Saturday, January 19, 2008

Are you steampunk?



Do you know what this is? I am going to file this in the 'gee, I am getting to be an old lady' file. Ok, bear with me. There is this thing called Steampunk which is sort of science fiction/fantasy, sort of cosplay, sort of a fashion/craft movement. Basically, it's all about steam age/Victorian technology spun with a bit of Sci-Fi and a bit of punk rock. It's all about do-it-yourself and I love it. See that necklace? Very steamy. The earrings by Jane? also steamy. Who knew?

It seems that Ornamentea.com is a big hit with the steampunks out there. We have pocket watch lockets, old keys and other do-dads that make the steam age swirl. We can't help it, we are all obsessed with such do-dads. Maybe that word 'do-dad' is even steamy? The watch parts, little compasses and tiny doll hands sure are.

And my selection of ankle length 'interesting' skirts and button up boots and love of fitted tops? Also steamy. I feel like I just found my tribe or something.

Ok, feed your own obsession:
Steampunk Labs - build stuff like a Victorian era looking keyboard for your flat panel.

The wikipedia listing (of course!)

And Steamy Fashion

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Kathy King's Bead Dreams

Kathy King had her amazing piece of jewelry, Red Empress, selected for the Bead Dreams contest, sponsored by Bead&Button magazine. This necklace is stunning and intricate and made in my favorite color. I have admired Kathy's work for years, she has always had a great eye for color and shape.

You can enter Bead Dreams 2008 ...go ahead. Pick your best work, because the competition is pretty stiff.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Ornamentea in Beadwork!




Our fabulous selection of key charms and keys is featured in Beadwork this month. The editors love the old rusty keys and the teeny tiny keys and the key toggles and the lucite keys and so do we. I have used the keys on earrings, added them to little bitty things I tie on other painted or otherwise adorned objects. I even sewed one on a tee shirt.

Just think, if you live here in Raleigh you can just wander in and have "the doors of your creativity blown wide open." That last part is a quote from Beadwork. Wow. Makes us sound pretty amazing, huh?