Lady Corsair's Workshop

Update of No Particular Significance

2010-04-17T17:40:00.000-07:00

Went to the bead store, but they didn't have the ear cuff piece I was looking for. They did have some pretty cool brass charms that would go awesome with some steampunk designs. Now I just have to learn how to make jewelery...They actually do have classes, although I think Bead World (just up the street) has larger and cheaper classes. Something to look into at some point.

I also put the Steampunk Jewelery book on hold at the library, so that should be an interesting read. Hopefully it will have some tips I can use.

Progress! Sort of...

2010-04-06T14:42:00.000-07:00

Well, I made some skirt-lifters (not real ones, just ribbons to hold a skirt up), but sadly the magnets were not strong enough. And I was going to use them for an outfit for a concert this Sunday.

I shall have to get some stronger magnets, but in the meantime, I'll probably just use the black cording I got for a possible necklace. I'll put together a test of the outfit Saturday. The only thing I'm really missing is something for my head...

Cop-Out

2010-03-24T12:29:00.000-07:00

I know this is a total cop-out, but I'm mostly posting to say I have nothing to post. I know, I know, it's lame, but it's better than nothing.

My current goal is to head over to the bead place by my house and see what kind of jewelery type stuff they have. But they are only open till 6pm on weekdays, and I don't get home until 6:30pm. And I'll be out of town this weekend. But next weekend, I am all over it! It is a Priority 2 on my to-do list.

Also, I'm going to put the mock-up skirt on hold, and instead use the muslin to make some bloomers. Since bloomers can actually be functional when made out of muslin, I think it's a better use of the fabric. And I found some online tutorials, that seems quite detailed. They do suggest elastic, which I have never used before, so that might be an adventure. But I have a TON of muslin, so hopefully I can make a few good pairs.

Okay, well, I had more to update than I thought, so not a totally crappy post.

New Project, Due to Cost Savings

2010-03-02T20:35:00.000-08:00

So, due to budget constraints, I've changed what I'm working on. I'm going to try to do a mock up of a bustle-skirt, using some of the massive amount of of muslin and thread I have on hand. That will also give me some impetus to break out the new sewing machine and give it a try. I'll probably pin it up this Sunday, and then try to sew it next Sunday.

The purpose of the final skirt (not made of muslin), will be primarily to add another steamy element to my wardrobe, but also as a part of my "saloon-girl" costume for Steamcon this year. The theme is Weird West, and I want to do two costumes: a saloon-girl and a zeppelin outlaw with a western flair. I'm not 100% sure I'll have the money/skills/time to actually complete the costumes, but you gotta have goals to succeed. ;)

On to the Next Projects

2010-02-22T19:55:00.000-08:00

Okay, on to the next stuff. Probably the most done thing now is the altitude mask. It's just a cheap, brown pleather thing I'm putting together, but I think it is a good addition to any air pirate's wardrobe. so far, I have both cheek piece, with a strip in the middle and across the top, attached with brass brads that look a bit like rivets.

I need to cut a seam into both cheeks so I can make a dart to fit it to my face. Then I need to put the bottom strap on it with the brads and add some breathing holes. I have a device that will allow me to add the hole, but no brass holes (only silver, which won't work!).

I'd also like to make the circle "bone" pendant into a necklace. I'd like to string it on a black double cord (via a brass or pewter loop). It shouldn't be too hard to find the supplies for that; I'll probably try to find the cord already made into a necklace.

I'll have to swing by the bead store this weekend and see if they have jewelery making supplies. I'll keep an eye our for ear cuffs as well, since I don't want to have to buy $50 worth of stuff, and then end up not using it.

Doggy Bed - Done! (Sort Of...)

2010-02-21T19:16:00.000-08:00

Well...I caved on the doggy bed and just bought one at Costco. It was stressing me out that I hadn't finished it, and Koda needed a good, drag-able bed. It was less than $20, though, so I don't feel like I wasted too much money on the whole project.

A picture of Koda enjoying his new bed (as well as the unseasonable weather):

Pendant, Done!

2010-02-16T17:22:00.000-08:00

Yay, I finished my "bone" pieces! Of course, they're part of a larger project (necklace & earring), but I still feel like I accomplished something. :)

This weekend, doggy bed. Just need to get the velcro (which I can do Thursday!) and set up the sewing machine.

I have to admit, it was way easier with all the stuff up here vs. in the basement. I might have to make some space in my (incredibly cramped) bedroom for a sewing/craft area. There's actually a spot by my bed where it might all fit...will have to move the bookcase though.

Here are pics of the pendants.

Fresh out of the oven:

And painted:

Closer to the Finish Line

2010-02-15T09:46:00.000-08:00

Well, I made the "bone" pendant, as well as a couple others since I had a good amount of clay in the right color (half white, half ecru), however I haven't painted them yet. Also, one of them needs a bit of sanding on the face of it. I guess I didn't smooth it out very well after making the design. But otherwise, they turned out quite well.

