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Monday January 25, 2010
 Please Note: Progress on the giveaway necklace can be seen below this post.
I decided it would be fun to combine this Global Giveaway event with something I’ve been wanting to do anyway. You can click on the image above to get the whole story on what’s behind One World One Heart but here, the deal is this – comment on this post and your name will be entered to win my giveaway.
And here’s where I’m adding a little bit of my own spin. My item will be made while this event takes place starting today, January 25 and ending Monday, February 15, 2010 (by noon AST). I’ll be posting about the creation of the piece during the next 4 weeks, so y’all will get to see its progress (starting below this post).
This is the sketch of my giveaway. You can click on the image and it will take you to the first post.
Follow along and watch as I try and make this piece of jewelry, my first from scratch. It should be interesting!
Okay so in point form for those that are completely confused …
- I will be posting about the creation of my giveaway piece in the next 4 weeks.
- To be eligible for my giveaway, comment on THIS post.
- One post per person to be made by 12:00pm AST (that’s Atlantic Standard Time) Monday, February 15, 2010.
- I will post the results of the random drawing after 12:00pm.
- Anyone can post a comment, regular reader or “drive-by” scanner.
Enjoy the Magic Carpet Ride!
Friday February 5, 2010
Or how a simple necklace/locket turns into a multi-day extravaganza on how NOT to make closures!
Oh. I know. It LOOKS innocent enough. All sweetness and bright coppery goodness. But don’t be fooled. As a quick glance at my work area can attest:
THAT is the mayhem that the so-called “innocent” locket created. And that’s just today’s flotsam and jetsam. Part of the problem is not having a soldering area in the house. Because frankly, I would’ve simplified the design with some well chosen joints had they been at my disposal. Still. I’ve learned TONS!
For example, when creating something that has to move, think about how it moves. Sounds like a no-brainer but there IS a reason there is a certain amount of play in things like hinges and doors. And if you need to keep something closed, figure out HOW before cutting, filing, sanding, attaching said something. (I’m still working on it!) And expect for the f*&(&#?!!ing thing to break when you really really REALLY don’t need it to. (like when you’ve FINALLY figured out how the hinge is going to work and it’s…almost…done. Yep. That’s when.) And though copper is really easy to manipulate, it might be just a bit TOO easy with this application.
After all is said and done though, I’m thrilled beyond reason with how this is turning out. And I can see some more jewelry making in my future. Maybe not lockets!
Tuesday February 2, 2010
I’ve said it before and I’ll likely say it again, assemblage is all about problem solving. And while my OWOH necklace isn’t an assemblage per se, the process is very similar. My initial attempt at creating the locket part of this piece has been met with all sorts of problems, not the least of which is figuring out how to get it closed and keep it closed. I’ve researched closures and the majority of heart lockets are hinged on one side with a resistance clasp (for want of a better read: proper technical term!) on the other. This would require very developed soldering skills. Which I definitely do not possess. And while, I plan on eventually being able to handle something like this, today is not that day.
So. How do I keep the locket closed?
Trust me, I’ve pondered every variation, been down every avenue including nuts & bolts – cool but I can’t count on my recipient wanting something quite so permanent – and finally settled on a cold connection solution. It won’t be as “closey” as the traditional method but it will be more fitting with the Steampunk direction I was looking for.
The downside with all this ruminating, researching, pondering is that most of my time has been brainside NOT worktableside. However, because of the changed closure I did have to refurb the heart.
Not a whole lot different but the direction is significant. And unfortunately, the next stage is going to be equally “thinky”. I try to keep positive realizing that with every false path, I learn a TON! Case in point: I am now a Wire Rivet Master!
On another note, am overwhelmed how many visitors have stopped by through the Magic Carpet Ride. If you scroll down and read this, welcome! I hope you enjoy what you see.
Monday February 1, 2010
It’s that time again … 100 Artists Show at Mary Lou Zeek Gallery.
Artist: “Nourish & Sustain” – 100 Artists Show
Show Date: Tuesday, February 2nd – Saturday, February 27th, 2010
Opening reception: First Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 5-7pm.
SALEM, ORE — For the 7th consecutive year, during the month of February, the Mary Lou Zeek Gallery will be presenting their annual 100 Artists Show. Benefiting the Marion-Polk Food Share, the theme of this year’s show is “Nourish & Sustain” and appropriately, the 100 participating artists were each sent a large empty food can through the mail and were asked to use this as their starting point for their piece of art. Each can was sent “as is”, and was not packaged or boxed, but rather processed directly by the postal service firsthand. The stamps and addresses on the cans remain a part of the artwork for identification and for evidence of the actual mailing. Each artist, starting with the exact same object, has had over three months to transform, build, infuse, reduce, paint or reinvent the can into their own unique work of art.
The exhibit will open on Tuesday, February 2nd at 10:00 am pacific time. The public will be invited to bid on their favorite artwork via a silent auction that will run through Friday, February 26th at 5:30 pm pacific time. Beginning bids are $50.00 with minimum increments of $5.00 and a maximum purchase price of $300. The entire show will be posted online at www.zeekgallery.com. Bids can be made in person at the Mary Lou Zeek Gallery or by calling 503-581-3229.
You really need to head over to the website and check out some of the amazing pieces that have been created with a tin can. I find it interesting that so many artists this year went with a folk art vibe. Does the raw material affect the end result? Seems so!
Wednesday January 27, 2010
Having never created a piece of jewelry from scratch before …on my own… this whole process is brand new for me. Pondering my sketch, I figured I need to make the locket first. I cut out my hearts and got out my dapping block. As I started hammering away, I realized that my two-dimensional hearts weren’t going to meet at the top. Duh!
I googled some locket photos … oh! like I’d actually put on my boots and coat and hat and head out to the studio? uhm. No! google is so much closer … and still couldn’t figure out how to make them round, dimensional, but still meet.
Then ravioli came into my head. I know. Crazy inference. But it kinda sorta works. Think about it. Essentially a two-dimensional shape that still holds something 3-dimensional. All I need to make is the pocket part. So I started hammering out a bit of an edge. Could work. Kinda.
Tuesday January 26, 2010
So that the OWOH post stays at the top, I made it sticky, but I wanted to keep the process of my giveaway linear. (well THAT was an awkward sentence!) ANYWAY.
The gist … throughout the 4 weeks of The Magic Carpet Ride of One World One Heart, I will be making a piece of jewelry – my first from scratch – and you’re invited to see the process.
To start things off here’s my initial sketch:
The heart piece will actually be an opening locket. Oh boy! Nothing like setting my sights high huh?!
And don’t forget to check out all the participants by visiting A Whimsical Bohemian’s site for the entire (GIANT) list! Let the blogging event begin!
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Cathy Horner
Jenny
Sue in SC
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