3 pieces of advice that have changed my path of thinking!

Number 1. 

I think the first piece of advise thats comes to mind, would have to be about the practical aspects, which is: If you just spend that extra 5 minutes cleaning or filling a piece of work at the beginning, it will save you a lot of time and effort at the end when you finally come to cleaning, file and polish a piece of work...basically saving you time in the long run.

Number 2.

Another great piece of advise that some makers lose sight of is: You should always make for yourself, even if the piece is for a specific brief, make sure that you are happy to put your name to it and make it so its still in your style. 

Number 3.

Well for number 3, i think it has to be one from the mother. My mum always told me that when you do something, do it to your best ability! Even if its never going to be as good as someone else, at least you knew that you did everything you could, to do your best. 

First version of my artist statement

I work with precious metals and different types of liquid rubbers and resin

Although all these materials are rather industrial, they can be easily manipulated into looking organic and natural. 

The processes I use on metal like patination and etching give a completely different outcome each time, as the technique is unrestrained and out of hand.

My other favoured material of rubbers and resins, feed my need to explore and incorporate other existing materials.  

As a designer/maker I am lead by experimentation, I create hundreds of small sample pieces that all equate to collections of specimens, almost like a collection of historic artefacts you would find at museums. 

Often the concept behind most of my work, looks a natural spreading and disease. 

A need to make natural forms desirable instead of precision cut designs. 

As a designer/maker I see beauty and potential in the visual form of disease and illness. This is where my urge to display these pieces as wearable objects unfolds, I see them as medals of honour but also to raise awareness of unseen disease.  

Hopes, fears and opportunities

My short term hopes for professional aspirations would be getting a good level degree in 3d design: crafts, I believe getting the highest achievable mark will defiantly help me when looking for jobs, as it will give me that one step in front, I would also would like to set up my own studio place at home. For my short term hopes for personal goals, I think I need to improve on my metal skills, Although I class myself as a jeweller, I focus more on the experimental side of materials, then use metal to attach them to the body. This would defiantly show off my technical ability to anyone looking to find an artist with a board range of skills.

My medium term goals for professional aspirations would be that I would like to have done all the jewellery shows and fairs in the uk and also may look at exhibitions abroad, also with this my name in the market should have spread, this would mean more interest in commission based work for galleries. As for my personal goals, I hope by now that I have gained confidence in myself, my ideas and overall in my work.  

My long term professional aspirations would have to be based around financial hopes, although my aim for my career was never about money, I hope that I could make a good living from what I love doing, I would just like to be financially comfortable enough to not have to worry about money and have to scrimp by. As for my personal goals, I would like to think that after gaining experience in the field of crafts, I could then share this with others and be surrounded by people who appreciate the things I do. 

    

My top 10 business cards!

Number 10.

For my number 10 card, I have chose this vintage shops sign inspired card. I love how the card is cut out to the shape of the hand, this makes the card more eye catching as it stands out from the usual rectangle buisness cards.

Number 9.

My number 9 is by a hair and make up artist. The card not only is handy to have in your purse, for a spare clip but also to have a little fun creating funky hair styles...oh and also handy for contact details of a hair and make up artist. 

Number 8.

My eighth is a dentist card, I love this card as it's just so fun and unique, which helps if you have already have a darkened perspective of the dentist. 

Number 7. 

I chose these cards purely for the aesthetics, each pattern complements the other so they work well as a set. The logo is simple and bold which dominates over the background.

Number 6.

This next card becomes interactive with the viewer, which makes it more memorable and it can also be personalised, each to there own as you might say.

Number 5. 

These wooden buisness cards, give off a really contemporay but relaxed feeling. The laser cut logo creates depth by showing off the under card underneath. 

Number 4.

I absolutely adore this creative buisness card, the fact that you can build a 3d rabbit from a flat sheet is an amazing way to get viewers thinking about how creative your company is! Also the lime green and grey contrast well against the brown card.

Number 3.

Again in my top 10 is another interactive card, this thin metal sheet gives a real mechanical look, which suits it's occupation being a security company. The tools on the card are little lock picking implements.

Number 2.

My number 2 place goes to a photography firm! This card is instantly  recognised as a focus on a camera. This card allows you to play and frame anything you want so it looks like a photo. I would like to incorporate this technique of using a clear plastic to encapsulate anything the viewer desires. 

Number 1. 

And finally my number 1 place goes to the furniture company for creating this amazing buiness card! Not only does it incorporate the flat pack generation but the do it yourself generation. The simple design echos today's trends of less is more.

Well done!

Recently I visited... Ambiente

Ambiente, frankfurt Germany 

Above is a collection of rings designed by Michiel Cornelissen, the collection is named one in a million bird, which relates to the fact that there are over one million variations of the ring. The rings are 3d printed in polyamide, which is a material I have printed in before myself, although I have only ever thought of using this material for samples or using it to cast into silver, which can be expensive, so by using the polyamide as the final material, this makes the process a lot more affordable and accessible. It also adds value to the material but without being to expensive. 
The exhibition centre was massive and probably would require a number of days to complete, so the best thing to do is research which stands appeal to you best then head in that direction and collect information from the stands around that, one of the artists that I did previously look at was proof of guild, who are a collection of artists ranging from jewellers to ceramists who are based in japan, they produce a range called EZA animals, which are lost wax cast animal head brooches. There work is very clean and simple but has a big impact. This is something that I want to relate to my work as I do often create a huge range of samples but then struggle to add them together without looking to overwhelming. 
If you ever get the chance to visit ambiente.....do, it's a great way to see what sells and what Trends are arising

Check me out!

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Trying to look like apart of the furniture!

Spring fair at the NEC, Birmingham 2014

Unfortunately my attempt to be part of the furniture, was in fact my pathetic excuse to sit down. I journeyed to the spring fair specially to look at this years tends for jewellery. I was overwhelmed by stunning stones and dainty matching sets, which left me thinking about how I could incorporate these elements into my own practice, but before any serious thought went into that, I shortly found myself being lured into the amazing home ware section.

The exhibition over all was very informative and helpful, finally registered with the Birmingham assay office, can't wait to actually have my own hallmark made! 

Also found myself having a lovely chat with Emma Rankin from the British jewellery association, about how they can help you promote and set up your own jewellery business.