Tribute to Astrid Fog

Ann is wearing it this week to check it for length and wear-ability.

A work progresses

Back in September I had a new friend bring me an image of a 1960's era pendant out of Georg Jensen studios and ask if I would take a look at it to see if I would be inspired by it to design a pendant for her. She was willing to wait until I was ready so I decided to give it a go.

After a couple goes at prototypes, I struck on some design changes that are good, very minor shifts of the rectangles improved the proportions, opening it up on all sides gives it a lighter feel and appearance than the direction I was going.

I'm so glad I get to take my time with this piece, it calls for such precision and I'm not used to working within such precise measurements, sawing, filing or symmetry. I've had to try some techniques I haven't used before to hit those lines and measurements, I like that.


So far so good on this prototype, Ann is pleased with the design and is excited to have seen it progress. I plan to do another prototype in copper before I work it in silver.

Now my brain is filled with new ideas, spinning off this design, brooches, earrings...must, Must, MUST make them.

The Unexpected Earrings

I took some of those sweet little stretched circles from yesterday and nipped out a section at the top.

Did a bit of reshaping, filing, and sanding with a smidgen of drilling and fusing and came up with these...

All-in-all a good days work.
Another good day.

Something Unexpected....

Today I wanted to experiment more with domed shapes with openings in them. I started by cutting out a circle of copper and cut another circle out of that then my plan was to dome it and join 2 together to make a round clam-shaped sort of thing with a hole all the way through it.

I positioned the hole off center and because I cut out the hole before I domed it, the perfect circle stretched into a teardrop shape. I wasn't thinking that would happen but as soon as it did I thought "of course!" ~~Metal always follows the path of least resistance. Always.

So I wound up making several of these to play with tomorrow.
Earrings....? Pendants...?
Hmmmmmm.

What will you be?

The shape after dapping

It came to me today... when they are rounded out (dapped or domed) they're like mangoes.

These are destined to be earrings....maybe.....

"the shape"

Oh how I love open studios at Krasl.
I'm playing with "the shape" again.
Varying the size, there are 4 sizes here, I'll probably settle on 3....
or maybe 5....heh-heh.



These hammered out beautifully, lush and round, I lost my light this eve or I'd show them to you. The shape is like something....just can't place my finger on it... It will come to me....
Prototype sets of the phase one earrings are in the hands (lobes) of reviewers and so far so good.

Prototype Shape Earrings

Just off the sketchbook...

Slightly sharper shots than yesterday, still tinkering with these. They have to be as close to perfect as I can make them before I send them to friends for prototype reviews.

Should have a couple pairs good to go out next week....
*does a little nervous bounce*
Then, after getting some technical feedback from my reviewers I plan to tweak the design accordingly and make 10 pairs. *phew*
What a process.

Prototype Shape: The Story Continues

So far, so good. Well, except for the lack of light.
I decided to take the shape and use it just as is, very little alteration. Lost the pink/orange/red heat patination while I did the earwire, but the copper will fix that in the long run.

I left the wires long so I could find the best balance point when actually dangling from a lobe.

Now I'm imagining piercing this shape...or doing some light repousse and chasing....or soldering little yummy bits to the face...or...or...or...yup Toni, you are right- These are things that make me go 'hmmmmmmm'

Prototype shape

I made these yesterday during open studio at Krasl. It's an idea I dug out of a year old sketch book. The idea has been poking and prodding my mind lately so I'm setting it loose. They almost curl, almost, like if they were leaves or pods and you were keeping an eye on them, on your morning walks, tomorrow they would have that curl and you could slide one on your finger....

When I got home I tossed them on the table, they would make nice chimes.

During dinner I moved them around, stacked them, nested them, imagined wires stringing them together.

These are going to be big fun.

What will they be in the end....?

I can't wait to get them to the studio.

*pokes them*

*they chime back*

Fold Formed Copper

I like this technique soooooo much! Some lines go over, some go under... I'm getting some ideas for finished pieces using this texture. Must play with it a bit more.

Prototype Bracelet

Playing around with a basic fold form, a student brought in an older magazine with a pair of earrings made using this fold and I thought it would be lovely on a cuff. Must play with it more, but I think it is a winner, just look at that raised edge, it's like an added element on top, it just begs to be felt and made in sterling. Oh boy I can't wait to try this in sterling!