Monday, August 30, 2010

Steampunk Flash Drive Pendant Conversion Project

I had so much fun creating my first piece of Steampunk art, that I started looking around to see what else I could alter.  My hubby tossed me an old 2 GB flash drive he no longer used and told me to go to town on it - so I did. 

My altered art Steampunk USB Flash Drive Pendant.
(Wearable art and a functioning flash drive - I just love a multi-tasker.)

I wanted to be able to wear the flash drive as a pendant but needed it to be usable too, so I created it so it attaches via a magnetic connector to the necklace I will wear it on.  This way I can easily remove and reattach the flash drive as needed.  You can see half of the magnetic connector at the very top of the above photo.


So, How did I do it?

This is what I had to start with.
It had "good bones" for becoming a pendant piece and I loved the textured sides.


The First Challenge
I had to figure out how to get little bugger apart without destroying it.
(A tiny flat head screwdriver was gently used to pry it open.)


 Next I cut out the company logo to create a "window" for my
 Steampunk display of cogs and wheels and watch parts.
 

 I used several types of paint to alter the look of the pieces.
A base coat of Brown Neo Opaque was painted onto the textured side part which was originally lime green and I also painted over the letting on the flash drive.  Gold acrylic paint was dry-brushed onto the textured side piece to give it an antique gold patina look.  The flash drive was dry-brushed with a bit of cosmic copper brilliance ink since the watch parts to be added were gold or silver in color.
(I cut a small piece of transparency film to cover up the window opening so my artwork would have a bit of protection once it was finished.)
 

 The time consuming work of finding the right bits and pieces took the most time in this project. It helps to have small tools and good lighting.  I also like using a glue like amazing goop since if you change your mind about the placement of something you have a chance to remove it and start again.  If you use super glue it is a one shot deal and I don't like working under that kind of permanent pressure.


I rubber stamped a funky pattern onto the silver metal to give it an engraved look.
 I used Staz-On Back ink and the top corner of this Lost Coast Rubber Stamp.
 

 I sprayed the white outer shell of the flash drive with a hammered paint; which gave the plastic a hammered bronze look.  I actually needed a slightly different color to work with the jewelry findings I was eventually going to use so I distressed the above color a bit with some black ink to give it a more oxidized dark gray color.
 

I darkened the outer shell a bit with black ink and also did some rubber stamping along the case to continue with the "engraved" look and give it a more Victorian feel.  The new shell color worked a lot better with the oxidized silver bits I chose to use so the flash drive could be easily removed from the chain.


This is what the full necklace looks like. A heavy chunky chain with a key and lock toggle closure at the back and then a magnetic catch (the bumpy, silver ball) is used to attache the flash drive to the necklace.


 This magnet is just the right strength to keep the flash drive in place until it is needed, then it tugs free for use and easily reattaches, you don't even need to see what you are doing - it's so cool.  
(I've used the flash several times and have not had any problems with the magnets interfering with the drive's ability to work and retain data, so I think I'm home free in that department.)
 

Completed Steampunk Flash Drive
I'm really pleased with the way this turned out.
It's Fun, Fashionable and Functional - could a Steampunk girl ask for anything more?
Well... I understand there are flash drives that light up when you use them, so maybe I'll need to make one that will light up my artwork as well.

Grins and Giggles,
 Evelyn (EKDuncan)




13 comments:

  1. I've been searching online for a Steam Punk USB, and not only is this the most beautiful I've seen, it's also wearable art! Bravo! And thank you so much for the tutorial, I am searching for a USB of my very own to try this with!

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  2. I'm so glad you like it. I had a lot of fun creating this piece.
    Grins and Giggles - Evelyn

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  3. Wonderful art work, very inspiring love it

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    1. Thanks for letting me know you liked it Gail.

      I had a great time dipping my toe in Steampunk with this project and I hope to do some more in the near future.

      Grins,
      Evelyn

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  4. what model Kingston is it?
    Great finished project

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    1. Hey Syn - It was a first generation Data Traveler by Kingston.
      Hope this helps.

      Grins,
      Evelyn

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  5. really beautiful and functional work!! absolutely spot on on what steampunk should be today!! xx

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    1. Hey Nefelli x - Thanks for letting me know you liked this piece. It's one of my favorite projects to date.

      Giggles,
      Evelyn

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  6. Amazing! I can’t help but be amazed on how an ordinary flash drive can turn into a piece of art such as this one. It looks like an antique flash drive. Well, I bet you also take extra care in using that flash drive. It would be a waste if it will never function because of virus or it is damaged.

    Nannie Salyards

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    1. Thanks Nannie - I get a lot of complements on this piece when I wear it and people are amazed to find out it's a real working flash drive. I have to be honest that I do not use it frequently as a flash drive but I love the fact that if I needed to, I could.

      I've been meaning to create another one using a different style of flash drive but I've just not found the time. Maybe in 2013 since I'm going to do my best to create a lot more "Steampunk" art and projects in the upcoming months.

      Grins,
      Evelyn

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  7. It's quite a bit later; how has this held up? I am looking to mod a flash drive for my (first ever!) NaNoWriMo project this year. It's gonna see some regular use!

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    1. Hey Kestrel337 - Thanks for your interest regarding my Steampunked flash drive. It looks and works just like it did when I first created it; however you need to take into account that I don't wear or use it on a daily basis. It was only a 2GB drive (I keep a regular looking 16GB in my purse- that is what I normally use as my on-the-go "working" flash drive).

      This Steampunk piece was created more for fun and as an interesting fashion accessory more so than to be used as an everyday device. So I think it achieved it's purpose quite well.

      Good luck on your creation. I hope you have a lot of fun designing and putting it together.

      Cheers,
      Evelyn

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