Creative Gears Grinding with Steampunk

What has antique brass, clockwork gears, Victorian romance, science-fiction fringes, mad-scientist futurism and is packed with attitude? Steampunk. Crafters especially enjoy and respect Steampunking because of its aesthetic value, variety and deeply creative expression.

This sort of futuristic revival of the Victorian age, mixed with fantasy includes clothing, music, art, literature, gadgets, vehicles, tools and weapons. Conjure images of steam powered locomotives and pocket watch gears and you’ll be well on your way to your first Steampunk creation. These 12 Blogs and websites will inspire your Steampunk craft projects.

1. Jake von Slatt hosts The Steampunk Workshop. His work is renown within the Steampunk genre. From switch plates to revamped computer keyboard, his blog provides numerous projects with great pictures and instructions. Although some projects appear in the advanced range, you will gain an appreciation for his work.

2. CF Originals by Christi Friesen offers Steampunk Clockwork Creatures made from polymer clay. You will find free patterns with very detailed pictures and instructions. Additionally you may purchase supplies and completed creatures. You’re sure to enjoy her blog as Christi’s work is exceptional.

3. SteampunkFembot’s Steampunk Costume & Craft Site by Tara. This is a small site with projects illustrated very well with pictures, however offers very limited instruction. Are you needing a Steampunk weapon? Tara offers a great nerf gun conversion. She invites others to post pics of their work.

4. Empire hosted by Lisa Rooney, offers numerous posts directed toward stylish but thrift minded projects. You will also find a video detailing Steampunking a pair of pants. She offers posting topics such as Steampunk weddings and invites bloggers to post their ideas.

5. Threadbanger has several Steampunking craft projects but the posting for a pair of relatively simple goggles. Goggles are a mainstay of your basic Steampunk wardrobe. This is a very detailed video showing the making of goggles using Gatorade caps.

Another great site for goggles is www.windfiredesigns.com/How-To/Dust-Goggles/. Tim Elverston and Mike Curry walk you through making a pair of leather goggles designed for withstanding dust in the desert. Their basic design could easily be adapted to Steampunk with the addition of a few gears, cogs and brads.

brassgoggles.co.uk/blog/steampunk-resources provides goggle instruction in addition to a blog providing numerous resources for steampunks

6. A photo of Herr Doktor’s Steampunk space helmet can be seen here. Hacknmod also has several other Steampunk postings worth checking out while you’re there. The original 53 page blog for the space helmet is found in its entirety here.

7. Free pattern Emporium hosted by Severina provides a crochet pattern for various cogs

8. Trendhunter offers a great site for inspiration through the most abundant assembly of Steampunk pictures.

9. James Davis offers detailed description and frame by frame photos of how to create a Steampunk style illustration using photoshop. Perfect application for scrap booking or creating invitations to your next Steampunk theme party.

10. Alan Parekh provides a video of his steampunk pumpkin which emits steam and luminates in various colors at hackedgadgets.com/2009/10/23/diy-steampunk-pumpkin/.

11. For a block with over 200 projects try the Steampunk Lab. Excellent pics but limited instructions.

12. Instructables is always great source for craft and dyi projects. They do not disappoint with their myriad of Steampunk projects..

Steampunk will engage your whimsy whether you dabble with a small piece or two or create functional masterpieces throughout your home.