I started with a purse, which you can check out here. I thought something simple would be the best way to build my crafting skills. I plan to add a couple more elements to it this weekend.
Every great steampunk cosplay also comes with goggles.
Being that I wear glasses, I have decided that mine will be worn on the hat my Mom sent me.
But they had to be tricked out still. I still have one more element to add before I feel they are 100% complete. Something like this....
Like paint the toes perhaps... But for now, the heels are rocking some gears.
My daughters, and even my sons, sometimes like to try and help. The baby likes to play in my craft supplies while my older daughter likes to sort the gears into groups.
It is one way we get to bond. I also use it to teach. Sorting and grouping is a concept she has learned, but can expand on. This is also how the kids gain an interest in being creative. My sons wanted to have their own steampunk goggles when they saw mine. So we designed and made some for them! They play pretend with them.
Not everyone is a crafter. At first, I wasn't. So I used some review opportunities to get steampunk costumes. That is what sparked my interest in the genre. I started to realize how much more there was to it. Then I began searching on Pinterest. Talk about a huge movement! There are now shows and sub-genres to diversify in. People make a living on creating or "making" gear. They are called Makers. The more I dove into researching, the more I wanted to be a part of this community. And my cosplay is just how I do it :)
My next project is to decorate the corset top my Mom sent as a gift. I'm going to add some decorations to it. Then I have to work on the skirt. I'm also wanting to 'punk out some toy guns we have. My goal is to have it completed by Free Comic Book Day/Star Wars Day this May. And I'm trying to convince my husband to get new pants for his Resident Evil Guard costume. That way, the whole family can dress up this time. It is a great bonding event for us.
Are you a Steampunk fan? Sci-Fi? What gives you the greatest joy in your down time?? Let me know in the comments below!