Tip #11 - Drilling

When you have lots of small bits to cut out and drill holes through - drill the holes first. It is much easier to hold on to a big pieces of metal while drilling than it is to hold on to a tiny one.

Artist Feature - Malodora

Malodora is D Dee Wilder. I first took notice of her work when I saw a photo of an experimental bracelet she had made, on flickr. Her work is organic; alive - and it comes as no surprise to learn that she worked for many years as a research entomologist and a nature photographer, it's very obvious that this in-depth knowledge informs not just her work but her whole aesthetic. You get the feeling it's likely that if you took once of her incredible bracelets apart you'd find a biologically correct nudibranch.

Dee works with polymer clay, and she pushes all the boundaries that I've come across with it. She is constantly exploring the limitations and possibilities, and I suspect that this enquiring approach to the materials comes at least partly from her training in a rigorously accurate discipline:

...in polymer clay I was self-taught--until my work reached a certain level--then I started taking classes from artists I admired. I try to take at least 2 intensives a year, and I’m branching out into some techniques to complement polymer. Some artists have so much to teach by example that I take their classes over and over.

I love the perfect marriage of creativity and scientific discipline there. And it produces fabulous results:



It's hard to believe that's actually polymer clay (or at least for this non-polymer artist it is) - it has been produces in several stages, gilded, sanded, buffed, tumbled, and I haven't seen other work like it; although it's very slightly steampunk round the edges. Mary Gentle's characters would definitely wear it.



There's something slightly feverish about it this one, as if it might reach out, very slowly, and grab you. Venus flytraps from Mars. (Dee's earrings, available in her Etsy shop have this same aesthetic.)



The latest technique - hollow beads with multiple piercings, showing layers of colour.



And what can I say? Art, or jewellery, or both.

All different, all unique - and all instantly recognisable as Dee's work. It's this unique, distinctive voice - the use of colour and texture as well as the hothoused natural references that intrigues me. I asked Dee about it:

Q: I know you love the sea! (or I assume so, from the incomparable nudibranchs) - you work to me seems very organic, very natural; despite the very modern materials... what inspires you? To me it reminds me more of very detailed paintings rather than anything else that anyone is doing with polymer clay. The texture, the way you use colour, the objects that you make seem to me to be utterly unique - how did you come up with this?

That's a hard one to answer. I have a rich and varied history. I’ve been a naturalist my whole life, and my head is filled with images and ideas. I’ve been a photographer, so I’m always looking at composition and color. I guess I’d have to say I draw on all my inner voices--and--most important, I’m not market driven, and I make only what I love.

I’m inspired by the natural world. Ideas come to me on my morning walks and also from looking through my slide library, or leafing through some of my favorite books. Experimenting with clay inspires and excites me as well. I love taking an idea or a process and seeing how far I can push it. If anything, I’m over-inspired. I’m often working on several new projects at once and simultaneously planning others.

I am fascinated to see what Dee will come up with next. Her micromosaics:



(yes, that really is a pencil!)

and her polished (not varnished, I hasten to add - hand-sanded & buffed) beads:



are as exciting as the rest of her work. I will leave the last words to Dee:

I feel for the first time that I have reached a level of competence where I can control my materials. I’m not just trying to duplicate techniques and processes. I’ve never [before] stayed with a medium long enough for that to happen. I am able to visualize a finished piece and execute my vision. That might not mean much to most crafters and artists, but to me it is a giant breakthrough. The other thing that excites me is that since my husband retired he has taken over all household duties. This leaves me long interrupted hours in my studio--it makes an enormous difference to me since I am easily distracted every time I leave the studio. Of course, there are still not enough hours in the day to create the way I’d like to.

But the last picture? that's MINE! This I bought from Malodora on Etsy, and I am incredibly excited about it:



As well as Malodora on Etsy, if you have the time, look at Malodora on flickr - there is a host of wonderful pictures of Dee's work there, too. And it's a joy to look at it all!

Weekly Review: Metalsmith's Book of Boxes and Lockets

One book a lot of metalsmiths find helpful is Metalsmith's Book of Boxes and Lockets by Tim McCreight.

The techniques demonstrated in this book are essential for creating hollow forms such as boxes and lockets, and can be used for many other pieces as well. Such techniques include how to make a variety of hinges, various ways to create hollow forms, as well as clasps and closures. I myself do not have this book yet, but have borrowed it when learning to make lockets, and it is definitely on my (rather lengthy) wish list of books.

EtsyMetal Finds

Sorry I missed doing the finds last week! I started back to school and things just got away from me and the week flew by! Here are some finds inspired by those very things...

