Stuck in a Book

A package was delivered early in the morning last week.

It caught me by surprise, as we don't get mail very often

(except for bills!)

So, in my excitement,

I ripped open the parcel,

and found I had some lovely reading material.

And we all know that a good book is best enjoyed with a hot cup of herbal tea:

 

Lark Books has published '30 Minute Rings',

the next book in their '30 Minute' jewelry series.

It can be found here, and their fantastic blog can be found here with all things crafty and the occasional call for artist submissions for upcoming publications.

 

 

The reason for my excitement is that my 'Rough and Smooth Ring' makes an appearance amongst the many talented artists and their projects featured in this book!

You can see my previous post on this project here.

I'm still on cloud nine on having being selected and published.

I'm floating into a wonderful week ahead.

I hope you are, too!

--- Mariann ---

xoxo

18ct White Gold

I had the amazing opportunity to make 18ct white gold wedding rings for a lovely couple last month.

Gold is such a wonderful metal to work with.

It has a rich, earthy presence,

a beautiful weight in the hand,

and strength beyond measure.

I enjoyed every moment of crafting with this noble metal.

I was driven by the knowledge that it would represent the love and life journey of two people as they become husband and wife.

Here's how they were made:

18ct White Gold

stamped

Straight edges for a perfect solder join

Bending into a ring

Ends touching, ready for soldering

Soldering

Hammered finish

Smoothing the edges

Polishing inside the ring band

Satin finish outer

Polished finish inner

His and Hers wedding rings,

ready for life's journey.

I am so grateful for the people I meet

through doing what I love.

Thank you,

from the bottom of my heart.

--- Mariann ---

xoxo

Workshop Wednesday

... A tour in pictures ...

Designs flow from mind

to pen

to paper

Snippets of solder sit in tea-light candle holders

'The Complete Metalsmith'

by

Tim McCreight

Work in progress

Silver sheet and wire

waiting patiently

for fire

and forging

--- Mariann ---

xoxo

McClelland Gallery + Sculpture Park

A few months ago I entered a competition in the local newspaper.

The prize was a guided tour of the sculpture park at McClelland Gallery in Langwarrin, Victoria.

I was delighted to find that I had won and asked for two more tickets so my mum and two of our lovely family friends could enjoy the day together.

We were greeted with complimentary coffee and scones with jam and cream in the gallery cafe before the tour began. The gallery director gave a short introduction, then we split into two groups to tour the current pieces in the 2010 McClelland Sculpture Survey and Award.

Nestled amongst the extensive grounds of the park, we strolled and were greeted with a new sculpture hiding behind each twist and turn along the path, every 20 steps or so.

The biennial exhibition has a grand prize of $100,000 for the winning artist and their sculpture becomes a permanent piece at the gallery.

Below are a few of the amazing artworks in the 2010 Sculpture Survey:

'A white nest: 2010' by Chako Kato

yarn, steel pegs, dimensions variable

'Glory Days' by Jason Waterhouse

1972 Holden HQ Kingswood Station Wagon, acrylic filler, steel, paint

'Strange fruit' by Adrian Mauriks

epoxy resin, steel, paint

'To the centre II' by Greg Johns

corten steel

'Alexander the Great' by Dean Colls

corten steel

'DNA II' by Jonathan Leahey

corten steel, stainless mirrored steel

'Reflective simulations' (detail) by Gregor Kregar

stainless steel

'Primordial' by Matthew Harding

mirror polished stainless steel

'Top shelf' by Louise Paramor

plastic, steel, pins, bolts

'Tygers I, II, III' by Caroline Rothwell

bronze

'Space junk from Adelaide' by James Kenyon

steel, electronics

'A moment of media-tation' by Jud Wimhurst

wood, plywood, lacquers, 2 pac paint, mirror, polycarbonate, polyurethane resin, polyester resin, epoxy resin, fibreglass, acrylic fresnel lenses

A most wonderful time was had by us at the McClelland Gallery + Sculpture Park.

The short tour was just a glimpse at the incredible pieces of art on display.

Needless to say, I will be visiting again and again to marvel at the talent and savor a picnic by the lake.

Click here to view all the entrants in the 2010 Sculpture Survey and details on their artwork.

--- Mariann ---

xoxo

Workshop Wednesday

I made some beautiful rings as part of

a new series a few weeks ago.

It's called the 'Ruffled Ring' series,

and here's how they were made...

Bezels and surrounding feature wires formed and soldered

Baseplate sawpierced from sterling silver sheet

Bezel and feature surround soldered. Ring bands formed and stamps cut out ready for soldering onto the base, along with the ring bands.

I use a flat head screwdriver for patterning the ruffled edges.

Ring bands and stamps soldered onto base. Ready for a dip in oxidizing solution to add dimension to the ruffled edges. I then set the stones into the bezels.

Below are the pretty rings from the 'Ruffled Rings' series:

Sterling silver and chrysoprase

Sterling silver and labradorite

Sterling silver and dendritic opal

Sterling silver and purple jadeite

Available from my Etsy shop here,

and my Madeit shop here.

The labradorite ruffled ring will be listed this evening.

I hope you enjoyed my Workshop Wednesday!

--- Mariann ---

xoxo