Project #4 from Lexi Erickson's Art Jewelry Workshop
After Saturday's class we had homework. Come up with designs for our next two projects that we would do on Sunday. We also had some reading assignments. It was a nice way to relax and let some of what I had learned sink in.
That evening I came up with several designs, but none of them really 'spoke' to me. When I got up on Sunday, I had time for a nice breakfast at The Hand Hotel and I decided to walk around the hotel and explore a little bit. It is a very quaint Bed & Breakfast and had lots of nooks and crannies. Some quiet little sitting areas and I decided to relax, get out my sketch book and see what else came to mind. I had some nice subject materials around me and found this great shot of a Puffin with a mouth full of shrimp to feed her young. The design literally jumped out at me. This beautiful Puffin beak would make a great design for a pendant. And as I looked more closely, I loved the shape of her eyes. They became my design for these overlay earrings. With my trusty digital camera, I snapped this picture of a picture so I could have it to refer back to in the future for my pendant design. If anyone had seen me doing this, I'm sure they would have questioned my sanity...taking a photo of a picture in a magazine when there is so much beauty in the scenery surrounding Fairplay! However, this was important for my art. :)
As my first attempt at this technique, I made a number of mistakes. One of the eyes has some fire scale, which I can and will sand to remove. The other one moved on me in the soldering process so I have some solder on the copper and need to work on that too. I did run these through the rolling mill with some textured paper to create a very soft texture...it's hard to see in this photo. And the shapes aren't completely perfect either. However, the important thing was learning the various techniques and I'm looking forward to creating my next overlay project.
10 comments:
Hey Kathleen, Very pretty new work! Isn't a workshop the most fun? And your hotel looked like a great place to stay. I'll check back on your overlays.
It's difficult to see the imperfections you've mentioned. These are exquisite. They remind me of some sort of ancient artifact/jewel that's been unearthed. I love their similarity, and yet that they're not exact duplicates.
And, too funny that you're photographing magazines!
Thanks Sue. I just love workshops, especially when you have a wonderful teacher...like Lexi. The hotel was just delightful. Once I got to Fairplay I was told that the hotel was haunted...part of its ambiance, however, I was not visited during my stay there. :)
Hi Karen, you have such keen observations, I like that these earrings remind you of an ancient artifact...I'm sure Lexi would enjoy this as she is an archeologist too. Ya, here I am taking pictures of magazines. If I had been home I would have scanned the images for future reference or clipped them for my journal. I'm just thankful I had my camera and could improvise with preserving something that was the source of a design idea. :D
These are really impressive! I like your inspiration source and the story behind it, too! Knowing the story gives the earrings a bit more personality. And now that I have a better idea of the skills involved to make these, I'm even more impressed.
Thanks Sandy! I'm looking forward to seeing your complete projects from your workshop too! :)
Wonderful pieces born from a wonderful inspiration! Beautiful work, K! Your committment to trying new things is amazing.
Thanks Tracey!
These are so unusual - I love em! Must really look great with light coming though them. I can't see the imperfections either, but of course we're our own worst critics aren't we? I think that most people don't see what we consider our 'mistakes'.
Thanks Deborah! It's nice the camera doesn't show 'everything' at times. I really like these and look forward to coming up with more unique designs.
I love these! and they do remind me of the puffin's eyes.
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