Erica Young

Butterfly Kisses! [Steampunk Style]




I love steampunk. But without the electronics, metalworking, mechanical or robotic knowledge I need to build the steampunk goodness in my imagination, I had to start small. Really small. Butterfly small. You know when you blink your eyelashes on someone's cheek and they call it a 'butterfly kiss'? Well, I decided the next best thing would be an automatic butterfly kisser. For when you need to spread the love with the speed of a humming bird, ya? Thus, I give you my first, uber-simple, steampunk DIY project. And don't worry. If I get my way, there'll be plenty more to come!
First, get yourself one of these: I started with a cheap bubble gun from Target. You could find any cavity/casing you like and then buy $5 worth of parts at RadioShack. Maybe $10 if you want to add a pulse width modulator for greater motor speed control.
Next, gather your other stuffs:	screwdriver battery copper, gold & black paint 2 pair false eyelashes wine cork toothpicks bobby pins/wire wire snips round tipped jewelry pliers Gorilla glue cotton swab soldering iron (just in case) cogs, electrical wires or any other superficial decorations you'd like to add to the casing
Then: Take the gun apart; this ususally requires the screwdriver. Spray (or brush paint it) with a variety of Victorian-inspired industrial colors like copper, brass, silver and black. While the body of the gun is drying, paint your toothpics black and cut them to the length of the eyelash (almost exactly in half). Paint your cork to match the body of the gun and cut a third off one end. Cut small pieces of bobby pin or wire, curl around the jewelry pliers until they have a nice even "U" bend. These will help anchor your toothpicks into the cork. Line your toothpicks up on one end of the cork so that they resemble an X. Now break out the Gorilla Glue. Glue your toothpics down to the cork and reinforce with your "U" bend pins. Using your cotton swab, put a thin layer of glue on the toothpicks and adhere eyelashes. Make sure they're all facing the same direction. Be patient. Screw the gun back together and touch up any areas that need it. Finally, glue your cork to the end of the protruding motor and let it dry carefully overnight.