“They like t’ dress up like ol’ silent movie bad guys and tie women t’ airplane runways.”

Well, I laughed.

While the result sometimes looks over the top (as haute couture is almost by definition) it is a good reminder that we do not need to play it safe – certainly the historical Victorians did not, and our steampunk alter-egos are even more prone to a devil-may-care attitude. It’s easy to fall back on looking at historical costumes and reproducing them. While this can produce some stunning costumes, the true standouts of the steampunk look know when to add the unexpected, giving their style a true sense of history – and fashion – that never was.

Costuming is one of the safest places to take risks. After all, if you don’t like a vest or a jacket, you can take it off. If you don’t like a collar, you can modify it. You can always pull your stitching out and start over. When you feel like you’re getting too settled in your historical influences, go ahead and mix it up a bit with an unusual cultural influence or a clever modern element. Even if it doesn’t work, it might inspire you to something else – and if it does work, you’ll have a look that stands out from the crowd.

Put simply, sky ninja are the natural enemies of that overpopulated scourge of the air, the sky pirate. It was only natural that ninja would evolve skyward just as pirates did.

The name sky ninja actually came about as a joke referring to Captain Jack Rose’s unhealthy attachment to the exotic but dangerous and far-flung colonies of the Mysterious East where he accompanied his parents for a several years of his misspent youth. He spent a few years there in the company of a pair of Imperial agents, eventually losing track of them when they disappeared to oppose the schemes of the Empress Dowager Cixi, and thereafter Jack insisted on bringing an Oriental flair to all things, whether it was really helpful or not.

In addition to the pieces he bought or assembled himself, he has commissioned a few pieces that he feels capture the spirit in which he was “trained”. He enjoys the use of weapons from throughout Asia, including Nipponese shuriken (a pair of which he commissioned from Alexandra of the White Peacock Trading Company shortly after they met) and an Indian talwar sword which was passed on to him from his father. He’s not necessarily much good with all these exotic weapons, mind you, but he tries.

Sky ninja is not so much an actual job (I’d imagine actual steampunk ninja would be more land-based unless they were engaged in specific warfare against their sky pirate enemies) as an expression of interest in Asia as filtered through the Victorian-colonial mentality.

It is important, when looking at Asia through steam-colored glasses, that we use the Western/British mentality toward Asians in the same way we do their mentality toward women and the lower classes: something to play with, parody, and subvert, but not something to seriously adopt. The stereotype of the exotic geisha or the silent warrior monk may be interesting to flesh out or turn inside out, but especially in writing, it’s essential to remember that cardboard cutouts are never interesting characters and stereotypical cutouts are less so.

(If you’re interested in making sure you don’t write stereotypes for your Asian characters, you may wish to read this discussion on LJ for a privilege check and a thread on the many interesting possibilities for non-Eurocentric stories.)

And remember, if you don’t see sky ninja stalking you from above, that just means they’re doing their job.

Today I came across two more concepts, both more design-oriented and thus more related to Datamancer-style object modification: modpunk and eamespunk. Both are suggested somewhat facetiously, but I think it would be worth exploring what the -punk aesthetic is and what it means to apply it to the Victorian, pulp, or any other era.

Thoughts?

My first steampunk article was a pair of round, black sunglasses decorated with silver 1920s watch parts. It was a visual prop for a story I was writing about a woman with a mechanical eye. That was about a year ago, and I didn’t know what steampunk was, nor was I making jewelry.

The first piece of jewelry I made was a brass medallion with a picture of Oscar Wilde sealed to it. I made it because I had bought one and it fell apart almost immediately. I was pissed, and I thought “I can do better than that,” and I did. From this came other medallions and other jewelry and, eventually the roots of the pieces I’m making now.

I learned of the idea of steampunk by reading descriptions of work by artists, artisans, musicians, and writers who I admired. I’ve always loved Victoriana, and I’ve always loved tinkering with mechanical things. Discovering a movement that combined them was incredible!

As for upcycling (a fancy word for recycling things into something nicer), it comes from the miser in me. I’m horrified by the amount of perfectly usable things that people throw away. Wresting beauty from discarded things is a game for me. It’s a challenge and a delight.

Do you think green ethics and the steampunk culture are natural partners because of the popularity of antiques and vintage in steampunk?

That’s a complicated question. On one hand, tinkering, upcycling, and repurposing are at the core of steampunk. We’re natural recyclers. Cannibals, even. So yes, absolutely.

On the other hand, steam power in the 19th century was filthy! Some of the worst pollution we’ve ever known came from burning coal, and it caused massive environmental destruction and horrendous, widespread health problems. I know this point is academic, of course, but part of me still associates the idea of steam power with soot-blackened walls and windows, air heavy with particulates, and deadly, choking fogs creeping through the streets.

