Happy Mother's Day! or, The Story of How My Mom Saved Christmas

Happy Mother's Day everyone, but most importantly to you Mima! You are my best friend, my greatest collaborator, and my biggest source of inspiration. I love you so much. This post is dedicated to you, to Grammy, and of coarse to all the mammas out there teaching their daughters & sons to grow up believing that they can achieve, imagine & create anything.

It may sound kind of silly or corny but moms to me are real-life superheroes. The feats they accomplish, the disasters they avoid, and the sacrifices they make in silence for their children leave me with a sense of awe and humility and an unshakable faith that people are good.

In the spirit of Mother's Day I am going to tell you a story (one my mom never tells) and it involves 2 rings. When I was in elementary school and my family was living in North Carolina (in a little town called Supply), my dad was laid off from his job. It was close to Christmas and work was hard to find. We were poor and it looked like we weren't going to be able to have a Christmas at all. We didn't have the money for a tree or presents. My brother, Caleb, and I didn't know this until 10 years later when my mom let it slip when we were talking about class rings and how significant and important they were. We asked my mom if she still had hers and that's when we found out that she had hocked it along with her engagement ring so that she could buy a Christmas tree and some presents for the both of us. That's the story of how my mom saved Christmas--and in truth, our childhood. Caleb and I grew up happy--we were never really poor because we had (and have) what we really needed--love. So hug your mom extra tight because you may not know just how much of a superhero she really is.

My Booth at Springfest

I set up at Springfest this year--thank you to everyone who came out--and got the chance to show off my new displays. (The DIYs of which you can find here, and here, and also here). I am incredibly proud of my booth display as I put a lot of thought behind it. So whenever someone gets excited about it too or oohs and ahs over it I feel a sense of accomplishment at having successfully transported them (even if only for a moment).

The light from the window created a soft Spring glow and it shone brilliantly on the metals of my table.

This inkwell, which I purchased from one of my favorite antique & junk shops in Tulsa--Delman's on 15th street--is always a conversation starter. Shoe horns are among my favorite display objects because they are great for draping & showing off tiny, dainty, and intricate pieces.Among my display pieces are a number of tools--like my old drill, jeweler's anvil, wrench, and blade sharpener. Many men (and tough tomboys & tinker-type ladies too) who might normally pass by a jewelry booth without giving it a second glance--stop by.

I have a lot of fun setting up my booth because I know that throughout the whole show I will meet tons of new people (as well as see  familiar, friendly faces) and stories will be exchanged sparked by the various objects in my booth.

For those of you who have your own crafty business and are looking for more information & inspiration on how to create booth displays & how to set up for a show--check out my friend Jill's (of Favoring Brave) new website: CraftFairology! I'll be guest posting one of these days I hope!

DIY Jewelry Display, Style No. 3

If you have a steampunk crafty business, or perhaps an old-timey aesthetic, your booth should convey the feeling of your products. This is something I feel that I do quite well and I am quite proud of. Many people stop by my booth just to look at the curiosities inside. This is the last in a series of 3 blog posts on how to recreate 3 of my newest displays for yourselves! Too see Style No. 1, click here & Style No. 2, click here. For Style No. 3, read on!

Style No. 3

What You'll Need: 4 boxes (1 large and 3 small); 4 screws; drill & screwdriver; Murphy's Oil; medium-large cup hooks, as many as preferred; awl; 3 c-clamps; photo; shoe horn; decorative hook (mine's actually part of an old naval navigation piece); and decorative metal bracket

A Note on Where to Find Boxes: Flea Markets; Garage Sales; Antique Malls; and ReStores (which benefit Habitat for Humanity)--Look for sewing machine drawers & old produce crates especially. Avoid any boxes with mold, badly split sections of wood, or water damage. They will not be as structurally sound and may break with minor hammering.

Instructions:

1. Clean your boxes with soap and water (be careful not to soak your boxes). Shine them with a little bit of Murphy's Oil. Let dry completely.
2. Place your sewing drawers (or small boxes), hook/navigation piece and metal bracket where you'd like them. Mark with pencil where you need to screw your metal bracket in place. Also, mark the corners of your sewing drawers so if you choose for it to be removable you can place it back in the same spot. (I would suggest making your drawer removable because when you transport these kinds of displays, they can shift and it is much easier to adjust a c-clamp than having to re-screw the box on location).
3. The Box that you want the hook/navigation piece on: Make starter holes where you've marked using your awl (for softer woods) or your drill (for harder/thicker woods). Then screw your hook/navigation piece in place. Set aside.
4. The Box that you want the decorative metal bracket in: Repeat step 3.
5. Clamp your sewing drawers in place using your c-clamps.
6. Make starter holes for your cup hooks and then screw your cup hooks in place to hang your jewelry off of.
7. Place your shoe horn in the bottom box (optional).
8. Place the photo in your bottom box (optional).
9. Hang your product proudly inside!

