Process
This page highlights my creative process with an assignment for a Jewelry: Fabrication and Form course. The assignment was to combine previously learned fabrication techniques to make a container maximum 7cm in largest dimension that would contain something of our choosing. It would need to have a clasp and a hinge. My process contains many ideation sketches, modelling, sampling with different metals, technique practice, written step-by-step process and reflections.
Ideation Sketches
Ideations formed through online and print research, or simply ideas that come to my head.
Many of my ideations were inspired by nature. I also had ideations based on pushing boundaries of what a container could be, or could hold. I explored different lid openings and forms that interested me.
Modelling
Using clay, modelling is done to examine dimensions, textures, spaces and forms further without using metals.
Sampling
Exploration of textures, hydraulic press forms, using different metals, and hinge and clasp techniques
Form exploration: considered matrix dies to create form. Used digital software to model.
Adobe Illustrator file for laser cutter.
Rhinoceros file for cnc milling machine. Could potentially work to create shell form and bulbous forms simultaneously, however, the curves were too angled to allow for adequate detail in the milling machine.
Attempted different ways of creating linear and bulbous texture. Tried to use wires in the matrix die for linear texture however the metal tended to flatten out. Hammering, scribing and fusing lacked precision and depth I wanted. I experimented with repousse/chasing and it worked beautifully.
Process:
1. Cut out two pieces metal 4cmx3cm dimension
2. Anneal, then Into hydraulic press with matrix die
a. Yellow urethane round, 45 pumps
3. Anneal and then hydraulic press again
a. Yellow urethane round, 45 pumps
4. Texture metal with repousse/chasing and dap kit 9mm bur
5. Cut out shape
a. Top piece: leave flat space for hinge and stem
b. Bottom piece: leave flat space for hinge and pin for clasp
6. Clean up edges, compare two pieces for good fit
7. Make hinge
a. Make a bevel in the seat and then use parallel file ensuring snug fit with tube
b. Clean and cut tube (slightly larger in case)
c. Straighten pin if needed between steel blocks
d. Mark and prepare ochre - brush on pin and assemble tube, brush on container where marked
e. Let dry completely before fluxing
f. Dab on flux and let dry before soldering
g. Clean
8. Make clasp
a. Cut out 24ga sheet of metal 1” long, file one edge to exact curve of container
b. Cut wire to slightly longer width than metal
c. Center metal sheet and wire placement to hinge
d. Ochre hinge so it doesn’t flow
e. Solder both sheet to top piece, pin to bottom
f. Form tab catch, cut off excess, round corners and clean up
g. File small bevel for opening access
Final Piece
Statement + Reflection
Cardamom is one of my favourite spices. It is calming and has antioxidant properties. Recently as I’ve been living on my own, I’ve found a passion for food and cooking. Food is one thing that can tie everyone together. It is both a source of life and an artform. It can bring people together. I feel that food is a very important subject in current times because of cultural, social, economic and environmental issues. It is a broad area of interest that I wish to pursue further and incorporate into my work. All of this aside, cooking has become a form of stress-release for me. I’ve started to explore making my own recipes and incorporating my favourite flavours into new dishes–cardamom being a recurring player. I find that scents and tastes have a powerful ability to evoke feelings and memories. I like to make a chamomile, lavender and cardamom tea at night times to help me sleep.
My container is based on a cardamom pod. It will contain actual cardamom seeds and function as a pocket sized, calming scent box. I strived for natural forms and textures in the piece. I used brass because it has a warmer hue and feels more natural than stark silver. I found that while the hydraulic press did not work for the surface texture I wanted, I liked the orange-peel like accent it gave the metal. I used repousse/chasing for the main linear/bulbous texture. I used a 3-knuckle hinge and a tab catch because this container will not need to be opened constantly. I also wanted a simple catch to not take away from the pieces overall simplicity. An aspect I would reconsider is the hinge. I realized towards the end that I did not like how large the hinge is as it takes away from the piece. Its linear form also contrasts with the natural feel of the piece. I also had to solder on another layer of brass to create a seat thick enough for the 2mm tubing and this unfortunately stands out. In remaking I would use thicker brass (though this may pose a challenge for creating depth in the hydraulic press) or looking for even thinner tubing. I will take to mind this lack of planning for future projects.