Christy

Silhouette Earrings

2009-05-21T07:24:00.000-07:00

I have just finished these earrings and am quite happy with the way they turned out. They were inspired by the curves of a womam’s body and I wanted to create something with a strong simple line and form, and add a soft edge and detailed surface to contrast.

When wearing the earrings I noticed that the sun shines through the pierced pattern, creating a silhouette effect.

Roughlace Bangle (continued)

2009-05-06T06:25:00.000-07:00

I am currently exploring jewellery as an expression of identity, and making jewellery as an expression of myself as the maker.

I grew up in Zimbabwe in an old Rhodesian house with decorative iron burglar bars. I would lie in bed and stare at the patterns trying to see if I could make other patterns within them. I have seen some reminiscence of the elements from those burglar bars in my work (this bangle included). The use of these elements in my work is a connection to my childhood and upbringing.

I wanted this bangle to be feminine but have a slight boldness to it as well. I think it is important to note that the lace-look I have chosen for this piece is a rugged lace, not refined and perfect. This is a representation of how I feel that although the nature of a woman is delicate and refined, each of use holds a unique strength and character. We may have flaws and faults but it’s the little knots and tassels that when woven together create a beautiful lacework.

Change of blog site

2008-10-12T23:50:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! I've changed my blog site, so to continue reading my posts please visit christyanne.wordpress.com where I also have a new etsy shop!

Thanks for your interest and suppport!
Christy-Anne*

Meanderings

2008-08-22T05:47:00.000-07:00

Do we do what we say and say what we think
or do we say what we think we do?
Complexities compiled, boxed and bricked
to fit on a shelf, filed and fixed
or focussed on feeling and felt?

Discribed and dissolved, dealing and dealt
dimensions and doors ignored.
Divine interlude, diffused and amused
and perfectly pardoned apart.

Cleaned and closed and stringently dosed
defining and digging its grave.
Diligently dull and pining to sell
it servantly longs to save.

So lift and left, lightened with life
and listen with wing overhead.
To sigh and sing and sift to swell
a delight in a life not death.

Thoughts

2008-08-21T13:35:00.000-07:00

I have started explorng a new way of designing, I find that I often struggle to explain the context of my work and put it into words so I thought this process may help.

I have been putting together collages or 'concept pages' and have been writing poetry and trying to do other forms of art that come naturally to me as forms of expression. I will then draw from these as reference to my pieces of jewellery and ideally come up with a little collection of pieces per collage. I think this will also be a nice outcome for display purposes, but we shall see how it works!

Here are some shots of my first collage:

Dance of the ribbon

2008-08-20T05:07:00.000-07:00

A surge from behind and tumbling forward
a ribbon unfolds the black.
uncovering the sinking and propelling it on
no motion of turning back.

It flies ahead
a dance of red and delight.
Moon-lit skies and death-empty nights
consumed with the pain that soils another heart
and washes my hands
clean with guilt.

a hole Time decaying in motion
erroding into a beauty not seen

but felt.

Collage board

2008-08-19T12:30:00.000-07:00

I found this inspiration board on all*over*print which I thought was fantastic! It's a hanging of plastic sleaves that has just been filled with bits and pieces. What a fabulous mosaic of memories and inspiration! Not to mention the layers!

There is a room in My mind

2008-08-19T06:01:00.000-07:00

There is a room in my mind;empty and full
deserted
room of chaos.

Intimidating walls with no exit
cross in lurking dark corners
and peel off layers of everything that ever was
shedding the raw Complexities in piles of
timeless turmoil.

A soft heart burried under rubble, waiting at
endless doorways.

empty and silent
it Screams

emotive references

2008-08-18T02:25:00.000-07:00

At the moment I am busy sourcing up references that will lead me to my next phase of manufacture. There is a lot building up that I am excited for, I'm just struggling to find the energy to put the motivation into action....

I found a flicker page today by confusedvision with photo's that really tugged at something inside me! I think they are so beautiful in the way they have such an immense emotive quality! I am no photographer or expert in the field in any way, but the use of composition, colour, and textures in the scenes are captivating! I also feel like the pictures have a 'painted' quality about them.

