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So I’m not the biggest steampunk fan in the world. I like it, in fact I’d go so far as to say I *really* like it, but it’s generally expensive, and like many people, I don’t know where to find it. I got a lot of offline comments about the gear ring (TrialAccess said he was considering making it his new wedding band) that I posted yesterday. I’ve gotten pushback lately from posters that they don’t feel their posts are up to snuff, or they don’t have worthwhile things to say.

I reply with a traditional steampunk retort: Poppycock! What if Dr. Who didn’t feel he could save the world? What if the six million dollar man told himself he couldn’t jump over fences? What if Superman was afraid he was like everyone else? Shenanigans, I say! Just because you step out of your comfort zone doesn’t mean you shall fail. In fact, the exact opposite! It’s one more notch to add to your belt of things you’ve done. Will you be a professional? Maybe not, but you’ve tried.

And TRYING is the OTHER half of the battle. Go Joe!

And TRYING is the OTHER half of the battle!

So I thought I’d take the time today to post on a subject I am decidedly *not* knowledgeable about, yet do like. Steampunk stuff.

I CAN tell you what I bring to the table for this discussion: First, I’m high maintenance. I have good taste, and I think I have a good eye for fancy things.

Second: I’m cheap. Through and through to my core. There are a few inexplicable times where I don’t care (read: Apple products and Sony game consoles), but for the most part, I will price compare until I’m blue in the face to shave off a couple extra bucks.

With that said, I trolled the ‘net a bit to see what I could reel in. Here’s what I found:

1. Pocket watch

For the distinguished gentleman.

A good shiny pocket watch is a must for any Victorian Steampunk era gentleman. Art of Adornment offers this intriguing companion for just $33.50. That’s not bad for such a good looking piece.

2. Rings

You send me 'round the moons of Jupiter.

With the invention of Etsy, any niche arts and crafts are now just a person’s thought away from your reality. I found this ring on an Etsy store that specifically deals with Steampunk rings and bracelets. With prices ranging from reasonable to not-so-much, there’s a WIDE variety and decent selection. The ring pictured above sells for $55.00 and feasibly could be used for men or the discriminating steampunk woman.

3. Necklace

Sling up time on a chain, you make time wax or wane.

For either sex, this 1923 Elgin pocket watch necklaceis the cat’s meow when it comes to neckwear for men. At $78, it’s borderline ‘I’d feel bad buying it’ price, but I found Antige to be one of the more diverse steampunk jewelry makers out there, offering mechanized bobby pins to broaches to earrings. Impressive.

4. Everything else

Professor Babcock, Man of Science!

Upon my meanderings, one of the things I decided was ‘Man, it’d be nice to have a starting base outfit and tweak from there, rather than having to put it together piecemeal…’
And lo and behold, I wandered across the aptly named Steampunk Emporium, where like Professor Babcock above, they have fully-assembled and fully-fitted outfits for anyone from Intrepid Motorists to Beguiling Horticulturists, all inspired cleverly from the Age of Steam. This site has EVERYTHING, from goggles to monocles to walking staffs to lingerie to period swimwear to British Empire pith helmets (what I had always envisioned for Professor Singh) and more… it’s truly phenomenal. The prices are online prices, so for me, a bit high, but nonetheless, you sacrifice price for convenience. Truly astonishing!

My thoughts/summation:

I have always tried to put my finger on exactly what my fascination is and has been with steampunk. I am NOT a cosplayer, but I *would* do steampunk (although I’d feel better about it if I were with friends doing it, too) if I could ever win that damn lottery to afford it all. So why is that the exception? I think, personally, it boils down to several key factors.

1. Steampunk is both classical and classy. Gents and Dames dressing in their finery added with a touch of the fantastical. I LIKE dressing to the nines, so this isn’t that much of a further stretch. Plus, corsets..mmm… (I AM a live male, what can I say?)

2. Exploration/Adventure – all these people (let’s face it, the Brits are the source of all this)… stuffy, rules-oriented, society-oriented traveling into the unknown to find adventure with this brand new technology (which may not even work properly, but their aristocratic ways amongst the savageness of the unknown will save them!)… there’s something Star Trekkish that strikes me about it.

3. It’s odd. I am eccentric, no doubt. I like many different things from many different areas. This appeals to that eclecticism inside me.

4. At it’s heart, Steampunk were the first ‘early-adopters’ of the Age of Steam. Today, we line up for iPhones and Androids. But then, machinery WAS the tech, and Victorian-age individuals of wealth and stature rushed to embrace it and do..well… probably silly things with it. But hey, who am I to judge. I’m blogging from a phone right now…some would call that silly!

So there’s my post about what I really don’t know much about; I challenge everyone who reads the blog to make a post about something you love. It takes a few minutes and connects us as a community of friends, peers and fellow enthusiasts. If you’re finding it hard, send me an email. Remember to write about what you love.