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FMP Final Design

 Final Design

With the pieces made and finished, I could spend some time making different designs to assemble so that I could show the range of lockets to my client Marriyah. This included not only the backing, but also what will go into the window of the locket as well as the colour of the glass. The mix of all these parts made the possibilities vast. I had the task of picking what I think looked the best and what summed up Marriyah's taste and personality.

I chose a handful of designs to show Marriyah. I then had to photograph each one so that I could help her decide which would be the final design. This was a two step process, the first was to email Marriyah a photo of the six designs I had chosen so it could be narrowed down. When the designs were picked, I could have a consultation with Marriyah to make sure she was happy with the decision. I laid the pieces out with the photos of the designs, so that she could clearly see them. It also gave Marriyah the chance to move the pieces around and see if there was any other variation she preferred.

Marriyah and I worked out what aspects of the two chosen designs she liked so we could incorporate them into the final piece. With a small amount of moving, we came to a agreed design. I could now assemble it.

Once the design was chosen, I could talk to Marriyah about how she felt about the design process and what she thought of bespoke jewellery and the design that I have made for her.

The feedback I got was positive. Marriyah said that she prefers bespoke jewellery and having a designer make something that is unique is a wonderful opportunity. Although the design is a little bigger than she liked, and made out of copper instead of silver, she is still happy with the end result. Marriyah also commented on the fact that I managed to have the locket in the Art Deco style, but interpreted the style and shapes to make it unique.

With the many consultations I had with Marriyah, I made sure any changes were first cleared with her and I had her approve before I went ahead with the designing and making.

FMP Fridays Thoughts

Friday's Thoughts

With everything almost done, all I had to do today was make a couple more back pieces and take photos of my piece with the different backings. The photos will be on the wall, so the viewer can see the different design processes I have gone through to get to the final design.

I was hoping to finish editing them at home. It was late by the time I finished and the college was closed. Sadly, my computer wouldn't accept the files, so now I hope I can do it on early Monday. I will have to show Marriyah the different designs too.

FMP Evaluation

FMP Evaluation

Candidates Name : Sarah Parry
Date: 9/05/2015
Pathway: 3D
Project Title: Customising The Unique

My project brief was to work closely with a person to create a piece of jewellery that represents their personality. This was to replicate designer and client relationship in a bespoke business and how they work with the customer to create something the customer is happy with. I wanted to create an embodiment of the client's personality through different materials, shapes and colours of the jewellery, while trying to keep a balance between what the client wants and my designs.

I began my research by gathering information about different jewellery designers and how they take a different approaches on customising jewellery, by making it from items around the house, to the mass market individual charms that the public can assemble unique bracelet themselves. I then took a close look at how bespoke designers work with their customers to create jewellery, as well as other forms of art that have the same designer and customer relationship. I also looked into the psychology of personality and human anatomy. Throughout the project we had several group critiques and brainstorming sessions. This gave us the chance to share ideas and advice from peers and tutors to improve my research, ideas and project. An important part of my project was to have interviews with my client, getting feedback to improve and fulfill my project brief.

Once I had gathered my research from both primary and secondary sources, I interviewed my client to better understand what she wanted. Due to the research I had completed, I had a more in depth understanding of the design process and what questions I needed to ask; to collaborate my ideas with my client, asking what she wants from a piece of jewellery that symbolises her personality. I questioned her about her tastes, how she sees herself and if she thinks others see her the same way. I drew up designs based on her answers. This process is longer than just designing for myself. That's why it was important to have information from working professionals. I created several ideas using the information my client gave me and then created a design for a locket. My reasons for choosing a locket was because it would be the most effective way to resemble someone's personality, as the world views the outer representation, but few if any, see what truly lies within. Before deciding on a locket I also had to make sure my client was happy with the idea.

I created several different designs and showed them to my client. We discussed what she liked and disliked. She chose a symmetrical design that was developed further whilst I was making the final piece. This design represented much of my clients personality, as well as having symbolic meaning behind each detail that would give insight to who the wearer was. After I finalised the design by making test pieces, I could then make a informed choice about what materials I needed to use to achieve the design my client wanted for the final piece. After many test pieces with resin, acrylic, glass, copper and aluminium, I could show each one to the client and discuss which was her preferred material and techniques needed for the final piece. We decided on glass and copper to create the locket. I could then start the different processes to create the piece, such as glass casting, laser cutting and annealing copper to create an outcome that would be unique.

My design best represented my project brief because of the way it has developed over time. Working closely with the client, I was able to create something that in itself was unique. There was a mixture of raised, flat and cut out areas which symbolised the many different layers of the clients personality. The symmetrical shapes of the art deco style effectively matched her organised personality. To counterbalance this, the copper had a very disorganised textured and pattern. This was caused by the annealing and the borax flux, and it embodies the part of the personality of the client that is less organised. Looking at the texture there is an irregular and less symmetrical design. The copper was very effective for this. In the centre is etched green glass in a diamond shape. A big part of my client's personality is her love for literature and I wanted to incorporate one of her favourite quotes into the jewellery. I placed this in the centre of the locket because in order to know this about the client you'd have get to know her more.

