Steampunk Fasion

Steampunk fashion is a subgenre of the steampunk movement in science fiction.

It is a mixture of the Victorian era’s romantic view of science in literature and elements from the Industrial Revolution in Europe during the 1800s. The fashion is designed with a post-apocalyptic era in mind.

Steampunk fashion consists of clothing, hairstyling, jewelry, body modification and make-up.


The beauty of steampunk fashion is that it is constantly evolving and despite all critics, it looks like it is here to stay. One of the main reasons behind this is that is the fact that this movement has no boundaries, possesses a life of its own and is based on the appeal for the old days, romanticism, nostalgia, while incorporates sci-fi and modern lines and features.

Steampunk Fasion
It is not just another trend in the fashion industry, but a philosophy and an ever-enriching and evolving culture. Whether it is the exquisite Victorian clothing and machinery, or the fascinating ideas inwrought in the movement, more and more people constantly get attracted and drawn to the movement. That is why we decided to create this website, in order to provide a great variety of quality neo-Victorian clothing, post-apocalyptic accessories and jewelry.


Anything from steampunk clothing such suits, dresses and corsets to neo-vintage goggles, bandanas, dresses and suits.

So, what are the basic rules of Steampunk Fashion you ask?

Steampunk fashion is a real-world reproduction of the clothing that is or could be found in steampunk literature. It’s that simple.

When in doubt, dress Victorian and then add. The Victorians were the first people to fully capitalize upon steam technology in a way that affected everyday life, so it is no surprise that most steampunk writing either takes place in the Victorian world or is strongly inspired by it. If you’re afraid that your outfit is “too Victorian” you’re probably doing it right!
Steampunk fashion is about creating an outfit that delights the senses, entertains the wearer, and engages the viewer. Never feel obliged to take away from the style or appeal of an outfit simply because you fear it will be “not steampunk enough.” Do not be misled, coerced, or second-guessed into including a collection of “steampunk status symbols” (goggles are the most infamous, though we do love them) if they do not fit with the outfit, or with the vision you are attempting to produce.
There is no “steampunk color.” Some people have claimed that steampunk is only brown, or only black, or only white, or only light, or only dark. They are wrong. Virtually any color can be steampunk (though perhaps one might balk at neon). If you like to wear black, there is a steampunk justification; if you like to wear brown, there is a steampunk justification; if you like to wear bright colors, there is a steampunk justification. Remember, steampunk is set in a world of comparatively advanced technology, so it is perfectly reasonable to have vibrant colors and complicated machine-made patterns.

You are allowed to like other genres. If you like a style of fashion that does not fit into steampunk (Enlightenment era, Pulp Adventure, Mod 60s, Medieval, etc.) be proud of it. Do not feel compelled to try and wedge it under the steampunk caption. These are all genres that people have worked very hard to create, expand, and explore; so we rather owe it to them to respect the diversity and uniqueness of their differences. You are all diverse and well-rounded people with differing interests. Let that be a source of pride.

Have fun and be yourself. That’s what this is about. Don’t feel compelled to conform with everyone else. Don’t feel shy about posting just because you don’t want to dress like the other people who you’ve seen post. And don’t post with the question “do you guys think this is steampunk enough?” Post with the statement “I feel that this is steampunk, and here is why I think so.” At worst, someone will disagree and then the two of you can discuss your conflicting views, get to know each other, and come to an understanding; or, you can simply feel free to ignore them, and you have every right to do so if you don’t feel like arguing over a simple difference of opinion.

 steampunkcenter,com

Steampunk Origins

Let’s dig into the Steampunk Origin and find exciting new information.

Steampunk is a concept that assumes that the technology never progressed beyond Steam Engines. This is also termed as a ‘Victorian Science Fiction’, where Victorian represents the 19th century era. The era formed the bedrock for modern technological advancement.

Steampunk utilizes the concept of steam engines to imagine steam powered aircraft, mechanical computer, etc. Steampunk writing encompasses presenting history in an alternative way which never happened. There is a very thin line between what you want to present and how much your audience understands. This silver line is the most crucial part.

Steampunk Origin

Steampunk utilizes a steam engine to make complex machinery which we use today. Early authors like H.G. Wells in The Time Machine, Jules Verne in Nautilus, Mary Shelley in Frankenstein and Bam Stroker in Dracula have utilized this concept. However, Steampunk is originated in 1980’s by K.W. Jeter to differentiate the modern cyber-punk authors from the Victorian era fiction writers.

Modern authors like Alan Moore have beautifully utilized this concept in his work “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen”. Steampunk now has stepped into other fields like fashion, engineering, music, and lifestyle. It is a whole new way to look at the things we use today. For instance, an iPhone made of wood, having a receiver which functions like the old telephone.

