The metallic gears of artist Eric Barber’s vintage clocks don’t turn anymore, but that doesn’t mean they don’t still have purpose. Barber hunts through antique stores to look for the most unique clocks for his new line of jewelry.
He uses the gears and other bygone-era treasures, such as chandelier crystals and dresser pulls, to create pendants, rings and bracelets with a steampunk style. Steampunk is a genre of science fiction and fantasy that is inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery. Barber uses Victorian elements in his designs, although there are other types of steampunk including medieval, western and modern.
Barber works and sells his jewelry at the Art Lounge Gallery on Reynolds Street in Historic Downtown. The forty-two year old started the endeavor just two months ago, but he is in no way unfamiliar with the art world.
“Ever since I was a kid, I was always doodling and painting things,” Barber said.
Barber moved to Plant City from Delaware when he was 8 years old. He attended Plant City High School and worked at J & G Jewelers when he was 19, after he graduated. There he picked up an interest in jewelry and constructing different types of ornaments.
Barber worked at J & G for 20 years before he took a job as a clerk at CSX.
Up until seven years ago, Barber was on a break from his artwork. He focused on competing in highland games, a competition in which individuals wear Scottish gear and celebrate the culture of Scotland. He throws heavy weights into the air.
He also began photographing other interests, from Florida wildlife to cathedrals.
“I started taking pictures to paint from,” Barber said. “And then I was told the photography was good enough.”
His photos and acrylic paintings hang near his jewelry in his section of the Art Lounge Gallery.
“I decided to mix several things that I’m interested in,” Barber said. “I love antiques, so mixing the antiques with the jewelry just seemed natural.”
Growing up with his dad and stepmom, his childhood home was full of antiques from the 1800s. Branching from this, Barber now collects dresser and door pulls, old clocks, and chandelier crystals, from the 1960s to the Victorian era. He finds them at yard sales, antique stores, thrifts shops and online deals. In doing this, he can sell the high quality jewelry for about $20 to $50.
“I think it’s great — repurposing these parts in a cool way,” Barber explained. “What are you going to do with a 100-year-old door pull besides this?”
The work in his collection varies from large deconstructed clock necklaces to delicate bracelets made out of old keyholes.
Barber lives with his wife, Tina, Barber and stepdaughter, Cynthia Wilson.
Barber and Cynthia designed a pendant with little strawberries inside.
He made also made his wife’s wedding ring and continues to construct pieces of jewelry for her.
The metallic gears of artist Eric Barber’s vintage clocks don’t turn anymore, but that doesn’t mean they don’t still have purpose. Barber hunts through antique stores to look for the most unique clocks for his new line of jewelry.
He uses the gears and other bygone-era treasures, such as chandelier crystals and dresser pulls, to create pendants, rings and bracelets with a steampunk style. Steampunk is a genre of science fiction and fantasy that is inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery. Barber uses Victorian elements in his designs, although there are other types of steampunk including medieval, western and modern.
Barber works and sells his jewelry at the Art Lounge Gallery on Reynolds Street in Historic Downtown. The forty-two year old started the endeavor just two months ago, but he is in no way unfamiliar with the art world.
“Ever since I was a kid, I was always doodling and painting things,” Barber said.
Barber moved to Plant City from Delaware when he was 8 years old. He attended Plant City High School and worked at J & G Jewelers when he was 19, after he graduated. There he picked up an interest in jewelry and constructing different types of ornaments.
Barber worked at J & G for 20 years before he took a job as a clerk at CSX.
Up until seven years ago, Barber was on a break from his artwork. He focused on competing in highland games, a competition in which individuals wear Scottish gear and celebrate the culture of Scotland. He throws heavy weights into the air.
He also began photographing other interests, from Florida wildlife to cathedrals.
“I started taking pictures to paint from,” Barber said. “And then I was told the photography was good enough.”
His photos and acrylic paintings hang near his jewelry in his section of the Art Lounge Gallery.
“I decided to mix several things that I’m interested in,” Barber said. “I love antiques, so mixing the antiques with the jewelry just seemed natural.”
Growing up with his dad and stepmom, his childhood home was full of antiques from the 1800s. Branching from this, Barber now collects dresser and door pulls, old clocks, and chandelier crystals, from the 1960s to the Victorian era. He finds them at yard sales, antique stores, thrifts shops and online deals. In doing this, he can sell the high quality jewelry for about $20 to $50.
“I think it’s great — repurposing these parts in a cool way,” Barber explained. “What are you going to do with a 100-year-old door pull besides this?”
The work in his collection varies from large deconstructed clock necklaces to delicate bracelets made out of old keyholes.
Barber lives with his wife, Tina, Barber and stepdaughter, Cynthia Wilson.
Barber and Cynthia designed a pendant with little strawberries inside.
He made also made his wife’s wedding ring and continues to construct pieces of jewelry for her.
What is steampunk?
Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction or fantasy that is inspired by the industrial feel of steam-powered machines. It could be described in a question: What would the past look like if the future had happened sooner? There are different types of steampunk. Steampunk is used in books, video games, movies and clothing. Examples of steampunk in modern mainstream movies are “The Golden Compass,” Sherlock Homes” and “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.”
IF YOU GO:
Art Lounge Gallery
WHERE: 119 E. Reynolds St.
WHEN: Tuesdays through Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Bike & Car shows 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; evening hours by appointment.
INFO: The Art Lounge Gallery opened six years ago, in 2009. Initially it was a conversation among several companies in Plant City, but Eric Barber said the preliminary plans for the gallery were too expensive. Instead, a group of ten artists decided to run the gallery evenly, in a co-op. Only two of the original ten artists remain.
The gallery pays for its own bills, and all the money made off the artwork goes back to the artists themselves.
“I would like this to be a home for local artists,” Barber said. “I want it to be a place to grow,”
Talented local artists are encouraged to submit artwork and patrons are encouraged to come to collect and learn.
Art After Dark
“Art After Dark” features live music and art sales, including Eric Barber’s steampunk creations. Admission is free. The next event will be from 6 to 10 p.m. Nov. 21.