Here are just a few, but I recommend checking out the site!

I'V SEEN THE HOME INSIDE YOUR HEAD

CRUCIFIED

Little trinket treasures

2008-08-12T23:49:00.000-07:00

While scrolling through Modish today I found a lovely collection of jewellery by Foundandmade
All their pieces are made from found vintage objects, and bits and pieces found at second hand stores, and they have been transformed into delightful little treasures that can be worn and used. I love this concept and the quirky outcomes! *

Platinum Bangle

2008-08-10T23:24:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos of my Platinum bangle finished. I really liked the way the sewing could hardly be seen from some view points and in others it was very prominent. I also enjoy the way the two metals have merged with each other and it is not definite what is platinum and what is silver...

Platinum Bangle

2008-08-05T05:27:00.000-07:00

I am busy working on a piece for AngloPlat, and the theme of the competition is Aniverssaries. I decided to celebrate the anniversary of New Life and so I wanted my design to have lots of flowing lines, freshness, life, patterns and layers. So I began by designing this pattern...

Because I am working in platinum, I needed to cut the pattern out of steel, which I then roll milled onto the platinum. I was quite surprised at how much the steel distorted and how insipid the pattern came out on the plat! This is the steel piece...

So, I was left with a long strip of very thin, faintly patterned platinum that I had to turn into something beautiful...hmm! After playing around with the piece, folding it and bending it I decided I was going to make a pendant, but after bending it around my wrist I realized it would work well as a bangle.

So then I worked with introducing layers which I did using a piece of etched silver but was a little stumped at how to attatch the layers together. Originally I thought bout using forged wires soldered to the two plates to connect them, but was worried about the different melting points of the silver and platinum. So I decided to try sewing them together with fine silver wire! This would also introduce another kind of layering, but very subtle. It proved to be a lot harder than I thought but, with alot of patience, it worked out ok.

Ideas

2008-08-05T00:40:00.000-07:00

A couple of ideas have been running through my head lately, and I thought it was about time I put some of them to paper. I am trying to engage more with trying to create and enhance an aesthetic in my pieces, and capture more of an essence of the themes that run through them. So here's some sketches of what may come...

Inspiring work

2008-07-29T00:21:00.000-07:00

I'm very excited! On one of my journeys through the net I found some beautiful work by the artist Anna Lorich.

Here work examplifies the strength of evokation and the emotive quality which I am striving for, yet her peices retain an air of simplicity and peace. I love the use of different mediums and have been inspired by her work to go back to my experimenting that I was doing last year with the use of pictues and resin and enamel in my work. I think the choice and use of different mediums can enhance the endearing warmth that I feel is lacking in my jewellery.

Here are some brooches of hers:

artist-wearer-viewer

2008-07-28T23:32:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about jewellery in the context of its relationship between the artist, the wearer and the viewer.

How often when we make a piece of jewellery do we think so much about the wearer, and actually forget about the viewer. Is the viewer not just as important? The wearer naturally has more of a connection with the piece of jewellery than the person looking at it, but when the piece is viewed on the wearer, is it not put into a completely new context? This context of the wearer could actually enhance the piece considerably!

So as an artist, is our piece ever viewed in the way we intend it to be if the perception and aesthetic judgement of it is constantly changing? I dont think so, and I think that is what is so beautiful about being a creator; you are the beginning of a snowball effect of people tuning in to a connection inside them, and what starts as one piece with a specific meaning or intention, ends up gathering more and more significance and meaning as it is exposed.

Aesthetics....continued

2008-07-28T06:30:00.000-07:00

If aesthetic judgment is so subjective, then how do we as artists, try and create a specific aesthetic within our work? I suppose we first need to become aware of how and why we personally perceive and make judgments of things, and what influences these decisions. I think it all starts in understanding what our own perceptions are...

Aesthetics....continued

2008-07-28T06:11:00.001-07:00

In a nut shell, aesthetics are values that are linked to the sensory-emotional systems, also called 'judgments of sentiment' and 'taste'. It is the different ways in which we see and perceive the world. Aesthetic judgment is very often contradictory because it draws upon both intellect and instinct. When we judge something or form an opinion on it, it is often a judgment of what that thing means or symbolizes for us.

