adventure please

2011-04-11T19:04:00.001-07:00

Love comforteth like sunshine after rain.
-William Shakespeare

Websites

2009-02-17T19:27:00.001-08:00

I love Tzuri Gueta her work is amazing, its such a great idea! I have put some of her other work on my blog a while ago but i have a new found love.
This image is beautiful it sweet and draws people in. Her website has so many images of her work you can see all the wonderful things she has created.
Check her website out! you will not regret it, i promise.
I helped Donna at the Washington Craft Show, her work is awesome. I liked her website because of the design going down the left side of her site, these are pins she sells, they are made of steel and plastic. You can clearly identify her work from her site, and that is great branding.
Arthur Hash has a very interactive website, its a lot of fun to navigate, everything moves! Its very him, its funky and hip, even the font is created in this way. His website is working for him.
I liked Bettina Speckner website because it is simple and on the front page displays her work. Its not complicated and easy to navigate, this is probably the style i will start off with when creating my own website.
Sarah Graham always uses the color red, her signature color. She includes this color in all her promotional materials, this helps create her brand. Sarah Graham has got branding down!

I liked Lauren Kalman's website because it was simple just like her work, all her images are clear and polished this style is reflected with in her website.

Sketches/Brainstorming

2009-02-02T13:37:00.000-08:00

Mushroom clusters.
I really liked the textures found on some of them, they could be really interesting with enamel on top.

Giovanni Corvaja

2009-02-01T18:53:00.000-08:00

Beautiful, when i looked at this image i got tingles :)

Images

2009-02-01T18:18:00.000-08:00

Just some images I found as I was researching that caught my eye.

Barbara Paganin

Ralph Bakker

Esther Knobel
Enamel Copper

Joanne Haywood
Silver and Thread

Pat Flynn

Steel and diamonds

Raissa Bump

2009-02-01T18:08:00.000-08:00

The repeate of the same object creates volume in the piece, the bead is so small but with so many of them a mass is created.

Clusters

2009-02-01T12:30:00.000-08:00

I am drawn to clusters and groupings of objects. I don't know why but it is interesting that this is a theme that runs threw much of my work. For my last semester i would like to explore and further developer my fascination with groups and clusters of objects. Here are some images that contain groupings.

So many seeds!

I really like the barnacles. I can already see these groupings being worn on the body as jewelry.

http://flickr.com/photos/43071680@N00/2848363548/

http://flickr.com/photos/dmanwarren/2908786398/

Bathsheba Grossman

2009-02-01T12:15:00.000-08:00

Electroformed Antipod by Bathsheba Grossman

Dennis Nahabetian

2009-01-28T19:57:00.000-08:00

Dennis Nahabetian

Wonderful creative idea, His jewelry objects are just as strong and as interesting as his larger vessels. I really love this work.

April Higashi

2009-01-28T19:28:00.001-08:00

These lovely jewelry pieces are enameled with many layers, throughly blending the colors of the enamel together creating a painterly feel.

Enamel and Electroform

2009-01-28T19:18:00.000-08:00

A book i would like to get my hands on.

Pigeon Point Glass

2009-01-28T18:22:00.000-08:00

Pigeon Point Glass combines glass and electroformed leaves to create little glass and metal beads, very cute and unique. We had discussed in class the combination of different materials, some being electroformed and others remaining in their original state. This is a great example of material combinations.

Instructables

2009-01-28T17:55:00.000-08:00

Instructables is a website that provides directions on creative art process, it even had an entry on Electroforming! The instructions provided were accompanied by step by step images that really helped to show the process. Very Cool!!

This is the before and after of the flower that has been electroformed.

Building in SL

2008-12-17T17:09:00.000-08:00

Building in SL

2008-12-17T16:47:00.001-08:00

I love the trees.

New Display in Second Life

2008-12-10T14:53:00.001-08:00

Brand Brainstorming

2008-12-01T19:18:00.000-08:00

How would you like others to describe your work, website, your image?

I would like others to describe my work as elegant, fun and simple. The silicone is a new fun material in combination with the sterling silver that has been used in jewelry making for centuries. Because of this use of different materials my work as an old feel with a touch of new, it reaches back and touches that part in everyone, that wants to treasure something from the past, as a keepsake. While also bringing that object into the future and combining it with silicon a relatively new material. The relationship between the feel of the two materials is also very contrasting, the silver is stiff while the silicone gives and bends when touched.

My website would reflect this elegant feel. I would only use black and white images in my website, displays would also match this color palette.

