16th-20th Febuary

Unfortunately I was ill this week but I tried to do some research for my contextual file.

Thursday 15th - Friday 16th January 2015

We arranged to look around the grounds, of which we could access walking from Felin to the house itself, on the way passing the cup and saucer and other landscapes. As Sian new Sue the director at Erddig she asked if we could access the gardens, fortunately we could and got some lovely shots!

On both of these days I started researching Erddig, Trying to find stories and information on the owners on their website. 

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/erddig/

I found information on the history of the Mansion and gardens.

I researched into National Trust and other installations as well as site specific applied arts.

I will use all this information within my Contextual file.

Thursday 23rd October, 2014

Today we had a lecture with Dan about Innovation and reflected back on the evolution of Apple products and how innovation is a big part of being a designer coming up with products to make life easier thinking about the customer and their perceptions of an object. I found this lecture very interactive and interesting compared to my others so far as this appealed to me the most.

In the afternoon we were shown how to use the milling machine, I found it quite intimidating at first but then once I got into the idea of what I could use it for it opened up a lot of doors and I think it's one of those things I mean to play with and dedicate a few hours to play and spark my imagination.

I carried on creating samples, I have decided to keep the triangle folded form and play with size, colour and composition. I am finding it to be quite repetitive making the shapes but I find it relates to what I'm trying to achieve and believe the final results pay off and that's the part I'm enjoying about the making process so far.

Wednesday 22nd October, 2014

I am researching into a lot of designers that use reflective surfaces, movement and light taking into consideration my contextual research and what techniques I can try next such as more texturing metal in different ways.

Monday 22nd October, 2014

Sketchbook Day.                                                                                                                                                                        

Today I had some brain waves so I decided to draw them out in my sketchbook and write some notes and then have a play with painting. I feel like I need to speak to Julie about my ideas and see which one I should concentrate on!                                                                                                                                        

                                   

Friday 11th October, 2014

Introduction to stone setting!

Today I was quite nervous about stone setting as I wasn't very knowledable about stones and gems.

Cerys explained a lot to us in a short amount of time and I felt it was so important to keep record of everything through photos and notes.

We created a bezel ring with a stone and shoulders, I felt this session was very fiddly but with more practice I believe I will progress in this technique and the finished pieces will become much more satisfying. I tried my best to keep it neat but piercing something so small was very difficult to me even though I took my time.

Stone setting has triggered my imagination for my project as I've been looking into butterflies and the interesting sections of their bodied before, after and during their transitions I believe stone setting would be a brilliant decoration technique.

I'm looking forward to experimenting with the other ways of stone setting next week!

I'm really interested in Art nouveau (1890s+) and the 'Will to flight' theory and taking a modern spin on this manifesto within my work development. 

I have being researching into designers such as Rene Lalique popular for his jewellery at the time.

"Art Nouveau jewellery by Rene Lalique"

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/98234835592042181/

This is also a wonderful piece by Lucien Gaillard, I love the symmetry and attention to detail, although these pieces seem outdated they're very interesting forms and concepts that I would like to apply to my own work.

"Moth Pendant, ca. 1900 Lucien Gaillard - Gold, enamel, citrine, and horn."

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273804852318063483/

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.

Monday 6th October, 2014

Ideas and Development!

Today I spent my time writing initial ideas down in my sketchbook sprouting from the words; 'Sections' and 'Transitions'. I began developing the first ideas further into a spider diagram.

I've also been collecting research on techniques I would like to try and experiment with which I may begin drawing sample ideas to try out ready for the workshop.