A person may have a very hostile instinct to this picture and find no appeal in its vicious thorns because of an experience they had involving a thorn piercing them and producing a lot of pain. Another person who has been brought up in an environment where they are always out doors and love nature could find this picture beautiful; an endearing depiction of nature protecting its beauty. Another person could see a very spiritual connotation to the image, relating it to their belief and the crown of thorns Jesus wore. A photographer would look at the composition, a teacher would find a way to relate it to a lesson to be taught....

Every eye sees differently, and one could even argue if it's even the eye that sees...or is it the soul, the heart, the mind?

Aesthetic judgment is influenced by many factors apart from one's senses, emotions and intellect. Culture, values and the upbringing of a person plays a strong part in their judgment. One's training and instinct, as well as their desires and subconscious behavior all relates to the the way in which they perceive something.

Aesthetics

2008-07-22T00:11:00.000-07:00

I think that it is important for us as artists, and people to have at least a vague understanding of aesthetics and the ways in which we make aesthetic judgments.

When writing about my work recently, I almost frivolously used the word aesthetic, and only once I went back and unpacked what lies behind the etymology of the word, did I really have a sense of understanding, and it has made me aware of and question how and why I see things the way I do. As an artist as well, I have become a lot more aware of how differently people can perceive my work.

For example:

After recently displaying these earrings, a friend told me that they really connected with the concept of the miss-matched earrings, using the same pattern but one being cut out and the other embossed really emphasized the concept of how a person has many facets and sides to them and a person can never be a perfect reflection of what they want to be.

Another lady, on the other hand, was actually buying the earrings and asked if I realized that I had forgotten to cut the pattern out of the one earring.

Both of these reasonings seemed perfectly understandable to the person making the judgment because of the context which they created in their minds. Their reasoning and connection to these earrings were completely different because of their separate influences in life.

2008-07-18T00:38:00.000-07:00

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To See The World in a Grain of Sand....

2008-07-18T00:07:00.000-07:00

" To see the world in a grain of sand
and heaven in a wild flower,
hold infinity in the palm of your hand
and eternity in an hour."

William Blake

This is probably one of my all time favourite quotes and is it not so true?
The mundane specks of sand in one's everyday desert, may seem like the bud of inspiration in another person's field of blossoms!

Our lives are our inspiration, and we need to open our eyes and draw from it because it is a continuous source of creativity... We will never be able to grow a bud in a desert! How important is it then, to plant that field of blossoms and nurture the field continuously. Like a sponge, we need to suck up and absorb what surrounds us, and the more there is to soak in, the less we have to squeeze for something to drip out.

Let our lives be our inspiration, fueled by our hearts and minds, and let our hands be the tools that make tangible what we feel inside.

I read a quote by Julia Cameron the other day that springs to mind;

"The artist brain cannot be reached -or triggered- effectively by words alone. The artist brain is the sensory brain -sight and sound, smell and taste, touch."

Ref: Marilyn Zelinsky, The Inspired Workspace , Designs for Creativity and Productivity, Rockport Publishers, 2002

Evoking the senses

2008-07-15T00:01:00.000-07:00

While looking through one of my inspirational sites this morning, webforjewelers.blogspot.com
I came across the following pieces by Aliyah Gold
Their echoing sense of nostalgia really appeals to me and the way they evoke a sense that there is strong emotion and history behind them is very inspirational to my own work.

Patterned Bangle

2008-07-07T08:50:00.000-07:00

Inspired by a patterned clay pot I bought earlier this year (see older posts) I designed a pattern and pierced it out to use as an impression. When it came out on the pieces I cast it was so beautiful! Some areas had been pushed out of the pattern while others held and it had such and old worldly, Victorian feel. As soon as I saw the piece I knew it had to be a bangle! so, voila!!!