I would like my image to be one of fun but to also have a feeling of something cherished. My pieces are very intimate and inviting I want my image to also be portrayed in this way.

What message will be delivered from your brand?

I hope the message of something special and treasured will be delivered from my brand. I want my brand to express that the objects created under its title are precious but not too precious that they are not worn. I want the message for my brand to be that the objects should be fully enjoyed. They should be worn and felt.

Why are you making what you make?

I am making my work because I enjoy creating. I enjoy precious things. Jewelry makes you feel beautiful, it helps you identify who you are, just like anything else you place on your body. I am making work because I enjoy the process of playing with a material and finding new ways to apply it to the jewelry field.

What do you hope to contribute to the world?

I would like to contribute to the world, beautiful objects. I would also like to express that any material can be used in the creation of jewelry, all you have to do is play with what you have and explore the options.

How can you communicate these qualities or values?

I will communicate these qualities of my work by using them myself. I will continue to play with materials, whatever they will be, and I will create beautiful objects. I will communicate by example.

Building in Second Life

2008-12-01T19:10:00.001-08:00

Working on a display for my Design and Production jewelry.

Two different size fans.

Creating a fan form, made up of cones.

Creative Competency

2008-11-19T16:24:00.000-08:00

Jay Ryan, a print artist has a clear brand for his products. His prints can clearly be identified, they are playful and always contain animals. His hand is present in his work adding character to his posters, that are often done for bands.

IKEA is one of my favorite places to shop, its an all day event. They have everything you could possibly what, even a restaurant. Ikea designs are simple fun and affordable. They use alot of funky patters in there products giving off a young playful feel to them.

Working Class Studio is a design collective that i particularly am drawn too. I like the fact that alot of there work is done by students, as a student i like knowing that its possible to get your work out there and into mainstream stores. There displays are also very strong, as you can see in the images above. They have places the objects in situations that illustrate the objects use. The bright colors of the objects themselves are matched by the colorful surroundings. Everything is bright and colorful and makes sense.

Arthur Hash has created a wide verity of objects, using new technology as well as traditional techniques. This wide skill set allows him to look at jewelry from new angels, questioning the jewelry making process and what materials are being used. In his jewelery he uses familiar subject matter and simplifies it, allowing the object to still be identifiable to extracting the details.

Dirt Devil is now focusing its attention on design along with function, where in the past function has been the leading factor. They have now come out with the new KURV hand held vacuum, it is sleek and sexy. The design lifts the status of the vacuum cleaner into that of an art object. It is no longer something you would put in your closet but something you would display in your living room. It has form and function.

Apples branding has to be one of the most successful i have come in contact with. Everyone and their mom has an Apple product. Everyone wants one, and there branding creates this desire. There commercials for the iphone make it the versatile tool for people on the go, and this is their target customer. Ipod commercials are bright, bold and put you right into the commercial. Music has always been a tool for people to identify themselves with, and Apple taps into this desire to belong to a certain crowd.

I always buy Crest toothpaste, its what my mom bought, this emotional connection to home is why i buy it. Its clever catch phrase "Crest Kid" is also what makes me buy. Slogans help sell products, just like this one.

Hive is a company thats bases its products on good design and friendly impacts on the environment. Hive redesigns products adding a playful touch along with function.

2modern is a collection of new international design, its all here for you. Innovative new products for every aspect of life. one of my personal favorites are the silicone lights by Arturo Alvarez. Check it out!

OM home is a company started by Oorbee Roy, an Indian woman who takes her fabric designs from the Indian art of Alpona, the practice decorating the insides and outsides of homes and temples with geometric patterns. I like how Roy draws from her heritage, her website and all her products are represented by the geometric designs.

Branding Video

2008-11-11T07:56:00.000-08:00

This is an awesome video about branding, i never really thought about advertising in an analytical way before. I think people are so used to the constant ads that surround them that it all blends together sometimes.

Branding is everywhere, in this video it said that advertisement's are even placed at the bottom of golf holes, when you go gather your ball from the hold you see an ad, clever, who would have thought to use this space for an advertisement.

People are constantly buying things, but why? are there subconscious reasons for these? This video tries to understand the reasons behind the objects people are drawn to and buy.

This video is packed with information to consider when creating a brand of your own. check it out!

Band-aids as Fashion Accessories

2008-10-07T14:39:00.000-07:00

It's no Boo-Boo: Bandages as fashion accessories this was an article in The Herald Tribune that was published this past August. It states that band-aids are starting to be considered a fashion accessories and are worn even without a cut.

