February 11, 2016Comments are off for this post.

3D Printed Paperweight Of The Gravitational Waves Detected By LIGO!

LIGO Detected Gravitational Waves from Black Holes . . .

 

Obverse and reverse of the LIGO inspired paperweight

. . . so I decided to make this paperweight  to commemorate the birth of Gravitational Wave Astronomy!

It features a stylized representation of LIGO Hanford on the obverse and LIGO Livingston on the reverse with the ACTUAL chirp pattern of gravitational waves detected by each facility.

To make this memento of the historic event (that physicists are rightfully freaking out about) I decided to adapt the technique I use to 3D print sound waves on steel dog tags. First I located and isolated the wave forms from the publicly released audio conversion of the gravitational waves detected by LIGO.

I took that information and created a 3D model of the wave forms. Then I went on google maps and searched for an arial view of the two LIGO facilities and made a 3D model that would represent them accurately. I discovered that the facilities look exactly the same! That gave me the idea to put each on one side of the paperweight along with the "chirp" they detected.

I think the perfect material for these paperweights is steel. It is supposed to be able to weigh down paper!  Unfortunately, it takes about 14 days to print these in metal so I created some renders to show what the paperweight would look like.

buy-button

It is currently available on the 3D printing marketplace Shapeways.

December 15, 2015Comments are off for this post.

Sound Wave Ring From a Voice Mail Message

A Voice Mail to a Silver Sound Wave Ring

sound wave ring

I have turned many sound waves into all sorts of jewelry designs.  Sound wave rings, bracelets, keychains, and one of my most popular designs are dog tags. Each one is special to me, however, every so often I get a request that is a little bit extra special.

A young woman named Kate reached out to me wondering if I could transform a voicemail into a piece of sound wave jewelry.

I would like to have the sound waves of a voicemail my grandpa used to always leave me when he called. He just passed away in December and I would love to have the memory with me all the time.  I look forward to hearing back from you if you could do this for me.

This request was so touching and I knew that the design would have so much meaning. I immediately asked for the audio recording so I could get to work.

voice mail audio wave

Basic Audio Wave Form Outline

We discussed turning it into a bracelet or a ring. Eventually the idea for turning it into a ring won out. I created a render of the design so Kate could get a good idea of what the ring would look like when complete.

Sound Wave Ring Render

Once the design was approved, I had the ring cast in sterling silver and polished to a mirror sheen.  The shine would be tremendous but the polish would also soften the edges of the wave form and ensure that the ring was comfortable to wear.

Kate was very pleased with the result.

Just wanted to show you how amazing this is... Opened it with my mom and we were both amazed. So well crafted and super shiny. I can tell you it fits perfectly and is so comfy - no poking edges!!! Pictures do not even show the true beauty. Thank you SO much! I'm beyond happy!

Best,

Kate

I'm always gratified when I can turn a special message into a treasured piece of jewelry for someone.  To know that my work has so much meaning for someone, well, it gives me meaning.

Thank you Kate.

If you would like a custom piece of jewelry designed for you, feel free to contact me.

November 30, 2015Comments are off for this post.

Be Inspired – Kubra Khademi

Be Inspired.

Last spring I learned about the Afghan artist Kubra Khademi.
kubra
Here's the old post.

In short: On March 7th, 2015, Afghan artist Kubra Khademi donned a suit of armor to protest the mistreatment and harassment of women in Afghanistan. Her audience, almost entirely male, threw insults and stones, and quickly gathered into crowds. She walked for a total of 8 minutes and went into hiding for months.

pendant

I created a pendant based on her Armor protest hoping to raise awareness and money for Women for Afghan Women - a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to securing and protecting the rights of disenfranchised Afghan women and girls in Afghanistan.

Sadly, I failed to sell a single one.

But, last night out of the blue I was contacted by Kubra (who is currently in Europe). First via Instagram and then by email.

"Wow these are amazing !!
How innocent armors !
You bring me drops of tears now!
Innocent feeling of myself when I was a child wished I was wearing metal suit !
I am glad and surprised women from way far my society understand the dept of my work !
One is you !!!!!
I love your work by heart
!"

Screen Shot 2015-11-30 at 11.25.42 AM.png

She asked for photos of the pendant and posted them on her Instagram account and on her Twitter. This has to be one of the highlights of 2015 for me.

As I write this, Shapeways is offering a Cyber Monday deal and will take 20% off + ship anything for free.

buy-button

Purchase a pendant.

$20.00 (all the profit) will go to Women for Afghan Women. Or, just donate some money to WOMEN FOR AFGHAN WOMEN directly.

September 30, 2015Comments are off for this post.

#oneoffwednesday 2015.09.30 – Dutch Design

Dutch Sound wave pendant
This week Joy Complex discounts a polished bronze Dutch "Ik Hou Van Je" Sound Wave Pendant. Normally $60 + shipping. Get an amazing piece for an amazing price.

Available for Purchase Here

 J O Y C O M P L E X / Copyright MMXIV-MMXXII / Privacy PolicyTerms & Conditions