Reflections...You Made an Impression on Me

2008-07-07T08:17:00.000-07:00

One Face has many Profiles

How true is it that one thing can be seen in so many different ways, similarly- one person or object may only reflect a certain characteristic or side to them depending on their environment or influence. So is it possible for one to be a true reflection of themself at one particular moment in time? Yes, maybe an aspect may shine through from their true character, but how many layers and depth of character does one person have...so then, do we choose our environments according to which of our own characteristics we want to shine through?

The more we look at something, the more we find because we look from different perspectives. The longer we know someone the more profiles we see to their faces. The more characteristics that shine through, the greater the impression.

I have applied this concept to the next two pieces. They are a reflection of different characteristics in different ways, and I used one method of creating the pattern to make an impression of the other.... I feel a good title to these pieces are:

Reflections...You made an impression on me.

BANGLE

EARRINGS

As time erodes it creates avenues of light...

2008-07-07T07:52:00.000-07:00

As time eats away at you, it creates new holes of light.

The theme that runs behind these earring is something I am relating to on a personal level at the moment.

One absolute constant is that life carries on, time keeps ticking and change happens. What was once perfect and beautiful will not always retain its features and whether by choice or not, time will influence and change it. At surface level this could be a very hard, seemingly negative thing but when viewed from other vantage points it could enhance the character and beauty within.

These earrings are a portrayal of how something that seems to be eroding, is actually letting the light in to places never reached before....

Still using the same concept as with behind the earrings, I made a pendant to follow on...

FRONT

BACK

The BARE Exhibition

2008-07-07T07:32:00.000-07:00

A local shop Bare put on a showing of new upcoming jewellery designers which I took part in. It was very exciting for me and a means of pushing myself and as pressured as it was, I really enjoyed just getting stuck in and manufacturing. I found that while making one piece it would spark ideas for other pieces, and through this chain reaction a progression of work took place that I was considerably surprised with at the end.

These are two pendants I made for the exhibition, The top one I again tried to retain structure and use negative space to enhance the beautiful pattern on the central piece. The second domed pendant I tried to create a feminine lacey touch, with an old-worldly feel. I was surprised to find that this was the piece out of all that most people liked.

Brooch time!

2008-07-07T07:14:00.000-07:00

After making the layered cuff that I experimented with, I was fueled with ideas using my textured pieces I had cast! The first result was this brooch....

It was irritating me a bit that my work always ends up rather large and irregular, don't get me wrong, it's how I am, but I wanted to challenge myself and give myself a boundary to work within instead of relying on what the pattern or the metal felt like it should do. So the outcome of this process was this little square shaped brooch which I was very pleased with :o)

Inspiration!

2008-07-07T05:38:00.000-07:00

Recently I was at a braai at my friends place and saw this garden furniture which I found so inspirational! At first it was just the high detail of patterning and texture that I loved, but when I started taking photographs of it and shot them at different angles, I realised I could use the shadows of one pattern to create a layer against another, and these photographs became very inspiring for my work!

Half Year Display

2008-06-18T00:39:00.000-07:00

These are Pictures of my half year display I set up at tech recently. Because there are so many other things I explored as a journey up to making my jewellery, I found it difficult to show everything in the display in order to create a context for my pieces, but at the same time, keep it from becoming too much and ditracting from the jewellery.

I layed everything out in a progression, almost as it happened, starting with my journal, test pieces, leading on to printing and paper embossing, followed by clay and wax work, then it all culminated to one point which was my cuff, and that lead on to a collection of smaller peices inspired by the technique used in the cuff.

After looking at my display, I realised that in the future I need to isolate pieces more, almost creating a little atmosphere or context for each piece rather than such a broad overview, because apart from the cuff, the other jewellery pieces didn't seem to speak out as much as I think they could.

Because my display was more or a long line of progression of my work and exploration, I thought the photographs of the display would be a lot more affective if I took close ups of each section and compiled them all together in a collage. I think it worked more effectively than the photo I took of the entire display.

2008-06-10T23:23:00.000-07:00

“We know that under the image revealed there is another which is truer to reality and under this image still another and yet again still another under this last one, right down to the true image of that reality, absolute, mysterious, which no one will ever see.”

