Steampunk New Year's Eve Tea Party!

Join us for a Steampunk Tea Party at our house on New Years Eve.

All the fine china hot tea and baked goods (and finger sandwiches!) you can manage and some steampunk parlor games or readings or storytelling or crafts and so on to occupy us until Midnight and beyond.

We live in San Jose, so guests would need to make their way to the South Bay, but we could probably manage some crash space. We also have two indoor cats who are super friendly but shed.

What to Bring:


Yourself
Wayward Friends and Family
Any Small Children you belong to
Something stylish And Steampunky to wear
A Tea Cup
An iPod of music you enjoy
Party games you like to play (hey, we can even keep it Historical! Wink anyone?)
Any celebratory streamers/horns/hats/etc you have hanging around (or kidnap from Target, hehe),
A plate of your favorite finger sandwiches or other savories and an appetite for tea and cake.

We'll privide tea (Black, Green, White, Chai, Roobios, Herbal, Oolong, you name it... its in the Tea Cupboard) and china teapots, the cups and saucers we have and enough baked goods to sink Amsterdam.

When: 8pm, December 31st (7pm if you want to help decorate)

Where: 501 Raymond Ave, San Jose, CA 95128

RSVP Much Appreciated. Last minute attendees, Please don't hesitate to Join us!

As Always, everyone is welcome!

First Class!

Our first class will be next Sunday, September 25, at 1 pm in San Jose. Parking is tight so best carpool if you can. Please let me know if you are coming so that I have enough supplies (and I can send you detailed directions).

I made another batch of soap last night and this one went perfectly. We will have plenty of castille (olive oil) soap to play with for milling.

Feel free to bring your own additives (such as essential oils and pretty much any food-safe plant matter) next week and we can try them out. The essential oils and some additives (such as dried flowers) can also be used in the bath bombs.

Here is a website with soap ideas: http://www.crafterstouch.com/tip.aspx?tipid=31

See you next week!

Adventures at pH 14

Soapmaking is not as forgiving (or edible) as candymaking, which I learned/remembered tonight. I tried to make a little batch to play with for the Academy workshop in two weeks and things went really well and much faster than I remembered. So I poured it all into the mold immediately.

whoops

Now I have a batch of "well, let's see what we end up with" instead of a batch of soap. Ah, well. There always tomorrow night.

And clean up will be much easier (if less yummy) than for candymaking.

Sometimes you don't know what you know. And sometimes you don't know that you don't know what you think you know. So practice first.

St. Clair's Academy for Incorrigible Hoydens

My Fellow Aeronauts,

Recent travels on the Continent (the little European one) have led us to conclude that our Educational Horizons need broadening so we have established St Clair's Academy for Incorrigible Hoydens.

A Hoyden is defined as High-Spirited, Boisterous, and/or Saucy. We do not require that an Aspiring Hoyden be a Lady, or even Female, for that matter, just Incorrigible.

This Academy's purpose is to gather persons with Desirable Skills and set them to sharing said skills. We plan to meet at an Aspiring Hoyden's home for an afternoon to learn a trio of skills.

Students contribute a small tuition ($5 to cover materials and/or refreshments).

We will try to keep our Lesson Trios in line with our Steampunk values of Artifex, Soluta, Letalis (Creative, Independent, Lethal).

Topics currently planned are:

Soap-milling (How to Make "Anything" Soap, creative), Cold Process Soap-making (or Fun with Oils and Caustic Lye, independent), and Bath Bombs (lethal) in San Jose on September 25.

Some sort of Mod skills so that my Nook Color doesn't stick out at Nova Albion for October 23 (details are vague at present; suggestions or volunteers are welcome/desperately needed!)

Paper Gift Boxes (creative), Candied Citrus and Ginger (independent), and Chocolate Truffles (lethal) on November 20

The Hoyden Academy Team

Artifex, Soluta, Letalis

St. Clair Aeronauts Picnic at San Gregorio Beach 7/3

Our Westercon Plans fell through, but that is no sadness when there is a sunny beach to enjoy. Join us Sunday for a steampunk beach picnic and photoshoot. Wear your favorite steampunk beach attire and prepare for a charming interlude at the sea, snapping period pics and eating tea and sandwiches!

