Support Local & Indigenous.

For a long time I've considered using indigenous plants as reference to my work. Last year I  got excited (briefly) about the Large Leaf Rock Fig & Coral tree (2 of my favorites). I took some photos of them, attempted repoussing a leaf and made a wax mold and a few ceramic ones, but never turning anything into a piece of jewellery and then blew off the idea.

 From there I've continued to used made up stylized leaf shapes. Now its become apparent to me how much more meaningful and "sustainable" ( from a narrative perspective) it is to use indigenous plant reference. I think It will also give my work a naturally more contemporary feel.

Cow Shrine finally finished.

This pendant was made as a "cow temple". I suppose quite a personal piece. I  made it as a tribute to  Gopastami (the cow holiday) that is celebrated in India. I just think its so wonderful that they have a day dedicated to cows. My little cow is standing on the alter ready to be "worshiped". The cow is rather small and therefore may seem insignificant standing there, but i like to think of it as this big fuss (the rest of the pendant) that's been created around this cow. I used as little hot work as possible (for eco vibe) and set the front into the back, so the design on the back was originally for practicality, but turned out looking way better then the plain back.(Excuse my lens in the pic, not sure how to eliminate that). I spent what felt like a gazillion hrs making a lllloonnnggg chain for the pendant, for it to hang low. It turned out to not really suit it, so for now its on a belchar chain but have started another variation of the original chain that i think will be better suited.

Original chain.

The new one.

 Now that i thought this pendant was finished I've realized its not.... The front of it needs more contrast, I've highly polished the frame and glass brushed the inside, but its still all too white, I am going to blacken the back, leaving the pierced layered mandala white and frame polished. Although jewellery blackening solution is liver of sulfur - Nasty stuff... so i will find an alternative. Will post new pic once I've done that.

Green Imagery

I use ‘Green’ imagery in my jewellery, some of it obvious and some from a personal perspective therefore  initially not obvious to the viewer. I use these to either comment on something or to create an awareness. The imagines I use or intend on using are:


- Trees, Leaves and botanical foliage
- Animals
- Spiritual symbols(?for lack of a better word)
- all things Gardening
- Words

Have thought of maybe making a mini windmill. An obvious imagine i think.

- energy? an idea?

What about the side we don't always see?

Looking back at this pendent i made in 3rd yr. The front is pretty, and i get loads of pleasure out of wearing it... but I made the back as an after thought - in a hurry, and this is clear. I don't mind people seeing it when its on me, because they don't ask to see the back. When people do hold it to have a look, I always find myself excusing the back. Eventually I'll remake the back of this one. Jewellery is or should be interactive and i have realized that all sides of any piece should be equally beautiful...

So slowly as my Cow Shrine comes together, and as the front of it becomes more decorative. I've realized that I have made the mistake again and not designed anything for the back of it. It is a pendant so the back lies against the chest, but it is a 3D structure and surely it would be disappointing for a viewer if the back of it was not beautiful. I suppose it could be compared to a building, not only the front of it is designed and then a back -oh whatever?! That seems ridiculous, and should so too in jewellery. How much more special would it become if an equal amount of time and effort goes into all areas.

Shrine in the making

Putting some thought into the back..... Going to try Fly pressing,. The detail? 

  

Sacred Cows.

 As I have already mentioned part of my intention is to make narrative jewellery, to create awareness surrounding green issues/topics that i feel strongly about. I am going to start by making a series of 'Shrine' pendants. Addressing(or opposing) the matter i spoke about in my previous post (sad and un-sustainable animal farming methods).

Little plastic hand painted model cows i bought

Cast a few

As I would like to make beautiful jewellery, I am not going to focus on the negative aspects of an issue. Rather the opposite view, by zooming in on the positives. Eg. My first pendant will be "the Sacred cow". I don't know too much about Hinduism, but i know that cows remain protected and are considered to be sacred. The cow is honored at least once a year on Gopastami. On this holiday, cows are washed and decorated in the temples and then given offerings in the hope that her gifts of life will continue. I think this is absolutely beautiful. I wish to capture this in a piece of jewellery, and hope someone will find it beautiful and possibly shed a new light on cows in their mind??Even for just a brief moment....

A picture i tore out a mag ages ago... love the detail, shape and pattern

.

After much designing ,the  final shape.

Narrative Jewellery...

Narrative jewellery has existed alongside ancient civilizations throughout history. It stems from the humans want/urge to communicate, either by sending a message or by telling a story. Contemporary narrative jewellery came about with the pop art movement. Which opened jewellers up to creating jewellery that comments and communicates, with either the wearer, the viewer or both. The notion of narrative jewellery suggests a variety of aspects. Often through symbolism and imagery commenting on political, cultural, spiritual or social matters, and possibly even personal issues, memories, beliefs or opinions.

A Khamsa is a good example of a  image, often made into a jewel, used as a sign of protection throughout history. 