When seeking for the Steampunk Origin seems that It involves combining bits and pieces available from the Victorian Era to create something elegant that would explain the modern complexity in a simplistic way. It is not just plain magic happening, but it is a reinvention of how people see things with beautiful and logical explanations to support the concept.

Impact of Steampunk

The biggest impact of this concept has been in product design. People are reinventing their love for old designs which used brass, wood, copper, mechanical workings and engravings. It has also changed the opinion about old/upcycled products. Old items are being upgraded to look like Steampunk technology and are being sold online. Products made out of this concept range from simple things like coffee table, pen stand to complex products like watches.

The ‘Punk’ in Steampunk represents the individuality of the creator through his representation of art. Steampunk trend is quickly picking up with fashion designers too. It is being combined with the latest in fashion trends to give a unique statement. There are certain shows like The Sherlock Homes that utilize a blend of the modern and Victorian science.

This has created new opportunities for fiction writers and creators. There are two concepts that present the steampunk era. One concept is to look at the future from the present era. Many writers came very close to imagine concepts similar to what modern technology will look like in the future. The other concept is to present the modern world with the technology of 19th century inventions. This translates modern concepts like internet, spy movies, etc. into Victorian contexts using Steampunk concepts.

Why the Steam in Steampunk?

Steam in steampunk not only reflects steam engine but more prominently it reflects an era. It reflects the era when the steam engine was modern and dominant. It is a re-writing of the era which formed the basis of modernity. The advent of steam engine greatly increased human productivity and evolved them into a class of professionals. The changes in science and society during the Victorian era have been significant. Steampunk writing takes influence from such culture and can be translated into any culture.

Why the ‘Punk’ in Steampunk?

Investigating Steampunk Origin, seems Punk rock was the result of the circumstances that prevailed during the Second World War. It makes a distinction between the world war and the Victorian products. Gears have become the trademark symbol of Steampunk. It was invented long before Steampunk era, but remains in use in contemporary times too. It represents the flywheel, pistons, and other powerful items of the Victorian era.

The steampunk work has attracted lots of people towards it for various reasons. Some people are just attracted to the Victorian era products. Some may enjoy the unique way that is used to represent the complex modern technology. Some people enjoy the fashion trend used in such works. The old brass, copper, and wooden products sound appealing and inspire artists to create more art made of these 19th century materials. Steampunk is greatly inspired by the period it reflects. If you are looking to start with it, you should know where to start.

steampunkcenter.com 

Steampunk Makeup

I have a very good friend that is also addicted to Steampunk. She is a makeup genius and very famous here in Israel.

During the recent Midburn even in Israel, I decided to use the time wisely and interview her!

I Love contrasts. Elements that contradict each other, or their relationship is controversial, which appear together and form some kind of twist.

Pleasant and unpleasant, visible and hidden, interior and exterior, beautiful and ugly, unexpected and surprising.

In my work I tried to make-up and painting quite a few times to create the contrast that, and the last work I made I tried to bring it to fruition.

This work has been planned for quite some time. Cogs, some bought and some of my grandfather took me over a year waiting until finally I took the idea into practice.

I have a strong affection for gears and parts of clocks. I can not explain it conclusively, but I think that had something aesthetically beautiful and quite fascinating. Or maybe it has to do that I really love watches. Yeah, maybe I'm a little strange. Anyway, the gears are very dominant characteristic of Steampunk. Do not feel uncomfortable if you do not know what that means ... it's alternative culture. I am here to explain ;-)

Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction. I like it, it has opposites - the world of steampunk contains new technology and fiction which consists of industrial elements obsolete relatively spirit of the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century as gears, machine parts, steam engines (steam = steam, hence the name) and other elements.

This so-called history of the Industrial Revolution the late 19th century, but it and the technology have evolved very differently from what we know. In this world there is no plastic, or electricity or gas ... technology is based on steam, gears, etc., that make up a fictional futuristic inventions.

This sub-genre has developed a whole culture, and has become an alternative style manifested in clothing, design and art. It is a style that consists of Victorian industrial elements and this fictional world - a lot of gears, metal, hats, clothing with long brown leather and metal buckles, lots of corsets and men's clothing Victorian style. Fun :-)

In this work I took a lot of inspiration steampunk, cogs and even gold dominant color, and the connection between old and new technology and old-fashioned period.

I decided to just not go in the direction of the Victorian and strengthened the opposition. I picked up the gears and mechanics, and connected them with a more classic element - something resembling an ancient statue. Industrial mechanics of classical sculpture sounded like an interesting contrast. The mechanical connection between the clean, white interest me, as well as the contrast between something that is static, like a statue, and the gears are supposed to be in motion. The area of ​​the gears inside very busy, compared to the rest of the face that are peaceful and quiet.

