Artist Spotlight: Cindy from Titanic Temptations

For the final Artist Spotlight, the phrase "saving the best for last", comes to mind. When I initially approaced Cindy from Titanic Temptations to be part of Let's Get Steamy, I was hoping for a simple yes, or at the very least no hateful "leave me alone you solicitor" email. I was absolutely BLOWN AWAY by Cindy amazing and heartfelt response to the request. Cindy is an avid steampunk lover and she really does the genre justice when talking about it. And hey, she's also an amazing artist :) Please welcome to the blog today, Cindy Coakley from Titanic Temptations !!

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Hello, my name is Cindy Coakley, plain and simple.But my passion for creating Vintage Victorian Steampunk Style Jewelry is anything but plain and simple!

I was born in, and still reside in the beautiful green Willamette Valley of Oregon, the heart of the Pacific Northwest, sometimes called Paradise Valley. Although I haven't strayed far from home, my roots extend into Scotland, Ireland, France and Germany. I always wondered why my Grandfather loved Limburger Cheese, until I discovered that Great Grandmother was from Alsace Lorraine France, the home of the "Big Stinky" cheese!

I love history and heritage, and treasure the wondrous old antiques that have come to be mine from beloved family members.
Foremost of which is Grandmother's treadle sewing machine!
What an awe inspiring contraption, and needs NO electricity to function! I would watch in amazement as she pumped the foot feed, and fed beautiful squares of cloth through that flying needle, creating the loveliest quilts you ever saw. (Funny, when I tried it, the silly thing would always end up going backward!)

I would mesmerize over the old tin type photos of my Great Grandfather and his six brothers. Seven red headed Irishmen living up in the back woods of Paris Oregon. Grandmother was terribly proud of her "Black Irish" heritage! But I still can't help but wonder if those brothers weren't the original "Seven Brothers" for those Seven Brides!

 

So I fell in love with the Vintage Victorian Steampunk Style, an inspiring era that captured my heart and hasn't let go. I love the mind boggling contraptions and inventions of the period, as well as the gorgeous gowns and amazing laced up under garments, the feathered fascinator hats, the adorable granny boot footwear and the swirling up do hair styles. But mostly I love the stunning lacy crystal jewelry, glittering drops of sparkles, layered in enticing filigree, surrounding the neck like metal lace, boggling the mind with the intricate design and tedious construction, each one a work of art.

So the environment that formed me, still compels me to love those treasured designs. The frilly, fanciful, feminine appeal of the Victorian era is just part of my psychic and will always be. Like the way my 78 year old father still combs his glorious silver "Duck Tail" hair style, Elvis would be so proud! And so I strive to emulate the flow and feel or the Vintage Victorian Steampunk ambiance in my Jewelry Artwork Designs, from simple to elaborate.

 

In my quest for knowledge about this amazing era, I gravitated to the history surrounding the Titanic. Through my research into that fateful journey, I became even more emotionally connected to the period. I feel deep empathy for all those folks who lost their lives in that tragedy. And in a way, each intricate piece I create is a tribute to them, and so I chose the business name: Titanic Temptations

Antiqued bronze and brass are my favorite metal mediums, because the aged patina on these metals add to the old world character of my designs.
By using faceted crystals and gemstones, and even some rhinestones lightly sprinkled here and there, color and sparkle are added to my designs.
And as for my favorite piece, there are so many that I love, it's hard to pick just one. But this one would be in my top 10!
The creations that I design have a Steampunk nature because of their Victorian ambiance. And if I want to heighten the Steampunk Gadgetry appeal, I incorporate in gears and fanciful bronze charms, like keys and turn of the century elements, inventions and gizmos.


 

A Purple "Champagne Pearl Choker"

 

A Purple "Mona Lisa Choker" 

 
Green "Paris in the Spring"

It usually takes at least a week to completely finish a new brainstorm idea, with an intricate layered filigree crystal centerpiece and an array of crystals, pearls, rhinestones and dangles. Deliberating tediously over each piece, elements are moved carefully into place, until I find the overall design pleasing to my whimsical fancy. Then the pieces are carefully assembled, right down to a tiny bronze circular disc dangling from the end, with my name and year of completion hand enrage on it.

With great appreciation I treasure all my clients who have requested special wondrous creations that have spurred me on to new creating heights and accomplishments that I never thought possible. I have found that the possibilities are endless, and I so look forward to continuing this amazing journey.
Thank You!

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Thanks Cindy for coming on the blog today! I adore your jewelry and I will definitely have to commission a piece once I get my new costumes for the Con season in order :) As for YOU my lucky readers, you have a chance to win one of Cindy's creations. You will win  A gorgeous Peridot Green Choker! AND matching earrings! I'm so endlessly jealous of you all! Fill out the rafflecopter below and May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favor.  

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