Monday, March 21, 2011

I Am Such A Nork.

So the definition of 'geekery,' as it applies to art, craft and design, is somewhat fluid.  I guess it means stuff that geeks would like.  Geeks are not easily defined, but a common denominator would be technological savvy and a love for computers.

I myself am more of a nerd, really.  Mixed with a generous helping of dork.  But I have attempted my first geekery, and here it is:


One of my lovely readers, Amber from Carrolton, TX, sent me a bunch of random crafty supplies with which to have my way - including a ginormous bag of old computer keys.  Geekery score! 

I experimented with a few ways to assemble these pendants; here's a mini-tutorial for the simplest, to get you started on the road to geekery.


First, rip some keys off your computer.  You'll find they have a long post on back, which you need to snip short with wire cutters.


Heat a metal poker or piece of wire, and melt a little hole in the key.



Tie a knot in the center of some string, and thread it through the hole.


Then thread both ends of the string through some kind of decorative backdrop for the computer key, like these mixed metal filigree flower thingies:


It's helpful to use something with 2 holes in it, because you can tie it off at the back like so:


Now trim away the extra string, add a jump ring and a chain, and that's that!



The other pendant was assembled with a wire headpin and some spacer beads.  Although the backdrop is a big metal leaf and silk flower parts, I used the same basic layering technique.


Geekery is fun, eh?  I have one more idea for you, but jury duty calls...will post as soon as I can.

And Amber - I have lost your email address, which is why you haven't heard a peep out of me.  (So sorry!)  But I do have your snail mail, and will be sending you this small token:




(I do hope Amber is at least a little bit of a geek!)

39 comments:

  1. beautiful, nice ideas:-D
    I love the first one!!

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  2. Terrific ideas and love them all. x

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  3. Your creations are spectacular!
    greetings from Italy

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  4. Dorks and geeks unite! *loves*
    I hope you manage to sneak some crafty stuff into the jury box, lass, I bet it's nowhere near as glamorous as it sounds to a faithful "Law and Order"- viewer.
    YOu coud make all kinds of stuff for the court staff, even though I bet there's a law prohibiting that ^^

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  5. Dang those are cool! I'm thinking you need to string a few of them on a necklace to spell NORK and spread the word :)

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  6. I love what you can see in "ordinary" stuff (aka not originally meant for jewelery, not at all ^^)!

    They are so cool! :)

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  7. Geekery art at its finest!!! I do hope your jury duty doesn't invlolve a computer hacker.

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  8. My husband (total geek) and I have made multiple keychains out of old keyboard keys. We simply use a small drill bit and screw it into the key to make the hole.

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  9. Too funny (you, not your jewelry which is fabu as always). I love it. My son is a proud geek but will also answer to nerd. Didn't fall far from his nutty mother's tree.

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  10. Way cool! I think I have a few stray keys from an old keyboard so I'll have to do something along these lines.
    Love love love the one you made for Amber!
    Sophie

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  11. These are very cool! And I am totally going to utilize the work Nork now ... I'm always telling people that I'm a nerd/geek/dork ... thanks! :)

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  12. EXTRA ORDINARY CUTE...
    This is really unique experiment,you are so clever..hmmm..love it

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  13. nice!

    I have also found that a hack saw blade can be useful for cutting the long part off of the key board pieces... I attached one to my work bench with c clamps and then it's 3 or 4 swipes across the blade to cut the ends off neat and quick....just watch where you put your fingers!!!

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  14. love the geekery and the norkery as well! pretty pendant pieces Michelle!

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  15. You make them downright classy...

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  16. You are one crafty chick! Those look great!
    Thanks for linking up!

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  17. I've never seen keyboard letters look so pretty. I think the B is my favorite.

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  18. These are absolutely awesome! I have a keyboard... I think I'm going to get crafty!

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  19. you're onto something great, love these, especially the gift for Amber! Thanks so much for sharing on Craft Schooling Sunday!

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  20. That is such a great idea! I have a broken keyboard that I didn't want to throw away and this project is the perfect excuse! Thanks for sharing!
    I've shared it on my facebook also! ;-)

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  21. These are fantastic, I love them! Geek chic!

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  22. What a great idea.....kinda like scrabble pieces or dominos.....but, well......Norky. :-)

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  23. Amber from CarrolltonMarch 28, 2011 at 6:26 PM

    Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I love my pendent! And I am very much a geek!

    I knew you would come up with something wonderful!

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  24. Such beautiful pieces. I've been reading through some of your archives. I'm so totally glad I found your blog. I look forward to seeing more of your work. Have a blessed day!!

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  25. You should sells these on Etsy.com. They are awesome and I'm horrible at being creative. I would totally buy one or two.

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  26. Thank You for this Wonderful how to!!! I have some phone pad buttons I have been wanting to use in a project. This makes me way more confident. :)

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  27. When my laptop is toast, I know what I am going to do with the keys!

    Another great tutorial, Michelle - I shall be featuring and linking to it in a future post!

    Pearl

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  28. That is just as cute as can be. I am replaceing my keyboard in a week when it get's here wonder what I do with it. Now I know. will post if I come up with something
    Just think out side the box. thanks. suzanne

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  29. reely cool Beutiful luv it i thin ill make 1 4 me

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  30. Oh these are so cute! Just the right amount of geekiness!

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  31. These are so adorable!! I might have to make myself some :)

    If you love all things crafty check out my blog at : www.smalltownchic47.blogspot.com

    thanks and much love!!

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  32. Uber Cool! How about adding a hot fix crystal on top? A little bling bling does the body good.

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  35. This is pretty creative. A very nice trendy DIY craft. This can fit in a lot of different outfits. Design possibilities are endless too. Thanks for the post.

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  36. Last one? ZZUH best! Sakura Yamamoto

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  37. This is pretty creative. A very nice trendy DIY craft. This can fit in a lot of different outfits. Design possibilities are endless too.

    ReplyDelete