Beginning Student Work

Intermediate and Advanced Student Work

League for Innovation

Congratulations to M. Floto for being accepted into

the League for Innovation.

This is the selected piece; it is titled Brooch and was made in the Advanced Metals Class this Fall, 2009. Materials include brass, copper, garnet and sterling silver.

Thank You

Thank you to all of my students for such a wonderful semester. It was an honor to work with you.

Sketchbook Checklists

The PDFs of the sketchbook checklists are now available for download. Just select the link for your course below to access the file.

ARTS2341 - Beginning Metals & Jewelry
ARTS 2342 & 2311 - Metals & Jewelry II & Advanced

This is the checklist I will use to grade your sketchbooks. Your sketchbook probably has things in a different order. That is fine, as long everything is in there. Securely.

Quizzes Tuesday, December 1: Beginning - casting; II & Advanced - Foldforming

Happy Thanksgiving! Have a wonderful holiday.

Hiroshi Suzuki

This is a link to a catalog of the works of Hiroshi Suzuki from Adrian Sassoon art dealers in London. There is a brief article on the artist and images of his oeuvre. Enjoy.

go to the catalog

Get Hammered

For those of you interested in the sculptural possibilities within the field of metalwork, this link will take you to an interesting gallery in the Netherlands:

Studio925

Take a break from all that studying and get inspired by the images of amazing metalwork you will find.

Cleaned and Polished Casting

Finishing the Cast Band

This slide show illustrates the process for finishing the bronze cuttlebone casting. You can follow the link to Flikr to read the captions explaining each step.

Advanced Metals Final Project

A PDF of Project 5, which was distributed and discussed in class on Thursday is available here.

Alternate Project for Beginning Metals

This is a link to your project file:

Evolution

please leave a message in the comments, if this link does not work for you. It is a PDF so you will have to have Adobe Reader. Feel free to discuss the assignment amongst yourselves (nicely) via the comments section.

Eye Candy

http://www.catherinechandler.com/

Interesting work and excellent photography. Check it out.

Making one mold out of large cuttlebone

Photos of the process. You can go to Flickr to read the descriptions of each step.

A thought on cuttlebone

I was thinking about the whole cutting cuttlebone issue last night. I know some of you were struggling with getting an even cut. It is not an easy thing to accomplish. I haven't tried this approach yet but I see no reason that it shouldn't work:

1. Cut a large cuttlebone (like the ones distributed in class) in half and trim the ends as before.
2. Split the cuttlebone to make a mold and do the same with the second half.
3. Use the resulting thick pieces of the two splits to make your mold. This way, you don't have to worry about splitting the mold evenly (as was so troublesome during class); you just use the thickest cuts from both pieces.
4. Sand the faces of the two splits to fit together flush.
5. Carve your mold into the cuttlebone but be sure to leave 1/8" surrounding the cavity on the face of the smaller piece.

We will spend a bit of time in class refining the molds that you are working on. Be sure and get a good start and email me if you have any questions.

In Class- Thursday, October 15

MacKenzie gave a presentation on artist Sergey Jivetin and Ashley gave a presentation on Joe Wood. If you missed the presentations, take a moment to check out the work of these two artists. Aside from having an opportunity to see the works of various contemporary practitioners of metalwork and jewelry design, these presentations have given us a wonderful opportunity to discuss various conceptual possibilities, materials, working processes, and approaches to design.

Metals I reviewed design proposals and continued to work on the container projects. There was a brief review and demonstration on soldering with two torches.

Advanced Metals had a review/ demonstration of crimping and raising and spent the remainder of the class working on the raised vessels.

For Tuesday:
Fred, Kelaine, and Kari are scheduled to give their presentations at the beginning of class.

Metals I will have a brief demonstration of bezel setting (optional) and continue work on the container project.

Advanced Metals will continue work on the raised vessels.

In Class - Tuesday, October 13

Yolanda gave a presentation on Curtis H. Arima and Hannah gave hers on Cynthia Eid. For those of you who missed class, you might take a moment to investigate the work of these two artists.

Following the presentations, Metals I discussed designs and ideas for the container project. The remainder of class was spent working on the project.

