Gothic Glamour

Dark, delicious and extremely elegant Gothic creations.

1. La Creme De La Creme Lace Cuff - LaCamelot
2. Drusilla tiara - acpertille
3. Young Marie Antoinette Cameo Corset in Rococo and Stripe Fabrics - louiseblack
4. The Gray Lady Silver Secret Scents Locket - skwelgrrl
I was feeling a bit dramatic, so I searched for things to enhance that perfectly. A lacy cuff adds sweetness. A gorgeous tiara adds, well, royalty. A louiseblack corset adds artistic elegance and a beautiful locket with a secret adds not only sparkle, but scent.

Animal

It takes more than clock parts to make a SteamPunk Animal.

1. Cyborg Seahorse Necklace -- Model 532 - roamingrabbit
2. Dragon Steampunk Sculpture - IckyDogCreations
3. Clockwork Bird Model no. 57 - HazelFisherCreations
4. Sebastian the Steampunk Mouse - TheHouseOFMouse
It honestly drives me a little batty that so much "SteamPunk" jewelry are the same uninspired clockwork pieces. So when I saw this little seahorse, I thought, wow steampunk animals and a theme was born. I discovered that The House Of Mouse, who I adore, did steampunk. Then I searched and discovered IckyDogCreations many clockwork sculptures and the adorable bird illustrations. Sometimes we just have to look a little harder for truely inspired work.

Art

Does there have to be a definitive theme or can these exist together because the invoke the same feelings in me?

1. Insectoid - digital painting - panchromatica
2. Interconnections - Altered Attractor Rendering - Art2ArtColorado
3. Flight - Print - DuttonArt
3. In Flight Test 11X14 Art Print - micawber
Each of these pieces caught my eye in an entirely different search on Etsy and each while entirely different in theme or style seemed to fit together to form this collection. All of them full of imagination and dream lands. Each of them granting me a sense of calm, wonder and adventure, all at the same time.

A Fine Romance

As a stark contrast to the rugged of last week, here's some romantic lace and ruffles.

1. Black white pink stripe balconette ruffle bra,and waist cincher set - vintageopulence
2. SWANKY LUXE 4 Way Convertible Ostrich Feather Accessory - Liaison
3. Antique Lace Headband - cutiedynamite
4. Dark Shades - Vintage Collar Make Over - pinkpurse
Just as I'm not a huge brown fan, I rarely choose to wear pink. I can't help but love these pieces however. They are full of romance with a bit of the antique built right in. From the incredible opulent top to the simple but dramatic accessories of feathers and lace, you are in love with love draped in textiles of this nature.

Brown

I really didn't set out to have an all SteamPunk week, but here we all with more. Brown leather rustic wear.

1. Steampunk Chest Harness - velvetmechanism
2. Steampunk Unisex Cuff with Secret Pocket - Distressed Brown - sewlutionbyamo
3. Durango rugged leather belt - Urbanhardwear
4. Leather steampunk top - jazuchan
I am not a brown fan. I remember in high school, I took a weekend class on wardrobe building and color where I was told I had to choose black, navy or brown upon which to base all my clothing. I picked black, but if I had to go back I would have called the woman an idiot and there might be a place in my life for these brown leather pieces. Whether it's a harness to steam up a simple outfit, a cuff for a subtle approach, an all out bold top or an amazing bag that appears to have been drug through the apocalypse and survived, these pieces add instant character.

Robot Friends

The future is now, or then, or...I don't know. Look it's a robot!1. Royal Orderly Robot - spaceboyjordo

2. Mechanical Womb and Clockwork Fetus - liquidsolution
3. Clockwork - forgottenrobots
4. Tiny Robot is Disgruntled - industrialfairytale
After yesterday's recycled finds, I had robots on the brain. This is just a teeny tiny sampling of the miraculous robot unearthing. From the insanely incredible clockwork fetus to the itty bitty disgruntled robot, there is a robot for every need and personality. I so wanted to share more of them, but I restrained myself. Four finds a day, that's my rule, but be warned, this is absolutely not my last robot post.

What's Green In Steam

As a nod to Earth Day, I thought I'd show off a few of the many steamy recycled pieces at etsy.1. Recycled Car Part and Conveyor Belt BRACELET - stevenshaverdesigns

2. Momma Spyder - desertsol
3. Metropolis 3 -handbag - Garbagebag
4. CAPTAIN CONFUSION - The Understandably Disoriented Steampunk Robot - reclaim2fame
SteamPunk has always been a culture of reusing and recycling one thing into another. Seeing something amazing in a pile of junk not only helps the natural environment, but enhances our world with art and objects with deeper meaning. From the practical like a great stylish bag to jewelry like the car part bracelet and fantastical art made from too many piece to name, etsy has got some serious green steam.

Goggles

SteamPunk can be complex to explain, but you know it when you see it, especially when looking through a great pair of goggles.

