“Onyx Distributor Pin”: The latest addition to the distributor line, this is a beautiful lapel pin composed of Brass, Sterling Silver, Rubber Tubing and Black Onyx. This Pin is intended to mimic a flower that one might pin onto a coat, vest or hat but with an industrial flare that you simply don’t find in nature. Perfect for those who want to add a touch of old world class to their modern look. Also available as a ring or bracelet and with different center stones (by request). It can be made to fit with any application or attire!
Measures 1.5 inches in diameter.
“8 Cylinder Pendant”: I have always thought of the Human body as an engine. A chemical engine, but an engine nonetheless. This pendant is designed to mimic the beautiful repetition inside of an engine block. From high performance sports cars all the way down to turbines that produce electricity, the form of engines change but our dependency on them remains constant. What I try to do is to make the viewer consider the engine as an item of beauty, rather than necessity. Here I approach my “canvas” or “platform”, the body, as I would an engine or a piece of equipment. It will need things. Apparatuses or components that allow it to function more completely or more efficiently. Power sources, regulators, exhaust ports, cooling systems. I decided that a “person engine” would need to have a manifold to regulate by-products. Humans produce a lot of waste: carbon dioxide, chemical waste, methane, lactic acid, bile; all of these things must be regulated and controlled. No doubt an engine as complex as we are will need a little extra help. Here I consider that the manifold would likely be placed about the neck to facilitate the mouth and nose in expelling fumes and gases. This way we wouldn’t have to worry about swallowing too much air or sneezing too hard and blowing blood vessels. All of those functions would be regulated to provide the smoothest ride possible.
Composed of Brass, Titanium, and PVC tubing. Measures 3” long and 1” wide.
$300
Available from Symmetry Jewelers
“Steampunk Stimpack Mark 2”: Created as a commission.
We’ve all been there; out on an adventure when your token red shirt steps on a trigger plate and takes a crippling and/or life threatening wound from a cleverly hidden trap. You call over ol’ Sawbones and plead with him to save the life of your foremost expendable troop since if he dies, that only leaves you to take the next major injury. From his black leather satchel the Doc pulls what can only be described as a syringe with a speedloader, and checks to make sure it is fully loaded. He shoves a stick in the rookie’s mouth and quickly, albeit painfully, injects the life-saving serum straight into the wound. All of a sudden, your crew mate is tip top and already cracking wise about the pathetic excuse for traps this dungeon has. Thankfully, he is well enough to resume his position as point man and you are safe from traps for a little while longer.
This is a must have accessory for all the Steampunk Medics out there. Hand made from Brass and cast resin, this speed loader of a syringe will let everyone know that you will heal the wounded come hell or high water! Only a big baby would whine about having a giant needle jammed in their bone so tell them to toughen up and take their medicine! They wanted to be an adventurer: well adventurers get hurt and then who do they turn to? Comes preloaded with eight shots of whatever that red stuff inside stimpacks is that can magically cure what ails you, enough for the whole crew! The important ones anyway.
The plunger moves, extending up to three inches. Measures: 6” compressed 9” fully extended.
“Lady Aeronautica Steam PWNY”: Lady Aeronautica was born to one Pegasus pony and an ordinary pony. Even though she loved both parents dearly, she always felt conflicted about her own identity. Which world could she belong to? Could she ever belong to both? She ran in the fields and danced in the tall grass but she longed to swoop through the clouds and ride the winds. She felt compelled to bridge the gap between her two worlds and encourage more unity within Pony Land. So she volunteered for “Pony Reassignment”. Designer and friend of Pony Land Admiral Nelson gladly agreed to take on the challenge. While the procedure was non-invasive, it did not come without risks. Ponies are not naturally skilled fliers and even Pegasus ponies are usually taught to fly as they grow up. She must maintain constant focus to avoid tumbling to the ground. Her mane and tail must stay restrained so they do not become tangled in the delicate workings of her wings. She must wear protective hoof covers to avoid sustaining damage upon landing and she must never fly too low over the ocean or too close to the sun. With practice and focus she can now glide among the clouds with her mother and easily return to earth to be re-join the rest of her family. No longer must she be bound by the circumstances of her birth and she is free to be who she wants to be.
Made from a 1st Generation “Jam” My Little Pony. She has been completely repainted, given brass shoes, and a new mane and tail. Her backpack is completely hand fabricated from brass, canvas and some watch gears.
Second in an ongoing series of five. See the first in the series here.
“Isotope Insignia”: In my observations of humanity, I have noticed a unique aspect of our species is the desire to decorate an individual for achievements. No other animal adorns members of their society for actions above and beyond normal behavior. We however, not only decorate ourselves for the joy of it but we create pieces of art to reward others for actions that we feel are deserving of it. That is the spirit behind my various pins and brooches.