Advanced Metals had a demonstration on crimping and angle raising. This demonstration included:

• Designing and measuring the full-size rendering for construction.
• Using dividers in the kernel to mark and cut a disk.
• Annealing with the rosebud tip.
• Dividing and marking the disk.
• Crimping the disk on a v-block with a soft cross-peen hammer.
• Raising the disk on a T-stake with a raising hammer.

For Thursday:

Ashley, Kari, and MacKenzie will give presentations.

Metals I will have a brief discussion of designs for the Container Project and potential technical issues. Storyboards should be completed by the beginning of class. There will also be a demonstration of bezel setting (optional) and a recap of soldering with two torches. The remainder of the class will be spent working on the project.

Advanced Metals will have a discussion of designs for the Vessel Project. There will also be a second demonstration of the raising process. Be sure to complete the assigned reading and have disks cut and ready to work. The remainder of class will be spent working on the project.

No Class Today

Good morning metals people. I regret that I have to cancel class for today. We will proceed, as scheduled, with presentations on Tuesday. Then there will be demonstrations for the advanced students and work time for beginning students.

Advanced students, be sure to take a look at David Huang's website for a wonderfully illustrated series on raising (the "Artprize Entry" album).

More than rings...

So I was surfing the Internet for some interesting images to show you and I stumbled upon this blog with amazing images: http://ringmariporris.blogspot.com/. You should definitely take a moment to check it out; the work is inspiring.

Thursday's Warm-Up

This is a link to the website of artist David Huang
www.davidhuang.org

You should definitely take some time to check out his photo galleries. He has extensive photographs of the processes he uses to create his vessels. I hope you will find it both inspiring and informative.

In case you were wondering, the answers to the first two questions were:

1. Despite the fact that the techniques of chasing and engraving may have similar results, no metal is removed in chasing.
2. The primary difference between chasing and repousse is that repousse is primarily worked from the back (the literal translation of repousse is pushed back) while chasing is worked entirely from the front.

Image List for September 10, 2009 (Texture)

The image list for the textures presentation given in class on Thursday.

1. Protean Cameo #9 and Protean Cameo #10, 2000 by Heather White van Stolk; The Penland Book of Jewelry, p. 100
2. Nativity Series Brooch and Earrings, 2004 by So Young Park; The Art and Craft of Making Jewelry, p. 85
3. 2 Bracelets, 2004 by Alan Revere; The Art and Craft of Making Jewelry, p. 38
4. Double Eclipse, 2004 by Alan Revere; The Art and Craft of Making Jewelry, p. 9
5. Landscape Brooch, 1996 by Deganit Stern Schocken; Metalsmith Magazine v.28 n.2, p. 47
6. Pomengranate, 1996 by Douglas Harling; The Penland Book of Jewelry, p. 215
7. Reading the Wind, 2004 by Jacquelyn A. Crissman; The Art and Craft of Making Jewelry, p. 108
8. Untitled, 2004 by Liana Patsuria; The Art and Craft of Making Jewelry, p. 109
9. Necklace- Hand Held Heart Loved, 2001 by Felicity Peters; The Art and Craft of Making Jewelry, p. 114
10. Untitled, 1998 by Mary Schimpff Webb; The Penland Book of Jewelry, p. 51
11. Untitled, 2002 by Darren Fisher; The Art and Craft of Making Jewelry, p. 24
12. Summit, 2007 by John Marshall; Metalsmith Magazine v.28 n.2, p. 31
13. The Nautilus Pin, 1988 by Yvonne Arritt; The Penland Book of Jewelry, p. 54
14. Three-Finger Ring, 2004 by Nichole Bowes; The Art and Craft of Making Jewelry, p. 138
15. Human + Ring 6, 2006 by Jieun Park; Metalsmith Magazine v.28 n.4, p. 25
16. Vessel Grouping, 2007 by David Huang; Metalsmith Magazine Volume 28 number 3, p. 32
17. Stem & Pods Fibula, 2004 by Bianca Terranova; The Art and Craft of Making Jewelry, p. 54
18. Untitled Cuff, 2003 by Darcy Miro; The Penland Book of Jewelry, p. 121

Want to get published?

Lark books, publisher of the 500 Series books, is currently calling for submissions for the upcoming 500 Silver Jewelry Designs. Go to http://www.larkbooks.com/submissions/artist-submissions for more information, rules, and entry form. This is a great opportunity to get your work out there!

