There’s something about mechanical constructions of brass cogs and gears that serves as an antidote to the silent, hidden workings of today’s digital tech. So it’s no surprise that “steampunk,” which combines the aesthetic of a non-existent, clockwork-driven Victorian high-tech…
There’s something about mechanical constructions of brass cogs and gears that serves as an antidote to the silent, hidden workings of today’s digital tech.
So it’s no surprise that “steampunk,” which combines the aesthetic of a non-existent, clockwork-driven Victorian high-tech boom with a healthy DIY attitude, is getting crazy popular. For proof, look no further than the upcoming Maker Faire, which is expected to draw thousands of visitors and hundreds of exhibitors, many of whose homemade contraptions have a decidedly Victorian aesthetic.
Sure, we don’t really want to throw out our MacBooks and replace them with Difference Engines, even if they would work with our iPods, but there are plenty of crafty people out there willing to satisfy our retro-lust with custom made, one-off designs. This hand-made ethic fits perfectly into the steampunk best, and the results can be beautiful.
We spoke to steampunk jeweler Ricky Wolbrom about the process of making and selling her clockwork tchotchkes. The rings, cufflinks and brooches are combinations of silver filigree and vintage Swiss watch parts. They can take hours or days to put together, and Ricky sells her pieces through the on the internet marketplace for crafters, Etsy. This combination of the internet and the cottage industry seems perfect for the old-new world of steampunk. Ricky talked to Gadget Lab about the future of the bespoke.
Gadget Lab: How is Etsy working for you? The site is astounding, but do you actually sell much through it?
Ricky Wolbrom: Etsy is truly a breath of fresh air and caters to a more informed and eclectic crowd than say, some other auction site. The site is growing at a tremendous rate and sales are always increasing. Many people have become independent at this point on Etsy and in the short time I’ve been an active member I have over 170 sales. The most rewarding thing is that I can get my work out there to people who really want and appreciate it.
GL: Why do you think Steampunk is so popular? It’s kind of “fake nostalgia” for things that never were, right?
RW: Steampunk is somewhat of a cross between Victorian and industrial, so both things existed at one point, though many elements found in Steampunk never existed simultaneously. It gets its popularity from a growing resistance to corporate modernization, the mass commercialization of virtually everything, coupled with the surge of nostalgia for all things vintage and antique.
GL: Do you find the pieces and put them together, or do you design things and then set out to find the bits you need?
RW: Both. I’ve always been a collector of antiques from books to furniture to jewelry. Sometimes I’ve an idea in mind and cull through mounds of collectables to create what I want, other times pieces will jump out as though they were made to be combined and I can’t put them together fast enough.
GL: How long do these things take you? $65 seems pretty cheap for handcrafted jewelry. Do you suffer for the cheapness of on the internet shopping i.e. people expect to get a bargain when they purchase on the web?
RW: Some designs, especially staple accessories like simple watch movements mounted to cufflink bases or ring forms can be created fairly swiftly. Yet, there can be pieces that can take hours or even days to complete as the detailing is intricate and laborious. The common denominator in all my designs is that I get a big rush witnessing old pieces and parts take new shape. They pass through so many hands before they’re completed and take on a new life.
Pricing will vary based on costs, time, scarcity and most of all the uniqueness of the designs. I find that people tend to anticipate the virtual marketplace to be less pricey than for instance a boutique where one would have to go to find the style of jewelry and one of a kind pieces that I offer. My pricing is generally lower online than the pieces I sell through commissions or boutiques.
GL: Do you think that people like you bridge the gap between people wanting handmade, one-off designs but being too lazy/unskilled to actually making them?
RW: It’s my impression that most people just “want to have it” and don’t really want to be bothered with the whole process of making these styles of jewelry themselves. But this can be stated of nearly all jewelry and mass manufactured items. Those that want and can attempt often do succeed. Shoppers that are of the “Gotta have it now, don’t care”, do just that - Purchase the ready made piece, particularly when they see that it is a one of a kind, handmade item. They won’t find themselves staring at their accessories on everyone around them.
GL: Tell me something interesting. A story or some thoughts on steampunk or your work in general.
RW: One of the most rewarding things about this type of jewelry is giving new life to broken and forgotten treasures. What many people cast off as junk and “old fashioned” is, to me, gorgeous and beautiful art. The care and quality that went into making the timepieces and vintage findings I use hardly exists this day, and it’s wonderful to see these exquisite works of art showcased in a way that honors this craftsmanship. Anyone can see that these clockworks are as stunning as any other piece of jewelry.
Product Page [EDM Designs at Etsy]
Via [wired.com]
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