TeslaCon 2025 Programing Schedule

The Vikings were great explorers. There is archeological evidence of some settlement in North America, but many speculative stories too. Did the Vikings explore more of the New World hundreds of years before Columbus?

Bring in your old, well cared for clothes and exchange them for something old, new, different! This event is open to all TeslaCon members looking for a new frock, hat, vest or knickers! Please remember to have clothes clean and presentable when dropping them off. There is no fee for this event. Donations start at 9:30AM

Whether you're new to steampunk or a seasoned airship captain, developing and evolving your character is an exciting journey. Explore how historical inspiration, quirky traits, and creative costumes can bring your persona to life. Learn about valuable research tools, discover how to integrate unique accessories, and find ways to weave your character’s story into the steampunk world. Join us for tips, resources, and shared experiences on crafting a character that’s as dynamic and imaginative as the world you inhabit.

Come create an easy no-sew gnome stuffy with a nordic flare. Kit fee will be $10 cash payable at the door.
Supervisor required for children under 12 due to use of hot glue guns.

Learn how to transform thrift store finds into the perfect complement to your costume using painting, fabric application, gilding, glittering, sewing on accents, and more. Discover techniques to take your footwear from flat to fabulous. I'll share the tools and supplies that have worked the best for me. This will be a lecture format with hands-on examples and time for Q&A.

A chance to view and examine in detail authentic Victorian dresses from as early as the 1860's onward! Look at sewing techniques, garment details, repairs, pattern-matching (or lack thereof!), evaluate inside linings, seams, stays and darts, buttons and buttonholes, necklines, asymmetric closures, trim and fabric manipulation, and how dresses achieved a fashionable silhouette and style. Some accessories will also be spotlighted (*cough* beaded reticules *cough*) as well as many cabinet cards and cartes-de-visites of the time, quilts and quilt blocks (they make amazing fabric reference libraries), and historical sewing notions. It will be eye-opening!

We all know the story — Odin hung himself upside down in Yggdrasil, the World Tree, upside down for nine days and nine nights to obtain the knowledge of the RUNES. Fortunately, you do not have to do that to learn about the Elder Futhark and how to use them for wisdom. Learn the basics of what each of the 24 runes means, and how to do a basic divination spread.
*(some of the myths that get referenced are violent and/or sexual)

Join The Airship Ambassador as we review a number of recipes from the 1800s to build a menu for an afternoon tea.

Curiosities, Oddities, Artifacts, and Relics from the 11 corners of the globe! Learn how the Curator discovered the most wonder-ful and awe-ful exhibits, including Two Perfectly Identical Snowflakes, the World's Smartest Hat, and the Bucket of Immortality!

Have never sewn before? I am here to take the scary out of the sewing machine. Let me show you some tips, trick, and just plain useful information to get you started on making your own beautiful creations.

Explore the excitement of pitting animatronic rodents against one another in a steampunk battle arena. Cheer on the combatant of your choice and experience the thrill of watching your champion destroy its opponents (or at least knock them over).

12:00 PM The Llantywyll Incident / The player characters travel to a mining village in Wales, where they must find some way to make peace between the spirits of the local mine and a zealous minister determined to rid the valley of its pagan superstitions.

3:00 PM Fireheart / This mystery brings the player characters to the deep southern woods of Smolandia. These lands are ravaged by heatwaves and wildfires, triggering poverty, hunger, and mass emigration to America. The player characters are drawn into the situation by two brothers who run an ironworks by the shore of Lake Hären. Can they uncover the cause of the fires and save the area from ruin?

4:00 PM Dance of Shadows / The mystery begins with the player characters being called to the Witch Cat Inn south of Upsala. Private detective Olaus Klint has noticed strange things going on there, and reaches out to the player characters for help. The clues tell of a murder that took place fifty years ago, and in the confrontation the player characters get the opportunity to give an angry and confused revenant the peace he desires. The events take place in late fall or winter.

7:00 PM The Song of the Falling Star / Wherein a promise is broken, a child is swapped, a man is faced with a difficult decision, and two powerful forces collide in the light and shadows of the Kaali crater.

