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This is a first for me - a vape commission. First problem was needing some material to attach all the embellishments. I wrapped the thin magnetic side panels with brass strips and then sealed the brass and titanium panel with a thin resin pour. I then crafted two layers of balsa wood to fit snuggly in the form. If I had to do it over, I would have picked a stronger material - like a 3D print. Next time.

I wanted a window to add depth and reveal a gear train mechanism. That alone took hours of layering vintage brass gears in the ring. I want it to look like a real machine so I try to avoid "orphan" gears. I've used glow in the dark pigment in resin under the mesh grills, brass panels and in the glass tube. Easy to charge using a UV torch. The rest is a cacophony of vintage crowns, brass tubing, miscellaneous beads, screws, pins, wire, struts and textured elements. There is even a little glass mercury switch.

I've had to take time off this year so this was a real challenge to start building again. I'm happy to answer any questions about the project. My client is happy with the result but I warned him that it is fragile.

Three Roses

I was asked to create an original pendant/necklace based on the client's name. For privacy concerns, I can't tell you her name but this is the finished piece.

It takes time to flesh out a design based on words or a specific theme. I'm not like an AI bot - spitting out rendered images from a collection of terms. With the way I design, I need to work with real components to see how, and if, they will work together. The first one I started was a single vintage brass mesh rose. Despite a great multicolored aged patina, it wasn't really speaking to me. The next design was a single mesh rose set in a wood base, surrounded by a tangle of leaves and branches. It wasn't going anywhere either.

Finally, I found in my supplies these tiny rose gold roses - only 6 to 8mm wide. I mounted each flower on a plaited brass wire. On two of them I included a tiny copper leaf. I also made some curled tendrils coming off the stalks. It was a tight fit but eventually the roses were in the right position to seal the vial. I made each cap with brass tubing and metal disks. It looks like a specimen collection with the brass fittings and hanging bar.

I did try to include a LED light but it didn't really work with the design only illuminating the top rose.

I hope she loves it but if not, no problem, I'll try again and list this one in my store. It's so difficult photographing small items, even worse if they are under glass.

The Squid

I'm often asked to remake designs in my sold history. I made the original piece about seven years ago so it was interesting to remember just how I made it and if I even could. I also wanted to improve on the original design if possible.

With the original the light was an afterthought. It wasn't very strong and the on/off mechanism wasn't great. So I redesigned it with a stronger light and easier access to the on/off switch. The most difficult element was creating the bubbles in the resin that amplify and diffuse the light. As you can see, I had to do it in five small pours but I'm happy how it came out. I destroyed three lights and five glass vials before I was happy.

This is a side to my work that people don't see. I sell in a high price bracket, some may argue too high. I don't think I need to justify my prices but few realise just how many supplies are destroyed/wasted trying to achieve the end result. I try to save what I can and sometimes I keep the mistakes to remind me not to do that again.

It's a heavy piece with solid brass rings, beads, rods, chain, tubes and crimps. I've used vintage clock pinions above the fantastic four ridged beads. I can't tell you how many times all the beads and tubes fell off during construction.

It is really tactile. I can't help but play with it. With the removable LED, I can make different colors inserts. Despite the challenges in the build, I'll be making more of these. It certainly has an Art Deco feel to it.

Just in time for Christmas - my heart series. I was going for a neon and back lit vibe with these panels. These rubber LED filaments allow me to curve them into any shape for the lighting I want. Both the blue and green heart are mounted slightly raised above the wooden base to achieve the back light effect.

They are inspired by the steampunk aesthetic, a bit of Frankenstein's laboratory and dash of retro neon love. I'm trying to move LED into more adult jewelry designs but I don't want to lose the sense of magic that light creates.

These all have a range of components, many genuine vintage collected over the years. I like combining parts from different eras and a wide range of industries. There are a few standouts on these pieces: the vintage brass heart cage, mesh window on the blue heart and the feature titanium coloured screw on the green heart.

This has probably been asked before, but I'm at work and have limited time! Do you have a shop? I saw an item I would be very interested in ordering. Or even commissioning! I hope you're having a great week! Thank you! 💕

Hi,

Yes, I have an etsy shop here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/steelhipdesign

I'm happy to take custom builds.

Thanks for your interest in my work!

Michelle aka steelhips.

Glow Fly

Yay! It's the last one in this series. I don't mind posting but it does take a lot of time. Trying to make a description of the build interesting can be challenging too.

