Clearance Sale going on until Jan 1st!

2014 is almost upon us and Steamwolf Symphony has been preparing for it's upcoming 2014 Spring line. A lot of things have changed around the shop, including the removal of the entire "Ghoul Girls" horror accessories and prints that once graced the store. I am happy to announce that Ghoul Girls now has it's very own stand alone shop here: http://shop.ghoul-girls.com. Right now on the Ghoul Girls shop you'll find lots of new prints and exclusive tentacle ornaments you can't get on SteamWolf.

SteamWolf is having a clearance sale! I am clearing out old designs and the rest of the horror accessories to make way for all the fun new things that will be added in 2014. SteamWolf has become a fantasy shop and I would like to greater reflect that in our listed items. With that being said, many of the items in the current "Clearance" section will be promptly removed on January 1st 2013. If you had something you were eyeing in that section, now is the time because I can't guarantee that those items will be coming back next year. Here is the direct link to the clearance section: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SteamWolf?section_id=14473700

Thank you very much for making this a fun and successful 2013. I've grown a lot, learned a lot and I'm on my way to being what I want to be.

Introducing Cthulhu Tentacle Ornaments!

Cosmic horrors await you this holiday season with a tribute to the Great Old Ones. No Lovecraftian inspired tree would be complete without a hellish tendril inspired by Cthulhu.

Various colors and styles are currently available on www.SteamWolf.com and the base green model is also available on the Ghoul Girls shop.  An exclusive creepy purple color will be up on the Ghoul Girls shop closer to Thanksgiving.

New horn designs!

Halloween is right around the corner and I’ve been working on some new designs for SteamWolf Symphony.

Antlers!

Mini Antlers! 

Medium Unicorn Horns!

Mini Dragon Horns!

I have also added some never before seen crazy animal tails to the shop just for Halloween! Take a look at all the new listings at www.SteamWolf.com!

Upcoming Events!

Hello, hello again my forest friends. I just wanted to stop in a moment and give you all a list of where you can expect to see SteamWolf (in conjunction with Ghoul Girls) throughout the year. I am vending a whole lot more than I expected this year and it's really exciting for me.


6/8 - LOJ Costume Kickoff Craft Faire at Clockwork Couture (Burbank, CA)

6/29 - 2nd Annual Dark Market and Attraction at Sinister Pointe (Brea, CA) 

7/5 - 7/6 - The Labyrinth of Jareth Masquerade Ball at The Park Plaza Hotel (Los Angeles, CA)

11/1 - 11/3 - Comikaze Expo at the LA Convention Center (Los Angeles, CA)

Labyrinth of Jareth Masquerade Ball 2013

Believe me when I say... I haven't forgotten about my dear LOJ. On the contrary, I am exceedingly excited to see what fantasy awaits in the realm of Sypher this year. I have been in attendance since around 2006 and as it's grown, my costuming skills have too. In fact, I credit the majority of my design and costume improvements to the ball with each passing year.




The details...

The LOJ Fantasy Masquerade Ball is a weekend of costumes and magic in Los Angeles. Inspiration and creativity meld under mask and cloak where nobles dance in the Faerie Court and legends take precious breath. Here is where our dreams are born. . .
The Labyrinth.

The Labyrinth of Jareth XVI

July 5th & July 6th

An amazing weekend of enchantment 

At the historic Park Plaza

607 S. Park View Street, Los Angeles, CA

http://labyrinthmasquerade.com/

And now for the fun news, SteamWolf Symphony will be vending at the Masquerade! We will be bringing loads of our finest trinkets and costume horns to complete your outfit for the ball. Please join us at LOJ won't you, it's two nights of magic and wonder that you won't soon forget. I have a feeling that this year will be the best yet! Tickets are still available, but you better hurry because they sell out as we get closer to the event. 

Tutorial: Mask Making

Just cross posting this from our craft Tumblr, whatsahoatzin.

It’s taken me a couple of years to really get my mask making technique down so that it looks really good and doesn't look all jankey. Here are some really easy steps so you can see how  do it.

Step 1: Materials

Typically I’ll pick up the following things to start a mask.

- Plastic Mask Base (Can be found at Joannes, Michael’s or online)

- Paperclay (Or any pulpy/paper mix that can be sanded when dry)

- Ridged Wrap

- A Roll of Foil

- Hot glue/Glue gun

- Thick Floral Wire

Step 2: Making the Base

Start by taking the foil and molding it into the shape that you want, pack it a bit tight because this will be your mask base. The foil keeps the mask light, but enables you to make it big if need be. Make sure your gluing the foil to the mask in places so it doesn't move around (don’t put the hot glue on the mask first because there is a possibility it could melt the plastic).