In terms of make-up, I really love the part above the upper lip and the nose there is something very sculptural, and I tried to give such effect makeup.

Steampunk Addict? Many more to read here 

Steampunk your home or office!

Steampunk design your house or office!

Like any subculture, steampunk widened beyond fashion and found its place in the field of art, design and home style.
Steampunk is one of the most creative styles, because it relies mostly on futuristic inventions mixed with antique accessories. The dominant colors consist of steampunk copper and brown tones like olive green and purple and prominent elements are gears, steam engines, pipes, google, type writer, old books on display, telescopes, ancient cannons, and more.

It is rather simple to steampunk design your home or office.

Like many good things, even steampunk-inspired decor items can be obtained wandering flea markets, fairs and unique shops. Let's put it this way -if it looks like it came out of a Jules Verne or Tim Burton movie, this is what you are looking for so grab it quickly before someone else will take it!
It may be a little hard to find authentic size Zeppelin ships, cannons or steam powered engines so I recommend settling with smaller models or their pictures and posters.

Steampunk Mouse

If you have a flash of inspiration and you're creative enough, you can also make your DIY furniture transformation.
Found an old metal pipe? Paint it black or copper and install it on your bed frame to add the element of the Industrial Revolution. Do you have an old bird cage lying there doing nothing? Add to the bottom some colorful candles of different sizes and hang it (at a safe distance, of course) at the bedside. Also your wardrobe can be upgraded periodically - if you have bookcase shelves, you can add a red velvet curtain and paint it black, or alternatively - saw a circle at the top of each door and attach clear plastic covers for look and feel of a Submarine's closet.
Your Lap top or even your TV can go back to the 19 century by adding a steampunk item- a brass frame will do the trick!

Steampunk Keyboard

if you really want to steampunk design your house or office space, you can find so many steampubk items online!

Steampunk flash drivers, steampunk cellphone covers, steampunk LCD frames (Awesome!) and more.

Steamunk Phone Cover

Steampunk Flash drive

Steampunk Home and Lock screens

Steampunk: Bitter Sweet thoughts and Seeking a time machine

Bitter sweet thoughts and seeking a time machine

At the end of the week I was feverish. Alternately, read the novel Soulless by Gail Krueger, who belongs to the genre of the heartwarming called steampunk.
The result was some interesting dreams lead to bitter sweat thoughts..

Bottom line: Decided it was well worth devoting a post regarding steampunk.

Steampunk refers to all those works that take place in an alternate world where not developed technologies such as electronics and diesel engine, but instead thrived technology is based on gears and steam engines (hence the term, steam). In the amazing world of steampunk, air transport will be mostly using balloons and zeppelins, and aircraft.
Plastic is an unfamiliar material, and attached sophisticated technology masterfully materials such as brass, strips of leather and carved wood. That combines steampunk stylish elegance of the Victorian era and the ingenuity and technological capabilities of later periods.
Examples of steampunk style film “Wild Wild West”, “the finest gentlemen League” film “Sherlock Holmes” with Robert Downey Jr. and so on – so-called periodic movies, but full of deliberate anachronisms and cool technology. There are a variety of examples in literature has not yet been translated into Hebrew, you are invited to offer examples of those who still translated …

I have no doubt that an ingredient in the popularity of Steampunk is that Steampunk spirit can create terrific costumes! and not for children I mean.

Seampunk fashion is sophisticated and sexy; it allows masquerading and celebrating with vintage items such as dresses, corsets and hats and goggles, without forcing themselves to social norms conservative and limit that existed during periods when wearing such clothes.
They can be restrained or wild, revealing or conservative, and integrate various accessories starting hats, fans and jewels to weapons.
Also Binoculars and measuring instruments are a good fit!
All will look for hints to complete background story, and that’s part of its charm.

As a result of my fever, I wondered if Steampunk is a kind of reaction against the culture of mass consumption. Today, each piece of clothing we wear is worn by hundreds of people who buy the same network, and each device we use on a daily basis out strip being identical to thousands and tens of thousands of similar devices around the world, something that the heart longs for the days when clothes and appliances were manufactured by hand, and were singular, custom made, one of a kind :(

At a time when even an umbrella was an object of art, with hand-carved handle, cover sewn by hand – maybe dress fabric was adjusted – and no one else was exactly like that. The shoemaker shoes made to measure. Even pistols were manufactured in small workshops and adapted to the needs of owners, including aesthetic needs, with handles decorated with mother-of-pearl engraved owners name in curly letters on the barrel.
Maybe that’s why I truly miss the steampunk period which is the period of the beginning of the industrial revolution, the beginning of the end of the small craftsmen. Sad!!

