Steampunk Goes Cuckoo

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Steampunk Goes Cuckoo

by Carolyn Dargevics
(Neenah, WI, USA)

I love steampunk but on my own terms. I took apart an old, broken cuckoo clock and used the parts to make the necklace. I handwashed the parts because they were oily, dirty, and dusty, and then used my Dremel to clean off the rust.

As with all my pieces, I design on the fly. I can't, for the life of me, sketch a piece ahead of time; that just doesn't work for me -- not the sketching but the piece in my hand directs where and how it wants to go. I then used an old glass pendant that had been sitting in a drawer for years. It worked.

Carolyn Dargevics
ImajinArt

Comments for
Steampunk Goes Cuckoo

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How very cool
by: Leigh

This is a great piece and interesting that you work without sketching.

Great inspiration
by: Joyce Pleijsier

I love this neckace not only to look at, but it feels good too, the idea of re-using this cogs (?)is great.
Strange: using these industrial things and make a tender peace of art.Well done!

Appreciation
by: Carolyn Dargevics

Thank you so much for the nice comments. In regard to sketching, I hope to evolve to that point. I'm finding with doing the layering, I continually take apart and put back together. I don't solder so I have to attach the parts by wire or rivets you bend. I think I'm going to have to learn to solder for any future designs.

Great Piece
by: nancy

Great piece. I have been working with watch parts wishing they were larger. I never thought of using a coocoo clock. I can't tell you how many broken ones I have passed up dirt cheap at auctions.
Thank you for the tip.

Problem with Cuckoo Clocks
by: Carolyn Dargevics

Keep in mind, if purchasing old cuckoo clocks, they are difficult to take apart. It took me 2 days to take apart the last cuckoo clock without bending and breaking gears and components. Plus, some components may be plastic, and you don't want those. If the cuckoo bird is plastic, so are some of the components -- don't waste your time and money.