Step 3: Ridged Wrap

Ridged Wrap is a soft material covered in plaster, it comes out of the package hard and once wet can be molded to whatever surface and whatever shape you want it to be. Just make sure your watching your water dip bowl if you have pets because my crazy cats like to drink it and that’s probably not the best idea. Cut the wrap into smaller pieces and place it over the mask foil base that you have made. Make sure your smoothing it out as much as possible to conform to your base the way you want. Once dry it will look like the mask below, I was working on a dragon and you can see that I have almost fully wrapped the mask, I even started making horns out of foil as well.

The next image shows the final Ridged Wrapped mask and the start of the next step (Paperclay) horns being glued on.

Step 4: Paperclay

Paperclay is a really easy to use material that is pretty much a very clean version of paper mache. Once dry, it can be sanded for a smoother effect which is why I like it so much. It’s kind of a pain in the ass to work with to get smoothed out and this process takes a while but it’s worth the effort and it sticks to the dry Ridged Wrap quite well.

Cover the whole mask with a thin layer of paperclay, if you make it too thick the mask will be too heavy to wear. Keep in mind that once it drys the paperclay will be lighter after the wetness/moisture evaporates.

The image below shows somewhat of a two step process, the mask and horns were covered with paperclay (the horns I did before the mask and glued them on prior). Some of the small details like the nose and forehead ridges were added with paperclay for a better effect (sorry about the bad pics, camera phone was terrible at the time).

Step 5: Paint

Time for the fun part! Painting your mask! This is pretty self explanitory, but I would like to mention that once I painted the horns gold, I then put “Gold Leaf” on them to give them a metal look.

Step 6: The Head Strap

I don’t exactly have a picture of this so I am going to do my best to explain it. Lighter masks without all of the fancy like the one below only really need a simple elastic band or so to stay on comfortably.

However, the dragon monstrosity that I have made for the tutorial requires that I use some floral wire in a “T” shape. The “T” consists of 3 holes in the mask, the right, the left and on the very top of the mask. Measure the mask to your head and put the first piece of floral wire though the left and right, twist to secure. The second will start from the top and secure to the first piece of wire in the middle making a sort of “mask helmet” for you to wear. It’s EXTREMELY beneficial to make a helmet shape when you have something as front heavy as my dragon.

Step 7: Finish

Add feathers, add fur, add a cowl under the choice is yours! Get creative with it, but I have always found that feux fur makes an excellent base for “feather extensions”

And here is the finished mask!

The pics above were taken at the Labyrinth of Jareth Masquerade Ball 2011 with Pixie Vision Productions. All of the masks you see in the pic were made with the same technique as mine. Happy Mask Making!

Myth Masquerade Commissions

Just finished up some pretty amazing commissions for Myth Masquerade on May 25th. I needed to share because I am completely in love with both of them and if they weren't commissions... I would have kept them both for myself. :)

Commission for Hippie Rose Creations.
LED Rainbow Twisted Unicorn Horn for Myth Masquerade.
The overall horn took about a week to make and thankfully I have a pretty electrical/handy boyfriend who got this little puppy lit!

Commission for Amber.
Art nouveau inspired horned headdress for Myth Masquerade. 
Features black floral with two different gold leave and flower accents throughout. Many golds were used to create depth and help pieces stand out among the black layers. Black, smoke and amber swarovski crystals line the ridges of the horns. Lightweight asymmetrical chains with metallic beading complete the look.

Myth Masquerade 2013

I will be in attendance at Myth Masquerade 2013 on May 25th.

The event is:

"...an extravagant Masquerade EXPERIENCE that fires the imagination and elevates the senses...

High Fashion meets High Fantasy.

Music, Performance, Artistry and Inspiration collide for a decadent evening of celebration with an avant-garde, fantastical flair.

In the spirit of MYTH Masque, dismiss your mortal skin in favor of a truer form... The boundaries of reality are laughably defied as we become the impossible, through expression and costuming of the highest creative caliber  For one spectacular night, the chimerical energy we invoke is no fiction...

This is make-believe...all grown up."

I will be there in my draconian finest, bringing out an all new dragon masquerade design featuring LED crystals, adorned with transparent horns and fine furs. I am really very excited to create a water dragon and will probably retire my fantastic green dragon which I have worn over the past few years at LOJ, Myth promo images and at the SoCal Pleasure Faire.  

Myth features several tiers of tickets that range in price from $75 to $110 depending on which VIP benefits you prefer. This is Myth's second year and this time they are planning to up the ante with a vampire lounge. You can pick up your tickets here: http://mythmasque.com/tickets.html

If you aren't sure of the dress code at Myth or are lacking ideas for a costume, Erin (creatrix of Myth) has put together a Pinterest inspiration board for the event. Happy sewing and I hope you'll join me at this phenomenal event. 