DIY Steampunk Jewelry Display, Style No. 2

If you have a steampunk crafty business, or perhaps an old-timey aesthetic, your booth should convey the feeling of your products. This is something I feel that I do quite well and I am quite proud of. Many people stop by my booth just to look at the curiosities inside. This is the second in a series of 3 blog posts on how to recreate 3 of my newest displays for yourselves! Too see Style No. 1, click here. For Style No. 2, read on!

Style No. 2

What You'll Need: 2 boxes (1 large and 1 small); 2 screws; drill & screwdriver; Murphy's Oil; medium-large cup hooks, as many as preferred; awl; c-clamp; and decorative metal bracket

A Note on Where to Find Boxes: Flea Markets; Garage Sales; Antique Malls; and ReStores (which benefit Habitat for Humanity)--Look for sewing machine drawers & old produce crates especially. Avoid any boxes with mold, badly split sections of wood, or water damage. They will not be as structurally sound and may break with minor hammering.

Instructions:

1. Clean your boxes with soap and water (be careful not to soak your boxes). Shine them with a little bit of Murphy's Oil. Let dry completely.
2. Place your sewing drawer (or small box) and metal bracket where you'd like them. Mark with pencil where you need to screw your metal bracket in place. Also, mark the corner of your sewing drawer so if you choose for it to be removable you can place it back in the same spot. (I would suggest making your drawer removable because when you transport these kinds of displays, they can shift and it is much easier to adjust a c-clamp than having to re-screw the box on location).
3. Clamp your sewing drawer to your large box with your c-clamp.
4. Next,  make starter holes in your large box for your screws. If your box is oak or another hard wood use a drill rather than your awl. And vice versa for a more pliant or less sturdy wood.
5. Affix your metal bracket to your large box with your screws.
6. Last, make starter holes on your display where you'd like to place your cup hooks. Screw your cup hooks in.
7. Hang your jewelry with pride!

DIY Steampunk Drawer Displays, Style No. 1

If you have a steampunk crafty business, or perhaps an old-timey aesthetic, your booth should help convey the feeling of your products. This is something I feel that I do quite well and I am quite proud of. Many people stop by my booth just to look at the curiosities inside. In my next 3 blog posts, I will be sharing 3 of my newest displays with instructions & tips on how to recreate them for yourselves! Here's no. 1.

Display No. 1:

What You'll Need: 2 boxes (1 large and 1 small); 2 nails; hammer; Murphy's Oil; 3 medium-large cup hooks, or more if preferred; 1 large spring; modge podge; paintbrush; scissors; awl; map tissue paper (or regular paper) cut to fit  the bottom of your box; twine; and a metal filigree globe (this can be substituted for anything else you'd like or can find that fits your box that you can hang jewelry from)

A Note on Where to Find Boxes: Flea Markets; Garage Sales; Antique Malls; and ReStores (which benefit Habitat for Humanity)--Look for sewing machine drawers & old produce crates especially. Avoid any boxes with mold, badly split sections of wood, or water damage. They will not be as structurally sound and may break with minor hammering.

Instructions:

1. Clean your boxes thoroughly with soap & water (though do not soak the box) and shine up with a little Murphy's Oil. Let dry completely.
2. Affix your small box on the top of your large box with your 2 nails. Hammer the nails in the bottom of the  small box. Next, cut a piece of your map tissue paper to fit the bottom of your box. Apply a generous layer of modge podge to the bottom of the small box and then place the map tissue paper over it. Apply another layer of modge podge and let dry, approx. 15-20 mins. (Side note, map tissue paper, which you can find at Barnes & Noble BookStores in their gift wrap section,  looks more antique when modge podged into your box than regular map paper).
3. Next, cut a piece (or pieces if your large box is divided like mine) of map tissue papers to fit the bottom of your large box. Apply a generous layer of modge podge to the bottom of the box. Place the map tissue paper to the bottom of the box and then modge podge on top of it. Let dry, approx. 15-20 mins.
4. Next, place your spring where you want it to hang in your box. Mark 2 spots with your pencil (where your cup hooks will go). Using your awl, create 2 starter holes over your pencil marks.
5. Screw your cup hooks in place. Hang your spring from the cup hooks.
6. Place your metal filigree globe in the box. Figure out where you would like it to hang. Mark it with pencil and create a starter hole with your awl. Next, cut the length of twine you need. Attach the twine to your filigree globe.
7. Screw your cup hook in place. Hang your filigree globe.
8. (Optional) Screw in more cup hooks for additional places to hang your jewelry. Remember to first create starter holes before screwing in the cup hooks so that you do not split the wood.
9. Display your amazing product!

