A few of my favourite things

Danish Jeweller Corina Rietveld has a number of works that really struck a cord with my current interests. These include:

- Using rubber (trying to find the best for longevity/wearability)
- Manufacturing processes - laser/water jet cutting and printing on plastics
- Packaging (love this example - what fun)
- A bit of a floral focus (obsession) all in plastic of course
- Combining(cheap/common) plastics with precious metals/materials
- Not using precious materials and simply using plastic (making that valuable)

Wearable

I tend to wear these earrings a lot. They were a part of the Tupperware range I made over the previous two years. They are just a great green (favourite colour) and weigh practically nothing.

I have had this policy since I started making jewellery that I wouldn't wear any other jewellery but my own. I thought it was just the most basic and obvious way to promote yourself. I still believe that but am perhaps not as strict as I once was, as I tend to wear a lot of vintage now as well.

I was speaking with a furniture designer (amongst other things) recently and the first thing he commented on was that I was wearing my own jewellery and noticed that I always did. He said if only it was so easy to carry a chair around.

Uncle Swarovski

Last year my Uncle cleared out his jewellery manufacturing factory in Sydney (another jewellery manufacturing Uncle - there are a few). As my parents helped him with this they were able to kept a few things for me. Amongst the countless meters of chain and plated findings were two boxes of Swarovski crystals/rhinestones.

I know this isn't really my thing but 100 000 (or so) vintage crystals in such an array of colours, sizes and shapes and the family history that is connected to them has really got me thinking. There must be something interesting I can do with them - in combination with plastic of course!

I'll have to put this on the back burner for now, but it may be a future project.

Maybe.

The Family Business

Here are a couple of shots of my great uncle's factory in Sydney (think he had two along with various other businesses) where he manufactured jewellery, lipstick cases, compacts etc.

I am currently finding myself interested in discovering more about my family history since there are a number of jewellers and jewellery designers.

Uncle Tom (of the above photos above) migrated to Sydney from Sicily in the 1930's and promptly set himself up selling flowers outside the cemetery.

I guess I can only hope to have inherited a fraction of this true entrepreneurial spirit.

No place like home

Off to Sydney Town today. Looking forward to... in no particular order...

1. Finding vintage treasures at the Rozelle market & at the junk "antique" shop across the road.
2. Going for a bushwalk at Lane Cove (next to my family home) - reliving all my childhood adventures.
3. Buying seafood at the Pyrmont Fish Markets - Yummo.
4. Spending the day at the Royal Easter Show - the thought of all that plastic is simply irresistible.

layer upper layer upper layer

I feel connected.

Friend of mine Florence Forrest started a blog about the adventures of her life sized dolls. Since she knew I was desperate to get online she told me all about it. Although I wanted a website, a blog (I know it is a website) also became an attractive idea. It seemed a way of revealing a little more about myself (scary at first - O.K still scary) and allowing a peek behind the curtain for all those who were interested.

Now I have influenced someone else to start up a blog. The fabulous Margaux Lange http://midgesmind.blogspot.com/(Barbie Doll jewellery - see January post) has let me know that I was a factor in convincing her to start up her own blog. As there is little doubt that she is sure to influence many others to do the same the connections will just grow and grow.

Just glad to be a part of it.

Fly fly away - honestly!

Those nuns have a lot to answer for.

As a child I wished I were the Flying Nun. Alas all my attempts at taking off, via jumping off the household furniture, took me nowhere.

Many years later I find myself still feeling an overwhelming desire to fly (and sometimes fly away) and thanks to the real nuns I have this fabulous Catholic guilt thing and compulsion to tell the truth.

Thanks sisters!

Winner

Watched the last episode of Project Runway last night when the final three had their New York Fashion Week Runway Show. It was very exciting!

My favourite throughout was Jay, and he won!! Yah!! Although I wanted him to win I had expected Kara Saun to win as she had won most of the weekly challenges and designed such beautiful work. Jay never won a challenge although his work was consistently strong and ALWAYS his.

When his work came out of the runway my jaw just dropped - WOW! It was a phenomenal striking collection by a true original. You don't see that everyday.

Alexander McQueen move over - well O.K just nudge up a bit.