8:00 PM  Mystery at Trollhaven  / When a ferry captain discovers a mysterious happening at a remote village in a Norwegian fjord, Lord Bobbins calls in his best and brightest paranormal investigators to solve the mystery.

This is a Cthulhu by Gaslight based game for up to 6 player 18+. Characters and dice provided.  No Roleplaying experience necessary.

Sew and no sew options for transforming thrift store finds through tailoring and fitting. Men’s and Women’s.

*This is not about shopping! I will come with a laundry basic full of thrift store finds and give people ideas. Did you know that you can convert a single breasted jacket to a double breasted jacket? I will show multiple ways to alter cuffs and hem pants.

In European folklore, fairies are often portrayed as capricious and dangerous beings, far from the whimsical, friendly creatures of modern tales. Traditionally, they are depicted as mischievous and sometimes malicious, embodying a complex duality that reflects the unpredictable nature of the natural world. Many stories warn of their tendency to deceive, abduct, or punish humans for perceived slights, with encounters often leading to misfortune or chaos. Let's explore their darker true origins in European cultures and the cautious relationship between humans and the fairy realm.

When you hear the term Victorian Workhouse, do you think pitiful food? Families broken up? Meaningless work? Come and learn what the workhouse was really like. What was their nefarious purpose? Who went to the workhouse? What did inmates do all day? What did they eat? Determine for yourself, was The Victorian Workhouse: Hell or Haven.

Practice session for those who wish to perform!

Demo of how to use an out of print commercial slipper pattern to create your own custom footwear, using shoes that fit you as a base. Attendees will receive a copy of the pattern and step by step modification instructions. Lots of physical examples will be passed around as show and tell.

Learn to needle felt your own fairies, gnomes or Nordic symbols. Felting materials will be provided. Decorate clothing or make your own brooch.

This class will give a brief history and will show examples of presenter's wire weaving projects. Participants will be led step by step though the process to make a necklace or bracelet. All materials will be provided, along with a handout. Cost is $25.00 and a limit of 12 participants.

Ever thought about organizing a steampunk event for your local group, but never figured out how? Then this panel is for you! We'll discuss the types of events you can do, including picnics, photo ops, duels and movie nights. We'll show you how to apply a military method to getting everything planned, and help you with strategies to maximize the number of people attending! (And if you already have experience with organizing events, come attend and share your experiences!

What happens when you mix the world-building of steampunk and combine it with the beloved lore of fairy tales? Come learn about examples of steampunk fairy tales in all kinds of media, then listen to a reading of The Clockwork Coffin, a Gothic fairy tale retelling with a steampunk twist.

An introduction to the ICG Archives with a specific focus on Steampunk including “That” Pattern – Simplicity 2172.

Defend your honor and demonstrate your martial prowess with dueling pistols! Defeat your adversaries and win prizes, fame, fortune, and bragging rights! Admission to the contest is free; everyone is welcome to participate!

Using slides taken on two cruises through the fjords of western Norway and at an open air museum of 19th century Norwegian life and culture, I will talk about western Norwegian rural life in the 19th century and how it was shaped by the country's climate, mountains, and fjords. The talk will describe the primacy of fishing and the export of dried fish to the 19th century western Norwegian economy, illustrated by slides from a museum of fishing boats, almost identical in design to early Viking ships. It will also describe the impact of Germany on western Norway, both in the political influence of the Hanseatic League in Bergen (with slides from my trip to Bergen and the Hanseatic League buildings there) and the impact of Kaiser Wilhem's rebuilding of the city of Ålesund after it burned down, which is why many Norwegians retained positive feelings for Germany and the Kaiser. The talk will also describe conditions in western Norway that led people to emigrate to the United States in the 19th century. This is G-rated, focused on history and material culture.

In the decade+ since HG Cephalopod made his debut, many of you have started bringing your critters to TC. Getting them spiffed up and TC ready can be fun but challenging too. Come learn how to steampunk plush creatures great and small.
We'll cover things like:
-Overall approach
-How to get started
-Design ideas
-Finding supplies and more.

Please bring your plushie friends and any supplies you don't need can go on the freebies table for anyone to grab. You never know what you will find!