Where can I buy a time machine??

About Steampunk Art

Steampunk art comes in all shapes and sizes, from pocket watches, to redesigned laptops, to entire vehicles or houses. Because the art is an expression of the individual, the scale of the art depends only on one’s passion and imagination. It may be realized in the casual tinkering of gadgets or in the designing and painting of vast and complex Victorian utopias. Be it in the eyes of an artist, a collector, or an appreciator, steampunk art can be found anywhere from the miniscule to the magnificent.

When it comes to determining whether an item is steampunk or if it is simply Victorian the difference can generally be found in the technology or inventiveness of a piece. Steampunk usually has very Victorian influences but it’s the modernization and reimagining of the work that sets the two styles apart. Steampunk art could often resemble what Victorian era dreamers would visualize when imagining what future technology might look like.


For those looking to create steampunk art a good starting point is to determine what materials to work with. Typically brass, copper, leather, glass, and wood are all authentic mediums for Victorian era constructions. Other materials, of course, can be used since steampunk is a reinvention of that period, but sticking to types of materials that could be created with steam powered technology will usually give your work a more typical steampunk look. Plastics and other such materials are generally avoided in many steampunk types of work since they are manufactured by more modern practices. Standard additions and accessories may includes items like rivets, gears, cogs, chains or other industrial type things but should only be included if it pertains to your vision rather than being added for the sake of making your art “look steampunk”.

Anyone looking to collect steampunk art may be fortunate enough to have a local art gallery which features such works otherwise you may have to take your search online. Sites like Etsy.com usually has handmade steampunk items or you can browse eBay.com or other specialty sites if you’re looking for specific pieces.

Flickering gas lamps puncture a thick London fog. A metallic, rhythmic noise begins to drown out the normal sounds of the evening. An army of copper clockwork automatons comes marching out of the darkness. Overhead, a looming dirigible barely clears the tallest buildings. Brass nozzles emerge from the airship’s gondola, blasting fire down upon the rooftops. This is the world of steampunk.

The term “steampunk” originally referred to speculative fiction — science fiction, fantasy and fictional historical tales — set in an alternate Earth’s 19th century. In this universe, Victorian inventors made great leaps in technological advancement with materials like iron and brass and using steam engines for power. From a fictional standpoint, real-life inventor Charles Babbage might have succeeded in building his proposed Difference Engine, an early computer. In reality, Babbage never saw his computational engine realized.

steampunkcenter.com

Ladies and Gentlemen: Steampunk!

At the end of the week I was feverish. Alternately, read the novel Soulless by Gail Krueger, who belongs to the genre of the heartwarming called steampunk. The result was some interesting dreams-most heat. Decided it was worth devoting a record regarding steampunk. The truth that there is another reason: after litigation and much deliberation, we inserted the word, steampunk, book The Lost Hero has just released a fresh-fresh off the press *. We debated that on the one hand, we assumed that the concept is still unfamiliar in the country, and on the other hand, there is no acceptable translation or sweet can visualize what is steampunk.

Well, for that matter steampunk is a literary sub-genre of science fiction, but not less than that steampunk is also fashion and design. Steampunk refers to all those works that take place in an alternate world where not developed technologies such as electronics and diesel engine, but instead thrived technology is based on the gears and steam engines (hence the "sets", steam). World of steampunk, air transport will be mostly using balloons and zeppelins, and aircraft. Plastic is unfamiliar material, and attached sophisticated technology masterfully materials such as brass, strips of leather and carved wood. That combines steampunk stylish elegance of the Victorian era and the ingenuity and technological capabilities of later periods.

Examples of steampunk style film "Wild Wild West", "the finest gentlemen League" film "Sherlock Holmes" with Robert Downey Jr. and so on - so-called periodic movies, but full of deliberate anachronisms and cool technology. There are a variety of examples in literature has not yet been translated into Hebrew, you are invited to offer examples of those who still translated ...

I have no doubt that an ingredient in the popularity of SP is that SP spirit can create terrific costumes.

With the rise of cultural conferences science fiction and geek-chic, has now for older people places to express their creativity in preparing the costumes are invested.

Activity that was once the domain of only children. Fashions steampunk is sophisticated and sexy; it allows masquerading celebrate with vintage items Fine such as dresses, corsets and hats hat without forcing themselves to social norms conservative and limit that existed during periods when wearing such clothes.

Costume steampunk can be restrained or wild, revealing or conservative, and integrate various accessories and sundry starting hats, fans and jewels to weapons.

Binoculars and measuring instruments scientific. all will look for hints to complete background story, and that's part of its charm. I highly recommend this browse the photo gallery of steampunk costumes worn by participants at the conference Komikon in 2009.

