How to have a steampunk high tea

My dearest Blog, I was privileged yesterday to be among the fortunate guests at a steampunk high tea. Meet (standing left to right) Julianne, Chuck, Henry, Layla, Anna, (yours truly), Greg, and (seated) our hosts, Laura and Paul.

How precisely ought one host a steampunk high tea? Why, I am glad you asked, Blog.

First of all, for those unfamiliar with the term "steampunk," it is a popular genre of fashion and fantasy that combines Victorian style with science fiction elements of the type found in the writings of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells. Think time travel, airships, machinery incorporating gears and steam engines, all expressed with the elegance of the Victorian period. And what better way to enjoy the company of fellow steampunk fans than at a high tea, a social event very much in vogue during the reign of Queen Victoria?

Like steampunk in general, such a gathering is certainly open to individual interpretation. But I will share with you some tips based upon the manner in which it was executed by our delightful hosts, Paul and Laura. Follow these guidelines and you too can travel back to a romantic time that never really quite existed....

1. Invite guests who will come attired in steampunk-themed garb. As you see, that is key. Outfits include top hats and vests, splendid coats, long skirts, high button shoes...and the more subtle steampunk elements just as goggles, jewelry fashioned of gears and cogs, and props such as the sextants at Greg's hip in the photo above. British accents such as were employed by Henry and Greg are optional, as are imaginary character back stories, but hope to have a few attendees who will amuse your guests with same! And a de rigueur activity for guests is admiring each other costumes. Henry's "spat shoes" received particular attention.

By the way, it's not hard or expensive to contrive your own steampunk costume. I outfitted myself for about $50 out of pocket. A better view of me:

Start in your own closet. I used a shirt and vest I already had, and high-button velvet boots from a prior costume. Supplement with items from thrift stores, online steampunk shops, Etsy and eBay. I got my bustled skirt on eBay from Moonlight Cove. Don't forget steampunk props and jewelry, like the steampunk heart pendant I made from polymer clay. You can achieve a lot by spending a little. I made my hat from supplies I bought at Michael's for under $10.

2. Prepare a romantic, old-fashioned table. Paul and Laura happen to own a variety of antique china perfectly suited to the occasion.  Combined with equally splendid goldware, glassware, tablecloth, napkins, and fresh flowers, the look is formal but charming.

Don't forget placecards and small gifts such as the net bags Laura made and filled with period-appropriate salt water taffy. Note the small gear sewn on the bag for that steampunk touch. 

3. Serve tea. We were offered three types of delicious teas with cream, sugar and honey. There's something so delightful about the ritual of pouring tea. The guests at your tea will also enjoy the option of alcoholic beverages; we had some cherry wine as well as both sweet and dry champagne.

4. Observe the traditions of high tea food. Laura informed me that high tea includes three courses: scones, sandwiches, and desserts. Our scone course included two offerings. Our sandwiches were both sweet and savory (strawberry, cucumber, and some wonderful chicken salad on cherry walnut bread).

And the desserts included both raspberry and lemon layer cakes, petit fours, and chocolate truffles from Harrod's.

5. Discuss the wonders of steampunk. Of course the meal can include any sort of discourse that arises, but it's definitely a good opportunity to talk about DIY steampunk projects and past steampunk gatherings like the TeslaCon that takes place in Wisconsin. Here Paul examines some nifty goggles that Henry fabricated out of leather, showerhead parts, etc.

6. Provide appropriate props for your guests to enjoy. Among the props at our party was my little creation Herbert G the stitchpunk doll. It was a thrill to share him with such an auspicious group! Our hosts had a nifty stereoscope on hand and plenty of antique photos for us to view in 3D; here you see Greg trying it out while Chuck awaits a turn.

Paul also brought out the old 3D camera he bought to create his own 3D pictures. Note: two lenses! It uses regular 35 mm film.

7. Don't mind the anachronisms. Paul's iPhone came in handy for steampunk related research. No reason not to take advantage of the tools of the current age. You can always account for the phenomenon by pretending to be time-travelers from the past, visiting the current year.

And that, Blog, is all you need to do to throw your own steampunk high tea. I made wonderful new friends and enjoyed a refreshing mental break from our Wisconsin winter and the trials and tribulations of real life.

Thank you, Paul and Laura! Bravo!

Clay people?!?

Yes, Blog, I’ve embarked on my latest crazy creative endeavor. Like I said recently, when I really like something so much it hurts, I have to try it myself just in case I can do it. And awhile back I discovered Nicole West, the most astonishing polymer clay sculptor I’ve yet to see. Here are just a couple of her incredibly gorgeous creations:

Teacup Fairy

Lonely Goldfish Mermaid

I like these so much it hurts, Blog. And I figured, they are so grand, if I could someone make something even one-tenth as nice, it would be pretty decent. I looked on Amazon for the best book on sculpting human figures in polyclay that I could find, and this is what I found:

It’s all the reviews suggested and more. The instructions are so detailed and well-conceived, it’s possible even a total newbie such as myself could succeed. And I am determined, Blog. I am skipping no steps and applying myself 110% to this project. It’s the only way I stand a chance.

