So I promised to show a picture of the other handpiece that I made, from the bits and experiments from the first one. I wanted to make a simple piece, based on a slave chain ring/bracelet type of jewelry. I like the ring and chain part and I like the boldness of the wrist/hand covering, but I don't know if I like them together. It was a quick piece to put together, and fun to wear, but I think I will disassemble it to make something new. I think I will keep the ring and chain and connect it to a more traditional linked chain bracelet. The heavy piece, I am not sure... I think it would be really neat if sewn to a leather glove. I am glad I documented it at least, but I see it as a sketch and a work in progress for now.


Speaking of rings... Congrats to my friends Scott and Lucy! Scott proposed to Lucy on our trip to Chicago last weekend, on the train, during a fun game he made up for us to play! He brought out a silly blinking blingy plastic ring for her to wear for the weekend, because he is silly that way. She said yes! And she will wear a family heirloom as her wedding ring. But she got to flaunt her flashy bling all weekend for all of us and Chicago to see. I was so happy to be there for this, and am so very excited for them. hugs, you two!

Here is the first picture of process on my steampunk robot glove that I blogged about the other day. This is just the finger part, it took some time to make the filigree parts into rings and then "hinge" them with jump rings. They are not fully hinged, but I do have some movement. The rings will stay on just the way they are, but my next step is attaching them to a plate that goes over my hand. I am quite pleased so far and would be happy if this was all I did for the hand, but the whole glove will be very exciting as well.

 

So as I have been working on it, I have been thinking about hands and touch in mythology, particularly the story of King Midas and the Midas touch. Also, whenever I work with brass, I think of alchemy and the mystery of turning objects into gold (which I just learned is called chrysopoeia. yay new word!) Midas and alchemy are linked in my mind, all twisted together. I started thinking about a magic golden glove, one that has alchemical properties. But perhaps something beyond the ability to turn things into gold, for I am not impressed with mere gold. I would prefer ornate beauty over precious metal any day. And I was thinking of something that would be more steampunkish So I think in my story, having a steam punk fiction inspired glove that would turn things into brass filigree would be even richer than gold. Could you imagine having the magical power to touch something, perhaps something plain and ugly, and watch it come alive with ornament and flourishes? I adore that idea!

 

Alas, I seem to be crafting a monster of fable and mythology with my glove idea. I love when that happens. I have had one of my favorite songs about *tough* in my mind all day, and was quite pleased to find a fan video for it on You Tube that is just perfect for my story and mood today. The song for today is Peter Gabriel's "I have the Touch" set to scenes from classic Frankenstein!