Steam by Haley Jacobs

A Steampunk Experience By: Haley Jacobs

There is a character in all of us, some people can identify it faster than others and some of us are ashamed to admit what appeals to that character most. Steam is for those of us that favor alternate universes, fashions from the past and science fiction that is packed with action adventure and a little bit of romance. Be prepared, this could make your character peak its head out from hiding, if your ready for it. Table Of Contents 5..................... What is Steampunk? 7..................... Corset Poster 9..................... Personality in Steampunk 10-11. The Aristocrat 12-13. The Fatale 14-15. The Military 16-17. Scientist & Mechanic 18-19. The Aviator 20-21. Adventure & Exploration 23................... Hat Poster 24-31.............. Common Weaponry 32-41.............. How to Make Steampunk Goggles 43................... About The Creator

What is Steampunk? Science fiction and Fantasy alike, Steampunk is a sub-genre that attempts to answer the question “What if civilization continued to use steam power instead of electricity?’ Typically fashioned from 19th century Victorian era or early American’s “wild west” styles. The most recognizable features are the ancient looking mechanisms and retro-futuristic inventions that might have been created in the 19th century. As steampunk infiltrates the mainstream, we encounter books, movies, and technologies inspired by this genre. Steampunk has a tendency to infiltrate various genres other than just science fiction. The term “steampunk” can also refer to an aesthetic style that will be seen in various forms of art. Anything ranging from home interiors, to fashion, to music or design.

Corset info

Personality in Steampunk There are many types of steampunk personalities, here are examples to help find which one will fit you best.

The Aristocrat The highest of fashion and only the best teas are good enough for you. If you are an Aristocrat, your all about the look. You wish to see and be seen, but only by those who will help better your position in society. These ladyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and gentlemen are the best dressed. The ladies would be dressed in high fashion from Victorian england. Corsets and crinolines galore, the layers needed to wear are costly and hard to come by. Your hair will be gently curled topped by a bedecked hat that matches your ruffles and gown perfectly. Ladies do not shy from decadent fabrics such as brocade, silk or muslin that are rich in color or pattern. Sometimes even, your corset will be worn seen, so there are no layers hiding your accentuated waist line. Gentlemen, we cannot forget you. You are highly polished with your silk cravat and top hat. Depending on if your are a day man or a night man will determine your style of dress. For day wear, a walking suite is highly appropriate, the subtle dark colors that compliment the Lady your with. For the night, you wear formal wear, black or rich brown suit, maybe wearing a brocade vest and a mechanical monocle. Your accessories are subtle things like kid gloves, jewelery or discrete gadgets. Make sure you have your parasol or cane so you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t faint from all of the layers.

The Fatale Femme or Dandy Fatale, the secret operatives who seduce, spy and even kill for what they believe in. Actors in the best sense with romance hidden away for special occasions, this part of Steampunk is the most diverse. Traditionally worn similarly to the Aristocrats but much more alluring and dangerous. The biggest difference between the two, is that the Fatale carries many more weapons. Be careful of holding hands because you never know if its been coated with poison, the parasol that she is carrying could double as a gun and his cane has a hidden sword. Everything has its uses and for the Fatale are the most resourceful. Just remember that as a Fatale, a scrap of lace can go a long way for both genders.

The Military Chest out, back straight, shoulders back. Military much? This rigid persona is dramatically underrated when it comes to skill. Its not just about finding the perfect army attire. Its about creating your look. Whether your a captain of land, sea, or air your clothing should reflect your military expertise. Polished boots, various medallions, white gloves and epaulets, make sure your chosen outfit fits the subject. Just because your in the military doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean you have to be entirely rigid. Give it some of your personal flair, if it is a layered skirt or a studded boots, make sure they have your style. As for accessories, maybe visit your local mad scientist for metal armor and compact yet powerful weaponry.

Scientist & Mechanic Little bit crazy? Obsessed with gadgets and gizmoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and shiny metallic things? Those goggles that everyone seems to envy are a must here. They are just for fashion, safety first. If you are going to pull off the scientist or mechanic, make sure you carry the tools of your trade, whether it is a leather belt that holds vials or a sturdy apron to carry all of your tools, maybe even have a mechanical arm for extra effect. Show your skill off, you may find someone who may want a custom order to spice themselves up also.