As those who have followed me for awhile know I'm a bit obsessed with making mechanical insects. They are not easy to make. The legs need holes in the main body, the head needs a hole, the abdomen needs another hole. That's a lot of holes in a tiny piece of brass. The engineering is always a challenge. It does make it a bit easier if it's like this, mounted on a panel. I will make another but just anchor each piece, legs, body, head, abdomen, to the board. If I space it correctly - it will look like a joined mechanism hopefully.

I didn't use a LED for this one. I wanted it to look old, so I chose to use an incandescent globe. As it's only 3V it's not that powerful. You can really see the difference between the power use of an LED compared to old "Edison" bulbs. The light isn't the feature here - the insect is. So I didn't overly embellish the piece for that reason too.

The wings are brass charms but they are thin and fragile so I don't think they would hold up under heavy wear unsupported. As a pendant you would only have to worry about clothing or hair snags. The body is a small brass tube. I inserted four smaller tubes and poured in some resin. I drilled those out so I could thread the four legs (made from heated element wire and crimps). The wire leads from the bulb are threaded through as is the head (a heart shaped vintage copper bead) and finally to two tiny front legs/feelers. The eyes are simply phillip's head screws. The wings are screwed onto an hexagonal ring. That is attached using two more screws tightened onto the body. As the wires are so fine, I had to secure the body with an extra wire anchor so it wouldn't put any tension on the wires.

There is an obvious caveat on this piece. She is fragile. The incandescent globe will chew through batteries too. I showed this to my group of friends who meet down the dog park on Fridays for wine and snacks. It was the favourite of many. I'm looking forward to making more fantasy insects that won't really resemble any real species on our planet.

Magnetosphere

This started with an amazing bead! I drilled out every "hole" in it and suspended a tiny LED in it. The lighting is a bit more subtle than the other panels I've made but this has a lot of other bits and pieces going on.

I've been amazed at the recent scientific breakthroughs with fusion reactors in Korea and China. I not on love the possibility of abundant clean energy in the future but I also love the names of these experimental machines like Tokamak, Stellarator, Magnetic Mirror, Toroidal Z-pinch, Spheromak. They really do evoke fantasies of portals to a parallel universe or bending space time - the only way we will be able to travel those distances. Einstein's relativity really did take a dump on the possibility to live in a Star Trek type reality.

So this contains an array of "controls" including watch crown "dials". It has a tiny glass fuse (or it could be a magnetic switch - not sure) and spring wire tubing. It is the only panel to feature a clock gear. I love gears - it was one of the reasons I was drawn to the steampunk aesthetic. But, and this is controversial and just my opinion, I think gears are used far too much.

Way back in 2010 there was the "slap a gear on it" by those just wanting to jump on (and profit from) the zenith of the steampunk trend. I use gears sparingly, often not using them at all, and rarely an "orphan" gear. They have to look like they have an actual use in the "machine" even if they don't move. In this design I want the gear to look like it's doing something behind the scene.

If there was such a think as a 6 volt coin battery I would have also back lit the amazing "swirl" stamp at the base of the main feature. Just have to wait for those to be in production. The wire "aerials" coming out of the side of the panel is fishing tackle. To balance the piece I finished it with a small copper strut and brass wheel.

This piece does deserve it's own stand. I will make a special one for it and include another LED to it. It will also come with a standard brass chain.

The Stellarator

Here is another window into a star sitting in a nebula gas and dust cloud. The LED used in this is tiny and the wiring is so fine it can't be seen in the resin. I've also obscured it using some swirling pigment powder. The effect is the light just suspended in the space. This is the second star field "panel" in the series and I'm keen to make many more.

I would love to create some of the famous space images taken by the Hubble and amazing new images coming from the James Webb. I could back light it using the magnetic switch modules I'm currently using. So many ideas - not enough hours in the day. I could also feature our own solar system with tiny little planets the size of a grain of sand.

This piece also features a different "control panel" with a wonderful vintage pocketwatch "onion" crown. On each side are "levers" that are really used in glasses. It needed a few more features for balance so it has the vintage brass wheel on the bottom and a cut up geometric brass stamp on the top. It will have a basic wood display stand and chain so it can be worn as a pendant. If someone wants it to be worn on a lapel or waistcoat I could easily adapt it.