Everything should be beautiful and designed, why try to blend this object into the skin. Honestly does the color of regular band aids really match any skin color?

Designers listed in this article for designing band aids were Marc Jacobs, Fabian Seibert and Alexandre Herchcovitch.

How Band-aids are made

2008-10-07T14:03:00.000-07:00

This is a link to watch a video about how band-aids are made. Also these are some images of band-aids.

n-e-r-v-o-u-s system

2008-09-30T19:22:00.000-07:00

Nervous system creates rubber silicone jewelry using a water jet machine, the water is highly pressurized and mixed with sand this stream of water cuts the silicon and does not alter the material. Water cutting might be a better bet when cutting silicon because it is a cold cutting method, compared to laser cutting where heat will be involved. This process is also environmental friendly, it does not produce any toxins when cutting. Nervous system rubber jewelry is produced by Western Rubber a company located in California. They can supply CAD services, i think this means that they can work with CAD files. This could be a possibility for cutting silicone.

GlobalSpec (engineering search engine)

2008-09-30T18:22:00.000-07:00

Everyone should check out Globalspec!

I am in the process of fully exploring the site, but it seems to be dedicated to providing engineers/designers with products and supplies that will help them with their endeavors. I signed up and now have my own personalized page with all the companies that i am interested in working with. It also has new current information on products and processes.

It could be useful for outsourcing companies, i will post more once i learn more about this site.

Silicone

2008-09-30T15:56:00.000-07:00

For my next project in design and production i would like to work with Silicone rubber. I am creating pop up designs from 2d blueprints that will be laser cut. the designs will be assembled to create wearable objects.

Most of the work i have seen being made from silicone are flat table wear items such as placements, coasters and doilies. I would like to use this material and create 3d forms.
This is an example of current 2d uses of silicone, these are doilies made by Modern Twist.

New Silicone Jewelry

This is a broach made of silicone disks. It was once available at the MoMa store, it is made by an artist from Argentina but i could not find the name of the artist. if anyone knows let me know.

This is exactly what I was thinking about doing originally for this project, with a rubber type material. Squeezing it through fabric with holes and creating forms from what was pushed through the holes. The outcome was similar to these necklaces by Tzuri Gueta. These forms are beautiful and have a lot of detail, i bet they feel really nice as well. These forms are created by extruding hot silicone through silk tubes.I love these objects, they feel like they are alive and still growing.

climate of design today

2008-09-30T14:48:00.000-07:00

Today’s design climate appears to be one of fun forms, clever ideas and the use of new innovative materials. A lot of the designs I am seeing are simple but not too simple where they become boring. They also seem to be functional in someway, but also have strong elements of design. The design is not sacrificed for the function but rather both elements are achieved to create a new objects.

These are index card cutting boards, designed to prevent cross contamination of food. They were designed by Damian Evans and are sold on the MoMa website. Its functional, helpful and cool.
This eco-friendly porcelain reusable cup, takes a familiar disposable object and transforms it into a reusable object saving paper cups from being used. designed by James Burgess and also available at Moma.

Tord Boontje created this whimsical lampshade from one piece of metal that was it laser cut. It can be wound around the light bulb however you like. Great idea, simple construction and good use of laser cutting.
Droog created this lamp made of milk bottles. Its soft glow creates a comforting feeling. it reminds me of coming home from school and my mom having cookies and milk ready for me as an after school snack. Its a simple idea which everyone can relate too. The use of recycled materials is also a trend that has come up a lot. There is now a new awareness of the environment and people are designing smarter because of it.

Silicone Placemats

2008-09-29T13:58:00.000-07:00

Silicon Placemats designed by Modern Twist and available at Bluehouse. All the products sold here meet at least one of their environmentally friendly categories, these placemats fit two categories, they are made by hand and are durable and long lasting.

Creative Caffeine

2008-09-17T14:14:00.003-07:00

These are some images of my creative caffeine. they helped me work with the material to see different ways i could manipulate it. I was working with a rod from a window blind.
Melted blind.
Tool Dip.
Felted.
Smashed with hammer.

Skills

2008-09-17T14:14:00.002-07:00

This is a list of all the skills i have with in the field of making. Most i have learned threw my Interdisciplinary Crafts classes at Towson. It ended up being a lot longer then i thought it would and will continue to grow.