The Aviator Similar to the explorer or adventurer, but different for your love of the air. Your goal is to be in high in the sky, touching the crowds and watching the sunset from an airships gondola. You are the flighty aviator. Your fashion tends to overlap with many of the genres within steampunk. Whether you are in the queens airship military or the pirates raiding that airship, you will always be equip with you saber and gun. Additionally youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need your goggles and sturdy boots. Make sure your wearing an aviators helmet, it may protect you from oncoming birds. If you are a pirate, make sure armed yourself well. As for the rest of your dress, make sure that it fits your style of steampunk but is practical, we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to have to worry about flapping lapels or skirts flying around the knees.

Adventure & Exploration The daring exploration of the world, whether by land, sea or air. You are there to find the new land and chart the uncharted. If you are an adventurer or explorer, your are prepared to get dirty. Typical dress for a man would be well loved khakis or leathers, sturdy footwear and lots of equipment. If you wish to protect you head, a pith helmet is a good option. Make sure if your putting a costume together you choose colors that are light and earthy, this way you can blend with your surroundings all the better.

Common Weaponry These are the weapons that you will find most replicated in the Steampunk community will covet most when finalizing your persona.

Hand Cannon

Japanese Pistol: In 18th century Japanese matchlocke pistol, the first fire arms cam to Japan by way of Portuguese traders in the 1540â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and were soon copied by native craftsmen. The Japanese took quickly to guns with competing fudal lords, equiping thier soldiers with matchlock muskets. After the establishment of the Tokugawa Dynasty in 1603, however production and possession of firearms was severly restricted in Japan.

Worn with: The Military, Adventurers and Explorers, and The Fatale 26

Flintlock Pistol

The Duckfoot Pistol: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Duckfootâ&#x20AC;? pistols - like the four barreled version shown, made by the London shop of Goodwin and Company, were multiple barreled weapons, so called because the angled barrels resembled a ducks web. In popular ledgened, at least, were the favorites of sea captains and prinson warders because the could be used to keep a mutinous crew or rioting prisoners at bay.

Worn with: The Military, The Aviators, and The Adventuers and Explorers 27

Dueling Pistols

The Rare Pair: This set of Belgian-made percussion .44 dueling pistols came with unusual accessories - hand gaurds that fitted over the lock and trigger gaurd. For training purposes the pistols could be made to fire wax bullets (thus the hand gaurds for protection)

Worn with: The Aristocrats, The Fatale, and The Military 28

Wogdon Pistol: This pistol by the celebrated English gunsmith Robert Wogdon could be fitted with a wooden shoulder stock for non-dueling use. Originally a flintlock, it was later converted to percussion action. Wogdon made the pistols used in the famous 1804 in which Vice President Aaron Burr mortally wounded his personand political enemy Alexander Hamilton.

Worn with: The Military, The Aviators, and The Adventuers and Explorers 29

Pepperboxes

Mariette: A very finaly made Belgian Mariette .38 pepperbox, with a ring trigger, four Damascus-steel barrels, and an edbonized grip. The Marienette system used a key to disengage all four barrels from the frame for loading.

Worn with: Adventurers and Explorers, The Fatale, and The Military 30

French: A french pepperbox from around 1840; like the Mariette, it is finely made, and also richly finished with gold and silver inlay.

Worn with: The Adventuers and Explorers, The Fatale, and The Military 31

Make Your Own Goggles

To get a better idea of how steampunk goggles should look, find a few pictures of steampunk goggles you like and save them for reference photos. Look over these photos for inspiration or guidance as you work on your

Things You’ll Need Welding goggles Screwdriver Painter's tape or masking tape Metallic finishes Paintbrushes, cotton swabs, paint sponges Paper towels Disposable plastic gloves Apron or smock Drop cloth Old leather belt Various gears and other embellishments Clip-on loupe set or lens set

*You will be working with glue and paint, so you should select a location that is well-ventilated, and cleaned.

Make sure to put down a drop cloth to protect your space from any damage. Wear something you don’t care about or something to procext your clothing and disposable gloves. This could get very messy.

1. Take apart a pair of welding goggles. Cheap welding goggles can be found online or at most home improvement stores. If possible, select a pair that at least has removable lenses, detachable straps, and a top that can be unscrewed. The goggles should be separated into as many pieces as possible.

