Steampunk is a subculture that has really taken off in the past few years thanks to shows like The L-Word, Victorian England-inspired fashion, and a growing number of films (like this year’s i>Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindelwald/i> or last year’s i>Annihilation/i>) featuring characters who revel in the aesthetics of 19th century industrialization. But before steampunk was the must-have look it is today, it was just a niche obsession. A small group of people (including authors like Kameron Hurley and bloggers like Aurelia Green) discovered that by combining 19th century aesthetics with modern technologies and design trends, they could create an entire world. The result was steampunk, which basically means people who enjoy dressing up in outfits from the Victorian era (usually inspired by Great Britain between 1815 and World War I). You can find plenty of Steampunk kitschy items at thrift stores or flea markets but making your own? That’s where you are going to need to step up your game. To get started, check out these six helpful tips for making your own Steampunk jewelry using supplies you probably have lying around your house right now.
Decide What You’re Going To Make
To make any piece of jewelry, you need a plan. That plan will help you find what you need and figure out how much it’s going to cost. With steampunk, it can be a little tricky to figure out what makes the most sense for your project. For example, if you want to make a ring, it may seem like an easy decision to use wire and bead. But when you start thinking about the design and how it will work together with other pieces of jewelry, there are so many different options that you can consider. What color should the wire be? What type of gemstone should appear in the ring? How would you make up for the fact that wire cannot be resized? It’s important to thoroughly think about all of these questions before starting any project because they can end up derailing your entire design.
– Do not try to make something complicated or too heavily detailed at first. You should start with something simple that has an overall feel but has enough variety in its component parts so that you don’t get bored quickly.
Learn How To Weld Or Solder
One of the most essential pieces of Steampunk jewelry is the gear (also called a watch or even just a pin). Without gears, you aren’t doing Steampunk. If you want to make your own steampunk gear, you are going to need to know how to weld or solder. The process is a little more time-consuming than something like making your own necklace, but not impossible. If you have an old piece of metal with some holes in it that can be used as a mold for your gears, all you need to do is pour some liquid metal into it and then use an oxy-acetylene torch to heat it up and shape it like so:
Yup. That’s a piece of steel with three gears created using the process of soldering.
Get Your Hands Dirty With Chain Mail And Beading
Chain mail and beading are the two most important things you should have on hand in order to make your own Steampunk jewelry. Chain mail is a type of armor that was very popular during the Victorian era and is made up of small rings sewn together with thread or wire. Beading, also known as stringing, is a technique for making patterns in which beads are threaded onto stretchy string or wire and then looped together to create a more complex design. This can be done using a variety of different materials, but the one you’re going to need the most is wire. Wire comes in different gauges, ranging from .016 inches to .032 inches thick.
Use these three things in combination with some sterling silver sheets (or gold-plated sterling silver sheets) and other metals like copper or steel to make rings, necklaces, bracelets, hair pins, earrings, anklets, brooches – even necklaces that look like snakes! Here are some simple steps for getting started:
Don’t Be Afraid To Wear “Shiny” Things
While not everyone enjoys wearing anything that is shiny, Steampunkers love to show off their sense of style. This means you might need to embrace your inner sparkle queen and take a chance on wearing some of the more out-there pieces. You can either do this by mixing these pieces with other more subdued pieces, or by carrying around a bag with everything you need for an outfit right in it.
Show Your Stuff Off At Conventions And Festivals
It’s a great idea to start by showing off your steampunk creations at conventions and festivals. This is a fun way to make new friends, learn from people who are already doing what you love, and find out where the best flea markets in your area are. You’ll need to show off your work for hours on end so it’s important that you have time set aside for this. The more time you spend networking, the better chance you have of making some great connections.
Wrapping Up
To make your own Steampunk jewelry, you first need to find a good project. For a jewelry project, start with something small, like earrings or necklaces. That way, you can focus on one component of the project at a time and work up to bigger pieces.
6 Tips for Making Steampunk Jewelry
1. Use gemstones that are vintage-looking
You’ll want to use stones that have a look and feel of stone from the Victorian era as well as stones that have a unique shape or color that fits in with steampunk designs. There are plenty of options for gems and crystals online, like this 14K gold flower pendant featuring amethyst purple rhinestones set in sterling silver.
2. Use alternatives to metal
It’s hard to find metal parts that will suit your needs but not break your budget. Instead, try using wood like this wooden watch face with silver crystals that is perfect for any steampunk look (plus it’s super affordable!). If you’re looking for more affordable supplies, try making some jewelry from polymer clay or copper wire instead of metal. You can also try colored glass beads instead of gemstones for a unique look!
3. Make everything yourself
This includes accessories too – if you want to make your own Victorian-style goggles just pack them in an old tube sock! This is especially important if you plan on wearing a costume piece all day long so it looks authentic when worn during an