Mold Making
Working with Resins
Stained Glass
Printmaking
Casting
Enameling
Soldiering
Wielding
Wax Working
Rhino 3D modeling
Illustrator
Photo shop
Die Forming
Felting
Flocking

Upcycled Jewelry

2008-09-17T14:14:00.001-07:00

At first glance the material Jiro Kamata used to create these objects is unknown. They are elegant and beautiful and they are also created form eyeglass lenses. After discovering what the material is and relating it to the original purpose,does its value change? Does it matter what the material is, or is it just a nicely designed object? The idea of upcycling opens many challenges and possibilities for designers. Weather the selling point should rest on this fact i'm not sure,but then again who knows. So maybe thats all thats needed a new creative use for old materials, that keeps people wondering.

The upcycled material within this necklace is very obvious. The artist Beate Klockmann doesn't alter the material at all just attaches the chess pieces together. Does this open explanation of what the materials is, make the piece less intriguing?

Blinds can bw Beautiful

2008-09-17T14:14:00.000-07:00

This is a window blind designed by Ella Doran she has many different designs available...even a brick wall. Why not create art that fits in this space, everything should be beautiful, why get an ordinary white blind if you can have one of these.

Timeline

2008-09-15T16:40:00.000-07:00

Timeline
Project Green Object

Design Brief: To Design a green object. Format and materials are open.

Week 1
Tuesday 9/2
Visit Blue House.
Explore green objects.
Online research.
Sketch/ Design.
Explore concept ideas.
Thursday 9/4
Continue design research.
Peer Review.
Explore possible materials.
Develop sketches.

Week 2
Tuesday 9/9
Heidi Lowe: multiples lecture.
Rebecca Dortzbach: rendering demo.
Render material in use.
Explore material/ creative caffeine
Maquettes.
Construct model possibilities.
Thursday 9/11
Work in class.
Finial design review.
Model review.
Finishing touches.
Chain.
Presentation.
Visit The Store Limited/The Shops at Cross Keys.
Tuesday 9/16
Project Green Object: Critique.

Stack pg1-61

2008-09-11T20:43:00.000-07:00

I really am enjoying this book. Last year Jan had copied some pages out of the Stacks book for us to read and for some reason I found it really difficult to get through the photo copied pages, maybe because of the dull black and whites of the image compared to the brightly colored ones found in this book. Whatever the reason, I found the info with in this book very useful when doing design research for Project Green Object.

When trying to design a product the designer needs to look at the audience for which the product is being designed. What are there needs? How can the object better suit their life style? Designers need to know what’s going on in the world to better create their object to fit the group of people they are aiming their product at. “They (designers) should identify clearly the relationship between the past, present, and future, and the potential effects of political, social and emotional influences within their environment” (Stacks page 6) All of these things influence design.

Currently there is a green movement going on in society. Everything is marked as organic or environmentally friendly. Consumers are becoming more aware of their purchase, where goods come from and how it will help the sustainability of the planet. Green products are becoming more popular and this is a good thing for the Earth as well as for designers. It opens a whole new playing field. The challenge now exists to design with the Earth and its people in mind.

This is a great example of green/moral design found in the Stacks book,it is a lamp created using recycled styrofoam cups. The designer, Paul Cocksedge, uses styrofoam a material that is filling up our landfills fast. Styrofoam is a chemically made material that can not be eaten by any organism and there for can not be decomposed.

my favorite part of last year

2008-09-08T20:24:00.000-07:00

My favorite part of last year was by far going to Savannah, Georgia for the SNAG conference, I had never been to Georgia and this was a new and exciting experience on many levels. I didn’t know at all what to expect but i learned a lot about the field and became aware of some of the issues surrounding the arts community.

The entire SNAG conference was educating but the part that I enjoyed the most was visiting Working Class Studio, located on the Savannah Collage of Art and Design campus. This design group is made up of faculty, students and alumni that run a design and production business, creating household items such as pillows, notebooks, plates and picture frames. Their products are available online and in some retail locations on the east coast.

We were able to see how the design studio was set up and talk to some of the students and alumni involved in running the design studio. we even got to visit while they were having a trunk show, so naturally everyone stocked up.

This whole operation was such a great idea, it offers students the opportunity to develop designs and be hands on with the production of objects.

m o d e r n t w i s t

2008-09-02T17:43:00.000-07:00

PJ POCKET PILLOW

Very cool idea from Modern Twist this is a bag/box/pillow, the bag folds up in a spiral design to create a origami inspired box/pillow. The box is soft and can be used for a pillow, that's three uses for one object, not to mention its pretty and it organizes.

