Environment: Be Creative... or Breative!

I found this picture of one of my very first fabricated rings, I realized some pictures do not bring out the best qualities in rings. If you want to make a point, be sure the environment and display are visually effective, also keep in mind the type of piece, for example, if it is a necklace, it should be worn in a photo to better display its function.

Display: Is it Visually pleasing?!

Even if its for a short amount of time; make that display pretty! Here is something I whipped up to display my work so far as an undergraduate:

I plan to invest in professional display pieces in the future! Either white leather or black velvet depending on the color of the Jewelry. Metal smithing vessels still in progress but progress shots help to really bring out the most important highlights in a final piece. Something might become more obvious if you see what it looked like before the final stages!

Don't let the copper control you, YOU control the copper!

More progress pictures for Metal Smithing, It is important not to raise over metal that has already hardened. Annealing is a fresh start to resolve any mistakes from previous hammering sessions. 

The fires-scale is pretty gnarly so I make sure I always leave my vessel in the pickle for an appropriate amount of time to prevent any permanent fire scale.

Tongs for red hot metal!

Metal Smithing Progress

Raising vessels: 6 inch vessel, 12 inch vessel, Catenoid in progress:

Heat management is a key factor as always, especially when working with such a large flame. It is amazing to work with the metal using such force getting great results! These are half way progress photos, planishing to finish up !

Transformation: Consistent Transition

Making a series can be exciting, especially when you can make improvements with each piece completed.
I was drawn to centipedes and pill bugs, using dimension and geometry I wanted to connect each to look as though they're all related.

Photos for additional 2 pieces are coming soon! This was the most successful of the three fabricated, I learned a lot making broaches, must perfect the pin back!

Inspiration: Where to look?!

Drawn to the creepy 'crawliness' of the centipede, I took a geometric approach to achieve the feel of this creature in an abstract way. Research is key:

Linkage

This piece is a brass necklace linked together using wire and sheet metal. For inspiration, I looked at Ambigram's as a reference. I found one with Gothic lettering that was interesting to me, I changed it and made the design unique.
Rough sketch before fabrication:

     At the end of the elongated middle pieces, i hammered the sheet metal to create wire to allow for linkage/movement.After further discussion/sketches, I decided to avoid the middle pendant and focus on the necklace as a whole. Sketches help me tremendously in the preparation because the order of process is the key to a successful piece. 

Final Product:

Clasp solution (has yet to be soldered):