Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Steel, Steampunk and Spacemen

Boys and men aren't the only ones who go gaga over new toys, and they're not the only ones who like 'em either. I like power tools - I -am- a theatre graduate after all! So when I came across annealed steel wire in the hardware store yesterday, of course I bought it. I've been curious to see what I can do with the stuff ever since looking at Deryn Mentock's gorgeous work.

New toys require playtime. This goes without saying. This also explains why I slept at 6am this morning, and why my neighbours could hear occasional bursts of hammering at the most ungodly hours. (I consider it payback for the dreadful out-of-key joget and Chinese New Year karaoke, m'self, but...)

The results:

You really need to sleep. It is almost 5am, said Brain. Go away, I'm making stuff, said the Creative Side. And just what ARE those pieces of metal you're hammering? Bell tongues? Brain snorted derisively. The Creative Side just gave Brain a Look, and retorted sagely, Steampunk Stamens. Brain, sensing defeat, just went off to a corner to sulk.


Steampunk Stamens: 19ga and 24ga annealed steel wire, 16ga copper wire, rhodium-plate earwires.


I love Calvin and Hobbes. I especially love the Transmogrifier, Tracer Bullet and Spaceman Spiff, and I've been rereading the comics for the last week. After I'd experimented with Deryn's wrapped loop link and finished, I realised that the bead colours against that dark background reminded me of the colour panels of Spiff and the Zogwarg Queen confrontations he constantly ran into. Even more so after I attached the little orange dangle - I know Calvin wears a red t-shirt, but the overall effect couldn't be denied. Besides, the Zogwarg Queen had guards too, like the two random wrapped tangles flanking the main pendant...


Spaceman Spiff and the Zogwarg Queen: 19ga, 24ga and 28ga annealed steel wire, Czech seed beads and glass bead, linen cord, copper toggle clasp.





I'm officially in love with these annealed steel wires. So -many- things I can imagine doing, between steampunk and Calvin and Hobbes!

...I guess that means tonight I'm not sleeping again either huh?

7 comments:

Deryn Mentock said...

My guys are huge Calvin and Hobbes fans. Love your pieces!

Snickering Corpses said...

There's so much of your personality in the pieces and the post. I like the orange dangle; it really sets off the darker wire.

Mystic Indigo said...

These are awesome! I am going to have to go get some annealed wire too....

Shay Stone said...

Gorgeous work!!

Tammy's Treasure Chest said...

I LOVE these pieces! I use annealed steel wire in my men's bracelets, but you made it look awesome!!!
Just let me know when you're ready for your ring!

Swati said...

Beautiful beautiful pieces!! I am so glad your creativity is back into action BIG time!!! :-))))) Really really happy about that!

Sparklyscotty said...

Hi! I LOVE those punk earrings - they are so striking. Simple, but effective. Nice work. :)

Angela
The Jewelry Report