Michelangelo Antonioni

While looking at the site www.klimt02.net I viewed the profile of Gisselle Morales ( gissellemorales.blogspot.com) and found this quote that I really connected to.

Not just a cup of tea! ......

2008-06-10T22:50:00.000-07:00

Sitting in my kitchen this morning I was in a daze of thought as my eyes brushed over my tea cup that was on the table. Almost subconsciously they focused on a reflection in the tea of the lacey curtain that shades the window above, and then the different reflections of light bouncing off the surface. Immediately I thought of a discussion I had yesterday with Chris about if our eyes consciously focus on something, they often miss everything else that is around that thing, or all the factors in the atmosphere around it that contribute to what that thing actually is. If we 'look' at something, however, but make our eye aware of the surroundings- we get a vague understanding of other layers that play a part in the context of that which we are looking at. So this morning when I was not purposefully 'looking' at my tea cup, my eyes were focusing on and picking up other things which normally would not have been noticed.

The reflection of the lace licking the surface of the tea while shapes of reflections, shadows and light bounced off and sunk into it had such a beautiful effect with all the different layers it created. What seemed to just be tea, turned into a collage of elements abstracted from my surroundings. This was such a delightful connection for me to my work at the moment, layers of elements that ignite recognition....

Contextual photography

2008-06-06T06:41:00.001-07:00

Thinking about how to photograph my jewellery has got me noticing things about photos and pictures lately. While reading through a book on Tiffany jewellery, I came across the picture below and really liked the way that the layout and set-up of the photograph creates such a dense context for the pieces that are actually being viewed. I think I need to try this! I do however, think that one needs to be carefull with a set up like this because it could very easily become too much and detract completely from the pieces that are the focus.

Layers

2008-06-01T23:34:00.000-07:00

Layers.... could they be described as many different elements combined to make one entity? The dictionary describes a layer as a depth or level, I like that! Layers create depth...or I'm not so sure if they 'create' it as such, but rather assure that there is depth, that there is something beneath.

I like to relate this concept to people, and life in general really...we all know onions have layers! but have you actually sat and pealed away at all those layers to find what lies in the centre? Eventually you arrive at nothing! So in reality it's the layers that actually make up the onion! Is this not true with people and cercumstances? We try so hard to peal off all the layers in our lives and in situations to look 'deeper' for what's in the core and 'find ourselves' but is it not all those influences and characteristics that are the very things that define us and represent who we are?

According to the thesaurus, a synonym for layer is story. I think it is a very apt word and think it could lead me in some form of direction with my jewellery....layered jewelery as a representation of my story perhaps?

Experimenting with photography

2008-05-30T05:00:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to figure out the best ways to photograph my jewellery. Obviously I realize this will change according to the subject matter, but I've been doing a little experimentation with different lighting and atmospheres. I by no means consider myself a photographer of any sort! but have considerably enjoyed this process 8) .... I am, however, struggling to decide on which ones work best, so I thought I'd ask everyone who views this post to give me some feedback on the pictures and what they think. Constructive criticism is very welcome and any suggestions would be great!

Layered Cuff with Gold Detail

2008-05-30T04:36:00.000-07:00

Since I have so many bits of test pieces and things that I've been playing around with, I thought it was about time I made up something! So here's the result! A cuff put together with my cast patterned wax pieces, etched plate, wire work and a couple of things thrown in here and there, and I have to say that I really like it! Of course while making it I realized there were many weak spots and areas that could have been done better so although it is not necessarily a wearable piece, it is a beautiful juxtaposition of elements I have been working with, and definitely the first exciting step for me in some form of a direction! =)

Just from working on the piece and analyzing the result, I have had some exciting sparks of new ideas and think that this could lead to a range of different cuffs.

Patterned Pot

2008-05-12T23:47:00.000-07:00

I happened upon a delightful little antique shop the other day that was filled with a wonderful array of the most beautiful things! It was very inspiring and I could have spent hours in there!
I ended up coming away with this ceramic pot with such a lovely pattern embossed onto it.

Clay Pieces

2008-05-12T23:22:00.000-07:00

This is just a bit of fun I had with oxiding the patterns left into the clay pieces I used. I think it has such a nice effect.