2. Cover or remove the lenses. If the lenses are held together by plastic, however, the plastic will need to be painted along with the outer rim or base. Protect the lenses from getting paint on them, cover the inside and outside with painterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s or masking tape.

3. Apply a base coat of metallic finish to the base. To make the goggles have an antique or worn appearance, you will need to apply several coats of different metallic colors. Start by applying a silver or nickel metallic finish to the base section or body of the goggles. Use a dull or matt finish, rather than a glossy one, to create an old-style look. Apply the finish with a cotton swab or cheap paintbrush. Let it dry.

4. Add a base coat of metallic finish to the other pieces. The lens piece or pieces should be a different color than the body. Try a dull copper finish, applying it to the pieces with a clean paintbrush or cotton swab. If there are other pieces, like buttons that go on the side of the body, paint these a different color. You can either use the same dull copper finish used for the lens piece or use a dull gold finish. Let them dry. 36

5. Paint over the pieces that you painted copper or bronze with a copper patina paint. The paint should look brown or greenish-brown. If there are ridges or raised portions of the area being painted, apply the patina paint to the crevices in between the raised portions; otherwise, apply it around the entire area. Do not paint a solid layer of patina over the finish. Instead, dab it on using a painting sponge or apply some over the area before rubbing some off with a wrinkled paper towel. *A patina is a type of film that appears over the surface of bronze and copper over time due to oxidation of the metal. This gives you the aged effect to the goggles.

6. Make the goggles look worn. If you painted any pieces with gold finish, make those pieces look aged by making the gold look worn. Even though gold does not corrode, many pieces are made with gold leaf to save on cost, and gold leaf eventually wears off over time. To create the appearance of scratched gold leaf, apply a pewter or dull silver paint along the edges or raised portions of the gold pieces using a cotton swab.

7. Once all the paint has dried, put the goggles back together. Remove the tape from the lenses or pop them back in place if they were removed. Leave the strap or band off the goggles.

8.Customization: Random gears of various shapes and sizes of embellishments. Use a variety of other objects, animal objects, or Victorian-style brooches and small cameos. You could also use old or damaged jewelries to add as ornaments if you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t find a gold leaf. Just paint it and attached it later to the sides of the goggles. Try to select pieces that either look Victorian in style or that look very industrial in nature. If these pieces already have an antique look to them, nothing needs to be done. If not, you may want to paint them with dull metallic finishes so that they match the worn style of your goggles.

9. Glue the pieces onto your goggles. Use super glue or a hot glue gun. It does not matter much where you glue them, but generally, the pieces should be kept off the lenses and on the body of the goggles or in between the lenses on a solid lens piece. *Add broken watch gears to give detail and add an industrial look.

10. Attach a clip-on lens for added flair. If desired, you can further embellish your steampunk goggles by attaching a clip on lens or detachable loupe set to the front of your goggles. The screw of the loupe set should be positioned in between the lenses, pointing outward, so that the lenses of the loupe set can be spun in front of the lenses of your goggles. Adhere the clip-on loupe set in place with hot glue or super glue.

11. Let everything dry. Once all the paint and glue has finished drying, the goggles are ready to be worn and admired.

12. Cut apart an old leather belt. You will need a leather band for your steampunk goggles, and the best way to do this is to use an old leather belt. The belt should be thin enough to slide into the strap holders. Ideally, if you want your goggles to have a worn appearance, the belt will also look worn or distressed. Cut the belt into three parts, removing a large portion of the middle section and making sure that the buckled section and holed section are large enough to wrap around your head. 40

13. Feed the cut ends of the belt through the strap holders. If the belt is too thin and will not stay on its own, you may need to use a few dots of super-glue to keep it in place.

14. Put on your custom goggles and admire yourself in the mirror. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re Done!

Hello, I was born and raised just outside of Detriot. I got into Steampunk late in my high school years through the exposure of amine conventions. Since I already had an appreciation for the renassance styled clothing, Steampunk ended up right up my alley. It became like a gateway drug that had me obsessing over corsets and top hats. Here I am now, eight years later, still as in love with the sub-genre. I would like to give special thanks to WikiHow.com for how to create the steampunk goggles and The Illustrated History of Weaponry for the details that we enjoy carrying. 43