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)