Showing posts with label gift buying guide. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gift buying guide. Show all posts

Artist Profile: Kim from SassySteampunk

Today's blog is a feature on that amazing Steampunk artisan Kim, from the etsy store Sassysteampunk.

First things first: what is Steampunk?
Becoming popular in the late 1980s, Steampunk is possibly a sub-genre of Cyberpunk and takes inspiration from Sci-Fi, fantasy, parallel histories, and  history meets future. There is an emphasis on steam or clockwork propelled engines, and modernistic inventions with an historical twist. I personally think of it as Jules Verne on Acid..... but I'm a classic goth, what would I know???

Kim of SassySteampunk
Kim hales from Alberta, Canada, her family comprises of two adult daughters, two grandchildren and two dogs. She is a jewellery maker and creates steampunk and goth inspired treasures. She is also a painter and designs tattoos although she states that she has known of her own.....yet.
An avid collector of blue dragonflies, and a fan of horror movies; collects glass orbs and also makes soap; what else inspires our steampunk artisan?
Inspirations
What inspires our Sassy Steampunk Kim?  Kim said that she was initially interested in designing and creating steampunk items  after seeing the video for Ben Lovett's song 'Eye of the Storm'. She has been interested in the steampunk genre for over four years, when initially she sold old watch parts. (think cogs, dials, cases, so cool!)

Kim's sassysteampunk treasures
Batlings, as you know I'm a traditional goth, i am into black lace, lush velvet, bats.... dripping candles ... knee high boots, and opera gloves....so some of you may be surprised, and exclaim in horror as you are overcome in a stupor when I tell you that I am a fan of the etsy shop sassysteampunk

I seriously believe you do not have to be a steampunk aficionado to love her work!  
I have purchased several amazing jewellery items from her, and they are beautifully made unique accessories that are a pleasure and honour to wear! 

One of my fave pieces that I have purchased from Kim's shop is a small ring that comprises  a dismembered watch set on a silver plate ring base and features a crystal as a focal point. I also have a gorgeous dragonfly altered art domino necklace, a beautiful bat cuff and a lovely bat necklace.

Kim is a true artist, as can be seen by her beautifully designed and created pieces, I encourage all of you to take time to browse her shop and buy yourself something delightful from her beautiful wares.





............................................................................................................... Please visit me on etsy! www.etsy.com/shop/empressbat handcrafted gothic goodies at bargain prices. see me on etsy! www.etsy.com/shop/empressbat ...Please visit me on etsy! www.etsy.com/shop/empressbat handcrafted gothic goodies at bargain prices. see me on etsy! www.etsy.com/shop/empressbat

Favourite gothic etsy stores (part one)

It is a rewarding experience becoming a part of etsy. It isn't just about selling items, it is about meeting like minded people, finding etsy stores that sell things I really like and usually have to make for myself if i want them as they are not commercially available, and seeing all the great ideas and artwork of other people. It is a huge global community of artisans and I really enjoy being a part of it.

I created a team on etsy called goth n gorgeous, and we have really great active, talented members on board.  I am the 'captain' of the team, and have appointed some cool etsians as leaders to help support and motivate the team.  The leaders in the goth n gorgeous team have really funky shops please have a look at them: there is Jynxx;  ghostgap,  Lady Nocturna, deepmidnightbathery and UlZaorith.

All members of our team are encouraged to be an active part of our virtual artisan community, and we encourage and support each other in our handicrafts and art.  Our team doesn't bow to egos, as our common goal is to promote each others work, provide inspiration and encouragement, and to have a fun time while doing it.

In today's blog I would like to share with you all some of my favourite etsy stores.
This list could go on and on and on, but here are just a few , please check these guys out, they make some very cool things.  Have a browse in their stores, make a purchase or three.

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ghostgap:
The owner of this store, Julia, is a very talented lady who makes the most imaginative and cute creations.
She also chats to me over etsy mail and keeps me occupied while im on train journeys to work.. which i find a great distraction to my almost two hour commute to work each day, because she is in USA and I am in Australia she is usually settling down for an evening of relaxation as I am venturing out on public transport of a morning trying to avoid the feral humans spitting on the train ....

With a Halloween twist, her items include such greats as : a pirate trinket box, a miniature Halloween house, and a black cat necklace.

Julia is friendly and approachable and committed to excellence in customer service. Her second etsy shop is angels and crafts and there you will find an array of gorgeous angel themed items, and gentle accessories like this sweet barrette. I personally like her birthstone angel for November (because its all about me.. well my birth month anyway!). I have recently ordered a custom made trinket box from her, Julia is happy to accommodate custom orders.

Her work is high quality and you can see that she is passionate about what she does. Please visit her stores and make a purchase, ideal for gifts for whatever holiday you subscribe too!


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Moira Coon


The items in this store contain such treasures as reproduction Victoriana ephemera, I am particularly fond of the pendants that are made to look like vintage poison bottles. My favourite being the arsenic bottle pendant. I am also impressed that the store owner tries to use recycled packaging wherever possible.




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Moonie Tricks Designs


This lady is an inspiration. read her profile on etsy and see how she has motivated herself after facing adversity.  I personally admire her for her positive attitue and her self discipline and her very attitude is inspiration and motivation to others.

I have purchased one of her items, a gorgeous bat lanyard clip, and use it at work all the time. It is high quality, looks beautiful, and is very useful. She has so many beautiful hand made items to sell in her shop, you need to visit it to see for yourself!  I am a happy customer of her store and can vouch for her high quality items and wonderful customer service.


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Jynxx Designs


Jynxx makes the most inventive, amazing, charm bracelets I have ever seen (and hey I make my own charm bracelets, and hers are FAR superior to anything I could make!) I have purchased a rat inspired charm bracelet from her and am excitedly waiting for its arrival in the post! You really need to have a look around her etsy store to see the amazing jewellery she has created. A halloween bracelet she has made that features spiders, cats, witches and other amazing beads and charms looks so beautiful and is so well made you would expect it to be selling for $100 or more, but she keeps all her prices fair. I also really like a black cat bracelet she has made, and am secretly hoping nobody else will buy it yet, as I want to buy it for myself as soon as i have some cash!!


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deepmidnightbathery

Catrianna (Cat) is a perfume artisan who concocts amazing unique and ethereal fragrant fantasies!
I have recently ordered one of her sample packs so I can decide which ones i prefer to buy as a larger vial.  Cat respects animals and her products are vegan, scores BIG POINTS with me!

Cat is a highly skilled artisan, she is friendly and helpful, I contacted her to ask for suggestions for which of her perfumes she thought I would like and she provided a thoughtful, honest and quick response to me. She is well schooled in alternative therapies and has an eclectic collection of formal qualifications and her products reflect her knowledge, imagination and amazing abilities, please note that her products are kind to the environment and kind to the humans that use them being both Pthalate and Paraben free.  




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Please note that this is PART ONE of a series of reviews I am writing regarding etsy shops that appeal to me, stay tuned for more. Feel free to comment on any of my postings i welcome feedback and ideas.

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