Thursday's Warm-Up

The image shown during warm-up can be found on page 66 of The Art and Craft of Making Jewelry by Joanna Gollberg. If you are curious to know more about Ruth Avra and see more of her work, you can start by checking out her website at www.ruthavra.com.

Exhibition Opportunity

The Materials Hard & Soft deadline is coming September 11. It is a nationwide juried craft (this includes metalworking) exhibition held in beautiful Denton. This is the 23 year that the Greater Denton Arts Council is holding the competition; it is nationally renowned and, even if you don't enter, you should definitely attend the show.
You can find information and entry forms at www.dentonarts.com; just go to the website and follow the link on the left of the page to the 2010 Materials Hard & Soft Prospectus. The prospectus explains entry requirements, eligible media, etc.
If you are interested in pursuing a career in the arts, showing your work is a very important part of your career. This is a wonderful opportunity to start building your resume and gain exposure. Students have had their work accepted in the past; your work could possibly be shown alongside nationally recognized artists.
Be sure to check out the website and look at images from past competitions.

Image List for August 27, 2009

Rivets

1. Riveted Rings, 2004 by Anika Smulovitz; Art and Craft of Making Jewelry, p.42
2. A Little Tea Party, 2005 by Roberta and David Williamson; Art and Craft of Making Jewelry, p.45
3. Waiting for Guinevere by Nancy E. Fleming; Jewelry: Fundamentals of Metalsmithing, p. 111
4. Bracelet No. 4, 2005 by Gary J. Schott; The Art and Craft of Making Jewelry, p.22
5. Bangle Bracelet by Joanna Golberg; Making Metal Jewelry, p. 61
6. Lovers (Two Finger Ring), 2003 by Nanz Aalund; Art and Craft of Making Jewelry, p.43
7. Untitled, 2005 by Ruth Avra; Art and Craft of Making Jewelry, p.66
8. Rings, 2002 by Wesley Glebe; Making Metal Jewelry, p. 107
9. Pendant with neck ring, 2000 by E. Douglas Wunder; Making Metal Jewelry, p. 97

Patterns

1. Turban Ornament, early 19th century; Handcrafted Indian Enamel Jewellery, dust jacket
2. Pompeian Mosaic; Decorative Ornament, p. 99
3. Greek Ornament (from Greek and Etruscan vases); Decorative Ornament, p. 74
4. Greek Ornament (from Greek and Etruscan vases); Decorative Ornament, p. 75
5. Greek Ornament (from Greek and Etruscan vases); Decorative Ornament, p. 85
6. Screen from the National Airport in Washington, D.C. by Kent Bloomer
7. Composition of Bosses, from St. Sebald, Nuremberg, and the Church of the Nosson, Saxony; Decorative Ornament, p. 121
8. Encaustic Tile, 13th & 14th century; Decorative Ornament, p. 291
9. The Golden Beacon (floor plan), 1956 by Frank Lloyd Wright; Prairie Skyscraper: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Price Tower, p. 142
10. Price Tower (detail of monogrammed floor medallion), 1953 by Frank Lloyd Wright; Prairie Skyscraper: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Price Tower, p. 115
11. Harold Price’s Office, 1952-1956 architect Frank Lloyd Wright; Prairie Skyscraper: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Price Tower, p. 87
12. Bus Shelter in Landshut, Germany, 1997 by Hild und K Architects; http://coolboom.net

Update on Elliot's

Most of the tools on the list from Elliot's in Dallas (in the previous post) are not usually available at the store in Mesquite. If you wish to purchase any of those supplies, there are two options:

1. You can go to the store in Dallas and purchase the items. You might want to do this, just because the store in Dallas is fun and has lots of stuff. Be sure to take your supply list and a copy of the order numbers. Also, call ahead and make sure they aren't sold out of what you want.
2. You can take the list of order numbers to the store in Mesquite and they can transfer the items to their store. Then, you can pick the items up in a few days, assuming they are in stock at the Dallas store.

Have fun shopping! Remember, you need to have your tools with you in class on Tuesday. Contact me, if you have any questions.

