Wake Up. ... J2 works (plus a painting)

Hey lovers.

What a semester. It was absolutely horrid for the most part, but ended beautifully and I am going to miss it like nobody's business. I'm so sorry it's over.

SOOOO many pictures, I know.






Project 1. Mechanical and Chemical surface treatments.
Copper tiles, 3" x 3". Mounted in wooden shadow boxes- painted black.
This project took the most time. I really didn't like my results until today when I mounted them, I found that I suppose I like it. I'd like to re-do some pieces but ehhhhh maybe one day when I'm really bored haha. I didn't love it too much. I liked learning new techniques but I didn't like the whole themed thing.





Project 2: Narrative Pendant
I loved my concept for it in the beginning, but I'm not happy with the way it turned out. It didn't come out as clean as I'd liked, and the whole patina thing was a mess. Also, I think I might have inhaled an unhealthy amount of nickel silver. Hahah coooool. But I did like the flange. And the chain was something I'm pretty proud of. I'd rather not have had to patina it but it looked better. I'm not the biggest fan of patinas at the moment.




Art Nouveau ring. It form fits to your other fingers when you wear it in the middle.



Art Deco box.

Project 3: Fabricating a hollow form.
We were to create a piece influenced by a specific art movement. I ended up with two because I really liked the designs. I was going to make a third, a brooch but I didn't have time. We learned how to make hinges and a clasp, and I really wanted to make a hinge although it didn't turn out as clean as I'd like it to. And I melted my brass at some point which you can only really tell when you open it up and see the patches I soldered on. The most frustrating part of this whole thing was polishing it. Sanding those corners was pure hell.




We learned stone setting at the end.


This is something I made for Morgan's birthday/my stone setting sample for class.
I started putting together a bunch more to get ready for stone setting, but the semester is over and I'm no longer allowed into the studio :(



My scrap ring! I was waiting for my work to pickle one night and decided to throw together some rings that accidentally got soldered stiff.


The beginning of another small project. It's supposed to be a coffee cup and I'm going to solder a plate to the bottom and turn it into a necklace. I'll also probably be getting some resin with Allison so I can fill it with "water." However, I hate copper so I'm gonna re-do it sometime over the summer.


Something I made for Sam- his logo. I have to polish it.




The two things I started over winter break and soldered together in February. I have to polish it (ugh I hate sanding corners, especially this small...) I am trying so hard to finish it haha but I'll get bored over the summer and want to do it.


You can't tell but I broke off one of the birds :( I have to go in tomorrow and do it before class is over!


This was my chasing and repoussé sample. I really like the way it looks- it's kind of weird. But I wanna turn it into a pendant or something.


I had this cut during the fall semester from Ponoko. I never ended up making a necklace out of it- something I want to do. I also want to make this out of brass.



NOT jewelry and metals; my painting final. I really liked the result a lot. Still some polishing to do.

I am so tired.

I also have a lot to consider, in reference to my major. I've been doing a lot of thinking that potentially messes up plans that I've made years ago for my future, and I'm a little bit scared about what will happen. A lot scared, actually. We'll see what happens. Updates after my final Tuesday night. Crit tomorrow morning in less than 6 hours.

What if you never heard a word they say,
And up were down and night were day?
I bet you'd have a lot more time to play
If you'd let yourself go

Breath deep,
Speak out,
Make up your mind,
Be brave,
Follow your dreams,
Listen to you heart,
Close your eyes,
Make a wish.

-"Wake Up" by The Ditty Bops

Pendant Review.

Hey lovers.

I do this all the time. I plan and plan and get really excited about something and I'm never completely satisfied with my work haha. (Although this time for my last project I swear I think I'll actually really like it.)

Title: The Beginning to the End
Dimensions: 2.5" x 2" x 0.5"
Materials: Copper, Brass, Nickel Silver

Chasing/Repoussé
Etching (underneath)
Fumed Ammonia on copper centerpiece

Piercing
Riveting

You can't see it but in the first picture, you can slide the cover off and there's an etching that has the word "Adventure" in Mandarin Chinese.

