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February 28, 2005
Scrap Metal Sculpture
A trip to the old Merrimack Scrap Metals junkyard with Steve, who was looking for a particular piece of steel for a project, really stoked my imagination. There were all sorts of industrial scraps in varied sizes and shapes, heaps of old railroad nails, machinery and tools. What a feast for the creative eye! We became regular customers and spent many weekends combing through the heaps looking for great finds, which we bought by the pound. Steve has welding equipment and experience so he taught me to weld and, together, we assembled whimsical metal sculptures. Unfortunately, the scrap yard has closed. We still have materials on hand, though, and our scrap pile grew when we removed two ancient heating systems from our house. On my 50th birthday I was given a bent up, rusted, old crowbar as a gift and was totally pleased to get it! Anything, everything, is a potential art material.
Our favorite pieces are the birds. One is outside at my Dad's house in Connecticut, the other is just into the edge of the woods by our house. It doesn't photograph well there, blending into the trees even though it is over 6 feet tall, so we'll have to wait for spring to haul it out and take a picture. Perhaps I'll remember the camera on the next trip to see my Dad.
Porch plant stands
Yes, here is Dad's Bird, but standing in 6 inches of snow so you can't see its long legs! It looks different from every angle, so is hard to photograph.
Cow, and leggy thing with antennae
Smallest bird
Posted by jacquie at 05:10 PM | Comments (0)
February 19, 2005
Gold and Silver Smithing
My introduction to metalsmithing came in the form of a class given by the League of NH Craftsmen in 1971/72. It was a non-stop trip to the present, and there's no end in sight. Although I've oficially retired from my 30-year career of designing and producing one of a kind pieces in sterling, gold and gemstones for consignment and on special comission, I still enjoy time in my workshop. Here, I will try to show a representative sample of the kinds of pieces I've made through the years. It ranges from baby bracelets to medals of office for college presidents, from boxes and bowls to intricate rings, pins and pendants.
14K Gold ring, fabricated from wire and sheet gold. The understructure of the ring looks like a ladder turned round on itself. The leaves, flowers, scrolls and balls are made individually and soldered onto the framework. LOTS of solder joins!
These sterling silver "See Shells" contain magnifying lenses
Earrings: 14K with pink and green tourmaline, Sterling with amethyst and Sterling with garnet
Pendants:14K with Topaz, Amethyst and Beryl crystals; 14K with garnet and granulation; Sterling "Bauble"
Bead Necklace, 24" long, with antique amber beads from Kenya. This necklace won the Stevens Metal Award in the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen Foundation 1986 Annual Juried Exhibit at the Currier Gallery of Art. Each sterling silver bead is individually hand made, as is the clasp.
LEFT:The Embroiderer's Giuld of America comissioned this Medal of Office to commemorate past presidents of the organization and to be presented to each new presiddent. Their names and dates are engraved on both sides of the many plates making up the chain. The central badge, an emblem of the Guild, was provided and I mounted it. Sterling Silver and 14K Gold.
RIGHT: Chain of Office for the President of Rivier College, comissioned and presented in 1983
Posted by jacquie at 05:09 PM | Comments (0)
February 12, 2005
Paper Marbling / Bookbinding
The element of chance in paper marbling makes it attractive and addictive. The marbling process may be controlled to a certain extent, but it is never entirely predictable. Color combinations, design manipulation and serendipity provide endless possibilities, and create a compelling need for me to marble "just one more sheet!" Simple bookbinding came on the heels of paper marbling as a way to use the special papers.
This portfolio is for loose artwork on paper. I constructed it from chipboard (cardboard) and covered it with hand marbled paper, book cloth and, inside, the same colored paper that I used for marbling.
This marbled paper over chipboard pencil box has been used in my workshop for 10 years.
What else can I use the marbled paper for? Notecards?
Some bound notepads and photo holders.
Another box that's been in use for years.
Bound covers for standard sizes of self-stick note pads.
Posted by jacquie at 04:50 PM | Comments (0)