Supplies at Elliot's in Dallas

This is a list of the supplies currently available at Elliot's Hardware Store in Dallas with the product numbers and prices:

• High speed twist drill bits #56 - 507888270
• Bastard File- 6” half round - 9266890037 $8.99
• Needle file (set of 3 - 3872842319 $8.99
• Jeweler’s Saw* w/ blades (Mascot) - 7937600100 $19.99
• Jeweler's Saw* w/ blades (X-Acto) - 7994608752 $27.49
• Saw blades - 7937610004 $4.99
• Pocket Scriber - 3872831098 $4.99
• V-block w/ clamp (optional) - 7937600150 $7.49

*Note: there are two different brands of saw frame available but they are both 2" throat depth. This size is not ideal for your purposes. Also, you will still have to buy sawblades, even though the saw comes with some.

Tuesday's Images

This is a list of the images from the Introduction to Studio Metalsmithing Lecture given in class on August 25 (Tuesday).

1. Portrait of a Young Woman by Lorenzo di Credi (Italian, 1459-1537); Metropolitan Jewelry, p. 103
2. Untitled, 2001 by Jesse Mathes; The Art and Craft of Making Jewelry, p. 107
3. The Legend of Saint Godebertha and Saint Eligius, 1449 by Petrus Christus (Flemish, 1420-1473); The Smithsonian Library of Illustrated Antiques: Jewelry, p. 42
4. Portrait of a Woman with a Fillet (Fayum Mummy Portrait), second century A.D.; Metropolitain Jewelry, p. 53
5. Necklace (from Northern India), eighteenth-nineteenth century A.D.; Metropolitan Jewelry, p. 16
6. Wall Hanging (from India), 1640 A.D.; Metropolitan Jewelry, p. 17
7. Virgin and Child by Joos van Cleve (Flemish, 1507-1540); Metropolitan Jewelry, p. 23
8. Male Figure (from the Court of Benin), 17th Century; Metropolitan Jewelry, p. 66
9. Fudo Myo-o (from Japan), 12th century A.D.; Metropolitan Jewelry, p. 73
10. Reliquary Bust for the Skull of Saint Yrieix (from Limoges, France), 13th century; Metropolitan Jewelry, p. 75
11. Collar by unknown Greek master, 4th century B.C.; The Smithsonian Library of Illustrated Antiques: Jewelry, p. 30
12. Faience Collar (from Egypt), c. 1570-1293 B.C.; The Smithsonian Library of Illustrated Antiques: Jewelry, p. 14
13. Untitled, 2001 by Dallae King; The Art and Craft of Making Jewelry, p. 141
14. Fire and Ice, 2002 by Dayna Mae Orione; The Art and Craft of Making Jewelry, p. 149
15. Building Rings, 2001 by Natalya Pinchuk; The Art and Craft of Making Jewelry, p. 94
16. Brooch, 2002 by Eric Silva; Making Metal Jewelry, p. 99
17. Pod Brooch, 1997 by Brooke Battles; The Art and Craft of Making Jewelry, p. 149
18. Helmut, 2005 by Jessica Joslin; Metalsmith Magazine (Volume 27, no. 5), p. 54
19. Tainan Night, 2003 by Sarah Perkins; The Penland Book of Jewelry, p. 224
20. Cicada Larvae Dreams, 1998 by Mariko Kusumoto; Metalsmith Magazine (Volume 28, no. 2), p. 19
21. Fire Veil, 2006 by Claudia Crisan-Calabria; Metalsmith Mgazine (Volume 28, no. 4), p. 10
22. student work, Fall 2008 by M. Floto
23. student work (riveting project), Spring 2009
24. student work (dish with stand project), Spring 2009
25. student work (cast ring project), Spring 2009
26. student work (container project), Spring 2008
27. student work (container project & cast ring project), Fall 2008
28. student work (container project), Spring 2009
29. Summer, 2006 by Anne Jones
30. Red, Red, Red, 2009 by Anne Jones
31. Bloom Ring, 2009 by Anne Jones
32. Garnet Flowers, 2009 by Anne Jones
33. Lemon Fizz, 2009 by Anne Jones
34. Building Ring and Dome Ring, 2003 and 2001 by Natalya Pinchuk; The Art and Craft of Making Jewelry, p. 64