tallulah

Four leaf clover

2010-12-07T16:47:00.000+02:00

I don't know if you can see but I found me a four leaf clover, growing amoungst my herbs. I'm smiling from ear to ear!
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Female Symbol

2010-11-23T10:20:00.002+02:00

The ring seen above is my idea of a symbol which represents the feminine, the highly polished tips come to a point, creating an upside down V shaped gap between the finger and the ring, and this is a subtle uncovering.

Occupied

2010-11-23T10:19:00.002+02:00

The openness of the heart shaped vulva as seen above is representative of a woman being occupied in sexual activity, whether it be with or without a partner the act is one of liberation. The vulva is portrayed as spread, with leaves which look like wings extending from the sides of the element. The wings represent freedom, the vulva the uncovering, the occupier and the liberation of the self, the heart shape represents emotion, women being the emotional being.

Ribbed "for your pleasure"

2010-11-23T10:18:00.001+02:00

This piece was cast from two different types of lily. The spadix (protrusion) is textured in such a way which for me is representative of a penis clad in a ribbed condom, hence the title. As seen above the original lily was incomplete and is extremely delicate, much like women. The outer leaf reinforces this structure and represents vulva. This piece looks as if it’s uncomfortable and would not feel right on your finger but once you put it on you realize it doesn’t need to conform to your hand in order to feel comfortable. The message behind the piece is that you do not need to conform in order to feel like you belong

Ball and Chain/ "I've got you by the balls"

2010-11-23T10:17:00.003+02:00

This piece centers on two notions, the first is about being caught in a marriage with societal conformity and covering yourself up in order to belong, this is shown by the balls and chain as seen above and by the fact that the piece is meant to be worn inside the hand rather than outwardly displayed. The second notion “I’ve got you by the balls” is about taking control by wearing the piece of jewellery as an uncovering and choosing who you would like to display the piece to.

Button Ring

2010-11-23T10:16:00.002+02:00

With all the casting I do, I’ve found myself always wanting to create a piece with the button from the lost wax casting process Having done that I now see that the lower surface and texture reminds me of the areola and nipple. The shank was cast from the stem of a plant.

Valley and Meadow

2010-11-23T10:14:00.002+02:00

The two rings as seen above show uncovering by having elements which portray female genitalia, fitting on the fingers commonly used in female masturbation or during foreplay. The intention of the position of these rings on the hand is to emphasize the opening between the fingers that the rings create when worn as a representation of the opening of a woman’s legs.

Both Sexes

2010-11-23T10:08:00.002+02:00

This piece was an experiment with filing and forging. I wanted to see whether or not I could successfully create a ring which portrayed a vagina, penis, vulva and sperm. The piece, as seen above, does not really correlate with the rest of my work which is why I deem it unsuccessful. As a piece standing alone it achieved the desired effect, as it is a successful uncovering of parts of the body

tickle me

2010-11-23T10:07:00.001+02:00

Shiny Tip

2010-11-23T10:06:00.005+02:00

I began looking at real plants to give my jewellery a more authentic look and to show plants representative of what we cover up. I found this bulbous bud and made it into a ring as seen above. The ring is integrated into a bulbous bulge, giving it a more organic feel and the moulded wax shank goes from thick to thin, the highly polished tip, thickness and hardness of the piece is representative of the glans, the head or tip of the penis.

Gravity Pour

2010-11-23T10:04:00.000+02:00

When DUT was closed for renovations I was very stressed out because there was going to be limited casting facilities available to us at the other campus. I decided to find an alternative method and gravity pouring was suggested to me. Gravity pouring is lost wax casting without the use of a vacuum, centrifuge or a debubblizer. The result was as seen above.

Flagina Rings

2010-11-23T09:51:00.005+02:00

These rings were an exploration if jewellery as objects rather than worn pieces, I attempted to create abstract portrayals of female vulva which also resemble flowers. I made these rings as a self liberation, a display of female pride. Originally I made the shanks of these rings from forged wire, but they seemed as if they didn’t belong to the flagina elements so I re-made the shanks more recently with molded wax. They now correlate better with my body of work.