Green is SEXY

2008-09-02T16:33:00.000-07:00

Going Green seems like the IT thing to do today. Walk through the mall or turn on the tube and every other advertisement for all kinds of products will claim to be “green” or
“organic”. Even Victory Secret has made some steps in this “green” direction. But are these claims true or is it an advertising gimmick designed to help you feel better about purchasing products. Greenwashing is the term for this bending of the truth. Companies that claim to be green might not meet the set standards for being labeled green companies will claim to be green to benefit there sales by acting environmentally friendly and not for environmental or social reasons. Green is sexy!(only if its for real)

Min-Ji Cho

2008-05-07T08:33:00.001-07:00

This is the coolest idea ever, earrings made from rubber gloves. This really appeals to me because i am always trying to take everyday ordinary objects and manipulate them to create something new. Who would have thought that you could wear your old dish gloves? very clever. Check out her website for other more abstract jewelry forms, i liked this first image i saw, simple but crafty.

Silicone Jewelry

2008-05-07T08:16:00.000-07:00

Radiolaria Necklace made from Silicone Rubber, water jet cut. This necklace was created by Nervous Systems and was on Ponoko, where it won the jewelry design competition.

Heather White

2008-05-06T21:28:00.000-07:00

Heather White has created natural forms, incorporating castings of parts of the human body.The flowers and horn forms are sliver cast belly buttons, pretty cool and very fun.

Right:
Corsage Brooch (2004)
sterling silver, 22 karat gold, nickel, nine funnel-like flowers cast from a belly button 4 1/2" x 4" x 2"

Left:
Corsage Brooch: Milk Flower (2004)
sterling silver 8" x 4 1/2" x 1 1/2"

Thanks MOM!

2008-05-06T17:54:00.000-07:00

Before i go any further into my blogging about belly buttons, placentas and all the research i have done for my mold making project. I would like to take a second to send a shout out to my mother, a one of a kind, amazing person. I would like to thank her for putting up with me kicking her from the inside, keeping her up at night and most of all for sending good food and nourishment my way when i was a baby. She took care of me even before she knew me, she didn't even get a chance to see if she even liked me before she started caring and for that i will be eternally grateful. Even after i am considered an"adult" by all government standard and should be taking care of myself, she still calls to check up on me and sends packages of food and goodies. With mothers day approaching, i would just like to say, thanks mom! With that said I encourage everyone out there who has a belly button, and thus a mother to do the same.

Umbilicus aka Belly Buttons

2008-05-06T17:06:00.000-07:00

Everyone has one. It helped you before you were born. It was the gate way through which nourishment flowed, nourishment for which you completely relied on to be delivered to you from your mother.

Belly buttons are all different shapes and sizes, they are as unique as any other identifying features found on the body. I found this website of belly buttons, they where recorded on the streets of Brussels, England every year since 1999. thats a bucket load of belly buttons!!

Food Cravings

2008-05-06T16:53:00.000-07:00

This is the link to the food cravings chart i had in class, for some reason it wont let me copy the chart and paste it, but heres the website if you want to check it out.

It even tells you what you should eat if you crave tabacco, maybe this could some how be used to help people quit smoking.

If you crave this... What you really need is... And here are healthy foods that have it:
Tabacco Tyrosine and Silicon Vitamin C supplements or orange, green and red fruits and vegetables

Feng Shui

2008-05-06T16:24:00.000-07:00

Its that time again... time to Feng Shui my blog. Time for a new template.
Time for something things new to keep me coming back:) But before i claim to be Feng Shuiing my blog, i think it would be appropriate for me to find out what exactly it means to Feng Shui. After doing some reasearch i have discovered that Feng Shui is the "art of placement" it aims to maximise the movemnet and benifits of the Chi i our daily lives. Clean fresh Chi need to be able to flow threw our places of dweling, if this doesnt happen it can cause stress and unwanted outcomes. The Chi wishes to flow like a calm breeze throughout our lives delivering the calm and comfort we desire.

Maybe my blog Chi was being blocked, and it needed some rearranging to get the flow moving. hopefully this will do the trick.

"Feng Shui reminds us that everything is connected, and that our physical surroundings have a significant impact on our mind, body, and spirit."

I liked this quote and think it is very true.

Green Car

2008-04-21T22:14:00.001-07:00

A true green car, probably not the safest but green none the less. You might be able to breath easier in this car, maybe it will help combat all the exhaust you breath in from your daily commute:)

Recycled Home-Dongas

2008-04-21T21:58:00.000-07:00

The idea for a distar releife is already being put into action. These cardboard portable homes (Dongas) are being used by miners who live in remote areas but who still want proper housing. Surprisingly they are built to with stand bombardment from cyclone debris. Safety first!

