Better late than never!

Technology will be the death of me! My computer's been under attack recently, so I haven't been as diligent with my blog. Now to play catch-up!

I recently showcased my work in an exhibition at artSpace Gallery in Durban, along with other emerging jewellers. As the name suggests, there were jewellery styles to suit every taste. It ran for three weeks and I think it was a great success.

I was very pleased with my display. My intention was to keep the focus on the jewellery, yet showing the pieces in context, i.e. how they could be worn. The image I tried to create was one of elegance, glamour and sophistication and I think I achieved it!

My Filigree Space

My Favourite Working Space!

People have said that I'm crazy to do filigree but the truth is that I love it! It's like an island of tranquility in a world of chaos. Once I get into the rhythm, there's not much concentration required. My mind is free to wander, I can listen to my favourite music or have a conversation. I can't think of anything better than sitting on my patio, enjoying the beautiful Durban weather, and creating beauty!

I Have Jewellery (Almost)!!

I had actually forgotten to post about these earrings. They were started in March, and have been finished for a while, but I hadn't gotten around to taking the photos.

This bangle is still a work in progress. I like the overall impression, but I had problems with solder joins while bending it up. I decided to cast the frameworks for the elements to overcome this. The perspex is a bit stark against the delicate elements, and needs to be filed and, maybe, made thinner.

Funny story! I was in my bathroom the other day, when I realised that this is part of a tile! I guess it manifested itself in my subconscious, and voila!, it's found its way into my jewellery.

Splash Page

I guess a splash page is a visual artist statement, giving the viewer a glimpse into your work, your process and, perhaps, references. Sounds simple enough, right? I'm only 90% satisfied with my splash page. Any ideas on how it could improve?

Elizabeth Galton

ORIENTAL SKY AND NECKLACE FROM THE ORCHID READY-TO-WEAR COLLECTION

Elizabeth Galton is a London fashion jeweller, whose creations are for the bold and adventurous. Her "mission is to bring women around the globe a vision of unique, sophisticated and distinctive jewellery. " Inspired by the life cycle of flowers, her pieces are sculptural and theatrical.

Giovanni Corvaja

Giovanni Corvaja is a truly remarkable artist. He is an Italian goldsmith who has developed a method of drawing wire to a fifth of the thickness of human hair, essentially turning gold and platinum into delicate fibres. In his latest collection, he has recreated the Golden Fleece, creating pieces seemingly covered in gold fur.

This image demonstrates how he draws his wire, and it floored me how sensible it is. Doing filigree, I work with very long lengths of very thin wire, and it is frustrating and very time consuming having to deal with tangles. This device is so clever and I have to get one!
Images sourced from http://www.giovanni-corvaja.com/

Flavour!

I'm trying to find and express my flavour. In terms of shoes, this is very easy to do! Take a look at what gets me going!

Flavour! Shoes,Beautiful Shoes or Flowers?

Photography

We have an exhibition of the BTech students from DUT coming in July and one the things we need are really good quality photos of our work. The following album contains my first attempts at proper photos, including 2 of the set-up used to take them.

Exhibition pics

I still have loads to learn, which I expect will come with time and practice! I found a really useful site, with great tips for photography called DIYPhotography.net

What A Trip!

Just a bit of fun: check out TRIPWONKER. I thought it was just so awesome! Mark Spiegl's site is definitely worth a visit for a laugh!

Stacey Lee Webber

Just when I thought I had seen every possible variation of filigree, I came across Stacey Lee Webber's work. OMG!

The FancyWork Series: Jeweler’s Tools
2006-2007

Historically, filigree was commissioned by the wealthy from places such as China and India, where labour costs were lower and the idea behind the jeweler's tools is to return "the fruits of the labour back to the labourer."

More on Victoria Lansford

STARDUST ON MY SLEEVE

Victoria Lansford's emphasis lies not only with how her pieces look when worn, but more with how the person wearing them feels. The kind of filigree she does is Russian or openback filigree using 18ct or sterling silver frame wire and fine silver for filler wires. What sets her work apart from other commercial filigree, and what I want to emulate, is the intricate patterning of her filler wires. This part of the design evolves as she works.

