Closed Lines and Divergent Paths

I’m always open to making newer versions of some of my past work for patrons that missed an opportunity to have one of my one-of-a-kind pieces.   I tend to hit and run with ideas in my work.  I don’t dwell on a concept or a “look.”  So, my work is always in flux, with each work inspiring the next.  I know this not how most jewelers or metalsmiths work, but I just happen to be lucky enough to be able to enjoy working in this way and living comfortably simple.  There are lots of different ways to live, work, create, and I have to thank Lora for helping me keep my ability to subside in large by my work and keep free enough to work in this free-flow manner.  She has been my muse and enabler 🙂

I wasn’t aware of just how much my work has diverged in the last five years, until I got an email requesting a quote on revisiting one of my much, much earlier works.   I remembered the work very well, but had forgotten the path that I was on at the time.

Space Oddity, 2007

The vesica pisces shape was always important, and I still use it, but I the ideas of using it as a rocketship/fish shaped character sort of fell to the wayside.

Now, my work has shifted more to a floral path.  I’ve enjoyed making, designing, andjust all around “arting” everything that I’ve made, and the floral/vegetation work has (in my opinion) just as much creativity as the rocketships, and damsels trapped in towers.  But, it definitely has a different aesthetic.

Newest work- Hanging Garden Necklace: 18k gold, sterling silver, Wello opal, a faceted citrine, and tsavorite garnet beads. 2011

But, after getting a request for one of my Space Oddity pieces to get a revisit, I felt like a closed path had been reopened.  My first, knee-jerk, reaction was that I had progressed past revisiting some of my older ideas, but an old wheel began to creak to a slow, slow turn, and then a rotation, and then a spin.  From the Hanging gardens of Babylon back to space.  I guess I’m going to have to watch a little History Channel UFO programming for some more musing 🙂  (History Channel, Ha ha!)

Anyways, here’s a peak into what I’ve got going on, on the bench…

Here, I am applying a ground to etch a design for a new cuff

Here, I'm applying a ground to etch this copper sheet for a cuffI've soldered two edges of sterling silver and formed the half shape. Note the circle drawn on the bench pin to help me keep the form a circle.

Now, I've begun the flowers to be added to the cuff.

This is a jig I made, holes drilled into a piece of scrap wood. It keeps me from crushing the bezels on the flowers and holds them steady while I give the petals dimension.

This is a design that started before the previously mentioned request.  This one is being design with an idea to be used in a charity event.  I will talk more about this when I finish.

Anyways, no animals were injured in the creation of this blog.  Thank you for viewing.  I realize that most of what a blog is about is showing off, sharing, with a tinge of arrogance; an arrogance that someone out there cares somewhat about what I’m posting, what I’m thinking.  Hopefully, someone gets something that they were looking for in all of this self-gratifying jibber jabber.  However, I am always open to sharing.  Please feel free to ask me, tell me, or sending me an angry email telling me what a twit I am 🙂  My hope is that you laugh when I want you too, or explain to me my short comings.  In all honesty, it so hard to formulate a blog on here, when there is such a mix of viewers.  Some are seasoned pros at the bench, some are students, and some are people looking for interesting jewelry.  (Peer, pedagogy, and patrons).   Feel free to comment, no matter what the comment is.   The important thing is to keep on making…

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michaeljohnson

Latest posts by michaeljohnson (see all)

• On Cosmic Success… - July 28, 2013
• Why Flowers? - February 28, 2013
• Comet and Cosmic Dust - January 28, 2013