All though slightly more expensive then the refrigerator boxes i use to play in when i was younger, i'm sure the added safety and upped square footage is worth it. These homes are priced between $60,000-$140,000 depending on how many bedrooms you would like.

Recycled Homes

2008-04-21T21:32:00.000-07:00

A 100% recyclable home, is not such a far fetch idea; in fact it is being worked on currently in Australia. Creating a cardboard home will save "12 cubic meters of landfill, 39 tress and over 30,000 liters of water".

This would be a great idea in disaster relief plans. Perhaps cardboard homes that could be created in pop out form, that could be assembled on site for easy transportation.

The Maryland Daffodil Society

2008-04-21T14:42:00.000-07:00

Today for a creative caffeine exercise i went out to walk around my neighborhood, determined to find at least 10 beautiful things in nature. I was having a bad day so this was kind of a relaxation/homework assignment( i was multi-tasking). While i was out exploring i decided to get ice cream from The Shops at Kenilworth mall, where i was surprised to see rows and rows of tables being set up all with different types of daffodils displayed on them.

I had stumbled upon the Mid-Atlantic Regional Show of the American Daffodil Society. it was really neat to see all these people participating in this event that i had no idea existed. There were 13 categories of daffodils being showed including Double Daffodil Cultivars, Split-Corona Daffodil Cultivars and Trumpet Daffodil Cultivars, to name a few.

Flowers have always been an inspiration to me. There is so much variety, even with in the same type of flower,there are always new things to explore.

Nature is amazing and always brightens my day!

Rust Belt

2008-04-20T18:49:00.000-07:00

alterative materials for jewelry? awesome! use what you got!

these rings were created by Tabitha Ott. they are made out of recycled gift cards. great idea, recycle an old gift to make a new one.

cyanide

2008-04-17T22:05:00.000-07:00

Hydrogen cyanide, under the name Zyklon B, was used as a genocidal agent by the Germans in World War II. this deadly gas was also used to execute prisoners in San Quentin prison up until 1994. cyanide pellets would be placed under the chairs of the prisoners then released into an acid causing the gas to rise and be inhaled. once inhaled the sensation of not being able to breath and the feeling of a heart attack would be the fate of the people strapped into the chairs. After the execution was over and the person pronounced dead 10-12 minutes later, the gas inside the chamber would be released threw a chimney into the atmosphere...to again affect human life. Why are people still releasing this chemical into the environment if it was deliberately used to kill people?

The Price of Gold

2008-04-17T21:20:00.000-07:00

The price of extracting gold from the earth is not worth the value that is assigned to this “precious” metal.

Poisonous chemicals such as Cyanide and Mercury are dumped on to rocks to separate the gold from the rock ore, this leaching process allows the miners to retrieve a greater amount of gold from the rocks. But the retrieval of this metal by using this process does not come without a price. The chemicals can be spilled and run off can find its way to lakes and rivers, killing the ecosystem. Polluting the water and animals that need the water source to survive. Exposure to these chemicals can cause serious damage; they have affects on the central nervous, respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Knowing that these chemicals can cause serious damage to human, animals and plant life, why do the mining companies still use them? They do because they are trying to make money, the buck is the bottom line. The companies will continue to treat the environment in such a way until the mining laws created in 1872 are changed. They are out dated and need to be changed, steps to protect the environment and its ecosystems need to be made. Gold is not worth the life of any creature no matter how big or small.

just a thought

2008-04-17T17:31:00.000-07:00

I feel like I have been living in a bubble, and perhaps I was. This maybe the case, but through the research I have been doing for both the Blood Diamonds project and now the Materials project presented in the Metalsmithing class, I am being opened up to countless social, economical and environmental problems and issues that I previously had no idea about. If I had no ideas about some of these issues I wonder how many others were also in the dark.

With out knowing and understanding information and situations outside our lives how can change come about. The first step needs to be discovering this knowledge. Perhaps more effort should be put on getting the information out into the world, into the consumers hands so they can take an active part to end or improves some of these issues.

That’s not to say that someone will no longer buy diamonds or gold after reading about blood diamonds, or the damages to the earth caused my mining, but it will make them more aware of situations going on outside of their world. And perhaps at some level affect the way they think about the things they purchase. Even making someone stop and think about what they are doing is a step in the right direction.

