested me. I have always been fond of Mad Scientists (I blame Gene Wilder and Morgan Freeman), Unusual technology (I blame my father), trains (grew up next to a major rail line), Time Travel (I blame The Doctor) and costuming (no one to blame but myself.)
How did you find out about it? Through the internet, much like everyone else.
How often do you wear steampunk (eg conventions, weekends, every day)? It varies. I host Steampunk meets approximately quarterly. I wear my steampunk finery to conventions and sometimes other public events. I also have some great pieces that I use as part of my everyday wardrobe, but I do not use them daily.
A picture of you in steampunk (links okay); Take a peek at the Stleampunk meet up flickr group:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/2161968@N20/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ttctroupe/6248876466/in/pool-2161968@N20/ I am the one in the purple socks in this shot.
Do you consider steampunk to be a fashion or a costume, and why? Both. Fashion and costume are not always mutually exclusive; fashion from bygone eras are currently considered "costume". There is a large neo-victorian movement in current fashion, which makes creating and assembling steampunk costumes much easier.
Do you have a steampunk persona? If yes, please give a brief overview. Two, in fact. Katarina Glockenspiel is our local hostess with the mostess, a matronly spinster with interest in mechanical devices. Penny Farthing is the Steamunque Burlesque performer with The Penny Jar performance group.
Are you interested in other aspects of the Victorian era (such as literature, design, sociology) besides fashion? Indeed! I have been interested in Victorian-era literature for a variety of reasons for some time. I also find that it is a fascinating era with regard to the role of the industrial revolution and the repressive social mores, and how these things affected society as a whole.
Are your outifts bought, partially bought, modified or handmade?
All of the above. Some of my pieces are created entirely by me; some are embellished with embroidery, alteration, fabric paint, or beading; some are purchased and worn exactly as I acquired them, and some are assembled from other pieces. I prefer vintage goggles, and have put together quite a collection of them. I enjoy working with vintage fashion pieces (band-collared shirts, especially), and I'm always on the lookout for patterns that strike my steampunk fancy.
If your outfits are bought or partially bought, where do you find your pieces and which pieces do you buy? If they are modified, what are they based on and where do you find the pieces? I refer you to my previous answer, but as to my sources I am constantly Goodwill-Hunting. I occasionally find pieces at places like Target, but more often I will cruise antique malls, vintage shoppes, ebay, and estate sales. My embroidery designs are either created and digitized by me or they are purchased. I particularly like OESD's designs and Adorable Ideas. I have not yet worked with the designs from Urban Threads, though I do admire them.
Are you a designer, maker or crafter of steampunk items? What kind of items do you make? (If no, please skip to question 15.)
Goodness! Where to begin? Nerf and water pistols have been steampunk modded by repainting them and adding bits and bobs to them. I've steamed up a RC mechanical spider, I've created stage props and devices for a variety of stage productions involving steampunk, I have collaborated on creating false fronts for a gigantic machine and a "Steam Organ" for a show, I've added steampunk elements to my '03 Chevy Impala, and I've decorated for a variety of steampunk social events, creating wall decorations and centerpieces.
Do you sell your work?
Not often. Steampunk is something I do for myself, though I have been compensated for some of my larger projects.
What inspires your designs? How do you start the design process (such as primary research, analysis, brainstorming, an ideas journal/sketchbook)?
Inspiration comes from within. I used to work with design journals but I have not done so for some time. I do use my Ipad to jot down ideas, but usually I work from my imagination and allow the work to form in my hands as I go. Sometimes I am not sure what it will be or when it will be finished until it is completed. It is an organic process.
When you put outfits together, do you have a specific theme in mind (such as aviator, scientist, aristocrat)?
Many times I do. My Steampunk Caroling outfit is partially inspired by Dickensian carolers. Katarina Glockenspiel tends to wear the trappings of a scientist or explorer. Penny Farthing takes wicked delight in wearing faux-aristocratic ensembles and then removing large sections of them.
Do you have any other alternative/historical fashion or costuming interests (such as cosplay, LARP, street fashion)?
