I don’t usually follow this map a great deal, in fact it is not very prominent on the site. If you have followed my updates for the last few days, you know I am doing some updates on the site. I was DELIGHTED to see I have reached more than 13,000 visitors in the last 1000 days.
Thanks to EVERYONE for stopping by!
Ah… love breaking my website! Seems my jeweler’s hammer have smashed some pages up… everything is still functional, well except maybe for my hammer… which now resides in my backyard… somewhere…
I don’t often enter design contests or challenges, but when Art Jewelry Magazine put a call out for submissions to their January design challenge, I had an epiphany concept immediately.
The theme for the challenge was “Rebirth”. The challenge was to translate this concept, into a piece of jewelry. I did a quick sketch of this idea and then (as per my usual process), slept on it. Here is my first sketch and concept:
First Sketch and Concept
The REBIRTH and chain is based on an intellectual composition of metaphysical symbols, using the triangle, circle, and triskelion.
The triangle, representing the number three, presents the past, present and future. This is the foundation for “rebirth”.
The circle, presents the element of spirit and is superior to the physical elements of fire, air, water and earth. The spirit is protective, and allows growth.
The triskelion (triple spiral) presents the sun, afterlife, and reincarnation. Originating from the Neolithic “tomb” at Newgrange, this symbol explodes from the Mother Goddess and gives new birth to earth, water, and sky.
Scattered garnets provides balance between the physical and spiritual.
The copper metal composition hangs from a silver viking chain, the thread of life, necessary for all rebirth.
Construction and Second Sketch
I love sketching my ideas and translating them into actual jewelry pieces. The challenge with this approach is construction. Often, an idea that looks good on paper, may not adhere to the constraints of wire jewelry construction. My second sketch was an attempt to refine my idea, and at the same time, work out the construction and build. The illustration below is a copy of my PDF file, where I work this process. Note, the reference links to check my knowledge of the symbols.
Several ideas changed in the final construction of this design. The original idea was to use the bail symbolically but proved to be too unwieldy to execute. In addition, the construction would be too bulky, and added weight to the . I really liked the bail concept and tried for an entire day to make it work, but in the end I scrapped it.
The other major component that changed was the triskelion. Originally, these were to be 3 separate spirals, each “tail’ was to wrap around the circle and triangle component, and poke a balled end through the circle weaves. After experimenting with this construction, I did not like that the triskelion would require many attachment wires to keep it stable. My solution was to ditch the balled end idea, and wedge the end wires between the circles and triangle. This created greater stability and required less wrapping wire.
Finally, after studying the original triskelion drawing from the Neolithic “tomb” at Newgrange, I decided that a focal gemstone in the center of the design would not add to the symbol in any significant manner. In fact, I felt it would detract from the symbol. Yet, I still wanted some sparkle to this design and tried adding copper Swarvorski crystals. These were too “harsh”, too refined, too mechanical. However, adding garnet nuggets to the component, fit in metaphysically with the “Rebirth” concept. I liked how subtle and understated they looked.
The Evolution in Photos
I document all my jewelry pieces for future reference, and self-evaluation. I use my smart phone to take quick snap shots, rather than deal with staging photos, lighting, etc. Below are some of my snaps chosen from some 60 plus photos I took during the construction process.
The Submitted “Rebirth” Pendent Challenge
I was happy with the final design. Below is one of the photos submitted to the challenge.
This is a WordPress site, using 3rd party plugins. I use NextGen Gallery to display the albums of my jewelry. Recently, the authors decided to remove Flash from this application. Long story short, some of my pages now are displaying errors. I apologize for this visual annoyance, however the pages are still functional.
I am working on resolving the errors. Thanks for understanding!
