Ilse Spuijbroek, a sculpture and Jewelry artist from the Netherlands, is a first-time member of the Art Show this year. Being a steampunk fan, I was compelled by the intricate clock parts she uses on her goggles, hats, eye patches, necklaces, and bracelets.
“We get the parts from a clock company in the Netherlands,” she explained. This attention to detail gives her steampunk pieces not only authenticity, but some serious class. In the Netherlands, items are not considered to be “antiques” unless they are 100 years old, so she is able to find parts that would be considered antiques here in North America at a reasonable price in Europe.
Her talent doesn’t stop with steampunk accessories. She also sculpts beautiful, intricate, delicate dolls, statues, and sculptures with fantasy themes. Three of her statues are in the art show, and several photo postcards of her other pieces are available.
She has been displaying her artwork at conventions in the Netherlands, especially Elf Fantasy Fair and Castlefest. In Germany, at the gaming convention SPIEL, while participating in her art show, she was encouraged to try Comic-Con (San Diego) and Dragon*Con in the United States.
Braving the jury, and the cross-Atlantic flight, she brought her pieces to the U.S. for the first time.
“American people are so kind, they love my [pieces],” she said. “We’re having fun all the time.”
One of the statues she brought this year is a re-creation of the angel from a Christos Achilléos painting. When the artist gave her permission to make the piece, it was a “dream come true,” for Ilse. The detail found in the piece is well worth the visit to her table.
The same can be said about the other artists in the show this year.
When asked if she had to choose only one convention to return to in the U.S., either Comic-Con or Dragon*Con, she said, “I cannot make that decision. It’s too hard. It could go either way.”
Whether you would like to purchase some amazing steampunk accessories to make your costume truly pop, or whether you appreciate the delicacy of doll-like statues, visit Ilse’s table.
For more of her work, check out her website at: ilsespuijbroek.com