Rainy Saturday in the Studio

Rainy days are wonderful--perfect for naps, reading, and working in my studio creating all kinds of steampunk jewelry while watching a frightening amount of sci-fi movies & television. Suffice it to say--rainy days are something I look forward to. I just finished reading the last book in Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments trilogy--Clockwork Princess. I rarely review the books  that I read for fun on my blog (I save that for my academic life) but I will make an exception for this last book because I want to encourage you all to read it. I won't spoil Clare's carefully thought out and brilliantly executed plot--so do not fear reading this modest review any further. As an ardent bibliophile, the epigraphs to chapters & the poetry & fiction quoted fervently by the characters creates a story informed by a kind of meta-narrative. Though anyone can enjoy Clare's exciting trilogy--it is the well-read person of Victorian literature that is rewarded (for it helps clue in the reader as to characters' true feelings and establishes another layer of Clare's already vivid world--a literary one in which she situates two of her main characters, Will and Tessa). Not only are Will and Tessa voracious readers--but literature becomes for them a language, or shorthand in communicating with one another. Literature is also a coping mechanism for both characters--when faced with moral ambiguity or great challenges both imagine themselves as other characters and then pose the same obstacles & questions to the characters they imagine so that Will and Tessa may arrive at answer/action.

Literature also offers comedic relief. Here is one of my favorite passages from a Clockwork Princess (which pokes fun at a very strange, and often overlooked, instance in Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre):

"Mr. Rochester never courted Jane Eyre," Tessa pointed out.

"No, he dressed up as a woman and terrified the poor girl out of her wits. Is that what you want?"

"You would make a very ugly woman."

I laughed out loud when I read that. Not only did I enjoy the book's humor and literary play but also its subtle feminism. Tessa is a sturdy, complex character who is not defined by the love triangle in which she finds herself (and also might I add--there is no obvious choice--as a reader I was rooting both for Jem & Will). Tessa does not stand idly by while others fight and indeed she rescues herself throughout the series. More importantly, on a more miniscule level Clare's writing does not undermine the strength of her character--despite at times when Tessa falls into the role of damsel or love-interest because, in the words of her suitors, "She did not belong to Will--she was too much herself to belong to anyone, even Jem--but she belonged with them" instead. The novel vilifies the objectification of women (represented by the villain & his thoughts and actions toward Tessa) and champions gender equality & love based first and foremost on friendship and respect. Besides all that--it is one of those trilogies that will keep you up until the wee hours of the morning reading.

As a result of this fantastic story--and vivid steampunk world--I have been so inspired and been creating all kinds of new pieces. Here's a little of what Clare's book inspired & what I've been making this rainy Saturday.

Rhinestone, Washer & Gear Necklaces--I have had steampunk weddings on the brain now for a while.

And here's a pair of gearrings--for that sweet bookish someone in your life! I've also been working on some new displays (will reveal more in my next blog post so stay tuned--until then here's a sneak preview)!

What have you been reading? What do you do on your rainy days?

DIY Steampunk Home Decor: Clock Face Catch All

Steampunk your home with this simple & elegant clock face catch all. Perfect for holding your loose change, keys, sunglasses, stamps, or jewelry--your catch all will not only be beautiful, but also be another conversation piece to add to your home! Here's what you'll need: Materials & Tools:

• Clock Face (oversize or large) that has a  protective covering. If you cannot find a clock face then try looking for a sundial instead.
• Vintage Photograph or Postcard (that fits inside your covering)
• Ribbon (any color of your choice)
• Fake Flower (any kind of your choice)
• Lace (the amount will depend on the size of your covering. Your lace should equal the length [circumference] of your covering)
• Paperclip
• Scissors
• Needle & Thread (or glue gun)
• Chain (also measured to equal the circumference of your covering)
• Jewelry pliers & wire cutter
• 2 Ribbon Crimps
• 2 jump rings

Steps:

