Steampunk Sparkle Keys

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I absolutely love Steampunk style – it’s a little edgy, dark in a way, and you can really get imaginative. I created these key designs using antique pieces (keys and watches) and updated them with modern sparkle. The outcome is a cool mix of new and old!

My top keys to “Steampunk style” are as follows:

1. It’s all about layering! Layer filigree, charms, sparkle and more to get a very eclectic feel in your pieces.
2. Use dark neutrals – I wouldn’t go using neon crystals here, or bright charms. Keep the look a bit dark, almost spooky, to get an antique vibe.
3. Have fun! There is no right or wrong way to mix and match pieces for your keys.

These pieces would make great ornaments, jewelry pendants, charms and more. I’ll show you below the steps I went through to get some of my different looks. Some keys have filigree, some charms, and some a mix. Follow below!

Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are assorted vintage keys, old clock parts / watch faces, crystal flatbacks, jump rings and chain, filigree and other charms, flatnose/roundnose pliers, cutters and Gem-tac.

Step 2: To create the charm dangle key, start with an assortment of chain (I mixed metals here for a very steampunk look). Cut 1″ – 2″ pieces and attach to the key loop with jump rings. Add watch faces to the bottom of the chain dangles with more jump rings (6mm or 4mm depending on the thickness of your loops).

Step 3: Continue cutting chain and adding charms to the key loop. I used three charm dangles for this key design.

Step 4: Add sparkle! Use small dots of Gem-Tac (It helps to use a toothpick to get very small amounts) on the key base, adding your crystals atop. You can cover the key or keep it simple with a few crystals. I used 4mm flatbacks here, in Swarovski’s Iridescent Green color.

To create the Black Key design, I simply glued a watch face onto the center of the key, using Gem-Tac. I added a jumpring and crystal connector at top. The small gears (seen on the left in the picture) were glued onto the watch face using more Gem-Tac, then I finished with crystals.

To create the Filigree Key, again, it’s all about layering! Layer a filigree base under a watch face, then glue all to the top of a key. I decided to add major sparkle here, using large 8mm crystal flatbacks on both the key base and watch face. There is no right or wrong way to Steampunk!

This image shows the final Filgree and Black key designs. The Star Key (seen at bottom) was created in the same way as the Filigree key, only I added a star charm to the bottom of the filigree using a jump ring.

This one easily becomes a pendant by attaching chain to the filigree using jump rings. Or, create an ornament by tying at the top with organza ribbon.

Whatever you decide to create, the outcome will surely be unique. That’s what Steampunk is about!

Thanks for reading! View all my other tutorials at quietlioncreations.com!

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Allison Cooling

Blogger + Designer + Jewelry Artist at Quiet Lion Creations

My name is Allison Beth Cooling, and I am a craft addict! I am a Chicago-based graphic designer, photographer and jewelry artist. I started my blog, The Quiet Lion, in the summer of 2011. My blog is devoted to DIY-ing jewelry using all types of techniques and materials. My personal design aesthetic focuses on chic, bohemian pieces that can be mixed and matched (I love layering jewelry!) to create unique, eclectic looks!

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