But maybe that’s just me.

You’re one of the few people on Etsy offering RFID shielded products. What got you interested in data protection?

About two years ago, my favorite purse finally gave up the ghost. That’s when I started making handbags. My first design was a passport case, which prompted a friend to suggest adding RFID-shielding material. The degree of vulnerability to which the U.S. government and credit card companies subject us through unencrypted RFID chips in credit cards and passports is frightening. The technology is supposed to make things more secure, and it does–for the credit card companies. But in exchange, they open up a new avenue for identity theft.

My initial data-shielding bags were brightly colored, quilted, and very feminine. People seemed to like the juxtaposition of floral prints with talk of data-shielding and radio frequency transmission.

The designs are moving more toward steampunk, as I build up stock for Steam Powered in October. Most of the handbags have been sold by word of mouth, and I’m always open to do commissions.

How do you choose the featured people for your Legends and Heroes lines?

Honestly? These are just people who I think are neat. Either I admire their work, or something about their lives struck me as heroic. I try to share this information in the blurb that accompanies each medallion. That most of the people lived during the late 19th and early 20th century is coincidence.

Do you see yourself in the future producing more steampunk designs or branching out?

Both. I love steampunk. It’s the embodiment of so many ideas that resonate very deeply with me. At the same time, a person’s style needs to grow and change, or risk becoming stale. If at some point, my style strays too far from what people consider steampunk, they’re welcome to call it something else.

Besides, you just can’t get cheap busted pocket watches anymore.

Jessica’s work can be found on Etsy.

While most are far beyond the price range of us mere mortals, and many are a bit more fantasy than practical couture, there are two good things about the presence of steampunk elements in high fashion. First, of course, they can inspire our clothing choices even if we’re not copying the more outrageous elements of the costumes. Second, high fashion trickles down, eventually ending up in your local Macy’s or Target where those accessories are affordable and where you may even find it translated into a style that’s suitable for everyday wear as well as high tea and promenade aboard the move fashionable of airships.

Some pieces take longer than others. I’ve had watch plates sitting out in my work area for weeks until something just clicks. Often it’s simply a matter of setting another piece next it and something sparks. Other pieces immediately hint at possibilities. There can be a certain shape or curve or perhaps time has left a colorful patina. With older watch parts many time there is some kind of decorative etching or even inscriptions by the maker that beg to be highlighted.

What do you consider the benefits of working with so many found materials?

While I don’t believe old watches are ever destined for a landfill, I have salvaged old auto parts that were. For example, these were built around stock hose clamps from a classic Camaro. The original clamps aren’t as good as aftermarket and both my husband and father in law would discard them. I get a kick out of taking what is essentially trash, cleaning it up, and making it desirable again. It just goes to show it’s all in how you look at something.

Your collaborations with TotusMel, especially the Widow’s Weeds brooch, are very unique. How did they come about?

Thank you! I am never content to stick with what works. I will always make certain pieces that are well received but I will always balance that with something new. Some things do well and some things don’t. That particular piece came out of wanting to create something softer. Gears and watch bits are hard and sharp. I wanted to give them an almost heirloom feel, like something you found in Grandma’s hope chest. We had so much fun with that concept, TotusMel opened up the idea to the rest of our group as a contest.

You have a “for him” section in your shop. Do you think masculine accessories are often overlooked?

Oh definitely. Jewelry for men is fairly limited to begin with so while I’m hunting for new beads and such I keep an eye out for semi-precious stones with a masculine feel. Anything to provide some variety. Probably about a third of my customers are men and I enjoy the challenge of creating new pieces for that section.

You mention that you are a homeschooling mother. Any tips for those who think they don’t have time to craft?

You have to decide what’s important to you. For example, I don’t watch television. To relax I make something. Currently I’m learning to needle felt. I think when you take a great deal of satisfaction in something you’ll find time for it. I also include my daughters, they’re 14 and 16, whenever I can. My youngest is actually my business partner for a new Etsy shop.

Where do you see your work going in the next six months or year?

Everywhere! OK, seriously I see myself learning new techniques all the time. After I get this needle felting thing down, metalworking is next. Card and print making will work themselves in there somewhere as my youngest wants to do Gocco printing. So basically whatever I did last month isn’t going to be what I do next month. One thing I do want to do more of is cross-genre work, ie. steam/dieselpunk and more Weird West and Victoriental. I think London-centric steampunk and Victoriana is very well represented and I want to branch out some.

Lily can be found on Etsy.