I'm hoping to paint them tonight, and then I shall post PICTURES! Yay!

I will turn the largest pendant, with the Japanese symbol for hawk, into part of a necklace. The symbol looks good, although I think I messed up on one part. I'll have to show it to some Japanese speakers and see if it still makes sense. I may make something like a charm necklace and use a couple of the other pieces, as well.

I made one piece that looks a bit like a tooth or claw, which I'm thinking of making part of a slave earring. I think that and the necklace would be great accessories.

On the doggy bed, I made no progress. I was very loath to leave the house this weekend, so I only did vital errands such as taking the dog to the park and grocery shopping.

Keeping On Track

2010-02-12T09:47:00.000-08:00

It's so hard to stay on track with so many other people making such great stuff! I saw a posting on livejournal the other day of someone's slave earring, and it looked AMAZING. So, of course, I went online to see if I could find ear cuffs that could be made into my very own! And I succeeded, but I haven't bought any.

I am being strong; I WILL finish something before I start buying stuff for a new project! Also, they require a $50 minimum purchase, so I'll have to come up with some other stuff to buy, like chains and beads, or find another supplier. The good news is, they sell by the dozen, and it's pretty cheap, so I could make mistakes without being too upset. Or I could make lots and lots!

I have a plan in place to finish my two projects this week. I probably only get one done, but at least it will be DONE.

Status of My Two Most Complete Projects

2010-02-10T10:34:00.000-08:00

Quick description of my setup: I have a small, dark room in our basement, with my brand-new sewing machine (not setup yet), a card table, and very comfy office chair that doesn't fit in my bedroom. I've got various sewing paraphernalia (such as an ironing board, iron, etc.), as well as tools for working with polymer clay (such as a pasta machine for conditioning and mixing the clay).

This is the current status of my two most complete projects, that I'm hoping to finish in the next couple of weeks.

Dog Bed - a small bed for my small dog. Just two fleece panels sewn together with a Velcro closure, so I can wash the cover, and then two pillows from Value Village to go inside.
Current Status: I have everything but the Velcro, and I will be getting that this Thursday. Then I just need to set up my sewing machine and get to work.

"Bone" Pendant (polymer clay) - for a steampunk costume. Since I'm an (ex) airship pirate, I think some bone accessories will add a nice air of menace, while also being attractive.
Current Status: I have all the supplies (yay, online shopping!) I just need to decide on a design and make it. I'm currently thinking an outline of a falcon w/ the Japanese Kanji for Peregrine Falcon (which I believe is 隼, but I need to confirm).

My First Post

2010-02-09T11:04:00.000-08:00

I suppose a description of this new blog is in order. It's a long one, so bear with me. ;)

This blog is my attempt to document my creative endeavors (or lack thereof) in an effort to motivate myself to CREATE! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA*cough cough*

I am attempting to embrace the "make it yourself" ethos of the steampunk subculture. For those that don't know, steampunk is a rich and expanding subculture that has it's roots in speculative sci-fi from the Victorian times, and has grown into a fashion, political, etc. etc. movement (everything but music, I suppose, and I'm sure some would argue that as well). One of the most important aspects of the subculture is a "make it yourself" mentality; since much of the items essential to a steampunk wardrobe are not readily available at the shops, one must either learn to create for themselves (or modify existing clothing), or buy from other steampunk aficionados.

It is common in steampunk to create a "persona" to style yourself after (although not everyone does this), to help create a coherent look. Victorians were as varied a lot as we are today, but their clothing choices tended to be more limited by their commercial and geographical means. Fabrics, dyes, etc. have become much cheaper in this day and age, so we have access to a much larger selection than was typical at the turn of the century. Because of this, people can choose to be a coal miner or a Victorian lady, without much difference in cost of materials. But mixing the two would create an potentially chaotic look; if that's not what you're going for, a persona can help guide choices.

My persona is a cook on a privateer dirigible, the Pélerin, running out of New Orleans. She has recently retired, on her ill-gotten gains, to Seattle. I chose a cook on a dirigible, because there aren't many cooks around in the aesthetic, and someone has to rustle up the grub (to mix my genres). Most people are captains, or gunners, or mad scientists. But I like to cook, so there! Also, having been on a dirigible implies travel to far away places, so I can bring in items from other cultures besides Western culture, and I can mix my fashions (so I can have old West stuff with my high Victorian and my East Asian). If (when, really) I go to a convention, this persona will be more fully fleshed-out into an actual character, but I'm not quite there yet.

I think I shall leave it at that for my first blog post. I shall update soon on my current projects, and their level of completion. Not all will be steampunk (like a doggy bed), but most probably will be. My goal is to update at least once a week, with my progress or lack of, and any excuses I've come up with. My hope is that with a perceived audience, I'll feel more pressure to get to work!