Inspiration...

Inspiration for a new design can come from almost anywhere, everywhere I look I see shapes...colours...form that I think could be construed as a jewellery design.  I try to take pictures when I have time but sometimes I dont think about it until afterwards.

Even things such as doing the garden (not my most enjoyable activity) can take on new forms.  Yesterday I decided to take advantage of the good weather and start the garden tidy up...on go my new fuschia pink gardening gloves and wellies and out I go.



When I was out digging I noticed these pretty flowers, I must pass them at least 4 or 5 times per day as I drive in but I never noticed them; quite sad really as they are so nice.  Its been so busy lately I've not had much time to look at anything!  Using this as further inspiration for my recent works I decided that it would be nice to incorporate this picture into some jewellery pieces I am making for Culross Gallery.


     





New Approach to Jewellery

The recent rise in precious metals has been a bit of a sore point for most jewellers, especially for small self employed students like myself....if raw material prices rise this means that sales prices of finished pieces will also rise....not good for us in this financial crisis. 

One of our new classes is based on alternative materials.....something I have not been excited about in previous years!  This year I have decided to embrace this new learning and experiment with new materials and new techniques...I'm sure I could do more but am sometime limited within my own personal taste of clean lines and 'tidyness'! 

Materials that I could use are almost endless...what could be done with them limitless.  Here is a photo of a new piece I have recently made.  Materials used were sterling silver round wire to make the chain and formica for the colour inserts and the huge pendant (a scale that would be far too expensive in silver!)

Busy Busy Busy!

I have been so busy with my course recently, we are doing a graded unit and I need...well...want an A.  I dont like doing things by halfs!

Trying to organise for my upcoming exhibition at the Collins Gallery in Strathclyde, I have 9 pieces left to make so must get my designs finalised by Sunday so I have plenty of time for making them.  I am really looking forward to the exhibition, its been an ambition for quite a few years to participate in something this. So happy!  I have an interview with the college and our local newspaper on Monday about the exhibit so we'll see how that goes!

Hopefully I will make some new pieces over the next week or so.