Plasma Globes – Projects and Ideas
This morning, I’m thinking about plasma globes. You know, those cool toys from Spencer Gifts, etc., with electricity inside the globe, and you put your hand on the globe the the light/current is attracted to it…?
This started out as an idea for an experiment. Frankly, that’s how some of my best art projects start out: As “what if” questions about science.
Then, I started finding projects that could be part of fascinating art: Steampunk things. Art shrine things. Mad scientist things.
Anyway, here are some cool project ideas, resources, and information, from assorted websites:
First, you’ll want a plasma globe. The important thing to remember when shopping online is this: When they describe the size of the globe, they usually mean the globe + the stand. Look for the fine print in the description to see how big the actual globe or ball is.
For a large art piece, you’ll want a large plasma globe. For something small-ish, like steampunk accessories or a shrine based on a cigar box or something… well, the three-inch globe is probably close to perfect.
Also check the material the globe is made of. If it’s thin glass, it’ll be more fragile if you’re actually handling it regularly. For a stand-alone art shrine, that’s probably not so important, unless you’re taking it to classes or events, to show people.
Here are a few options from Amazon.com:
Small, battery-powered plasma disks. These are flat, not globes, but — for some projects — that could be an advantage.
This “pocket plasma” doesn’t say how large it is, but I’d guess it’s around a couple of inches. For the price — around $16 — it might be worth the money since you won’t have to rewire them for battery use. Please note that the photo makes it look like they feature rainbow lights. They don’t. The one I linked to has blue lights. Others in the same line have other colored lights. These could be ideal for arts, crafts, or steampunk projects. To get an idea of the size of it, I think it’s similar to the Pocket Plasma Green, which shows the battery pack on the back of it.
This one is a very small plasma disk that — according to reviews — fits in the palm of your hand. It can be set for sound activation (apparently, it’s very sensitive) or touch activation. One person complained about quality, but four people gave it a five-star reviews. I can see lots of uses for this, including fitted inside an altered book cover (so you see it from the outside) if you hollow-out part of the book, or in a shrine, and probably a lot more things that I’m not thinking of at the moment. The price is a little steep, at nearly $30. but you can buy a similar product, the Lumin Disk (7″ diameter) for under $25.
Small plasma globes for the car
This one is described as a “plasma pendant“ and it flashes different colors. It’s designed for use in your car, plugs into your lighter or power port, and can hang from the rear view mirror. Well, maybe. I’m not sure that’d be legal in every state. (I think it might really distract me… but “ooh, shiny” things sing a siren song for me, anyway.) However, for an art car that’s displayed, parked, this could be part of a very cool art project!
Small USB plasma globes. Remember that, if you’re technically inclined, these can be rewired for battery use.
A 3″ globe, on a small stand, USB powered: Neewer (R) Plasma Globe. At the time I’m posting this, it’s under $10.
This one is also a 3″ globe using USB power, and it’s listed at $2.75 right now. However, it ships from a third party, so you can’t use it to qualify for free shipping at Amazon: USB Plasma ball.
Bigger globes, usually with AC adaptors
This one looks like the classic Tesla-type plasma globe. This 8″ Nebula Plasma Globe gets great reviews for how authentic it is, and a couple of negatives when the globe didn’t work after a few hours. However, I saw similar comments about most plasma devices, so I think they can run hot & cold. If you’ve ordered from Amazon, you can usually be assured that you can easily return it or exchange it (most people seem happy with the replacement).
You’ll also find plasma globes with glowing objects as the central fixture. This one has a dragonfly that seems to emit the plasma/lights. From the photo, I’d guess that the actual globe is about 5″ tall, but it’s difficult to tell. It might be pretty, but I wouldn’t want it to look like the dragonfly is being electrocuted, or like it’s some Evil Dragonfly from Dr. Who, y’know?
It is possible to make your own plasma ball. The schematic is at the end of this very brief video. Frankly, it’s a better idea to buy one, ready made.
If you have a USB plasma globe that you’d like to convert to a battery-powered plasma globe — for a steampunk accessory or art shrine, check out How to convert a USP plasma sphere to battery power? That also references: Taking apart a plasma globe, a USB pinout and wiring chart,
Project ideas
To take this in different directions, see these Amazing plasma globe tricks that you can do at home.
The next two videos show similar experiments. First, this experiment sets paper on fire, so do not try this at home… not without adult supervision, anyway.
Next is a similar experiment, followed by others that require different kinds of light bulbs. This may give you ideas for your own experiments.
Then there are instructions for a spark-gap Tesla coil, but the parts will probably cost more than $100. That could be justifiable for a dramatic art installation, but otherwise…? I’m not so sure it’s worth the expense.
I’m more intrigued by this plasma globe without glass or vacuum… but please note that the introduction reminds you, it’s a high voltage device. You’re also looking at $100+ in parts, to make this work.
Here’s a very short video showing you what’s inside a typical plasma globe. Watch it to the very end, to see the globe working even when it’s in pieces.
Here’s another experiment with a plasma globe… minus the globe. (I’m not sure what it’d be called…) This is definitely a do not try this at home project, for most people.
And, if you’re in geek heaven with this kind of stuff, check out the Tesla Coil Projects at Instructables.com.
A different plasma ball design
The following video begins in French, and then it’s just music as you watch the light coils move. The description says, “This is a Plasma Ball that was at one time known as a Devil’s Cauldron back in the 1980s because it has a circular electrode that winds around the neck of the globe rather than a post-type electrode typical of most plasma balls. This makes the plasma lick up from below rather than emit from a central electrode. ”
Art ideas
The plasma ball wizard’s staff is a good idea, but I wasn’t terribly impressed with the execution. I’d go steampunk with it… copper staff, gears around the base of the globe, and I’m not sure what else.
