Steampunk Machinery Pendant
I've had this idea for several weeks, and had not had a chance to pull it together.
Finally got to try out the notion of making something on the lines of a clockwork, with gears and pieces that look very steampunk, but not metal except for the chain. Wrapped in dark patina metal, too.
Like ivory carved, or a deep grey three dimensional component from some machinery somewhere, it looks old and worn and intriguing, as though it has some mechanical function or magical purpose.
In a dark casing, with a wire and loops around it, to create an image of a faux ceramic invented time gadget, a way-back machine.
It's polished to a natural sheen, very rustic looking. Lots of texture. The back side especially is sanded and polished to a lacquer-like finish.
The wire surrounding the equipment parts is large gauge, hammered flat and soldered, the two bead units connected to each other and to the hanging loops on the top.
I have drawn this, repeatedly doodled it on sketch pads. When I finally got the pieces in my hands, it was almost as though it made itself.
The chain was created today in a group session with some of the folks from the precious metal clay class, what a great group!
I had the shiny hematite stone chips, and thought immediately how they would look combined with the machine age looking central pendant.
It's darkened annealed steel wire, wrapped and connected in various ingenious ways. The long links with the wire wrapping especially fit the style of the large pendant, and the wire bits and pieces with the hematite drops are delicate yet rugged-looking at the same time.
Lots of different types of links, some simple and some more complex, make it interesting to fiddle with when it's worn.
Looks like it has dials and gears, that might once have turned the parts of a special widget, now just a reminder of times when things were mechanical, handmade and one of a kind.
What do you think?
I've had this idea for several weeks, and had not had a chance to pull it together.
Finally got to try out the notion of making something on the lines of a clockwork, with gears and pieces that look very steampunk, but not metal except for the chain. Wrapped in dark patina metal, too.
Like ivory carved, or a deep grey three dimensional component from some machinery somewhere, it looks old and worn and intriguing, as though it has some mechanical function or magical purpose.
In a dark casing, with a wire and loops around it, to create an image of a faux ceramic invented time gadget, a way-back machine.It's polished to a natural sheen, very rustic looking. Lots of texture. The back side especially is sanded and polished to a lacquer-like finish.
The wire surrounding the equipment parts is large gauge, hammered flat and soldered, the two bead units connected to each other and to the hanging loops on the top.
I have drawn this, repeatedly doodled it on sketch pads. When I finally got the pieces in my hands, it was almost as though it made itself.
The chain was created today in a group session with some of the folks from the precious metal clay class, what a great group!
I had the shiny hematite stone chips, and thought immediately how they would look combined with the machine age looking central pendant.
It's darkened annealed steel wire, wrapped and connected in various ingenious ways. The long links with the wire wrapping especially fit the style of the large pendant, and the wire bits and pieces with the hematite drops are delicate yet rugged-looking at the same time.
Lots of different types of links, some simple and some more complex, make it interesting to fiddle with when it's worn.
Looks like it has dials and gears, that might once have turned the parts of a special widget, now just a reminder of times when things were mechanical, handmade and one of a kind.
What do you think?
7 comments:
Hi! This is the first time I am visiting your blog, and I just wanted to say how much I love your work. I recently read your article in Belle Armoire Jewelry Spring 2008 and decided to check out your blog. This necklace is really beautiful too!
Sincerely, Dawne
Oh. My. Goodness.
I may be in love. Just a little. Shh, don't speak. This is our moment, little necklace. <3
It is. AMAZING. And the detail in the large focal is... just wow. There are no words. Could you tell us how long it took you to make it, even though it "created itself." The detail is ASTOUNDING.
asdj;lk. <3
The focal on the necklace is amazing. I've never seen anything like it. You are an original!
Carolyn
Sorry for the silence, we lost power and I've been anxious to see your answers!
Glad to have you visit, Dawne, thanks for the feedback on the blog and the article. Sometimes I put things out there because I think they are fun and just don't know what others will think ... good to have the insight into other creative minds.
Amanda, it depends on whether you count the two weeks I walked around with the idea cooking in my head before I actually made it up. The chain took 5 hours, I know because I did it in one sitting. The focal pendant probably took 2 days off and on. The shaping, sanding and glazing took the most time. I want to make some more, slightly different.
Thanks, Carolyn. Good to hear that you think it turned out well!
Oooo Lynn! Love your new foray into the SteamPunk genre! It captures the style perfectly - great work as always!
Keep steampunkin'
Cindy
Cindy, you know how fun it is to work in this style, I love the ancient machine age secret gadget genre - next time I make one I want to embed a fused glass faux gemstone, sort of like the jeweled movements in a real watchworks ... thanks for the attagirl steampunk feedback!
Ohhhhh, I totally want that! It sounds like you'll be making similar pieces -- I'm glad! Maybe I can afford one later!
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