1. Open up the covering of your clock face & leave open. Place your vintage photograph inside. Set aside.
2. Measure your lace (it should be the same length as your covering) and then cut. Next, place 1 ribbon crimp at the end of your lace and crimp in place with your jewelry pliers. Repeat for the other end.
3. Now measure the amount of chain you need. (It should be the same length as your covering too.) Cut your chain with wire cutters, or toenail clippers if you do not own a pair of wire cutters. Next, using your jewelry pliers (2 flat nosed pliers are best) connect your chain to your lace by hooking the jump ring through the ribbon crimp. Repeat for the other side.
4. Place your lace & chain over the covering--the lace should be placed in front over the photograph/postcard. You may have to adjust your chain if you don't like where it sits on your covering (by making it smaller or larger--respectively, removing chain links with wire cutters or adding jump rings or more chain with your pliers).
5. Next, make a decorative bow out of your ribbon.
6. Using your needle & thread, sew your bow and fake flower in place onto the lace. Be sure to tie a sturdy knot. (Another option for this step if you don't like sewing--glue the bow and fake flower in place with your glue gun.)
7. Last, clip together your photograph and lace with your paperclip. This helps the lace remain taut across the photograph/postcard rather than sag across it.
8. Proudly display in your lovely home!

As always, happy making!

DIY Steampunk Illumination, Live Demo

I had so much fun Thursday morning on Great Day Green Country filming a live DIY! I made 2 versions of Steampunk Candle Holders (one for tea candles & one for candlesticks). They are easy, elegant, and cheap to reproduce (bet. $5-10 to make). In case you missed it, here it is! Enjoy! And as always, Happy Making! http://eplayer.clipsyndicate.com/embed/iframe?aspect_ratio=3x2&auto_next=1&auto_start=0&page_count=4&pf_id=9204&pl_id=26017&rel=3&show_title=0&tags=GDGC&va_id=3969819&volume=8&windows=1

One of My Pins is Making its Stage Debut!

I recently sold one of my pins on Etsy to the props manager of Annapolis Opera! The pin I created (out of an old card catalog brass pull, a safety pin, and an old stamp collector's image) is going to adorn one of the props for the opera house's performances of Verdi's Rigoletto. The pin is going to adorn the key to the court jester's house. For those of you who have not seen the opera, it revolves around the rakish Duke of Mantua who seduces several women--including the daughter of Count Monterone. Rigoletto, the jester, mocks the men of the Duke's conquests which in part leads the Count to curse both Rigoletto and the Duke when he's hauled off to jail in Act I. The second scene revolves around Rigoletto's secret--he has a daughter of his own, Gilda who he has hidden from the Duke to ensure her virtue remains in tact. Of course, with any secret comes mistaken identities & shenanigans--the noblemen, angry with Rigoletto for mocking them for their wives' infidelity, decide to kidnap Gilda--who they wrongly assume is Rigoletto's mistress. They unlock the door (which they trick Rigoletto into opening by blindfolding him and telling him they are kidnapping the Countess Ceprano) and successfully kidnap poor Gilda.

I am so excited about one of my pieces hitting the stage! If you are in the Annapolis area, check out their performance of Rigoletto on March 15th & 17th! For those of us elsewhere, I leave you with one of the famous librettos from the opera--the Duke singing "La Donna e Mobile."

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCFEk6Y8TmM]

Steampunk Wedding Fashion Show!

I am excited to announce that I will be creating a steampunk wedding fashion show for Tulsa's first indie wedding show--Marry Me Indie! Mark June 1st on your calendar! There will be 30 vendors, a fashion show, a surprise (wish I could tell you it's so good!), and grab bags! I have been so inspired and already created a number of pieces. I'll be fashioning looks for a Royal Steampunk Wedding--think pearls, lace, gears & soft golden brass, and vintage rhinestones and you're only halfway there! Here's a sneak peek at what I've been making for you ladies...

And don't think I forgot you gents--I'll have more steampunked bow ties and accessories in lieu of your more traditional menswear pieces--cufflinks, tie clips, and boutonnieres! Here's a little preview...I really love these boutinneres! They're made with brass construction co. tags, pins, bits of blue ribbon, gray pearls, and the piece de resistance--vintage cigar labels! Here are a few more things I have in store for you gents--

Check out the Marry Me Indie website for updates & more details! Can't wait for June 1st!

Style Me Steampunk, Simple Romance

I love steampunk fashion & accessories–in fact, I love these 2 things so much that I cannot relegate them solely to cons, shows, or Halloween. “Style me Steampunk” is a series of blog posts on how to infuse your everyday wardrobe with a steampunk flair. From dressy to casual, office appropriate attire to outfits you can wear when you paint the town red–I will offer up ideas for outfits that will hopefully inspire some of you to dip into your closet and get creative! Style No. 3: Simple Romance

My mom bought me these lovely tapestry Victorian style high heeled boots for Christmas and it's been challenging trying to place them with the right outfit. Most of us steampunkers have fantastic shoes; however, with other statement steampunk wear the overall look is too costume-y for everyday dress. My advice to you, when you just feel like wearing your steampunk style footwear (or really any other statement piece you own & would love to wear more) is this--let that piece be your only statement. The rest of your outfit should compliment it and also be understated. Basically, keep it simple.