1. Five Lens Steampunk Goggles - steampunk22
2. Eastern Block Steampunk Goggles - Neverwas
3. Steampunk Brass Goggles - BrazenDevice
4. Deep Plump Steampunk Goggles - BolierGoth
A lot of people believe that goggles are not only an essential element to any steampunks wardrobe, but also something that one should design and make themselves. As someone who intended to do just that and still has a pair of untouched goggles sitting in a drawer waiting for lace, I am glad that there are amazing makers out there selling their hard work. From extremely complex mad scientist models to simple designs with a lot of character, there is a pair of googles out there to fit any steamy outfit.

Extreme Steam

Sometimes Steampunk is subtle and sometimes it is so not.1. Steampunk Vader helmet and chest piece - Creaturefeature13

2. High collars and long trains - wrinkledhermit
3. Steampunk FUCNTIONAL CLOCKWORK Corset and Pannier - idolatre
4. Skirt, Maroon and Black - darkfusionboutique
Sometimes I like to imagine a life where I could dress as Steamy as I liked everyday and never feel out of place. Never in my wildest dreams however did I dream of quite these extremes of handmade steam. Scifi steampunk goodness in a helmet, a dress that combines bizarre architecture with a working clock. Or even just fantastic a costuming element that demands attention.

Post Apocalyptic

Is your vision of the future full of despair or wonder? Can it be both?1. The Kingdom - CodyPendent

2. Our Future, Your Mistake - pixelcherry
3. Echelon - Original Fine Art Illustration - interrupt
4. Ancient Futures giclee print - rabbitholestudios

I never read too much into a piece of art. I just know what I like. It hits me on a visceral level so it's hard to explain why I would pick these pieces. They are at once dark as well as inspiring, beautiful as well as despairing. I wonder if they seem the same to you.

I'm All Ears

Subtle, delicate and light as a feather, or maybe not...definitely not.

1. Sensuous swirling stretcher - horn - sanfranblissco
2. Gamete earrings - sterling silver - duckduckgoosestuff
3. 8 Gauge Spirals - FineJewelrybyShaya
4. Swirling Horn Earrings- monkeymeditates

Never one for subtly, I found earrings that require you to stretch and adapt in order to display their sensuous beauty. Whether made of bone or sculpted of silver these pieces demand a little more from you than a simple piercing. You must also exercise care lest you harm yourselves or others. Believe me, I own a pair of gamete earrings and they are challenge to wear, though they are more than worth it!

Long Beautiful Hair

You might be aware that I am lucky enough to have multicolored hair, but not everyone is as lucky as me.1. Custom Baby Dreads - Black Orchid Designs

2. Custom order Curly dreads - Dollyxdecay
3. Straight Layered Wig in bright cobalt blue - ladysolo
4. Teal and black UV Hair falls - sistersofthemoon

While I can't speak to the quality of these pieces, it certainly looks as if they would change the way others look at you. Whether you want a short tiny dreads, gorgeous colorful curls, long flowing locks or a relatively simple wig, it appears that finding a bright color is not a problem, so go wild for the night.

A Good Book

There is nothing quite as satisfying as a good book, except perhaps writing your own.

1. Journal - Morbid Steampunk Human Body Assemblage - Coptic style blank book - moon23
2. Steampunk Leather Journal - black hardcover - myhandboundbooks
3. Tiny Clockwork Book - Teatimeinc
4. Ideogram, Triangulation and Foresight Journal - FatalAttraction

I've bought hand bound books before, but I've never had the courage to spoil the pages with my inane ramblings. Perhaps I should have bought a more utilitarian one that begs for ink like the first two here. Maybe I should have forsaken pages for a little clockwork art that only speaks to my love of books or invested in a piece of metal art to house amazing sketches. I didn't, but you can.

Leather

Ah, leather and it's less deadly cousin pleather, is there really anything like it? It keeps us looking dangerous, much more dangerous than we probably are.

1. Corset, underbust, black pleather, pvc ,waist 26 - oblivionclothing
2. Corseted Buckled Gothic Leather Coat - Divadivine777
3. Leather Vest- blackmarketbaby
4. VAMPIRE CORSET - recycled red, grey and black leather - CitizensOfElysium

I remember buying my first leather jacket over a decade ago and I still wear it, though I secretly wish I had many more of them. I do own a great leather corset, but if I needed another, I might get this under bust number. I would totally feel all Hellraiser in that great full length jacket or I could totally go the other way with the slick leather vest. The one I really love and the whole reason for this theme, is that crazy corset top from CitizensOfElysium. I so want to wear it into the badlands.

Corsetry As Art

I love corsets. I love the way they look, the way they feel and it's no surprise that they make great art.

