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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Sock and Glove Puppets

We added the book "Sock and Glove: Creating Charming Softy Friends from Cast-Off Socks and Gloves," by Miyako Kanamori to our collection recently and I knew it would work well with First Friday Art Club.  Do you have a large assortment of one-off socks or lost the right hand to your favorite glove?  Rather than scrapping them to the round file, recycle them into lovable works of art!

Click her to borrow this from our library!

Transforming clothing into puppets or softy friends is not easily straightforward for most people.  Even with printed templates and instructions, our brains can often argue with what we see.  Despite our left and right brains occasional feud, these students took their right and left socks in adorable directions.

What in the World is a Whake?

Although I had several patterns selected to choose, students had their own stuffed friend visions and this Maker wanted a whale.  While a whale pattern is not an option in the book (sequel suggestion...) this artist took the liberty of designing one.  He got a little mutated in the process and became a Whale Snake or a Whake!

Olivia Newton Sock

Puppies popped up from the patch. The remnants of the "whake" became a workout gear for this puppy.  I just have the the "Physical" song running through my head with visions of this pup pumping iron.

This "cat" once ran around in gym sneakers

With dogs, you must have cats.  This striped variety once had the role of gym clothing for middle school.  This creation could lead to more verses in the Smelly Cat song.

Cow-Pig-Sheep?

The designer of this curious creature intended to make a sheep.  Her color options made her feel the animal looked more like a pig or a cow.  I think the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles had some influence on these creatures.

A little noting goes a long way.

This cherub created a birthday duck for her mother. 

She was surprised to see this lonesome sock become a lovable friend.

Markers are easy for facial features

To add features to these friends, we had lots of embroidery floss and embellishments.  With the clock counting down to the library closing time, these makers wanted to finish their project before they left.  Using markers was a simple solution.

This wraps up another First Friday Art Club.  We have great projects in store for 2017.

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Shannah Warwick of Blackbts (that's Black Boots) will guide our group in the Nuno Felting method.  The finished piece will be wearable art.  Lookout Corning...we're getting fancy!