When: Sunday, July 3rd noon - 4pm
Where: San Gregorio State Beach

What to Bring:

Friends and loved ones
Small children if you have them
Steampunk Inspired Beach Wear
A hat or parasol (we expect sunny weather in the 70's)
A blanket or beach chair to sit on
A towel in case you get your feet wet
A camera to snap period pics
Props for fun vignettes
Beach toys for building castles in the sand
Flowy scarves (it will probably be windy)
Goggles so we know you you are
A picnic lunch
A thermous of tea and your favorite tea cup
Something to share

As always, everyone is welcome!

St. Clair Aeronauts will be touching down at Westercon64

CANCELED. THE AERONAUTS WILL NOT BE ATTENDING WESTERCON64.

The Captain and crew will be manning stations at Westercon64, July 1 - 4.

Come write a letter to someone at the Con or sit a while in the Parlor and enjoy the company of a Steampunk Zeppelin Crew.

Our highly trained Airmail Delivery Persons will be on hand to deliver your letters to friends and acquaintances at the event and best of all, its all Free! (The Queen is picking up the postage!)

Children Especially Welcome!

St.Clair Aeronauts Serving Tea at the SF Tech Shop June 18

Come by the San Francisco Tech Shop for the League of S.T.E.A.M. show and take some Tea with the St.Clair Aeronauts!

June 18th: 7pm - 10pm
Ladies and Gentlemen! Boys and Girls of all ages!

Join The League of S.T.E.A.M. for an evening of enlightenment and entertainment with your favorite Steampunk supernatural sleuths and paranormal protectors as they present The Benefits of Zombie Domestication!

TechShop San Francisco is proud to host the League's fantastic demonstration followed by a discussion with the League of S.T.E.A.M. themselves to learn how TechShop can help you design and construct your own Steampunk gadgetry.

All the event and ticket info HERE!

Jewelry Making Classes- July 7, 14, 21

Learn how to make beautiful jewelry including necklaces, earrings and bracelets in these convenient evening classes.

These three classes can be taken together or separately. Each class will concentrate on a different jewelry making technique, including basic wirework, stringing and the use of different kinds of findings.

There are two price options for these classes:

*Come with your own beads, end caps and findings (I will provide all the necessary tools)- $10 per class

*Come with only a desire to learn (I will provide all the necessary tools and materials)- $20 per class

There are 4 openings per class. A place in the class can be secured by submitting payment to Paypal when you sign up for the class. Scholarships are available from the St. Clair Aeronauts for people in need. Please submit a note of explanation. Please email Sophia St. Clair at Stclairaeronauts@gmail.com to reserve your spot in the class. First come first served. The price of the class is non refundable but can be transferred to a later class if you can't make the one you signed up for.

Where: Our House- 501 Raymond Ave, San Jose, CA, 95128
Phone: 925.787.2591





















When:
July 7th, 7 - 10 pm: Stringing beads, adding a clasp to make a necklace and using eye pins to make earrings.

July 14th, 7 - 10 pm: Using chain, bead caps and head pins to make a necklace and earrings.






















July 21st, 7 - 10pm: Using strung beads, chain, and headpins to create drop necklaces and/or pendants and matching earrings. Using elastic or chain and eye pins to make bracelets.




Find examples of my jewelry HERE

Materials List:

July 7th class:

beadwire
size 1 bead crimps
crimp covers
headpins (at least 4)
beads (aproximately 14" strung together or more)
beadcaps and/or spacer beads (optional)
clasp
earring findings

July 14th class:

headpins (at least 4)
eyepins (at least 12)
beads (aproximately 12" strung together or more)
beadcaps
spacer beads (optional)
16" of chain
clasp
earring findings

July 21st class:

headpins (at least 20)
eyepins (at least 10)
beads (aproximately 12" strung together or more)
beadcaps
spacer beads (optional)
16" of chain
clasp (2 clasps if making a non elastic bracelete)
earring findings
beadwire
size 1 bead crimps
crimp covers

Bustle Class in June- Only 4 openings!

