Steampunk Wands done and for sale!

I finally did it... Early last week I finished all 5 steampunk wand sets and sent three of them off to new homes around the world :). I also decided to keep one for myself. I realized I don't really have much of a collection, even of my own stuff, so I think I'm going to start making an extra one of each wand style just to keep. It's more work, but I think it will make me happier in the long run.

Well, that leaves one steampunk set available for sale. I just received the parts to make more, but that probably won't happen for quite some time. I did make some extra wands though, I'll list those in Etsy. The set with the box and electronics I have listed on Ebay.

I don't usually sell on Ebay but I have a hard time deciding if Etsy's "first come first serve" way is fair if I only have 1 of a rare or popular item. What do you guys think? I used to sell on Ebay just a little bit, but I wasn't very well known so it was difficult. Etsy has been great for me, I use it as my main selling point.

Oh well, I have many more things coming. I've been busy creating and haven't had time for photos or blog posts but I think I'll have time this weekend to list and post.

Here is the listing for this last Steampunk Set on Ebay.

Not done yet...

Hi everyone! I'm still working hard at my new job, they have lots of vacant shifts due to holiday vacations and openings and I have been working day and night! This has left little time for my minis, and even just for being in contact with everyone.

First things first, Merry Christmas to all my friends and followers! It's coming fast and I might not be able to post anything new before it comes.

Second, sorry to everyone that I have been ignoring!

Susan, sorry for the delay in finally getting your steampunk set to you, hope it arrived in one piece.

Nikki, I got your package ages and ages ago, THANK YOU SO MUCH! I've been meaning to do a whole post on it but haven't had time.

Ewa, oh my gosh thanks so much for the Christmas present! I couldn't wait and opened it early of course! I'll do a post on it later on. Thank you!

And I'm sure I owe words to many others, thanks for being patient with me!

Okay, now I need some help with my steampunk dilemma. While I was building the other 5 sets, I noticed the first set was loosing it's light quickly. I found out that the bulbs were needing too much power and my tiny batteries couldn't provide it long enough. So, in talking to Susan about what could be done, we came up with a base that held a bigger battery (one of those 3v lithium coin cell batteries) and a switch. We also swapped out the bulb for an LED bulb. I wished I could have made the base much smaller, but I think Susan is happy with it :). It's the one in the pictures below:

So my dilemma... I have 5 original sets pretty much done. I have to make the tiny pressure gauges and then just permanently secure the bulbs (they're just being held with putty at the moment). It's been so frustrating with the lighting not working the way I wanted, I really wanted everything to be hidden in the original wand box and not have to have extras, but I can't have everything I want! :)  So I wanted to see what you guys thought about these two options:

The set goes for $39.00 and it comes with the box and the wand. Should I cut $10.00 off the price and sell it without it being able to light up?

or

Should I build the base like I did for the one pictured above?

Here is what they look like so far: (click on the picture to see it bigger)

They still need the pressure gauges and the bulbs are being held in place with putty at the moment, but they are very close to finished.

So, tell me what you think and we shall see where it all goes :)

Thanks for your help!

Steampunk Wand - Preview

Okay everyone, here is a preview of my new Steampunk Wand and matching box. The box still needs work but I am very happy with the wand.

That is a working light bulb on the box. It only lights up when the box halves are together.

Here is a slightly different view, it's hard trying to get all the details to look just right in the pictures. 

The inside of the box is lined with leather.

Leather and steampunk, perfect match :). 

Okay, for the details on the wand... There is a copper coil all down the wand, imagine it's the conductor of the electricity or power for the magic. In the hilt of the wand we have a pressure gauge. You know how machinery can be tricky, better keep an eye on it! If your magic starts to get away from you and overload, use the handbrake :). 

I incorporated some gears and watch parts in the hilt too. 

The box, I like to imagine it is the charging station for the wand. I put in another copper coil and pressure gauge. Some watch parts for that popular steampunk look, and a working glass light bulb.

I tried to make the box look like it was made from scrap metals. It's actually all clay and painted in various golds, coppers, brass, and silver.

So why don't I like the box 100% yet? I want the edges to be sharper and one end is narrower that the other because I held it there too tightly before I baked it. Can't really see that until you look for it, but I know it's there :).

Okay, I really need to paint those skull wands and list them. I'll list them on Etsy tomorrow around 11am or 12 noon my time (US Pacific time). According to the little gadget on my blog, I think that is 6pm or 7pm UK time. I'll only be listing 4 wands and 4 wands + boxes. Each little skull turned out different so I'll take pictures of each so you can pick your favorite.

I'll be making 4 skull wand stands, but I'll need some design help so I'll do a blog post either later or tomorrow on them.