Steampunk Design Challenge - Artbeads.com

"Steampunk Victorian Butterfly Pin"
by Lagaz Designs (Melissa Muir - 2011)

 So Artbeads.com offered up a new challenge for us beaders & jewelry makers. It had nothing to do with seasons this time, which was different and refreshing. This time the theme was "What is Old is New again!", with the emphasis on Steampunk design. What is Steampunk? It's where Victorian era meets Modern Day, with a bit of rebelliousness thrown in for good measure. Think Will Smith's "Wild Wild West" movie...that was full of Steampunk. That huge steam powered spider contraption. Gives me the shivers...and not the good ones either. (don't like spiders :P )

With this challenge we also had to use some of our own elements that we had on hand. Like re-using old jewelry parts, watchparts, etc. That part I got. However, this challenge was well....challenging. I like the look of Steampunk, but I have never attemped it before.

I was getting frustrated beyond belief with this. I wanted to take these pieces and throw them at the wall! I'd leave it alone, then come back to it, work for awhile, get frustrated and repeat the process! I give kudos to the people who can do this so easily. (Well, looks easy at any rate) Finally I got through it, and created something that even looked worthy. A "Steampunk Victorian Butterfly Pin" was born. And it was one helluva birthing process! lol!

"Steampunk Victorian Butterfly Pin - Closeup"
By Lagaz Designs (Melissa Muir - 2011)

From Artbeads, I used the Kabela Design Antique Butterfly Filligree embellishment from their Embellishments main page (listed under the Brass section). Also, I used the Antiqued Brass Ancient Pin and Brass-Plated Chain listed under their Base Metal main page.



These products were very nice to work with. And they are very strong! I was trying to cut part of the chain with my pliers, and I really had to struggle! I got it finally, although at one point I had to resort to using my Dremel tool to cut through some of the other chain links to attach to the Butterfly. Very well made.



The Ancient Pin was made extremely well also. I wanted to drill a hole through the head of the pin, right in the centre so I could attach the Butterfly with a decorative headpin at one point. Yeah, the drill on my Dremel couldn't even get through it. Caused some frustration, but worked around it. Tough little sucker!

The Butterfly was light, well made, with no broken sections. Exactly what I was looking for when I ordered it.



The other parts of the pin came from some old earrings that I had that I never wore anymore. These were the little mixed metal round circles with square holes in them. They brought some needed shine. I used parts from my old gold watch that I had from years ago, that I never got around to fixing. The motor became the butterfly's body, with a large Amethyst rondelle bead and a Swarovski Bicone in Siam beside it. Czech Fire polished glass beads in Crystal Picasso Rondelles added to the sparkle.

Hope you like it! I'll be looking forward to the next challenge that Artbeads.com gives us :)

Disclaimer: I have received these products free of charge from ArtBeads.com, and I am using these products in my creations to review for this company. I have not been paid to do these reviews or to recieve these products from Artbeads.com.