The process of re-making the above to create a more integrated shank was quite revolutionary for me because I invested the original element on the wax shank and then cast. I was so happy when I found that the element and shank had fused together in the casting process because a lot of the time I cast elements as test pieces before deciding what I would like to make them into.

Female Form

2010-11-22T11:27:00.002+02:00

In third year I began experimenting with sculpture, this was my first sculpture which I made from Pratley’s putty and then made a mould and cast. It was an attempt to show an imperfect female form as seen above, sculpted and curvaceous, this element is a display of unconventional body shape. But she is beautiful, regardless of her imperfections.

Process of my work

2010-11-22T11:24:00.001+02:00

Initially the plan was to create sculptures from Pratley’s putty as seen above , as I progressed though I decided this method was too impersonal as it would mean creating mass produced pieces, because of having to make moulds and cast, rather than the pieces being more intimate original once off pieces. Now my jewellery is all sculpted from moulding wax and then cast using the lost wax casting process. Often the pieces are marked with my finger prints which give them a natural texture, reminiscent of skin. Some of my pieces are cast from real plants and objects found in nature which evoke images of the female form. Below you see the pieces in wax before investing and casting.

Stress rash

2010-11-16T12:45:00.000+02:00

Been so stressed about writing that I broke out in bubbles, by far the worst case of what I call "stress rash" I've ever had. The word is flustered!
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Success

2010-11-16T11:14:00.000+02:00

It worked! Fused and everything. So exciting!
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Experiment

2010-11-15T09:49:00.000+02:00

I am about to invest a piece of already made silver in order to create a perfectly fitted shank. If this works it'll be a revelation for my work. Very exciting.
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from live to cast

2010-11-13T18:23:00.001+02:00

shiney tip

2010-11-13T18:06:00.003+02:00

Before

After

this is what happens...

2010-11-11T13:11:00.001+02:00

This is what happens when you're prescribed seriously hardcore pain killers. I have no idea what I was trying to do...
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Got you by the balls

2010-11-09T14:52:00.002+02:00

O natural

2010-11-07T19:33:00.001+02:00

For dee

2010-11-07T03:48:00.000+02:00

http://www.lucasfoglia.com/rewilding/index.html
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Coolest coaster ever!

2010-10-27T20:12:00.000+02:00

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Future prints

2010-10-23T12:03:00.000+02:00

I have just had an awesome idea for my future prints. How lovely would it be if I etched a title and description onto the plate, along with a detailed "drawing" of the image behind each piece of jewellery.
The print would end up looking something like this...
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Cappuccino 'N some dirty mind

2010-10-21T17:05:00.000+02:00

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working in wax

2010-10-13T21:15:00.002+02:00

Playing with wax is the perfect way for me to find motivation, being a person who likes instant gratification, wax acts as the device in getting the satisfaction I need. All I do is create the piece in wax, fiddle around till I'm happy and presto!! Invest, cast, clean up, done!

Shanks and elements to be cast using the lost wax casting process in sterling silver.
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Etching for prints

2010-10-09T14:10:00.001+02:00

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Naturally occurring phallic and yonic formations

2010-09-23T13:53:00.001+02:00

These are just images I've collected of natural phallic and yonic forms, fascinating.

Garden tile

2010-09-23T13:51:00.001+02:00

When we were doing all our gardening the other day, i had to tear down a bunch of old tiles which had spiders n weird creatures living behind them... I decided to do this tile to fill that space, to cover up the messy grouting and glue.

i love it. takes me away, to a place everything is what it isn't.

tallulah

2010-09-23T13:44:00.002+02:00

The plumbers ripped up our path at home and when they put it back together i couldnt help but feel the intense urge to leave my mark. So i carved my name into the cement, to be left there forever.

Playing around with clay....

