My idea is to create a piece of jewelry that incorporates a circuit board with LEDs that blink intermittently with the more traditional components of the jeweler's trade. The LEDs will be visible through openings in the upper surface of the piece somewhat like seeing them through windows. The openings will be integrated into the design of the upper surface. This whole piece was stimulated by reading through the phrases that people used to describe the vision they see for the fablab network combined with my sociotechnical studies.
1. The lower surface will be made from RFSD circuit board material that is thin copper on one side and a rubbery material on the reverse. This rubbery material may need to be covered in copper foil in some part if that can be done and allow for soldering to occur.* The circuit board will need to have 3 LEDs (bright as possible and either white and blue or white or blue. I think these LEDs need to be the globular ones rather than the flat square ones but, perhaps, a mix of the two would provide additional variety in the finished piece.
2. The two pieces that constitute the upper surface will be cut from silver metal and will fit together to create the openings.
3. I will try to incorporate some decorative traces on the board to provide additional texture and points of interest.
4. One of the thoughts about this design is that it needs to provide a play of light and shadows across a diverse set of elements.
5. The upper surface will be silver and designed to enhance the reflection and light from the LEDs. If possible the surface will be reticulated in places to create interest. The reticulation should be a counterpoint to the decorative traces. This upper surface will be in two pieces that will combine to create the windows the LEDs shine through.
6. The upper surface will have tabs that go through the lower surface to form platforms for wires or metal to disguise the battery case in the back. Mercedes has suggested a circular, flat battery case that she says will be attached at two points to the board. Two tabs at the top will form the holder through which a chain or cord will be strung so the piece can be worn.
*Some experimentation proves that it can be done but the holes will need to be designed into the board before the copper foil is put on. The board material is amazingly tough - it took lots and lots of pounding before it scored. Of course the rubbery polywannacracker stuff absorbs the pressure some