What is Steampunk?
Steampunk is a genre of science fiction that incorporates the retrofuturistic and aesthetic qualities of the 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery.
Elements commonly found in this type of artwork include victorian clothing with gears on them; clock faces made out of intricately designed watches and other very unique ideas!
This description might be what you need to create your own Steampunk inspired accessories and home decor.
Pssst… WoodUbend offers a great selection of Steampunk related appliques for your upcycling adventures!
Adhering the WoodUbend
First things first, we had to choose the appropriate bendable wooden mouldings. With a nod to our steampunk inspiration, we landed on the butterfly design (WoodUbend 2000) which features gears and alternative metal pieces.
We also had a choice of two packs of gears (WoodUbend 0515) containing a variety of different types and sizes – so naturally, we chose both!
Lastly, we chose WoodUbend trim TR716 which exposes a unique woven design.
All of the chosen wooden mouldings were added to the electric griddle. It’s always best to keep an eye on your mouldings when they are on the griddle and turn them over so they can heat evenly.
WoodUbend mouldings have all the properties of wood so you can sand, stain, drill, paint, cut and varnish them. But be careful as this also means they can burn!
The 5 simple steps for WoodUbend appliques
To apply your bendable wooden moulding we strongly advise that you use the WoodUbend 5 simple steps for the best results.
Step 1 – Start by heating your bendable moulding. You can do this with a hairdryer, an electric griddle or a heat gun if you are feeling proficient.
Step 2 – Use good quality wood glue to cover the entire back of the WoodUbend’s surface. The whole surface must be covered to achieve the best adherence.
step 3 – Apply the wooden moulding to your chosen surface by pressing down. WoodUbend Mouldings can be adhered to almost any surface – including glass!
step 4 – Once the moulding is on your chosen surface you must reheat the applique. This is because you’re desired surface is unlikely 100% flat.
step 5 – Give the design one final push to ensure the moulding is attached to the surface and will stay there for a very long time!
Don’t worry if you have placed your moulding in the wrong spot. Watch this video for a full explanation of how to remove a WoodUbend moulding.
Cutting a WoodUbend Moulding
For this particular project, we were required to cut one of the gear moulds. This is super easy to do, simply heat your mouldings and slice through them with a craft knife to achieve your desired look.
That’s the great thing about WoodUbend – you are only limited by your imagination!
Time for Transfers
We thought this project was a perfect time to introduce the Belles and Whistles ‘Steampunk’ transfer by Dixie Belle. Belles and Whistles transfers are a versatile way to transform your upcycling projects. Self-adhesive, no glue required and quick-drying; these products will work on furniture or wooden panels for an instantly updated look in minutes.
Painting in Progress…
We knew the first layer of paint needed to be a dark shade so we landed on ‘Coffee Bean’ by Dixie Belle to cover the mirror’s surroundings.
The highlight of the painting process really kicked in when we introduced the ‘Amber’ Gemstone Mousse.
Who loves a good highlighter? – definitely me!
Dry brushing on a project can easily transform it from a dull, drab creation into a detailed masterpiece in just a few simple brush strokes.
Take a look at the picture below and see the difference for yourself.
Creating the corroding effect
To achieve our corroding look, we used different shades of blue by Dixie Belle. The colours were brushed along the WoodUbend mouldings and trim a little at a time. Dixie Belle paint is water-based so if you feel like you’ve added too much into one area, you can easily wipe it away with a wet wipe.
If you would like to create a similar corroding effect check out the list of products used:
Dixie Belle Paint ‘Pure Ocean’, ‘Palmetto’, ‘The Gulf’, ‘Coffee Bean’ and ‘Sea Glass’
Amber Gemstone Mousse
The Finished Look
The Steampunk theme is a beautiful and creative way to add some flair into your home. The products featured in this post make it easy for anyone to achieve. If you’re interested in what’s available or would like further guidance on using the WoodUbend product line then click here.
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