Steampunk projects… not quite plasma globes
I love steampunk.
Okay, I’ll confess. It’s more than that. It’s a total, short-of-breath, racing-pulse, starry-eyed schoolgirl crush.
Here are a few steampunky-plasma-y projects, though they’re not really plasma-globe-y things. (Yes, I’m making up words as I go along. Consider it “artistic license.”) Some of these ideas could be adapted to actual plasma globes, which is why I’m including them. … Well, it’s that and the steampunk thing.
Steampunk plasmabeam outdoor lantern
Plasma-related videos
If you already have a plasma globe, you may enjoy these videos.
Here’s a video a little reminiscent of the late 1960s. It’s an overclocked plasma ball.
Wondering what plasma is? This is slightly technical, but a good video for advanced middle school students and high school students.
I would not try this experiment and don’t recommend it, but it’s interesting to watch someone else do this… someone who’s careful about grounding, that is. If you think no electrical charge is going through the glass of your plasma globe, this may give you second thoughts. And, oh yes, I turned my speakers off as soon as the music started.
Then there’s something a little different, showing plasma electrolysis with tap water. The video — claiming that this creates more energy than was required to make the water boil — goes on for at least four pages at YouTube. I’m completely out of my league when it comes to this kind of technical discussion, but — as an artist — the effect is pretty to look at. (Did that sound vapid enough? Well, it’s how I look at some things.)
And finally, since it was one of the most-requested items to microwave on the YouTube channel, “Is It a Good Idea to Microwave This?”, here’s the video:
(Spoiler, in case you didn’t watch the video: No, it’s not a good idea to microwave a plasma ball.)
344 Square Feet = 24 Rooms
I can’t begin to tell you how cool this looks to me.
I’m not sure which I like more: The yellow windows so it’s always sunny*, the mirrored surfaces so everything looks bigger, or the absolute luxury of having everything included in a very small space.
I’ve always loved gypsy wagons, and the idea of compact living spaces. This design goes beyond any apartment I’ve ever envisioned.
Huge thanks to my friend (and brilliant architect) David Locicero (The Opinionated Wine Guide) for recommending this!
*The yellow windows remind me of a friend, musician Jaime Brockett. I remember Jaime wearing yellow sunglasses — long before “blu blocker” glasses were available — when he drove his VW bus. The sunglasses made the world look sunnier.
(I remember writing him notes on yellow origami paper, hoping to achieve the same “happy” effect. It was a fun time in my life, when I was just starting to get a sense of myself as an individual.)
Many of my flippant and fun attitudes were learned by spending time with Jaime, wandering around NH and kickin’ back in Harvard Square, many years ago.
Looking for links to Jaime, I found something else from that era: Music by Orpheus. Here’s a short clip from one of their best songs, Can’t Find the Time. [Click here for MP3 clip]
Banana Cat
The banana cat… what can I say?
This story began when my husband was looking for the old-school dancing banana, to use as wallpaper on his computer monitor.
While looking for “banana gif” — a search one should only conduct in “safe search” mode — he found the strangest animated gif of a cat eating a banana.
The baffling "banana cat" gif.
Well, first there’s the hat. Then there’s that tablecloth/scarf/cape thing. And really… what is on that cat’s back…? (If the image isn’t moving, click on it to see the animated gif.)
After some research, Todd (my husband) found the original video. Here it is.
It turns out that it’s a Halloween costume. The cat is being a banana split. His hat is a banana, the tablecloth is exactly what it looks like, and he has little ice cream & toppings thingies on the back.
So… what does this have to do with art and creativity?
For me, this is the kind of quirky thing that makes my brain turn a somersault, and look at the world just a little differently, at least for awhile.
It’s so bizarre, I just had to share it.
New and Improved! Santa Flamingo for 2012
After ten years, I’ve decided what to do with this domain: Turn it into a hodge-podge of strange, quirky and generally inspiring links for creative people.
Some of the links will be about art. Some will be very non-art, but — for me, anyway — they trigger ideas, especially creative ideas.
When I can include videos, images and audio files, I will. Ditto any PDFs or other printables I can provide.
This site is now, officially, my site for things that I look at and say, “Wow… isn’t that cool!” (Or, in some cases, “Hmm… interesting.”)
If it’s thought-provoking or awe-inspiring and somehow connects with my creative impulses, this is where it’ll be.
(Note: Some product- or process-specific links will be — or will also be — posted at my other websites, including Artists Journals, Aisling dot net, Wild Art Dolls, and elsewhere.)
What is Santa Flamingo?
Santa Flamingo began around 2002, maybe earlier, when I kept plastic flamingos on my (NH) apartment balcony.
When winter arrived, I decided to make them Santa Claus hats.
(At left are the pre-hat flamingos.)
HT — now my husband — saw my photos online, and I’m not sure which of us first declared them “Santa Flamingos,” which then led to the imaginary country of Santa Flamingo… and the first incarnation of this website.
I’m not sure where I’m going with this site. I’ve tried a variety of ideas, and none seemed quite right.
For now, I’ve linked to things I like — and my own freebies, of course — and… well, I’m thinking about this as I continue to align myself with my creative North Star.
The latter is a reference to the superb self-help book by Martha Beck, Steering by Starlight. I thought I knew where I was going with my work, but I kept landing very far off the intended path. Now — after spending about a month going through the “…Starlight” book — I’m making amazing progress and I understand the real context of what drives me, creatively.
Somewhere in all of this, Santa Flamingo will fit in.
It has to be flippant and fun. It has to be quirky and more than a little renegade.