Steampunked Costumes

Our annual Library Unmasked event occurs at the end of July.  In order to pump up excitement, we hosted a Steampunked Costumes First Friday Art Club.

"Antiqued" Apothecary Jars

To create some Mischief, I worked on antiquing plastic bottles to look like old apothecary jars.  The tutorial I found was perfect to create some decorative elements for the after-hours party.  Taking any bottle from home (Listerine became Mischief Powder), writing a label in marker, tracing it with hot glue for raised lettering, then painting the whole thing with acrylic paints and sponges created a mottled looking bottle perfect for any Halloween or Steampunk party.

Laser Cut Cogs

Cogs and Gears are pertinent elements in Steampunk.  A library staffer discovered how to laser cut using the Steele Memorial Library maker space. We made pins and had enough masonite left over to create some gears for this program.  Quite a lovely and easy necklace.

Cuffs for Protection

Cuffs were easy to create using toilet paper tubes and hole punches.  After cutting the tube in half to open it, this student covered it in gray duct tape, then punched holes and laced it up like a sneaker.

Geared up Gear

This hat was going to the thrift store donations, but was rescued to make Geared up Gear.  

Upcycled!

These plaid shorts were upcycled pajamas.  This student never created steampunk gear, but quickly caught the punking bug by transforming the shorts into a skirt with lace, trims and even made a hat to top off the ensemble.

Can't Get enough Cuffs

Taking old items and making them new, Upcycling, is the best way to create a costume on the cheap.  I stash trinkets and unusual items for programs like these so that there is something to inspire everyone.  Spray and acrylic paints also take those old items to a new level of cool.

Paint and Glue makes New

The kids who created in this program got excited to attend an after-hours party at the library.  Most were not familiar with the Steampunk theme, but quickly caught on and were ready to bring their best cosplay to the event.  We look forward to seeing their final look on July 28, 2017, 6:30-9 pm.

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Cosplay Costumes

July is a big month for teens at the Southeast Steuben County Library.  The Summer Reading Program takes over for six weeks, but we start with the First Friday Art Club.  We ran our first ever Comic Con in 2015 called Library UnMasked.  It was so much fun, we brought it back and planned other programs around it.

The Cape Quest Commences

"Cosplay Costumes" was a great theme to inspire young adults to design wearable art,

that could be worn to our Library UnMasked event.  

We enticed teens to attend the comic con event with the prizes they could win, like weekend passes to T2C2, Twin Tiers Comic Con, and unusual library activities they could attempt after hours, but these bribes were not necessary.  Creativity took over once the supplies were provided and a little guidance was given.

Slew of Supplies

Tetyana Buchholz (a.k.a. Tat, a.k.a. "FASHION SUPERSTAR") graciously donated her time to guide the design process.  Tat brought a ton of materials sent to her by The Art Institute of Chicago, her alma matter.  Our students appreciated the variety of textures, colors and items so much, the room was a chaotic creative cloud in moments.

Red and gold were popluar colors sought to make super hero design elements.

Gold + red + shields= super hero design palette.

One student took her art to a creepy level with dark colors, cobwebs and crows.

Crows and Cobwebs

Another student made an Olympic games inspired cuff, because she said, "cuffs are tough."

Cuffs = TOUGH!

Wale print yardage beckoned this student to create a warrior of the sea costume.

Wale Warrior

Textured scrapbook paper and duct tape made the most simple robot costume.

Gold-Bot

Capes and hoods were also popular.  

Tat showed student simple techniques to cinch fabric and gather it.  These simple suggestions allowed quick creation without the need of sewing machines.

Caped Crusader of the Night

This program was fun and easy to accomplish.  Tat donated supplies, but many of these items are free to source from you local community.  I saved lots of scraps from my home crafting collection and spread the word of need for particular items.  With various donations, this program was free to host and there is still a TON of left-overs to plan an accessories project this Fall.  The students enjoyed the freedom to create without worry of wrecking valuable supplies.  I enjoyed seeing the variety of directions each student took to finish their project. Several of these designers attended Library UnMasked 

and someone even won "Original Character" category!

Check out the latest Teen Tones blog entry to find our who won.... 

Stop back in August....

Recycled Creations by Kimberly Canale

when we refurbish rubbish with Kimberly Canale.

Thanks for visiting!

~erica