I have been attending SF/F conventions since the 80s, so yes. I have worked professionally in theater, but I also enjoy costuming for its own sake. I've often asked a series of questions when invited to a social outing: "Are we supposed to wear costumes? Are we encouraged to wear costumes? Are we allowed to wear costumes? If I wear a costume, would it cause trouble? If I wear a costume will I be refused entry? If I wear this costume, would I be arrested?"
I'd usually rather wear a costume than clothing. I do table-top gaming but rarely LARP. I have been part of the Goth scene since it has been seen (and since before we called it "Goth"), I've worked professionally in the Ren Faire circuit, and I've been "Lunatic Fringe" for the SCA.
Do you attend any steampunk oriented events, conventions or meet-ups? Yes, and most of them have me at the helm, as well. I am the progenitor of STLeampunk in St. Louis, for example. I was on staff for Conflation the year that Steampunk was the theme. I run the Annual Mad Scientists' Tea Party at Archon (for six years now).
Do you attend any other sorts of conventions (such as anime, sci-fi) in steampunk? Yes to all.
Have you made any friends through steampunk (either online in in real life)? My roomate! We met her at a STLeampunk meet-up, and she has enriched my life ever since. I have also made many other friends through Steampunk activities.
Please choose one fashion image and one non-fashion image that sum up steampunk for you. (These can be found images or images you have created yourself, links okay.)
As I stated before, fashion and costume blur together, at least for me. However, I will try:
http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6i5018Hw51rzmebqo1_500.jpg
http://xerposa.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/brian-kesinger-octopus-steampunk-art.jpg
Sum up steampunk and what it means to you in one - three sentences;
Steampunk is the romantic notion of visiting the future that never was. Consider what might have been, if the future the Victorians were predicting came true? The goggles are just icing on the cake.
And now a challenge: Make for me a Steampunk Haiku. I'm REALLY sad that I did not think to do this before our Asian Steampunk Tea Party two years ago. Sigh.
Age/Location; I am 38, I live in St. Louis, MO
What is your area of occupation? (If you are a student, please list your level/field of study) I work full-time for a fabric store/Sewing Machine Dealership as a salesperson and educator. I am also trained as a technician. I also have a side business creating custom machine embroidery.
How long have you been interested in steampunk? The first time I heard the phrase it interested me. I have always been fond of Mad Scientists (I blame Gene Wilder and Morgan Freeman), Unusual technology (I blame my father), trains (grew up next to a major rail line), Time Travel (I blame The Doctor) and costuming (no one to blame but myself.)
How did you find out about it? Through the internet, much like everyone else.
How often do you wear steampunk (eg conventions, weekends, every day)? It varies. I host Steampunk meets approximately quarterly. I wear my steampunk finery to conventions and sometimes other public events. I also have some great pieces that I use as part of my everyday wardrobe, but I do not use them daily.
A picture of you in steampunk (links okay); Take a peek at the Stleampunk meet up flickr group:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/2161968@N20/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ttctroupe/6248876466/in/pool-2161968@N20/ I am the one in the purple socks in this shot.
Do you consider steampunk to be a fashion or a costume, and why? Both. Fashion and costume are not always mutually exclusive; fashion from bygone eras are currently considered "costume". There is a large neo-victorian movement in current fashion, which makes creating and assembling steampunk costumes much easier.
Do you have a steampunk persona? If yes, please give a brief overview. Two, in fact. Katarina Glockenspiel is our local hostess with the mostess, a matronly spinster with interest in mechanical devices. Penny Farthing is the Steamunque Burlesque performer with The Penny Jar performance group.
Are you interested in other aspects of the Victorian era (such as literature, design, sociology) besides fashion? Indeed! I have been interested in Victorian-era literature for a variety of reasons for some time. I also find that it is a fascinating era with regard to the role of the industrial revolution and the repressive social mores, and how these things affected society as a whole.
Are your outifts bought, partially bought, modified or handmade?
All of the above. Some of my pieces are created entirely by me; some are embellished with embroidery, alteration, fabric paint, or beading; some are purchased and worn exactly as I acquired them, and some are assembled from other pieces. I prefer vintage goggles, and have put together quite a collection of them. I enjoy working with vintage fashion pieces (band-collared shirts, especially), and I'm always on the lookout for patterns that strike my steampunk fancy.
