Parking Day

The other day, I was working in the studio and was informed that there were going to be some artists working on a project in the studio's. Yesterday I asked what they were up to....Parking Day...It's a world wide project started in San Francisco.

The idea is that artists and designers are renting public metered car spaces for the allocated time. The artists in the Gaffa studio's were constructing a huge paper pop-up car.....What a fantastic idea....Object Gallery is hosting it this year. Look out for metered car parks being turned into mini instillations for your viewing pleasure.

http://www.object.com.au/springseries/event/sydney-parking/

Making it to the Finals

I've had a fantastic 2010. I have entered into two major National Competitions, the JAA Awards (Jewellery Association of Australia) and the National Contemporary Jewellery Award. These are two very different types of competitions, JAA being fine jewellery and NCJA being contemporary. I have been thrilled to be a finalist in both being included in a calibre of high profile jewellery designer/artist and makers.

The Resin Bracelet (red resin, fine silver), inspired by the coral and sponges that line our ocean beds and the Bird Pendant/Brooch (south sea baroque pearl, ruby, 18Kt yellow gold, fine silver, sterling silver), inspired by australian wattle bird and fondly know as Dave this is a snap-shot of a bird in flight. No prizes for guessing which piece was a finalist for which competition.

I've been really happy with the direction of my work both technically and aesthetically. I've opened my 'Design Eyes' and have allowed myself to explore, feeling uninhibited by technique or design. I really feel that this is my way forward.

A philosophy I've been developing is suggesting that a good designer is like a good hooker. The sense that every client who comes to you wants something different and as a designer/maker/artist you need to be able to put aside your ego and design purely from the clients eyes. You certainly can direct them but ultimately it is their decision as to what they want.

beautiful mistakes.divx

This is the short film that the lovely Alex Lassalle shot last Wednesday. I don't think I'm going to be a superstar anytime soon but it was an interesting project never the less.

Thanks Alex!

Inspiration

A friend of mine posted this amazing movie on 'Facebook' and I wanted to share it with you. Inspiration comes in all shapes and sizes and it's a true indication that we as humans have been and will continue to adorn ourselves whether it be with paint or branches or trinkets. Simply stunning!

These incredible images are from a German photographer called Hans Silverster who took them in the Ethiopian Omo Valley.

Take a look.

Superstar

Today I was filmed in my studio making this ring. It was a strange experience I must say, having a dialogue with someone who you kind of had to pretend wasn't there. Being 'put on the spot' is challenging as you kind of blab trying to find interesting stuff to talk about and hoping your not sounding incoherent or incompetent. Being able to talk about your work and practice is something that should be an an integral part of your business. I feel the older I've become, the more tools I have enabled to be able to portray myself and my work. I must say I still have problems forming an answer to, 'What sort of jewellery do you make?'

This collection is an expansion on an idea that I worked on last year. I wanted to tap into the current contemporary jewellery fashion that is an exploration of a more organic nature and finish is quite raw. This collection is a study of the quiet beauty of an abandoned nest.

It's been a while

Far out, It has been a little while between writing up my last post. I've been very slack with this little blog but have been working like a crazy person. Since my last post where I was setting up my last studio, that space was pulled down, I went to New York to make some contacts, and I'm back, moved into a great Gallery that has a floor of jewellery studio's, have entered into the a couple of competitions that I have made it to the finals have been in a few exhibitions and it's nearly time to start the Christmas rush. In the mean time, I'm trying to organise a visa to get into the USA, my life is a bit of a mess but it's moving forward all the time.

Keep an eye out here, I'll be posting new works and trying to get my head around moving and finding new ways to my business to the States.

work, work, work

The studio is coming along swimmingly. My friend J has finally moved in and was painting the space on Monday whilst I was completing an order for one of my stores. Most exciting. I have been working trying to complete all the production work so that I can start to experiment. I have it in my head that I need to start making some new works, I have been playing with the idea of fluid movement and using leather, resin, wood and precious materials to realise my ideas.

So I feel like my life is just about work at the moment. I work 2 days selling metal to jewellers, novices and students. I have a story every time I finish this job. Favourite story so far is when one person rang up to ask about having a 30cm chain as an anklet, I ask you, why would anyone in their right mind want to accentuate an ankle of such large proportions? Perhaps they need to have a neon saying here is my ankle, isn't it grand!

This leaves 5 days, one day I am studying trade jewellery at Enmore TAFE (more on that at a later date), 3 days in the studio. And so I can have some sort of down time, I have decided to have Sunday off.