Time For a Different Perspective... Or How MadScientistsDesigns Came To Be

Found on Birdcam Italia

Sometimes you just have to stand back and look at things a new way. As an amateur radio operator I always wondered if there was a way to re-purpose the old, used, non-working vacuum tubes.... Vacuum tubes are delicate, intricate, little works of glass art used to power radios and other equipment...

MadScientistsDesigns: vintage vacuum tubes

 Out of this a business was born: MadScientistsDesigns. Over the years I have created different jewelry and Christmas ornaments with these little beauties:

MadScientistsDesigns: vacuum tube Christmas ornament

MadScientistsDesigns: vacuum tube ornament Victorian silver

MadScientistsDesigns: My Lady in Chains

MadScientistsDesigns: Steampunk vacuum tube cufflinks

MadScientistsDesigns: Steampunk Tesla Vacuum Tube Necklace

MadScientistsDesigns: Butterfly Art

MadScientistsDesigns: Steampunk Vacuum Tube & Filigree Barrette

MadScientistsDesigns: Steampunk Vacuum Tube Earrings - Copper Drops

 I continue to create with vintage vacuum tubes, but I have also learned new jewelry styles and techniques. You can see more vacuum tube jewelry and my other creations here.

What can you breathe new life into?

xoxo ~Elizabeth

Do You Spring Clean?

Construction Zone Wall Decal by WilsonGraphics

Yesterday and today I've been working on Spring cleaning in my Etsy shop, MadScientistsDesigns. Whew! It's a lot of work, but totally worth it! I'm pretty happy with the results so far.

 Yesterday I went through all of my listings and re-cropped the thumbnail photos to highlight a close-up of each item being careful to make similar items a similar size in the preview thumbnail photo.

Today was the biggie: re-vamping the listing descriptions. Ugh! If you've ever done this, you know that over time you can lose the symmetry/consistency in your descriptions and (horrors!!) even leave out vital information! Yikes!

 

Before:

One hand-formed dragonfly ring in brass with a special dark pink wings. Adjustable and comfortable. The dragonfly's wings and tail hug your finger.. The perfect accent for your Steampunk, Goth, or Vampire fashion!

Jewelry comes wrapped and ready for gifting. See the last picture for examples of packaging.

More dragonflies: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MadScientistsDesigns/search?search_query=dragonfly&order=date_desc&view_type=gallery&ref=shop_search  

Payments accepted: PayPal (preferred), Direct Checkout, Etsy Gift Cards

Shipping: USPS

Thank you for stopping by. Come back soon. :-)

...and After:

One hand-formed dragonfly ring in brass with a special dark pink wings. Adjustable and comfortable. The dragonfly's wings and tail hug your finger like a little friend.

The perfect accent for your Steampunk, Goth, Nature Inspired, or Victorian fashion!

More Dragonflies: http://etsy.me/1iSa86Q

Payments Accepted: Pay Pal (preferred), Direct Checkout, Etsy Gift Card

Ships USPS 1st Class

Jewelry comes wrapped and ready for gifting. See the last picture for examples of packaging.

*********************************
"Dragonfly Meaning

The dragonfly is generally associated with the symbolic meaning of transformation. Here are common meanings for this animal totem:

*Change and transformation
*Adaptability
*Joy, lightness of being
*Symbol of the realm of emotions, invitation to dive deeper into your feeling
*Being on the lookout for illusions and deceits, whether are external or personal
*Connection with nature’s spirits, fairies realms"

From: http://www.spiritanimal.info/dragonfly-spirit-animal/
*********************************

Thanks for stopping by and come back soon! :)

See the difference?

 

What are YOU doing to spruce-up your shop? Which description do you like better? Leave me a comment and let me know. Thanks!

 

xoxo  ~Mad/Elizabeth

Playtime!! Adventures With Gilder's Paste Part I

OK fellow crafters, raise your hand if you are panicking that it is already NOVEMBER 10TH!!!!! Today, instead of hiding under the bed, I decided to break out my latest toy: Gilder's paste. This toy was a gift from a friend who tried it, but liked using a different medium better, so since it was just sitting in a corner drying up, she gave it to me to play with! **giggling with glee like a 3yr old**

Because it hadn't been used in so long, it had begun drying up. The back of the can says to use paint thinner to "rejuvenate, soften, blend" although Claudia said I could use water... Weellll, I bought some acetone (which can be used to thin paint) and decided to try both methods.

I have some raw brass that I washed with soap and water to remove any remaining oils and residues from the stamping process and sat down to play with the Gilder's paste. I can tell you now that it is not easy to revive. :-)

I have 5 different colors to play with in various stages of drying out. I will post again after I figure out the best way to rejuvenate it.

Cans of Gilder's paste

Wings in Antique Gold

Well, we have to let it dry for 12 hours, then buff it and seal it with acrylic sealer. Tune in later for an update on how it turns out! And don't forget to always have fun with your crafting!

Adventures in Patina

Yesterday I used a patina technique for the 1st time!! It wasn't as hard as I was afraid it would be. I modified a recipe for making patina at home from B'sue Boutiques. ** http://www.bsueboutiques.com/pi_cool_ways_to_age_brass.shtml ** I used what I had on hand, distilled white vinegar and Morton's salt.

I soaked the rings in the solution for an hour. Then, baked them for 13 1/2 minutes, took them out and let them cool. They looked really funny and salty. hehehe

After they were cool, I rinsed the dragons off in water and rubbed them dry. They came out a rosy hue with purple accents on the scales. Awesome! Now I just have to get some wax for them (hopefully tomorrow). Can't wait to see how they come out!