If your outfits are bought or partially bought, where do you find your pieces and which pieces do you buy? If they are modified, what are they based on and where do you find the pieces? I refer you to my previous answer, but as to my sources I am constantly Goodwill-Hunting. I occasionally find pieces at places like Target, but more often I will cruise antique malls, vintage shoppes, ebay, and estate sales. My embroidery designs are either created and digitized by me or they are purchased. I particularly like OESD's designs and Adorable Ideas. I have not yet worked with the designs from Urban Threads, though I do admire them.
Are you a designer, maker or crafter of steampunk items? What kind of items do you make? (If no, please skip to question 15.)
Goodness! Where to begin? Nerf and water pistols have been steampunk modded by repainting them and adding bits and bobs to them. I've steamed up a RC mechanical spider, I've created stage props and devices for a variety of stage productions involving steampunk, I have collaborated on creating false fronts for a gigantic machine and a "Steam Organ" for a show, I've added steampunk elements to my '03 Chevy Impala, and I've decorated for a variety of steampunk social events, creating wall decorations and centerpieces.
Do you sell your work?
Not often. Steampunk is something I do for myself, though I have been compensated for some of my larger projects.
What inspires your designs? How do you start the design process (such as primary research, analysis, brainstorming, an ideas journal/sketchbook)?
Inspiration comes from within. I used to work with design journals but I have not done so for some time. I do use my Ipad to jot down ideas, but usually I work from my imagination and allow the work to form in my hands as I go. Sometimes I am not sure what it will be or when it will be finished until it is completed. It is an organic process.
When you put outfits together, do you have a specific theme in mind (such as aviator, scientist, aristocrat)?
Many times I do. My Steampunk Caroling outfit is partially inspired by Dickensian carolers. Katarina Glockenspiel tends to wear the trappings of a scientist or explorer. Penny Farthing takes wicked delight in wearing faux-aristocratic ensembles and then removing large sections of them.
Do you have any other alternative/historical fashion or costuming interests (such as cosplay, LARP, street fashion)?
I have been attending SF/F conventions since the 80s, so yes. I have worked professionally in theater, but I also enjoy costuming for its own sake. I've often asked a series of questions when invited to a social outing: "Are we supposed to wear costumes? Are we encouraged to wear costumes? Are we allowed to wear costumes? If I wear a costume, would it cause trouble? If I wear a costume will I be refused entry? If I wear this costume, would I be arrested?"
I'd usually rather wear a costume than clothing. I do table-top gaming but rarely LARP. I have been part of the Goth scene since it has been seen (and since before we called it "Goth"), I've worked professionally in the Ren Faire circuit, and I've been "Lunatic Fringe" for the SCA.
Do you attend any steampunk oriented events, conventions or meet-ups? Yes, and most of them have me at the helm, as well. I am the progenitor of STLeampunk in St. Louis, for example. I was on staff for Conflation the year that Steampunk was the theme. I run the Annual Mad Scientists' Tea Party at Archon (for six years now).
Do you attend any other sorts of conventions (such as anime, sci-fi) in steampunk? Yes to all.
Have you made any friends through steampunk (either online in in real life)? My roomate! We met her at a STLeampunk meet-up, and she has enriched my life ever since. I have also made many other friends through Steampunk activities.
Please choose one fashion image and one non-fashion image that sum up steampunk for you. (These can be found images or images you have created yourself, links okay.)
As I stated before, fashion and costume blur together, at least for me. However, I will try:
http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6i5018Hw51rzmebqo1_500.jpg
http://xerposa.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/brian-kesinger-octopus-steampunk-art.jpg
Sum up steampunk and what it means to you in one - three sentences;
Steampunk is the romantic notion of visiting the future that never was. Consider what might have been, if the future the Victorians were predicting came true? The goggles are just icing on the cake.
And now a challenge: Make for me a Steampunk Haiku. I'm REALLY sad that I did not think to do this before our Asian Steampunk Tea Party two years ago. Sigh.