Friday 30th January, 2015

Today I carried on making stands by soldering wire to a base and cleaning them up before building paper up on them and practicing cutting it.

Thursday 6th November, 2014

Today I had a go at using the milling machine, I cut a piece of wood to attach my metal to using masking tape then changing the machine to adjust to my angle I wanted to achieve.

I marked the metal both sides as accurate as possible and then began the process, I found it very difficult to keep the measurements accurate and this lead to difficulty when it came to folding the scores after anealing the piece.

I found the shape interesting in the end because when i flipped the piece of changed it's position the appearance would change completely.

Monday 3rd October, 2014

Today I made my sample catalog, taking photo's of my work and thinking of how I would like to display my work, I written an evaluation for my assessment and notes on how I'd like to explain my work to Cerys and Jenny.

I printed off work in the library and organised my files as well as finishing off any sketchbook work to explain my ideas and thought process.

Thursday 30th October, 2014

Today I played around with arranging my forms together, I think this was helpful as I could see the idea coming together, when the pieces are in clusters they do abstractly appear as butterflies.

Tuesday 28th October, 2014

Today we had a seminar with Cerys and each explained what 'Our Manifesto' would be.

I found this task confusing at first as we had to find images of designers work or something that would allow us to explain our thoughts and opinions. I found this a really helpful and interesting task as we all had quite similar ideas of what our class should be known for in years to come.

In the workshop today I carried on making triangle forms using the rolling mill and textured hammers to experiment on the metal and see what the turn out would be, I also used needle files to texture the edges of my objects.

Tuesday 21st October, 2014

Today I experimented with a few of the ideas I drawn yesterday making them in Copper and Brass

and seeing if any of them would work out.

I spoke to Julie about my ideas and research I have been looking at, we both brain stormed ideas and she suggested sticking with the triangular form.  

We spoke about what paths I could go down such as colour, form, size and surface finishes,

I liked the idea of looking into the environment and reflective surfaces, projecting scenary onto my piece bringing the element of nature back into my piece.

I spoke to her about looking into Art Nouveau and how I wanted to link it in with the Will to Flight but I didn't want to use too much decoration, Julie suggested playing around with softer shapes and how this movement was for the young and fresh at the time and how I can reflect this ideal in today's society and claim that I am the new and fresh face of design.

I feel I can keep developing this project further now and I'm excited to do some research and take some photo's!

Tuesday 14th October, 2014

This morning we had a seminar on Crafts interaction with Technology which I found really interesting as we spoke about integrating technology into crafts and also creating crafts/objects using technology and how skills have developed.
I enjoy researching into this subject more and speaking about QR codes has sparked an interest I would love to integrate into my work.
This afternoon we made a tube setting, this has been my favourite technique so far because or the simplicity of the technique and the satisfying outcome that happens!
I also spoke to Julie about my brief idea and how I can go forward to develop it, she suggested creating ideas and samples out of paper, making machettes instead of straight out of metal to save time and get an idea out of my system.

Thursday 9th October, 2014

This morning we had a lecture on Design Thinking and watched some videos about the founders of the comany IDEO http://www.ideo.com/uk/ I found this part of the lecture really interesting hearing these successful people speaking about how their companies work and why. 

This afternoon we discussed precious metals, what the difference between fine silver and sterling silver were and hallmarking!

I loved this part of the day as we got to make a silver wire ring and I was shown a  better way of soldering than I have learnt in the past.

I loved working in sterling silver and hope to use it again in the future.

Tuesday 7th October, 2014

This morning we had a seminar as a group seaking about our 'favourite things'
and selected work we found interesting and inspirational to speak about together as a group.
I found this task daunting at first but enjoyed finding out about some new designers and techniques they've used. I wish I prepared more research for the seminar but it was great finding out what others found inspiration in and why; whether it be the concept or the techniques used for the overall appearance.

In the afternoon I prepped samples for etching which I left in for 2 hours so see how effective it would be, I really like the results and look forward to oxidising them and finishing them up to see what effects I can achieve.

I also worked on my raising Sample and worked out a quicker way to add shape to the bowl shape. I started further up, banding the vessel with a mallet instead of a cross pean hammer then going in and making regular marks to shape the piece evenly and effectively 

I was shown how to get the pleates/wobby edges out of the metal with blocking which I think is a faster process for jobs that have limited time.

I found this technique difficult to find a rhythm too and control the metal but through practice and keeping track of the changes I have found the progress I have achieved and an appreciation for the technique.

Friday 3rd October, 2014

Raising!

Back in the workshop again today, Cerys shown us how to create a metal raised vessel using forming stakes and Cross pein hammer, this was a very difficult task for me!

I was getting the hang of this technique nearer the end of the session but the hardest part is controlling the metal and getting into the rhythm of hitting the metal.

 Here are some expampled of vessels made from various metals; guilding metal, copper and nickel

Here's my piece after my session today, it was a difficult task but I think it's very satisfying seeing the progress from this technique!