Like all my recent panel series, it has a battery module on the back with a tiny on/off switch. The battery is a CR2032 that is widely available and not terribly expensive (I'll throw in a spare)

Blue Tube

These blue filaments have a spectacular tone, vivid and deep. I've put it in a test tube. It reminds me of Cherenkov radiation, seen in nuclear reactor pools when the rods are actively generating heat. To fit into that theme I've used tubing, unique beads, rivets and a mesh "porthole". Behind the test tube I used a bladed fan earring. There are a lot of little details in this.

On the top is a geometric "radiant" stamp with a silver tone circle bolted on. The balance the bottom I added a crescent on a strut. There are silver tone "handles" either side of the piece. It can be worn on a chain (included), connected using the two rings screwed into the wood. The test tube is held buy a spring loaded, serrated tooth, vintage brass clip.

As I said, I've been really busy making these. I love them but an artist never knows if a design they love, will be popular. It's just the risk you have to take as a working artist. If wishes came true I'd sell them as unique collectables with bespoke stands. Little "mad scientist" panels that fit together to form a miniature laboratory.

It will be sold with a complimentary chain and wood and brass display stand. If you prefer it as a pin I can adapt it.

The Radiator

I showed some friends this piece and they all said - it looks like an old radiant bar heater. When you turn it on the red light with a spring wrapped around it certainly looks the part. I think this would look very cool worn high on the neckline. I do try and file down any sharp spots on the back.

This is, of course, another in my "panel" series. It would fit into a "mad scientist" laboratory diorama. It could be a laboratory oven, super hot plasma (inspired by the recent news from Korean fusion reactor) or it warms a liquid pumped through the vial.

I've designed this on the horizontal. I used "acorn" shaped vintage copper cord ends. The glass vial is held by two spring loaded brass clips with two serrated teeth. The black cord is the LED wiring going to the back of the piece, to be soldered to the battery pack with on/off switch. It takes a CR 2032. They are widely available and inexpensive. You will need some pliers to take the spent battery out of the module.

I wanted some interest on the base so I added some draped copper chain with two brass drop weights. The "control panel" has tiny riveted texture with one gold tone watch crown and one copper. It has tiny brass "handles" on either side. It will be sold with a matching chain and wood and brass display stand so it can be shown off when not being worn.

Liquid Light

As I've said before, it's amazing what you can access in LED filaments today. This flexible "rubber" one is 13cm long. Unfortunately when I was making this piece I managed to wreck two before it finally came together. That's the downside to working without a hard draft, I never know what is going to work with other parts until I try to make it. Pro tip: flexible LED filaments don't like being pulled or stretched, even gently.

So I will guarantee this will get attention when being worn, even without the light on. Turn it on and get the "wow" factor instantly. I love watching YouTube videos on metal smelting and processing. This piece reminds me of that. It's fascinating watching glowing metal in it's liquid form cascading through machines and rollers. I like seeing magic in the mundane.

I made a matching wood display stand so it can be seen when not being worn. Even if you don't want to wear it as an accessory, the piece as a quirky, unique desk ornament will intrigue.

Star in a Jar

This was the first of the "panel" series. This has been rattling around in my head for over six months. The LED used in the glass vial is minute - under 4mm. The wires are finer than a strand of hair - a nightmare to strip, let alone solder. But for the effect - it's worth the trouble.

I've teamed the feature glass drop shaped vial with brass riveted struts, tiny gauges, watch crown "control knobs", a tiny copper spring and mesh eyelet. It's a whimsical miniature straight out of a Victorian/Edwardian scientific laboratory.

Science today is so specialised. 150 years ago a noble citizen scientist could flit from one discipline to the other. Today the remaining truths are so deep, it requires a far more specialised expertise to uncover the remaining mysteries in nature. I can see how it has happened but it's also detrimental in my opinion. So often breakthroughs have been made by those who see a particular scientific discipline in a completely different light. Sometimes it takes someone out of the dense field of study to see a new tangent or alternative path.

The Knife Switch

I set myself a challenge to make a miniature working knife switch. Turns out it's harder than I thought. So the second best option - a miniature fake knife switch teamed with a green glowing vial. It does come with a caveat: constantly moving it will loosen the nuts so the new owner must be careful. I think I'll put a couple of extra nuts and bolts - just to be safe. I'll try a working knife switch when I figure out the wiring.