Hand-sew or glue decorations to a cap, hat, bag, or other fabric item. I will have thrifted hats, decorating materials, and felt shapes: mushrooms, gnomes, flowers, etc. Freewill donation.

Meet up with your fellow LGBTQ+ Steampunks! Play icebreaker games, enjoy light refreshments, and meet new friends. Allies welcome!

Discover the elves, trolls and witches in the Christmas tradition. Georgie will read from "The Old Magic of Christmas" by Raedisch, and "The Scary Book of Christmas Lore" by Rayborn.

Learn how to create tucked fabric ornaments using a method called “kimekomi”. These beautiful ornaments are great for using up some fabric scraps!
starting at only $5

Creating a memorable costume starts with a great concept. But what next? Costumers Brett King and Nina Urban share their processes for turning ideas into complete costumes that will turn heads and tip hats, regardless of your skill level! They’ll cover how to conceptualize a design, how to source materials, how to pick up new skills, how to assemble, and how to present your costume to look fantastic in photos and on the contest stage.

on Germanic tombs and megaliths that will include a few of the myths and legends associated with them. One of my own tales, "In the Moving Time" will be included, as it tells the legend of a Wendish chief associated with the first large megalith and tomb erected and built in the Northland.

Color in your own Steampunk Alphabet Book. Learn some Spanish Steampunk words. Crayons and Colored Pencils available. Fee $10 for 2 books; family discounts available.

An exploration of cocktails that use chocolate as an ingredient. Calamity Dawn will present several chocolate based drinks. She'll also talk about how to incorporate chocolate in your drinks.  Adult 21+ ID needed

You must be 18+ to attend this event.

Come, sit, and enjoy the finer photography of the age..ahem. Forbidden Images returns with more wild, crazy and we dare say adult humor.

ID’s will eb checked at the door.

Participating in steampunk sends multiple kinds of messages to people. Join The Airship Ambassador as we discuss what steampunk says to the world.

Learn about some of the popular snacks and pastries from the area. Krumkake, Pepperkaker, Lefse, Hjortetakk and more.

Myself and Karen Schnaubelt to co-teach a workshop of edge-beading and making beaded fringe, to create a wearable Talisman bag (can be worn as a necklace) and put a tiny treasure inside. They are made of decorative ribbon, and my ribbon has some of the embroidery motifs on theme. I provide Kits for $15 that have all supplies and instructions, in a variety of colors. There are two techniques: Edge-beading with seed beads and fringe beading with seed beads and other beads. We first go over the methods, then give individual attention as needed as participants work on making the little pouch.

Learn about the ancient history of how amber is formed, the different colors, inclusions including insects and plants, how to test for natural amber and its healing properties. Come see my fantastic collection of amber!

What to wear in the land of Oz; some general history and inspiration to help prep for next year

For as long as anyone in Arendal can remember, the Herlofson family controlled the business community, gaining more power and prestige with each successive generation until it all came crashing down a decade ago.  Since then, the town has suffered the effects of the bank failure but at least they were free of the family's influence.  Or were they?  Join Professor Lena Foltz-Pendarvis, correspondent for several leading US newspapers, as she divulges her findings about possible links between Arendal's current mayor and the Herlofsons.

This modern (1894) take on traditional Scandinavian woven heart baskets transforms them from paper Yule ornaments to fabric reticules. Age 14 & up; basic hand sewing required; kits are a variety of colors; BYO fabric shears appreciated but not required.

Multiple clue cards will be available for small groups. Solve the puzzles and find the Key to Escape the Museum.
Best time wins a team prize. There will be badges for participants. Limit 20.

Evil fairies are running rampant! Come learn from the legendary troll hunter, Gustaf Danielsson, about how to find and eliminate the bad fey. This will be a fun, interactive panel suitable for fairy hunter’s of all ages.

How to transport, store, clean and maintain your Steampunk Wardrobe.

12:00 PM The Llantywyll Incident / The player characters travel to a mining village in Wales, where they must find some way to make peace between the spirits of the local mine and a zealous minister determined to rid the valley of its pagan superstitions.

