Tarot

In The Symbolism of the Tarot, author P.D. Ouspensky writes:

An idea or symbol can only remain vibrant and changing as long as we do not try to define it.

By defining a concept, we raise boundaries and limit its growth.

This concept seems perfect when contemplating the meaning(s) of Steampunk.  It’s like a liquid -- ever changing in form.  And this is why it is so exciting.

Joan accepts comments, questions, and commissions at thilgesh@myclearwave.net.

In the words of Lawrence of Arabia ...

when told he was a clown,

“We can’t all be lion tamers”

Joan wonders....

What would a Steampunk clown look like?  What about a time-traveling clown?  

There are few, if any, images of cosplay Steampunk clowns. The possibility that they could exist at all appears to fall into uncharted territory. And yet, the idea intrigued....

From the depths of my mind I saw images of copper tubing, brown tulle, and rusty metal. These had to be the ingredients for concocting a clown, but how? Where would I be able to find fine, small gauge copper tubing? Rusty metal strips?  Entering the legendary land of Google provided an education -- evidently such things do exist in other worlds.  

And so you will see.

She lives! 

But, alas, she seems unfinished. Does she need a hat, or clown shoes or even possibly a mask? What will work?  What do you think? 

We shall see.

Resources:

Joan's steampunk clown is Iplehouse Cocoori. Iplehouse dolls can be found at:

http://www.iplehouse.net

Cocoori's wig was done by Michele. You can find Michele's shop at:
http://www.thedollpage.com/marketplace/store.php?login=mhardy&category=All+items&order=item&page=10&rows_per_page=10

Joan accepts comments and commissions from admirers. She can be reached at thilgesh@myclearwave.net.

Doctor J Ponders

I am blessed with generous friends who give me magic things like decorations from vintage hats, unusual bits and bobs of indeterminate age, lengths of naturally aged leather and suede, and strips of copper and brass dark with the natural patina that maturity so graciously grants. I ask you ... aren't these things begging to be used in some way that honors their age?

Add these bits and bobs to some high end quilting cottons, a wonderful dobby weave vintage man's shirt, a new Saint faceplate received yesterday for a Dollshe abjd who will eventually have his lovely Bernard sculpt appropriately faced up, and we've got the genesis for invention. Here's what I have just now:

What I envision is long black suede trousers, a full sleeved Victorian male shirt with traditional bib front, a vest from that lovely mottled chocolate brown fabric (trimmed with the copper "ribbon"), a sleeveless tailcoat from the scholarly cotton, assorted and sundry accessories, and a top hat. I'm not entirely sure about the shirt fabric, though. What say you? Would a cream cotton, or perhaps a moss green, work better? What about pure white? Please feel free to select your choice on the poll -- which should be somewhere here on my page!

Resources:

The Dollshe Saint faceplate was faced up by Virginia. She can be reached through her website at http://www.forevervirginia.com

If you're old enough, you might remember a lyric in the musical Grease ...

Grease is the word!

Artisans Joan and Julie would probably swap in a different term:

Steam is the word!

The great thing about Steampunk is that there are as many interpretations as there are adherents to and/or admirers of the genre. Join us on our journey as we traverse timescapes.