Ivory

Hi,
I posted a note on a NOTCOT article about a designer who uses 'pre-ban, vintage ivory'. If you agree with me that this is somewhat questionable, please go on over and add your thoughts.
Cheers, Anna

diamonds and coils

This ring shits me

9ct white gold coil ring with 10 x diamonds

But I love it as well because I get lots of orders for it. What shits me about it, is that sometimes (less often now than when I first started making them) I get to the end and the client says it doesn't fit. I always get them to try it on before soldering the coils together (the ring is made from one length of wire and the 'coils' are soldered together in a few points to stabilise it to prevent the stones falling out) and setting the stones, but sometimes they're not happy with the size when it's finished.

It's easy to resize it up a little but the problem is that to resize it down means taking the stones out and starting again as there's no way of cutting through the shank.

I had one of these today. Fortunately there's an intermediary between me and the client.

Here's a close up. The wire is 1.2mm and the stones are half pointers (0.9mm)

Pouffes

Just thought I'd show some old work. This is a selection from a group of Pouffes I made for a show called 'The Bead in Contemporary Art' which was held at LaTrobe Regional Gallery in 2005. It was a group show and I was chosen to exhibit alongside such luminaries as Louise Weaver, Fiona Hall and Louiseanne Zara. Proud as punch, I was. Each Pouffe was named after a street in which I have lived.

The work is currently on display at e.g.etal Flinders Lane store.

French Ave 2005. Object (pouffe): patinated brass, glass beads

and enamel paint. 80x80x80mm. photo: Terence Bogue

Palmer St 2005. Object (pouffe): patinated brass, plastic beads
and bead caps. 60x100x50mm. photo: Terence Bogue

Musgrave St 2005. Object (pouffe): patinated brass, glass beads,
bead caps and iron wire. 120x60x60mm. photo: Terence Bogue

now for the let down

Yes, that's right. I am NOT a photographer!

I impressed with the first post beautifully photographed by the eminent Terence Bogue, and the following is my attempt at documenting a new range of work I sent up to e.g.etal this week.

It's a series of brooches based on coral forms. Each brooch is made from silver and comes on it's own copper stand. The stand slots into a fitting on the back. The little 'tentacles' are made from silver and gold and they 'jiggle' within their 'holes'. Parts of the brooches are painted with enamel paint.

group shot. The tallest stands about 150mm

Sorry again about the photos, it really doesn't do them justice as the colours are quite beautiful.

The silver ones are priced from $275 to $350. The one with 18ct yellow gold 'tentacles' is around $800.

gotta start somewhere

This is the work that I will be submitting to the Craft Victoria auction.

Embassy 2006: 140x140x10mm, recycled toffee tin
and souvenir tray. photo: Terence Bogue

But first, it will be a part of my exhibition Intervention that will be held at e.g.etal from the 9th-16th November.

It's a 'wall piece' made from a recycled Embassy Toffee tin, hence the name, although it works with the imagery as well.

There will be some jewellery in Intervention, such as the item below...

Liz brooch 2006: 100x80x5mm, recycled tea tin, copper. photo: Terence Bogue

And this is another wall piece.

Absent 2006: 160x130x5mm, recycled placemat
and chocolate tin. photo: Terence Bogue

There'll be more to come and I'll probably be posting images of old work as well as things straight from the bench.

Cheers, Anna