#steampunk jewelry
I’ve been drawing on two inspirations - the movies Ex Machina and the Fritz Lang masterpiece Metropolis. Both have amazing android/robots in lead parts. I was disappointed with the LED embedded head experiment but this direction may change that. These pieces don’t have the LED light just layers of resin with watch parts embedded. The silver head is symmetrical - the gold just random parts. The “eyes” are gold tone pin heads. I’ve used mixture of jewellery findings.
I wanted it to look like the heads are “crowned” - with slight religiosity mixed with technology and biomechanics. They are designed to be worn mid length on the chest but I’m happy to change the length or put it on a cord for a masculine piece.
So I’ll start working on the other resin heads to see where this tangent leads me….
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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.
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These are just a proof of concept. I wanted to include light in my resin heads to highlight layers of mechanical parts. I was partly inspired by the movies Ex Machina and the classic Metropolis. Trying to find an LED small enough was the first problem - the second problem was making the batteries accessible so they could be changed. A few years ago I found LED earrings - the LED is on the pad and the batteries are in the back. They switch on by inserting the post into the back.
These heads all have five layers of mechanical watch parts suspended in resin. It’s a very slow process with each layer needing to cure 24 hours before the next one can be poured. Some of the pieces have symmetrical parts - others are just random parts. The LEDs were set in the last pour leaving the post exposed so it could be inserted into the battery pack.
There are other problems that I still have to address - the original head mold has been taken from a clay form. It has left a rough texture on the head that looks like it’s been scratched all over. I’m happy that the face comes out “frosted” but I have to polish the forehead so the mechanics can be seen. Resin is very soft - so the polishing has to be manual and it takes a long time. Even after hours of polishing it still looks like the piece has been scratched in close up photos. It’s barely noticeable in real life. I’ve come to the realisation that the texture must be sanded down before polishing. It may be a good idea to use a polished form to make my own mold.
They don’t photograph well and the light complicates it. The magnification and refraction of the internal parts is frustrating. I spend a lot of time positioning each piece for symmetry but it looks like a mess in the photos. If I can’t take great photos - they can’t be sold online. But it’s early days in this artistic tangent. I initially bought the molds to make a head for a static miniature reproduction of a Hugo like automata. Unfortunately they are too big for that purpose.
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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.
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I’m trying to get as many items finished in time for Christmas. Here is a basic little solar system made with resin and glass that would be a unique gift for someone interested in all things celestial. It’s only an inch wide and half an inch deep. The planets “hover” suspended in water clear resin above the fine copper clock hairspring. I dusted some holographic glitter on the black background - it’s very subtle with colour flashes only visible while moving the piece around in the light. I love sparkle but I didn’t want it to look like a cheap christmas bauble or snow globe.
All the planets are in order and relative size within reason. The planets are also in different metallic colours - silver, copper and gold. Saturn has her ring. It’s mounted on a vintage brass gear. I have it on a fine brass and black ball necklace that also sparkles with movement. If you are buying the piece for a man it can be put on a black rubber or leather cord. It should be worn high on the body/neckline.
It’s understated yet very unique and sure to evoke comments and break the ice at gatherings at this time of year. It is available in my Etsy store.
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Tritium Powered Assassin Bug
No, not really “powered” by tritium but that would be fantastic. It’s just a fantasy mechanical winged insect with a tritium rod in the abdomen.It’s hanging from a stick pin so it can attached to clothing. The legs are vintage watch stems attached to brass rods. Nearly every connection is nuts and bolts - tiny nuts and bolts. The centre piece is brass with a square top screw securing the glass vial to the body and head.It’s estimated the green tritium will glow continuously for 10 to 12 years. It doesn’t need “charging” from a light source like regular glow in the dark.
It’s 1 ½ inches long, just over 1 inch wide and stands ½ an inch high. It’s US$185 shipping included. If you are interested in buying it - drop me a line with your paypal email address and I’ll invoice you.
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Steampunk clockwork “brain” pendant necklace. Mech head 1, 2 and 3.
These look really simple but like anything with resin - it wasn’t simple. Lots of trial and error, testing different resins, a pile of rejects but I really like the final piece. The face has a zen quality to me - it reminds me of the automata dolls from the 19th century or the robot in Metropolis. The brain being represented as a clock work mechanism is an old trope but I really wanted to attempt it using epoxy resin. It’s opened up a thousand ideas that I’ll be exploring more.
There was a “happy accident” early on. Due to the original being a clay model. the mold produced a frosted appearance and texture even using crystal clear resin - that was great, I love the frosted look, but how to reveal the gears and mechanics - that took awhile to work out. The gears are laid layer by layer with a 16 to 24 hour drying time between each pour. With 5 layers the gear and cog “brain” has depth and complexity.
Due to the curve of the forehead there is some distortion/refraction when viewed from the front. As you can see in the photos, when viewed from the back the gears don’t distort. I didn’t use any trick lighting in photos - the shape tends to capture light. There is the occasional air bubble - something I’ve got to learn to live with when working with resin without spending a fortune of a vacuum chamber.
The gears are all vintage or antique from an array of watches and pocket watches. The head is 1.5 inches high, 1.1 inches wide and 0.5 deep. I’ve put it on a really long necklace, Gatsby length - 38 inches long. Due to the length I haven’t included a clasp as it’s not really needed. The chain is black with faceted cut brass cable link - it really sparkles as it moves. If you would like to wear it higher - I’m happy to alter the chain to any length you want. I can also put it on a different chain or cord.
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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
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“Solaris” and “Venus Orbit”
I don’t want to be repetitive listing these solar system globes here but I’ve just listed two more smaller versions - “Solaris” and “Venus Orbit” in my Etsy shop. I’m selling them for US$145 plus US$7 tracked shipping.
https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/606053102/orrery-miniature-solar-system-glass
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