With all the things going on in the world, all the problems and the social injustice that are taking place, it is hard to see a solution. Uncovering all this information about people who have been affected by materials that I use in the studio on a daily basis is hard for me to swallow. I wont stop making objects with these materials, but I will be more conscious of the materials I use from now on, where they come from and the affect they have on the environment.

I have to believe that over all people are good and that things will change. Other wise we can give up where we stand and let things remain the same, live in our bubble of comfort and be glad we were born on the privileged side of the spectrum.

Hug Therapy

2008-04-09T22:03:00.000-07:00

I found this book when i was going through boxes in my basement, i had accidentally taken it from my high school a few years ago....shh don't tell.

All the rules and proper conduct are found inside... remember hugging is not kissing. Also complete with all the different types of hugs and to whom and when to apply. For example the sandwich hug is used for three good friends or two parents wishing to comfort a child. Touch and interaction is important, it is needed. Are we getting our daily dose of interaction? with self check outs at the store and online chatting, we might be missing out on vital contact, that is not only nice but beneficial to our health. Hug some one today!!

The Green Glass Co.

2008-04-09T21:38:00.000-07:00

This is a set of bud vases created by The Green Glass Co. They recycle beer and wine bottles and create new containers, cups and goblets. What a great way to recycle with out the need for the recycling plant, this saves energy too!

my mom made a blog

2008-03-23T21:01:00.000-07:00

Today i helped my mom set up her own blog... i better get cracking on mine so i can set a good example. for some reason this is hard for me, so i am going to take the advice Megan gave and try and blog everyday. Habits can be a good thing, hopefully this one will stick!

a dimond is forever 2

2008-02-22T11:22:00.000-08:00

After i wrote that last blog i found this commercial that gives facts about blood diamonds. this kind of commercial is what needs to be nationally broadcast. think about how many people watch TV!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsfwEj6yqSA&NR=1

a diamond is forever

2008-02-22T11:13:00.000-08:00

this is the link to the DeBeers 25th anniversary commercial. The advertisement industry is very powerful it influences people on millions of issues. if commercials like this had the power to create the tradition of buying diamonds to show your love, it is incredibly possible that with the right slogan you could influence people to help reduce the purchasing of blood diamonds. At ACC this week one vendor i was talking to said, "its all about the packaging, you could sell someone a piece of crap as long as it was packaged right."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vXHm8TzLzE

Andy back in Africa

2008-02-20T20:35:00.000-08:00

This is an awesome blog from a young man that is actually in Sierra Leone. He is a member of NGO (non-governmental organization) that is working for development and economic planning in Freetown. He works with people that have been affected by the civil war that had plagued the country. You should check it out. Especially the free writing entry, he had some of his younger students do free writing with the topic of “I remember…”

http://andybackinafrica.blogspot.com/2008/02/religion-in-sierra-leone.html

Creativity

2008-02-14T17:31:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it’s really hard for me to be creative…for past projects I would search for images or just sketch until something popped out at me. Most of the time I would find myself not really thinking an idea through and just jumping in and starting, this would help me generate more ideas. This was sometimes productive, but other times not. Often I would spend so much time making things and experimenting before I committed to an idea. This is great, but not when you have a deadline and need to get the final project going.

Ideas sometimes come at me at random times, I have to write them down or I will forget them. I find myself coming up with ideas at inconvenient times such as when I’m driving or at work, both places aren’t the best for me to stop and sketch a design. I try to record all these random ideas, I keep them in a special “life” notebook.

Thus far in my artistic career I would say I don’t really have a clear worked out process of developing ideas. To change this I have been reading the creative worksheets handed out by Jan in class. One thing that I found interesting is what was said in one of the articles, it stated that you have to think and sketch the simple and basic ideas before you can find and develop the good stuff. This is so true, get rid of the clutter before other options become clear. Bob Pitman, the staid glass teacher at Towson University, once told me that beautiful things take a lot of time. This is true with everything, I find myself saying this quote to myself when I get frustrated and stressed with my work.

When I’m stressed I can’t create, I feel pressure and I am only concerned with getting the assignment done. This is a hazard for me because it means I don’t create successful work. I have been trying to develop a way to relax myself and not stress my self, into a creative block. In order to combat this blockage, I listen to music. I listen to songs that I know by heart and can sing along automatically and then at the same time be doing other things ( I am doing this now). Driving also helps me to relax, this maybe not the safest place to go through my thoughts but I always seem to arrive safely and feel better. I have also been taking advice from my mom, she’s a great lady, and have been listening to Abraham Hicks the author of The Artists Way. I have been you tubing her lectures. Thanks to technology I can get a quick pick me up in no time, changing the way I am looking at a situation. Sometimes all i need is a positive pick me up and anything is possible....

images related to amputation

2008-02-12T18:39:00.000-08:00

i was drawn to this image becasue of the texture and pattern created after the hand was reattached, it also reminded me scarification.

medical amputations are still sad but interesting, i was drawn to this step by step image.