2010-05-20T09:02:00.004+02:00

Pinch pots paddled into the shape of a heart.

Lilly with curlesque pattern carved into it.

Marbled clay leaf.

Cracked pot made from sculpture clay and terrecota.

Marbled clay flower pot.

Since our campus has been shut down for renovation, we've moved over to the sculpture department in the fine arts section of the ML Sultan campus.

I guess Chris decided it was a good idea for us to utilise the facilities we're newly being exposed to here at the sculpture department. It's been fun making things, working in a different medium. I've worked in clay before, but it's different when you're actually being taught how to treat clay properly and to get the best out of your clay.

Gravity Pour Casting

2010-04-22T10:52:00.005+02:00

This morning I arrived at tech, feeling very apprehensive about my first time doing a gravity pour. The reason I decided to try out Gravity Pouring is because our tech is closing for four months due to renovations and we have to move to another facility where there are few resources for casting.

Gravity Pouring eliminates the vacuum we would normally use in lost wax casting. What you do is you create an escape shoot for the air, but as you can see below, the air battled to get out of the shoot i created because the metal managed to flow up it shown by the arrows.

The air then got trapped under the button and created large pits.

I'm not sure of the solution yet, I think if the element i was casting had been more delicate the air would have passed through much more successfully.

I'm really happy with the results of the experimental gravity pour though, even though there are pits and holes, I love the way it turned out.

Sometimes a mistake can be your most beautiful work of art.

Watch this space for when I post a picture of the piece of jewellery I've made from my gravity pour flagina!

From Wax to Jewellery

2010-04-22T10:09:00.006+02:00

From Wax to Jewellery...

Above are mouldable wax sculptures of flagina's. Flowers cross with a vagina.

Above you see a flagina cast from the wax elements above, using the lost wax casting process.

This is the piece of jewellery I made from one of the flagina's. I'm extremely happy with the way it turned out because not only is it an amazing piece of contemporary jewellery, but it is also an object which is beautiful even when it's stands alone, without being worn.

Being a self proclaimed artist making sculptural, art jewellery egnites long lost passion within me, which is something I've been waiting for since I began jewellery design.

Vagina Monologues, Sex Positive and Sex Negative Feminism

2010-03-22T10:05:00.004+02:00

I'm busy doing some research about sex-positive and sex-negative feminism. I have found that there is alot to read and alot of information I never knew existed.

It helps to question your learnt views about your sexuality and sexual behaviour.

Sex-positive feminism centers on the idea that sexual freedom is an essential component of women's freedom. Where as to those who are sex-negative, also known as antisexualist, prude, puritan, Victorian, and prohibitionist, sex is often seen as the root of all evil, or else as something too sacred to allow casual or irreverent exercise of.

To be Continued.....

Sex Positive Feminism in layman's terms is basically the desire, for a woman, to do as she wishes with her sexual explorations and for judgement to be reserved.

A sex positive feminist believes in making calculated decisions about what she wants sexually and liberates herself from being seen as an object or a tool to be used in male satisfaction.

She allows herself the freedom to want what she wants and act accordingly.

But she will stand up and say NO when she feels she needs to, women's rights are still firmly in mind.

Jessica Marie

2010-03-11T14:28:00.010+02:00

WOW!!!

I've just read Jessica's Bio and I'm amazed at how similar it is to what I've been through.
What she's busy doing, thats what I would love to get to with my own jewellery, embracing what belongs to me and offering it as a gift, not just something which will be abused and taken without consent.

Jessica went through some hard times, thinking she wasn't good enough and giving herself physically to people she didn't care for.

She has now found value in herself and is celebrating her vagina, taking it back from where she left it, broken and scarred. Embracing what is hers and giving others a means to do this for themselves.

To visit Jessica Marie's website click here

References for test pieces

2010-03-11T14:03:00.005+02:00

Working with genetalia, I've found it's incredibly important to know your subject.