Reveries my heat, I wondered if SP is a kind of reaction against the culture of mass consumption. Each piece of clothing we wear is worn by hundreds of people who buy the same network, and each device we use on a daily basis out strip being identical to thousands and tens of thousands of similar devices around the world, something that the heart longs for the days when clothes and appliances were manufactured by hand, and were singular. At a time when even an umbrella was an object of art, with hand-carved handle, cover sewn by hand - maybe dress fabric was adjusted - and no one else was exactly like that. The shoemaker shoes made to measure. Even pistols were manufactured in small workshops and adapted to the needs of owners, including aesthetic needs, with handles decorated with mother-of-pearl engraved owners name in curly letters on the barrel.

Maybe that's why miss steampunk period which is the period of the beginning of the industrial revolution, the beginning of the end of the small craftsmen.

SF arena has been talking about this steampunk passed the peak, this is a genre in decline already ceased to be interesting. Such talk wandered fringe phenomena characteristics and begin to move toward the mainstream.

Perhaps indeed go bankrupt and cease to be fun - but in the meantime we have a lot of fun with him.

Steampunkcenter.com

Steampunk Party!

Steampunk Party is the best theme ever for your party!

Looking for great ideas to make your Steampunk Party stand out? Great!

This blog post is packed with steampunk party tips!

It’s an unfortunate truth; you haven’t got two brass farthings to rub together. Nevertheless, point your guests in the direction of the Mookychick DIY Steampunk style guide for cheap costume ideas for the night. Insist on formal attire and take your guests’ hats and coats at the door (or get your monkey butler to do it).

Steampunk party dinnerware: Candles will imbue a Victorian feel. Think what you have lying around the house that you could use as tableware to create the feel of a faded attic, or a seance, or an explorer’s club. Dried roses? Strings of pearls? Peacock feathers? Clocks and timepieces? Anything brass? Wrought candlesticks? Victorian photograph frames that you can put new downloaded steampunk pictures into? Bell jars? Anything from your cabinet of curiosities? Consider image-googling for steampunk art, or Victorian flower and bird illustrations, or even pathology illustrations (those Victorians were a rum lot). Print them out and place them elegantly under the cutlery, or wherever you will be placing plates for each guest.

Consider sourcing some steampunk music for the event. You can try steampunk bands like The Men Who Will Not Be Blamed for Nothing, Abney Park, KK and the Steampunk Orchestra, Professor Elemental (a fine example of Chap Hop) or the softer sounds of Moth, their most recent album being Clockwork Elephant. Or, for the comedy of it, download an album of Music Hall songs.

Suggested Steampunk party theme: Give a name to this event, claiming it is the first gathering of an esteemed and discreet Explorers’ club. Encourage guests to bring a single steampunk artefact (either crafted or otherwise) and give a short speech to the assembled guests on how they acquired it. They may bring a “phoenix” feather, or a Martian skull, or a submarine so small it’s invisible to the naked eye, or a crocheted Cthulhu, or their first-ever attempt at taxidermy… who knows what such esteemed explorers might have found on previous travels?

How about some Steampunk party games? (with some drinks..satisfaction is guaranteed)

HOW? WHAT? WHERE? WHEN?

1. One player needs to think of the name of an object. Tip: Make it more difficult by thinking of a word with multiple meanings, like male (masculine), mail (letters) and mail (armour).

2. The other players try to discover what it is by asking (only once) the following four questions:

How do you like it?
Why do you like it?
When do you like it?
Where do you like it?
3. Player 1 must answer the questions truthfully. Alternate between the meanings as appropriate for each question.

4. The person who guesses correctly wins, and then takes the role of Player 1

CHARADES

This is a classic steampunk party Victorian game with which most people are quite familiar. To play a Victorian-friendly version, consider leaving out the option for it being a movie. “Is it a book?” “Yes. We’re Victorian. It’s always a book.”

LOOKABOUT

The host shows everyone a little knick-knack in the room. All the guests are to leave while the host hides it. When they return, everyone is to look for the item until they spot it. They are then to sit down. The last one to find it loses (or has to be “it”). It makes it a bit more difficult if guests continue to mill for a few seconds before they sit down.

LAUGHING GAME

1. All players sit in a circle

2. Each player takes it in turns to say “Ha”, “Ho” or “Hee”.

3. The first player to start laughing loses and is out of the game.

4. Continue until everyone is out of the game.

5. The person who manages not to laugh for the longest is the winner and deserves a prize of their own peacock in a giant gilded cage for putting up with such an interminably silly game.

