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?
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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…
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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 [...]
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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…
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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.
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Posted in CHAPTER 2: INFLUENCES, CHAPTER 4: MY JEWELLERY, White Lace Range, tagged CHAPTER 4: MY JEWELLERY, Christy-Anne jewellery, Cuffs, expression of identity through jewellery, Layers, Pattern, reflections, Silver-Lace, Thoughts on May 4, 2009 | 2 Comments »
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.
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Posted in CHAPTER 4: MY JEWELLERY, Other jewellery, tagged Bracelets, Brooches, Christy-Anne jewellery, colour, Design&work process, elements, enamel work, Flower jewellery, hairpieces, interchangeable jewellery, linkedin, neckpieces, Silver-Lace on April 15, 2009 | 2 Comments »
” 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 [...]
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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.
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I must apologise for the recent lack in blogging. I’ve been busy at work making stock for various affairs so I thought it was about time to post on a bit of what I’ve been up to the last few weeks.
I was asked to send up some jewellery to the golfing resort ‘San La Mer’ [...]
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I’ve been thinking alot lately about putting together a range of jewellery that is a cheaper range than what I would normally produce. I am only just starting to make my way into the jewellery scene in South Africa and namely Durban, and so far it seems like people are very hesitant to spend money on contemporary jewellery. I do realise that one has to build up a name for themselves within a specific market and until then it’s generally a slow start. I am delighted however, that wherever I show my jewellery I get very possitive feedback and interest.
Since playing around with patina a few weeks back, I thought it would be a good idea to use etched, patinated copper to produce this cheaper range and use it as a bit of a tester or experiment and see how people respond to it. Personally, I like the look of the pieces for their rugged, worn feel and vibrant colour, and they have been fun to make.
Here are the first few, which will be followed by many more!
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These are my new little babies. They are silver earrings with 24kt gold centres. They were the outcome of a goal I set myself which was to make some commercially viable, very wearable and sellable pieces. I wanted them to be refined but still retain the rough eaten effect I have been creating in other pieces.
I chose to name them ‘New Life’ Earrings because they were inspired by the phase of my life that I am going through at the moment where I am closing doors and chapters in my life and realising new avenues and directions. They also relate to nature and its natural process of endings and new and fresh beginnings, hence the organic feel about the earrings.
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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 [...]
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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!!!
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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
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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 [...]
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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 [...]
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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 
)
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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.
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