1. Youth is Wasted Soap Lady portrait - Tinaimel
2. The Peacock Collector - Mizzdraconia
3. Chupacabra- Original painting - Slurkgirl
4. Neko GasMask Girl Vinyl Wall Art - pillboxdesigns


Whether you like your art abstract with a dark story or you prefer a little fantasy, the corset brings a dark and sultry feeling to the piece. As part of a portrait, it conveys the feeling of aristocracy and romance, or plastered on the wall in stark black, it speaks to a post apocalyptic counterculture. Sure you can wear a corset, but did you know you can hang one on the wall too.

Necking

Your neck was made to be adorned and sometimes jewelry just won't cut it.

1. The Artful Dodger-Victorian Gothic Steampunk couture neck ruffle/choker/collar - TatterdemalionDesign
2. Felted scarf-collar Irena - Rudman
3. Neckwarmer nuno felt collar grey black - Feruto
4. Lux- neck piece - daintythings


I do have a thing for collars and these are wonderful. Sure it might be getting warmer where I live, but Fall is upon the other hemisphere. Whether it's a stately grey piece that would dress up any outfit or a warm felted piece with a splash of color, a simple, but luxurious scarflet or a sculptural couture piece, a collar is a perfectly bold accessory.

On A Gray Day

Gray is the new black? No, not really, but does it need to be anything but gray to be gorgeous.

1. Sherry Brandy - JunkhouseDollyard
2. Black gray white Mini Ruffled Harajuku Style Skirt Dress - pinarEris
3. Honeycomb - emilyryan
4. Deep Gray Balloonish Pants - lilybrush

As you might have guessed, I have an affinity for black is all things. Sometimes a little contrast is in order and a bit of gray is what you need. A simple, but stunning strappy dress, an outrageous combination of black and white with gray all over or an architectural masterpiece masquerading as a dress. Of course a stunning pair of gray pants that allow me to wear yet another black shirt works just as well.

Top Hats

On top of your head there's a wonderfully empty space. Why not cover it with a hat

1. Victorian Top Hat in Velvet - The Beaux - TopsyTurvyDesign

2. Rockstar Striped Top Hat - SteamSociety

3. The Secret Garden Steampunk Mini Top Hat - GypsyLadyHats

4. Cogs and Sprockets - BoringSidney

There are so very many talented milliners on etsy making so many amazing hats. Personally, I prefer full sized hats to tiny toppers. Nice and black and velvet, tall and unmistakable or decorated more creatively with flowers or gears, these hats make a statement that cannot be ignored.

Curious Creatures

Creatures big and creatures small, not born, but created by the hands of makers both insane and visionary.1. SteamPunk Airship Welding Ant- RiverOtterWidget

2. Octopus Chandelier - lanternfly
3. Steampunk Cicada - kochansky
4. Stone Scarab Specimen (Scarabaeus petrichor) - Nullalux

Would you like an ant to do your welding, the Kraken to light your dining room? Do you think that a cicada is not complete without a top hat or monocle? Perhaps you prefer your creatures mounted behind glass, I suppose you might be safer that way.

Dude

Am I implying that men should always wear ties and vests? Perhaps I am

1. Ghost Vest - LawnDesigns
2. REGENCY Brummel Victorian Ascot Tie Cravat Black Satin - Gentlemansjabot
3. Victorian Gears, screenprinted microfiber necktie - toybreaker
4. Tan Steampunk Vest- tadaboutique

My man is not a dandy, he is a geek and I love them. I have tried to dress him in the past, but aside from our wedding, I've had little success. Would he look great in a screen printed or amazingly embroidered vest? Yes, I think he would. While I don't think he could ever pull off one of the gentlemansjabots ties, I think he would also look smashing in one of these victorian gear ties. Too bad he's not likely to need one anytime soon.

Worth A Thousand Words

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words and these dark pieces of art are speaking at least that many.

1. Secret Places II - 8x8 Inch Print - ThisYearsGirl

2. Love Song - 8x10 Art Print - richterFineArt
3. Portmanteau - 8x12 - exoskeletoncabaret
4. Behold the Machine - ettadiem

I was lucky enough to stumble across most of these while searching for steampunk art. Photos, collages, paintings and drawings of the dark and different are found in so many corners of etsy. From simple images to complex imaginings, you can decorate your walls with what never existed but only dreamed.

Gothic Silver

Silver jewelry is always more amazing when it is hand cast and formed into the different and bizarre.

1. Steampunk Clockwork Vice Earrings - rocklove
2. Hand Crafted Skull Pendant with Sterling Chain - MATILDA - ahna
3. Small Black Bird Skull - billyblue22
4. Double Troll Penny and Bone Bracelet - fetishghost

I confess, I adore silver jewelry whether it's elegant clockwork dangling earrings or a pendant with a bold image of a skull. I love the realistic, yet disturbing images of the bird skull and the bones that circle around in Fetishghosts bracelet. I think jewelry can be an accessory or it can be a statement, these are definitely statements.