THE SCULPTOR

1. Choose one player to be The Sculptor.

2. All other players stand in a still position.

3. The Sculptor must then move the other players into strange poses that are difficult to hold.

4. The other players must not laugh, break pose or move.

5. The Sculptor can distract the other players and encourage them to laugh, but they must not touch them.

6. The first player to move or laugh, loses and becomes The Sculptor.

DICTIONARY

Each person needs paper and a pen or pencil. You need at least one dictionary to play this game. Each person uses the dictionary in turn to look up a word (hopefully one unknown to most people) and writes down the real definition (in simplified form) and then makes up two or three others. The word and the definitions are read to the rest of the players and each has to guess which deifinition they believe is the correct one. The player gets points for each person he/she fools. The dictionary makes as many arounds as you would like, and the player with the most points at the end wins.

Example: Somnambulist

a. a person who practices rituals

b. a person who likes to be alone

c. a person who sleepwalks

d. a person who is solemn and serious

YOU’RE NEVER FULLY DRESSED WITHOUT A SMILE

One person is selected to be “it.” That person is the only one in the group who is allowed to smile. He or she can do anything they want to try and get someone to smile. If the person smiles, he or she becomes it. The person who never smiles is declared the winner.

ALPHABET MINUTE

Have everyone write a general topic of conversation down on a slip of paper, along with a letter of the alphabet. Pick two or three people at a time to play the game. Have them pick a topic out of a hat or basket. They then must start a conversation with one another regarding the topic. The catch is that they have to begin each sentence with a letter of the alphabet, beginning with the letter written in the slip of paper. Another, better catch is they have to form each sentence in a Victorian style. They must follow the conversation through the alphabet, ending back with letter in which they started.

Example:

Topic: Shopping

Letter: H

Player 1 – “Hullo brother, I have to go to the market for Christmas baubles and sundries. Would you do me the honour of accompanying me?”

Player 2 – “I’d love to, Henry, but my pockets are threadbare.”

Player 3 – “Just stop being a duffin and attend the market with me – there’ll be such gaiety today, and I shall be bored and vexed if you do not!”

Player 1 – “Katharine – Miss Katherine, that is, Miss Grimsby, I mean – said to her papa, I overheard her, that is, that she would be accompanying him to the fish stall this morning. Maybe I should venture out with you – it is such a bright crisp morning, after all…”

Player 2 – “Last time she was twenty minutes late, the silly chit! I know, for I was also waiting for her radiant form to appear…” (Note: you may need to do your homework for the definition of ‘chit’)

Player 3 – “Mayhaps she’ll make better haste if we buy a nosegay – or would that be too forward? What think you, brother?”

And so on until they arrive back at H to finish. You can either time them and cut them off at 60 seconds. The go on to another group and see who gets the farthest in 60 seconds, or you can let them finish the alphabet and see which group finishes their topic and alphabet in the fastest amount of time.

BLINDMAN’S BLUFF

One person is blindfolded, and all other guests scatter around the room. When the blindfoled person catches someone, they then have to tell who it is they have captured or the prisoner is then freed and the blindman must continue his/her pursuit until he/she can identify the person caught. The blindfold then changes hands.

CHANGE SEATS!

A classic Steampunk Party game. This is a variation on a Victorian game, but a warning to those attempting this one, clear the room of precious and fragile items, it can get a little frenetic and moxious! All but one person sits in a chair. The person in the middle asks someone in the circle “Do you love your neighbour?” The person selected then has to state either “No.” at which point the people in the chairs on each side of him/her have to change seats QUICKLY. If they aren’t quick enough, the person in the middle may slip into one of the vacated seats, making the unseated neighbour “it”. The chosen person may instead answer, “Yes, I love my neighbour, except those who (fill in the blank….are wearing blue, or have brown hair, or play tennis, etc) Everyone who fits the description (ie is wearing blue for example) has to jump up and change seats, while the person in the middle tries to steal one. The person left standing has to ask another person if he/she loves his/her neighbour, beginning a new round.

PASS THE SLIPPER

You take an object, the “slipper.” Pick a person and put them in the centre of the circle. They must close their eyes while the “slipper” is passed from person to person behind their backs. When the centre person opens his/her eyes, the passing immediately stops and he/she must hazard a guess as to who holds the “slipper.” If he/she is correct, they trade places. If wrong, the eyes are closed and the passing begins again.

FORFEITS

One person is chosen to leave the room. All the other guests must “forfeit” a special item that belongs to them. All of these items are placed in the centre of the room and then the “auctioneer” is brought back in. He/she picks up an item and tries to describe it as one would an item about to be sold. In order not to forfeit the item, the owner must “fess-up” and do something amusing/embarrassing to win back the item (sing, dance, do an imitation, recitation, tell a clean joke, etc.)

