Sunday, December 13, 2009

AROUSAL Brooch with Optic Fibers





I have been playing around with fitting fiber optics with LEDs into a piece of jewellery. This is my first attempt, which I'm excited about - but I'm hoping to make my next one more interactive. With this piece the optic fibers are either on (pink) or off. Which is a bit boring.

'Arousal' - because I bought this fab piece of wonder stone (from www.designercabochons.co.uk) to do a piece for an exhibition called 'Erotica' - which was unfortunately cancelled so I never made the piece I intended to. But the gemstone reminded me of something quite female!?

AROUSAL Brooch - featuring a large collectors Wonder Stone. This is a stunning bright piece of Wonder Stone with perfect detailed bands & a high shine (55mm x 18mm, 5mm thick).

Also featuring tiny pink lights when 'aroused' (i.e. the battery is fitted to the holder on the back!).

The brooch looks cool without the lights on too - as the fiber optics are hardly visable, being transparent!

Other materials: Faux bone, UV resin, glitter, merino wool (pinks, cream, green), copper, mixed metals washers, micro screws, fine silver snow rings (Fair Trade from the Thia Karen Hills Tribes), fiber optics, conductive thread, coin battery & holder, pink LED, sterling silver brooch pin, sterling silver wire.

The battery is easily replaceable & removeable when not in use.

Approx size of center part (without tendrils): 11 cm x 7.5cm

10 comments:

ArtSparker said...

Aroused and mobile. Hmmm...

It's splendid.

My earliest memory, from when I was two, is of wearing a Santa Claus brooch with a light-up nose.

Luarna said...

Wow Vicky, I love it! this is hte thing of yours that i like the most so far. It's wonderful. I love the shape (yes deffinately feminine), the colour, lights, tendrils,sparkly green glitter. EVERYTHING! it's great. you should be well proud of this piece.

Ginga Squid said...

Thanks Susan & Luarna!

I think I vaguely remember having a Xmas Tree brooch with flashing lights when I was little - I would have loved a light up nose Santa one though!

Pam de Groot said...

This is a hoot with the lights.The colours and mix of materials is great. Your spinning is coming along well too I notice. I'm going to take an art yarn class in Jan so we'll see what I can do after that!!

Ginga Squid said...

Thanks Pam!
I hear that Jacey Boggs of Insubordiknit is taking some art yarn workshops in Oz in the New Year - its not one of her classes is it? I would be so green with envy!

Pam de Groot said...

No but Jacey is doing one up in the mountains. I'm doing mine with "wooldancer" she knows the same stuff and I'm happy to support her. Jaceys one is in Feb. You could always come over the creek and stay!

Queen of the Tea Cosies said...

And of course I LERVE this too. No chance of copying anything at all about this though. Your jewels are something else.

Ginga Squid said...

Thanks Pam - I would so love to come over, but kiddies still too little - or maybe I just cant 'let go' yet! You told me about Wooldancer before - and I ordered some fiber from her - it was lovely & she has a great website.

Thanks again Loani!!!!

Shirley Cook - Jumping Jack Glass said...

Vicky, I absolutely LOVE this piece! I've been wanting to play around with lights in some of my felt work, I just haven't had the time yet. You're inspiring!

And oh, yes, I had one of those Santa pins with the light-up nose as well. There was a little string hanging out the bottom of it and the nose would light up when you pulled on the string. I had completely forgotten about that until I read the comments. Thanks for the happy memory! :-)

Ginga Squid said...

Glad this is a happier memory than your Angel with Chickenpox one!

I'm quite excited about LEDs & optic fibers in felt - felt is going to be such a fab medium for soft circuits etc. The website I find very inspiring (with links to others) is Aniomagic at www.aniomagic.com
They have lots of starter kits & book recommendations etc.