Amy is a member of Thalia Dance, a Fat Chance Belly Dance Style troupe in the Chicago suburbs. She’s performed at the Alley Art Festival in Aurora, Martini Room in Elgin, and the Elgin Pride Festival. Amy is also a cosplayer who guests at Chicago-area conventions as Amelia Craftypants.
Randy Ingram was born in Sheboygan, WI but has lived many years in Woodstock Illinois.
Music has always been a part of who I am and I have always found a way to make it part of my life.
I have been drumming since I was 9 when my grandma bought my first drum set.
My first drum teacher who was also Buttons the clown and one of the top teachers at the California clown college taught me many things. As I got older my second teacher JD Cultser continued my drumming lessons.
I have been playing music in front of audience since I was about 15 when I played in a polka band in agreement with Jimmy to earn my first real drum set .
Previously I could be found performing at hofflas around the area with dancers like Aziza and many others for about 3 years.
Today I am doing events such as playing music at the Bristol renaissance with Dan the bard, and have for about 18 years and helping run the Bristol drum jam.
I play piano at Senior Living centers in the Memory Care Unit, as it provides emotional and mental support to patients there.
And my newest adventure is playing with Chad Canfield and others in a group named Vardo .
If you wish to support my journey with bringing music to Senior citizen living centers, feel free to donate what your heart desires.
Follow your dreams and turn your dreams into your way of life.
Presented by Nyx Grabe
During this workshop, I offer an array of different Wonderland inspired charms, beads, faux leathers and gemstones so each participant can make their own unique keepsake from the other side of the Looking Glass! You can create a pair of earrings, a pin, a bracelet, a necklace, a barrette, a floating locket, a keychain or all of the above!
Workshops cost $5-$20, depending on what charms and stones desired to start your project. For example, a pin, keychain or barrette is $5, earrings $10 and $10-20 for a necklace or piece with larger charms like the walrus seen here. Beads can vary from colorful round plastic beads, wood, glass and coconut to those of coral, obsidian, malachite and other gemstone beads. I even have some glow in the dark beads for your adventures.
I will also have easy to make floating lockets for anyone who wants to make those for $5 in beautiful garden colors. They are available in necklace, bracelet and keychain form.
I do recommend thar you can bring your own pilers, glue or glue gun, scissors and/or a tray to work on if you are able. I have deep plates I can offer. I will have a couple vials of super glue for the barrettes and pins. Feel free to bring any charms or outside fixings to add to your creations as you wish. Parents please supervise your children while they create.
If you have any questions or want to prepay, insuring I can hold certain charms for you, my email is nyxgrabe@gmail.com
Nyx Grabe has been doing workshops at steampunk cons for the last 20 years. Mainly perfume, jewelry and tea construction. She has worked at Gaslight Gathering in San Diego, TeslaCon in Wisconsin and many others.
Presented by Sarah Liechty
Come and decorate your own steampunk gear sugar cookies with us! You will be given a kit, which includes, three different sizes of gear shaped sugar cookies.
You will also be given three different colors of icing. Other toppings may be provided to enhance your cookies. Once you are finished, you may enjoy them right away or save them for later. Bring your friends or come alone. All are invited.
Each set of cookies and decorations will be for $12.00.
Sarah Liechty is a retired science teacher after 39 years. Sarah is also a manager for Kleptz Restaurant in Seelyville, Indiana. For many years, she provided handmade desserts that were on the menu. Examples of those would be a variety of cheesecakes, cobblers, cakes and much more. Sarah has always loved to bake and she is bringing those skills to the Chicago Steampunk Convention 2026. She will be providing a variety of desserts to purchase. She will also present one class for participants to decorate their own steampunk sugar cookie gears.
Presented by Auntie Charity Hystamine
Felted Soap Make and Take. Felt your own hand made soap for a superior clean without the violence of most exfoliants. Also works as a soap saver for all of your adventures.
