Something Steampunk This Way Comes

I've always had a soft spot for Steampunk. A lot of it has to do with the Victorian attire at the heart of it, which is something it has in common with Goth; trading black and silver for brown and brass, much of the attire is just the same. There's even a Steamgoth subgenre that blurs the distinction between the two even further. And I don't think that's a bad thing.

Plus, they both have corsets. I have a thing for those.

Much like the 'Gothling' category (for lack of a better word), I've had an interest in designing stuff for the Steampunk/goth crowd, but never got around to it. I had my first chance with the now-concluded Burlesque vs. Steampunk Hunt. Originally I was going to go all-out for it, and had even planned to make entire outfits. Then something even more exciting came around at roughly the same time: Bronxelf announced the A Clockwork Spiral event. With the rousing success of the last World Goth Fair, I jumped at the chance in participating in another Cursed charity event with a line-up of amazing talent. You can check out all the hows and what-fors of the event in the link above. Suffice it to say, I knew right away I'd want to focus my attention on bringing the best new merchandise I could to the event. While I was happy with my hunt item, this is where my attention would go.

Sadly, time and real life conspired against me and I couldn't bring half of what I'd planned to the event. But I do have a handful of items available in my little storefront there, and once again I'm happy with the results and pleased to be part of yet another fundraiser event.

So without further ado, here's a quick look at what I'm offering:

@->~ISD Clockwork Spiral Corsets

Rigged mesh corset in five sizes. There are three 'tightness' variations available (what I've personally dubbed Loose, Fitted and 'Ribs? Who Needs Ribs?'), each available separately for L$200. These corset will be available after the event, but I encourage you to buy them this weekend if you can, since half of the proceeds go to charity.

@->~ISD Clockwork Spiral Cane

Unrigged mesh cane with a built-in hand grip AO. The cane is copy/mod sit it can both be resized and if desired, the AO removed. This item is an ACS event exclusive, selling for L$100 with all proceeds going to charity.

@->~ISD Clockwork Spiral Necklace

Mesh gears and spring coils in red copper suspended from a sculpted 'vine' cord of engraved iron. Female fit, but copy/mod for custom fitting.  Also an ACS event exclusive, L$100 and 100% to charity.

@->~ISD Clockwork Spiral Eyes

Unrigged mesh eyes, rusted scrollwork sclera and engraved brass pupils. The package includes three different pupil sizes and an alpha layer that hides both system eyes and eyelashes. Work for all genders and most species (they'll even fit petites with a little bit of prim wrangling), and copy/mod to help that along. ASC event exclusive, 100% charity item also for L$100.

And finally, my little storefront has a gacha machine. The prize:
@->~ISD Clockwork Spiral Goggles

100% unrigged mesh unisex goggles, red copper eyepieces and gears with black leather straps. Eight colors of lenses are loaded into the gacha, with adjustable transparency (manual edit, not scripted).  There's also one rare prize loaded, a scripted color-change pair with all eight colors.
The gacha is L$30 a pull, with half the proceeds going directly to charity.

@->~~~~~~~<-@

Like other past charity events, my only wish is that I had more to offer, but like those events I'm more than happy to help out the cause in any way I can. If you want to help out more towards the charity (the National Kidney Foundation) beyond the generous merchants at the event, there are donation jars around the entire grounds and several DJs playing over the weekend in fundraising shows (including a big show with a Best in Steampunk contest—check the site for details), and you can donate directly to the NKF.

The event is through this weekend only, Sept. 18th-22nd. But a little Broxelf birdie tells me that if the event does well, it'll be extended to an entire week next time around. So let's do what we can to make it a success and help out a great cause.

You can get a direct LM to my storefront by clicking on the ACS sign on the New Releases wall of the @->~ISD store.

Stay Beautiful (and Steamy),

        ☥ Stacey

Barker? I hardly knew 'er!

It's that special time again that only comes around twice a year, and I don't mean your haircut. September is here, which means the Twisted Hunt has landed on us all again.

If you don't know what the Twisted Hunt is, it's one of the oldest (if not the oldest) grid hunt in Second Life. There's been many imitators over the years, and now dozens of grid hunts every month, but Twisted still holds a special place for those that have done it, either as a hunter, a merchant or like me, both. This was THE hunt I wanted to get in on when I opened shop. And now I'm on my fourth romp into the insanity. If this is your first time, please take the time to read through the website. It won't stop you from going insane, but it will slow down the process and maybe even make it a somewhat enjoyable trip.

The theme this time around is Carnival. Not a new theme as far as hunts go, but Twisted being Twisted, well... I think that scary clowns will be the least of your worries.

While it would have been easy to take the macabre route for the theme, seeing as how easily it lends itself into Goth, I decided to keep it a little more traditional.

There are three gifts in total: two outfits in the main path and the doll key on the Petite path.

• The Circus Tent outfit is comprised of an underbust mesh corset and mesh v-front skirt, both in 5 sizes. The velvet long-sleeved crop top comes in three clothing leyers, and a Lolas Tango applier for both top and bra layers.
• The Ringleader outfit is a mesh vest and pants, also in 5 sizes each. The velvet pullover shirt likewise comes in three clothing layers (plus pants and underwear layer for the bottom) with an unrigged mesh collar.
• The 3-Ring Circus Petite Doll Key includes both a rotating and static (non-rotating) key

All prizes and their components are copy/mod.

In addition to the three hunt prizes, there are two gacha machines set up in the store.

I'm particularly tickled with how the eyes turned out. It quicly went form "I wonder how this will turn out?" to "Oh, these things just scream Twisted!"

(it's not a perfect loop, but you get the idea)

 Both gachas are L$20 a pop, ten prizes and one rare each. All prizes are mod/trans for trading or gifting. The cheek piercings are ready to wear out of the machine, but the eyes are boxed. I've set up a small rezzing area for you to open them up. Look for the Lament Cube stripe around the gacha:

Even though it has an auto-return in effect, please be kind and clean up when you're done.

Best of luck with the Twisted Hunt, and all the fabulous prizes along the way. I hope you—

"HEY! What about the other stuff in the picture??"

Oh, you mean the top hats, the collar, bowtie and the shoes?

"Yeah! They're not in the prizes! What kinda scam is this?!?"

Don't get your panties in a bunch. You can have them too. They're in the chest in the middle of the store.

"...What's the catch?"

Oh, so you ARE familiar with Twisted Hunts. Good. If you want the extra prizes, you'll have to do a little more hunting. For all the gory details on the mini-hunt, click on the easel next to the chest for a notecard.

@->~~~~
That really is all, now. Have a Twisted September, everyone.
Stay Beautiful,
          ☥ Stacey