design development

I’m always tearing out pictures from magazines that hold a certain quality or essence in them that I would like to capture in my jewellery. Often the pictures just have a particular detail that I like, or a tone I want to capture, or there will be colours, patterns or a line that I think I could take reference from when designing.

Above is a working page of some rough ideas I’m playing with that take reference from a magazine picture. My eye was drawn to the lines created by the model’s pose. I like the obscure strength of her stance that somehow also retains the soft nature of a woman’s body. The soft, textured fabric of her dress reminded me of a wax impression I made a while back .

Carla Nuis

Lately I’ve been looking at the work of Carla Nuis. I think the way that she uses pattern, negative space and simple form to to visually texture and bring to life flat surfaces is done very effctively. Her work, although seemingly simply at first glance, entices one to look longer and further and gain an appreciation for the detail that I think  makes the surfaces so tastefullybeautiful.

Here are some of my favourite pieces of hers:

To see more of  her work click here

What’s your flavour?….

Is this your flavour?…

Find out at our exhibition coming up at ArtSpace in Durban on 13 July.

Reflections

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

In reflecting on the bangle that I have just made, I picked up on two aspects of myself that are being expressed.

Childhood Memories: 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.

My Femininity: I like to embrace and celebrate my femininity. I think that the qualities of a woman, both inside and out are a beautiful combination of strength and meekness. 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.

Roughlace Cuff

I have been working on a bangle that sprouted from a wax impression casting I did not so long ago. It came out with a very lacey affect which set in my mind a clear concept for this bangle.

Has the function of jewellery been lost?

After doing some research I found it quite interesting that it is very hard to find contemporary jewellers who make jewellery specifically for, or with the expression of its wearer in mind. I found this very intriguing that one of the oldest crafts in history and means of ornamentation that originated around the world as a means of expression for the wearer has started to lose its original purpose…or has it?

I speak from personal experience when I say that as a contemporary jeweller, the ‘artist’ and ‘creator’ in me seems to only be satisfied when making a piece of jewellery where the only reference to the wearer is how the piece will fit on the body. It is satisfying to see the finished product appreciated and worn by someone, but only after the creation process has taken place. Is this strange? Has contemporary jewellery or ‘art jewellery’ become so far removed from its original function that function other than artistic expression is not even considered anymore?

Lin Cheung is a jeweller who makes jewellery for the wearer, and considers the function and meaning given to jewellery by its wearer.

Some work by Lin Cheung ^

Interchangeable Jewellery

” By wearing, owning and interacting with jewellery, we breathe new life into it. We activate it and set it on a life-long journey to collect and absorb its surroundings…’New’ jewellery has yet to find its vocation; yet to acquire the associations and values of a person’s life to shape its identity.”

Lin Cheung, New Directions in Jewellery II, Black Dog Publishing, 2006

The inter-changeable jewellery that I am working on at the moment only really becomes a piece of jewellery and comes to life when compiled and put together by the wearer to be worn. In this way I feel the wearer will be interacting with it and giving it a unique identity relating to their own.

Here are the beginnings of my range…

Jewellery as a tool for expression

I have been interested in the work of Anna Lorich for some time. The jewellery she makes deals with a number of issues, most of them revolving around and dealing with personal identity. Lorich sees her work as a reflection of who she is, using the creative process to question and search for her identity. She uses a number of themes such as landscapes, portraits and decorative elements as representations of issues such as relationships, memories, childhood and religion.

Landscape Ring, Anna Lorich

Brooches, Anna Lorich

I am also exploring the use of jewellery as a means of personal expression in my work at the moment. What I am focussing on, however is not so much jewellery being used as a tool of expression by its maker, but more by its wearer.

Anna Lorich chooses to use themes in the jewellery she makes as a representation of her own identity. In a similar way, I am choosing to make elements of jewellery which I hope people will choose to wear as a representation of certain aspects of their character.

Display ideas…

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 with the jewellery on display (touch, look closely)

- The interchangeability and versatility of the jewellery must be evident.

- The display must be eye-catching and draw the viewer closer to look.

My first Idea was to take monotone photos of a model in various poses and print life-size areas of the photos (eg: neck) onto canvas. I will then attach my jewellery pieces onto the canvases in the appropriate areas. Jewellery pieces will also be displayed on surfaces attached to the walls below.

The second idea is to create segments in which each separate ‘range’ will be displayed. This will be done with the use of division boards. In each segment there will be photos as mentioned in the first idea, along with a plinth to display the jewellery pieces.

Cast impressions

I cast my wax impressions yesterday and was delighted with the way they came out, especially a new element that I used! I think it has a lovely lacey/croched look to it which is exactly what I was wanting.

I have realised that this technique is something I really enjoy working with and would like to use it to make some elements for my interchangeable jewellery. I would like to start by making a few bracelet ‘tops’ and see where that takes me.

