Book Club Challenge: "Hyperion" by Dan Simmons

Hyperion, by Dan Simmons, is one of my all time favorite sci-fi reads. When it was chosen as the most recent book for the Etsy Metal book club I was super excited to read it for the second time. I went back and forth about the piece for a long time and actually ended up reading all four books in the series again before I finally decided.

Hyperion is filled with mystery from the Prologue all the way through, and for me the most intriguing part was the juxtaposition of Christianity and the Church of Final Atonement. Both are fringe religions at the start of Hyperion and both are presented as equally preposterous, the first being outdated product of an antiquated society and the second focused around "The Lord of Pain", better known as the Shrike, and viewed by the general population as a barbarous cult that sends it's pilgrims to certain doom.

Atonement Brooch: Sterling Silver, Copper, Garnet

Hyperion recalls the tales of the seven pilgrims of the final Shrike Pilgrimage. Each tale tells of the connection the pilgrim has with the Shrike and the planet Hyperion. The Shrike is first mentioned in the Prologue as the Consul remembers "screams in the night and the hundred-faceted, ruby blood gaze of the Shrike itself". As the pilgrims tell their tales a clearer picture of the form and brutality of the Shrike slowly develops with "metal blades protruding from [it's] forehead, four wrists, oddly jointed elbows, knees, armored back and thorax." The reader is never presented with a clear explanation or solid connection between the events that have unfolded in the pilgrims lives and the motivations or intentions of this creature, this "Lord of Pain".

When Sol Weintrob takes his child, who suffers from an illness that has her aging backward, to the priests of the Church of Final Atonement and asks for guidance in having her be "made well" the bishop states that Sol is speaking of physical well being and that "[The Church of Final Atonement] is the final arbiter of spiritual salvation".

Atonement Brooch: Sterling Silver, Copper, Garnet

What is the Shrike? Should we fear it or revere it? Either way, I hope my piece does the Shrike a bit of justice. For a look at what the other Etsy Metal book club members came up with please follow the Etsy Metal Blog or Become Friends with Etsy Metal on Facebook. The book club post will be up next week! 

It's all about the process: Etsy Metal Charm Swap 8

So excited that I was lucky enough to sign up for Etsy Metal's 8th charm swap! What's a charm swap? The best thing ever! 20 Etsy Metal members sign up to make 22 charms each. One complete charm bracelet is sold through the Etsy Metal shop with part of the proceeds going to a youth organization, one of each of the charms goes into the shop as well, and each participant gets a fabulously wonderful charm bracelet. For a look at some of the previous charm swaps go to the Etsy Metal Blog and search for "Charm Swap". While you're there make sure to follow the blog, sign up for the news letter, or make friends with Etsy Metal on Facebook for Charm Swap 8 updates and tons of other cool info.

I decided to fashion my charms after some rings I made early this year for Ring a Week (I know, I know, totally dropped the ball on that one). I really enjoyed using origami techniques with foldforming and everyone knows I'm hooked on the red patina.

I started several weeks ago folding some strips of copper:

 

Today I cut the folded strips into cabs:

 

And then gave a few of them a red patina:

I'm really excited about how they're coming out. Stay tuned for more progress!

Etsy Metal Blog Carnival: Creative Space

This months Etsy Metal blog carnival is all about our studio spaces!

Bench

 I love artist studios. Each one is as different as the artists themselves.  Like a fingerprint or a psychological evaluation, the artists studio reflects the personality of the creator. My studio is where I go to get messy, to experiment and make mistakes, a space where anything goes and every mistake or breakthrough seems to come at just the right time and leads in just the right direction. Don't get me wrong, it's not all rainbows and butterflies. I can often be heard muttering or cursing, sometimes under my breath and other times at the top of my lungs. But somehow even the mistakes seem to belong tossed among the heaps of tools and materials that accumulate with every project (See last post for a clear illustration on this!).

Soldering Area

The world slows down when I'm working in the studio. There are times where my internal voice is lulled into a quiet and meditative hum and the pieces seem to effortlessly fall into place with the rhythms of sanding or hammering. My studio is one of the most personal aspects of my life and yet it is one that I love to share and experience with others. Somehow the space transcends the boundaries of what I regard as private and allows conversations to begin through my process and my work.

Office Nook

Friends and Family

 My studio, being an extension of myself and the things I value most, is filled with mementos. Photographs, ticket stubs, souvenirs and artwork adorn the walls, bulletin boards, and shelving. At times the spaces are crowded in so tight I imagine there is no way I'll be able fit one more thing and then I tuck another treasure into place. Every few months I rearrange the items, dust them off and remember why they are there in the first place. Inspiration, life is full of it.

Treasures and Mementos

This particular space is especially personal because I was able to design and build the bench and soldering area myself. I'd never really taken on a woodworking project before, and it's not quite level or trimmed perfectly, but it's mine and it works. The remainder of the furnishings are hand me downs and cast offs; the cabinets were discarded from a laundry room, the desk was a gift from my step-dad when I first moved out, a bakers rack from a friend who was pairing down her studio space, shelving that came with our house but didn't quite work for us. It's a hodge podge of organizational methods that attempts to keep the clutter at bay and it's absolutely perfect.