Firstly I needed an actual reference for making a putty replica of a vagina, I decided not to use my own for obvious reasons :)

Lynn Bianchi

2010-03-11T13:44:00.005+02:00

I spent weeks searching for jewellers who have used vagina's in their jewellery. I was really considering giving up my search when I found Lynn Bianchi. Her artwork and jewellery is beautiful and is relevant to me because of my issues with my weight and with body image.

Once I found Lynn and followed many links to other pages, I found it much easier to find similar minded jewellers. My effort finally paid off and I'm really thankful I persevered, purely because both the jewellers mentioned in my recent blog posts have the same ideals as I do.

Bianchi’s work is based around challenging our ideals about weight, beauty and sexuality. She confronts body consciousness by celebrating a woman’s view of herself.

She says ”My work shows that every woman has import, regardless of her weight or shape.”

To view more of Lynn Bianchi's artwork and jewellery click here

Fertility symbols and sculptures featuring genetalia

2010-02-26T12:05:00.013+02:00

The Cowrie (Mediterranean)
An ancient fertility symbol representing "the female gate of life" or "the genital slit."

Linga and Yoni (India)
This sculpted shrine represents the union between male and female, it is a non-sexual representation of the genitalia of Shiva. It represents procreation and Shiva's ability to give life.

Hei-Tiki (New Zealand)
This labour intensive sculpted Maori pendant aids in fertility and during child birth, representing a feotus in the womb. This symbol protects the wearer during childbirth from the envious spirits of still born children.

Palad Khik (Thailand)
This amulet is worn round the waist as a symbol of fertility, not only does in protect the genetalia but also improves your luck with the opposite sex.

Munachi (Andes)
This charm has been sculpted in an obvious sexual position concealed only by their posture, it is said to attract sexual love and protects that love once it is attained.
It is said that tying a string of your hair together with a string of hair from your partner then looping it through the top of this sculpture and hiding the charm in the floor boards of your home for the rest of eternity seals your fate together as a couple.

Sheela Na Gig (European)
There are various different possible representations depicted here, firstly that this sculpture represents primordial gate, the mysterious divide between life and non-life. Secondly the idea that this figure is sculpted into the walls of the medieval church as a warning against lust, the warning being "prayer is beautiful, lust is ugly"

Dilukai (Palau)
This sculpture is placed above the doorway of the "chief's" house.
These female figures protect the villagers' health and crops and ward off evil spirits.
It is also said that a woman named Dilukái was the sister of a troublesome man named Atmatuyuk. He eventually departed and these images of his sister were erected to prevent his return, as it was forbidden for a brother to see his sister’s genitalia.

Shining Lights Entry

2010-02-26T10:07:00.005+02:00

DeBeers Shining Lights competition

Rendering

Technical Drawing

Experimenting with clay

2010-02-22T15:29:00.005+02:00

I've been playing around with clay instead of my usual sculpting material - pratleys putty.

So far it's been pretty unsuccessful but I'm willing to persevere.

Below are few clay pieces made by Chris De Beer, a lecturer at DUT. I wont explain the objects in the image, I just hope you'll look at the pieces carefully and with an open mind.

Time for that perseverance I was talking about. Keep your eyes peeled for when I post my attempts. Maybe a good laugh is around the corner.

This Day

2010-02-17T10:00:00.001+02:00

Today I am incredibly happy.

Though I have sooooo much work to do and a class to tutor later, I still feel like I'm on top of everything and I can do this! I can be who i want to be and live how I want to live, embracing life, loving myself and becoming better day by day!

A bit of the present - Shock, Horror?

2010-02-15T11:12:00.008+02:00

Above and Below are photographs of my journal, with some drawings and a few little sculptures I decided to make as the beginning to my new theme "shock horror?"

On the left of this photograph is a piece of jewellery made by Keith Lewis. During the exhibiting of this particular body of work, a raft of commentary and critisism arose, as Keith addressed unpopular subjects such as HIV, Aids, Homosexuality and Genetalia. His brave approach to the art world leaves me in awe, as he shocks people with these unpopular notions.

