No, this isn't a relic from Titanic, rather a submersive 4 GB waterproof USB stick that Captain Nemo is jonesing for.
Hi everyone, I’m Lee Moore AKA ectopunk, and today I have the pleasure of sharing with you an interview of Derrick Culligan, an artist who has created a number of Steampunk inspired objects that you may have seen recently. I felt compelled to reach out to him to find out more about his creations. You’ll get a couple of images that aren’t at Etsy, and you’ll find out what steamy creations he has in store for the future.
ectopunk: Derrick, thanks for spending some time with us today. What are some of your favorite Steampunk stories? What I’d really like to know if there was a particular book or short story that captured your imagination or sparked your creativity.
Derrick Culligan: I’m not really into the literature too much. I enjoy the art, cool contraptions, jewelery and of course creating. I got really motivated after my wife turned me on to images of jewelery and sculpture.
ectopunk: What I’ve seen of your work has been at Etsy, and it appears to be primarily pendants. Are pendants easiest to make over some other type of jewelry? You’ve had a couple of USB sticks converted to the steamy variety, so I wonder if you go with your inspiration of if you have a technical reason.
Derrick: As far as jewelery goes I like the pendants because anyone can enjoy them. Rings have to be the right size and who really wears cuff links? I’ll usually make pendants while I’m waiting on parts for a thumb drive or just thinking about how to engineer something on one. I have pendants I can sell for $15.00 and up so anyone can have a unique piece of my work even if a $100.00 plus piece is out of their range.
I really enjoy making the USB sticks but they involve a large time investment. They challenge me to learn new techniques and designs. It’s a lot more involved when designing something that is actually going to be used. I don’t just decorate the existing thumb drive. I disassemble the drive and build a completely new case for it. For me, it has to look like an actual device from the past and be functional. My goal is to have people hold a piece in their hand and actually wonder how old it is.
ectopunk: Found or salvaged materials definitely give your work an aged appearance (I’ve never seen a USB stick look so old), but I wonder how much of a hassle it is to find what you need. Is it a hassle? How long does it take to find the right piece? Where do you find what you are looking for?
This piece is soldered rather than glued to withstand the test of Time.
Derrick: Thank you. I do use a lot of old pieces but once I cut, grind and file them into shape there’s none of the original surface left and it looks brand new. I remove a lot of metal to get the shape just right. The aged look actually comes from a chemical process that I use after the piece is fully assembled and finished. When applied, it gives the metal a very heavy tarnish turning it almost black. I use different polishing techniques to bring the surface to just the right aged look. Finding materials isn’t that mush of a hassle because I enjoy searching for these things. It’s sort of like a treasure hunt. I’ll often find items I wasn’t even looking for so it’s very important to always be out there looking.
My favorite place to search is the local swap meet thats open every weekend. I’ve made connections with some of the regular sellers who know what I look for. They see me coming and pull out a bag of old plumbing fixtures or copper pipe they were just going to scrap. I find materials for very low prices and sometimes get tools too. I’ll often find different items that I can buy cheap and resell on eBay for a profit too. Thrift stores are also good places to look as well as lower end antique stores.
ectopunk: Do you think up pieces while finding/salvaging materials?
Derrick: Of course, the design process is never linear. I have a sketch book that I work with but the designs change as materials present themselves. Sometimes I’ll buy something just to put it on the shelf and use later. Sometimes I’ll see something and a new design will click right into place.
ectopunk: How expensive is it to create your pieces? For example I notice that one of your pieces is around $30 US, and I wonder how much the materials cost? How much time does it take to assemble something?
Derrick: The cost of materials is usually very low. I rarely have more than a few dollars invested in any piece (excluding the USB card). The time investment is somewhat high though. I’m very picky about the detail on my work which adds to the time it takes to make one. I solder every metal connection on my pieces for a very solid build. I’ve actually started soldering directly to the watch movements so I can use them with no glue. I’ll use a very strong epoxy to attach the glass and the USB card in place but that’s it. The new pendants with the watch movements and wings are done with no glue. They’ll still be around in 100 years.
ectopunk: What are you going to be when you grow up, or if you prefer, what is your avocation generally?
Derrick: I work in car sales. I run the eBay department at a large dealership. It’s a good job but I’d like to make jewelery/ art full time in the future.
ectopunk: What have you got up your sleeve next? What can we look forward to?
H.G. Wells eat your heart out.
Derrick: I’ll be making more pendants for sure.
I’m also transitioning from USB drives to microSD card drives with removable/upgradeable memory cards. Similar idea but with more modern/practical technology. I’ll also be playing with the use of light more. My next drive will have an eerie glow while it’s plugged in and shine red when transferring data.
I’m also collaborating with an accomplished potter to create some steampunk pottery. The pieces should be fired this week and then I’ll get my hands on them. I should have something by the end of the month.
ectopunk: Derrick, thank you so much for joining us at The Map, and we wish you great success with your artwork!
I thought it only fair to let you know that you can see more pictures at Derrick Steamworkshop Home Page and you can purchase his work at the Steamworkshop Etsy.com store. I hope you enjoyed the interview and look forward for more in the future.
This phrase is commonly said to be a reference to Errol Flynn, the Australian film actor. Flynn was famous for his romantic swashbuckler roles in Hollywood films and for his flamboyant private life. His reputation as a hard-drinking, hell-raising ladies’ man was apparently well justified, although it has doubtless been enhanced by his delight in playing up to his image. For instance, he entitled his autobiography – My Wicked, Wicked Ways and also did nothing to dispel the incredible but nonetheless widespread rumours as to the the size of his penis and the number of women who had shared his bed. Flynn was acquitted in February 1943 for the statutory rape of a teenage girl.
