Ship brooches - glamour shot

Trying to take a quick glamour shot of the two ship brooches I made last night.  Not quite happy with the shape of the mainsail on the second one, though the 'hull' is better.  The photos would look better edited (this one needs to be re-cropped to lessen the empty space on the right, but it had the best colour), but I don't have time at the moment.

It's good practice, though, trying to spend less time on setting up, taking and selecting product images.  Hopefully if I get it working I can step up the pace!

All washed up...

New ship brooch

Just a quick photo to show I've made some more ship brooches.  3 hours to make two - not bad, that's the same as it took me to do the single one previously!  Using solder paste instead of chips has made a massive difference.  I love the way the open wirework came together - I'm getting better at making smooth shapes and marrying them up.  I might try using it in more pieces, perhaps some shapely dangly filigree earrings. 

I need some better surfaces to beat things on, but I don't mind the texture too much.  I'll try and take better photos later.  Now, time for sleep, though my neighbours make that impossible in my house...

Tired from doing nothing...

I find days when I don't do anything far more wearing than days packed full of achievement.

 

When I've nothing to do or just have done nothing the time simultaneously drags and evaporates, suddenly it's the end of the day and... I wasted it.

 

My blood's not moved more than sluggishly, my brain hasn't stirred itself up out of the silt, the day has had no flow to wash away the debris of overthinking.   

 

I've not even enjoyed the day, just been killing time.

 

When a day's been like that, I need is good to achieve just one thing, just so the day has a little concrete hook, so the sour taste of a wasted day doesn't carry over to taint sleep and waking.

What can that be tonight?

Petite wren

A little brooch I made to accompany my friend and jewellery-sensei Robin on her move up to E'burgh.  It's not a robin though, it's a wren!  Made from .9mm sterling silver sheet, it feels very heavy and luxurious, and I was delighted with how well the partial texturing came out. 

I love that pose!

Also, a wire doodle for an Industrial piercing bar.  It apparently wasn't comfortable enough, but it's an interesting technique which allows some very expressive forms.

Swirly!  Stubbly!

Silver ship brooch and peacock earrings

This was one off the fiddliest things I've ever made.  It took about 20 mins to cut and shape all of the pieces, then approximately THREE HOURS to solder it all together.  I foolishly only have one grade of solder, so the old joints would fall apart as soon as the new would flow.  I very, very nearly gave up but stepped back, took a deep breath and tried again, and I'm so glad I did.  60th birthday present for an awesome aunt.

It can work as a scarf pin or a brooch.

I love the little wiggle in the pin, that helps it lock in place securely.

As I had my brother's cameras in my hands, I thought I'd take the opportunity to snap a photo of my old, massive stylised peacock-feather earrings.  These are set with labradorites (my first cabochon settings, with thanks to Robin, my jewellery sensei!) and have my logo pierced into the back.  They're a bit unwieldy but really make an impression.  I've had someone demand I sell them to her there and then...

Pity I wasn't able to capture the colours in the labradorite, it's one of my favourite stones.  beautiful.

Costuming in progress - abyssal mermaid

I really need to learn to keep on top of this better - I've made absolutely bucketloads of things recently and not-so-recently, but I haven't been keeping track!

Anyway, this is part of a costume-in-progress for a White Mischief show this Saturday, theme of '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea'.  The basic concept is an abyssal mermaid.  Another incarnation was octopus-based, but I couldn't figure out how to get the movement right without helium, so that'll have to wait.

Oh yes, and I <3 thermoplastic, that stuff is the bomb.

From the back, thermoplastic spines roughly double-sided-taped on back, and draft ear-spines. Still needs white LED lure and scaly body-paint - might try and colour the spines to match, or keep them fish-bone white.

From the front, slightly better view of the high-waisted fishtail skirt.  I safeteypinned a tulle underskirt halfway down a petticoat to puff out the flare of the skirt.

The top bit could use some work: really wish I had an overbust corset without shoulders!  Could also latex-body-paint octopus/squid suckers to the inside of arms, not sure yet.  I think it definitely needs something glowing stuck down the sides to mimic lateral lines on an abyssal fish.  Lots of silveryness, and paler on the front.

Things left to do:

• Create another ear-spine
• Make lure with LED light on
• Add glow-in-the-dark dots down the sides of the dress, if I can find something suitable
• Make jellyfish parasol when parts arrive
• Bodypaint.  Lots and lots of bodypaint.

Interesting fabrics

A few bits I spotted at the local fabric shop which might be useful in future projects, especially the light corduroy in various colours.  I was hoping to combine it with some nice rivets to make an everyday fishtail dress...  Haven't quite worked out the sketches yet though.

So, so soft!