Steampunk & Shuttle Bling

Steampunk according to Wikipedia:

Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction, alternate history, and speculative fiction that came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s.[1] Specifically, steampunk involves an era or world where steam power is still widely used—usually the 19th century and often Victorian era Britain—that incorporates prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy. Works of steampunk often feature anachronistic technology or futuristic innovations as Victorians may have envisioned them; in other words, based on a Victorian perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, art, etc. This technology may include such fictional machines as those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne or real technologies like the computer but developed earlier in an alternate history.

So now you know. Right? I was reading on Pin Tangle about Sharon's daughter's performance in Clockwork Butterfly and she linked to some google images of Steampunk Fashion which still didn't define it for me. Now that I know steam power is a relevant aspect of it.....I sorta get it. LOL!

Shuttle Bling isn't new. We just have better ways to bling. It wasn't all that many years ago that I was having fun painting shuttles. These are what I have left.

The first three were not quite up to par, in my eyes and the last two were amongst my favorites. The last one is hand painted and I kept it for ME. I have to admit I decorated them (what we called it 5 years ago) just for the fun of it. I didn't consider them terribly useful for tatting, but they weren't Clovers and I am partial to Clovers for my working shuttles. I've also received some as gifts, here and here and here, and they were Clovers. (Sherry Townsend, Gail Owens, Sue Hanson) Here are some painted by Sherry Townsend back then. I think she sold them on Ebay.

We used a lot of nail polish then. I eventually started using acrylics and painted much of the detail myself. I really do like these nail decals to add just a little touch of personalization now. I'd like to try a little decoupage too but it will have to wait until a slower time for me.