Fun with goggles!
Okay, so I've been collecting some old antique Bakelite goggles and they're SO much fun to play with.
Initially I was buying them for use in my new steampunk mask designs, but I was so impressed by the design and sturdiness that it seems a shame to break up the pairs for use on a mask. They're antiques and they shouldn't be messed with (in fact I'm keeping that pair I'm wearing above...they are just SO darn cute. I'm getting some brown tinted prescription lenses fitted for them, replacing the strap, and just keeping them because they are awesome).
Here's another pair. They have a neat retro look...
...but I have to say, with all that metal and thick glass they are quite heavy. Also, not cheap. I mean, I think they're worth every penny but I paid $35 for the goggles I'm wearing in the picture above.
So I started looking for cheap plastic repro goggles that are lightweight and that I can break up for use as monocles without a pang of guilt. I found these...
...and the nice thing about them is that the lenses are removable and come in many colors. So I ordered a few pairs with red and clear lenses, and they arrived yesterday.
With some paint, some brass clockwork gears, and some antique brass fittings I was able to customize them, and came up with this.
The effect is more "fantasy" than retro, but they weigh next to nothing and I think they'll look awesome paired with one of my mask designs (the new ones I'm working on are more integrated than the original "Fullsteam", and I can build the mask to fit the goggles).
The gears were a stroke of genius; I just popped out that plastic vent button and glued a small gear over it to hide the plastic-ness, then screwed a larger gear atop that with an antique brass post stud. Easy! The red lenses make everything look really, really neat. I can get them in blue, amber, smoke and green too. That strap can be replaced with a leather strap and brass fittings, easily, because I have all that stuff now.
So I'm having a bit too much fun with my goggles (old and new) lately. :)
Initially I was buying them for use in my new steampunk mask designs, but I was so impressed by the design and sturdiness that it seems a shame to break up the pairs for use on a mask. They're antiques and they shouldn't be messed with (in fact I'm keeping that pair I'm wearing above...they are just SO darn cute. I'm getting some brown tinted prescription lenses fitted for them, replacing the strap, and just keeping them because they are awesome).
Here's another pair. They have a neat retro look...
...but I have to say, with all that metal and thick glass they are quite heavy. Also, not cheap. I mean, I think they're worth every penny but I paid $35 for the goggles I'm wearing in the picture above.
So I started looking for cheap plastic repro goggles that are lightweight and that I can break up for use as monocles without a pang of guilt. I found these...
...and the nice thing about them is that the lenses are removable and come in many colors. So I ordered a few pairs with red and clear lenses, and they arrived yesterday.
With some paint, some brass clockwork gears, and some antique brass fittings I was able to customize them, and came up with this.
The effect is more "fantasy" than retro, but they weigh next to nothing and I think they'll look awesome paired with one of my mask designs (the new ones I'm working on are more integrated than the original "Fullsteam", and I can build the mask to fit the goggles).
The gears were a stroke of genius; I just popped out that plastic vent button and glued a small gear over it to hide the plastic-ness, then screwed a larger gear atop that with an antique brass post stud. Easy! The red lenses make everything look really, really neat. I can get them in blue, amber, smoke and green too. That strap can be replaced with a leather strap and brass fittings, easily, because I have all that stuff now.
So I'm having a bit too much fun with my goggles (old and new) lately. :)