Location, location,location....

I just cant get enough of these stunning pictures taken by Vogue photographer Tim Walker, they are so beautiful, feminine and theatrical. I would love my photos to be like these, although perhaps a little less grand!





Click here to see a quick clip of Tim's thoughts on " Whats Inside Vogue? "


We are in the process of organizing a photographer, etc and things are looking quite positive but it may take a while to get organized and decided on. Haven’t found a location yet but was wanting to go take a look around the Durban Botanical Gardens as I seem to remember there being a thickish sort of Frangapany tree “Forest” in one corner of the gardens and as its winter now the trees shouldn’t have any leaves so it would kinda look like a forest of bare grey trees..... As outside can be lovely but comes with a whole range of problems such as weather, light, etc. Im not sure if this will be suitable, will have to go check it out.

Heaven made of Metal!!!! and Again!

This talented and super inspiring jewellery designer also from Glasgow, Scotland was the person that inspired me to Blog,when I found her amazing and well written blog last year,I thought, I want That!I want to be a part of that world!!
So a year later thanks to Abigail Percy Im here and Oh So happi!

ABIGAIL PERCY:
It was through finding Abigail’s blog that I was inspired to create my own blog.

Abigail Percy designs ultra feminine, botanical / floral jewellery that is based around the play of silhouette and positive and negative spaces. Her main source of inspiration is found in the silhouettes and motifs she designs that stem from activities such as photography and leaf pressing. Abigail’s use of embellished motif is very different to my approach but I find the way she incorporates natural imagery into her designs, fresh and inspiring.


"My work is inspired by a personal love and fascination for historical repeat pattern design, particularly floral. I love to spend time sourcing natural imagery to interpret into jewellery, and like nothing better than rumaging for beautiful vintage design at flea markets abroad."

I just have to say how amazing I think it must be to go to art school in Glasgow!
All my favourite designers are from Scotland, Glasgow must be a little design center Haven in itself.

Heaven made of Metal!!!! Again!

Another of my favourite designers is DONNA KEAY:

Another artist who’s work I strongly admire is Donna Keay2 , her simple yet intricately patterned sterling silver jewellery is inspired by historical jewels, antique books and gold-tooled book-cover patterns. By way of using simple panels or segments of these etchings she aims to convert these themes into contemporary, wearable jewellery.

COMPARISON TO MY WORK

The difference of her work to mine lies in the simplified, geometrical manner that she uses to translate pattern into jewellery. The manipulation of pattern in the lace like effect of my work is created through the use of multiple pierced elements that were cast, whether Donna’s process of photo-etching allows textured layers of the remnants of historical pattern or text to be reproduced on metal. The outcome of a final piece is quite different although we both use repetition of historical pattern and motif as inspiration.

Having trouble uploading images of her work will try again later but for now pls use the link to her website to browse her entire collection

Heaven made of Metal!!!

Have decided to blog more on other jewellery designers that inspire me and who's work I follow, as i think this is a good way to explain my style and what I am trying to create with my B-Tech body of work.First up is:

Marianne Anderson.

Inspired by the history of ornament, Marianne Anderson’s jewellery presents an exploration of traditional ornamental forms with an original interpretation of the decorative from a modern point of view.

Working within a restrained palette of oxidized silver, 18ct gold, red garnets and white pearls, she creates striking and wearable collections that skillfully reference the human fascination with adornment.

COMPARISON TO MY WORK

Unlike my pieces that, although are based Victorian patterns and styles and are more feminine and lace like, Marianne’s work is bold and statement making, the high impact of blackened metal with its ironwork references and the stylized use of historical patterns work together to “ Highlight the importance of ornament in a modern context “.


“My interest is rooted in how we learn and draw from the past and return frequently to designs, motifs and patterns of historic and symbolic significance. By purposefully engaging with the past, my aim is to highlight the importance of ornament in a modern context. Far from superfluous, ornament has always had its own vocabulary and meaning and I try to engage with this through my work.”

I love the way she has fused contemporary ornamentation with a touch of history. Delicate, striking and gorgeous.

"New Baroque" and why it still rocks...