For instance, my boots have an intricate floral pattern so I avoided patterns elsewhere on my clothing. I chose a pale pink dress paired with a charcoal gray knit sweater. (And because I like my outfits a little funky, I wore some brown argyle tights to pick up the brown hue of my boots' soles).

Accessories are always a must! I wore very simple and dainty jewelry--a pair of washer & pearl earrings and a single cog necklace on fine chain. With statement pieces, avoid wearing statement jewelry as it may make you look costume-y.

I like to call this overall look "Simple Romance" because I feel feminine, dainty, and simply elegant.

To Re-Create this Look:

• Victorian Style Boots (Mine were made by a fabulous shoe company called Poetic License; the style is "Lady Victoria")
• Chiffon pink dress (I purchased mine from H&M years ago)
• Gray sweater (purchased from Converse, and they are currently on sale)
• Tights (to match your boots)
• Simple steampunk jewelry (which you can purchase from my Etsy shop)

This look would be perfect for Valentine's Day which is just around the corner!

Make your own Steampunk Valentine's Day Cards

I love Valentine's Day, mostly because it's one of the few times I see handmade cards exchanged. Here a a couple of DIY Stemapunk Valentine's Day cards that are easy & cheap to reproduce. As always, merry making! The Valentine's Day Magnifies My Love for You Card

• Plain card & envelope (your choice of color)
• Bakers Twine (your choice of color)
• Small Magnifying Glass
• Small Heart Stamp (or you can draw your heart)
• Scissors, pink or red marker & Pen

Total Cost: approximately: $3.50

1. Using your pink or red marker color in your heart stamp and then place the stamp firmly onto the middle of your card. If you are drawing your heart, draw it in the center of your card. Be careful not to draw your heart larger than your magnifying glass.
2. Place your magnifying glass on the card over your stamped/ drawn heart. Make two tiny dots with pen on both sides of the magnifying glass. This tells you where to poke holes in the card. You want your holes to be close to your magnifying glass's hook or ring.
3. Poke out your holes where you've already marked.
4. Cut a length of bakers twine (approximately 1 inch) and thread it through your paper so that both ends meet at the front of your card.
5. Next thread the twine through your magnifying glass's hook. The twine on the left should thread to the right and vice versa.
6. Tie a knot securely on the front of the magnifying glass's hook. And then tie a decorative bow. Cut off any excess twine.
7. Last, write your message & the card's quirky phrase: "Valentine's Day magnifies my love for you."

The You Really Get My Gears Going Card

• Plain card & envelope (your choice of color)
• 3 gears (I used reproduction gears which you can purchase at Michaels in their jewelry section)
• 3 brads (also available at your local craft store in the scrapbooking section)
• Scissors & Pen

Total Cost: approximately $1.75

1. Place your gears on your card. Figure out which placement you like best.
2. Once you've got your gears where you want them, mark the center of each gear with your pen. A small dot will do.
3. Next, poke holes in your card with your scissors. Be sure not to make a large hole, a small one is sufficient.
4. After you've finished making all of your holes, affix each gear to the card with a brad. To do so, place your gear (face up) onto your bard and then through your card. Place your thumb over the brad to hold it firmly in place and pry the brad's 2 metal prongs out. Repeat for each gear.
5. Last, write your message of love and the card's fun little phrase: "You really get my gears going."

The You are the Gear that Keeps my Heart a Pumping Card

• Plain card & envelope (your choice of color)
• 1 gear (I used a reproduction gear which you can purchase at Michaels in their jewelry section)
• 1 brad (also available at your local craft store in the scrapbooking section)
• A Heart Stamp (or you can draw your own heart)
• Scrap piece of paper (to stamp the heart on)
• Scissors, pink or red marker & Pen

   Total Cost: approximately 80 cents

1. Stamp (or draw) the heart  onto your scrap piece of paper. Once you are done, cut it out. Poke a hole in the center of your heart using your scissors. Set aside.
2. Poke a small hole in the center of your card.
3. Next load your brad with the following (in this order): heart cut out, gear, and card.
4. Close the brad by placing your thumb over it to keep it firmly in place and pry the brad's 2 metal prongs out.
5. Last write your message of affection and the card's fun phrase: "Happy Valentine's Day" and "You are the gear that keeps my heart a pumping."

