Pennies from Heaven

I walk through these leaves at this time every year. The yellow against the tarmac reminds me of gold coins unearthed from an archaeological dig.   

Iron bowls

I have two shallow cast iron bowls. 

I don't know what the original use of them were I had them in the workshop with water in; as rinsing bowls for small pieces of soldering.

They are quietly beautiful to behold, so maybe it was wrong of me, but I like to use things. 

What followed was a fascinating study in evaporation. As well as rusting there were residues left from whatever got into the rinsing water.

Now I can't bear to clean them - as they are even more beautiful.

Maybe I should clean one/leave one as a comparison.

Lichen - liken' it!

A wet weekend in Ambleside. 

it's ok, I quite like the rain

 

 " Guinness"

I spent some time inspecting this stone trough in the garden. The lichen markings on it were most striking.

(stone trough/man-made + lichen/nature) + time = wabi-sabi

some rainy bracelets

Bangles in the sky

Went for a stroll on Sunday, making the most of a rare day of sunshine.

St john's church ruins, Chester

these arches would make great bangles for giants.

Acorn, Oak , Kew

Having spent the week trying to shrug off an annoyingly persistent cold, it made me think of a previous instance of cold "nuisancery" on a trip to London a couple of years ago. As well taking away memories of a feverish episode in the palm house, I came back with an acorn in my pocket.

Possibly it came from this tree, otherwise I can't think why on earth I took this photo.

Made a resin+metal replica of the acorn, cut a circle of silver and began...

a little

bit of

doming

a little

bit of

raising to bring edges over

soft texture with my favourite pitted hammer

and addition of "stalky" bit (obviously not yet cut to size)

still life on workbench: acorn, shell, silver button

The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair was an opportunity to show the collection I have been working on for some time.

Although working with metal is something I really enjoy and feel an affinity with, for a long time I have also enjoyed experimenting with mould-making. So, a large portion of the jewellery I had at the show was the resin bangles, seen here.

My work, whatever materials i am working with, often revolves around repeats. My research often keeps bringing me back to themes that deal with similarities and differences. So, although, as in this instance I am working with moulds, every piece is hand worked in differing ways and each item is unique, there is never an exact replica. The mould is merely a starting point.......

stand details

stand details

Thanks to everybody who dropped by the stand, I met some good people over that weekend; exhibitors and visitors alike. Of course, I also had an excellent time as I was aided and abetted by two of my sisters, Roz and Jade!

They are both jewellery designer makers aswell.

Here's their "helping hands"

Anyway, the starting point for this collection began with mark-making, going back to the earliest examples of ancient art and artefacts.

Diepkloof ostrich shells, approximately 60,000 yr old

I was captivated by the archeological find of many fragments of ostrich shells at a site in South Africa. The engraved lines on these fragments have prompted much debate and theories surrounding such an early use of symbolism. While we might never know the "whys" of these marks, the quantity of different pieces found means we get to see many variations on the development of the theme i.e. lines.

Early experiments using the bangle as a vehicle for the interchange of patterns, changing the sequence, adding and subtracting pieces. Keeping it graphic, black + white.
I enjoy making multiples as a way of manifesting initial ideas. You can repeat to compare and contrast, e.g. overall shape, finish, mark-making. Without even starting to add colour - almost too many permutations there!

This process brings to mind the self-imposed system of an artist called Channa Horwitz of whom I have very recently heard about, but instantly found the work and the artist herself fascinating. http://www.theawakenedeye.com/artisans/horwitz.htm

I saw her in an interview with the artist from Frieze art fair on BBC2's The Culture Show (no longer on iplayer, unfortunately), but if you can get your hands on the COS a/w 2011 catalogue there is an interview in there, as well as a free poster! COS

I'll leave you to discover more about the self imposed restrictions the artist works within.

Channa Horwitz, Flag #2, 1984

So, back to bangles, starting to add colour.....

These bangle stacks reminded me of an image I liked in Isle Crawford's book "Sensual Home" (always worthwhile revisiting this; reminds me of times past. I got this from Habitat, when I worked there, years ago.)

horizontal book spines.

it's all about the edge!