Brand New Bench!

Interested in the studio spaces of other Etsy Metal members? Keep on reading!

 Rebecca Bogan - http://www.AdobeSol.com/blog
Shirlee Grund - http://lichenandlychee.com/blog/ 
Beth Cyr http://bcyrjewelry.blogspot.com
Elizabeth Scott http://esdesignsjewelry.com/blog
Cynthia Del Giudice http://cynthiadelgiudice.blogspot.com
Michele Grady http://www.michelegradydesigns.blogspot.com
Erin Austin - http://metalmusing.blogspot.com/
Nodeform - http://nodeform.blogspot.com/
Evelyn Markasky -- http://markasky.blogspot.com/
Kathryn Cole - http://www.kathryncolejewelry.blogspot.com
2Roses - http://www.jewelrytutorial.blogspot.com
Lauren Anabela Beaudoin/Creative Dexterity - http://creativedexterity.com/Blog/main.html

What's New: Humboldt Arts Festival

HAF Main Stage

This weekend (May 14th and 15th) is the Humboldt Art Festival (HAF) and if last year is any indication it's sure to be a great time! This is the second year I'll be a the fair with the North Coast Metal Arts Guild and we are really excited to unveil our new banner, displays and of course our new work.

NCMAG 2010

The line up for the fair includes over 30 performers on four stages including sambAmore, Strix Vega, Company of African Dance Arcata , New World Ballet, Performers from Dell Arte, Karmaja Tribal Belly Dance, the Humboldt Hip Hop Tour, and many more. The HAF hosts 6 galleries, an outdoor sculpture garden, beer garden, art demonstrations, and 18 fine art/artisan vendors. Check out the HAF website for the complete line up and maps. If you are in the area come out and support our vibrant local arts community!

Featured Artist: Erin House

I met Erin House in the jewelry studio at HSU. We share a name so things could get a bit confusing from time to time. Our jewelry prof always referred to me as Erin A and she still does, even when Erin House isn't around! Erin's work is stunning in it's detail and meaning and has always been quite an inspiration.  Her ability to problem solve and her willingness to bounce around ideas and share techniques always makes working with her a pleasure. She's pretty funny too.

Sun Worship

1. Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Erin House. I am 31 years old. I have a BA in Studio Art from Humboldt
State University and my emphasis was in Jewelry and Small Metals. I live on the Pacific
Northwest Coast in Loleta, CA. I make jewelry out of my home studio and I try to live
simply and enjoy myself.

2. Describe your work in one sentence.
I strive to create sophisticated and elegant designs while exploring archetypal themes that
can speak to a wide audience.

3. What pieces are you most proud of?
I am not sure which one I am proud of, but my favorite pieces are “Tzab’ek Rattle Ring”
and “Sundial Ring”

4. What are you favorite materials to work with?
I love to work with Silver!

5. What direction do you see your work going in?
I could see myself creating objects or small sculpture. It’s hard to say. I am open to
anything the universe throws at me.

Sundial Ring

6. Who or what is your biggest artistic influence?
I am influenced by architecture and nature and pretty much whatever I think is visually
appealing.

7. If you could have your work critiqued by another artist who would it be and why?
Bob Ebendorf. I love his work and he is very respected in the jewelry world.

8. What is the best advice you've ever been given?
To change my major from Botany to Studio Art. I am so happy I did!

9. If you could add one tool to your collection what would it be?
I would love to have a Hydraulic Press.

10.  What do you listen to in the studio?
I like talk radio, like This American Life. I know it sounds boring, but, that’s what I like.

Tzab’ek Rattle Ring

11.  What is your most prized possession?
I have a ring my Grandfather gave to my Grandmother a long time ago and I love it!

12. Do you collect anything? If so, do you display your collections?
I collect antique mirrors, and yes, they are hanging on my walls.

13. How do you spend most of your free time?
I like to be outside when the weather is nice. I take my dogs to the beach and on walks.

14. What do you wish you were doing with your free time?
Making cool stuff.

15. If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?
I would end all the wars and feed all the people. Maybe that’s two, but that’s what I
would do!

16. Where can we see your work!
I have jewelry in Origin located in Old Town Eureka, which is having an “I Heart Indie
Fashion” event on May 6th from 6pm to 9pm. People can come in and meet some of the
makers/designers and have drinks and fun! origindesignlab.com
I also have an Etsy page.  ErinHouseDesigns.etsy.com
And a blog. housepartystudio.blogspot.com

It's All About the Process: Making Simple Buttons

Button Collection above my bench

I love Buttons! My grandma had a huge box that I would spend hours sifting through as a child. When she passed many of those buttons became part of my collection and several years later my mom and I spent an evening during one of her visits sorting them by color or material so I could display them in my collection of bottles.  A while back I decided to make some simple buttons of my own using some 20 gauge brass that had been sitting around for a while. The process is perfect for someone just beginning to manipulate metal and can be modified for much more complex buttons if desired.

