A Chunky Steampunk ATC

Hi everyone, and welcome back to my neglected blog as a long-lost Design Team Member! 

I decided to get some Chunky Dimensional ATC kits from Retro Cafe Art Gallery, and play around. Here I have used the one that's .75" thick.

(All links are highlighted throughout so you can see them as you go. Just click the link.)

I also used the Limited Edition of Large Steampunk Gears and Steampunk Gears II, to load up on the ATC base. You can also see the Vintage Pocket Watch Key on the very top. 

I used a small lightbulb, a vintage bead, and a Finnabair Mechanical - Antique Label. 

TIP: Rub a bit of black gesso into the phrase to get it to stand out more. 

There are Steampunk Gears, Sprocket Gears, and Mini Gears on the bottom of the legs and around the ATC. 

This is a piece of Ten Seconds Studio turquoise metal that I embossed ages ago. I added several layers of Metallique paints to it on the raised areas. Mermaid Teal, Hazelnut, Brass Hardware, and Flame. The sides have embossed metal that's been painted as well. 

 If you haven't lost interest yet, I'll lead you through a few more steps now.

This is how I like to lay out things before I glue them together or paint. Just trying to get a design concept in mind. It's all subject to change, of course.

Unlike how I generally work with the Retro Cafe Art Gallery kits, this time I glued it all together first and then painted it with heavy black gesso. I added various colors of Patina Effects pastes, some Mini Art Stones and regular Art Stones.

These are a few of the supplies and a shot of the project with more layers of paints applied. 

I started with these Rust Pastes and built up with paints. (Blue, Mint Green, Red Rust, Brown Rust, and Brass.) 

Layers, layers, layers.

Next I started to think about the back of the ATC. Originally I was going to hang it on the wall, but with this piece of embossed metal I found in a collection, I decided I'd finally found a place for it. So I added more layers of paint to the images. (Brass Hardware and Flame Metalliques)

     

What's a Steampunk project without metal??? Since I have lots of gears hanging around, I decided to use some of Seth Apter's amazing Baked Texture powders on a couple. These are the coolest embossing powders to play with...IMHO. (Chunky Rust, AncientAmber and Patina Oxide)

Just couldn't leave the piece alone, so I added some more vintage ephemera and metal gears to the layout. Still not all glued down yet. Always a "walk-away and look" process. I'm slow, but deliberate. 

It looked like it had a bit too much Flame Metallique paint, so out came the darker colors and some darker paint layers. 

Then I decided it needed to be taller. So I found one of my favorite keys ever, the vintage pocket watch key, and then I thought it needed legs. Sooooooo, open the drawer of wooden pieces and the Unfinished Wood Spools looked more like pipes than anything, and the choice was made. I wanted a bit more pizazz so I opted with the Lime Peel with the Brass Hardware and Hazelnut. They're finished off with stamped images using black archival ink. 

A couple of more gears on the bottom of the Spools, and they were done. 

The last step was gluing it all together and hoping it still stands upright!!! It worked out well and it does stand up. One last look at the little guy. Hope you're inspired to play and enjoyed the journey as much as I did. 

As always, let me know what you think, or if you have any questions. I love to hear from you.

Check out the supplies at Retro Cafe Art and get your Steampunk on!

Be Safe. Stay Well. Love to all.

Linda