Weekly Review: Metalsmith Exhibition in Print Controversy

There seems to be a constant debate that goes on within the craft community at large, and definitely within the metalsmithing community. The general themes center around, as Danielle Miller put it:

Art vs. Craft
Academic vs. Production
Metal vs. Alternative Material
Fine Craft vs. Indie Craft
Professional vs. Hobbiest

The latest hot topic in the metalsmithing community comes to us via Orchid Digest. On August 15th, James Binnion, a metalsmith noted for his mokume-gane pieces, posted a scathing review of the lastest Metalsmith Magazine's Exhibition in Print (to continue reading the thread, click on the link "thread next" above the post). His criticisms were regarding the relevance of the pieces juried in the EIP to the metalsmithing community, and the SNAG community specifically. This lies somewhere in the "Academic vs. Production" and "Metal vs. Alternative Material" spectrums, as well as "Wearable vs. Non-Functional".

Gabriel Craig, a well-read and written fellow metalsmith, posted a fantastic reply to Binnion's review, and it can be viewed in the Orchid Forums as well as on his own website, Conceptual Metalsmithing.

The benefit of debates like these is that they open up the floor for discussion, and possibly solutions to problems. The downside, is that these debates never seem to really get us anywhere...there is always a debate, there are always "sides" for people to gather on and throw mud at others. But then again, I guess that's what happens when you gather together many individuals with varying ideals, and throw them into the 'pit' together.

(The image shown above is by April Wood, and appears in the current EIP.)

Erica Stankwytch Bailey

Oval Pendant / Break

Erica Stankwytch Bailey is a new member to Etsy Metal. She creates intriguing forms with color, texture, and shape. You can view more of her work in her Etsy Shop, as well as on her website.


1. Where do you live, and where are you from?

I live in Fayetteville, North Carolina and with the exception of college and a couple short but sweet adventures abroad I hav always lived here, born and raised.

2. How did you get started working with metal?

I took my first metalsmithing class when I was 17 years old, but it wasn't until I was in college and took a metal design class that I knew it was where I wanted to be. I was and still am absolutely enamored with the way that metal moves, the malleability of it.

Climb Bracelet

3. What are a few of your favorite pieces at the moment?

I am creating some new work right now- really using the hydraulic press in new ways. This is such a great time in the creative process- my bench is full of new ideas and successful experiments- so these pieces (though unfinished) are really high on my list. I have also been doing a lot of asymmetrical work lately and I really like the juxtaposition that is created between the wearer and the work.

4. What inspires you (artists, objects, interests)?

There are so many things that inspire me: all things ocean/reef (echnoids, jellyfish, coral, etc.)- there are so many creatures in the sea that are truly beautiful but equally as dangerous-that relationship intrigues me. I can spend days on the beach picking up fragments of shells- never actually using the shard itself in a piece of jewelry but being moved my the process of decay- worm holes, wear, etc.Fossils are another big inspiration- I once spent an entire day looking at the oceanic fossils at the Smithsonian in DC. This could be a really long list so I will stop here.


Coral Earrings

5. Do you have any other artistic interests?

As for other artistic interests- I am pretty much a full-time metalsmith- though I do shoot my own work, so I dabble in photography.

Artist Feature - Tinctory.

Tinctory makes wonderful, wonderful things. A Czech textile artist originally from Prague and now living in England, her current obsession is smocking. As she says in her etsy shop:

The smocked jewellery is inspired by the intricate needlework seen on historic textiles. Each piece is made entirely by hand using old elaborate techniques which I think gives it a certain magic.

This interest in textiles isn't new: My interest in textiles probably dates back to a silk painting kit I got years ago as a birthday present. Painting on silk led me to batik, dyeing and shibori. With shibori the focus shifted to manipulating fabric into 3D textures rather than colouring it and that sparked off the search for ways to make the texture permanent so it could withstand wear and washing.



It was this permanent, textured, alt-shibori work that I first noticed on Etsy - it's a totally unique, remarkably beautiful and instantly recognisable signature - and unsurprisingly, it proved very popular. Despite the vibrant colours and the crisp, futuristic lines of these pieces, I have always had a feeling of space, stillness and calm from Tinctory's work. I think it's partly because these qualities come across so beautifully in her very accomplished photography, but it's also due to the completeness of her work - the wholeness of each piece, if that makes sense.



As interest in these pieces grew, Tinctory's work changed from the ultra-modern to an old, traditional European technique of gathering and manipulating fabric - smocking. But smocking with a modern twist...



The pendants, rings and beads she has been making recently are as unique and instantly recognisable as her previous shibori work; though in direct contrast to that the materials are all natural and the techniques and tools centuries old:

...I wanted to find something that would work on natural fibers ... and came across smocking. The principle of smocking is that the fabric is pleated and the gathers are held together by embroidery stitches. It is decorative but also practical and was often used to gather the neck or cuffs of loose clothing. I enjoy the fact that smocking has minimal requirements for specialised tools and materials (all you need is fabric, needle and thread), instead it demands time and concentration...



