I belong to a group of metalsmiths called EtsyMetal,
and each week some of us participate in the Project Runway challenges
from the popular TV show. Whatever the design challenge is for
clothing and accessories that week,
we create in jewelry. You can see all of the participant work on
the EtsyMetal
blog.
Season Finale
11/26/09 - For the final episode the challenge was to design a
mini-collection of jewelry. A girlfriend gave me these vintage
filing clips years ago, long before I started metalsmithing,
I was excited to finally use them in a project. The collection
consists of two rings, post earrings, a riveted necklace, and
a bracelet. These clips were used on index cards in office filing
systems, they were invented by R.A. Stewart and have a U.S. patent
dated 1939.
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Episode 12 : The Getty
11/10/09 - The challenge was to pull design inspiration from
The Getty. I chose a piece from the museum's permanent collection,
George Minne's marble sculpture Adolescent I, made in 1891. I recreated
some of the elements in metal with a modern twist, but I did not
attempt to capture the haunting and human feel of Minne's beautiful
piece. I love his work. The image is from the museum's web site, here. |
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Episode 11: Complementary Look
11/06/09 - For this episode the challenge was to create companion
pieces for a design made in a previous challenge. I chose the
bridal wear from episode eight and added two more pearls to the
bride's choker, which can be worn with the pendants in any configuration.
I also made two simple bridesmaids necklaces, and a pair of matching
earrings. |
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Episode 10: A favorite Place
10/30/09 - This week we had to choose a favorite place for inspiration.
I made a bracelet inspired by the old, giant magnolias in the
city park where I walk my dogs. This silver and copper cuff was
pierced, sawn, soldered, riveted, and forged. |
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Episode 9: Bling
10/20/09 - The challenge for episode 9 was "sparkle,
shimmer, and shine". I made a modern pendant featuring a
large, glittering Swarovski crystal surrounded by a sterling silver
oval with a bright, polished surface. As the crystal swings back
and forth it catches the light and separates it into tiny rainbows.
My friend calls it bling, whatever
it is, it certainly took me beyond my comfort zone. |
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Episode 8: Bridal Jewelry
10/14/09 - This week's challenge is to make a fancy or casual piece
for a bride to wear on her wedding day. I chose pearls because
they are traditional, and designed a modern sterling silver pendant
made of three individual pieces strung on a steel cable necklace.
I call this design Not
Your Mother's Pearls. The pendants are removable and can
be worn in any configuration. Just one of these pendants strung
on a simple silver chain would make the perfect complementary
bridesmaid gift. |
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Episode 7: Blue
10/8/09 - The challenge for this week was to incorporate the color
blue into our designs. I cut and polished this lovely piece of
parrot wing chrysocolla myself, it was my very first lapidary
experience. Chrysocolla itself is quite soft, but this is agatized
and extremely hard, it took some time to cut. It reminds me of
a little planet. I bezel set the stone on a textured adjustable
cigar band and gave the piece an antique patina. The title of this
ring is Mine. |
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Episode 6: Create a Character
10/2/09 - We had to choose from one of five film genres, create a
character in that genre, and make a piece of jewelry for them.
I chose Film Noir, and I created a short video that you can see
here.
Secret double agent Sylvia DeVille eats men for breakfast. Standing
6 feet tall with long, lustrous black hair, her curves are rivaled
only by her sumptuous red lips and deep green eyes. She lures dignitaries,
rebels, and presidents into her snare and when the time is right,
directs their attention to the kinetic ring on her right hand. As
the spiral spins Sylvia's victims feel themselves begin to drift
away and while hypnotized they reveal their deepest secrets. At this
moment men are helpless to Sylvia's desires and directives, and she
alone has changed the course of the world many times. The end of
the cold war? The fall of the Berlin Wall? The abolishing of apartheid?
Sylvia has had a hand in all of these events, and many more. Surely
you don't think Americans elected a black president of their own
free will. Alas, I've said too much. Here, gaze into my ring… |
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Episode 5: Newspaper
9/24/09 - This week's piece was inspired by Robert Heinlein's novel
Stranger in a Strange Land, the challenge was to use newspaper.
The text comes from an article on the Chase for the Sprint Cup.
I cut a sheet of silver in a way that reveals some words and
conceals others. The back is copper and the piece is joined with
brass nail head rivets. |
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Episode 4: The Customator
9/12/09 - My challenge was to make a ring incorporating wood and
a natural or organic theme. I painted a wooden bead and set it
like a pearl with balled silver wire. I am calling it Cosmic
Sprout, as it's more space age organic than earthy organic. |
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Episode 3: Surf Wear
9/7/09 - For this episode we were challenged to create beach or surf
wear. I made a necklace with a silver pendant featuring a pierced
copper stylized wave form and three pearls, the attached silver
chain includes drilled pearls strung in an asymmetrical pattern.
I generally use gems very sparingly in my work and I had fun
incorporating all of the pearls. |
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