Welded steel necklace

Matching materials

Initially inspired but the complex decorated architecture of Bali.  I developed this method of trying to create intricate surface decoration with minimal effort.

 

Brooches by Julia Walter seen at the Collect contemporary craft fair at the Saatchi.

WOOD PROJECT : Collaging wooden landscapes

These are a few images from a previous projects where I looked at wood grains as a representation of the earths landscapes.  Taking images from google earth here are some of the most interesting and contrasting landscapes I found.

THE EXPERIMENT- some tried and some failed....

Finding scraps of many types of wood and putting them together...

In this experiment I found long pieces and glued together to combine the various woods.

Here I have used a recipe of wood, glue, sawdust and larger bits of wood. I let it dry, in the hope that when cut into the different grains would be exposed randomly. 

Huge inspiration is 'ham hock and 'cold cuts' coasters by chen chen and kai williams , 2011

Using similar process to them here are some wooden pieces ...

Rough stages of making the neck piece..

The Final Exhibition!

Before the photographs were added

Testing out what the photos would look like without the frames as instructed by tutor.

I didn't like the effect because the photos look really detached from the pieces.

I included pictures of the test piece becasue I wanted to show that this method and idea can be put into many different forms, not just the ones shown.  I thought that having the same person modelling in all the photos would look too repetitive so I  added some variation.

some tests ....

Here are some photos of test pieces I did.  I used the moulds I made and used black leather to add details and secure the shape.  I really like the outcomes and feel I have made a great step towards my final pieces.  I decided to leave the excess leather strips because I feel it adds another dimension to the piece.  I like how it reacts with the body and opposes the rigidity of the main structure with its fluid motions.  I tried to capture this movement with these photos.

I also like the colour scheme of the natural with the black detail more than the dark brown leather arm  piece.  I think it makes the items have a more contemporary feel and I like how it blends in slightly with the skin tone, making it look like its is an extension  of the body or a means of abstracting the body.

I am going to ask people what they think about the colour schemes etc.... in a questionnaire, to help me with ideas for my final piece.