Cayla Kennedy
Weekly 2: Make Connectors
This week, I explored the conductivity of objects in my house in order to attempt to make a connector that would work for textiles. I happened to have some earring findings which were conductive, specifically plain studs with backings. I chose to connect them using a necklace with a conductive chain.
While in the process of testing the necklace, I found that the pendant does not slide off and there seems to be a break in the conductivity between the two chains on either side of the pendant. To fix this, I folded the necklace back on top of itself to make a shorter wire.
To create the connectors, I put the earring posts through the necklace chain, then secured it with the back of the earring. This way, I could loop string around the post or poke the post through conductive fabric, then once again secure with the back of the earring. While this connector does not independently stay on the multimeter’s end, it gives a larger surface for the multimeter to connect to.
In order to insulate the “wire,” I used electrical tape, as it kept both sides of the chain together while remaining somewhat flexible. In addition, I wanted something that would eventually be removable, as I want to wear this necklace again in the future.
In the end, the connector is not as stable as the one made by Irene Posch, however it was interesting to see what in my jewelry making kit was conductive as well as what items seemed like they would be conductive but were not. I also believe it will be useful when it comes to already woven fabrics, as it could hold on to one pinpoint securely. In addition, I feel that if I were to find a different insulation, this connector could become a stylish addition to any project, as the crystal pendant adds a bit of decorative flair to the system!
Cayla Kennedy 