Each part of the pendant symbolizes a stage of Cecilia's relationship with James. The pierced flower represents the beginning when he brought her flowers almost everyday, the chased and repousséd rings represent their current engagement, and the etching in the middle says "adventure" about their future in Chinese because they are moving to Taiwan in June 2010.

One thing that I would like to have improved would be the rivet. The day before finishing the project, the top rivet fell apart (and I suspect it was because I re-patinated after the rivet was in) so I had to redo it and rush.

As per review by Becca Haviland...

The images relate and each part of the pendant works in unity. Equal emphasis is put on each part. The patina is still not entirely consistent even after the re-patination. The etch could be cleaner. The cut of the flange is clean.



I got a jump start on my last project. Not so much a jump start as an advantage thanks to Elise who stayed in the studio this past Monday 2 and a half hours longer. I got SO much done that night that I was able to take a break for my lovely best friend's birthday!! :) I love you Meg Tully!

Project 3: Fabricating a Hollowform



First one is gonna be a pendant. It's based on the Art Deco movement, mirroring a door design. I'll have to find that picture again.

The second one is a ring, to mirror the Art Nouveau movement. I'm also making a pendant but I haven't started that yet- I'd like to completely finish out the ring and pendant before I do another pendant, just to be sure I have something to show hahah



Outside Projects

Not so much a project as a thing I threw together while I was waiting for my chain to pickle (from Project 2, the pendent).


I started cutting these pieces out over winter break and put it together a month or so into this semester. Just gotta polish.


I gotta figure out what to do about the chain/attachment.

I'm lamenting over the fact that I will not have a studio to work in ALL SUMMER. WHAT am I going to do.

I need to buy a torchhh

http://accentyourself.blogspot.com/2008/01/soldering-tools-supply-list.html
Maybe?

I also would kill to take Enameling or Metalsmithing (to learn casting) but sjskjfsjklfs 1, too much extra work that would not count for my major and 2, Enameling has not been offered in a long time.

Whaaaaaaat am I gonna do without the studio??

+Love+

random things i wanna make/buy

$7.50... maaaaybe?

Cabachon

Project 4: Fabricating a Hollow Form and Stone Setting

Hey lovers.

I don't have much time; I'm trying to get to sleep early.

-Choose an art period as an influence
-Incorporate the use of a hollow form
-Incorporate stone setting into the design







http://smartpeopleiknow.wordpress.com/2008/08/30/from-furniture-to-art/

I just thought that last one was really awesome.

Art Nouveau much?

Pictures of dinky maquettes later. I think I inhaled too much acrylic dust from my hour of sawing and drilling.

+Love+

Business Time.

Hey lovers.

I lied. I'm so bad at keeping up these days. But here goes.

Again, I have been unbelievably busy. I have successfully dragged my out for the first night since the one week after the snow storm. So it's been over a month since I really hung out with Meg, that one girl I live with and see every single day. Hahah unbelievable. I had gone out twice before, when I went to visit Will in DC and to Loch Raven but that was it.

I am not a very brave soul when it comes to painting. I try to push the shadows but at the moment I'm painting, I'm thinking "wait... thats TOO much." And upon looking at it later, I'm thinking "you can barely tell." Ah, I am not a painter at all. I have another painting I actually ended up liking but they're in the studio/hallway.

All of these are VERY old, from the first two weeks of the semester. I just haven't had time to grab the other paintings to photograph and upload.


These are the sketches I made up over spring break for my pendant. The shape took over a more teardrop shape rather than a simple circle. The center piece is going to be copper with a turquoise patina. GORGEOUS color!


I had issues with the patina for about a week or so. The patina managed to bulk up at the bottom of the piece so I suspended it horizontally. For a week, it kept coming out chunky and I could not figure out why.


Then I found a jug of ammonia at work and went to town. I poured out the old ammonia which had turned blue, finding that that was the trouble. I had dropped my piece in the ammonia a few times which contaminated it, so now with a fresh batch of ammonia, my piece is well on its way.