The I Only Have Eyes for You Card

• Plain card & envelope (your choice of color)
• Glasses (just the front piece of the frame, or  a monocle would work too)--local thrift stores have tons of old frames so check them out first if you don't have a broken pair lying around the house
• Embroidery thread & needle
• An "XOXO"  Stamp (or you can  write "XOXO" yourself)
• Scissors, pink or red marker & Pen

                                  Total Cost: (depends entirely on the glasses you chose and their cost) for mine, $8.00

1. Place your glasses on your card.
2. Once you're happy with the placement of your glasses color one half of your "XOXO" stamp with your pink or red marker (so only one "XO"). Flip up your frame and stamp the "XO" where the lens is on your card. Repeat for the other lens.
3. Next, thread your needle and secure your eyeglasses frame to the card by threading it through available holes. Be careful to keep your stitches neat, small, and close. Knot on the back side of your card. Repeat for another hole on your eyeglasses frame. You should stitch your frame securely in at least 2 places.
4. Last write your message of adoration and the fun little phrase: "I only have eyes for you."

Have fun telling those you love just how much you love 'em. If you want more ideas for DIY Valentine's Day Cards check out my post from last year where I use upcycled items readily available around your home.

Saying Goodbye to Popu

Sometimes words fail us--as beautiful and powerful as they are they still sometimes fall short of summing up our love for those we care most about. My grandfather, Popu as we call him in our family, passed away on Monday. He was a great many things: a veteran of the Korean War, a milkman (when such a profession existed), and later a truck driver. He wore blue coveralls for most of my life--I never saw him in much else and he drank his coffee in a cream white mug with a border of pale blue around the lip--a gift from one of my uncles. He whistled all the time and his laugh carried with it a lightness that could only infect those around him with happiness. And best of all whenever he talked about his & my gram's first date his face lit up with the memory. What I remember best was his constant tinkering. He was always fixing or fiddling with something up in the barn. My niece and I'd favorite thing to do when we went for walks was to visit Popu up in the barn. We took a walk up to the barn today to visit Popu and remember him.

I can't tell you what Popu means to me--the words don't come out right. And there's a knot in my throat. But perhaps I can show you. I need to, because without him, I would not be the tinkerer I am today or the person I am and will be. My own studio space is very similar--it's by a large window and there are jars & drawers filled with things for tinkering, for fixing, for making. My favorite part of Popu's barn has always been his drawer of doorknobs. My mom has always loved his jar of paintbrushes. Popu gave me so much. He gave me something so special and so important--my name. I may not believe in much but I believe in the power of names. A name is like a sturdy bannister--it guides you along to who you will become. My mom named me Samantha because Popu nicknamed her Sam growing up and she always loved it. It was because of him that she chose it and there was a time that I hated my name (in Kindergarten, I wanted to be called Christina instead) but today I am so grateful and proud to be called Sam. It feels like a sturdy name and a beloved one. I will miss Popu everyday and I can only hope to make him proud. Thanks for letting me share what little I could find the words to express. 

Happy New Year!

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa. This time of year has always been a favorite of mine--mostly because I finally have time off to travel and be with my family. I've been so busy at home that I haven't blogged in a while so here's a little of what I've been up to: baking, making presents, ice skating, playing with my 3-year-old niece, and taking long walks on the country roads around my family's house. Of course, my favorite part of Christmas is spending time with my niece who is already quite a crafter. We made pine cone ornaments, painted birdhouses, and she beaded me the most beautiful necklace I will ever own! She also gave me a fine maincure & painted my nails Belle-o-yellow!

As a tradition my mom and I take the train into New York City and see the tree in Rockefeller Center and take a look at all of the store windows along 5th Avenue. Last year Macy's had an elaborate panel of Steampunk windows and I suspected that this year more stores might deck themselves in gears & clockwork-fa la la la la! Most windows only had subtle hints of Steampunk but I am happy to report that Ted Baker London created an elaborate window display of moving gears, chains, and wood panels. The modest photos I took do not capture the fantastic movement of the display which shifted Ted Baker London's wares around an intricate pulley system.  My favorite aspect of the display was the elegant scroll work painted onto the shop's 2nd floor front window which made the glass resemble a clock tower.

