On Steampunk | An Introduction to leslierahye's crafty steampunk blog hop

steam●punk n. [after CYBERPUNK n.; cf. steam age n. at Compounds 17] Science Fiction a writer of science fiction which has a historical setting (esp. based on industrialized, nineteenth-century society) and characteristically features steam-powered, mechanized machinery rather than electronic technology; (also) such writing as a subgenre of science fiction.

Its origins
In 1987 K. W. Jeter in Locus Apr. 57/2 states: I think Victorian fantasies are going to be the next big thing, as long as we can come up with a fitting collective term for Powers, Blaylock and myself. Something based on the appropriate technology of the era; like ‘steam-punks’, perhaps." In 1990 CU Amiga Apr. 66/3 references steampunk in saying, "Anyone acquainted with CU should be familiar with the concept of cyberspace by now but steampunk is the next progression." Finally in 1999 Entertainent Weekly (Electronic ed.) 8 Oct., writes, "The imaginative ‘steampunk’ concept eventually bubbled up to movies like Wild Wild West."

Elements that Define Steampunk
Cogs, gears, wheels and levers are often times integral elements of steampunk crafts as the focus is on steam-powered and mechanized machinery. Time and especially the wound clock and its parts are also and element in the steampunk craft.
Copper, brass and iron in both the physical sense and in the coloration are incorporated into steampunk crafts. Crafts are heavy, bulky, large and textural--lots of pistons, valves, tubes and wheels and other elements in these metallic colors. Wood, leather and glass are present in steampunk crafting as well being an excellent element for allowing the metallics to shine. Steampunk designs often use muted neutrals such as bronze, rust, cream and chocolate brown.
“Traditional” steampunk takes its cue from the Victorian age – particularly its fashion, scientific developments and science fiction. The Victorian obsession with labelling and cataloguing nature is also reflected in steampunk. Wunderkabinets ["cabinet of wonders"], old world maps and globes, framed insect collections scientific drawings are often featured in steampunk housewares.

Resources for Steampunk in crafting
Many items you may already have on hand for crafting in steampunk. For instance, without touching my Ranger products and items designed by Tim Holtz, I already had brads and eyelets in copper, brass, and steel colors. I had paper and inks in muted neutrals as well. I too am fascinated with clocks and maps  naturally and had stamps with those themes before I knew it was steampunk. For that matter, a trip through my crafty scraps would find lace and dragonfly details and slides and leather!! Who knew I was a closet steampunk! You might be too!

leslierahye's crafty steampunk blog hop
That brings us forward in time to today where I invited several of my crafty friends to join me in exploring their inner steampunk. You will see crafts from a variety of artists exploring steampunk either for the very first time or as a long-time veteran of the craft! I hope you enjoy the stops along the way. Several have blog candy to offer. Please comment on each post and on my own [posting a little later] and follow  our blogs or become fans on our facebook pages. You will be entered into a drawing to win a special Steampunk-inspired prize from me!
Thank you for stopping by, be sure and check out each talented crafter below.