This panel is a "horror/monster/retroscience" film trope. Every version of Frankenstein I've seen had at least one knife switch and green glowing liquid/lights. I've used the genuine item on some of my big prop pieces. Love the look of them, appreciate how dangerous they were when used in real high voltage machines.

I've included a few unique embellishments in this one. The "sun" ray brass stamps on the top and bottom and machined brass cord ends. It comes with a basic wood stand for display when not being worn as a pendant. I could also turn it into a pin or fob for the dapper gentleman.

The Foundry

Okay, this is the last one for tonight. Well it's 3.20am here. Another one of my "panels" - the foundry. I found these very cool flexible filaments so I bought them in every colour I could find. This one has a bit of everything - serrated funnel, control panel, tubing, a spring, dangle weight, rivets = lots of details.

The pink light flows through the piece wrapping around the fixed "rollers" (that don't move). It wasn't long enough to flow through the end spring unfortunately - next one. I was watching a particularly famousJapanese animation feature before making this and I'm sure it influenced some of my choices in this design. I can't mention the studio but I'm sure everyone knows the reference.

I left one of the struts with an empty hole. I hope it doesn't look like something has fallen off. I just liked how it looked - like a real machine in flux, being "worked" on or not quite finished. The display stand is quite minimalist - just a bent rod. With so much going on in the panel, the stand doesn't really need it.

Like all the panels, it has a battery module on the back with an on/off switch. You will need some pliers to change the CR2032 battery. It will come with a standard blass chain with clasps to hook through the "O" rings.

The Reactor

Sorry but I've been really busy so I'm posting several new builds in my "panel" series. This is heavy with two brass machined beads around a green filament. I filled the beads with resin before drilling out the hole. It's been securely attached to the wood panel with screws going all the way through.

The electrical wires are covered with a brass spring so it holds a uniform shape. I've embellished it with a small riveted copper "control panel" with three photo etched dials/gauge. Two brass hollow rivets sit either side. Like all my "panels" it is surrounded with brass riveted struts.

I used staggered brass spheres on the top of the panel - it reminds me of a church organ for some reason. On the base is a brass strut with crescent shape I added for some balance in the design. There are long brass "handles" on each side.

This ticks a lot of the usual mad scientist laboratory tropes - from the green glow through to the mysterious gauges. When it was finished it inspired me to build the first display stand. It rests on the angled rods and square dimpled beads with assorted metal textures and sleeves.

On the back is the battery module that holds a CR2032. It does require tools (pliers) to change the battery. There is a small on/off switch. I will include a standard brass chain with the piece.

Starmaster 5000

Looking for a convenient remote for your Dyson Sphere? Well here is the Starmaster 5000. With a quantum display of your harvest star, the Starmaster gives you the control you need in a simple sleek design. It comes with a special rest so it won't be lost during a critical energy harvest. It's small enough to be worn as a stylish accessory at the next planetary council meeting.

===========================

I love creating a back story for my designs. I often don't know which comes first - the design or fantasy around the design. I have been wanting to create a piece referencing a Dyson Sphere concept so I suppose it's been rattling around my brain for awhile now.

I've been very busy creating a line of designs I call "panels". Basically they all start with a simple rectangle of wood, that I stain, before embellishing it with an array of bits and pieces. I imagine a classic "mad scientist" laboratory and visualize the equipment, experiments and instruments within it.

They can all be worn as pendants but they are also miniature works of art. To that end, I've made stands so they can be displayed when not being worn. I'd love for them to become collectables. Each panel will come with a standard chain. The battery (CR 2032) is on the back with a small switch to turn the "star" on.

This piece has a glass dome as the main feature. Within it I've used resin to simulate a star sitting in a nebula. The LED is tiny but very bright. The wires are finer than a strand of hair so the "gas cloud" hides them well. This design is classic Art Deco - simple, uncluttered, geometrical.

The stand is embellished a bit too much for the Deco style but I did want it to look like a stylised star field. There are three control knobs in gold, silver and copper. The "antenna" is telescoped tubing also featuring the three different metal tones. On the top is a gold geometric semicircle stamp. It has "handles" on the sides with gold tone "rivetted" struts around the panel. There are two gold tone rings to attach or thread, the chain through.

Yay! Here is the promised video of skulluminati. See more photos in the previous post.

The magnet set in the adjustable ring turns the LED light off and on. Magic!

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