Post-Apocalyptic Junk Jewelry: In the Jewel-Eye of the Beholder

At first glance, you might mistake this for Steampunk jewelry, but let me be clear – this is not steampunk, it’s post-apocalyptic.  Sure, they both use dark metals (brass, copper, etc), and they both reimagine technology as obtuse, heavy, and durable.  The difference is that steampunk is historically anachronistic and focuses on clean, polished metals, clockwork, and form over function.  Post-apocalyptic jewelry is, I would say, more industrial, and isn’t confined by the limitations of an imaginary time or place.  Post-apocalyptic jewelry is literally rusty old junk cobbled together by whatever means possible into something that one might consider decorating themselves with.

Thanks to Skreep’s proclivity for collecting cool junk at the scrapyard and bringing it to me, and my inability to sit and watch TV without also doing something with my hands, I can now add “post-apocalyptic jeweler” to my survival compound resume.

Mjolnir: made from a brass T-junction, three red jewel lights, a copper ring, and some copper chain.

Radio Tube Pendant: made from a radio tube set in a copper base with an aluminum cap and brass chain.

Pressure Valve Monkey: made from a pressure valve, two amber jewel lights, a red jewel light, and brass chain.

Key Pendant: made with an old key, a gear shaped cigar ring, a single amber earring, and brass chain (the lovely model is my friend Lisa).