Opening Weekend at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire

It's almost that time again for the magical gates of the Southern California Renaissance Pleasure Faire to open. The Faire runs from April 6th through May 19th at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area in Irwindale, CA. This weekend is the opening weekend and you can attend with this 2 for 1 coupon to save 50% off regularly priced tickets (or $2.50 off every weekend after that)!

I will be there with a magical group of six different Dragons on May 5th to participate in the Mythical Costume Contest on Fantasy weekend.

Get your tickets for the fair here: http://www.renfair.com/socal/tickets/index.asp

Here is the 2013 Special Event Schedule: 

Every Day The Pub Crawl! Join us for a riotous brewfest of cold spirits, lusty wenches, bawdy songs, and drinking games as you receive an entertainment-filled, personal guided tour of the shire's finest pubs! **The revelry will begin at 11:30am and again at 1:00pm  **Inquire at the Box Office or at Crown and Anchor Pub near the main entrance. **Limited number of tickets per crawl, one crawl per person per day. Ticket price is $40.00 per person.  Price includes an exclusive commemorative pin and one (1) beverage of your choice at each of the five pubs (Valid only during the Pub Crawl).

Every Day **NEW**  The Unrulie Foolie Tea:  Join the Court of Misrule for tea and have a crazy MAD time!  Be prepared for fun and zanny antics as the Mistress of Misrule and her Court stir a little sugar into the mix of your day.  The Daily Unrulie Foolie Tea is at 2 PM in the St. Cuthbert Guild Yard where authentic English scones, tea sandwiches, tarts and tea are served. Gluten free options are available. Reservations are required. Admission is $21 for adults and $10 for children and includes a commemorative teapot. Tea With the Queen: Elizabeth I – whose reign is noted as the start of the English Renaissance period – greets fairgoers throughout the day and also holds audience at a royal tea. Tea with the Queen is at 4:00 PM in the St. Cuthbert Guild Yard where authentic English scones, tea sandwiches, tarts and tea are served. Reservations are required. Admission is $21 for adults and $10 for children and includes a commemorative teapot.  To make reservations for both Tea Times, please visit http://www.stcuthbertguild.com Advanced reservations are limited to 25 people in order to save room for people who want to sign up at the Faire itself. Reservations require a $5.00 per person non-refundable deposit. Credit cards are accepted online, cash and checks only on site. Reservations can be made up to the Friday before planned attendance and reservations are based on first come first served.

Weekend 1, April 6 & 7, 2013 Opening Weekend!  Welcome to the Renaissance Pleasure Faire where fantasy rules and whimsical delights take flight; where worlds co-exist and dreams come to life!

Weekend 2, April 13 & 14, 2013 Kids Free Weekend - No coupon required. All children age 12 and younger are FREE. Military Appreciation Weekend - Discounted entry for our Servicemen and Veterans.  Please present this coupon and show ID at box office. Scouts Weekend – Join us for Scouts Weekend, where you may complete requirements for badges with our village.  There will be a list of activities available (some activities may require additional fees).  There will be 400 limited edition Scout Days patches for purchase at our Scout Days information booth.   A Discounted Entry for Scouts and Leaders in uniform will be available at the box office. Plein Air Painting - Truly a Renaissance event, we’re offering 15 artists (each day) an opportunity to create works outdoors, from dawn to dusk, among teeming crowds and amazing characters, wherever and whenever they chose in the beautiful setting of  Deptford Seaport.   Completed, framed works will be available for purchase at the Plein Air Auction, Saturday and Sunday, May 11 and 12 in the Wine Tasting Garden. Marketplace Weekend For every $250 you spend with our merchants or artisans during Marketplace Weekend, you will receive 2 FREE tickets to come back to the Faire before 5/5/13 (a $50 value). IT'S THAT EASY.  Offer does not apply to games, rides, food, beverage or the Renaissance Collection Stores. Special Receipts must be presented to receive tickets. Masterpiece Awards Competition -FoF Garden Our artisans will be putting up a sample of their craft to be judged, but you might win as well!  Drop by the Friends of Faire Garden and vote to decide which artisan will win The Masterpiece Award this weekend.

