Motivation for manufacturing

Recently I have been growing more and more concerned with what's going to happen when I leave tech and have to support myself (the future...). The concern lies in being able to do what I love, while managing to generate an income that I will be able to live off of. Because of this I feel motivated to manufacture more pieces of jewellery so that I can supply galleries and shops, and in doing so, hopefully get my name/brand out there before it comes time to leave tech. If I manage to supply shops with my jewellery I will also be able to see how it sells, and depending on the outcome of this, whether there is a market for my jewellery.

Cape Glass Studio

This last week that i have been in Cape Town was amazing, and i was lucky enough to come across this beautiful glass gallery off Long Street. Such beautiful colourful sculptures (at ridiculously high prices).

necklace is finished!

Yay, a necklace... not another ring!

I'm so pleased to be making this necklace. It's about time. As much as i love making rings I am very glad to be making a bigger piece of jewellery. The idea for this necklace came from playing around with my round forged elements... when i hammered them flat, then reopened them (as seen in previous rings) they resembled the lovely wavy edge of a sea clam. As soon as I've figured out how to use my scanner, I will upload a photo of these clams that i found in my deep sea photography book. I still need to complete this necklace, but these pictures show some of the metal prep and elements that i will put together to make this piece...

Glass Necklaces by Ruth Berenbaum

Ruth Berenbaum uses actual glass links in her necklaces. I find this incredibly interesting since I have been trying to go on a glass bead making course myself. Ruth seems to be taking it a step above glass beads that need to be threaded onto some other kind of material, as all her pieces are made entirely of glass!

Pretty Rings by Aude Tahon...

I can’t understand a word on this blog, because it’s all in French… But this jeweller uses either colourful ‘scooby’ wire or painted wire, to create such beautiful and colourful crochet rings. They look so lovely and weightless, and I am particularly drawn to their messy organic appearance.

http://audetahon.typepad.com/

Playing with 'shanks'

I wanted to something other than rings, but using the same forged metal shanks that i have been. These pictures are of some sketches i did when thinking about what i could make, I ended up making a pair of forged silver earrings that are the same basic shape as the shanks i usually make.