I try to take a platform like a brooch, and expand it into a piece of art that is as curious as it is unique. I like objects that I make to be fascinating to the child within us all. The best way I have found to accomplish this is to incorporate light. Not only the light of a fine gemstone or the reflection of metal, I try to find way for pieces to create their own light. This allows them to draw attention to the individual even in ( or especially in) rooms that are completely dark. I feel that this will be a future for jewelry and even articles of clothing. Perhaps it stems from my desire to see Science Fiction blend with reality, but this avenue is one that I have never seen expanded in the scope and fashion that I feel it deserves. Our eye, (being lazy) is attracted to light more than shadow. So to me there is no better way to create emphasis or appeal then to put light where it usually is not.
This pin is a beautiful hand formed piece of Titanium that has been heat treated to create blended clouds of orange, green, purple, red, and blue, but done in a controlled fashion to create more visual depth. This piece contains three ultra bright green LEDs that will stay lit for upwards of 8 hours and will illuminate a dark corner or hallway. The entire case is hand fabricated from Brass and has six pieces of green Plexiglass set into it. The top three pieces have been carved down into cabochons which sit just above the LEDs, serving to illuminate and emphasize the green color even further. Some light also falls into the vertical green elements creating a unique underglow.
Measures 3.5” x 3.5”
$1,000
Available from Symmetry Jewelers in New Orleans.
“Wiccan Pendant”: This is a pendant that I made for my mother who is a self professed witch and dedicated family matriarch. Initially contracted as a Cartouche style name pendant, I took it upon myself to embellish it and to incorporate elements of Wiccan tradition as well as icons symbolic of our family. The main body of the pendant is hand fabricated from Sterling Silver. The script along the front says “Witch” in Theban, the secret alphabet used by Wiccan practitioners to keep their society secret during times of extreme persecution at the hands of the Catholic Church.
Three stones are bezel set into the symbol of the Goddess, (the most important symbol in the Wiccan faith) at the bottom of the Pendant. The Two on the outside are Emeralds and the center is Black Opal, the birthstones of her three loving, dedicated, and handsome sons.
It now rests on the high alter of my mother’s home, and is used in observance of holy days or anytime she feels the need to be reminded of our undying love for her.
Composed of Sterling Silver, Emerald, Black Opal - 3” long, 1” wide on a Sterling Silver chain.
“Personal Reactor”: This is the piece that started it all! The origins of Reaction Designs and my love of Steampunk metalwork. This is an entirely hand fabricated personal nuclear reactor! This piece was designed as the endgame for all steampunk technology. As you may know nuclear power is made by creating enormous amounts of heat through fusion or fission which then generates steam and the steam powers turbines to create energy. My thought was: “if only that could be harnessed to power a human being! Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? Simply strap on Professor Nelson’s personal reactor and buzz the day away with the natural zip of portable fission!” I like to point out that I conceived and fabricated this several years before Iron man became the huge phenomenon that is it today.
This piece was conceived to quell the frustration I had from growing up as a child of Science Fiction where Nuclear energy not only powers laboratories or super scientists and mad geniuses but radiation gives ordinary people amazing super powers! The reality of Nuclear power is obviously less desirable, with the various disasters that have happened trying to control it and the horrible side effects and death that occurs from actual exposure to radiation. So this piece stemmed from a desire to see more of my fantasy mix with reality. Perhaps someday we will be able to get superpowers but until then, I will continue to make devices that blur the lines of reality!
$2000 Available from Symmetry Jewelers in New Orleans.
Personal Cooling Rods: There comes a time in every adventurer’s life when the pressure simply becomes too much. When the boiling frustration threatens to blow a gasket and unleash a scalding blast of unbridled fury that destroys everything in its path! It’s those times dear friends when you will be happy to have the luxury of a personal pressure regulator that will allow you to defuse the tension and prevent those costly meltdowns. Simply extend the high capacity cooling chamber and allow the rods to cool your head and heels simultaneously.
This is an entirely hand fabricated wearable sculpture composed of Brass,Titanium, and steel. The lighted chamber slides on a custom built track and locks inside the completely light proof housing so the light is only visible when the slide is extended. A switch on the back allows the wearer to turn the rods on and off as desired. It sits high on the neck on a 1/4” wide black leather strap with a unique front mounted hook/link clasp system. Batteries included.
Incorporating design elements from ships, planes, and nuclear reactors, this is truly a piece of wearable art that will no doubt spark conversations in any social setting.
Measures: 5 1/2” long (Closed). 3” wide at the top, 1 1/2” wide at the bottom.
7 1/2” long (Open).
Currently available for purchase from Reaction Designs Metalwork’s Etsy page. http://www.etsy.com/listing/90171979/personal-cooling-rods
Hand Formed Aluminum Earrings & Hand Formed Brass Earrings - A renewal of the hand formed earrings line, these are aluminum with Gold leafed interiors and brass with Gold leafed interiors. Started from a flat sheet, they were hammered and formed around stakes and anvils into a sturdy but delicate flared tube. I then gold leafed the interiors to accentuate the forming. They are hung from Silver ear wires to prevent irritation to sensitive skin. They make wonderful gifts and add a sophisticated accent to any outfit. Measures 2.5” long.
