Sim Luttin

In Lark Crafts Jewelry Post, Australian Jewelry/metalsmith student, Sim Luttin, discusses the difference between art jewelry and metalsmithing and Twyala Tharp's book The Creative Habit (had a June post about it) and setting aside time for your practice.



I love finding random gems of videos like this. Pin It

ready for the pour

Here's a shot of the mold relief, ready for me to slowly add injection wax, which will then be sprued. I can't wait to see how these will come out! Pin It

I love playing with wax and mold making

Here is a shot of my mold of the starfish. I can't wait to see how it turns out. I had fun just waxing it onto the acrylic and using my heat gun.

I'll post shots of the negative relief and more! Pin It

blast from the past

wow, I feel like I just time traveled today...hung out with some 19 yr. olds from the art school and just now re-discovered Cibo Matto, badass female group from the 90's.

check it out!

props to lil talent style rookie for reminding me even more of my age!

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your Aura

Andy in his aura suit

I'm really drawn to artists that create work with a spiritual, deeper meaning.

Andy Denton's work is composed of capturing a person's aura; what does it look like, what do aura's and halo's do?

Brothers in Arms

Andy is a grad student in ECU's sculpture department and a friend of mine. A pretty cool guy that also has awesome musical taste, he's a DJ of the ECU college radio, WZMB. They livestream online, so I highly recommend you check it out.

Balasana with Deer (my favorite)Inverted skull

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Video of the day

I do love me some Aretha.

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playing in the sand

My theme seems to be under the water, and I'm enjoying what comes forth. Several months ago I found a dried up starfish and just knew that I'd use it later on. I plan on casting the white pieces above and incorporating the black coral strands.

These pieces will go very well with my collection.

P.S. I got major kudos from Tim Lazure on my cuttlefish cast ring and brooch at my Casting I critique!!! Pin It

all nighter

Here is my finished necklace for my mixed media class.

My hands still hurt from holding the flex shaft to clean up the itty bitty caps I made for the black coral branches.

what a long day/night. but the pain was worth it, I'm mildly happy with the necklace; making the pendant removable! Pin It

Walk like an Egyptian

Or perhaps dress like one.

In the recent issue of Lapidary Journal: Jewelry Artist, there is a great article on the jewelers and metalsmiths of ancient Egypt. The article describes the stature, working conditions, techniques and awesome skill of Egyptian jewelers.

I was amazed to read at how drastically different the working conditions were for metalsmiths back then. I can go into the studio in relatively comfortable clothing and know I won't get really dirty but back then metalsmiths didn't have gas tanks, flex shafts or mechanized tools; nonetheless their work is incredible by modern standards.
I love looking at ancient jewelry and artefacts, learning about them and the craftspeople of ancient times really makes you appreciate their skill and hard work.

On a side note, I highly recommend subscribing to Jewelry Artist, it's a fantastic resource.
Broad Collars Dynasty 18 reign of Thutmose III 1479-1425 BCE gold inlaid with carnelian glass, from the tomb of the three minor wives of Thutmose III Thebes. (photos from Factoid).
The crown of Sit-Hathor Yunet was used as a wig ornament and adorned with gold and inlaid gold with carnelian, lapis lazuli and green faience. Pin It

small forest

my obsession with coral continues. For my mixed media class with Bob Ebendorf I hit a wall. We were assigned to make a wearable object with textile. I bought some black lace and
Greek ribbon and intended to make a head piece but I just couldn't figure out the mechanics and then I felt obligated to make it and then lastly, procrastinated until the night before!

Finally I spoke with Bob and well, I'm sticking with what I love and am currently crazy about, coral. So here is the beginning of the necklace, a coral forest. Pin It

Fall is almost here...

Saw Whet on the Moss
Originally uploaded by BigBrotherBear

I'm really loving owls, and BigBrotherBear has some insane shots.

This owl is just too cute.
Happy Friday!

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Paper is pulp

Graphics done by Mario Paredes.

Not sure what that title means but pulp can be paper...

Anywho, thought I'd bring you some more news of what's been happening with some of the graduate art students. Laura Wood, is always working hard to showcase artists and different methods of working with materials.