In order to make my finished design, I had to make a lot of changes, both in the design and the making process. I had to ensure that the client was happy with the design before continuing on making the piece, and then updating her if any changes were made. Although the design process was a little longer than it is normally is, it was the techniques and materials that made the big impact on the design. I had to modify the design to allow for the fact that there wasn't the tools I needed to make my original design. I also had to scale up my locket because of the size of the tools that were available were too big to do the small adjustments I needed to do. To improve my project I would have also liked to make some more interchangeable glass pieces that would be different colours as well as various patterns. There could be more quotes so that the wearer could change the locket depending on their mood.

The final design was successful despite the obstacles I encountered. I set out to work closely with a person to create a piece of jewellery that represented their personality. Even though I had some difficulty, and had to compromise on some of the designs, I still managed to create a piece that the client was happy with.

The feedback I got from my client was positive. She said that she now prefers bespoke jewellery and having a designer make something that is unique is a wonderful opportunity. Although the design is a little bigger than she liked, and made out of copper instead of silver, she is still happy with the end result. Mainly because through each change she was consulted before a decision was made. This made her feel that the piece is more a part of her then if she wasn't consulted as much. She also commented on the fact that I managed to have the locket in the Art Deco style, but interpreted the style and shapes to make it unique. Once she put on the locket for the photographs she could  then see how the locket looked when she had it on, although she was very careful with the locket at first once she was wearing it she felt that it was conferable to wear and liked the way it looked on.

with the locket finished i could then concentrate on the display for the exhibition, after the group power points and crits I had some idea of what i wanted the display to be. through out the project I have focused on the individual and I thought that I should carry that through to my display. So i thought that I could do a cast of a human body and place the locket on to show the human form and how it would rest on the body. Out of all the possible materiel I chose acrylic, this was because of the ability to allow the light through it, so that the light would shine through the glass and draw the eye to the center. Having the cast made out of clear acrylic also meant the it wouldnt distract attention away from the locket. I then had photographs and test pieces placed around the locket to show the variations that the client could achieve and how they could  change and customise the locket. While the show was on I could then get feedback on my piece, i asked people different questions on what they though of my locket most seemed to positive and they poetically like the idea of having the glass inside the locket changeable, one of the main point I could have improved is the depth of the etching, although you could read the writing on the glass it sometimes wasnt clear as it could be.   

FMP The last day of FMP 7th May

The last day of FMP   7th May

With today being the last day of FMP, I had a couple more things to do. I had to get ready to hand everything in for the deadline next Monday.

Once I sat down in 3D, I could sort out what I wanted to do as well as what to needed to do first. With my piece all but ready, all I had to do was heat the remaining copper so that I could fix them together and finish my piece. Having done the heating process with the copper a couple of times now, I was confident in carrying on with the heating myself.

I mixed up the borax flux so that I could cover the different copper pieces all over so that when your looking at the locket it is completely finished. Having made the paste up, I painted a thin layer onto each piece. I then placed the copper on the stone bench so I could heat the copper and burn off the flux, leaving the changed copper behind with the different colouring.

My first attempt didn't have the desired effect. After taking one or two pieces off the stone bench I could see that I was doing something wrong. With a little advice from the tutors, I could then see that I was wasn't heating the copper for long enough. By taking the torch away too soon, I didn't let the flux burn away completely, leaving the copper with a dirty looking colour instead of the contrasting colours that it should be.

Once I knew the problem, I could reheat the copper pieces so that the remaining chemicals were burned off properly. This gave them a deep red colour that fitted well with the front section of the locket.

Seeing as the locket was almost complete, my attention was turned to the presentation of my work. I wanted images of my locket on the wall. With my locket having the ability to swap and change each piece, it would be a good way to see the different looks of the locket before settling on the final piece. This would also give Marriyah a chance to make sure she's happy with the final design. It would be a good opportunity to get her opinion of what she thought of the bespoke process too.

FMP Back To Work 5th May

Back To Work   5th May

With Monday a holiday, it was nice to get back to college so that I could finish my locket and see if I could start my second piece. I could also sort out if I was going to place anything on the walls to accompany my piece. I was thinking about the idea of having images of the making process on the wall. This would show how much work making a custom piece is, and how it is as unique as the person.

I got a lot of work done over the last week to make sure that I could finish on time. I realise how much work it is to make a made to measure piece of jewellery. When I was talking to the jewellers about how long it takes to make a piece, they all seem to say that it can take up to 3 to 4 weeks to make a item for someone, but this is with the right equipment and skills. I on the other hand have little experience and limited equipment. This has taken me a little longer than I wanted, but with the tools I have, I managed to create a locket that has fulfilled what I set out to do.