Tools and Supplies:
Goggles and Face Shield (Safety first!)
Metal (I usually go with 20 gauge or heavier)
    A 1" x 3" piece will yield 12, 1/2" square buttons or  6, 1" X 1/2" buttons
Hammer
Texturing tools: hammers, stamps, etch bath (whatever you use to mark up the metal)
Bench Block or anvil 
Ruler
Pencil or Sharpie
Center Punch
Drill press or Flex shaft (whatever you use to drill holes)
Jewelers Saw or a Shear if you have one
Files
Sandpaper
Patina (optional)
Wax

Step One: Create some texture on the sheet metal using hammers, stamps and a bench block
   *Annealing first is helpful but not necessary 
   For these buttons I used a variety of hammers and stamps. This would be the time to etch!
   For a great tutorial on Green Electro Etching check out this tutorial by Inbar Baraket.

Step Two: Using a ruler and pencil map out the desired shapes including hole placement.
   I went with squares, rectangles, and triangles with varying numbers of holes.

Step Three: Using a center punch and chasing hammer create a starting point for each hole.

Steps 1- 3

Step Four: Drill out the Holes using a drill press or flex shaft (Face Shield!).
   

Drill Holes

Step Five: Cut out the shapes using a jewelers saw or shear (wear goggles or other eye protection).

Step Six: Filing and Sanding: Round out the edges and corners using files and sand paper.
  When sanding I usually start with 350 grit and work down to 600 (using a flex shaft and a split mandrel
  really speeds this up, sanding sticks are also great).

Row 1: Cut out, Row 2: Filed, Row 3: Sanded

Step Seven: patina and wax!
   I went with Midas Black for this group (Please make sure to read the directions and wear eye protection!)
   A cloth, Sand paper, or scotch bright can be used to relieve the patina (I went with 1200 grit sand paper)
   *If you are going for super shiny buttons you would probably want to buff the little guys before waxing.

Row 1: dark patina, Row 2: patina relieved, Row 3: Waxed

This collection of buttons is going into the goodie bags for the I Heart Indie (fashion) event at Origin Design Studios of Eureka, CA from 6-9 on May 5th. If you are in town be one of the first 30 people to arrive and one of these little guys will be all yours!

RAW: Week 8

 

I continued to explore the kirigami flower forms this week. It was difficult to get the forms flush for soldering. They also got a bit squished at some point and it was impossible to get them straightened out because they are so close together. Definitely learned a lot for next time.

RAW: Week 7

RAW 7, Copper, 2/22/11

 This piece was so fun to make and I'm really pleased with the transition from paper to metal. It's based on the Japanese art of Kirigami, an offshoot of Origami that combines folding, cutting, and opening paper to create forms. Think paper snowflakes. This piece has been folded and cut but not opened. There are a few things I would like to work out with the construction, especially with the band. Ideally, the band and the flower would both be seamless. Expect more of these Kirigami pieces in the weeks to come and look for similar pieces in my Etsy shop soon!

RAD 354, paper, 2/18/11

RAW 7, Copper, 2/22/11

RAW: Week 6

More origami this week. I call this piece "My Little Friend". I just couldn't help myself, these folds were too much like the abdomen of a beetle and when I started browsing images I realized they most resembled cockroaches. Then I started thinking about how some people enjoy having cockroaches as pets. So naturally I imagined holding one of the little guys... probably not a pet choice I'll be making in my future. 

RAW: Week 5

This week I continued working with origami folds but moved away from identifiable objects. I started by making a long strip of pleat folds and then formed the strip into tubing. The pleat fold in copper has a very organic feel which reminds me of the segmentation found in beetles and caterpillars. I love pairing the organic with the industrial, so rivets were a natural choice.

RAW 5

Copper

02/07/2011

RAW: Week Four

RAW 4: Origami Shrimp, Copper, Foldforming

      Earlier this week I made an origami shrimp ring out of paper for RAD #330. I loved the little guy so much I knew he would be the next one I made in metal. The metal version has a very different feel and gave me a good bit of trouble. By the end I was folding 4 layers of 26 gauge copper to create the pleats, but it was really folding the pleat folds in half that got me (8 layers of metal really does not want to move). However, I also worked on a smaller pleated ring for today's RAD and I really like the way it turned out. I have a feeling there are more pleats in my future.

RAD 330: Origami Shrimp, Paper, Origami

RAD 334: Pleats, Copper, foldforming

RAW: Week 3

RAW: week 3

Copper

Origami Pelican

Continuing to work with origami this week. This form was a lot of fun. Switching to 24 gauge copper definitely saved me some frustration. Although his beak should be more elongated for a pelican, I still think he is a fine specimen.

RAW: no I'm not growling; it's time for Ring A Week

That's right, a new challenge to create a ring a week for an entire year. Only 52 rings? What will we do with all the spare time! For most of the group RAD (Ring A Day) ended with 2010. I'm still hanging in there until the end of February to complete my 365 rings. However, my RAD rings will primarily be models for RAW from here on out. This year I'm going to take my infatuation with paper even further and explore the translation of paper craft into metal.

Week One 

1/8/2011

Origami Airplane

Copper

Week 2

1/16/2011

Origami Boat

Copper