Custom Band

Monday was really exciting for me, I had a pick-up for a custom engagement ring that I finished making. It was such a pleasure working together with the customer. She wanted me to combine a Fleur-de-Lis and Ankh symbols to indicate both her and her partner's heritage. After I drew some designs she decided which one she liked and I carved the ring out of wax (the green ring). Once that was done I casted the ring in 18kt Palladium White Gold and then it was a matter of emerying and polishing it up before it was ready. I absolutely love when i get to run with an idea and create something that is special and unique for someone, carving is so much fun.

I worked on some custom butterfly pins a while back (where are the pictures you may be wondering? guess what - I took some on someone else's camera and don't have them so all you get to see are my sketches). They were a lot of fun to make - tons of piercing and sawing, plus an interesting design since I only did one side of the wings as a pin that would flap about while wearing it. In my sketches I also proposed a feather which got turned down. However I loved the feather idea enough to make one for myself. The feather is made with nickel silver with the rachis (or stem of the feather) made with sterling silver. I have yet to add the chain and pin stopper, but that part is easy to imagine added on. I'm going to be wearing it on my coat this winter.

Bond

Things are getting a bit busier for me lately preholiday season. I am meeting up with a professional photographer next week to get a new necklace photographed as part of my submission for Zilberschmuck's sixth annual national juried jewellery arts exhibition entitled "Bond" I included a cropped image of the piece placed on top of my artist submission paper. Proof positive that I need a professional to be taking photos for me. I recently took up working on a few piece I left on the wayside - smaller pieces for earrings that are similar to some large pendant/necklace pieces that I made a while ago. I'm thinking of adding a gemstones on each and still contemplating what type of chain I would like to use for them. Should be finished them in the next week along with an engagement ring and a brooch that I have been working on as well.

Come see "RED"

I'm back in action after participating in QWAC. You'll have to excuse my lack of pictures from the show - my camera battery is apparently unchargeable and my cat broke my sister's camera the night before it started. This past weekend I was giving demos in the studio as part of Culture Days and finishing off all of my pieces for Jewel Envy studio's first collective group show "Red." I ended up with 5 pieces for the show that I am really proud of. I used a couple of new techniques in my work - including Mokume Gane and creating dies to use in a hydraulic press. As well as perfecting my techniques when using a patina - a process that has frustrated me in the past. If you want to see the finished pieces you'll have to make a cameo at one of our upcoming openings, or make a stop at one of the venues while it is up and running. This weekend I am participating in the Art of Fashion which is running as part of Nuit Blanche and today I just started working on my piece to apply to Zilberschmuck's exhibition "Bond." Pictured in this post are some interpretations of "Red" (excuse my made-up titles) Chia-Chien Tsai's Fairytale Apple, Gillian Batcher's Pumping Heart Necklace, and Emily Gill's Pearl Necklace. To see the rest you will have to check out the show, or wait forever for me to post more pictures.

Necklace Version 2.0

Recently I had almost finished fabricating this necklace. Then a studio mate (who shall remain anonymous) pointed out a better way to construct it. I think it was revenge for all the times I have told her that she should remake some of her work.


Since I had to back-peddle a step and remove resin from Version 1.0 of the necklace I left the piece to soak overnight in acetone. Then after cleaning it up a bit I wanted to let it soak for a few minutes longer in some clean acetone. The only problem was that I didn't have an extra glass container handy. I know not to put pure acetone in a plastic container, but I thought since I was only going to leave it for a few minutes things would be fine. I was wrong. Thank goodness I at least had the sense to place a metal lid beneath the container so that the acetone didn't leak all over my workbench. Once this beauty is complete I am planning on getting professional photographs of it. That's right. I have finally relinquished my do-it-myself attitude and I am going to let someone else do work for me.

Found some interesting images that I would like to share. I came across the website for a collective of Dutch conceptual design company called droog. My favourites include "Do Frame Tape" by Martí Guixé and Brooch #8 Diner-dansant by Iris Niewenburg. I have noticed Ralph Bakker's work in publications and recently stumbled onto his website. I had a hard time choosing just one image, so be sure to check his site out. Ledo Otto's Designs are really beautiful - they depict simplified architectural layouts of buildings. I especially like the "San Vitale" of Ravena. I also LOVE, Love, love Marianne Anderson's work, Mostly because I have a very similar aesthetic.
Please check out all my links to other various artists, I hope you enjoy all the photos.

Visit me at QWAC

More Earrings!
I hardly ever make stud earrings, but when a few new ideas came to mind I couldn't resist creating them. In the first photo you can see the pieces after I have fabricated them. I used copper and sterling silver as the base and post and then I used a patina on the surface of the copper. You can also see the holes that I drilled to place the strands of beads and ball chain. I finished them all today (as of five minutes ago). I might be making cufflinks before the QWAC, but seeing as that is only four days away that might not happen.
Tonight I start teaching at George Brown College which I am really exciting about. I will be teaching a Jewellery Design class - the students will be learning how to create workshop drawings. I haven't gotten nervous yet, that will only happen the exact moment I open my mouth to start teaching. Well then, I hope to see you all at the Queen West Art Crawl this weekend. Be sure to come and visit me!