The outside of Ted Baker London. You can see the second story scroll work and gears are both illuminated! It gave you the impression that you were looking at the inside of a clock tower gleaming with sunshine. A close-up of one of the windows. The moving gears and chain pulleys were elegantly bordered with garlands wrapped in twinkle lights and small metal ornaments.A close-up of the pulley system. It looked like it was constructed from a large metal erector set's parts. One of the chain pulleys dropped a small wooden box filled with deconstructed clock parts and featuring this handsome leather shoe. In the other window, another chain pulley dropped a serving tray filled with flowers and bone china. I was thoroughly inspired by Ted Baker London's windows. I can't wait to steampunk some windows myself at Made;the Indie Emporium Shop sometime in the coming months.

2 Simple Ways to Steampunk Your Christmas Balls!

Christmas Ball Compass: (Materials Needed: Christmas tree ball, length of chain--appropriate to your ball's size, snowflake sequin, game spinner, and 2 jump rings) Tools Needed: An awl and a pair of flat nosed pliers.

1. Using your awl, poke a hole in your snowflake sequin.
2. With your flat nosed pliers, open your jump ring and load your game spinner, snowflake sequin, and chain onto the ring and close securely.
3. Then attach the other end of your chain to the hook of your ornament with the second jump ring.
4. Now your ornament is ready to hang on the tree so get to decorating!

Christmas Key Ball: (Materials Needed: Christmas tree ball, tiny key, and a tree hook) No tools needed.

1. Load your tree hook with the tiny key and then the Christmas ball.
2. Then close the hook securely and hang on your tree!

As always, Merry Making!

DIY Steampunk Snowflake Skeleton Key Ornament

Steampunk your Christmas Tree this holiday season with this simple, elegant, and cheap-to-make ornament! Here's what you'll need: Materials:

• Skeleton Key (salvaged or purchased from the dollar bin at Michaels. Fake keys are better to hang on your tree because they're lighter and won't weigh the branch down)
• Snowflake Sequin
• Washer (small)
• Pearl (or any other bead you desire)
• Clothing Hook
• Christmas Tree Hook
• Jump rings (2 small and 1 large)
• Headpin (1)

Materials Cost Roughly: $4-5.

Tools:

• Awl (and junk wood/cardboard surface)
• Pair of flat nosed pliers
• Pair of needle nosed pliers
• Wire cutters (or toenail clippers)

Steps:

1. Using your awl poke a hole in your sequin (big enough to fir your large jump ring through). Be sure to protect your table/ work surface by putting down thick cardboard or a scrap of wood underneath where you are poking a hole in your sequin. Set aside.
2. Take your pearl/bead and thread it on your headpin. With your flat nosed pliers bend the excess pin horizontally so that it is parallel to the pearl/bead. Place your pointer finger next to the pearl/bead and cut off excess pin with your wire cutters/toenail clippers. (You need roughly the width of your pointer finger.) Next, with your needle nosed pliers grab the very end of your pin and curl it into a loop. Be sure to close the loop completely. Then using your flat nosed pliers attach the pearl/bead to your washer.
3. Attach your washer with a small jump ring to your clothing hook.
4. Thread your skeleton key, snowflake sequin and clothing hook (on the opposite side of the washer and pearl) onto a large jump ring. Close securely.
5. Grab your small jump ring and attach it to the large one you just closed. Close securely.
6. Attach your tree hook to the small jump ring.
7. Hang on your tree with pride!

Feel free to personalize this ornament, maybe paint your loved ones' initials on the sequin or a part of the key; or perhaps create little paper tags that say "To Santa's Workshop" or "Reindeer Stables" and attach it to the ornament as well to make it extra Christmas-y; or the ornament could also double as a gift--instead of putting it on a Christmas Tree Hook you could attach. As always, Merry Making!

DIY Steampunk Christmas Tree Garland

This is perhaps my favorite creation for my tiny tree this year! This steampunk garland not only provide texture and color to my tree but also a sense of movement. Each of the berry twigs nestled within each spring oscillates in a stylish swirl. This is one garland that doesn't just hang on your tree! It's simple to make and another kid friendly DIY--here's what you'll need: Materials: (No Tools are Necessary for this DIY) 

• Twigs of fake berries (bright colors are best; also, purchase twigs with wire inside so that they're shape-able)
• Springs (I used springs that already have hooks attached to them so it would be easier to assemble and hang the finished garland. I'd recommend using those but if you can't find springs with hooks then just attach your springs using wire, ribbon, or the berry twigs themselves; Also, the number of springs you'll need entirely depends on how long you'd like your garland)

Steps:

1. Weave the berry twigs through your springs. I choose for mine to go in an oscillating spiral pattern (I swirling up and the next one down).
2. Attach the springs together. (If you are using wire, ribbon, or berry twigs, be sure to go through at least 2 parts of the spring to stop the wire from sliding off.)
3. Hang on your tree!

