Steampunk Q&A with Lorelei Eurto

I really like this optical jewellery, and hope there can be more great resources like this.

For Sara: Steampunk jewelry is inspired by a literary style of the same name. Steampunk literature (think H.G. Wells and Jules Verne) is set in the Victorian era (when steam power waswidely used) with elements of science fiction and fantasy mixed in.

For Lorraine: If you have pictures of your pieces, we'd love to see them. (editor@beadstylemag.com)

I recently purchased two "steampunk" design books, and although I find some of the designs shown in the books to be quite strange looking (and some look difficult to wear comfortably), I do appreciate the creativity involved in them. The steampunk style has inspired me to think about using less traditional materials in my designs, as well as using traditional materials in different ways than I might have previously. As a result, I recently created two very unique bracelets using a combination of new & vintage beads together with materials taken from "used" jewelry that I purchased at a local craft show. One of the used pieces was actually broken, but there were parts of it that I used in my design, resulting in a beautiful one-of-a-kind bracelet that one of my friends will receive as a holiday gift!

I have absolutly no idea what steampunk is

I'm not a fan of steampunk. I think the name is silly, for one thing. I'm surprised it has lasted this long, because it seems faddish.