It was EPIC! 2014 Steampunk Soiree

I was fortunate enough to be able to attend Epic Paper Arts 2014 event, the Steampunk Soiree.  This 3+ day event was held at the end of July-beginning of August in the Washington DC area.  It was an event put on by Kathryn Krieger (Kathryn Scraps), Jim Hankins (The Gentleman Crafter) and Kathy Orta (Paper Phenomenon), who each designed a project especially for the Soiree and then taught us how to make them.

There was so much more than the projects - the Steampunk theme carried through the event with themed hats one night, "fascinators"  and a gala costume event where the creativity of the costumes was unbelievable.  There was face painting, a themed photo booth and a cake by Charm City Cakes.
There were many terrific sponsors who provided goodies for the event.  The support staff was awesome and made this a really great time for all!

Of course one of the best things about an event like this is getting to meet so many people who share a common interest.  The Soiree was just the right size so that friendships could be made and conversations held with the Kathy, Kathryn and Jim both individually and in small groups.

Now on to the projects...
Several months before the Soiree a hint about the projects was posted - it was a Faberge egg.  I didn't know quite what to make of it but once I saw the projects I got it - they all had intricate designs on the outside and opened to even more awesomeness inside.

All of the projects featured Graphic 45's Steampunk Debutante paper, incredible chipboard designs by Blue Fern Studios enhanced with gold Mega Flakes by Indigo Blu, Prima embellishments and Tim Holtz hardware.  They each were based on a different size cylindrical papier mache box.

So here they are in their closed states - from left to right...

• Kathryn's "Radical Revolution"

• Jim's "All Geared Up" 

• Kathy's project

Let's look at each project in turn...

KATHRYN KRIEGER'S 'RADICAL REVOLUTION'

This project had the largest box - about 8" in diameter.  It sits on a simple base made from several layers of chipboard.

There are two identical chipboard cutouts that are on the sides of the boxes.  These were covered in gold flakes from Indigo Blu - you have to prepare to corral the flakes and get a little messy with this product, but the results are incredible.  I can't wait to try some of their other colors.

The lid of the rim and the base of the cylinder have patterned paper from the G45 Steampunk Debutante collection.

On the sides of the cylinder where the tw pieces of chipboard meet I used some ribbon to emulate a corset which seemed to go along with the Steampunk theme.

On all of the projects i decided to highlight the chipboard and provide a little more contrast by selectively painting the background with black acrylic paint.  Once I started, I was committed and overall I think I like the results.

The lid has Prima metal flowers and some butterfly cutouts from the paper line.

When you pull the lid off, it is attached to the revolving mini album which has a spinner on the bottom which allows it to twirl.

There are twelve pages with fold-outs so that 48 pictures can be displayed.

The pages are embellished with Prima flowers and metal embellishments as well as cut-outs from the paper line.

Didn't Kathryn design an awesome project?  I love it!

JIM HANKIN'S  "ALL GEARED UP"

Next we have Jim, the Gentleman Crafter's "All Geared Up".

This one opens up in a different manner - there are doors on the front.  At the Soiree, Jim's project didn't have the doors.  Since the chipboard and hardware was available I added them on.

This is the smallest of the containers - a little less than 6" in diameter, but the project with its crown is almost 16" tall.

The lid is permanently affixed and it is attached to the base.

The top has lots of cool embellishments.

When the doors open, a mini album is revealed.

Just had to share a picture of the back which shows the Blue Fern Studios chipboard elements off so well.

The mini album has a front and back cover and 8 pages.

I created little acetate pockets to hold some of the Artist Trading Cards I received swapping at the event.

KATHY ORTA'S PROJECT

And the third project was designed by Kathy Orta, the Paper Phenomenon.

This is the middle sized container.  I wanted it to have a little more height so I designed a taller base for it to sit on.
The little gold knobs keep the container centered on the base because it is not attached.

This one has an even different way of opening.  First the lid comes off.  The container is actually split in half vertically with a hinge on the bottom so it unfolds in the center.

Here's a snap of the top.

I love the way Kathy mioxed up the roman and "regular" numbers (I'm sure they have a name, just can't recall what it is).

Lot's of Prima and Tim Holtz goodies decorate it as well.

Inside each half has 6 "rolodex" type pockets that hold a bunch of photos- I think I have 60 in here!

I also included pockets for the remaining Artist Trading Cards I collected.






I made a video that shows the interactivity of all the projects...