The Walter's and Me...

Part of my motivation to take this year off from teaching was to be able to focus more on my metals and art jewelry education. I have been taking course through MICA's Jewelry program off and on for about 3 years now. The problem was that many of the courses were offered during the day, and I sort of hit a wall where I either continued on and really went for it- taking as many courses as I could and focusing on them, or continued on taking a course here and there and not really having the time for them. I was set to register for "Perfecting Basic Skills and Metal Forming 2, when imagine my surprise when I received word from the program director that I was being "invited" to participate in a special collaborative project and class with the Walters Art Museum! I had seen the listing in the course catalog, it was very mysterious in it's description, and I figured it was only being offered to the very advanced students. It seems that some of the museum board members are fans of Project Runway (as they should be!) and were intrigued by last years episode where the designers went to the MET and created garments inspired by the collection. They figured, why can't we do something similar in conjunction with the new exhibit Bedazzled: 5,000 Years of Jewelry and Art Blooms, which is a juried fine art jewelry fair. So students from the jewelry program as well as several selected from the fibers program, have been challenged with creating work that is inspired by the Walter's Ancient collection. And get this- the work will be displayed runway style during the preview party for Art Blooms, and then will be on display in the museum for a brief amount of time afterwards! April Wood, our fabulous instructor, is also challenging us with creating work that pushes the boundary of wearable art. I am so excited I can hardly wait to get started! Last night we had a slide lecture on contemporary jewelry and fashion and then brain stormed as group. I'll be sure to update you all as it progresses!

Ring Class- the results...

Here are my two final cast rings. We used the lost wax cast process which was really interesting to learn. First we had to carve a ring out of a block of wax- which I found surprisingly difficult. Up until now we have been working additively, building and engineering rings. This carving threw me for a loop as we were taking away to get the form. The hardest part was getting started, and I just kept having to tell myself that is was only wax. Then we had to "sprue" the wax rings to a "tree" to make the model to pour the plaster investment around. Once that hardens the wax is melted out in the kiln leaving a plaster mold. Metal is melted down till molten, poured into the cast, and voila you have a sterling ring. I have really condensed the description of this process, of course there are many more steps but you get the gist of it. Enjoy!

Ring Class

Last evening was our final critique and for the ring class I've been taking at MICA. I forgot that I promised my dear (translate that to few) readers that I would give updates and post pictures of my work. I managed to keep it together and complete all my assignments- with only one minor melt down and 1 saw blade and finger episode- this is a new record for me. Anyhow, aside from the numerous samples I created in copper, I completed several finished silver pieces. The assignments included forged rings out of wire, stock and tube, cast rings, an unusual stone setting, moving parts ring, and alternative materials.
Here are my results:




I apologize for the lack of detail in the shots, I had to shoot them quickly before they were packed up for our show and end of year party on Thursday! I'll post better pics soon, but wanted to give you all a chance to see what I've been up to.

Who Knew??

That there was so much math involved in jewelry making???? Last night was my first class in ring making at MICA, with the very talented Kirsten Rook, who by the way is featured in this book
"1000 Rings." I was doing fine with all the tools, terminology, and materials, until she began writing on the board the formula for finding the inner circumference of a ring. My eyes glazed over. It involved multiple multiplications and additions and I think even the use of "pi." I haven't see that since I almost failed algebra 2 in high school. Let's just say that a certain somebody WANTED to be a veterinarian until that somebody discovered just how much math was involved, and then that somebody ended up in art school. And now that math is back to haunt me. The flip side is that I have somehow grown into a "bit" of an anal retentive perfectionist, so getting the equation right equals a perfect fit. I realized just how much trouble I was in as Kirsten began explaining how you had to file the ends of the ring "perfectly" so they fit together nicely, and I realized I had already worked up a sweat with just my filing. It's going to be a long semester....