Note: Bustle examples Here

Design, draft a pattern and sew your own bustle in this two day evening class. Choose from several bustle disigns from historical examples to bustles for belly dancers! Add to your favorite steampunk outfit or just spice up a pair of jeans the next time you go clubbing~

This is a two day evening class. We will draft patterns and cut fabric on the first day and sew the bustle together on the second day. Both days are Tuesdays.

You will go home with a pattern and bustle. No experience necessary.

Only 4 openings available for this class. Cost is $20 per student to be paid by Paypal when you sign up for the class. Scholarships are available from the St. Clair Aeronauts for people in need. Please submit a note of explanation. Please email Sophia St. Clair at Stclairaeronauts@gmail.com to reserve your spot in the class. First come first served. The price of the class is non refundable but can be transfered to a later class if you can't make this one.


There is a high demand for this class, so please do not take one of the few positions unless you really mean to attend. I hate to see a long wait list and then get a last minute cancellation.



Bustle Class:

Where: Our House- 501 Raymond Ave, San Jose, CA, 95128
Phone: 925.787.2591
Time: Part 1: Tuesday, June 21st, 7pm - 10pm
Part 2: Tuesday, June 28th, 7pm - 10pm

What to bring:
Whatever you like to drink (we have water and tea available but that is it...)
Pens, Pensils, Project book or paper for notes.
Newspaper (for your pattern)


Minimalist Bustle requirements:
Regular hand sewing needle
Thread to match your fabric
Between 1 and 4 yrd of fabric
Spool of ribbon at least 1/2" or wider (minimum 4 yards)
Scissors
Seam ripper
Pins
Fabric chalk
Extra machine needles (mostly size 11 or 14)

For more complex Bustles add to the above list:
Contrasting fabric or fabric scraps (at least 1 yard total, more is always better for complexity)
Buttons (1 - Unlimited!), grommets or hooks
More ribbon in different colors and widths (you will need 1" ribbon to make proper ribbon roses and such)
Lace or other trim (even scraps can be useful, but you can do a lot with 2 yards or more (if you add tassel trim this becomes a dryclean only item)
Random fabric accents (doilies, patches, sequin decorations, embroidered bits, vintage scraps, beads, bells, tassels, etc)

I have access to at least 3 sewing machines. Bring your own if you like....

Fabric Types:
Brocades and upholstery fabric provide a firm foundation but do not always hang or drape nicely.
Linen always drapes beautifully and has a lovely texture. Get yours at a Bulk or Bolts End store for a reasonable price or buy something made out of linen at a thrift store. Don't buy linin at JoAnns. Its highway robbery what they charge!
Above also applies to wool and wool blends
Cotton hangs well, is durable and washable. Plus it breaths.
Crepe Back or Suade Back Satin is fine and nice and heavy. Do not get cheap $2 satin. It will melt in the sewing machine.
Home decorating fabrics also work, Sometimes. They tend to be stiff and scratchy or easily unravel. Check that they don't have glue on the back (used for furniture) and try to get things with at least some natural fiber content if you can.
Special occasion fabrics follow the same rule.

I have one machine that will sew thin garment weight leather.

Note: Ruffles require twice as much fabric as the length you want the ruffle. Pleats require 3 times as much fabric.

Fabric Stores:

Discount Fabrics: Two Locations- Berkeley and SF- http://www.discountfabrics-sf.com/
Fabrics R Us: San Jose- http://www.yelp.com/biz/fabrics-r-us-san-jose
SCRAPS (Goodwill for craft supplies, esp. Fabric and trim): SF- http://www.scrap-sf.org/

Cargo Bloomers Class in June- Only 4 openings!

Design, draft a pattern and sew a pair of Cargo Bloomers at this two day class. Not only are they comfortable in hot weather and attractive on all body types, but they are practical too!

This is a two day evening workshop. We will draft patterns and cut fabric on the first day and sew the bloomers together on the second day. Both classes are Thursday Evening.

You will go home with a pattern and a pair of cargo bloomers. No experience necessary.

Only 4 openings available for this class. Cost is $20 per student to be paid by Paypal when you sign up for the class. Scholarships are available from the St. Clair Aeronauts for people in need. Please submit a note of explanation. Please email Sophia St. Clair at Stclairaeronauts@gmail.com to reserve your spot in the class. First come first served. The price of the class is non refundable but can be transfered to a later class if you can't make this one.