Laura created the Pulp Culture Exhibition that had some pretty awesome artist and workshops. I was really bummed I couldn't participate.

Here are some photos and links of the show.
Photo credit: Anne Gold


You can also purchase a catalog of the images and artist info at Blurb.com. Pin It

new photos!

Some of this work is older and more recent. My good friend Steve loaned me his camera...I really need to get a new one! The necklace above is oxidized sterling silver, copper rivets and a stone..for which I forgot the name.
Here is my beloved black coral and silver cast droplet bracelet. I have not been able to put this bracelet down...it's my FAVORITE! I'm such a nerd.
And my cuttlefish cast brooch for Casting I class. I just love it, and I spin the little red coral around all the time.
This is my champleve brooch, that I spend some good (ie. long) hours working on. But it is quite pretty.

I also spent today working on the ring below, I took this photo using my phone.
In progress...
And done! Pin It

it's written on the wall

ECU's print department held a summit this weekend to network, exhibit and understand more about the medium. I didn't attend any of them, except the exhibit and there were awesome prints. I wanted to purchase many of the fabulous prints.

There were some prints that just astounded me, leaving me wondering how they achieved their work.

The print below has a rich and deep color palette.I love the energy in the print below, powerful.
This print had me wondering what the subject was thinking.

One of the best parts of attending school, and benefit of being a student is the art exhibits and meeting so many talented people! Pin It

the first time...

"the first time ever that human beings created an exterior mirror image of that which was going on in their brains (interior), they did it through the activity which we currently could call jewelry making."
-Otto Kuenzli Pin It

class project

Gah, I can't believe I'm teaching a beginning metals class! I mean I can, but it feels somewhat surreal and so good. Today as I was working on the class schedule and project, the realization hit me.

I'm really proud of myself. Over the past year, I've actually been making my dreams happen. Going to school, beginning a production line and working in a jewelry repair shop, actually repair jewelry. Before that, it was mostly preparation, study but now, I'm doing it.

As corny as it sounds, dreams do come true! Pin It

busy as a bee

And I'm loving every minute of it!

Here is a photo of my cuttlefish brooch with coral (red and black).
I was showing my brooch to a classmate and she held it in different angles, that I hadn't even considered, so I took a photo of it in a different position.

Then I began to play around with making a ring out of some white coral that I also found in Panama. The shank is a cuttlefish cast piece that didn't exactly come out perfect however, I found that I really love the imperfections.

I'll be working on the ring this week.
I didn't work today in the law office (my other part time job), so I had lots of time to work and play. I just LOVE being in the studio. So much energy swirls around me, with other students getting excited about their projects. It's invigorating.
And I added more water cast silver to my black branch coral bracelet. I swear I'm obesessed with it. Pin It

turtle

I know this is completely random but very cool. I was driving home Friday from work, and just happened to see this giant turtle out of the corner of my eye. He looked ready to cross the road but, as silly as this sounds, I told him not to!

I have never seen a turtle this big, in my neighborhood, or anywhere I've lived.

Poor thing, as old as he is, I'd hate to see him turn into road kill. The cars on my street drive fast. Animals are so amazing, this turtle has a giant, almost crocodile-like tail. He just nodded his head when I told him to turn around and go home. Pin It

I got the job!!

At Emerge Gallery teaching Introduction to Continuing Metal Design. I'm so excited and a bit...nervous, I've subbed classes but this will be my first time teaching a class.

But I'm also really, really pumped to plan my projects and meet the students. My first class is next Thursday, September 9th. Plenty of time to get ready. Pin It

so much happening

This was the 2nd week of school and the projects are beginning to pile up.

In one week, I became the President of the ECU Metals Guild, attended my first VAF (Visual Arts Committee) and *cross* my fingers, may get a part time metals teaching gig!!!

I can handle it, especially since I dropped my art history course. This semester it's all studio time and like I said before, I'm really loving it. I feel like I'm getting into the meat of making and learning new techniques. It's pretty awesome.

So, I'll keep ya'll updated on that gig...may the metal gods bless me, even more. Pin It