Steampunk Going Mainstream?

I believe Steampunk is becoming better known. Steampunk for many people is relatively a new term.  I believe this style of jewely becoming better known is not a bad thing as long as it continues to be individually made by artists.  If steampunk becomes mass marketed in mass quanities, and no longer is a true vintage item or recycled item, then it becomes no longer unique and in my opinion the junk I am trying to get away from.  Steampunk pieces are a conversation piece, a bit of history, a rebirth for an otherwise "trashed" item. 

Too many vintage items are no longer unique due to the mass production once it got popular with the mainstream. Vintage costume jewelry is a good example.  As a vintage costume jewelry collector, there is a huge difference in the quality of craftsmanship and materials with a true vintage pin compared to a "china" made new vintage knock off.

I hope that Steampunk does not become mass marketed. I hope that people can appreciate the creative minds wrapped around these vintage and recycled items and "keep it at home".

This was a great moment, drawing Steampunk master creators Jake Von Slatt and Datamancer working together for the first time. I used to be a courtroom artist, so making drawings of people live in action is always the most fun for me. You can find more drawings of the event on my flickr account, http://flickr.com/photos/32609854@N00/

I'm slurkflickr ;)

and my website is www.suzanneforbes.com

slurketta has contributed a photo to this story.

I'm just on the costuming side of this deal but I think it's not only becoming mainstream, but taking over things that were once unique and awesome in their own right. I'm seeing a lot of people using the phrase steampunk to catergorize things that were once just stood on their own without aid of the term.

 Example: Someone recently has asked me if I had seen this awesome steampunk video by the Smashing Pumpkins... Now, I'm a huge fan of theirs, but I had to admit that I hadn't seen ANY steampunk video of theirs. The person couldn't recall the name of the song, only the imagery and as they described it to me, it dawned on me that they were talking about the "Tonight, Tonight" video from the mid-1990's. I LOVE this video, but steampunk? I mean, yes - techincally speaking. The Pumpkins were paying tribute to turn-of-the-century director Georges Méliès by mimicking bits of his 1902 film "A Trip to the Moon" which, in turn was a mash up of themes from both Jules Verne and H.G. Wells. So yes... I guess techincally it is.

My point? I don't have one really.... just chucking in my copper's worth. For my own sake, I hope that it stays on the fringes of society, lurking in damp, shady corners

I'll admit I'm a steampunk newbie, but fascinated with the style and history. I was already making jewelry with vintage buttons and other components, so it wasn't too much of a stretch to incorporate some other old hardware.

Is this mainstream? That would probably be overstating it, since I'm a part-time indie jewelry maker (Martha Stewart has yet to invite me as a guest on her show). But it may be a departure from where people who've been into steampunk for years want to see it go. I'd be interested in hearing more on this. I've know, for example, that some people who consider themselves goth find it offensive when people use the term casually to describe a look or lifestyle they don't understand and don't share. Is there a similar sentiment among steampunkers? (Is steampunkers even a word?)

Here's my website: http://calloohcallay.etsy.com

I'm also fairly new to this whole steampunk idea.  I'd have to say that I hope it stays on the fringes, once these types of things get to the public eye, they are just over-produced and cheapened.  I think that the whole appeal to these kinds of movements is in that most people are not aware of, or do not understand them.  Also, from what I've seen, one of the major tenets of steampunk is craftsmanship and attention to detail.  Mass production in this area is just the complete opposite of what steampunk seems to be founded upon.  

Fortunately, I think that the very same idea of craftsmanship, and taking one's time is enough to turn off most of the mainstream audience, who are propelled by the cheapest, quickest versions of anything.

Anyway, I'm glad I get to be a part of this and I do want other people to see the beauty of the idea, but I suppose I would prefer they be people who would respect it and appreciate it.