Artists You Should Know - Highwind Steamworx

It's a little-known fact that the Lad loves steampunk. Maybe it's the tiny hats. Maybe it's the monocles. Maybe it's just that he's a total drag queen and steampunk gives him an excuse. I digress. I met Dawn and Jeff of Highwind Steamworx at Clockwork Vaudeville's Gearbox Fantastique a few months back, and I fell in love with their work. They do steampunk in a totally wearable and effortless fashion, with immense attention to detail and outstanding craftsmanship. And their prices rock. If you're a dabbler, a closet lover of fantastical Victorian costuming, or a full-blown crazed zeppelin pilot, you owe it to yourself to check them out.


Come in! Make yourself comfortable. What can I get you to drink?


Hello! Dawn would love a traditionally prepared absinthe. I’ll stick with an iced tea. What a
lovely abode you have!

Keymaster Goggles

Tell us about yourself.


We have been married for about 9 years. We both went to Bradley University in Peoria. I’ve
been doing professional theater for 10 years in my day job, and am currently studying to be a
pharmacy technician, when we aren’t gallivanting about in our airship. Jeff has been teaching for the last 11 years, in a variety of subjects and grades. We both greatly enjoy the steampunk scene and all the aesthetics and personalities that go with it. We both sort of accidentally fell into this artist thing, after making a few items for ourselves. We started getting involved in the steampunk
scene and found we couldn’t afford a lot of what was available. After we started making our
own things, we decided to get into business for ourselves to offer more reasonable pricing on
steampunk jewelry and goods so that everyone could afford to have some!

Flattery Works

Sako Tumi is an illustrator, photographer, and graphic designer stationed in the Washington DC area. She graduated from the Art Institute of Washington in 2006 with a Bachelor's in Graphic Design, and has 10 years of experience in the illustration industry. If Photoshop is her skin, and Illustrator her flesh, then InDesign is her bones. Also, she is part robot, and an octopus. Sako is currently engaged in 30-day blog project in which she creates visual art pieces that correspond with certain criteria. Yesterday's was "Something New", and the darling chose to center a piece around her newest LNF piece, A Cumulus Agglomeration. I'm flattered, and as always, staggered by Sako's talent.

30 DoP #9 - "Pretty Pretty Princess"

War of the Roses

I'm a total sucker for crisp, saturated color and haunting imagery. The two meet in the gorgeous and dark print. It's hard to not supply your own story to an image like this. Love scorned? Twisted sisters? You decide. Love the bear, too - the last time I saw a bear in a saddle was at IML. Come to think of it - the person riding him was also dressed as a pretty princess. Hmm. WORLDS COLLIDE.

What's 30 Days of Play?

Everyone, Bring Your Barbies!

I refuse to be Ken and have to drive that goddamn pink RV! The high heels and halters never fit that bitch! Below is an exhaustive list of the other artists and artisans showcasing their creations alongside Lad Named Felix at Handmade Market Chicago, October 9th (that's 9 days away, hoors).

Auviana - handmade jewelry and accessories

Bead of a Different Drum - jewelry with sterling silver, glass and semi-precious stones

Bean & The Sprout - vintage fabrics and jewelry to create headbands, necklaces, and cuffs

Bliss Stones - semi-precious stone necklaces; known to bring positive energy, good luck and bliss

bobbi kahn design - jewelry

Cordinated - handmade guitar cables

Damsel in this Dress - cool stuff for women who don't need to be rescued. purses, totes, messenger bags, and more.

Darquestone - baby play mats, pillows, bags, etc.

Deelights Biscuits - organic dog treats

Do Bats Eat Cats - one-of-a-kind gothic, chainmaille and Victorian inspired jewelry

Frosted Creations - ceramic drink coasters, fun aprons for women and kids, letterpress cards and tags, and soaps

Fugudesigns - jewelry

Greenie Bean Recycle - recycled tote bags

Jewelry by Jennifer - jewelry styles using natural stones, shell, coral, crystal, opal, and sterling silver findings and chain

Kate O'Grady Jewelry - jewelry

Lad Named Felix - The sexiest bitch in the place (this text might differ from the text at Handmade Chicago's website)

Lost in the Maille - chainmaille, wire wrapped and some gemstone jewelry

LuDesigns - jewelry; natural materals such as gemstones, seashells, pearls

Milton and Margie's Soy Wax Candles - hand-poured, soy wax candles made in unique, reused/recycled jars

Mohawk Made - custom jewelry, hand designed and crafted from genuine stones, shells & sterling silver

Nerfect - original artwork, buttons, stickers, and t-shirts

Onlyn Pottery - pottery

Poetisa's Palette - soap, lotion, body butter, body scrubs, massage candles and lip balm

Previously - vintage reproduction women's accessories

Purpleandlime - accessories, jewelry, little pouches, and etc.

Ray Borchers - hand drawn, one of a kind T-shirts

Renescentia Designs - handcrafted creative bags and totes for the eccentric at heart

rj studio inc. - handmade jewelry, stationery, and accessories

Spinalfusion - jewelry

UnADORN - vintage inspired; sterling silver jewelry, flower hairclips and headbands

Urbex Archaeology - jewelry from recycled post-industrial found objects, mostly metals

Handmade Market Chicago, as you can see, offers so much variety and a plethora of points of view. I can't explain how excited I am to be counted amongst the exclusive ranks of these artists. I feel like we should all get decoder rings or something. The secret answer is "LNF Roolz the Skool!" Who'd have known!?

I'm hunkering down at Table 13, near the back left. You'll recognize my presence by the tasteful white displays and flattering lighting choices. A bitch can't look washed out, you know? Check out Handmade Market Chicago's website for the location details and a map. Leave a comment if you plan on being there - who knows...it may get you a discount. OH SNAP.