Clay -> Wax -> Silver

2008-05-09T05:49:00.000-07:00

I've been having so much fun with a new technique I came across. What I like about it is that it allows one the freedom to play and explore the matter they're working with and literally be able to 'draw' your pattern straight onto the metal. I found it quite therapeutic and love the layered affect. I really enjoy the element of surprise at the end because you never know exactly how the outcome is going to turn out...I like that!
You basically press, draw or imprint whatever you like into a piece of rolled out clay. You then pour some melted wax onto the clay and press it across the patters with the palm of your hand, pressing the wax into the dents. Once the patterned wax flakes are all peeled off, they are invested and cast in silver and TA DA!!!

Wax elements to be cast

Pattern Printing

2008-05-09T05:19:00.000-07:00

I have been playing around with printing patterns. I designed this one and etched it onto copper plate, I then inked the plate and rolled it through a printing press and came out with some interesting results. It's been fun exploring with different disciplines as well as jewellery, and I think I could use this printing as a method of documentation.

Inspiration

2008-05-09T00:16:00.000-07:00

What a beautiful set up! I just love this image! It's simplicity really enhances the focus. I found it on decorati.com - check out the site on my 'Inspirational Links' its great

This painted and carved wooden frame mirror is also form decorati.com The atmosphere in this picture really inspires me...the old world, worn, warm feeling you get, a sense of extravagance and beauty with a simplistic air.

I tend to draw a lot of inspiration from a large variety of things in life, not always tangible, often its just a feeling that a certain atmosphere ignites in me, and I'm growing more aware of what kind of settings source my creativity. Recently i have been consciously making an effort to recognize and contemplate my response to my surroundings in terms of how it affects my creativity, and actually am trying to 'create' space for myself that is filled with inspirational things. I have been pleasantly surprised at how much enjoyment I am getting from doing this and it has opened my eyes to a lot of different things that seed ideas 8)

Patterned Tiles

2008-05-09T00:05:00.000-07:00

I've been looking at a lot of different patterning lately and how they link up into each other and repeat themselves, and I found these great tiles on www.anchorbaytile.com

2008-05-08T23:52:00.000-07:00

I've come to a little bit of a realization... I've always had an intrigue with layers, in all forms; be it physical layers in art, architecture, nature and all the everyday things we come into contact with, or symbolic layers, layers to personalities and stories etc
After much thinking and discussion, it dawned on me that my quest of experimentation with different techniques to create pattern in jewellery could be spurred by this enjoyment of layers. I think that through all this experimentation I have been subconsciously trying to find different ways of creating depth and ways to bring about layers into my work.... just a thought, will see where it leads!

Testing the waters...

2008-04-17T22:46:00.000-07:00

It's about time I tried out some reppousse! After gathering a few pointers from fellow students, I plucked up the courage to finally grab a pitch bowl and get to it. I started with a fly pressed oval dome (as I was thinking about a locket) but realised very quickly that my technique was nowhere near good enough to jump straight to that, so I took a step backwards and began on a flat copper plate. It was very challenging, and the outcome was dreadful to say the least, but I'd started....

A bit dispondant but determined, I tried again on a piece of silver plate, slightly thicker, and the result was far from good enough but most definately an improvement! I would really like to persevere in this and try and develop my reppousse and chasing. I know it's going to be a slow and frustrating path to take but with patience I'm sure I will gain alot of experience and satisfaction in the long run.

First Attempt

Second Attempt

Memories

2008-04-17T11:07:00.000-07:00

I recently happened apon a beautiful silver teaspoon that had belonged to my late grandmother. Immediatedly it brought back wonderful memories of my younger days spent at my Grandparents' ; old large Rhodesian houses with beautiful wooden furnature and ornamentaions of all sorts influenced by a covetted British upbringing. A mixture of beautiful porcelain china and silverware, with rustic lampshades and dusty Zimbabwean landscapes.....all this from a little teaspoon .

I was very drawn to a beautiful motif imbedded into the spoon and have been inspired by it considerabley in terms of designs for my jewellery, and my journey in exploring different ways of ornamentation in jewellery.