As always, Merry Making!

Steampunk Toys

I came across these interesting toys on a website called A Mighty Girl. Their mission is to promote books, movies, music, and toys that empower girls to become "smart, confident, and courageous." A Mighty Girl also empowers parents to be more proactive and conscious of the ways in which they can raise their daughters, nieces, granddaughters, etc. I love this website and was happy to discover that they had a couple of steampunk toys so if you have a daughter you'd like to empower (or even a son, nephew, or grandson)--here's a couple things Santa can bring on down the chimney (or they can receive one of the eight nights of Hanukkah)!

A Supersize Set of Gears (building-blocks)

Big Bag of Science (for the future inventors & scientists)

Timeline (seriously cool game of trivia about inventions & patents)--Great for all ages!

Space Module Tent (for space adventurers)

Intro to Simple Machines Gear Building Block Kit: $33.80; Dynamo Torch (pictured above); Crazy Machines, the Wacky Contraptions Games $9.99 and the Robotic Arm Kit $39.35 (for tinker-types in the making)

Aside from A Mighty Girl, there are also many other places to turn for Steampunk Toys for your little ones. I'd recommend:

Young Mad Scientist's Alphabet Blocks

The artful and expensive toy figurines of Stephanie Halleux

And of course, you could make your own Steampunk plushies following the excellent directions in Skeate and Tedman's Steampunk Softies. You could also alter toys or toy DIYs and steampunk them--like the Steampunk Teddy Bear I made!

DIY Skate Key Ornament

To me Christmas tree decorations are all about nostalgia and remembering tradition, and what better way to do that then to upcycle items you find into ornaments! Here is another simple, yet elegant, steampunkish ornament for your  tree! This DIY is perfect for the kiddos because it's quick and easy. Materials:

• Skate Key
• Ribbon (your choice of color, personally I love pairing plaids with dull metal tones)

Tools:

• Scissors

Steps:

1. Cut a length of ribbon (I wanted to tie a medium sized bow so I cut approximately 1-1.5 inches of ribbon).
2. Thread your ribbon through your the top part of your skate key.
3. Tie a knot at the top of your key.
4. Next tie an elegant bow.
5. Last, cut the ends of your ribbon so that they are even. Also, cut an upside "V" into each end so your ends are more decorative.
6. Hang on the tree (through one of the bow loops) or attach with a Christmas tree hook.

Merry Making to you this Holiday Season!

Santa's Pocket Watch Christmas Tree Ornament

This is a great way to dress up a plain red Christmas ball. It's simple, easy, and costs next-to-nothing to make. Here's what you'll need: Materials:

• Red Christmas Ball
• Length of Chain (It's best to use something that you'd ordinarily throw away--like broken chain from a necklace or bracelet). The amount of chain you'll need depends on the size of your ornament. Mine was small so I used approximately 1/2 inch of chain.
• Flat faced button
• Jump Rings (2 small and 1 large--the large jump ring must fit through one of your button holes)
• Christmas Tree Hook

I choose this ornament in particular because the gold glittery pattern in the middle looks like a flashy belt. Maybe you want to give your plain red ornament a fancy belt--use some paint & glitter to accomplish this!

Total Cost: Personally, Zero dollars! Check around your house for these materials. Odds are you have a plain red Christmas ball packed away, a loose button, and a bit of broken chain. If are purchasing all of these items, I'd estimate it would cost approximately $6-10 depending on the price of your Christmas ball.

Tools:

• Fine Sharpie Pen
• Flat nosed pliers
• Wire cutters/toenail clippers (in case you need to shorten your chain)

Steps:

1. With your Sharpie pen write the hours of the clock onto your flat faced button. Once you're done, draw 2 clock hands. Let dry.
2. Adjust the length of your chain (if necessary) with your wire cutters/toenail clippers. Keep in mind that you want the chain to drape along one side of your Christmas ball and also remember to leave room for your button to dangle.
3. Next, attach the button to your chain with your large jump ring. Use your flat nosed pliers to open & close your jump ring securely.
4. Attach your chain to the wire portion (the top) of your Christmas ball) with 1 of your small jump rings.
5. Drape the remaining chain along one side of your Christmas ball (in the direction of the opposite side that your chain is attached to the ball).
6. Grab your small jump ring, and thread your chain onto it. Next, attach your chain to the wire portion (the top) of Christmas ball--remember to leave enough chain for your button to dangle nicely.
7. Close your jump ring.
8. Attach your Christmas Tree Hook and hang on the tree with pride!

As always, Merry Making!