Today was another long day and after a lot of correcting and editing, my glass template was ready to be laser cut. I could spend some time doing a bit of soldering to get my locket finished. Having the template ready to go, I could set up my glass piece in the laser cutter. I placed a wet piece of paper onto the surface of the glass so the laser had something to etch into and not just pass through it. Once my first piece of glass was done, I could edit the template so that the wording on the glass fitted better. With the first etching, the wording was a little to big and slightly to the side. I took the aspect of the first test piece and changed it to have a completed final piece that I was happy with.

The look of the etching on the glass had a clean and sharp effect that added something to the glass. It was much like a second layer on top of the texture the glass from the trapped bubbles within the casts I made.

Having the glass done, I could take all the pieces out and assemble them. I could then have some practice with some of the soldering methods. I prepared two scraps of copper to be soldered. I started with filing down the sides so they would be smooth and have no gaps. This was so that the solder would securely fix the two pieces together.

With the two pieces ready, I had to get the borax flux paste and apply it to the two pieces of copper where I wanted the copper to join. Once a fair amount of the paste is on the copper, I could then add the small scraps of the silver with the size I wanted to solder. I only needed a small amount of silver solder for the two pieces to be fixed together and placed close to the join.

I then could heat the copper, taking it slowly at first, making sure I heated all of the copper and burn off the borax flux. Once the copper reached the right heat, I could then turn up the blowtorch and melt the silver solder and fuse the copper together. This only took a minute and once the solder was melted, I could dunk the copper into water to cool it.

Taking my test piece, I could see how well the soldering had been. The two pieces were now one and the join was clean. I was happy with my first attempt, although I do have to be careful with the blowtorch, making sure I don't knock over the copper if the flame is too intense.

FMP A Busy Week 28th to the 30th April

A Busy Week 27th to the 30th April

One week left. I have a busy week to get lots of little things done, starting with my sorting out the last bits of my locket.

I needed to make the back for my locket. I had to accurately draw up the plans for the back with precise measurements to fit round the cast glass. I had to pick which of the two I wanted for my final piece. Having chosen this, I then had to measure the glass at every angle. By laying it flat on the copper, I was able to mark out the point I needed to cut with the glass as a guide. I had to take into consideration not only the width of the glass, but the depth as well, making sure I have enough copper to wrap round the glass so that it would be secure when worn. I didn't want the glass to be covered by the copper too much, as it is one of the main features. I had only the sides of the glass held in place with the copper. I also cut the centre of the backing out to allow the light to pass through the glass. When worn, it would give different effects and colours to the glass.

 

With a lot of time dedicated to planning how the back would look, and working out the right sizing, I had to work quickly in making the item before the week was finished. I drew out my design on the copper, which I covered in masking tape. This was so that I didn't scratch the metal. As well, I would be able to draw out my template without marking the copper.

Once I had the template cut out using the hand saw, I could the file the edges down and bend the copper so that the glass would be fixed safely. I did this by first marking the line where the copper must bend. I then placed the copper into a clamp. I had to place the same part of the copper into a different clamp that was made of two pieces of wood. This was the final stage and once the metal was removed from the wooden clamp, I repeated this for the other side. With a little adjusting, the back of the locket was finished.

The back now finished, I could cut out the small independent parts of my locket. That would be the finishing touches to the front. These were very fiddly and had to be measured to fit round the front of the locket to create a frame for the window. This would give it more of a decorative feel, as well as a finished professional look.

This task was broken up into many different sets, all of which were time consuming and fiddly to do. The measuring was first. I had made a couple of test pieces to understand the size and with of the weight that is needed for each side. With the sizing sorted out, I could then make the pieces. I started by cutting the first one out with the guillotine. I was careful to cut the copper without cutting too much off. Once the piece was cut, I then used the file to smooth the edges and get a more defined shape. Having spent some time getting the shape I wanted, I could then use the clamp to mould the copper so I would be able to secure the smaller pieces to the front. Before I dent the copper, I had to measure the point where I wanted the bend to be. I placed the smaller piece up against the front, marking the line out on the masking tape. The line marked out, I then knew where to make the bend so that I could place the copper carefully in the metal clamp. I then carefully moulded the copper. Having bent the copper so far, I had to the place the all copper in the clamp so that I could close the two ends together. I placed a small copper rod between the two sides of the copper, so that it wouldn't close completely.

 

Once I had done one section, all I had to do was repeat the process three more times. This was a difficult thing to do because of the size of the metal I was working with. This meant it was more time consuming than other parts.

After having made all the parts for the one locket, I now know that I wont be able to make a second. With that in mind, I have to think of other ways to make lockets with the ones I already have. I thought of making different backs to the one I already have. This would then give me the chance to show Marriyah different shapes that she might like, to make sure she's happy with the locket.