"The Cipher" | Steampunk Electric Guitar

Finally finished this one after 6+ years!    But, I am extremely pleased with results.

The Cipher | 2016 Trident Studios

The Cipher | 2016 Trident Studios

I started with  $25 Craigslist find of a Cipher electric guitar by Inter-mark.

I based the design on one Jake Von Slatt of the Steampunk Workshop produced.

I designed and acid-etched and machine and hand shaped the brass pick-guard, neck plate and back plate.  I left the brass uncoated so it will oxidize and age over time.

Since, I originally planned this as a art project,  I unfortunately cut the wires on the pickups, knobs and switches so it is currently unplayable. I regret this now, but I sure it could be rewired. Also, it was originally a cream color. I repainted the body and neck a satin black and the remaining parts gold.

The Cipher | 2016 Trident Studios

The Cipher | 2016 Trident Studios

The Cipher | 2016 Trident Studios

The Cipher | 2016 Trident Studios

Yes, the back plate says "2011", which was my original completion goal. Oh, well!

Long Time... No Post!

It's been almost 2 years since posting here, but I will be updating again regularly with many projects I've completed during thae last 2 years.

One thing I want to promote is the podcast I've been co-hosting and producing for the last year. Each episode we discuss the happenings in the world of pop culture: comics, movies and gaming. You can find our entire library of episodes on iTunes and our most recent episodes on Soundcloud.

 

Also, please check out our website at OOCPodcast.com Thanks!

Bookmark and Tags

 

Pink Ribbon Bookmark, 2013

 Here is bookmark I made for my sister. The etched brass is a tag for a dog collar.

Pink Ribbon Bookmark, 2013

Here are a two tags I made to dress up my USB Flash Drives. Also, brass dog tags.

Scarab Tag, 2013

Steampunk Glyph, 2013

Green Bay Packer Cigar Box

Green Bay Packer Cigar Box, 2012

4.25" x 6.25" etched brass mounted on a cigar box.

Detailed view of Green Bay Packer Cigar Box, 2012

Blue Lantern Corp Symbol Cigar Box

Blue Lantern Symbol Cigar Box, 2012

4" x 5" etched, stainless steel mounted to a cigar box.

New England Patriots Cigar Box

New England Patriots Cigar Box, 2012

4.25" X 6.25" etched stainless steel mounted on cigar box.

Detailed view of New England Patriots Cigar Box, 2012

Buck Cigar Box #2

Buck Cigar Box #2, 2012

 Etched, brass plate mounted to cigar box.

Detailed view of Buck Cigar Box #2, 2012

Chicago Bears Cigar Box

Chicago Bears Cigar Box, 2012

 4.25" x 6.25" etched, brass mounted on cigar box.

Detailed view of Chicago Bears Cigar Box, 2012

Pittsburgh Steelers Cigar Box

Pittsburgh Steelers Cigar Box, 2012

4.25" x 6.25" etched, stainless steel mounted on cigar box.

Detailed view of Pittsburgh Steelers Cigar Box, 2012

Copper Clock

Copper Clock, 2012

4" x 4" etched copper clock.

Cleveland Browns Cigar Box #2

Cleveland Browns Cigar Box #2, 2012

4" x 6" etched, brass mounted to a cigar box.

Carolina Panthers Cigar Box

Carolina Panthers Cigar Box, 2012

Seven of the boxes I did as presents this year were NFL teams and three of those seven were Carolina Panthers boxes. One box stayed in the Carolinas and other two went to family in Texas.

4.25" x 6.25" etched, stainless steel mounted to a cigar box.

Detailed view, Carolina Panthers Cigar Box, 2012

Dragon Cigar Box

Dragon Cigar Box, 2012

Etched, brass mounted on a cigar box.

Now that the holidays are over I can finally show what I've been working on for over the past year. I decided to make etched plaques for cigar boxes for all my male friends and family members. Each plaque was personalized for each person's interest and the boxes were lined with fabric.

This one was for my nephew. I'll be posting a new one every 2-3 days here along with a few other items I finished up over the last few months.

Copper Ship

Sailing Ship, copper, 2012

4" x 4" etched copper.

U.S. Mail Postage Stamp

U.S. Air Mail Postage Stamp, 2012

5" x 4" etched brass.

"The Kraken" Chest

"The Kraken" Chest, 2012

4" x 5" etched brass on cigar box.

 

Detail view of "The Kraken" Chest, 2012

Update - 09.08.12

Victorian/Steampunk Gumball Machine, 2012

Nothing new to show in etchings. I've been working on pieces for holiday gifts and few personal projects. So after Christmas I will have many new items to show off.

This gumball machine was just a simple repaint of a flea-market find. This is directly inspired from the one done at epbot.com. Yes, there is a hole in the globe on the backside. Found out the globe was cracked when I got it home and a chunk broke off after completing it.

I want to also point out some links on the right side of this page. First, is Laura's Art from the Heart showcasing handmade jewelry and crafts. Then there is my sister's new project: Carousel Accessories' crocheted items can be seen at Deviant Art and Etsy Store.

Finally, almost all of the metal I use is purchased from OnlineMetals.com. They have a great selection and you can order cut-to-size. Please check them out here. (If you happen to use any link on this page and  purchase anything from them , I'll get a few dollars back to help me buy more metal. Hey, copper's not cheap anymore!)

Mark Twain Postage Stamp

U.S. Postage Stamp, 4"x4", Copper, 2012

My first attempt at working copper. I've left the copper uncoated, so it will change color as is oxidizes.

Silver Surfer

Silver Surfer, 4" x 5" Stainless Steel, 2012

After a few month delay, I was able to finally etch eight plates this past weekend. Most are for gifts and I won't be able them off until the holidays, but I did knock out a few for myself.

This is one I've been wanting to do since I started playing around with stainless steel. Based on a sketch by Bruce Timm of Marvel Comics' Silver Surfer. I painted the background a flat black to contrast the shine of the steel.

Cleveland Browns Cigar Box

Cleveland Browns Cigar Box #1, 2012

When I originally etched this plate, I was was unhappy with how it had turned out. The etch was shallow and had some areas where the resist had failed and some fine details had etched away. After it had set in a drawer for a few months, I decide to paint it and finish it for myself and place it on the shelf with my other personal pieces. Once I started sanding to remove the excess paint, the insides of the letters we're getting a weathered and worn appearance. At the same time I read an article on how to "age" brass by exposing it to ammonia fumes. So I use this piece as my first test. Once mounted to a cigar box made of rough wood, I have a piece that looks like it's been exposed to many Lake Erie winters.

Close-up of Cleveland Browns Cigar Box #1, 2012