The first one here was taken with a yellow light so it looks better than that. It still looks a little spotty so I'll probably seal the other side (since it looks like it'll be perfect) and redo it.


In between waiting for my metal to arrive, I worked on a ring and locket. It turned out pretty well. The locket isn't entirely clean in terms of soldering and I just learned a new technique I could retry the locket on (scoring and bending metal) so I might do it over the summer if I can save up for a torch and pickle supplies.

I was going to do the other pieces in silver but as it turns out, the cost would have been about 60 dollars which made my heart jump. Nickel silver was 15 dollars for twice the amount. I've been so worried about money that I just had a dream (during my accidental 5 hour nap after a long day of work) that I just kept finding money everywhere. And instead of dreaming about going on a shopping spree, I thought to myself, "well, now I can pay for school next semester!"

Funny what priorities will be established, even in dreams.

Speaking of priorities, my grades currently look like this: A A A A A

It's damn well pleasing to know that busting my ass for the past month and some has paid off and I could not be happier! I did sacrifice my social life but I came here to learn and it's not like I'm not having fun anyway. I actually have ended up liking my Modern Design art history class, I'm warming up to Chinese art history, and as always, I love jewelry/metals. Painting is only fun because I love Paul Jeanes.

I have had dreams (and these dreams tend to be quite realistic in terms of subject) where I seriously consider switching my major to something in metals. I put so much more time into it than my regular classes. But as much as I love it, I know I don't really have the creativity or skill to make it my major. However, who says I can't still do it on the side? And if I was wrong and it turns out I do have some good products, then so be it. I'll go from there. I just can't really abandon something that I had been in love with.

Who knows. We'll find out at one point or another.

And if we're going to be honest, my passion is completely in music. I would give up everything to go follow Jamie Cullum for the rest of my life. But ah, realistically, the chances of following him on his tour or any other band I'd really like are much lower than I'd like to say hahah

Well, my direction now just as great for me.

And OH! I had a post lost in the mix back during spring break, when I actually did talk about ideas for my pendant before I even drew it I think. So I'm slipping that back in a post before this.

+Love+

You and you glance
Make this romance
Too hot to handle.
Stars in the night
Blazing their light
Can't hold a candle
To your razzle-dazzle.
"Old Devil Moon" cover by Jamie Cullum

Is it awkward that I'm literally addicted to him?

The Aftermath

Hey lovers.

You would never believe me if I said that I haven't had a moment long enough to update this since last time (that being February 24th). But I'm going to say it anyway.

I haven't had a moment long enough to update this since last time.

I've been to concerts (and one more tomorrow night!) and in the studio and to the doctor's (back again tomorrow morning) and to DC to visit a lovely old friend and made a lovely new friend who came all the way from Virginia to visit me. All that and projects and paintings and papers and lectures and work and searching for an additional job.

That additional job just might kill me considering what my last month has been like.

I have been working relentlessly on our most recent project. I didn't even get a chance to take pictures for the record because 1) my camera is broken and 2) I always forgot. So once I get it back, I'll probably discuss some of my favorites, and I'll have time to now that the rush of everything is finally over. Thank God.

I went to the Muse concert. 4 rows from the front. Phenomenal tech. Lights and lasers and fog and giant balloons filled with confetti. And mosh pits and screaming (my own lungs out). Words can hardly describe the tech- the lights and lasers were just as I had been dreaming of for 6 years. :)

Unfortunately not my photo. This is http://www.flickr.com/photos/nelsonmuntz

photo/ He has some fabulous photos.

And just when I thought Muse couldn't be topped, I saw Jamie Cullum. I'm scared to say it but Jamie Cullum really beat out Muse. Mostly because he talked a lot to the audience and it was so intimate. I was second row. I could have touched him (but didn't, it would have been sort of awkward).

That night was absolutely perfect. Jamie Cullum is a jazz god. Hahaha. I went from alternative rock/punk/synth/metal to jazz in 4 days. It was a perfect night. I went with Lindsey, who I haven't seen in months, and I missed her so much. We caught up on a million things and it was a well-needed night. I was stressing out so much about my metals project and my paintings and I really needed to get away from it all for a few hours. I almost would have skipped out on the concert had I not already paid $30.

