Steampunk Clay Hearts - revisited

This has been a very busy week. I had to work extra days because my boss was getting married and was gone for a week. so I didn't get to post last Tuesday. I also haven't had much time to create any new projects so here is one from May of 2012. Steampunk continues to be a trend so I thought we would revisit this post on polymer clay hearts done in a Steampunk theme.

Let’s talk Steampunk. The trend in fashion and accessories that is growing by the day.

Take a step back to 1800's and early 1900’s when there were no computers, no cars, no microwave ovens, and, no computers. What if the world had never seen so many revolutionary inventions? What if cars ran on steam? What if everything needed gears, or pulleys, or to be started with a crank?  Can you imagine the world? That is what the world of Steampunk conjures up in the mind. No television, no cell phones, or any of the techy things.

Many, many people have embraced this concept and are creating clothes, accessories, and artworks based on it. (Though they still use their techy devices (computers, printing presses) to create these things). Type Steampunk into your search engine and you will find thousands of sites selling everything under the sun. It’s a world that is reminiscent of Captain Nemo and Jules Verne. There is even a Steampunk eMagazine.

For a sci-fi buff, this is a dream world and if you are an artist too, well, it can provide tons of ideas for projects, artwork, jewelry and so much more.

So here are some ideas to bring the Steampunk influence into the world of polymer clay and jewelry.

The freeform Steampunk heart above was created with brown, black and tan clay. Watch parts and gears, screws, washers, wire and other fun things were pressed into the clay before baking, or glued on after. Screws are great because you actually turn them and screw them into the clay, they hold things on quite well.

The piece to the left was made with black and silver clays. The outer framework is a combination of the two so it looks like gray metal, with a sparkle. Most of the gears are made of clay with metal grommets and screws to give them realism. Faux screws are placed around the edge by rolling small balls of clay, then poking a hole into the center. The framework is actually layered and pieced to look similar to the inside of a watch.

This piece is approximately 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 inches. 

Poking decorative holes into the gears makes them look more realistic and adds interest to the piece.

The gears are made by running the clay through the pasta machine on the second or third thickest settings. Even though real metal gears are very thin, clay gears that thin would break easily.

When cutting the gears, cut one notch, then turn the circle around to the opposite side and cut another, then cut halfway between each of the first notches. Continue this way until you have the entire gear cut.  The photo shows the sequence of cuts. The smaller the notch you cut, the more teeth you get on the gear. 

Once the gears are cut and the base (a heart, circle, square, etc) is ready, it’s time to place all the parts. The clay will attach to other pieces of clay and most of the metal pieces will stay attached after the piece is baked.

 Be sure to create a way to hang your piece from a chain or cord. Using a gear, a metal ring, or a grommet through a hole in the top, are easy ways to create a place to put a jump ring. The brown heart at the top of the page has a wire hanger held on with screws. A wire loop was put into the top of the gold heart below. A piece of metal with two holes was used on the square piece. A screw was placed through one hole to keep it in the clay, the other hole is for the jump ring.

I like to keep a real watch available as a reference when placing the clay parts. It gives you an idea of placement and design. 

This heart was made using all clay gears with metal grommets. Designs were pressed into the heart before the gears were added to give it texture and a more industrial look. All the parts were put on before the piece was baked (using the manufacturer's instructions).

Once the polymer clay has cooled after baking, a varnish is put on the give it a shine. My favorite is Pledge Future Floor Wax. It seals and doesn't wash off. It may take from two to five coats to get the shine you want, but it will look beautiful when you are done.

Creating Steampunk art is fun and the pieces are always unique. I hope you try it within the medium you favor. Paint a picture, do a collage, make a piece of cool jewelry. Any medium can be adapted, so be creative.

Time to play (craft☺) and create my next post.  

Terri

Product Note: Polymer clay, the jewelry chain, and the grommets (used for scrapbooking) are available at Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, and Joann’s.  Also look for watch parts on Etsy and Ebay.

1KrazyRtist

www.etsy.com/shop/1krazyrtist