I received official word the other day that I will be "room" vending at
Steampunk World's Fair. I am so very excited. First of all my husband will be accompanying me which should be fun - there are sleep number beds, so he is excited, it's my first SPWF and if Wicked Faire was any indication - SPWF is going to be a blast. I've never done room vending before so I'm not really sure what all to pack for display pieces but I will eventually figure it out.
It occurred to me while writing this that many of you are wondering what Steampunk is - most things you can look up and get a cohesive idea of what I'm talking about - Doctor Who is of course a TV show, Star Trek - most people know, Comic Con - well - the gathering of the geeks and nerds but Steampunk? Now it seems the Steampunk community enjoys arguing about the definition - I'm going to tell you what steampunk means to me - (that way no one can argue with me, right?)
Anyone who knows me knows that my favorite place on earth is and always has been, Cape May, NJ. I have been going there since I was 4 years old -
I love Victorian architecture, decor and yes, the clothes. I love tea and manners and hats. But I also love science fiction, medicine, and ghosts (things Victorians were enamoured of as well.) I love anything English. Steampunk wraps all these up and puts a little spin on it. Imagine if we all still wore Victorian clothes to do our daily jobs; what would that look like? And instead of gas - our vehicles were still run on steam? Instead of throwing things out and replacing them - we took them apart and repurposed them? What would the world look like then?
This is Steampunk -
Steampunk is inclusive - don't pay attention to the bickering that goes on in some groups - I hesitate to even mention it, but it does exist as it does in any group where people congregate - but there are people from all walks of life - kids up to - well, I don't know how old the oldest steampunk is, but I can imagine that maybe they were alive when these clothes really were in fashion!! I have seen people up into their 70s at least and many of us are middle aged. Some people buy their costumes, some make them, some repurpose from Goodwill - some (me) do all 3! Steampunk has awakened my love of sewing again!
And as many that look at me askance when I tell them what I've been into lately - they listen - and some jump the fence to the darkside, where there's tea, and scones and many tasty treats -
One more thing - Corsets - don't knock it till you've tried it - they are amazing for your body - comfortable if they fit right and when you're working the floor of a con - they keep your back from hurting - really! I seriously wonder why we ever stopped wearing them! I do so much better at shows when I'm wearing one.
See ya next week - when I am panicking about how much I have to make yet for Zenkaikon!!
