Flower Ring(s)

For Stella:

I mixed up the idea a bit, so they aren't ALL daisies, sorry. Here are some poorly taken photos to show progress. 

There are three rings, each with its own flower. The largest one (the actual daisy) is the purple stone. I hope you like-

Danielle

Angel Design

A design for an angel ornament-

The above is a comparison to the original image.

The black area is the actual material, the white is the cut out areas. 

In this image, the black is material, the grey is an ETCHED RASTER in the surface, coming out a different, lighter shade. This mean you get the same detail, but more structure. The white is still the cut out areas. 

This ornament would be made in red acrylic, one 3mm layer. 

The template for 56 of them looks like this:

"Poise" Cufflinks

Today I finished my FINAL, LAST, OMG FINALLY project of the semester, the "Poise" Cufflinks for University House. Tomorrow my final assessment will be laying out all that I've completed this semester and getting them reviewed by my three workshop heads. 

The cufflinks are based on the idea of organic geometric- circles and cones, basically. The base has been riveted in place, and the top set into the middle. The middle is a hollow form. This piece was made using rapid prototyping and casting, and is all sterling silver.

Update

Just some shots of the final pieces in white. XD

Millicent Russell, Kingly Quinns & Blogging About Blogs

This week I've not sold a thing, but I still feel like I did. That's because, in way, I've sold little bits of me to other bloggers. 

The amazing thing about blogs and blog communities is that, once you're linked to one- well, you'll soon be linked to a few, then a whole heap and you'll heart them and they'll heart you, and eventually it's one big bed of blogging fun, and the little offspring of shout-outs and in-jokes will run around the mature blog's feet, crying and begging for the good shit. 

I was asked by the lovely Katherine Quinn, who has had published work in Canberra's BMA Magazine, to maybe feature on her blog, Kings and Quinns. Quinn blogs about fashion and issues, much of it springboarding off her own eclectic (and sexy, awesome, fascinating...) fashion sense. Go check it out- this girl is giving me soooo many ideas for my wardrobe and designs over the next few weeks! http://kingsandquinns.blogspot.com/ 

The last blog I read was all about matching, and outfit coordination. I must say, when I went shopping today all I could think was "mustn't look matchy-matchy..."

I contacted my fan list on facebook about potential models and photographers helping me with a portfolio of my works, to better the response I get on Etsy. The loveliest lady, Snez Sara, responded with the idea that we might be able to work together on this! She works for local GLBTQ magazine, Fuse (http://www.fusemagazine.com.au/) and I think this would be a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with the love side of my heart. 

And, today, on Etsy itself I received a really sweet email. Amelia, who runs the Etsy store Millicent Russell, contacted me with a link to her blog, where she gave shout outs to several of her favourite local Canberran designers. The blog can be seen here: http://millicentrussell.blogspot.com/

However, I had a look at Millicent Russell while I was there. Amelia has this to say: "My name is Amelia Huang and I created Millicent Russell in 2006. I built my jewellery label out of my home in Canberra, Australia. Using rare vintage materials sourced from all over the world, the Millicent Russell collections include one of a kind and limited edition pieces." I found Amelia's work simply beautiful! The antique lace is exquisite, and the jewelery she creates is breathtaking.  Here are some of her pieces: 

Peacock Lace Earrings. Millicent Russell - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33732720 

  

Monogram Lecklace- "L is for". Millicent Russell- http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33731213 

Thanks so much my lovely blogging friends, you're awesome! I need to repay the favour more often. 

XOX Danielle Kathleen. 

Progress Report

This week I've completed three of my four major assignments! The only one left to go is the cufflinks (oh, god, kill me now) and a stand for assignment one, the vessel. 

I thought I might post some happy snaps of the work I've done since completing the RoseBud Rings, my first wax ring creations shown here:

 (http://daniellekathleenjewelery.blogspot.com/2009/09/rose-bud-rings-current-projects.html) 

A couple of weeks ago I posted this image here: 

Since then this cast has transformed into a complete ring! I created a 'T' style band for this ring, designed to slot between the fingers and look like a growth sprouting from the hand. Here are a couple of images of the ring after I completed fabrication:

I've since whitened this ring, so all the stalks are very white, and the bobbles on the end and the band have a glossy, silver shine. I'll post a pretty pic very soon!

Over the last weeks week I've also created the metal masters of my wax mushroom rings! These were based on my half-circle organic rings, which I designed in wax last september, and blogged about here: http://daniellekathleenjewelery.blogspot.com/2009/09/organic-half-round-rings-current.html

Both of those designs failed : ( 

However, I went back to the original sketches and decided to pursue the mushroom design. Here we have the rubber mould I made from the metal masters, as well as the wax injections that I used to invest and cast:

And, finally after all that effort I created a metal copy in silver- perfect! I've got two silver sets of these, one in dark silver tones with blackened veins, and one in whitened silver, the veins polished lightly. The one you see here is the darker set:

The beauty of this ring is also the fact that some of the mis-cast wax injections only have the mushroom partially formed, while the band is perfect! This means that I might create more multiples of this ring, which are like the imperfect mushrooms you see in nature. That means there is variance and quirky individuality to each cast. Keep in touch for pictures of the white set too! 

XX Danielle Kathleen

Etsy

This week I decided to trial the Etsy phenomenon. Etsy is an online marketplace, rather in the theme of Ebay- but everything on there is either handmade art, supplies to make handmade art or vintage. 

My store can be found at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/daniellekathleen 

I've listed some of my current surplus stock on there to see how they go. We may get no sales, one or a few! Who knows? However, never fear locals! From the profit from Saturday's stall I'll be ordering the next series of "Memories"! Here are some pics of the upcoming designs:

Spring Out Fair Day- "Memories" launch

Wow, what a success! The day was hot, long and large, but my goodness were the "Memories" commented on! The most popular on the day, by far, were the beating anatomical hearts, all the pendants selling out faster than hot cakes! Then I'd say the birds and voodoo dolls were a close second. I had a large amount of verbal interest in all my bugs and creepy crawlies- several stag beetles sold- but purchases in that regard are more limited. I think I freaked one lady out completely by waxing poetic on the beauty of the wasp, and another young man said (and I quote) "that is such a wank!" when I told him of the difficulties of finding a perfect apple image to represent an apple, because real apples look only moderately like the iconic shape we're all so familiar with. True, yes! Wank, maybe.

Online purchases were vastly different- the magic mirrors were the most popular in that forum, though the sausage dog and stag beetles were under demand. 

A special thanks to all my lovely girls- Maxi, for not only inspiring the collection (my muse, lol) but being my best and brightest customer, Stella for her continued dedication to my

 professional self and her friendship, my mum and dad for their support and assistance on the day, Natalee Byron for contributing her art, and MOST of all Georgia Harrison, who without her presence, support and willingness to get involved (despite being in the middle of her busiest and most stressful part of the year) I might not have made it to or enjoyed the event at all! I love you, hunny bun! 

XXXXXXX

Danielle Kathleen.

P.S. Thanks Stella for the photos!