South African Flowers

I recently came across these flowers, native to South Africa, that I find quite similar to the element I am currently working with.

ROMULEAS

The Romulea Cruciata grows on sandstone and granite slopes and rocks.

The ixia is often given as a gift on happy occasions.

My element consists of two identical pieces riveted together. There's potential for so many different pieces that I still to need to translate to paper. First, though, I'm making a pair of drop earrings. Should be finished tomorrow, so stay tuned!

AMARYLLIS

The Amaryllis is also known as the Belladonna Lily or naked ladies because of it's tall stems and precious flowers.
I'm wondering how to use this flower in my jewellery because I think it's gorgeous!

ANGLOGOLD ASHANTI BRAZIL COLLECTION

The way this video is done just takes my breath away. The concepts behind the jewellery are so well demonstrated that you have no doubt as to what the designer envisioned. Bravo!

Source: www.youtube.com

TRIQUETRA

I thought, as a point of interest, I should explain my blog's name. I first encountered this symbol on the TV series "Charmed" and initially just liked how it looked, but after a little research, I realised that it was representative of my life in many ways. Triquetra (TRY-KWET-RA) symbolises trinities and I am the youngest of 3 sisters (though I often feel like the eldest!) and in Wicca, it is symbolic of the 3 stages of women (viz. maid,mother and crone) or the Triple Goddess. It is also symbolic of Mind, Body and Soul. To learn more, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triquetra

ENAMELLING

Hill,G.(ed.) 2008. Faberge and the Russian Master Goldsmiths. New York: Universe Publishing. Plate 101

I absolutely love these enamelled cigarette cases made by various Russian makers circa.1890-1910! I aspire to create a business card case, in this style, with my logo and a floral motif. Still working on the design! Terrified about working with enamel, though! Guess there's nothing for it but to plunge in!

VICTORIA LANSFORD

This video is by Victoria Lansford, an American goldsmith who specialises in ancient techniques such as Eastern Repoussé, Russian Filigree, granulation and chainmaking. For more on her work, see http://www.victorialansford.com.


Source : http://www.ganoksin.com/benchtube/

BACK TO THE BENCH!

I needed to get back into manufacturing so this ring is like a practice run. Made from a "flower"disc, it's domed for depth and has a setting for an amethyst. Ideally the setting should have been integrated into the disc for added strength.

DUT JEWELLERY DESIGN DIPLOMA SHOW 2008

DIPLOMA SHOW 2008

It was a long road, but we eventually got there! I was really pleased with my display and very proud of my jewellery!

MY SHOWPIECE

Interesting story: I found this filigree disc at a scrap yard! I think it might have been a brooch once upon a time but, after cleaning it, I made it into a ring. This was the starting point for my filigree work and directly inspired my exam pieces.

MY EXAM PIECES

The ring with matching earrings and necklace. The stones are topaz.

A STATEMENT NECKLACE

The design for this silver filigree necklace evolved as I was manufacturing and definitely improved from the original. Making it asymmetrical added a more contemporary edge and prevented it from being too eastern.

AMULETIC RING

Now that it's finally finished, this ring is my favourite. It's based on the triquetra symbol, which has special significance to me and is set with my birthstone: a garnet.

BEAUTY IS PAIN

So named because putting it on is agony! Based on dragon wings, it does look fabulous on!

LOTUS WAX SEAL

This is an example of "jewellery that is not jewellery." Inspired by the lotus flower, it serves the same purpose as signet rings of old: It's used to make impressions in wax, either to seal envelopes or as a signature. On the left is the impression it makes, and surprise! it's the triquetra symbol.

FLOWER RING

This was my first attempt at working with 18ct gold. The idea was to design around a stone that was provided by a client. My stone was a synthetic blue spinel, which I replaced with an aquamarine when I had it set. The purple stones are iolites and the rim is pave set with diamonds.