I’m so excited to announce I have finally purchased my new EOS Rebel t5 camera! Now I am just waiting on the EF-s60mm f/2.8 Macro lens, which I have on order. This purchase has been on my want list for a few years now. All the photos of my jewelry on this site was done with a Canon Power Shot A560 camera. The photos required an enormous amount of Photoshop post production time which still left the images sub-par for my standards. I knew it was time bite the bullet and get a new camera, when I started to shoot new products with my Samsung Galaxy 3 and realized I was just putting off the inevitable!
Now, all I have to do is learn how to use it! Stay tuned!
I’ve not posted an update in quite sometime… this due to real life getting in the way. So much has happened in the last 18 months! I relocated to a new state and am in the process of purchasing a new home complete with new studio! I am so excited about the studio and have lots of new and exciting designs ready to craft in silver and copper!
If things go according to plan, I’ll be opening up my long awaited Etsy shop. I am looking forward to a opening up a new venue for purchasing my artisan jewelry.
Finally, I want to thank all my customers for continuing to follow me! Your word of mouth references provides me with a steady influx of new, registered users and customers!
Thanks again for your continued support! As always, you can reach me at janicemwolfe@gmail.com
Just a quick post to announce that I will be on vacation from June 15th to July 6th.
The studio will be closed. However, commissions received during this time frame will have their delivery times adjusted accordingly and customers will be notified.
Starting the week of July 10th, I will start production for Holiday gift giving. Since all of my jewelry is custom made and designed, getting a handle on the Holiday orders is very important. For my customers, an early order will ensure you have your gift in time for Holiday giving. For me, well I get to keep my sanity… really. 🙂
Also, look for my Gallery page to be completed soon! It’s been about 10 months since I first put this web site up, and I have been hard put to finish it. Life gets in the way, orders pile up and take priority and I never seem to have the time to finish the web site. But, GOLLY… I am going to get this done before holiday production begins. Everything in fact, has been completed… except for… well the photographs.
I’ve got hundreds of photos of my jewelry that needs to be categorized, and made web ready. This is the mountain around my neck, the albatross on my shoulders, the weight of the world on my head… etc etc. YES… I WILL get this done!
Well… I feel like the ‘little train that could’. Now where did that come from?
Till next time…
Have you ever wanted to wear your silver earrings or necklace and found it had turned hopelessly dark? Here’s my simple and easy home solution for cleaning your silver and copper jewelry that has tarnished. Note, you should not use mix both metals together in the same ‘bath’. Use a fresh bath for each type of metal.
Over time, your silver jewelry may take on a yellowish or dark cast, which means the silver is oxidizing. This is also known as tarnish. If your jewelry starts to take on a cast, this is the time to clean it with a simple home solution you can make from common kitchen ingredients. Note, that silver which has turned very black will need professional cleaning. If you care for your silver jewelry and store it correctly, this simple cleaning method probably need only be done once every 18 months or so. If you use your silver wipe that came with your jewelry, this will also inhibit tarnishing.
Do NOT use this method on jewelry that has ‘soft’ gemstones like pearls, opals, etc. Do NOT use this method on silver jewelry that has been finished with a protective coating, or has been given an antique finish as this process will remove the protective coating and the finish.
This process is a chemical reaction which removes the tarnish. Discard any unused solutions. You can safely use this on all crystal and hard gemstones. However, if in doubt have your jewelry professionally cleaned.
I am more than happy to professionally clean any artisan jewelry piece created by me for a nominal fee plus shipping. Simply email me your request to make arrangements for this service.
Been a while since I updated my blog, and apologies to everyone!
Don’t try to launch a new web site during the Holiday selling season! I’ve been so busy with custom orders the site had to be pushed aside. I’m not grumbling, but I do want everyone to know I have not fallen off the face of the map! I’m pretty sure I would not have been able to keep up with orders, had the site launched with eCommerce in place! In fact, I am today finishing up the last of my orders and am going to hand deliver this to get it to my customer in time for Holiday gift giving!
Once I straighten out my studio, I’ll publish several of my new creations.
Wishing you and yours a joyous Holiday Season and hope your New Year is healthy and prosperous!