Since becoming involved in the scene in Britain– if indeed there is such a thing – Steampunk has brought me new friends, in fact some very good and dear new friends, and a lot of really friendly acquaintances. It has brought me a lot of personal satisfaction, especially through the creative side of it, both in the making, contraptions, art, jewellery, and writing. It has given me a huge vent for my creativity and imagination. I have also made a little money out of it, I’ve made and sold everything from Steampunk jewellery to guns and large contraptions.
I think Steampunk provides a much richer platform for this than those groups built up around the canon of a set of films or TV shows, because it has none of the strictures that come from creating within someone else’s frame work. It is why I never got into Fan Fiction, why write about someone else’s characters, or world, when you can create your own?
I have also found out things about ourselves through Steampunk; we are camera tarts. Point a camera at us and we are posing. I love flouncing about in costumes, being a bit silly and generally getting attention. On the first evening Nikki and I attended Lincoln Asylum, before we have even got to the gathering outside the Victoria Pub, we were stopped by tourists and photographed. Since then it’s been a regular thing, with our pictures appearing in local papers in Lincoln and Gloucester. We even participated in BBC’s Bargain Hunt in costume.
I think Steampunk provides a much richer platform for this than those groups built up around the canon of a set of films or TV shows, because it has none of the strictures that come from creating within someone else’s frame work. It is why I never got into Fan Fiction, why write about someone else’s characters, or world, when you can create your own?
I have also found out things about ourselves through Steampunk; we are camera tarts. Point a camera at us and we are posing. I love flouncing about in costumes, being a bit silly and generally getting attention. On the first evening Nikki and I attended Lincoln Asylum, before we have even got to the gathering outside the Victoria Pub, we were stopped by tourists and photographed. Since then it’s been a regular thing, with our pictures appearing in local papers in Lincoln and Gloucester. We even participated in BBC’s Bargain Hunt in costume.
It has even effected, or maybe affected, both of our day to day wear. I wear a riding top hat, waist coat, fob watch and chain, as my normal go to work clothes. Tweed and waist coats are a major feature of my wardrobe. And even that draws attention and positive remarks.
Steampunk has brought a great deal of fun and enjoyment into our lives, we have met a huge range of people from all walks of life, we’ve visited places we would have never gone to, had some great days out, good laughs and earnest conversations over long drinks in pubs, been complimented by strangers in the street and generally gained a great deal of pleasure from being part of the most vibrant and imaginative world spanning sub-culture.
Steampunk has brought a great deal of fun and enjoyment into our lives, we have met a huge range of people from all walks of life, we’ve visited places we would have never gone to, had some great days out, good laughs and earnest conversations over long drinks in pubs, been complimented by strangers in the street and generally gained a great deal of pleasure from being part of the most vibrant and imaginative world spanning sub-culture.
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Recently we have become involved with the Bristol Steampunk Museum, which is exhibiting some of my work and that of other notable reprobates within the community.
I call it a "community" because that is what it is; a community of like-minded odd balls and misfits who have reached a point in their lives where they are so far from ashamed of being different that we are now celebrating it openly. "In your face, normality! In your face!"
As part of the support for the creative side of Steampunk and to foster the community feeling, I created Steamcycle, the Steampunk's swap shop, on Facebook. (I can't claim authorship of the name, as it was suggested by a member). We have almost 6000 members, people willing to swap with their fellow Steamers or simply donate items to the group.
I started The Steampunk Community Bookshop.
Steampunk has brought a great deal of fun and enjoyment into our lives, we have met a huge range of people from all walks of life, we’ve visited places we would have never gone to, had some great days out, good laughs and earnest conversations over long drinks in pubs, been complimented by strangers in the street and generally gained a great deal of pleasure from being part of the most vibrant and imaginative world spanning sub-culture.