There is a high demand for this class, so please do not take one of the few positions unless you really mean to attend. I hate to see a long wait list and then get a last minute cancellation.

The Details:

Where: Our House- 501 Raymond Ave, San Jose, CA, 95128
Phone: 925.787.2591
Time: Part 1: Thursday, June 16th 7pm - 10pm
Part 2: Thursday, June 23rd 7pm - 10pm

What to bring:

I have access to at least 3 sewing machines. Bring your own if you like....

Snacks if you are likely to want them
Whatever you like to drink (we have water and tea available but that is it...)
Pens, Pencils, Project book or paper for notes.
Newspaper and tape (for your pattern)

Cargo Bloomers Materials:

Enough fabric to go from your waist to the ground twice. Generally between 2 and 3 yrds of fabric.
Regular hand sewing needle
Thread to match your fabric
Scissors
Seam ripper
Pins
Fabric chalk
Extra machine needles (mostly size 11 or 14)
Enough no roll elastic to go around your waist and both ankles.

To Decorate your cargo pockets and bloomers:

Ribbon in different colors and widths (you will need 1" ribbon to make proper ribbon roses and such)
Lace or other trim (even scraps can be useful, but you can do a lot with 2 yards or more (if you add tassel trim this becomes a dryclean only item)
Random fabric accents (doilies, patches, sequin decorations, embroidered bits, vintage scraps, beads, buttons, bells, tassels, etc)

Fabric Types:
Natural Woven Fabrics: 100% cotton or linen is the best way to go. Anything else, especially synthetics or brocades, will be hot and uncomfortable. Also, you can wash linen and cotton. Please no knitt or stretchy fabrics.

I have one machine that will sew thin garment weight leather.

Fabric Stores (other than Joe-Ann's and Hancock Fabrics):

Discount Fabrics: Two Locations- Berkeley and SF- http://www.discountfabrics-sf.com/
Fabrics R Us: (best place to by $4 linen!) San Jose- http://www.yelp.com/biz/fabrics-r-us-san-jose
SCRAPS (Goodwill for craft supplies, esp. Fabric and trim): SF- http://www.scrap-sf.org/

Craft Centric Garage Sale

Come by and browse a collection of arts and craft accessories by local artists. Many Gifts for Mom. Very reasonable prices.

When: Saturday, May 7 Noon - 4pm
Where: Corner of Scott Street and Raymond Ave in San Jose, 95128

Procedes go to support the St. Clair Aeronauts Project!

Ever Want to Be an Aeronaut?

The Crew of the St. Clair Aeronauts is shorthanded for Maker Faire this year. We're looking for a few good steamy people to lend a hand. Contact me at stclairaeronauts @ Gmail . com if you are interested....

(Almost) May Day Picnic- Wicked Plants at the Conservatory of Flowers in SF

April showers bring May flowers and apparently, some of those flowers can KILL you!

The Lovely Amy G brought this exhibit to our attention and it seems the perfect place for the Annual Aeronauts May Picnic and Visit to a Creepy Location. The Conservatory is hosting a special exhibit:

Wicked Plants: Botanical Rogues & Assassins Northern California Author Amy Stewart’s 2009 New York Times Bestseller, Wicked Plants: The Weed that Killed Lincoln’s Mother & Other Botanical Atrocities comes to deadly life at the Conservatory of Flowers this summer

The by line from their web page says it all, people:

"Paralysis, strangulation, derangement – these are just a few of the misdeeds of the plant kingdom as chronicled by award-winning author Amy Stewart in her 2009 New York Times Bestseller, Wicked Plants: The Weed that Killed Lincoln’s Mother & Other Botanical Atrocities. And now, something wicked this way comes. Building on the fascinating plant portraits in Stewart’s book, the Conservatory introduces visitors to living examples of dozens of infamous plants that have left their mark on history and claimed many an unfortunate victim. As visitors enter the exhibition, they find themselves in a mysterious, untended yard behind a ramshackle old Victorian home. Peeking through the window, it’s clear that a crime has just taken place...."

