DIY Jewelry Hanger

A simple jewelry rack made from some screw-on hooks and a wooden coat hanger. I really wish I'd found this tutorial earlier: http://www.ispydiy.com/2012/07/diy-collaboration-hanger-jewelry-holder.html.

Easy Mini Top Hat Tutorial

 Having received a surprise invitation to a convention in less than a month, I found myself in need of something outrageous and awesome to wear, and fast. So of course I went for a mini top hat.
I ended up getting caught up in the creation process and taking fewer pictures than I should have, so please let me know if this makes no sense.

You will need: An empty cereal box
                       A disposable cup
                       A hot glue gun
                       Some fabric (I up-cycled from an old shirt)
                       A ribbon


1. Cut two circles, about 1.5 inches larger in diameter than the disposable cup. Glue the two circles together to make a sturdy base for the top hat.








2. Cut a piece of fabric around the cardboard circle. Place the cardboard in the center and fold in the fabric so it wraps around both sides of the cardboard, with the gathering point in the middle. Glue it into place.

3. Trace the open end of the cup onto the cardboard. Cut out the resulting circle and cover it with fabric using the same method as in the base.













4. Cut a large rectangular piece of fabric and wrap it around the cup so that the sides are covered. Glue the bottom of the fabric-wrapped cup to the top of the base.















5. Glue on the top portion of the hat. Tie a ribbon around the point where the base and cup meet to hide any drippings of glue, and, if desired, adorn it with feathers, pins, or whatever else you'd like.

6. Glue it to a headband, ribbon, hair clip, etc, to keep it securely in place. It also makes a nice decoration for a steampunk-themed room.

Surprise Steampunk Fashion!

I came across these banners while waiting at the Keflavic International Airport in Iceland. I'm not quite sure what the steampunk theme has to do with the airport, but I'm not complaining, certainly.

Futuristic Church

As a hardcore architecture geek, I've really wanted to visit the Hallgrimskikja in Rekyjavik, Iceland ever since I came across a photo of it on The Steampunk Home, which I finally got to do a few days ago.

The front entrance. The statue in the front is of of Lief Erikson.

Inside the church.

The pipe organ was exceedingly awesome.

The view from the steeple.

Inside the steeple.

A view of one of the steeple clocks from inside.

Blaa Kannan Cafe in Akureyri, Iceland

Finding the ideal spot for a cup of tea (or coffee, if you insist) and a good slice of cake is of utmost importance to every steampunk. The best place for such, at least that I've encountered, is the Blaa Kannan (Icelandic for "Blue Teapot") Cafe, located in a dramatic Edwardian-era building in Akureyri, Iceland. I've visited it several times throughout the four days I've been here.
The food is fantastic, consisting of a daily lunch buffet, as well as more traditional cafe foods like sandwiches and some very good cake, accompanied by a reasonably large selection of teas. The rustic/steampunk decor is nearly as drool-worthy as the food.

Iceland Puts the Steam in Steampunk

While Iceland might not be the first place one thinks of relating to steampunk, I have found plenty of steam--if not much punk--while traveling there during the past few days. In fact, steam quite literally spews out of the ground, where, in many cases, it's harnessed into some very futuristic-looking geothermal power plants.


A natuarally occuring steam vent.

The pipes arch directly over the road.

The steam pipes stretch out over quite a large space, reaching as far as neighboring valleys.

The treeless landscape and futuristic power plant create a lunar-colony-esque effect.

Nautical-inspired Necklace Tutorial

This is a necklace that can be made with fairly basic materials. I think it has a Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea-esque look, but different colors of beads and chain could be used to create a variety of styles.
1. Start with a length of chain long enough to fit loosely around your neck. Jewelry-making chains from craft stores tend to be easiest to work with, but other kinds will work, as well.

2. Use two pairs of pliers to pry apart the last link of chain. Hook it onto a clasp, and use the pliers to close it again. Do this for both ends.

3.Arrange the beads next to the chain, varying them by color and size.







4.Cut a length of copper wire, about 1-1.5 inches long. Use a pair of pliers to curl one end of the wire into a hook.
5. Hook the wire onto a link of chain, and continue curling it until it makes a loop.









6.Put a bead on the open end of the wire, and curl the end to hold it in place.

 5. Repeat this process until you have a bead attached every few links across the entire chain, using varying lengths of wire to create a wave-like effect.

Pulley-Operated Curtains

            This is an idea I came up with after getting sick of trying to keep track of curtain ties. It’s really quite simple to set up, and it greatly eases the complications that come with flowing, Victorian-style curtains.

1.Hang up your curtains normally.

2. Affix three fairly sturdy nails evenly spaced a few inches above the window, putting the middle nail slightly higher than the other two.

3.Hang a double pulley from the  middle nail.

4. Cut two very long (about seven ft.) pieces of string. Tie a small loop on each end.

5. Attach one end of a string to the back of the curtain, about halfway down the window. I used safety pins, but sewing would probably look more professional. Do this for both sides.

6. Thread each string over the nail on its side and through the pulley, so both hang down in the center of the window. The ends of the ropes should reach a few inches above the bottom of the window.

7. Affix another nail about four inches below the bottom window, positioned so that it lines up with the pulley and the dangling ropes.

8. To open your curtains, pull down your ropes and hook the looped ends around the bottom nail.  

T-shirt to Tank Top Tutorial 2

A bit more complicated than the last one, but very cool, and I think the braid in the back is quite steampunk-looking.