Adding some texture to my life *

I have been exploring other avenues with my jewellery lately, and focusing more on function and forms that will be practical to the functionality of my jewellery. I have realised though, that I’ve really missed working with my passion for pattern and texture. This has been reflecting in my ‘inspiration/ working wall’ for quite some time, and yesterday I thought it was about time I did what I love: play with pattern!

So…I got out my clay and wax and started making impressions. I’m really excited to see what will come from this batch , it’s always such a surprise to see the result of a cast.

Personalising your possesions

I have noticed a trend towards personalising one’s possessions.

It seems evident that people are feeling the need to represent themselves and their individuality. Through every aspect of their life, from personalising their marriage vows to decorating their cellphones, shoes and computer homepage, it seems people want to be seen as individuals and not stereotyped.

Do you think this is true of most people?

Click on the link bellow to answere yes or no….

Yes or No

Colour with enamel

I have been thinking about different ways to introduce variety in colour to the interchangeable elements in my new collection. I have thought about using enamel for some time but have been unsure how exactly.

After browsing through Etsy Metal I found some pierced work with enamel that had such a lacey feminine effect, as well as the use of piercing as a stencil for enamel. I think this would be an interesting way to add colour to my elements. Which technique do you find more appealing visually?

I think the affect of the enamel in conjunction with pierced pieces and the way it bulges and creates a soft edging is very effective in emulating a ‘lacy’ look.

These pieces can be found at Rubygirl.

Colour!

I have always seen colour as a prominant form of expression, and a telling sign for people’s moods and personalities. I therefor, think that a main componant in interchangeable jewellery should be the variation of colour.

I have always been a collector of arbitrary things that I like the look or feel of in some way. This little habit has resulted in a box of assorted ribbons and lace in different sizes, textures and colours.I thought this would be a nice way to incorperate colour into my jewellery, enabling the wearer to build up their own little collection of cords, laces, ribbons etc.

Due to the recent credit crunch and recession in the economy,as well as an emerging consciousness for the planet, people are becoming a lot more aware of re-using and recycling. Being able to re-use ribbon, lace or cords from packaging, presents or gran’s old sewing cupboard and incorperate it into your jewellery is quite a fun concept I think.

Online research

I’m busy doing research on my work to find out a bit more about how people respond to it and what I can do or not do in the future.

I would really appreciate it if anyone who reads this would take a minute to do the questionnaire below for me, after you have had a look at my work in my portfolio and blog posts. It is very short and won’t take long at all!

Many thanks!

Start Questionnaire

Personalizing your jewellery

I am playing with the concept of the wearer being able to contribute to the development of a piece and personalize it to some extent. If the wearer interacts in this way I think it will allow my jewellery to go beyond simple adornment to a personal level with the wearer.

This has lead to a number of ideas for pieces where there will be a collection of various motifs and elements that the wearer can thread on to different cords and wear on their neck or wrist. These elements can also be attached to a removable ring shank allowing the wearer to create a combination of their own.

I am hoping this will be quite a marketable concept that will encourage people to buy new elements to add on, much like adding charms to a charm bracelet.

Here are a few working sketches of some of the concepts and motifs I’m working with….

Sasol wax art award 2008

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, underprivileged people and allow them to enter a competition and receive recognition, along with a prize for their endeavours. There are some fantastic pieces on show, that captivate the creative thinking that comes out of these projects.

The exhibition runs for a few weeks so I encourage all the  Durbanites out there to go and have a look!

Patina Copper Jewellery

Here are the results of some of my experimentation with patinating etched copper. Looking back, I learnt a lot about how to work with the media, and had fun experimenting without knowing what the result would be.

I like this little range of jewellery because I think it is a good example of how I take inspiration from feminine influence in the past and use it to produce female jewellery that is contemporary of today. In this case, the influence was floral wallpaper from the likes of William Morris.

I heart Durban Market

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, good food, fun people and great merchandise by local talent!

I have grouped together to form a stand with some other local jewellery Artists and have both silver jewellery and my new copper/patina range for sale.

This flower was picked and given to me not so long ago. It was a small and simple flower but it had the most amazing colour and vibrance to it! I strted to think how I could capture something similar in jewellery because it was so beautifully femanine to me and so vavaceous. I think I’d like to try recapturing it’s spirit with enamel.

Here is a picture of the flower and a poem I wrote about it:

One flower,picked

so simply

A symbol of what’s in the heart

when words are not enough

and baring wounds are hard.

Petals as fragile as memories-

seams unravelling at ends.

Colour that promises the world

a joy that heals and mends.

One flower, given

so simply

a gift so small and sweet.

but behind it there lies a love

open and begging to keep.

Those petals may whither and die.

The colour may fade and stain,

but the promise behind one gesture

so simply

will remain.