We had decided to promote their introduction and release at the Bristol SWAMP on the 12th May and due to the fact that we only had enough leather to make 6 in total and the fact that we would never be getting any more of that type of leather; we released them as a limited edition.

2 days before the event, we advertised that we would only be selling them at that specific event to see how people would react to the design, look and concept.

To say that we are surprised by peoples reaction to them is an understatement. 4 of the 6 had sold within the first hour of opening our trade stand, they had all sold by the end of the market day and in case any had not; we had received a backup of emails and messages from people requesting to purchase them if they did not sell at the event.

We wish to send out apologies to everyone who sent us messages asking for a set; As we were promoting them specifically for that event, we could not sell them before the event date. But due to receiving such a positive response over them, we have decided to look into making more and building permanent designs (as well as some more limited edition and unique floggers).

So watch this space, because we do plan on creating many more!

These versatile little pouches are created from a weave called “European 4 in 1″. It is one of the most popular chainmail weaves known to mankind and is what a lot of armour from the European middle ages was made out of.

A great accessory to any Fantasy, Gothic, Steampunk or Medieval outfit. You can use them to store your cash or if you are a gamer, you can use them to hold your dice!

They currently come in stainless steel, brass or bronze (However, new metals will eventually be available as we expand) and are completed with a tie-up cord which have been cut from Deer or Buck leather hide (Black standard leather cord is also available on request).

Back in 2010, the Kabunza girls decided to go to the Asylum Steampunk convention held in Lincoln and one of the main accessories we thought about was guns. But unfortunately we could not find any within the price range that we had set for ourselves at the time. To this end we decided to purchase some toy guns and alter them ourselves into something which would be more fitting for the Steampunk environment.

So, this blog post is our first instructional on how to go about making your own Steampunk boomsticks or death rays.

What you need:

1. A toy gun.
2. Glue.
3. Modelling paints.
4. An assortment of random junk or beads.
5. Clear varnish. Preferably in a spray-can format.

We ended up purchasing 2 N-Strike NERF Maverick Rev-6 Toy Guns, which are one of the favored toy guns to modify for Steampunk LARP (Live action role play) and a set of Standard 1FCE Welding Goggles. One gun each to modify and my partner also wanted the Goggles (because having a set of goggles is typically ‘Steampunk’).
This first picture was taken before any alterations were made.

While NERF toy guns tend to be very popular, any toy gun will do. Just find one with a shape you like.

My own Steampunk gun needed to be black to look good with my gothic-like Steampunk outfit. All the paint that was used were from the Games Workshop Modeling paints range. Any paints will work, but for enduring colour or fine detail, modelling paints tend to work best.
I started by filing off all of the markings on the gun, including the design and product information. Once I had a completely smooth surface I started to glue all of the leftover beads and trinkets which we had found in various bead and brick-a-brack shops ranging between Swindon and Exeter. Any tiny odd shaped thing makes for a good attachment. Most came from a small back-ally junk shop in Exeter, including the rose button on the side of the gun which I had used clippers to remove the button loop from the under side, to have a flat surface for gluing. Once the glue had dried, I sprayed the entire gun a base coat of black. Drybrushing Boltgun Metal over the whole gun came next to give it that rugged look (Drybrushing is a technique where a very tiny amount of paint is put on the brush and is then dabbed on to tissue before applying it to your working surface, so that when you rub the brush up and down the area that you are painting, you get a scratchy effect which does not cover the paint underneath). I highlighted areas of the gun with Chainmail and Mithril Silver, I then mixed small amounts of Mithril Silver with Dwarven Bronze to give burn mark and rust effects to some of the guns deep joints and Gratings. I cannibalised a friends (lovingly donated) old belt for the suade-like roping around the handle and the loop which comes off the back of the gun. The ending is a cheap metal pendent (also found in the back alley shops of Exeter). To finish the gun, I gave it a coat of clear matt varnish to keep the paint protected and to avoid chipping or flaking.
It was then looped onto my belt with leatherette bindings which my partner had lovingly measured and cut especially to fit the gun.

My partner wanted her gun to be the colors that are more typically associated with Steampunk. She used the same painting method as I did with the exception of using a lot more bronze and a lot less silver. She also chose a “cleaner” look to the gun and made it look far less rugged than my own by using less amounts of drybrushing. Most of the beads that she had glued on to this gun came from the same shops that sold the beads for my own gun (any beads you can find will do, some of the plainest looking beads can actually make the most realistic looking attachments and buttons). Of course, it was completed by adding a coat of clear varnish for paint and colour protection.
She did want a full holster for the gun, so she ended up measuring, cutting and sewing together a full leatherette holster which could attach to pretty much any belt that she choose to wear.

The goggles were easy and had just been mask tapped over the lenses before being completely coated with the black spray paint.

And there you have it. A brief introduction on how to go about modifying a toy to be a ‘kicking bottom’ Steampunk revolver!

Happy crafting!

For our first ever official event I think we did exceptionally well. Lots of business cards were passed around, we received lots of interest and collars, necklaces, bracelets and cuffs were made to measure on the spot for a good number of people.

We at Kabunza wish to thank everyone who made this such a great event for us.

We look forward to attending the next DV8 fetish festival in 2013!

Both with interests in Arts & Crafts.

Between them, they sported a motley collection of crafting skills and loved to endlessly fiddle with things. They attended numerous gaming conventions, craft fairs, shows, clubs and events. All the while, creating little extravagant additions or props for their outfits.

Eventually, Britain went into a recession and living became tough. So the two girls decided to start making things to sell in an effort to pay the bills.

You have stumbled into their little world of weirdness where the only limitation to any creation is time, materials and imagination.

Welcome to our little corner of the web. We have named it: Kabunza Craftwerks.