I'm taking a jewelry focused metalsmithing class at the Callanwolde Center in Atlanta with Cat Goolsby. The project this class is a pierced cuff bracelet in our choice of metals: copper, bronze or sterling silver.
I'm a copper fan but have a slight sensitivity to it so went with what I know I like, sterling silver. We started the class by coming up with a design for the bracelet and at first I wasn't sure what I would do.
While learning how to use an acetylene torch to solder (which was fun as all get out I tell ya what) I was noodling around ideas on what I thought might look cool. The example bracelet was an abstract zebra print but I knew I was more drawn to geometric shapes and repeating patterns.
I thought about the teardrop or water droplet shape and how on a simple level it isn't that interesting but when you start to intersect the shapes you begin to feel the complexity. I wanted the piece to have almost a 3-D effect beyond just how it was going to be cut out, almost an optical illusion, so I just started playing with shapes in photoshop.
Here is the current design that we'll start sawing out next Wednesday. I revised the design slightly as it had a bunch of super tiny cuts that I wasn't sure I would be able to make effectively. Also, this design doesn't show the wavy sides the finished bracelet will have but I'll get a shot of the metal before I start piercing.
What do you think? Does it have an organic dimensional feel or does it just look like some crazy trilobites?
8 comments:
I can already see it in silver. I think the natural beauty of the metal will give this design a perfect organic quality!
I forgot to mention the parts in black will be pierced out and a second layer of silver will be underneath. We're going to oxidize it so that it will show up black again. And then polish for days!
I think that it will look great when it's done. I also think if it were me (with my vast metalsmithing experience [cough, cough]), I wouldn't have the patience to pierce (then saw, or what?) out all those little parts.
The only thing I can think of possibly changing is the shape of the ends. Do they have to stay square or could they be shaped to continue the pattern?
I'll be checking back to see how it's going! Good luck.
That's incredible! I love the design idea. Can't wait to see the finished product.
Alicia, it is going to be rounded on the ends and wavy where it makes sense on the sides. I just got tired of messing around with it in photoshop, hehe :D
I need to print it out and glue it onto the metal with some tracing paper and put an outline where the outside edges will be.
Ah, gotcha! Have a great weekend.
Wow Sharon you continually amaze me with your creativity! That is going to be gorgeous.
Thanks Celeste! I hope it at least turns out close to the original design...
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