THE NAME GAME

Provide each guest with 10 small pieces of paper, and a pen or pencil. Ask them to write down the names of 10 famous people, leaders, movie stars, authors, sports figures, politicians, artists, inventors, scientists, etc. Encourage them not to make it too easy! Fold the papers, and put them into a hat, bowl, or basket. Seat guests in a large circle. Each round is limited to 30 seconds, so have a watch with a second hand available. Player One pulls out a name, and tries to get the person beside him/her to guess the name by giving clues, but never actually saying the name or what it starts with. Gestures are also no allowed. After the name is guessed, the clue giver can continue pulling names out of the hat until their time is up. The guesser gets to keep their pieces of paper, and the clue giver gets credit also. The bowl is the passed to the next person and the clue giver now becomes the guesser and there is a new clue giver. The bowl proceeds around the circle until everyone has guessed and everyone has given clues. The one with the most guesses correct wins.

Example: Name – Abraham Lincoln. Clues: He lived in a log cabin. He was president during the Civil War. His wife’s name was Mary Todd. He wore a stove pipe hat and had a beard. He was assasinated by John Wilkes Booth.

I’M THINKING OF SOMETHING

One person picks a peroson, or something, and commits it to memory (Mount Rushmore, the ocean, an item in the room). They do not tell what this item is but they say, for example, “I’m thinking of something large.” The guests are then allowed to ask yes or no questions. “Is it a building?” “No” “Is it an animal” “No.” “Is it a monument?” “Yes.” “Is it in Europe?” “No” and so on until one person guesses the item correctly. If the person guesses incorrectly the game still ends and the wrong person must chose a new something. Players should never guess until they are completely sure they know the answer. Whoever guesses correctly gets to choose the next something. As with very similar games Twenty Questions or Animal/Vegetable/Mineral, it’s better to set a limit of twenty questions that the guest can ask before the person who knows the answer has won. A simple yet super steampunk party game!

SIMILES

Similes is an amusing Victorian parlour game to play at Christmas (especially if you get the answer wilfully wrong). A simile is a figure of speech that compares to unlike things using like or as. One of the most famous come from Robert Burns, who wrote “My love is like a red, red rose.” To play this game, you need a list of similes and a group of people. One person, we’ll call him/her the “professor”, goes around the room and picks people. The “professor” picks one person and begins a simile “Love is like a……” the player must finish the simile by stating….”rose.” If the player finishes the simile incorrectly, the “professor” thanks them but gives them the correct ending and moves on. The “professor” should be fairly well versed in well-known similes so as to be able to accept variations or answers that are close (or even very creative!), we love this steampunk party game!

NAME THE NURSERY RHYME, a steampunk party basic

How Well Do You Know Your Nursery Rhymes? Using a list of lines from nursery rhymes, do your best to guess the title (usually the first line) of the nursery rhyme.

Example: What! Lost your mittens? Answer: Three Little Kittens

Now get your Steampunk Party going!

…And remeber to post your pisctures here at Steampunk Center!

Steampunk Food The victorian dining guide

Steampunk Food The victorian dining guide

STEAMPUNK FOOD and DINNER PARTY IDEAS- TIPS FOR RECIPES, GAMES AND DECORATIONS

Steampunk food reflects both an appreciation for the food and the method with which it was cooked. It is also a direct reflection of the people preparing it.

How to have a steampunk dinner party complete with recipes, decor and entertainment on the cheap.

The gears have been turning, trying to come up with as many ideas as possible for a child’s airship pirate/steampunk birthday party. This week my thoughts went to food, beyond the cake or cupcakes.

If I had a little girl who wanted a steampunk party, I would go with a tea party. I really like the idea of going around to all the area thrift stores and buying pretty teacup and saucer sets, so each guest has a unique teacup that is theirs to take home after the party.

I wouldn’t do that for a boy’s party, though. Despite a long standing family joke about DH and Blaze having MANLY tea parties, I don’t think that would go over well with the other little boys around here.

I think we need to stick to gears, airships, and pirates, with maybe a little “mad scientist” thrown in.

Steampunk Food

Steampunk Chocolate Airship

When planning your steampunk festivities, you should let your imagination play while planning the menu, entertainment and decorations. If you have a Victorian or retro-industrial space in your home, then you are more than halfway to your goal of creating a steampunk-appropriate venue for your party. The addition of a few more accessories, like vintage international travel posters, railroad, airplane, steamship or hot-air balloon memorabilia, or interesting Victorian bric-a-brac will finish your space nicely. If your home is more modern than steampunk, you can work with your living room, back or front yard, or even your garage, to create the right ambiance. Outdoor spaces, especially, can often be made to look like the “wilderness” or a “crash landing site” fairly easily. Another venue idea — especially if you’re planning a big bash — is to rent an empty airplane hangar, warehouse, or other old industrial space.

