Serotonin Project Progress (Week 3)

Sadly, due to testing schedule, senior trip, etc., I got very little done this week because I wasn't in class.  I plan to be done soon, though.  I have almost cut out all of my copper.  I still have to drill holes, bend the cuffs, and assemble my bracelet together.

So, as my research for my project this week, I decided to research the individuality of my project.  I've seen many serotonin-themed pieces of jewelry.  Most of these, however, are one simple serotonin molecule on a bracelet or necklace as a pendent or link.  My project is unique in that it utilizes the molecules as a functional aspect of the jewelry, the cuffs.  My project also combines a more scientific, nerdy meaning into it with the addition of the brain centerpiece.

Most of the serotonin jewelry I found online was simple, like these pieces.

These pieces stick to one single molecule as a pendant or centerpiece of their jewelry.  I could not find any made from copper, but only silver or other silvery metals.  Many put the molecule on a silvery chain or fabric thread.  

Though I'm sure they exist somewhere, I could not find any serotonin bracelets.  The majority of serotonin-themed jewelry was made up of necklaces, earrings, and keychains, like the following.

Though it's been very complicated to make, I am happy that the piece I'm creating is so individual. :)

Serotonin Project Progress (Week 2)

As of this week, I am almost finished cutting out my serotonin cuffs. It took a while for my thicker gauge copper to finally come in so that I could have sturdy cuffs on my bracelet. Here's a reminder of my plans for my nerdy jewelry. (On phone. Can't rearrange pictures. But the reminder is the first picture.)

As of now, I am on step four. I will first drill holes centered in the end of the molecule on both cuffs. Then, I will line the two frames up and drill the four holes so that the two frames are perfectly aligned. The second picture shows the locations of my drill holes. If I were to rivet the cuffs and frames like this, the cuffs would swivel, which I do not want them to do. For this reason, I will be doing some soldering between the top frame and the cuffs. When I solder them together, I will solder them with my rivet already through so that the other side of the rivet sticks out the back like two posts. The third photo shows the design of this.

After this, I will rivet the other frame to the front frame and molecules, keeping my transparency between the two frames. After that, I will rivet the bottom two drill holes to make the frame more stable, then bend the cuffs to fit my wrists.

So far, the most difficult part of this project has been measuring and drawing out my cuffs onto my metal so that they may bend to fit my wrists perfectly.

The only issue about which I'm stil concerned is whether I want to use liver of sulfur on my metal, turning it black. I definitely would rather it be black, but there is much more room fr error if I choose to liver of sulfur my pieces.

Serotonin Project Progress

Alright. Serotonin is the chemical released in the brain responsible for happiness and pleasure. My concept for this year happens to be harmony, which correlates pretty well with how happy you are, thus also directly related to how much serotonin your little brain pumps out. My initial design used serotonin molecules as the cuff section of a copper bracelet with a brain shaped pendant in the center. I, however, am just a little art three-zy I'm not capable of actually molding a brain form out of copper. My compromise: A brain printout on a transparency, sandwiched with mica between two frames of copper, a window to the wearer's wrist.
The first photo is my initial drawing with the brain window. I decided against cutting the copper in the shake of the brain on the frame and decided instead to use a hexagon. The second photo shows this drawing.
It's my plan to rivet, as well as solder the serotonin cuffs into the frame. This way, the cuffs will be sturdy and solid, rather than pivotal.
Regarding the sturdiness, there is one other aspect of the bracelet which is specific. The cuffs are cut out if a thicker gauge copper than the frames. This is so that it is a wearable, tough little nerd bracelet. But that's me. I'm a nerd.

Oh, and hey, Ms. Stamper.  I would rotate those, but I'm on the blogger app on my phone and it won't let me.  Sorry. :)