Steampunk

Steampunk Prop Camera

DIY Steampunk Prop Camera: Upcycled Cardboard & Mixed Media Magic combines vintage charm with eco-friendly crafting in one eye-catching project. If you’ve ever scrolled through DIY blogs and wished your photography staging looked as striking as theirs, you’re in the right place. I set out to create a steampunk prop camera from everyday recyclables—cardboard, a soda can, and resin charms—and transformed them into a mixed-media masterpiece that will make your photo backdrops pop. Follow along to discover how simple it is to craft your steampunk photography prop and elevate your shot‑styling game.

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November 7, 2020 By Anita Holland

How to Make a Steampunk Hat

Yes, you guessed it, I’m back again with another steampunk project, and this time I’m showing you how to create a DIY Mixed Media Steampunk Hat. I’d been hoarding this empty plastic bucket in my shed, waiting for inspiration—and once I realised its potential, a steampunk hat popped into my head. I’ll guide you step by step through adding layered textures, crafting resin gears and rubbing on copper highlights to turn an ordinary bucket into a bold steampunk hat—and then into a show‑stopping lamp.

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September 5, 2020 By Anita Holland

Stiletto Ring Holder

When I spotted a pair of stiletto heels for just $10, I had to have them, only to discover that standing still was the only thing I could do in them. That sparked my Steampunk Stiletto Ring Holder: Upcycled High Heel Jewellery Stand project, a tutorial that shows you how to transform uncomfortable heels into a show-stopping, mixed-media masterpiece. Whether you choose to display yours as a unique ring holder or—if you can walk in high heels—strut out in truly one‑of‑a‑kind footwear, this technique lets you personalise every detail to make your shoes as distinctive as you are.

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April 27, 2020 By Anita Holland

Book repurposed into a Jewellery Box

With the shift towards e‑readers, tablets and audiobooks, printed volumes are becoming relics of the past—but that doesn’t mean they belong in a landfill. In this tutorial, From Page to Treasure: How to Repurpose an Old Book into a Stunning Jewellery Box, you’ll learn how to transform a neglected hardcover into a functional, mixed‑media keepsake that celebrates recycling, reusing and repurposing.

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May 18, 2020 By Anita Holland

Steampunk Books

I’ve been on a mission to make my final steampunk project photos truly pop, so I designed these DIY Steampunk Prop Books to add Victorian flair to every shot. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to upcycle old hardcover books using waterslide decal paper, chalk paint and clear acrylic sealant to create eye‑catching steampunk book props. Follow along and master this easy technique—no fancy tools required!

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January 10, 2021 By Anita Holland

Mixed Media Steampunk Lamp

Immerse your spare room in industrial charm with the DIY Mixed Media Steampunk Gauge Clock Lamp. This project blends galvanised pipe fittings, a handcrafted gauge clock and a layered mixed media makeover for a one‑of‑a‑kind lighting feature. Each glance reveals new textures—from thrifted jewellery embellishments to copper‑wax highlights—so you’ll never tire of spotting fresh details. Follow this step‑by‑step guide to build your steampunk lamp using upcycled materials and basic tools.

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June 28, 2020 By Anita Holland

Mixed Media Wedding Canvas

I’m always on the lookout for fresh, exciting projects to keep my website engaging, and this time I decided to dive into the world of mixed media art. After discovering some stunning mixed-media canvases on Pinterest, I was immediately inspired. I watched a few tutorials on YouTube and decided to give it a go, with my daughter’s recent wedding as the perfect theme. The idea was to incorporate elements from her special day into the canvas, creating a unique and personal keepsake.

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May 19, 2019 By Anita Holland

Man Cave Sign

I was brainstorming Father’s Day gift ideas that I could create using my Cricut, and as many men in Australia have a “man cave” or a “men’s shed,” I thought a personalised man cave sign with some quirky “rules” would be a perfect gift. After browsing online for inspiration, I noticed that most of the man cave signs were designed to be politically correct or not offend anyone.

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July 3, 2019 By Anita Holland

Mixed Media Mirror Makeover

Steampunk Mixed Media Mirror Makeover brings new life to an old dresser mirror with layers of texture, metallic highlights and found objects. In this DIY tutorial, you’ll learn how to prep the frame, add textures with napkins and rope, layer charms and clock parts, craft a burlap hot-air-balloon ornament, then finish with black gesso and metallic wax paste for an industrial-chic look.

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February 17, 2020 By Anita Holland

How to make Epoxy Resin Doorknobs (Steampunk)

Have you ever restored a piece of furniture, only to struggle finding doorknobs to match your vision? That’s exactly what happened to me. I was left with a stunning upcycled buffet but couldn’t find the right knobs to finish the look. That’s when I decided to make my own—and this DIY project turned out better than I expected!

With leftover epoxy resin from another project, I made stunning custom doorknobs using steampunk charms and a few supplies from around the house. In this post, I’ll show you exactly how to make epoxy resin doorknobs or drawer pulls that are both practical and beautiful.

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January 2, 2018 By Anita Holland

Altered Bottle

If you’ve ever wondered how to give a bottle a mixed-media makeover, you’re in the right place! I first discovered altered bottles on Pinterest and was instantly hooked. The idea of recycling old bottles that were headed for the bin into eye-catching, artistic creations really appealed to my love of upcycling.

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August 5, 2019 By Anita Holland

Cricut Custom Suitcase Protectors

We were heading off on holiday when the idea for this project came to me. Standing at the airport carousel, almost every second suitcase was black — including ours. Everyone was picking up identical bags to check if it was theirs. That was the first reason I wanted custom covers.

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May 4, 2019 By Anita Holland