So, the first step was to make the tools you need. Quite a challenge in itself. I did quite a bit of shopping to come up with all the items I needed to construct the tools, as you see here below. Some of these things are already supplies or tools, but some were combined in a tricky fashion to make unique tools. And yes, Blog, I even had to go to Home Depot and get a tubing cutter! (That what that blue thing is.)  And another art supplies storage box (heck, they were on sale).

You use your tubing cutter to cut the big knitting needles into chunks. One pointy needle tip is used in a tool, and the rest of the parts are covered with clay to make sturdy handles. I actually figured out how to cut tubing! Awesome. I also got to use the electric drill, to drill holes in that piece of wood. This is as close to woodworking as I get.

Okay, so after a few hours of labor, here’s what I crafted:

A – Platform to hold clay parts (like heads) on wires during work (bolts and washers to add a little weight for stability).
B – Big knitting needle tool, for modeling.
C – Sewing needle tool, with big and small needles, for modeling super tiny detail.
D – Curvy end tool, with big and small curve ends, for modeling curvy shapes.
E – Tapestry needle tool, with big and small needles, for modeling small detail.
F – Eyeball mold.
G – Tray for holding eyeballs on pins for drying after painting.
H – Dish for shaping ovoid head armatures from aluminum foil.

The tools I made are ugly because I used random gooky leftover clay hunks. I now have no random gooky leftover clay hunks left!

I needed to get a lot of other supplies besides these. Like calipers, also from Home Depot, which I will use for accurate measuring of clay so I can get the proportions of my clay people right. I’ll use Tacky Glue, fabric glue AND Super Glue in various ways. I got a nice supply of heavy wire for armatures. And some inexpensive doll hair (the good artists use mohair but that stuff costs a ton). And a fine new set of acrylic paint in tubes (a steal at, of all places, Wal-Mart). And some super tiny new brushes. And of course, a bunch of beige clay, bought over the Web!

My existing clay and jewelry making tools and supplies (like pliers and glaze and pasta machine) will provide the rest of my needs. Along with my sewing machine (for wig and clothes making) and the eyelashes I ordered off eBay.

In other words, Blog, this is quite an undertaking. But I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. This weekend I’ll make some heads and see what happens. I’m planning on relying heavily on beginner’s luck.

My Impossible Clay People Dream? Well, first of all I’d like to make some gorgeous fairy-like female creature for which I can make a terrific tiny costume. And secondly, I’d like to make some really hot male, perhaps in a revealing Roman toga.

But before that, I’ll have to see if I can actually make something that appears vaguely human.

My confidence was slightly boosted this weekend, Blog. On a whim, I decided to submit my stitchpunk doll, Herbert G, to an author (Barbe Saint John) soliciting content for her upcoming book, 1000 Steampunk Inspirations. And he was accepted! Enthusiastically! The book comes out in March 2011 from Quarry Books. This is the first time I’ve felt like a real artist in any way. It blows my mind to be included in a book full of the work of real artisans.

ONE FINAL HINT!

Tomorrow is the big day! Our thrilling 50th post! Blog’s mystery interviewee is the perfect “big name act” for the occasion. Your last hint as to his identity: His age is a subject of debate, but we’re putting it at 27. All will be revealed tomorrow, and BYOB!

Stitchpunk!

Well, Blog, today we have a very big and exciting announcement to make! (Well, big and exciting in our world...it’s not like it’s as big as when the pickle got more Facebook friends than Nickelback.) Here it is:

Herbert G is finished!  As we will reveal below....

Finished in a good way, not like when Quinn was finished with the Cheerios. (“Glee” reference, people.) Finished as in ready to be introduced to the world, and here he is.

Herbert G is my creation and he is a stitchpunk doll. Stitchpunk is NOT my creation, it was invented by Shane Ackers, whose movie “9” was the inspiration for his half-steampunk / half Raggedy Andy look. I saw “9” nine days ago and not only was it a cool movie, but it created a whole new kind of character. Little 9 and his gang of stitchpunk friends (1 through 8) just begged to be given companions by crafters like me everywhere.

I could see this was an opportunity to combine two of my crafting hobbies in one awesome project. Didn’t hurt that it was a variation on steampunk, that Victorian-slash-industrial-slash-Gothic look that I’ve employed in past jewelry projects. So, I got out both my Rolling Cart o’ Polymer Clay Supplies and my Non-Rolling Cart o’ Needlecraft Supplies, as well as my sketchpad since I had no model or pattern except movie stills from the Web, and set to.

Sixteen hours of work later, Herbert G (named after H.G. Wells) is ready for adventures with the cats who “helped” me make him. Hopefully nothing like with the Cat-Beast thing in the movie, though. That thing is too scary for human kids, much less foot tall stitchpunks like Herbert.

I must confess, Blog, I’m really, really happy with how this project turned out. Particularly with the eyes, which IMHO are the closest thing to faithful to the original stitchpunk eyes that has yet been accomplished (at least according to my internet research). And also with the cool-looking base fitted with magnetic snaps that hold onto Herbert’s boots, a concept I invented that I’m sure I will use again sometime. Perhaps for the noses of kissing magnetic pigs?

For those interested in more detail about the creation of Herbert G, or in seeing more photos, please visit my new and super special “My Stitchpunk Doll” page on my website.

What next? Well, I got a very cool book on making beautiful cloth costumed dolls, and I have fabric left over from my fairy Halloween costume, so hmmmm, Blog....