SO, wear your Best Steampunk Black and Green (for Mourning or Victory depending on your favorite side), bring a picnic lunch and something to share, tote in a thermous of Tea to invigorate you in the presence of such evil (and because its cold in SF) and Join US....

Explorers and Scientific Gentlemen and Ladies especially welcome. We would hear your stories of daringly taming the wild jungles and dangerous gardens of the Continent!

The Particulars...

When: April 30th, 2011, Noon for lunch, 2pm for the Exhibit.

Where: San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers, Golden Gate Park. 100 John F. Kennedy Drive San Francisco, CA 94118 Lunch will be on the Lawn just below the Conservatory on the right hand side, between the flowerbeds and the trees. Those meeting us just for the Exhibit should join us at the main entrance to the Conservatory at 2pm.

What to Bring:

• Friends and companions


• Small children, if you have them


• A picnic lunch


• A thermous of your favorite tea


• Your best traveling teacup


• Something to share (sandwiches and baked goods are ALWAYS welcome!)


• Something to sit on (the grass can be damp)


• Your magnifying glass


• Your camera


• $7 to get in to the Conservatory ($5 for residents and children)


• Goggles, Bustles or other Steampunk Accoutrement so we know who you are!

As always, everyone is welcome!

See photos of our last trip to the Conservatory HERE.

See photos of last year's picnic and trip to the Winchester Mystery House HERE.

St. Clair Aeronauts at Maker Faire 2011

You too can meet Capt. St. Clair and his crew! Be a Part of History....Alternate History!

We will have a area in the San Mateo Maker Faire for the StClair Aeronauts Steampunk Airmail Delivery Service.

We'll have parchment paper and pen and ink. We'll have Airmail stamps circa 1883. We'll have envelope paper and envelope patterns (we'll even have a little glue!). And, of course, we will have our fearless crew of Delivery persons in Uniform to deliver your precious messages!

So come by, and write a letter to someone at the event. You can pen a criptic message, or start a short story in the middle of the action. Make your envelope, address it and add a stamp and we'll make every effort to deliver it that day.

You'll hear our crew wandering Maker Faire exclaiming. "Airmail, Airmail Delivery for...." Just imagine your own name there and take home a memento of the 2011 Maker Faire.

Or, if you don't care to write a letter, come sit in the parlor and watch the busy world go by and bustling airmail delivery persons go about their business... and be sure to bring your camera to snap some action shots with a few useful steampunk props and members of the crew!

See Pictures of the St. Clair Aeronauts in action HERE.

See Video of First Mate, Mrs. St.Clair HERE (about 2 minutes in)

Want to see some letters from our first event? Check out Letters written for the Sunnyvale Steampunk Convention, 2008 HERE.

Summer Sewing Classes and Workshops 2011

Summer Sewing Classes, sponsored by the St. Clair Aeronauts
Learn to modify and sew your own clothes and accessories!
Learn to design and draft your own patterns!
Stay busy over the summer!

Sophia St. Clair will be offering beginning sewing and pattern drafting classes this summer in her home. All classes are for beginners and intermediate sewers. No experience is necessary. Mrs. St. Clair also has sewing machines and other necessary sewing tools but there are only 4 places in each class. Classes are $10 - $20. Scholarships are available. Please inquire if you would like to apply for the St. Clair Crafters Scholarship. Students are responsible for purchasing materials like cloth, patterns, buttons and thread. A list of needed items will be given out before each class.


Two types of classes:

BROP- (Bring Your Own Project)- Know what you want, but don't know how to make it? Bring your materials and we will make it together. I can teach you how!

One Day Workshops- Look for one day workshops on making Bustles, Bloomers, Bags, Spats and more. Even more topics on demand. Tell me what you want and I'll make a class for it! Show up with your materials and go home woth a finished piece.

Interested? Contact Sophia St. Clair to get on the mailing list, sign up for classes or find out more:

Stclairaeronauts@gmail.com
Stclairaeronauts.blogspot.com
925.787.2591

Hello to all our new Nova Albion Friends!

It was such a pleasure and delight to meet so many fabulous people!

Do drop us a line if you want to be on either or both list:

Class email lists

Events and Craft Night email lists

We can be reached at: stclairaeronauts@gmail.com

And we are always looking for new crew! Don't be shy!