3:00 PM Fireheart / This mystery brings the player characters to the deep southern woods of Smolandia. These lands are ravaged by heatwaves and wildfires, triggering poverty, hunger, and mass emigration to America. The player characters are drawn into the situation by two brothers who run an ironworks by the shore of Lake Hären. Can they uncover the cause of the fires and save the area from ruin?

4:00 PM Dance of Shadows / The mystery begins with the player characters being called to the Witch Cat Inn south of Upsala. Private detective Olaus Klint has noticed strange things going on there, and reaches out to the player characters for help. The clues tell of a murder that took place fifty years ago, and in the confrontation the player characters get the opportunity to give an angry and confused revenant the peace he desires. The events take place in late fall or winter.

7:00 PM The Song of the Falling Star / Wherein a promise is broken, a child is swapped, a man is faced with a difficult decision, and two powerful forces collide in the light and shadows of the Kaali crater.

8:00 PM  Mystery at Trollhaven  / When a ferry captain discovers a mysterious happening at a remote village in a Norwegian fjord, Lord Bobbins calls in his best and brightest paranormal investigators to solve the mystery.

This is a Cthulhu by Gaslight based game for up to 6 player 18+. Characters and dice provided.  No Roleplaying experience necessary.

BrassGears Adventure Radio presents an old time radio play. A Study in Brown finds our intrepid explorers solving murders, liberating artifacts, and causing chaos. Cast includes Mitch Thompson, Brad Fleener, Kelsey Josephson, Susan Leabhart and other members of the BrassGears Adventurers Society.

Gnome hat bases will be provided. Decorate with flowers, trim, buttons and more. Sew and no sew options will be provided. Max 20. $15 materials fee.

This is a look at the art of Brian Froud. The influence of his art on film and the contribution to the image of faeries as we see them in literature such as W.B. Yates, and Lady Augusta Gregory.

Have you ever wanted to make your own leather or EVA armor from scratch? Look no further! This panel will focus on the construction and pattern modification of fantasy greaves, pauldrons, and gauntlets. Additionally, we'll discuss how to strap it all together! This will primarily focus on modern methods for fantasy builds rather than historical contexts.

Where creativity meets mischief and UV resin flows as freely as fae magic! In this hands-on session, you may craft custom gnome pins, enchanting elf ears, or other tiny trinkets destined to dazzle. Whether you're new to resin or a seasoned spellsmith of sparkle, you'll leave with wearable art straight from the forest forge. Come mold, pour, and enchant your own accessories - no spells required, just a dash of imagination and a pinch of pixie charm.

Learn about the sewing machines of the age. Who made them, and what made them different. Frau Krieger hosts!

Not fairy tales. These read like first-person reports of people's encounters with huldafolk! Something you might find in your neighborhood newsletter, - if you'd lived in the right magic-charged neighborhood. Georgie reads from "Folktales of Norway" by Christiansen.

Watched Doctor Who: The Next Doctor and fell in love with Mercy Hartigan's 1860’s dress. This is how I recreated it from concept to final outfit.

Learn the moves, the shakes and shinnies that are needed to perform the dance during Study nights ball. Lead by Marti Sterin. This practice is for those who want to perform in public.

Defend your honor and demonstrate your martial prowess with dueling pistols! Defeat your adversaries and win prizes, fame, fortune, and bragging rights! Admission to the contest is free; everyone is welcome to participate!

What happens when you mix the world-building of steampunk and combine it with the beloved lore of fairy tales? Come learn about examples of steampunk fairy tales in all kinds of media, then listen to a reading of The Clockwork Coffin, a Gothic fairy tale retelling with a steampunk twist.

A paint and take of small Dala Horse ornaments. Originally from Sweden, these iconic horses have also been used to represent Norway and other Scandinavian countries.
Suggested donation $5

Arctic exploration was all the rage at the beginning of the 20th century, as explorers tried to discover the northwest passage and reach the poles. They traveled by sled, ship, and airship across the frozen wastes. None were more successful than the Norwegians. Come hear about the dramatic true tales of these explorers, from the legendary arctic explorer himself, Gustaf Danielsson.

Come learn a Scandinavian lawn game! Throw sticks to knock down your opponent's wooden army (kubbs) and win by toppling the king. Easy rules and fun for all ages!