As for steampunk Food, A menu for “tea on an airship” can include bags of roasted peanuts “from the airship stewardesses”, as well as ship’s biscuits, dried salted fish, corned/salt beef and/or beef jerky. Portable food like “little savory pies” (pasties or meat-filled turnovers), canned and dried foods, and cured sausage don’t need refrigeration, were common on 19th century ships, and convenient for the steampunk “mad scientist”. Pickles and chutney are Victorian exotics that were brought, along with limes and other citrus fruits, to fight scurvy among sailors. Steampunk airships are run

with steam power, making hot surfaces a common occurrence for cooking things on; crumpets and small pancakes can be “baked on a red-hot coal shovel from the airship”, and puddings, dumplings, and eggs can be “boiled in the airship’s boiler room” or “over a laboratory burner” for the tea table. Mix some dried fruit with “hot water from the boiler” to make chunky jam or fruit compotes.

To allude to international travel during the 19th century, and the exotic places mentioned in Jules Verne’s books, consider including Asian, African and Latin American foods. The Victorian era was also a time of intense experimentation and the development of food science, resulting in “scientific” and “health food” like Graham flour, corn flakes and “patent” foods. All these are options for the steampunk table. Beverages should include English, Asian, or Chinese-style teas, but can also include popular Victorian alcoholic drinks such as port, rum and whiskey. You can even purchase steampunk-themed flavored tea blends, like Steampunk Airship and Back To The Lab blends from Adagio Teas.

Victorian food merged w/ molecular gastronomy. Spherified figgy pudding? Black pudding dust? An English breakfast terrine?

Gear-filled tartlettes; whole boiled potatoes; green glowing plasma.

I think a good tea, the dinner kind, with toast and cheese, such as an adventurer or tinkerer might enjoy.

Nothing green. Photosynthesis rarely happens in steampunk scenarios because the technology almost always creates environmental pollution and either blocks out the sun or drives people underground or to ocean. I always envision a diet of potatoes and tuber veggies. I think the cooking method is always heavy steaming or an unconventional open high heat source like a radiator, batteries or butane lighters. The foodstuffs would be highly preserved like pickled radishes and cured meats.

I think steampunk embraces the innovative and transformative, the implications of a super science without limits. Food that has those aspects in preparation, presentation, or taste seems to fit. Surprises, doing something completely unexpected with the available tools and parts. The more impossible seeming the better. I chose popcorn since it’s transformation is itself so remarkable. Toast actually has that kind of feel, bread slices vanishing into a metal box with two narrow slots to be returned with a new texture and taste.

Things that can be flambed in creative ways. Anything steamed and steamable, especially at the table. Pressure cooking.

Bon Apetit and have fun with making and eating your Steampunk Food!

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All you ever wanted to know about Steampunk

So, what is Steampunk?

Steam punk is a subgenre of science fiction or science fantasy that incorporates technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th-century powered machinery.

Although its literary origins are sometimes associated with the cyberpunk genre, such works are often set in an alternative history of the 19th century.

The British Victorian era or American “Wild West”.

in a post-apocalyptic future during which steam power has maintained mainstream usage, or in a fantasy world that similarly employs steam power. Steampunk may, therefore, be described as neo-Victorian. Steampunk perhaps most recognisably features anachronistic technologies or retro-futuristic inventions as people in the 19th century might have envisioned them, and is likewise rooted in the era’s perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, and art.

Such technology may include fictional machines like those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne, or the modern authors Philip Pullman, Scott Westerfeld, and Stephen Hunt

 Other examples of steampunk contain alternative history-style presentations of such technology as lighter-than-air airships,analogue computers, or such digital mechanical computers as the Analytical Engine.

Steam punk may also incorporate additional elements from the genres of fantasy, horror, historical fiction, alternate history, or other branches of speculative fiction, making it often a hybrid genre.

The first known appearance of the term steampunk was in 1987, though it now retroactively refers to many works of fiction created even as far back as the 1950s or 1960s.

Steampunk also refers to any of the artistic styles, clothing fashions, or subcultures, that have developed from the aesthetics of steampunk fiction, Victorian-era fiction, art nouveau design, and films from the mid-20th century. Various modern utilitarian objects have been modded by individual artisans into a pseudo-Victorian mechanical  style, and a number of visual and musical artists have been described as steam punk.

The Steampunk look and feel is a unique and intelligent combination of the following factors:

Vintage, an “old era” feel

Industrial, machine, factory like

Cold design, on one hand, along with a warm, mine like light bulbs for that uniqe atmosphere you cannot find next door

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