This perfect bookmark in copper by gurlygirl

And this great Fly Away wall graphic by EllyNelly

Blind Spot Jewellery

Janos, of Blind Spot Jewellery, is an amazing artist who works mostly in Iron. His pieces are often kinetic, full of texture and patina, and always incredible. You can find more of his work in his Etsy Shop.

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

I am from Hugary, Budapest. After getting my degree on agriculture I moved to England where I lived for 3 years. Then I came to Italy where I live now, near Genova, in a small, pretty village in the mountains, called Campo Ligure.



2. How did you get started working with metal?

I started to experiment with metals -mainly iron - in Hungary. Then in England I took an evening class of jewellery and I started to work with silver and other metals too. I built up my first workshop there and sold pieces in local galleries. I learnt a lot from exchanging ideas with other jewellers, from books and from continuous experimenting.

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

I really enjoy to make poison rings - or container jewellery. I love them because they give you the feeling that you can protect and keep safe something at least. As the jewellery we wear becomes a part of us, so the contained treasure we place in it. As long as we survive, so does the treasure.



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

I am inspired by any old metal objects, matured metal surfaces. There is that state of mind, when the whole word becomes a potential source of creation: all the shapes, the materials around us.

5. Do you have any other artistic interests?

I like to write in my language. But because I live abroad I write less and I prefer nonverbal arts, like jewellery is.

In the Studio with Noform Design

I've been super excited to this In the Studio post. Paul C. Phillips of Noform Design is a metalsmith living in Chicago. His work is so different from anyone else's in EtsyMetal and I was intrigued by how different his studio is from everyone else's.

1.) tell us about your studio. how long have you been there? where is it? (in your home, arts center, store, etc.. and city)

my studio is in the basement of the chicago 3 flat we live in. it's a great space. it's a typical chicago basement, so it's a little dark, a little damp, and could use some work, but it's perfect for what i do. we've lived here for about 2 1/2 years, but i moved my studio here about 2 years ago after my landlord offered the space free of rent. he's a retired dentist (in his late 80's) and enjoyed woodworking. he's allowed me to use his woodworking equipment since he doesn't use it much anymore. it's a pretty sweet deal. you can see from the photos that i'm not the tidiest, and cleaned up a bit to get it looking like the organized mess you see. but i know exactly where everything is...even the tools that have never been unpacked.

{overview and lathe}

{work table}

{work table}

{grinding room}

2.) what is your favorite tool you have? why?

it's a toss up really. my cnc mill is capable of so much that i have yet to try doing everything i want with it. my lathe appeals to my machinist side because of the hands on aspect. i really don't think i could have one without the other...but if forced, my cnc mill.

{cnc mill}

{mini lathe}

3.) what do you listen to or do while working? music, news, or nothing- i'm concentrating!

i would have to say all of the above. it all depends on the mood i'm in, and whether or not the metal gods are being good to me. if it's music, then i've got my ipod or computer playing my music. if it's the radio, npr. tv...occasionally. if i've got some silly band to bang out, then nothing, as it takes only 15-20 minutes.

4.) what time of day is your favorite to work?

anytime of day is good for me. when i'm able to work, however, is a completely different answer. being a stay at home dad, i usually only get nights and weekends to work on stuff, and then it's only the orders i get from the boutique i do custom work for. hopefully that will be changing soon.

5.) do you have an inspiration bulletin board or something else that you keeps you inspired? do you have a picture of it?

inspiration usually just happens for me. i don't think i've ever been stuck for an idea. i meet with people who want custom pieces all the time, and i usually have to come up with at least one design for them before the meeting is over.

6.) can we get a little sneak peek of what you're working on right now?

um, i have to make a 9mm wide brushed stainless steel domed band...anyone can find them online for far less than i charge, but i always get orders for bands. it's one of those bread and butter type things. i wouldn't want to bore anyone with a picture of it.

Thank you Paul! Go check out his etsy shop and website!

EtsyMetal News 08.26.08

Landscape Sample Rings by Sarah Hood

A bit of local news for me and news for other EtsyMetal-ists as well!
The Bringing the Band Back Together Ring Show is on display at the Georgia Museum of Art in Athens, Georgia. You can also check out photographs of all the rings on flickr.

Sarah Hood and Colleen Baran both have rings in the show! Even though I got to see it in Savannah - I'll have to swing by and see it there too. The University has a new art building that is right across from the museum and I haven't gotten to check it out yet. Sadly, the jewelry and metalworking department didn't get a spot in the new building...

Chuck of Down To The Wire Designs is starting a new project of creating and listing a new ring every day! What an inspiration. Check out more information here and of course his shop for all the new rings!!

And of course there have been loads of front pages of fabulous etsymetal pieces - Just today LunasaDesigns and Gemmafactrix were on the front page, thanks to Sophie of Duckduckgoosestuff who created the list! How fun is that?