Top Right is a book called Bizarre about a man named John Alexander Scott and his magazine and work between 1948 and 1959. John Willie (alias) published controversial instructions and drawings about bondage during an extremely prudish era in America. I am amazed by his talent as an illustrator and at the same time shocked by the images he has chosen to publicly publish, pratically advertising the idea of bondage.

Today is just about research, finding background information which will help me acheive my goal as an artist and jeweller. So far I have had a look at what intrigues and shocks me, with the intention of finding an answer to the question :

What shocks people?

I think it might be really difficult to shock people in this day and age. People seem to be desensitised to things which may have shocked me when I was younger. We have been exposed to so much just by watching television.

Where do we draw the line? Do you want to draw the line?

Did you find anything about this journal entry shocking?

"Lingam Exhibition"

2010-01-29T11:51:00.005+02:00

A most inspirational exhibition where over 100 artists participated in creating their version of a fertility object.

Lingam: a fertility symbol

New chapters, broad horizons, background.

2010-01-29T09:07:00.008+02:00

At tech this week, during a group discussion between myself, Chris DB, Shanal and Sbo things arose which I would like to document today, with some of my previous art works and background.

If you've done much reading of previous blog posts or any looking through my work, you'll have noticed I never really stick to one specific thing. I chop and change from arts to jewellery design to kitsch money making schemes to going really deep into something I'm only really excited about for a short while.

Up and Till now, there has only been one theme which has been with me, evolving all this time since high school. That theme is documented below, from beginning to end.

A look into the history behind this theme.

Above is a prototype of a "fat suit" i made while in high school.

I made the fat suit with a wire framework, heavy foam and pocked skin-like foam. It was worn the night of our exhibition by a girl with a model like figure. The intention of the suit was to educate the model of how it felt to look big and feel big.

The message then progressed with this next work which is based on self image.

From my experience, and through having lots of girl friends, I've noticed girls, women, never really seem satisfied with their figures.

Behind the charcoal and chalk drawing of this seemingly satisfied, beautiful woman are torn images and texts about eating disorders and warped self image, showing the thoughts that linger hidden inside a beautifully imperfect exterior.

(imperfect : what women tend to think of themselves)

Following these works came my wood burnt works, where my message evolved from self image to the damages accrued by our bodies when having eating disorders.

One of my most impertinent messages was this...

Not only can these diseases result in death but they can also result in infertility,the inability to have children; caused by loss of menstrual cycle, and hormonal imbalances.

This research has created the desire within me to celebrate fertility and the beauty of femininity, my jewellery being the tool in expressing this celebration.

Hand Made

2009-11-29T13:54:00.004+02:00

J.Tallulah.F

'09

I have decided to display this logo on everything I make.

Inspiring Images

2009-11-29T13:16:00.011+02:00

Looking through my design books and old drawings, i seem to be slightly obsessed with sketching vines and leaves. I think this could be a lovely theme for a range of jewellery next year.

Below are images which inspire me. Idea's for whats to come.

Sort of looks like lace, doesn't it!?

Looks like mehndi pattern.

Simple Vine Design.

The shades of grey and composition of this image intrigues me.

Who wouldn't want to eat this mini cake!? Presentation is key.

Tree of Life

2009-11-23T13:38:00.006+02:00

While working with the themes, life and nature, i began exploring the notion of the tree of life and my personal understanding of the tree of life.
I started playing around in photoshop and developed two different versions and images, depicting my understanding of the tree.
This is the first. You'll notice the illusion of a foetus on the right hand side.

The foestus, being the begining of life.

This is the second. Burnt into the wood is an image of a woman whose body makes up the trunk of the tree. Her body brings life, reproduction is her fate.

Bodyscape

2009-11-23T13:21:00.004+02:00

This artwork is an abstract view of a portion of the female body, the question posed here is... body or landscape?
Pencil on ceramic tile, old chair framwork.

