Online Thrift Store Directory!

With anti-consumerism being such a big part of the steampunk/DIY lifestyle, buying clothing used can be a suitable alternative to those--such as myself--less trained in sewing can be a good substitute for making all clothing by oneself. And that's where thrift stores come in!

If you're not sure where to start, I came across this little gem of a website just today. A directory of thrift stores in the US, easily searchable by location. Also useful for newbies is this basic guide to thrift shopping. The Earth and your wallet will thank you. :)

Waaahooooo! Shopping spree time!

Tire Recycling

            While I was in Detroit, my group’s duties included picking up tires from various alleyways in the city. We came back with a semi-truck full.

            As part of Cass’s Green Industries, the tires were cut into strips and woven into rubber mats, which is what I spent that afternoon doing. While, for numerous reasons, I can’t post a tutorial on how to make them, I thought this was an interesting sort of upcycling that might be of interest.

Green + Wired Smart Home

            After a recent trip to Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry, I’ve returned with all manner of potential blog material, so this may turn into the Museum of Science and Industry Blog for a little while.

            At first glance, green and steampunk might not go together. I mean, really, belching smokestacks, massive factories, and air filled with London-esque smog? But on the other hand, the modern steampunk lifestyle—self-sufficiency, upcycling, and frugality—might be a bit more eco-friendly.

            While the museum’s Smart Home exhibit might be a bit too plain and modernist to fit the look, it certainly has some steamy details. First off: the gardens. Personally I think that growing one’s own food is about as DIY as it gets, and the gardens surrounding the house are filled with fruits, vegetables, and herbs, some around the house, some literally growing on the walls, and some in hydroponics systems.

            Inside, it includes cutting-edge technology, like automated window shades, a smart telescope, and bathroom mirrors that surf the web (in case you’re really addicted to Facebook?). Most of it, being digital, would be better categorized as cyberpunk, but a little genre mixing is fine by me.

            The real steam comes in the furniture, most of which is from reclaimed industrial or vintage pieces. Old filing cabinets and all manner of old knickknacks and so forth sit inside with the postmodern architecture. Sadly, I couldn’t get any interior pictures, but you could find some at the official site.

            In other announcements, I’ll be gone for the next week or so and probably won’t have internet access, but I’ll be sure to post about my travels when I get back.