A Penny for your Thoughts. Fred Woell. 1991. Silver , brass, penny. Brooch
This Brooch comments on a politcal status, whilst making a joke of it. 

Iv come across an American metal smith and jeweller Elizabeth Goluch. She creates one of a kind detailed and decorative insects. Her work reflects the intricacy,complexity and order in nature and evokes elements of insect life and the environment. This demonstrates and shares an appreciation for insect life. Often the pieces contain a beautiful little treasure. Goluch works in gold,silver enamel and gemstones.

Farming meat :(

The current human consumption of meat is not only incredibly un-sustainable, but also really sad. Most of South Africas meat is raised under intensive industrial farming operations. Instead of being able to graze on pastures and being able to free to roam, they are fed a high percentage of grain(a completely un-natural diet) and various kinds of cheap proteins and fats...as well as high doses of antibiotics and growth hormones, and are kept indoors in highly concentrated feedlots. And if its not that, then i cant forget to mention a vast majority of world wide deforestation is to make grazing land for all this meat we're eating...

A high percentage of pigs never get to feel the earth under their feet. and around 80% of cattle and chicken are grown in confined feedlots. Sheep in this country have it better off, and are largely farm free range...good for them!

Free range diary farm. Underberg... happy cows :)

Not saying don't eat meat at all but for goodness sake, if you are fortunate enough to be aware of what is going on, at least choose free range and organic over the rest... Consumerism drives the change.
 Don't abuse the luxury of being able to pop into the supermarket and voila...
Respect these animals that give us our food.

Calf, Underberg. How cute is that face...what gentle creatures cows are.

Gardening Tools

Then there's growing a few of your own organic veggies. The fun part. Eating less meat is also a small positive that can help (livestock farming is one of the greatest contributing factors to deforestation). Meat-Free Mondays is a campaign to create awareness.... easy start, dedicate at least one day a week to no meat (i intend on making a Meat-Free Monday piece of jewellery).  I have made a few 'Garden Tool' pieces which represent "green" to me. I would like to make more, and to have a recycling range as well as an animal awareness range. I would also like to start working with other imagery that is associated with being 'green' maybe also positive and negative indicators of 'sustainability'. 

My Happy Gardening range. Dig It. Earrings. 925

Happy Gardening range. Shower with love. pendant. 925

My design and manufacture process.

I think that probably most designers across all fields have an area of their design or manufacture process that is most relevant or important to them, their work or their message/point. I think the area that is most relevant and important to me at this point is my manufacturing process. My designs also hold some relevance to my topic as i see the leaf as sort of a symbol for anything eco related, but without a sustainable eco manufacturing process my message is nothing, just an image of a leaf. I aim to get to a point where the manufacturing process of my jewellery leaves as little an environmental impact as possible, and one day hopefully none :).

I also find that as the manufacture of my jewellery becomes more sustainable, i want my designs to have more of a purpose as well. For this reason i have slightly changed my design approach, instead of just using an image of a stylized leaf shape (which started to get a little boring). I'm starting by using the leaves of indigenous trees as a referance.

AWARENESS piece. A wearable piece, stand alone, brand

I really enjoyed the whole process of designing and manufacturing this piece, mostly because I didn’t have any specifics to follow - I threw the vernier out and just manufactured as I went. I find this a very rewarding way to work as nothing is too planned and in the end you come out with something that seems like a surprise.

Following in toe with my leafy earrings I wanted to continue with the organic theme. I kept my design and metal surface relatively plain and simple as I thought it would take away from the plant if I didn’t, the plant is the main focus of this piece.

This pot plant makes me really happy, and although it is not fully wearable, if it was to be worn, the wearer would have to be ever conscious of the fact that there is a plant with soil on their finger.

This makes the ring a mindful piece of jewellery, I like this idea. I would maybe like to make a sister to this piece that would be even more mindful, by creating a big pot with three finger holes.

Wearing this ring would be restrictive to the hand - a taste of our own medicine and reminder of how we feel we have the right to cut down trees and plants and then restrict them to grow only where suits us e.g. parks and nature reserves. Making the rest a concrete jungle.

From this piece I would definitely like to create an entire range of more wearable items.

I have received positive feedback, now just to leave it on the windowsill to get sun and love, and hope that my plant (and concept) grows.

B-tech intentions

This year i aim to use the concept of my jewellery to create an awareness around my topic, "sustainability" (expressing my concern), using my jewellery as a tool to convey this (narrative) message.

I intend (somehow) manufacturing jewellery that conveys the vulnerability/fragililty of nature. Whilst doing this i would like to investigate---- then incorporate where possible , sustainable ways to make jewellery more environmentally friendly.

I also plan to do more research on indigenous trees/plants and using these as reference to illustrate both the positive and the negative aspect of sustainability(fauna and flora as indicators). I also intend on finding and looking into jewellers and artist who use the environment as subject matter(in any meaningful way, not necessarily visual).eg Hamish Cambell , Sharon Church.