Projects...

Pretty new double satin ribbon from John Lewis in a lovely dark plum colour, yum!

But more to the point,okay, I admit, I haven't been on here in quite a while!!! But honestly, we( the 3rd years) have been run off our feet with projects. We have been given a year long source project, gathering together a wealth of material-sketches,images etc to help inspire us throughout our coursework this year and into our final year for our degree collection.

In addition, we have just completed a project competition for the V&A in London-scary stuff! Though unfortunately the pieces did not have to be made, so I sat countless afternoons doing 3D work on the CAD packages Rhino-eurgh! The headaches that were caused by staring at a computer screen were countless!

However, now we have been given a project that should spark our creativity, and have some fun in the workshop too! The project named 'The Ring Exchange' will involve each designer designing a ring (simple or completly extravegant!) and create a set of 'instructions' through drawings and written information on A3 boards. THEN all our names will be popped into a hat, and will each be given someone elses ring to make! I can hear the groans and moans already (especially for me!), but it will be a learning curve, and perfect practise for commissioning pieces.

So this week will involve..to design a suitable ring! Hopefully something uber complicated and detailed! Mwhahaha! No, that would be mean though I know the other girls are thinking it too! Hehe! Nah we all love each other really!

Till Later x

Monday Morning...

At the crack of dawn(well...8.30ish), both myself and my new flatmate Nicola Reed(also a fellow new 3rd year jeweller-see links) will be embarking on a slight, but also tiring trek back to Uni, where all the fun stuff will start back over again!

Safe to say we are both panicking tremendously over the unfinished summer projects we both have...let's hope we can do it in the remaining 4 days, minus of course the remaining few nights out in freshers week..!

So I am hoping to start posting a few more interesting blogs once I get back into the swing of things. Good thing is we have a kettle in the studio! "Hurrah!" Soo lots of cuppas to keep us going!

Till later x

Affected lines...

(layer images on tracing paper...)

Okay, project...a week on Monday to go...really need to get a move on! (And I think I'm not alone in the last minute panic amongst my class!)

Being on the water is my thing, I love the feeling of sitting on the bow, with my legs dangling overboard, powering through the water,disrupting the natural rhythm. So I thought it only right to study for the pre-named 'Awakening the Senses' sketchbook (our task for this summer), was the thing that makes me feel most alive!
I have gathered some images of masts, stays, spreaders and general boaty'ness! I love the curved lines, lines that follow on from each other...almost liquid lines!

So at the moment I am studying line, and then affecting it by extending from the original projection and pushing it out so all the lines eventually connect, creating forms and structure, whether the lines be curved, straight or angled.

The natural projection of the free flowing curved 'stream' lines, featured in the design of water vessels I hope will help me design a piece or pieces of tablewear, that will sit comfortably, and be pleasing to the eye, because of the natural line progression....well thats the idea anyway!

Now to put my ideas onto paper...easier said than done!

Till much much later...x

When time flies by...

Oh how I love the water so. The picture above was taken from the back of my dad's boat after leaving Lamlash bay in Arran on the West Coast of Scotland. To the right(outwith the picture) is the Holy Isle. Again...beautiful light, very inspiring...possible inspiration for the summer project? Will fill you in on that soon.....

Now I will leave you with the image of a little friend that followed us into the Marina after our exuberant afternoon....I'd like to call him, Sam the Seal ;-)

Till later x

Beautiful light....

Being back next to the sea has many advantages, but my other half, living right next to the beach has the best view, a picturesque sunset, every single night! Good thing I had my camera handy!

Till later x

2nd Year...done!

I must say, I can't believe I am half way through University now.

Two years down, two to go. The hard stuffs just about to start.

But for now, I'm elated! Overall 'B' for my 2nd year, which is awesome! Will just need to make sure I keep up the practice over the summer, so I go into my 3rd year with fresh ideas, and good inspiration.

Off to see Aussie Pink Floyd tonight in the Clyde Auditorium, amazing music and amazing visual effects, bring on the photos!

Till later x

Celebration and Anticipation....

After assessments yesterday (which I must say, I'm quietly confident afterward, which must be a good thing!) all the Jewellery ladies truly celebrated the end of 2nd year! Several cocktail bars, the union and the 24hour bakery here in Dundee-I would say a very good night!

Unfortunately, feeling sliiiiightly under the weather today, that last 'Woo-woo' almost definitely cause the headache I've had all day!

And so to tomorrow, once recovered from last night, I will have a 10minute review with the tutors to be given my grades for the semester, broken down into 'Presentation', 'Metalwork' and 'Research and Development'. Will update soon...

Till later x