May Book Review: Jema Hewitt's 'Steampunk Emporium'

A beautiful backstory, stunning layout and premise...of all the craft books I’ve read, none were able to draw me as much as this title. Jema Hewitt, also answering to her steam punk persona of Emily Ladybird, entrepreneur and explorer, does an incredible job using her crafts to make her steam punk world a reality, inviting the readers to join in her adventures from encountering space pirates to robotic tea parties.

For those who are unfamiliar with the concept of ‘steam punk’, a popular cosplay genre, the dress style is a sort of ‘Victorian sci-fi’, all clockwork and mechanical as the future was envisioned to be at the time. 

The book is divided into sections according to one of Ms Ladybird’s fantastic settings, like her voyage discovering Atlantis and its underwater treasures or her expedition to Jurassic Valley. She integrates each of her projects with a backstory, if anything adding to the allure of making them yourself! I for one would love to create my own Ocean Gate Key Device, a pendant made of marbled polymer clay with various jewels and cogs that can open the gates of Atlantis.

Despite the whimsy of her tone and text, superb photography and amazing backstories, the one downside I have to highlight is the complexity of the projects. Seriously, the list of tools needed for certain projects goes on for 3 pages! Maybe if you’re a hardcore steampunk follower you could take apart a clock in your sleep, but for the rest of us the idea is a little daunting. However, I’ve picked up some great moulding tips, like her marbled clay technique to fuse different colored clay into a gorgeous rainbow effect. Some projects are more geared towards beginners, like her Azure Cog earrings or the Empire Medal. 

Either way, I love rereading it over and over for the amazing photography and to get a glimpse into the quirky yet stunning world of Ms Ladybird. Please write a sequel, Ms Hewitt!!

Final Score: 4/5

Witches of Oz

I wanted to share my debut designs for the two witches of Oz for the performance this weekend.

The director said she wanted the witches to have complimenting themes, a yin and yang with the same profile. I went along with the thought that, like in the musical Wicked, both witches attended the same school. When done they received the same uniform, but over time as they went their separate ways they embellished their dresses with their own personalities. The wicked witch’s is restricted, edgy and hard edged with a higher stiff collar and her skirt shredded along the layers (I thought that perhaps the flying monkeys could have gone crazy when they did her laundry!). Glinda’s meanwhile is simplistic yet elegant, showing her natural goodness in a simple profile but embellished with pink acrylic stones.

Both looks have a ‘bubble’ under skirt, in contrast to the flat edge of traditional ballet tutu. Both have layers of soft chiffon cut in a ‘tear’ shape. The jacket is based on the Victorian panel style.

Since they’re both witches, I wanted to give them both iconic cones hats, in a fascinator style. While the wicked witch’s is decorated with fabric leftovers in a veil style, Glinda’s is decorated in the same scattered gem design. In the lightning on stage she looks amazing!

For the first full costumes I’ve ever created to be worn on stage, I am very proud of both looks!!