Jamie had such showmanship. He jumped on and off the piano, beatboxed, played the piano like a drum, jumped into the crowd, singing and dancing, tore off his suit down to his jeans and tshirt, and covered a couple of hip hop songs I didn't like and turned them into some of my favorite songs. I am so in love with him hahaha

But that night, we met Johnny Morgan. A wonderful boy who we met in the little chinese sub shop after the show. He had a rather hefty accent. He moved from Belfast 3 or 4 years ago. He was originally from England (I forgot the city), but then moved to Germany, and then Belfast before he moved to Virginia. He's high on politics and art, on theatre and literature, on jazz and musical scores, and a million other things I wish I was on. He's in high school. I never would have guessed.

We started talking because I was telling Lindsey how I really needed to get to the studio early in the morning to work on my metals project (which I didn't get to do). We ended up talking until 1 in the morning and found that the subway closed at midnight. So we took an extremely expensive cab back to Greenbelt. :( But at least we were home. I got home around 3ish and collapsed into bed by 4. And woke up at 9 again. But I woke up refreshed and energized and happy. :)

But shortly after, everything came down on me again, and for the next 2 weeks (until just today), I had tests to study for (which was the most stressful), projects to finish, papers to write, wisdom teeth to extract, eye doctors to see, and friends to see. But the friends were a rare occurrence.

I visited Will in DC, Johnny came to visit one evening, and Sam and I went to Loch Raven one afternoon (which ended up being a homework session anyway).

My life is consumed. I suppose I like being busy, but its just gotten too busy. I never see my friends from home anymore- I never hang out with my own roommates because I'm either in the studio, working, or exhausted from either one. Also, on top of it all, I've been horribly sick for over a week. I haven't been sick in years, and when I was, I'd never have to go to the doctor. Which is something I have to do tomorrow morning. I've been dragging myself through this week. Sunday, I'll get to rest. Sort of. Another painting is due.

And ahh. Guess who's back who I've run into several times now? David Page. Hahahah

This was pretty much my rambling/whining. I'll get back to business when I get my pieces back Monday, I'm assuming. And I'll have sketches of my pendant project. I'm REALLY excited about that one.

Sunday, I'll put up some photos of my paintings because I actually like some of them, as boring as they may be.

+Love+

And oh. Imelda May, hailing from Dublin Ireland. A goddess. I absolutely fell in love with her when she opened for Jamie Cullum. Its not just because she's from Ireland either, because everyone knows my obsession with Ireland haha. She's a mix of Blues, Rockabilly, and Jazz. It's odd hearing this from a heavily accented Irishwoman. She has no hint of an accent in her singing.

Take your cigarettes
take your jokes,
I'll find someone else who smokes
or high
or makes me laugh
"Smoker's Song" - Imelda May

Spring Break? What's that?

Really, what is it? I can only thank god that we don't have classes this week- otherwise I don't know how I'd ever finish the things I need to. In fact, I'm still not sure if I can. I spent this entire week thus far in bed recovering from my maxillofacial surgery (haha) and getting sick the very same day. I only had time to spend a day with a new friend, Johnny from Virginia, the English kid I met at Jamie Cullum's concert (phenomenal, by the way) and a day with Sam, Will, and Raimondo (Will's Italian roommate) down in D.C.

I have so much to do. School-wise, I had to memorize 50 pieces for Chinese Art (usually not too bad but considering a lot of the names are in Chinese...), do my Modern Design lectures, do 3 poster designs, and my design sketches for my pendant project.

In any case, I decided to take a break from Chinese Art and map out my pendant work.

Originally, I had these broad themes, but upon a detailed assignment briefing, I narrowed it down to two things. We are to tell a story, and thereby making this an extremely personal and narrative piece. I am in love with this project. I hope it turns out as I want it to.