...

2009-08-25T13:24:00.004+02:00

Twin Bodies - Consequence

2009-07-23T21:53:00.004+02:00

Recently I have spent a lot of time thinking about my opinions of societal norms. More specifically, whether those norms are what make us feel inadequate or whether it is our own doing. While doing some research on anorexia, bulimia and obesity, I learned that it is I, who makes the choice, not society. And although society still contributes to the occurrence of these illnesses, the blame lies with me; the sufferer.

During my school years, I really believed it was the media’s fault, and I felt inadequate within myself, based on my weight and my looks. This is no longer my thinking.

While eating disorders may begin with preoccupations with food and weight, they are often much more complicated. People with eating disorders often use food and the control of food consumption (or lack thereof) in an attempt to compensate for feelings and emotions that they may otherwise find over-whelming or difficult to deal with.

To begin with I wanted this art work to display beauty in an unconventional way, but as the project developed I lost sight of what I was trying to achieve and discovered something much deeper.

Women have battled with eating disorders for centuries, the effects of such lifestyles are much more long term then people may realize. Not only do these disorders increase a person’s risk of heart disease, cholesterol, bone and muscular degeneration, but, first and foremost, they decrease a woman’s fertility. Thus she looses the very thing which makes her a woman.

I believe I have created something beautiful through which the distasteful or disturbing nature of these disorders can be seen. Using specific techniques I have described the degraded and helpless demeanor, and physical appearance, of two people.

The techniques and materials involved in this installment have a symbolic nature.
The Burning, scarring or hurting of the wood symbolizes the unintentional self mutilation involved in suffering from one of these diseases. The rusted rods holding the blocks together, as well as the rusted lintel symbolize the corrosion or deterioration which happens within the body.
The hunched position of the figures shows the helplessness felt by these individuals and the separation of the elements of each image shows the incompleteness of the self.

Current Exploration

2009-06-17T09:47:00.007+02:00

Cropped Images of anorexic women, burnt into wood.

These two blocks are the test pieces, or experimental works in creating an 18 piece installment based on body image and the lengths people go to, to achieve self worth.
Through these installments i wish to showcase the paradox between anorexia and curvaceousness.
It's a work in progress, to be complete before DUT's July exhibition, So watch this space if you're interested in seeing more.

Splash Page

2009-05-28T10:49:00.006+02:00

In order to give people an understanding of my work and my style, I've created this page, displaying key words which I use frequently in my work.

Shape, form and curvaceous.

If you read my artist statement (click here)
You'll find an explination of why these words surround my work.

But! You can always feel free to define my work in the way you like.
I'd love to hear your thoughts surrounding my work.
Tell me what your understanding may be.

Artist Statement

2009-04-28T09:41:00.006+02:00

“ Let the passion you seek lead your living” tallulah

I have always been fascinated by a jeweler’s ability to reflect themselves in their Jewellery. I find myself thinking about what my Jewellery means to me personally and I rarely find the answers I seem to believe I want. I realize now that the intention of my Jewellery is not to signify, but to be an adornment of ones character. It doesn’t matter why I create a piece. It matters why the viewer wants to interact with it.

My Jewellery is three dimensional and tactile. It has a simple curvaceous-ness which lures the viewer in for an inquisitive look. The passion in my Jewellery is based on my own expression. It acts as a reflection of ones self, suiting the wearer or viewer via their own understanding of the art work.

My work is sculptural. I’ve learned to cut and carve gemstones, creating shapes and forms which are inspired by nature. During third year I stumbled upon a technique whereby I manipulate and carve prattleys putty into phenomena inspired forms, forms which signify something specific for me, but which can be understood and loved in their own way, by the wearer or viewer.

