In an effort to identify the method with which I work, I printed out all my blog posts labelled ‘design & work process’. In laying them out in order I saw a pattern starting to form which looked something like this:
I often have an idea that I want to explore and end up making a couple of prototypes or test pieces. These are made with no intention of becoming a final piece of jewellery, but rather for the satisfaction of turning an idea into something workable and making something with an unknown outcome, and seeing where it leads.
More often than not, the unfinished pieces get placed somewhere on my bench or wall as I start working with another idea. What I have come to realise however, is that the threads of the ideas behind all these little test pieces feed other ideas and designs later down the line, linking up in a network of interwoven threads, slowly weaving a pattern.
For example; my idea of wanting to incorporate colour with ribbon earlier this year lead to a bunch of test pieces for interchangeable jewellery, then I carried on working with my metal lace concept for a while. After a few months, I found a test piece that seemed to link up with some sketches I had done and I ended up making ‘lace’ rings with coloured ribbon.
I guess what I am trying to illustrate here, is that for me the making of jewellery is an indulgence where I can explore the thoughts in my mind and tangibly work with and make sense of many of the influences and ideas in my mind. It is this making process that gives the pieces of jewellery I make value to me. Many of my little test pieces of metal I cannot bring myself to get rid of, yet somehow it is easy to sell a piece of jewellery. Where is the sense in that? Surely a piece of jewellery is more valuable…or is it?
Read Full Post »
Well, what an enjoyable evening! The Red Eye event in Durban was a great night of art, dance, music, fashion and performance. Congratulations to everyone involved, and to the models who did such a great job displaying our jewellery. Im looking forward to the next one!
Here are some shots of my piece on the night…
Read Full Post »
I’ve finished my RedEye piece and have to say that I’m quite excited to see how it’s going to look on the night. I think the layers of material, lace and metal are rather effective.
I used the wire pattern I experimented with for my platenum piece earlier as a trimming at the top. This was made by bending the wire around nails that I had hammered into a wooden block.
I decided to make an earring to be worn on the opposite side, this I made with enamelled silver…
Watch this space for photos of the piece at the event…see you there!
Read Full Post »
I am hoping to take part in the next Red Eye event happening in Durban in September. I will be making a bold ramp piece of jewellery which I am intending to make with layers of metal, lace and paper.
The ideas I have come up with take reference from the flamboyant lace ruffs, collars and cuffs that were part of the court costumes in the 17th Century. Needlepoint lace was worn as a display of luxury and elegance by both men and women to demonstrate their high class and wealth.
References:
http://www.marlamallett.com/l-needle.htm
The Greenwood Encyclopedia of clothing through world history, Volume 2, by Jill Condra
Read Full Post »
The Flavours Exhibition opened on Monday evening and I think it came out rather successfully. I think I speak for everyone when I say that puting together an exhibition takes a lot of planning and preparation, and I certainly learnt a lot from this experience.
I was fairly happy with my display and although it could [...]
Read Full Post »
In preparing for my exhibition I have been trying to decide what to do on the wall behind my stands. I originally wanted to cover the tops of my stands with patterned pewter but my jewellery seemed to get lost when I put it on top. I have therefore decided to use the pewter on [...]
Read Full Post »
I’ve been busy working on the presentation of my jewellery for the FLAVOURS Exhibition. I’ve been making stands to display it on which I originally wanted to make detachable by making a little box under the tops to slip the base into like so…
It proved to be a bit unstable and messy looking so I [...]
Read Full Post »
Hi everyone! I’m trying out a new ‘look’ for my jewellery logo, as you’ve probably noticed by the change in the header of my page. Let me know what you think…
Read Full Post »
If you live in Durban and are interested in an evening infused with different flavours, styles, cultures and inspiration, come along to the FLAVOURS Exhibition by Durban emerging jewellers! It’s at artSpace Durban, opening 13 July 18:00 and runs until 1 August.
I will be showcasing my work and will have pieces for sale by order.
See [...]
Read Full Post »
Is this your flavour?…
Find out at our exhibition coming up at ArtSpace in Durban on 13 July.
Read Full Post »
I have an exhibition approaching soon and need to figure out what my diplay is going to look like. I have a few ideas and would really like to know what you think of them or any further suggestions you may have…
Things I need to consider:
- The viewer must be able to interact [...]
Read Full Post »
Last week I helped curate the Sasol wax art award exhbition at KZNSA Gallery in Durban. Along with the art award, Sosol and Carola Ross & Associates run a skills development project involving jewellery.
It is a wonderful programe where jewellery skills development projects such as the Velobala Group and the Imfundiso group train up young, [...]
Read Full Post »
For the past two Saturdays I’ve taken part in the ‘I heart Durban Market’. If you like anything different, handmade, old or new then I encourage you to come this Saturday! It is the last Saturday the maket will be held and it is worth it! A Day on the streets of Durban, fresh air, music, [...]
Read Full Post »
The Durban University of Technology’s Jewellery Department had our end of year Jewellery exhibition Diploma show on Tuesday night. I thought it was a very successful display of some of the talent in our midst. A congratulations to all the graduating third years! There’s definately some talented jewellers breaking into the scene! Another congratulations to the graduating B-Tech students! [...]
Read Full Post »
As my end of year display is comming up very soon and the days are flying by, it was time I got to work on it! So I started off this weekend by making some basic frames to frame my jewellery.
I decided to set up a practice run of my display to see if my ideas [...]
Read Full Post »
Its our end of year display coming up soon and my mind has been occupied with how I’m going to set up my display….I wanted to bring in my layering and collaging somehow but I’m scared it could be too overpowering and busy. I’d really like it to be simple and effective, so after thinking [...]
Read Full Post »
So the DUT Fashion show was last week and my pieces looked alright, the outfits ( made by Bianca Werner) were lovely, and the evening was great success overall. Here are some pictures of how it went down…
Read Full Post »
I recently agreed to team up with a fashion design student who is exhibiting her work in a show, and I agreed to make jewellery for her outfits. I had not seen any of her ideas and thought it would be a good challenge for me to work within a different design style and out [...]
Read Full Post »
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged Uncategorized on September 2, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
http://www.totalblogdirectory.com/
Read Full Post »
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.
Read Full Post »