Weekend 3, April 20 & 21, 2013 Friday, April 19 - School Day (9:30am - 3:30pm) This is the wondrous day when we welcome our local schools to our village.  Students and Chaperones will have an opportunity to experience the arts, history, hands-on creativity and educational living history events along with the ability to make purchases from our many artisans and taste the scrumptious delights of the faire.  They venture in to have fun and leave with a broadened knowledge! Steampunk/Time Traveler Weekend - We invite our guests to dress up in your finest time-traveling attire. Whether you're the legionnaire, the engineer or the clockwork servant, we're looking forward to celebrating with you! Plein Air Painting - Second weekend of Plein Air painting with 15 invited artist creating works in our realm wherever and whenever they chose within our glorious village of Deptford.  Completed, framed works will be available for purchase at the Plein Air Auction, Saturday and Sunday May 11 and 12 in the Wine Tasting Garden.

Weekend 4, April 27 & 28, 2013 Swashbuckling Weekend Dress as your inner pirate!  Join Captain Sir Francis Drake for a toast to life on the sea!  Buy an ale at the Cuckoo's Nest (next to the Rogue's Reef Stage) and bring your favorite toast or story of the sea to share! 1PM Each of the Swashbuckler Days

Weekend 5, May 4 & 5, 2013 Find Your Fantasy Weekend See what lies in our Village of Deptford.  Explore our Guilds and neighborhoods to Find Your Fantasy! Saturday – Gay Day & May Day Stop by the INSTINCT MAGAZINE ramada located by the Guest Services booth located near the faire's food court to register to win a stay at the Luxor hotel and dinner for two at Excalibur in Las Vegas! Sunday – Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with us! Costume Contest Weekend 11am-1pm in the Special Events Ramada located in RenQuest to register and receive your contestant number.  Each Day’s Winners will be announced at 3:30 that same day at the Queen’s Court Glade Saturday: Mythical Costume Contest   Characters of Legend & Lore Fantasy of other worlds Children of all kinds Sunday: Historical Costume Contest Adult Nobility Adult Middle Class Adult Peasant Children - Nobility, Middle Class & Peasant Costume Contest Entry Requirements: Historical costumes must represent the Elizabethan era: 1559-1603 AD. They should be made of natural, non-synthetic fabrics. Accessories such as jewelry, pouches, baskets, shoes, boots, hats, etc. must be appropriate to the period and the social class you are representing.  Costumes for Character of Legend, Lore, and Fantasy may vary from these guidelines.   All the costumes must be worn by their designer/maker unless explicit approval is obtained in advance from the competition officials, who will be available in the RenQuest Special Events Ramada. The only exception to this is children’s costumes.   Please note: This is an amateur competition. Full time professional costumers may not enter. Full time employees of Renaissance Entertainment Productions and their families are not permitted to enter the competition.

Weekend 6, May 11 & 12, 2013 Wenches Weekend In celebration of Wenches Weekend our version of “Ladies Night” –all weekend long, the Renaissance Pleasure Faire is hosting “A Taste of the Faire,” a self- hosted Wine Tasting through five of our pubs.  Tickets are $25 dollars and are to be purchased at the Crown and Anchor Pub near the main entrance of faire.  Upon purchase you will receive a punch card that entitles you to five tastes of wine at predetermined ale stands, each of which will be featuring a different wine! Sunday - Mother's Day -Bring yourself (and Mom!) to the Cat and Fiddle Pub to enjoy Mother’s Day Mimosas! Plein Air Painting Silent Auction will be held Saturday and Sunday.  The renowned artists have worked over the course of two weekends, painting the excitement of the faire.  The opportunity to purchase their fine works of art will conclude on Sunday during a Live Auction. Time & location of the auction will be available at the box office.

Weekend 7, May 18 & 19, 2013 Home Brew and Craft Brew Demonstration -Local and Regional Home and Craft Brewers venture to the faire to demonstrate and educate while offering you a sample of their hearty concoctions. Sunday:  Join us as we celebrate the final day of our 51st Anniversary Season carrying on the tradition of our Closing Day Parade.

Introduction

My name is Candace.
I am a creature of the night, a creature of myth and fantasy runs within my veins. I wanted to share my work so others could join me in my permanent masquerade. I created SteamWolf Symphony as an all encompassing online store for those who dwell in the dark and those who bask in the light. For every darkness there is an equal creature for the light, I teeter on both sides and create accessories that suit the needs of both. As a photographer I shoot mostly dark fantasy and horror photography, but occasionally I like to shoot the fun and whimsical side of fantasy. I create items to pair with these photoshoots and decided that there was a need for some of the accessories which I create. My style ranges from gothic to steampunk, fairy to festival and beyond. My Etsy shop features a great mix of jewelry, hair and costume accessories and festival wear.

I plan to utilize this blog as an outlet for building designs, a look book and to feature other shops/accessories that I find fit within my own unique personal style. I hope you'll enjoy this blog as much as I will enjoy piecing it together.

Please follow SteamWolf Symphony on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/ShopSteamWolf and please follow my shop on Etsy, www.shopsteamwolf.com