Well, we had one of these last year. I'm sure some people might be interested in a second round, though.

I remember that one from last year it was really fun.

I would be up for it depending on if I have the time to.

Heck Yeah!! I'm always up for some Steampunky goodness. I had oodles of fun (and learning) on the last Steampunk Swap.

It would depend on my school/finance status when the time rolls around. I've always wanted to try sculpting, so it might be a fun time to start

Yes! It'll be right after the lolita swap, and I need a challenge to work on my sculpting!

what are "steam punks' though ? O_o

suzy.66 wrote:

what are "steam punks' though ? O_o

Ah, Steampunk is a subculture - one that I am personally a part of.

It partly deals with the re-imagining of the Victorian era through an anachronistic, "punk"/modern lens.

The genre ideal focuses on the concept that fossil fuels were never used as a fuel, and instead things are powered solely by steam-power and clockwork. It looks at a world on the brink of a new kind of Industrialisation where society flips between "mass-production" and industry, and the desire to create the handmade and unique. It is often associated with the post-apoclptic and the idea of cobbling together things by reusing and re-imagining uses for the old to make it new again.

The sub-culture takes this reclamation of the Victorian era, further, in its desire to take pride in the handmade and the unique, rather than the mass-produced. Creating one of a kind items, working by hand to make ones own clothing, etc. Some, like myself, take it further again and practice things like making all their food by scratch and following old Victorian recipes (though I still draw the line at eels XD ), and resing and re-imagining uses for the old (clothing, items, technology, etc.) It is a form of cultural "upcycling".

Further, many of us create our own gardens to grow food, and find ways to generate clean power, in order to be a little more self-sufficient. Some parts of the sub-culture also promote "anarchy", though personally I don't subscribe to those views.

Finally, the aesthetic looks at a dress style that is a cross between Victorian era clothing, modernistic "punk" clothing, with a heavy focus on Industrialisation. A popular myth is that Steampunk only involves brown, white/cream and black, with copper/bronze cogs. In fact, given that the Victorian era was an era of experimentation in all facets of life, true Steampunks prefer a mixture of colours to their outfits (given the influence of trips to the "Orient" in which new, bright silks were brought back, changing some fashion and colour choice trends in the era). Neobedouin Steampunks (my favourite subsets of the aesthetic), who add a flavour of Middle Eastern (particularly Ghawazee and Egyptian) wear to their outfits, as well, often have the brightest examples of these colours in their outfits. Not everything has to be a dull acceptance of brown, in Steampunk - in fact, experimenting with colour is my favourite part.

It is also more than gathering a few pieces of clockwork together and sprinkling them on something. A handful of cogs on a hat, or shirt, do not Steampunk make - and that would be the same of any accessory or sculpture or pony, etc.

I hope that helps ^^

Personally, I have a few too many projects already planned in this genre to have enough time for a swap, but I wish everyone luck!

*meep* I wish I was a member long enough to join this swap

..maybe I'll just make a Steampunk Custom anyway XD

This sounds like a lot of fun. I would totally be in, so long as I could specify no sculpting with Sculpey or anything else like that? It's too breakable. I much prefer real metal parts. If I could make that stipulation, I'm in!

I don't see why that wouldn't be a problem, I could always put in the form, please specify if you would like sculpting, or if you would be ok with metal parts, or if you want both!

Not really my thing, but it's trendy so people would probably like it. It'd be neat to see the finished products.

OK fair enough. Also will there be a beginner category? My mom might think of joining. She likes steampunk. XD

I don't see why not.

LOL The poll is exactly tied up. XD