I

Marriage- specifically my sister and James.
They are not to get married for another year or so- this summer I know James is going to formally propose. :) It would be a great piece to give to Cecilia before she leaves for Taiwan this August.
I was thinking I would start with a symbol that signifies how they met (at work, when James had just came back from China), a classic marriage symbol (bonded or connected wedding rings), and a symbol that represents what we can assume their future will be in Taiwan.
I want one side of the pendant to be how they met, the other to be their future, and hanging off would be the wedding symbol.

Field Trippin'.

Hey lovers.

Class field trip!

It was at the Baltimore Convention Center. I’m ashamed to say I don’t get downtown as often as I’d like, but I finally had a reason to. I suppose I don’t go because I never have money, and what are you going to do without money?

I picked up a load of postcards and such from a lot of different designers I liked. I loved looking at everything. It reminded me of an antiques mall. I didn’t start zoning out as I always do when I’m shopping or at a museum. It was probably because my dad sent me his coffee, and he likes his coffee super strong so I was wired for the rest of the day. Five minutes after I finished it in the car, I was shaking and had the jitters for the rest of the day. It’s 9:10 and I’m finally coming down.

In any event, these might be my favorites.

Manya and Roumen LCC
"Dove on a Walnut Branch ring"
Sterling silver, 2 emeralds, 2 rubies, gold-plating

This is my absolute favorite piece and group. There was this one woman and this man. I don't know if that would be Manya and Roumen, but in any event, Laura and I talked to them. They carve a wax figure and have it cast in whatever material they want. I looooooved the dove ring. She talked about how she had pieces carved and sent off to be cast and set in silver, and then pieces of the gold parts were put together at another location. I noticed that a lot of places would have things sent to another location to have certain things done, so it wasn't like it was all once place.

Hilary Hachey
"Avocado Cuff II"
Hand-fabricated sterling silver cuff is partially oxidized.

This one is very reminiscent of Megan's design. I had Megan Auman last semester.
I don't particularly love oxidized silver, but I really loved this design.

Jennifer Bauser

These spirals were on a necklace that I liked, but I couldn't find a picture of them online. It reminded me a lot of something that I saw one of the grad students (I think), Sherri, making.

Christine Simpson-Forni
"Floating Pearl Pendant"
Sterling Silver, Pearls

I liked how the gems did look like they were floating haha. I also absolutely love pearls. This looks a bit more industrial than the rest, but elegant all at the same time.

It was fantastic seeing it all because still blows my mind how these things are done by hand. I would love to learn glass blowing and however they make those Lucite jewelry pieces. I also want to figure out how exactly they get pearls and shells into some of the pieces without burning them.

I also would love to figure out how to make this ring.

I bought it at Boscov’s a few years ago, and unfortunately, it just got worn down. When the pearl popped off, I decided that was it. I probably wouldn’t be able to, considering materials haha

Seeing the show got me excited about stone setting. I can’t wait to see what I can make. And our next project will definitely be more interesting to me. I mean I like the techniques we’re learning because it’s an expansion but I want to apply it to jewelry.

I reaaaaally hope I can keep taking classes to use to the studio next semester. Bahhhh.

+Love+

She's a melody
That I've tried to forget but I can't
It still follows me
When I wake in the dead of the night
And I know that I can't find
That song going round in my head
Like the last things you said
"I'm All Over It Now" - Jamie Cullum

So Kim, my mom's business partner, went to the show yesterday. I didn't realize you'd have to pay to get in for the retail show, so I'm sooooo glad we got to go. She brought back a bunch of postcards that I liked and I must have missed. I wrote them down though so I could check it out on my own. kristinperkins.com (glass jewelry, wanna learn this!!) and elementsjillschwartz.com (vintage style beads jewelry)

I told Kim about my favorite one, the Manya and Roumen group and throughout the day I started to realize how much I loved them. I'm like half serious about buying a piece haaha except it'll have to be my wedding ring or something because I'm not made of money. hahaha good wedding ring. I love how it's a sculpture. It's definitely more art based than design based. Ahh I'm in love with it.

I wish I could go back, but I don't have a ride or anything. Allison has to work all daysies. :(