#green glow in the dark

Still playing with my little LED lights and tritium.  I found these great paracord beads - expensive but totally worth the money.  Beautifully turned brass with “windows” - three vertical holes interspersed with a long window around the whole bead.  I sealed the holes and poured resin into the center and embedded the LED leaving the connector post exposed so the battery pack “clutch” can turn on the light.  

The top photos are “BlueBot” with a domed cap making him look a little like a certain famous robot that I can’t mention because I don’t want a trademark strike.  It can be worn without the battery pack and brass ring.  Unfortunately the photos make the light seem much brighter than it is in reality.  It just gives off a blue glow.

The middle photos are a design I wanted to revisit with a blue tritium stick in a glass vial and silver tone sleeve.  Very cyberpunk.  I combined it with a horizontal post hanger with mechanical bits and pieces.

Final piece is a little “Green rocket”.  The top has a small silver tone stepped cap on top and serrated exhaust funnel over the battery pack.  It can also be worn without the battery pack.  Again, the photos don’t convey the light well.  It gives off more of a green glow and isn’t that bright in reality.  

The LED necklaces are on long chains to be worn mid length.  The battery packs are very secure and the batteries can be replaced easily.  I’ll list them in my Etsy shop.  Etsy doesn’t let me sell tritium (I don’t agree with it but their sandpit - their rules) so if you are interested buying it - drop me a PM.  It’s US$125 including shipping/tracking from Australia.  

This is made from a gold plated fuse, used in high end stereo for superior sound quality. They have such a great look - atompunk/mid century - I didn’t want to really alter the look. The internal gold plate “S” connection has such great form I couldn’t improve on it.  I’ve sold several attached horizontally on a cord for men’s jewellery.  Audiophiles love them.

But I wanted to highlight it with light.  On the bottom of the fuse I’ve installed an LED with a connection post running through the base cap.  The light is turned on by plugging that pin into a small silver tone battery pack.  It holds tight to the pin.  The battery pack unscrews at the top so batteries can be replaced.  The bracket holding the fuse is not fixed so you could turn it up the other way and have the battery pack on the top of the fuse. To balance the piece without the battery I created a similar post on the other end.  

Why should fun jewellery, brave jewellery design using light be the domain of gaudy kitsch - plastic flashing Christmas earrings, disposable dance/rave accessories and cheap novelty toys for kids?  Why can’t it be used in high quality unique design?  Yes, it’s a bit mad scientist and will certainly attract attention whether the light is on or off.  

Tritium Deco Drop

Something a bit more simple - a green Tritium vial, wrapped with fine gold wire and sealed within another vial attached to a gorgeous cut out brass pendant.  I’ve teamed it with a solid brass pendulum covered in ridges. I love using exotic materials like Tritium although Etsy doesn’t like it.  I disagree with their estimation of the material but - their sandbox, their rules.  So if you are interested in buying it, please let me know and I can invoice you through Paypal. You will covered by their buyer protections.  The price is US$145 with free shipping.

Please note that the pendant is made to be worn low on the body.  In the images I had to place it high on the display bust to photograph it and show scale.  The chain is currently 30 inches long, brass rolo links - but I’m happy to alter it to your measurements.  The glass vial is 1 ½ inches long including caps, the whole pendant section is 3 ½ inches long and slightly over 1 inch wide.  

It’s estimated the Tritium with glow continuously for 10 to 12 years.  It requires no charging like conventional “glow in the dark” pigments.  

This is a recent commissioned piece - a Christmas gift for my client’s partner.  I was going to mount the spring loaded clip holding the vial on a plain rectangular piece of brass.On a whim I held it over the copper ring that was on my work area. Although it’s quite simple I’m really happy how it’s turned out and will take this concept a bit further in the next piece.  I’ve got to buy more tritium as I’m down to my last few sticks - just yellow and pink left.

Silver wing heart - my latest winged mechanical heart with gears, gauges and glow in the dark grill.  Lots of tiny details.  Can be worn as a pendant, unique fob or just displayed.  I can create a display box if required.  

Available in my Etsy shop

Framed Flying Heart

Here is one of my signature steampunk pieces - the mechanical flying heart. Although I make many of these, each one is unique with different features, layout and parts. I love working in miniature - the more complex - the better. 

This piece is extremely intricate - 100+ parts some less than 1mm. The green glow under the grill/screen is from glow in the dark powder mixed with resin - I mix my own so it’s a strong glow.  I recommend using a UV torch to “charge” it if wearing it at an event. 

Nothing is glued on - it’s all deep pinned, soldered, using cold connection methods or screwed. It is robust enough the be worn without fear of anything falling off.  I don’t cast or fabricate preferring to use existing items from a variety of sources.  Some parts are antique, vintage, NOS or new.

Dimensions:
The pendant is 3 inches wide (75mm) and 1 ½ inches long (36mm) and 1 inch (24mm) deep. The chain is gold tone brass faceted cut cable link, 22 inches long with a gold tone lobster claw clasp.

The frame:
I decided to include a glass frame and dock when clients expressed their desire to be able to have the piece visible when not being worn. So I bought a commercial shadow box, painted it “distressed” gold, attached black felt and brass brackets. The heart can be accessed easily out of the back and attached to the chain with two push clasps and rings. The two clasp points keep the heart from flipping around when being worn. 

It takes the piece to another level, especially if given as a gift. As a desk ornament or part of your home decor, my little biomechanical winged heart is sure to be commented on and desired.

The frame is square - 5 X 5 inches (125mm) and 1.6 inches (40mm) deep. The back panel is secured with four rotating clips and also has a “D” ring for wall hanging. The heart just rests on the two brass prongs.

Build time: 40 hours.

Available in my Etsy shop $455