Charity aka Auntie Hystamine: Veteran ConMom and attendee of Steampunk and Book Cons across the country. Curator of Auntie Hystamine’s Kiki Room. Pop Culture and book connoisseur. I am very rarely an official volunteer, but the glory of my ConMom skills are legendary. Often seen helping guests and attendees with snacks and water whilst running through the halls for Quest Items.
Presented by Auntie Charity Hystamine
Dramatic Readings Of Poorly Executed Romance (DROPER) is a competitive expose of the best worst examples of the Bad Tropes in the Romance Genre. We’ve all read them and sighed. Now read them with all the flair you can muster! From the lip quivers and ellipses of Cartland, to boobs boobing boobily, to the Sir that is not anatomicaly possible, enjoy the drama and laughter of Dramatic Readings of Poorly Executed Romance (DROPER for a quickie).
Charity aka Auntie Hystamine: Veteran ConMom and attendee of Steampunk and Book Cons across the country. Curator of Auntie Hystamine’s Kiki Room. Pop Culture and book connoisseur. I am very rarely an official volunteer, but the glory of my ConMom skills are legendary. Often seen helping guests and attendees with snacks and water whilst running through the halls for Quest Items.
Presented by For the Love of Steampunk ~ Lori Schambureck
In Chapter 3 of the Looking Glass, Alice discusses insects with a Gnat and then goes through the woods where things have no names and forgets hers until a fawn leads her out.
We shall create our own upcycled, steampunk, insects that can be either free standing or built as a magnet depending on your skill level. The body of the insects will be glass light bulbs, so please consider that for age appropriateness when signing up. There will be plenty of supplies for this intriguing insect creation session.
$10 materials fee will be collected at the session by the presenters.
For the Love of Steampunk is a Facebook Page created by Lori Schambureck that provides her own creative ideas, inspiration for projects, completed costumes, and information from world wide events. Lori has a fine art degree and finds steampunk as the perfect aesthetic for her unique style that incorporates up-cycling items. For the Love of Steampunk was created to inspire others to try new ideas and embrace the creative process. Lori is enthusiastic about the fact that Steampunk has no rules or limits to how creative you can be so everyone can have fun.
Presented by Auntie Charity Hystamine
Self Care as Spite. Achieving optimal mental and mental physical health through pure spite! Are you tired of seeing picture perfect self care routines?Have you ever been told you are wasting your potential by yourself or others? Join now to learn the basics of using spite as the ultimate motivator from taking our meds to being the best you can be. Some of the world best inventions were born of spite.
Charity aka Auntie Hystamine: Veteran ConMom and attendee of Steampunk and Book Cons across the country. Curator of Auntie Hystamine’s Kiki Room. Pop Culture and book connoisseur. I am very rarely an official volunteer, but the glory of my ConMom skills are legendary. Often seen helping guests and attendees with snacks and water whilst running through the halls for Quest Items.
Calling all creatives, makers, artists and crafters: CSE is hosting a contest for those attending the Expo. Currently, we will have 3 contests: Flowers, Mushrooms and Airships!
When Alice had shrunk down to a mere 3 inches, she endeavored to grow to her right size. She’d come across a very large mushroom:
Miniature airships: travel from Wonderland to Oz in a hot air balloon, airship or other mode of Ether vehicle. Should be the size of a Christmas tree ornament. Must be able to hang from above.
All items are to be submitted at the event on Saturday 6/13/26, by 10:00 a.m. CDT for judging.
Presented by the Blood Sirens
Enter if you dare to the domain of the alluring Blood Sirens. Their cove may tempt you with desirable treasures and lush surroundings, but be wary of their magical form. The Blood Siren’s enchantment may prevent you from truly seeing what is right before you. So heed this warning do not fall for their captivating charms or you may find yourself as one of their eternal Dark Dweller servants. Or worse yet, become part of their prized bone collection.
Saturday afternoon, there will be an opportunity to meet merfolk for pictures, magical fun, and maybe even a chance to swim with them!
Click on the banner below to learn more about the Sirens . . .
