What Is Steampunk

What is Steampunk? For me it can be summed up in one simple statement:

Steampunk is a subculture inspired by Victorian age Science Fiction.

This is before the industrial revolution when travel by horse or boat was the norm. Carriages powered by steam are just coming about. The internal combustion engine is still on the drawing boards.

Steampunk is kind of a misnomer as well. Many associate it with gears and clocks. Well, that is actually a shoot off of Steampunk called Clockpunk. There are so many subgenres of the subculture that it is easier to lump them all into the same subculture. Confused yet? You're not alone.

If you asked 100 people who are into the Steampunk theme what Steampunk is you'll likely get 100 very different answers. I personally have always found the Victorian era to be quite beautiful. It seems that people were genuinely nicer to one another then. Of course, that is what I have thought from the writings of the time. Who knows exactly how things really were.

What is your definition of Steampunk?

Steampunk Airships From Tangled Metal

I recently started making Steampunk air ships and dirigibles from vintage light bulbs in Home Decor section of my Etsy shop. Each one is unique and whimsical! It actually started out because a friend of mine who owns a Gallery here in Eureka Springs, Ar said she had some gears and things she'd like to trade me for some work for her gallery.

In the box of trade items she had several vintage and antique light bulbs. She asked if I couls do anything with them and of course, my answer was YES! I didn't know what I was going to do with them at the time but I soon figured out that the bulbs looked like balloons!

I also started making hot air balloons out of the smaller bulbs. So far just about every dirigible I have made has sold quickly. So, I will continue to make them and see what happens.

Moving In A New Direction

For the longest time I have been wanting to make some bigger items. Recently I started my hand at lamp making. The above photo is a 1923 Kodak pocket camera that I turned into a night light. It sold very quickly as did the other night light I made from a 1940's camera flash unit.

I also created a couple of larger lamps. Of the five I created three have sold in the last month. So, I will be working on some more lamps. They are fun to make and I try and use as many old items as I can find. So, each lamp is unique.

The one above uses several elements including parts from turn of the century clock and a fry basket as a lamp shade. Each lamp is unique and has its own personality. Soon, I will be making some clocks and other large pieces.

Tangled Metal's Steampunk Creations

Here are a few of the Steampunk items I have created. Some are still Tangled Metal Etsy Shop. I try and create jewelry and accessories people will want to wear and use. Of course, I do not always succeed.

New Steampunk Designs from Tangled Metal

Sometimes it is better to join them than to try and beat them. Though I do a lot of one of a kind steampunk designs, they are very different from the mainstream. I decided to do a few designs that are mainstream but fit with my unique design style. Here are three from my latest works.

This one is made from a vintage Bulova watch. You see a lot of Steampunk jewelry using recycled clockworks like these. 

This one has a honey bee pendant and some gears from turn of the century clocks. It is simple but very fun.

This one uses pocket watch parts from the mid 1800s. It is different than most but still a great set of jewelry.

Tangled Metal On Etsy Front Page With Steampunk Pendant

Click to see the treasury featuring one of Tangled Metal's items

Yes, it happened again, one of my items was on the front page. Well, actually it was an alternate for the front page. Meaning that I was in the treasury but my item wasn't on the front page. That is okay because I did pick up over 100 item views from it and maybe a few views to the whole shop.

Tangled Metal's "Mechanical Sea" Steampunk Pendant on Etsy

The Steampunk pendant is one of my earlier works. I really enjoyed making it as I do all of my pendants. I have been making chainmail for over 25 years but I only recently started making other forms of jewelry. I am learning the art of silver smithing from my father. He has been making jewelry for more than 45 years. I do not yet use a torch for soldering so all of my pieces currently feature rivets or wire for connecting. I do not use any glue in any of my metal work.

I have had two items on the front page on Etsy. It is a great feeling to see your work and to know that many people will see it as well. The pendant is still available as of the writing of this post, but if you click on it and it is sold when you read this, rest assured there are many other Steampunk pendants and brooches in my shop.

101 Items Listed In My Etsy Shop!

Today I listed item number 101 to my Etsy Shop! That is a pretty huge accomplishment for me. Chainmail takes a lot of time to make. You have to close every single link, and some items have over 500 rings in them. It takes time and patience.

Wine Bottle Charms

These Wine Glass Charms were made from stainless steel jump rings and glass beads. I sell them in sets of six charms. These would be great for a wedding reception or a party. The jump rings are very small and take a long time to make anything with them. I have several other items in my shop made from these really small rings as well.

The Absinthe Machine by Tangled Metal

I also have several Steampunk items that I create that are one of a kind. These take a lot of time simply because I want each and every one to be unique."The Absinthe Machine" featured in the image to the left is created using recycled watch parts and glass beads. There will never be another one like it. I am not sure sometimes what inspires me, but in this case it was the green absinthe colored glass beads.

Aqua Water Clock by Tangled Metal

"Aqua Water Clock" is a pendant I created using recycled watch parts and a teal or aqua glass bead. The brass and steel really offset one another on this uniqu one of a kind brooch or pin. It would look great on a top hat. The brooches are quite fun to make and are really different than most people make.



As you can see I have been very busy. To celebrate my latest accomplishment, every  order placed in my Tangled Metal Etsy Shop in May will receive a free gift. It may be a pair of earrings to match what you bought or a key ring for your keys. It will be a surprise. The only thing I will say is that it will be handmade by yours truly.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog today. I really like comments and suggestions so feel free to leave your mark.

What Is Steampunk All About?

My Favorite Steampunk Movie

What is Steampunk? Let us start with what it isn't. It isn't a style of clothing. It isn't a style of jewelry. It isn't a subculture. It isn't a bunch of kids playing dress up. It is all of these things and much more and in some cases much less.

Imagine what our world would be like if the internal combustion engine had never been created. What if electricity had never been the primary source of energy to power all of our many devices and gadgets. What if steam had won out as the best way to power things. What if Edwardian and Victorian clothing had stayed in fashion.

Steampunk is "what if." Movies like "Stardust" and "Sherlock Holmes"  and "The Time Machine" portray a very different society with a very different set of rues and sense of style. The style is quite beautiful to some, me included. I design some of my jewelry in the Steampunk style.

Perhaps our world would be in much better shape had we never had the internal combustion engine and the need to use so much fossil fuel. Perhaps we would be better off if steam power had been the primary force in running all of our machinery. Perhaps not. This is where the fantasy of Steampunk comes into play.

What are your thoughts? I would really like to know.