Have been thinking about the concept of “New Baroque” and how it relates to my work,My understanding of this theme is a cross of old fashioned detail and embellishment such as flocked wallpaper, wood carvings, cast iron gates and fencing, lace and embroidery (there is a wonderful and vary inspiring blog called Paris Apartment that has some great examples) with a 21st century design or style.

Funky French Imperial Plastic furniture by Jasper Van Grootel as well as stunning fashion like the Vogue shoot Annie Leibovitz did with Kirsten Dunst reminds one of the past but still has a taste for the present are hugely inspiring to me and I love finding new examples of this kind of cross pollination.

I really enjoy the cteative photo shoots that fashion magazines put together and want to explore doing my own kind of shoot.
I really think a brochure or catalogue would make a difference in my sales, I want to work on printing my own and a shoot would be a good way to come up with some fabulous pics.
The fantastic and wonderfully talented fashion designer Kathrin Kidger has a range that I think, will complement my jewellery.Kathrin’s clothes are modern and comfortable with a vintage twist.Her designs fuse old school glamour and elegance with with a touch of eclecticism in a most exciting way and its going to be lovely styling both her clothes and my jewellery together in new and inspiring ways!
Ill keep you posted with updates on this idea, as we have to find a model, photographer and location in order to do things properly.

August 08 Showing...-

My little blog has been neglected for a while now and I have fallen behind on a couple of posts, which I hope to make up for this week.

The showing I had been working so hard on, was last Friday it was a lovely day but less fruitful than my previous showings, I had quite a few sales but didn't make the target I made from the last one.


I have come to a few CONCLUSIONS :


- Previous showings were directed at stay at home moms and older ladies, Friday afternoons seemed to be a perfect time to gather them all for tea, cake and jewellery shopping. So when I set the date for working 20 to 35 year olds I thought Fridays would still be best, I was wrong. Most of the people that R.S.V.P ‘d, were working and were going to try to get off early - the turn out was poor, It’s important to pay attention to your target market and make sure the time and date are suitable.

- Its much better to have the event at someone else's house and not your own - less pressure to cater, entertain e.t.c. The last one I held was particularly more difficult ( at my house ) - initially, it seemed it would be easier, I could organize everything and do whatever I wanted but as it turned out there is just too much to do-better to keep having them away from home.

- It’s important, although costly, to have doubles of everything as if you sell an item at the very beginning, you either have to send it off and not have anymore sales from it or ask to deliver it within the next couple of days, which is even more work and may compromise the sale.

- Branding is key, people like to feel like they are buying a label, even if you are only starting out it’s important to make an effort and be organized. I need more boxes that fit all my pieces properly, I love the lime green and turquoise organza ribbon ones I have now, but they aren’t suitable for the larger items and branded gift bags are next on my list.

- As a young entrepreneur / artist you feel ill equipped to go out and sell your product! Being confident in what you have hand made your self, smiling and engaging with the customer, can make or brake a sale. Mingling is the key to feeling relaxed and confident, confidence is the key to selling.

All in all it was a good day I’m happy, I worked very hard but each time I learn something new and see thing from a different perspective, which i suppose is progress in itself!

Hope the start to your week is super Productive!
S.

A week has gone by already and I hardly know where!Its been so busy, Ive been doing so many things at once...
My platinum piece is coming along nicely,Im using the competition as a springboard to work on another design style, so that, Im
hugely excited about that! As this is a competition I cant show u the
design, all I can do is give u a sneak peak later on and tell youIm
working on a pair of earrings that should be finished today just need
to make some more wire,which I confess I have been putting off....

My next showing is this Friday the 8th and I have so much to do, Im feeling rather overwhelmed...
I
would like this is to be my last showing for this collection, in an
ideal world - time wise - I would like to do this last one,in order not
to have to worry about money and then take some time off to write and
really get stuck into it as this pottering around doing a little bit at
a time actually just makes me more unorganized and unproductive than ever!
After that I could focus on playing with my new range....
That's all for now,
I bid u a productive day!and leave u with one of the new pieces for Friday...
S.