Unique Steampunk Gift Ideas 2010

Egads! The holiday gift-giving season is again upon us, bringing trepidation to those who must ask themselves, "what am I going to buy for my steampunk friends/family?!"

Never fear!  Your beloved (well-liked?) DreamSteam has found some ideas for you to peruse.

Brute Force Studios has several choices for the hard-to-buy-for steampunk.  Handmade corsets, book covers, and leather and brass fans abound on their site.  (Clockwork brassiere, anyone?)

 In case you have not seen these yet, Harbor Freight carries charming, working brass transits and sundials/compasses almost all year long.  They cost between $10 and $26.  (I own both and have also given them as gifts.)

The steampunk handy-person might enjoy using a tool made in a different era.  Vintage tools are apparently becoming a big deal in a niche market catering to those who want the right tool for the job and to look stylish while doing it!  Vintage Tools has a wide selection of hand tools.

For the steamy fashionista,  Pyramid Collection has skirts, shirts, jackets, and hats with buckles and style galore at fairly reasonable prices.

Alternatively, if you wish to support individuals who make their own steampunk items by hand, do look to ArtFire or Etsy.  Both have thriving steampunk categories, and if you buy there, you will make an artist very happy! (Links are suggestions, do a 'steampunk' search to find other wonderful artists on the sites.)  Jewelry, journals, goggles, clothing, toys, gadgets, you name it -- all can be found there in a twinkle.  

Butterfly Gear Necklace from DreamSteam's ArtFire shop

This is just the beginning of the gift guide ideas.  I will add more as I find them.  Also check out the tag cloud on the right hand edge of this blog page for specific shopping topics that you may desire to see; many tags contain posts regarding and links to more excellent merchants that I have mentioned in the past (parasols, brooches, toys, jewelry, collectibles, clothing, and more).   Happy shopping!

Chandeliers by Eva Menz: Sculptural Creativity

As they become a spectacular centerpiece all on their own, the amazing creations by designer Eve Menz seem to add a lot more to interior spaces than just light. Breaking away from tradition, the chandeliers seem to be borrowing origami patterns while taking vivid and vivacious shapes that vary from a vintage looking wooden finish to an ultra-modern crystalline design. While some look like drops of rain suspended in air and frozen in time, others spread romantic vibes with scarlet delights. But the best thing is that they look like potential DIY models. Either get yourself going or get the creative Eve Menz to do it for you. Simply adoring. [via ApartmentTherapy]

Royal Marine Tripod – vintage nautical elegance

Add a vintage nautical feel to your home with this floor lamp, a reproduction of a British surveyor’s tripod. Made by solid wood and solid cast aluminum parts, the tripod is a perfect solution if you’re seeking an eye-catching piece of lighting. Royal Marine Tripod is quite flexible – it features a machine-turned gear mechanism, a handle for adjusting the telescopic tripod base and a lamp head with white Flare shade that can be positioned up or down. To enjoy this exquisite lamp in your living-room you’ll need a 150W max. bulb and $ 1,250. Also check out this article on how to make a lampshade.

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Spotted: Film & Fashion

In shades of grey: 1. and 3. Self-portraits (Esther from the Sticks) 2. Petit Ami (Elephantine) 4. In my heart of hearts tank (Neena Creates) 5. Mini vintage photos of Capbreton, France (La Pomme)

Spotted: Blue & Cream

1. Fog Linen Work Towel (Horne) 2. Homespun Blue Vintage Pillow (Enhabiten) 3. West Third Brand Home & Body Fragrance (Terrain) 4. Hotel Splendide Paperback mug (Art Meets Matter)

Crosley reproduction radios and phones

You might have seen some of Crosley's retro turntables at national retailers. Crosley has a much larger line of reproduction audio and telephone products.

All of their items have current technology inside including USB connections, CD recorders, XM radio depending on the model.

Items range from Victorian to 50's in style so finding items to fit your decor should be easy. Their products make more design sense when your trying to finish a room with a historical design or other decor where modern items just do not work.

The line of phones will work on any system that provides a normal phone jack. So VoIP with a router hooked into your home wiring or other systems that provide a normal land line connection at the end should work with their phones. With an adapter you could even use these phones with free services like Skype. Find out more and see more products at the Crosley website.

Crosley reproduction radios and phones

You might have seen some of Crosley's retro turntables at national retailers. Crosley has a much larger line of reproduction audio and telephone products.

All of their items have current technology inside including USB connections, CD recorders, XM radio depending on the model.

Items range from Victorian to 50's in style so finding items to fit your decor should be easy. Their products make more design sense when your trying to finish a room with a historical design or other decor where modern items just do not work.

The line of phones will work on any system that provides a normal phone jack. So VoIP with a router hooked into your home wiring or other systems that provide a normal land line connection at the end should work with their phones. With an adapter you could even use these phones with free services like Skype. Find out more and see more products at the Crosley website.