Exhibition pics - at last!

It has taken me a minute to get organised but I have finally been to the venue and taken some pics of my SALA exhibition.

 Apologies for all the reflection! This gives you a bit of an idea how the display is set up. Putting the jewellery iside the boxes magically transforms it - amazing what a bit of "context" will do isn't it?

I  like to have  things accessible too - it's nice if people can really look and touch the pieces.

It is a bit hard to see the jewellery but in the background you can see my lino cut entitled "Oh Dear". It is of course based on Alice In Wonderland and features a rabbit, a clock and a little bottle that says "drink me"!

A few of the pewter pieces - both cast and hand-cut. You have seen some of these in the making ...

In the foreground you can see "An English Country Garden" (sold) and in the background is another Alice themed piece which features vintage rosary crystals, china, pearls and a toggle clasp I made from brass and a vintage key - kinda twisted around the wrong way in this pic  - sorry!

When I set up the exhibit I realised that it had a sort of vintagy/steampunk feel to it as a number of the pieces ended up featuring cogs and gears etc - I didn't mean for it to happen but I must have been in that kind of headspace.

This was in fact the very last piece I made for the show and I think it is my favourite! I used an old spoon, a pewter bird that I cast and some laminex. Sales have not been outstanding - in previous years I have pretty well sold out by now! Most artists are reporting the same thing apparently. It is pretty understandable in the current economic climate. I will list what I don't sell online - and there maybe a couple of pieces that stay in the family ..

oh and if you want to have a squizz at some other SALA shows from the comfort of home, head over to Emmica's blog for reviews and pics!

All in a days work ...

Well, despite strange visitations from the ether, I have had a decently productive day and have completed one whole piece for SALA. yay!  I am making small "ranges" for this show and this one will belong to the "Alice etal" group.

I have topped a brass cuff with some etched copper and added some charms.

I cut the heart from copper and enameled it. It is a bit hard to see, but I am really pleased with the forged ring that the charms hang from. It is iron wire and I have riveted it so it is good and strong. I was hoping to achieve a sort of door-knocker feel 'cos doors and Alice just seem to go together don't they?

The Alice charm is made from two teaspoons, the image comes from the classic book - a copy though - and I have used mica to protect it. That dear little key was a recent find at my favourite antique store here in the Barossa.  This is the first time I have made a metal cuff and I did learn quite a bit. Also it is the first time I have attempted that slit- kind- of -fastening- thingo so it was a big day all round! I am hoping to achieve a kind of narrative with this lot of jewellery, something a bit poetic perhaps - well at the very least it's gotta be pretty!

SALA is up and running!

There are so many exhibitions to see - I can't wait to go exploring! I set mine up on Friday - all went very smoothly! The venue is very accomodating and a really nice space. I love the way the work looks once it leaves your workbench and is all set up nicely! It is not the greatest pic - all that light is lovely for viewing the jools but makes photographing it a bit tricky! I am gonna have a wee break from creating and planning a big clean up in the workroom! Wish me luck with that task!

SALA Festival!

Well the SALA Festival is almost here and I am madly trying to complete some work for an exhibition I am having at Barossa Valley Estate! I have called it "Blends" as it is jewellery made of a blend of traditional and non-traditional materials. All of these ear-rings are recycled from old trays, with sterling silver wires. I have etched and decorated using a hammer or engraving tool. All are hand-cut - I am definitely getting better at circular circles!