DVH Fluorescent Funkite Freeform Bead Industrial Paint (Fordite related) 46x21x8mm (6205)
I hand-cut this one-of-a-kind focal bead from Funkite, a rare and visually striking layered industrial paint material. Dimensions are listed in the title in millimeters, and the bead features a 2.5mm drill hole. CHAIN NOT INCLUDED. This pendant ships in a gift box and includes a Certificate of Authenticity describing the source and nature of the Funkite.
Funkite is a unique form of accumulated paint overspray originating from a factory in North Carolina that specialized in painting large outdoor displays and sculptural installations. Over time, layers of fluorescent and phosphorescent paints, along with black and grey industrial coatings, built up into a solid mass. Unlike Fordite—automotive paint overspray that was repeatedly baked and heat-cured—Funkite air-dried naturally, giving it a softer structure with characteristic pitting and surface texture. Because of this, it takes a medium satin to soft buff polish, rather than the high-gloss finish associated with Fordite.
Some Funkite contains small inclusions of gravel or stone, likely introduced during the painting of large-scale sculptures or outdoor installations. These inclusions are part of the material’s story and history, not flaws. I do not use sealants, resins, or surface coatings of any kind. Every piece is finished by hand sanding and polishing only, allowing the material to speak honestly for itself.
The Funkite rough for this piece was sourced from Fordite Frenzy in Michigan, a long-established and trusted supplier of authentic Fordite and industrial overspray materials. I cut and finish all of my work by hand in my studio in Portland, Oregon.
Fluorescence & UV Viewing:
Photos show this piece both under normal daylight and illuminated with a WTC Mini 365nm long-wave UV flashlight. Funkite is designed to be fluorescent and will react under any black light, but its colors and intensity truly come alive under a quality 365nm long-wave UV lamp, which is the wavelength optimized for fluorescent minerals and industrial overspray materials.
👉 Optional UV Flashlight Add-On:
You can choose to add a WTC Mini 365nm UV Flashlight – Longwave Blacklight for Fluorescent Minerals (USB Rechargeable) in the variation menu when purchasing. Select “Yes (+20)” at checkout if you’d like to include one with your order for an additional $20 (regularly $25). It’s the same light I use to photograph and examine fluorescent materials in my studio.
Metaphysically, Funkite carries the energy of creative transformation and reclaimed beauty—a material born from excess and industry, reshaped into something expressive and intentional. Its fluorescent layers symbolize hidden potential, inner light, and the courage to shine in unconventional ways. Funkite is often associated with playful creativity, resilience, and the joy of turning what was once overlooked into something meaningful.
I’m excited to add Funkite to my long-standing lapidary palette of natural stone, fossils, and industrial artifacts—each piece a small act of alchemy, turning history, color, and chance into something wearable and alive.
More will be revealed.
—DVHdesigns