Featured Jeweller

2009-04-16T11:07:00.004+02:00

Kerin Rose - Double Wing Necklace (c)

Kerin Rose's jewellery is very three dimensional, I love her use of shape and form. This double winged pendant I find extremely beautiful based on how i battled to carve and create my own wings while in third year. Her jewellery is bold and tactile, with a definite mark of femininity. She's payed attention to the smaller details in her work, which I find very important.

Influencial and Similar

2009-04-01T17:05:00.004+02:00

'image (C) linnie mclarty 2009'

When I found this image i was fascinated.
Linnie captured in jewellery something which I've been thinking and dreaming about.

The rough texture is very much like my fused jewellery.
But the high polish is something which I have yet to explore.
I've been picturing a piece of jewellery much like this piece from her small treasures collection.
Fused Sterling Silver with highly polished outer surfaces.
It's beautiful and has feeling to it. Something I hope to achieve in my works.

Workspace

2009-03-26T16:11:00.002+02:00

This is my very messy workspace!
I like to think of it as organized chaos :P

current experimentation

2009-03-09T17:16:00.003+02:00

Hand Carved Leaf

It looks to me like carnelian.
Whatever it is, it's a beautiful mixture.

I have yet to find a suitable way to polish my hand cut and carved stones.
So far it's been a sad walk down an unsuccessful road.

TO BE CONTINUED...

fused ring with pearl and oxide

2009-02-25T00:09:00.004+02:00

Where land meets water.
When i look at this piece today, it makes me smile.
Discovering fusion and experimenting with oxides has been a beautiful process, one which i hope to elaborate on in coming weeks.

work in progress

2009-02-24T23:49:00.009+02:00

I carved this figure of a woman from prattley's putty, then molded and cast her.
The intent for this piece was to create a tactile, curvaceous figure, beautiful in an unconventional way.
Prior to this piece i created a series of artworks based on a woman's need for visual acceptance and the lengths she will go to to achieve this acceptance.
I'm trying to show the beauty in the female form, without the limitations of shape, size and norms.

Variations

This is the original figure.

Disfugured variation.

Bat winged Variation.

Below are my design sketches and images I used in my design process.

carved sterling silver earrings cubic zirconia

2009-02-24T23:34:00.003+02:00

An abstract figure of a woman.
Stylized to represent a sense of freedom. The heart representing self love.
A commercial effort, though not entirely successful.

Fused Ammonite Pendant

2009-02-24T22:57:00.007+02:00

Still Waters Run Deep.

Just looking at this piece is not enough. It's important to pick it up, and look inside. On the outside it appears rough and blemished. Hiding an ancient beauty.
The fossilized ammonite represent life, it spiral, infinity.

Below you see my design sketches and images i used in my design process.

Reticulated Square Garnet Ring

2009-02-24T22:53:00.003+02:00

Claw Set Splint Shank Jasper Ring

2009-02-24T22:51:00.003+02:00

Rolled Wax Moon Stone Ring

2009-02-24T22:43:00.003+02:00

antique spoon bangle

2009-02-24T22:35:00.003+02:00

silver encased rusted pendant

2009-02-24T22:26:00.007+02:00

I created these pendants with the intention to display the beautiful
qualities in something we find frustrating or depreciating in every day living.
As a jeweler, one of the most frustrating things is a rusting tool.
Rust depreciates the value of items such as cars.

BUT have you ever actually stopped and looked at it?
It's a beautifully natural process, decomposition, earths recycling maybe?
I personally find it extraordinary.

I hope to elaborate on this idea in the future, hopefully creating more successful pieces.

I pierced this pattern out of the lid of an old tin box.
I used the tin to display a commercial gold ring I made.
The paradox:
old vs new
matte vs shiny
undesired vs desired

fusion begins

2009-02-24T22:09:00.004+02:00

This is where my love for fusion began.

This piece happened purely by chance and became something worth time and effort.

The abalone shell came from the shores of Cape Town. It's shape and colour intrigued me. I created a fused casing for the shell and managed with much effort to fix the shell to the casing using makeshift rivets as you see below.