...The process involves several stages. First, fabric preparation - washing, ironing, cutting and sewing. Then I gather the material into fine, even pleats (by stitching it - no pleating machine). After that comes the fun bit - choosing the colour combinations and smocking several rows (the smocking stitches hold the pleats in place and also add colour and texture). Finally, the fabric is threaded on silver wire and made into a piece of jewellery...



Right now I'm really excited about what's called North American smocking. The textures are stitched on the wrong side so the right side shows only the intriguing lattices and other patterns and doesn't give away how they're held in place. I'm working on bracelets made with this technique.



It's impossible not to be delighted by Tinctory's work; as well as being beautiful it's very intelligent. She trained as a Art (and English) teacher and the discipline and rigorous, slightly sparse aesthetic are very apparent. As well as her Etsy shop she has a flickr page - but beware, only visit when you have much time to spare. I can spend hours looking at the photographs; they are wonderful.

all images copyright Tinctory; reproduced with permission.

Tip #10 - Sanding Disc Window

I use my flex shaft for all kinds of jobs---but mostly for clean up. Here is a neat trick for those of you that use snap-on sanding discs.

If you cut a small section of the disc away, it becomes a little window.

When the disc spins, you can see through the window and see your work underneath!

Just be careful not to snag the window on any edges. It could tear the paper disc and will probably throw your piece across the room!

Etsy Metal Finds

According to Wikipedia, "the circle has been known since before the beginning of recorded history. It is the basis for the wheel which, with related inventions such as gears, makes much of modern civilization possible. In mathematics, the study of the circle has helped inspire the development of geometry and calculus." So, why wouldn't we love such an important shape? The following etsy finds are showin' a little circle love.

Walking in Circles, Porcelain Wall pillow by Stepanka

Sterling Silver Earrings by JTJewelry

Multicolor Circle Scarf by Katalatabata

EtsyMetal News 8.16.08

What a busy summer it has been! So busy its hard to keep track of everything. But there are a few things for sure - Ashley of AshleyJewelry and Lena of lenastudio will be at the Show Pony Show in Dallas this Sunday from 11 - 7. It looks like a lot of fun, so you should definitely check it out if you are near there.

I missed it last week, but Sara Westermark made over 1000 hearts. That is such a huge landmark - congrats Sara!!

Brooke Medlin is working on collecting info through a survey on artist shopping habits. Won't you help her out?

This is not specific to EtsyMetal - but metal prices have been dropping over the past week. And that is incredibly exciting. After prices steadily going up and up and up, its nice to have a bit of a drop. I wonder if its just a tease though and will make a u-turn and start to climb again. Hopefully not before I order a little stash!

Beth Cyr Jewelry

Beth Cyr creates wonderful organic jewelry from silver, gold, stones, and pearls. Her work can be found in her Etsy Shop, as well as on Flickr. Here she divulges her roots and inspirations...enjoy!

1. Where do you live, and where are you from?

I live in Athens, GA and have been here for 9 years. Which is almost the longest I've been anywhere! I was born in CT, but moved when I was little. I grew up in a little town called Palmerdale, Alabama - we had a pond and woods to play in and I think is largely responsible for my love of nature. When I was a teenager I moved to northwest GA.

2. How did you get started working with metal?

I actually didn't start working with metal until I was in college here at the University of Georgia. That was in 2000 and I started as a jewelry and metals major in 2001 and graduated in 2003.


3. What are a few of your favorite pieces at the moment?

My most recent favorites have been sold already. One set of rings was a commission, but they were so lovely I hope to make more!


And this dandelion pendant too! I usually try to do a random pattern, but a few were kind of stuck together in this fan shape, so I went with it and loved how it turned out.



This ring hasn't been made for sale yet and I think will just end up being the place holder for a custom order piece. I made it my size so I think it just wants to stay with me.


4. What inspires you (artists, objects, interests)?

I feel like I am inspired by everything! I've been doing a lot of custom work recently, so I'm finding that my customers are inspired by my work and in turn give me something new to work with. Its kind of fun to be given a new project - and the time to work on it! I've had customers send me a stone to set, some leaves or other natural material, and right now I'm waiting on items from a gal who wants Coney Island themed wedding bands! I'm excited for the package of sand and shells and driftwood.
Overall, I would have to say most of my work has some base in nature, plants and trees tend to be my favorites. If I'm working with stones, I try to just be inspired by the stone, either the pattern, color or shape of it. When I have a chance to just make something, I like being inspired by the materials, different scraps of metal often give me an idea. Occasionally architecture finds its way in, but old ancient forms, not so much modern clean lines.

5. Do you have any other artistic interests?

I have many other artistic interests, but not always the time to do them. I do some screen printing, painting, photography and ceramics. I even drove to Washington DC to pick up a kick wheel, though it now sits unused. One day I'd love a huge studio that I could have separate areas for all my other 'hobbies'.