A historical discussion of how our modern winter holidays have been influenced by Scandinavian traditions and specifically how the Victorians interpreted them. Christmas trees, Santa, mistletoe, glass baubles, and wreaths; so much of it has ancient origins. So sit back and relax as we make some greeting cards and explore the history of what makes the holiday season so magical.

Learn how to make lefse. Get a brief history of Norwegian cooking, with a focus on lefse, klubb (pronounced krub), and krumkake. Then a demonstration on making lefse. Audience will have the chance to come up and do the last step in the lefse process (cooking it), and take some lefse with them.

Yes, real authentic dances from Norway!

In this session we will talk about some of the history of tea, terms, some brewing methods, as well as what is a “High” tea and a “Low” tea. Come and join chef James of the A.C.H.E.F. (Assassin’s Culinary Hemlock Enthusiast Fellowship) group as he travels the highs and lows of tea.

Norway and Scotland have shared history. From Norse invasions in the ancient past, to providing a refuge during WW2. What else do they share? This presentation will be of interest to those who enjoy history and archeology.

Create a memory from the land of Odin. Acrylic paints, brushes, and thrifted canvases will be provided. Modify an existing image, or create something totally new. $10 fee, limit 15

Learn what common tropes and underlying themes exist in Victorian gothic literature, and how you can use those tropes and themes in your own writing or character backstories. Knowledge gained during a year of study in Scotland will be supplemented with examples from ‘Letters to Serafina’, an anthology of letters set in the late 1800s, and its accompanying gothic novel ‘My Dear Serafina’.

An exploration of cocktails that use chocolate as an ingredient. Calamity Dawn will present several chocolate based drinks. She'll also talk about how to incorporate chocolate in your drinks.  Adult 21+ ID needed

I can make dozens of animals and other objects from long skinny balloons (dragons, ninja turtles, Mermaids, Aliens, Motorcycles, The Starship Enterprise, etc. Hats, giraffes, elephants, etc. [2-page menu]). For young kids, I just make requests. With Adults and/or older kids, I will talk about balloon sculpting, and demo/teach everyone to make their own dog.

Scandinavian folklore tells the tales of gods, giants, trolls, elves, gnomes, and other mythical creatures--good and malicious--across Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, and Finland. While there are common themes and mythical beings across Scandinavian folklore, each country and region has its own variations and unique stories and traditions. Many folk tales are cautionary tales or teach moral lessons, influence art, literature, music, and film; these stories that combine nature and the supernatural still resonate with contemporary audiences. This presentation will provide a visual overview of folktales, mythical beings, and their depiction in literature and the media.

This presentation explores the Norse goddesses Freya and Hela through a psychological lens, interpreting them as symbolic embodiments of Freud’s concepts of Eros (the life drive) and Thanatos (the death drive). This psychological duality is then connected to the aesthetic and philosophical values of steampunk, a genre that romanticizes the tension between life (innovation, beauty, passion) and death (decay, rust, dystopia) and thrives on contradictions—mechanical vs. organic, progress vs. collapse—and this dualism mirrors the Eros/Thanatos polarity. Freya’s sensuality and vitality parallel steampunk’s fascination with invention, while Hela’s dominion over death echoes the genre’s obsession with the gothic, the decaying, and the post-apocalyptic, and viewing their myths through this lens can offer deep insight into the human condition—one that oscillates eternally between creation and destruction, passion and loss, love and death.

Don't toss your single socks - upcycle them into a gonk friend! In this workshop, we'll transform trash into treasure and give sentience to socks through a family-friendly make-and-take activity. I'll have plenty of wayward socks to use so attendees can adopt as many gonk or gnome orphans as you'd like - or bring your own from home. Well-behaved littles allowed, supervised under 12 please.

Prepare to be enchanted by the allure of the Otherworld at The Gloaming Court Gala, the exclusive 10th-floor after-party of this year’s TeslaCon! Embrace the darkly whimsical theme of wicked unseelie fairies as you step into a realm of enchantment and mischief. Dance the night away to the beats of our sensational DJ, sip on tantalizing concoctions—both alcoholic and non-alcoholic—and indulge in a delectable array of snacks that will delight your senses.