2008-04-17T05:07:00.000-07:00

This week I have found myself asking a lot of questions and contemplating aspects of decoration that I had not previously given much thought to...

In the Victorian era in particular, but still up until this day, people decorated themselves and their surroundings with such extravegance in order to demonstrate their wealth...why feel the need to demonstrate the wealth you have? Is it absence of personal wealth and richness within one's self that one needs to replace it? Yes, for some it brings satisfaction to display and gain acceptance from others through it, but why?

When we decorate and enhance the beauty of something( including ourselves) is it a form of appreciation to accentuate the beauty, or is it the lack thereof , that makes us feel the need to create beauty on the mundane in order to appreciate it, or accuire appreciation from others?

Or is pattern and decoration and ornamentation, all just forms of expresion, an appreciation and representation of the beauty of character inside us that we are so scared to surface and therefore aknowlege it in other things?

Etched Earrings

2008-04-15T02:46:00.000-07:00

Bracelet

2008-04-15T02:26:00.000-07:00

I'd like to play around more with this, developing it into a bangle.

Pierced Ring

2008-04-15T01:07:00.000-07:00

This ring was inspired by another one of my pattern doodles, and the techniques I used previously in the brooch.

2008-04-14T01:22:00.001-07:00

In looking back at all the pieces I made last year, this brooch is the piece I like the most and was happiest with. I asked myself why, and realized that the overall look, based on the pattern and techniques used to create the pattern, was what I enjoy about it. This was very significant for me because it lead me to the realization that in most of the things I have been drawing inspiration from ( namely old vintage and antique things ) it is either fine intricate pattern or workmanship that I am drawn to the most, and inspired by. It is this realization that has lead me to want to experiment and try out different techniques with which to introduce a form of patterning to my jewellery. At the moment I am focusing on surface decoration, experimenting with techniques such as hand carving in wax, etching and piercing and the use of Rhinoceros3D to create patterns. I would like to learn reppousse and chasing, as well as trying to make press dies for my patterns.

These are wax pieces that I have hand carved and cut in Rhinoceros3D

Brooch

2008-04-14T00:58:00.001-07:00

This sterling silver brooch, was inspired by a pattern I had found and wanted to play around with. I really like the overall look of this piece.

Beauty Within (Ring)

2008-04-11T02:03:00.000-07:00

This locket ring with garnet follows the same concept as the locket I made previously; Precious beauty kept on the inside, away from harm, much like how people protect themselves from being hurt by creating a facade. I have pierced a pattern in the top lid, so that a slight hint of what is inside can be seen.

Beauty Within (Locket)

2008-04-11T01:29:00.000-07:00

This sterling silver locket is a portrayal of how people are often miss-judged, and how there is so much beauty and character to be discovered hidden inside someone. What they seem on the outside is only the tip on the iceberg.

I have created an open section on the front of the locket as a 'peep hole' to what's inside. Once the locket is opened, a pierced, oxidized door seperates the two sides, allowing something precious to be enclosed.

My Jewellery Photo Album

2008-04-10T04:26:00.000-07:00

My Photo Album

Last year I decided to make a range of jewellery linked to personal memories. I created what I called 'My Photo Album' where I took old photos of special people in my life and set them into jewellery, with a verse that I relate to that person or memory, engraved on the back.

This developed from the concept of the locket, where one carries or wears a photo or something special close to their heart.

I set the photos in 'liquid glass' and mounted them
in sterling silver frames.
^ Pendants of my mother and father

^ Brooch of my Grandparents

This pendant captures memories from my childhood in Zimbabwe.
I felt these memories needed to be captured and set because it is
no longer the country I remember it to be and is no longer the
home of my past, so this piece was almost a preservation of what
is left of the Zimbabwe I know.

I set a section of the old Zim $2 note, with a sketch of an orchid
flower over.

2008-04-10T03:43:00.000-07:00

I have always had a keen interest in history, and things from the past which has lead to a delight in antique objects. I take a lot of my inspiration from forms and patterns in antique furniture, frames, jewellery and prints.