3D identity cutting and shaping 27th November

Cutting and Shaping   27th November

With this being the last day of 3D I had to work hard to get everything done before the group critique at the end of the day. I started with the acrylic part of my necklace as I still had to cut out the design.

Taking the same steps as the copper sheet, I marked out my design using the paper template I photocopied from my sketchbook. I used a pen to carefully go around the template as the acrylic was transparent and any pen that was left could be seen. I took the large acrylic sheet to the saw to cut off the excess. I carefully cut around the shape like I did with the copper. I found this a lot easier to do with the acrylic as it was a thicker material and didn't bend if there wasn't anything underneath it like the copper did.

With both copper and acrylic cut out from the sheets, it was now time to remove the centre parts of my design that I wasn't able to remove before. For this I had to use the drill to make holes so I could slide the saw blade in the hole and remove the centre spaces of the design with out cutting off any parts I wanted to keep. Before I could do any drilling, I had to start with making a small dent in the copper so that the drill would easily make a hole in the metal and not slip around. I also had to cover my acrylic with masking tape to help prevent it splitting when drilled.

With the preparations done, I could begin drilling the holes. This took longer than I thought, because with each one I had to position the copper or acrylic in the right place to match up with the marks I made earlier. I also had to ensure I clamped the materials to the board so it was safe to start.

After all the drilling was finished, I could go back to the saw and finish off the last bit of cutting. This was another long process, as I had to shut everything down before I removed the blade to slide it into the holes I drilled, cut around the centre, then switch everything off again to remove the blade so I could move onto the next one.

With my design finally done, I could then start to think about moulding them together and completing my necklace.

Nearing the end of the day, I had to gather my things together and take part in the group critique. This is something I both enjoy and get a little nervous about. I find that during 3D everyone is very busy doing separate things, but the group critique gives us the time to not only present what we have done, but also discuss the starting point, our thoughts, and what we would do differently or develop if we carried on with the project. When it was my turn to speak, I started by explaining my last 3D necklace and how it was based on Celtic designs and that the Celts were part of my identity. I also explained how I wanted to research more about the meanings behind Celtic jewellery, how it had important significance to the Celts and that their jewellery wasn't just ornamental. As the Celts culture and religion is very closely related to nature, I had done some research on artists whose work is also connected to nature.

If I was carrying on with this project, I would like to look at the subject of jewellery being more than ornamental. I'm interested in the idea of jewellery being more of a statement about, or part of someone's identity, and what they are trying to say by wearing it. I would also like to investigate the symbolism behind different culture's jewellery.

After listening to everyone's ideas and talking about my own, it was time to call it a day.