Join fellow revelers for a chance to win fabulous prizes in our raffle, and let the spirit of the night carry you into a world filled with fun and fantasy. Whether you're donning your most wicked attire or simply looking to unwind after a day of adventure, the Gloaming Court Gala promises an unforgettable celebration. Don’t miss out on this magical night where imagination runs wild and the fairies reign!

See where Victorian writing, Steampunk and Imagination meet up . Lord Bobbins presents his ideas and thoughts for next years convention. Where the story is from, and what characters we might see.

Only 75 seats available. Arrive on time.

Join Jenn Dunigan of Archimedes Azure Creations in making your own little piece of snowy magic! Jenn will lead you through making a tiny jar of glow in the dark “snow,” that you can keep as an ornament or pendant. No colors are wrong, this is about making your own magic! Jenn (possibly with the help of some pixies) will provide all the materials, and put your pendant on a cord, if you wish.
Cost: $15 per adult, $10 per child. Additional snow jars can be purchased for $10 each   I would be happy to run this panel 2 times, possibly more if there’s demand for it

If you've ever been curious about how to use a sword and shield, a great sword, or even dual wield, learn from a team of medieval reenactors!

Contribute to Science! The Royal Geocrapical Society is in need of Learned Persons to classify and describe several mysterious accessions. Those who step forward for this task will choose an item in a sack and be given 5-10 minutes to catalog their items. After that time they will present their item and description to the assembled scientific audience. Lot’s of fun, silly and even kids will enjoy this!

Always wanted to make a cool prop from foam and not sure where to start? I hope to give you an introduction and get you started on your journey to the fantastical world of EVA Foam!

11:00AM Fantasy Role Playing

12:00PM The Night Sow / In order to help their old acquaintance Linnea Elfeklint, the player characters travel to southern Sweden where they are forced to handle Satanists, puritans, and a vaesen feeding on people’s supernatural powers. The mystery takes place during a cold and stormy winter, and can easily be set during Christmas time – maybe even on Christmas Eve

The Search for Hud Yule : Daggerheart System / An adventure for ages 7 +, a group of magical beings search for the chosen few to bring together the Hud Yule.The Search for Hud Yule : Daggerheart System / An adventure for ages 7 +, a group of magical beings search for the chosen few to bring together the Hud Yule.

MORE GAMES TO BE ANNOUNCED!

Steampunk is not a historical reenactment; steampunk is not just about gluing gears. Let's discuss bringing back the punk spirit in steampunk by highlighting its rebellious and anti-establishment roots. Using steampunk stories and art to discuss modern social issues—like class struggle, environmental concerns, and individualism can make the genre fresh and meaningful for a new audience while keeping its punk spirit alive.

A panel on how the corset was used for menswear, and it’ applicable uses in Victorian times.

Two simple craft projects suitable for younger steampunks with assistance, but can also be made more intricate.Make cute paper lanterns that can fit over a battery powered tea light. Make constellations to shine in your room or fun shapes to attract fairies. Paper, paper punches, staplers, and glue provided.
Make crowns and bracelets out of pipe cleaners and pony beads. Pipe Cleaners and beads provided.

Explore the ancient art of Throwing the Bones- Learn the basics of bone divination using bones, charms, runes, and other items!

Participants will have the opportunity to craft their own Bone Throwing set (separate fee)

Stuck for ideas on your next Steampunk project? Then this presentation is for you! We'll look at various periods in history from advent of the Newcomen Engine to Project Apollo, and show how their features can combine with today's concepts to inspire a Steampunk / Dieselpunk / Atompunk cosplay, prop or persona!

"In The Moving Time" is a story of the first megalith and large gravesite near the Baltic Sea. It introduces the presentation on northern megaliths (menhirs) and concludes the second half of the presentation on large grave sites that were often called a Giant's Bed or Devil's oven, etc Included is the mythology and legends associated with them, as well as their slow-changing history over nearly 3000 years of time.

Cap will be discussing the importance of steampunk and how to bring new life into our events. He has offered his expertise to several events on how to increase attendance, cross-branding with local communities and charities, cultivating new vendors, and adding new and exciting programming. You love visiting his booth, you enjoy his zany, creative, and entertaining fashion shows, and you will love this lecture/talk.