Okay, folks. Here’s where I let the secret out of the bag and let you all know that I am not cool. At least, not cool enough to know what “steampunk” was until I Googled it just now after finding this ring from Alberta’s A Second Time that was described as a “steampunk ring”. I’ve been seeing steampunk all over lately, so it was time to investigate.

Wikipedia tells me that steampunk is:

a sub-genre of science fiction, alternate history, and speculative fiction that came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s. Specifically, steampunk involves an era or world where steam power is still widely used—usually the 19th century and often Victorian era Britain—that incorporates prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy. Works of steampunk often feature anachronistic technology or futuristic innovations as Victorians may have envisioned them; in other words, based on a Victorian perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, art, etc. This technology may include such fictional machines as those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne or real technologies like the computer but developed earlier in an alternate history.

Once I was up to speed – thanks for indulging me if you already knew all that! – the rest of A Second Time’s shop intrigued me, too. The creator (who chooses to remain mysteriously cloaked on their Etsy profile page!) uses non-functional vintage watch parts for their pieces, and they all have that wonderful Victorian-era look but with an updated twist. I especially love the pendants, like this one below:

You can find many more pieces in A Second Time’s shops on Etsy and Cosa Verde, and follow along on the blog, Facebook and Twitter!

Enjoy,
~Sarah