Words related to blood diamond... i have alot

2008-02-12T18:14:00.000-08:00

i am trying to get inspired...

Ignorance
Deceit
Longevity
Marriage
Death
Hatred
Assigned value
Supply and demand
Rarity
Denial
Illuminating
Justice
Rights
Conscious
Faith
Family
Demographic
Poverty
Malaria
Displaced
Evil
Atrocities
sparkle
transparent
international
consumer
law
finished
illicit
human rights
forever
conflict
boarders
dripping
hope
distrustion
devistation
war
evil
weapons
money
greed
suffering
murder massacure
slay
butcher
mayham
ethical
ammunition
rebels

The Hope Diamond

2008-02-12T17:50:00.000-08:00

the hope diamond is the larges deep blue diamond in the world. it is billions of years old and was said to be found in what now is india.

2008-02-08T13:14:00.001-08:00

November 29, 2001 Thursday
Late Edition - Final
A NATION CHALLENGED: THE MONEY TRAIL; House Votes to Combat Sale of Diamonds for War
BYLINE: By JOSEPH KAHN
SECTION: Section B; Column 1; National Desk; Pg. 6
LENGTH: 544 words
DATELINE: WASHINGTON, Nov. 28
The House voted today to give President Bush the power to impose trade-related sanctions on nations that sell diamonds to finance war or terrorism, a step that supporters say will help stem the trade of so-called blood diamonds.
The measure sailed through the House 408 to 6 after reports linked Osama bin Laden and his terrorist network, Al Qaeda, to the African diamond trade, which is also thought to a major cause of civil wars in sub-Saharan Africa.
While human rights groups favored stronger steps to pressure nations to ban imports of diamonds and other gems that finance violent conflicts, the House's compromise bill has the backing of the Bush administration. The Senate has not yet taken up a similar bill.
"This is an historic step to introduce transparency to the diamond trade and take the profits away from people responsible for carnage in Africa," said Representative Tony P. Hall, an Ohio Democrat who was a sponsor of the measure.
Warlords and terrorists in Angola, Sierra Leone and Congo have fought for years for control of diamond mines, using the diamonds themselves to finance their war efforts, United Nations officials and human rights groups say. Battling militias in those countries have killed millions of people and maimed millions of others in some of the worst human rights abuses in the world, these groups say.
The United States buys nearly two-thirds of all finished diamonds, and the threat of losing access to the American market could pressure countries to cooperate with United Nations-backed efforts to police the trade in diamonds, which are easily transported and hard to trace.
Bush administration officials have opposed international efforts to impose stringent controls on the purchase and sale of diamonds at every step from producer to consumer, arguing that such measures are onerous and may run afoul of international trade rules.
But the administration softened its position after reports that Mr. bin Laden and his supporters may have made millions of dollars acquiring raw diamonds at low prices from Sierra Leone and reselling them at high market prices. The reports first appeared in The Washington Post.
"That is what put us over the edge," Mr. Hall said.
A separate effort to combat the sale of illicit diamonds is under way at an international conference in Botswana this week. Nations there are seeking to devise a system that would ban the cross-border sale of rough diamonds unless they have a passport denoting weight, value and provenance, making it harder for a country to export more diamonds than it can prove it produced legally.
Supporters of the House vote regard it as helping that United Nations-backed effort. The Bush administration, however, has sought to water down international inspection and certification measures, preferring to deal with illegal diamond sales on a case-by-case basis.
Adotei Akwei, who follows the diamond trade issue for Amnesty International, the human rights organization, said that the Bush administration had so far delivered "half a loaf" by agreeing to use presidential authority to ban imports on an ad hoc basis. But he said that much more remained to be done.
"We still have serious reservations about whether the United States will participate fully," he said.

kanya west

2008-02-04T19:16:00.000-08:00

Diamonds From Sierra Leone (remix)

Diamonds are forever
They're all I need to please me. They can't stimulate and tease me. They won't leave in the night, Have no fear that they might desert me.

[Chorus] Diamonds are forever (forever forever) [Kanye West] Throw ya diamonds in the sky if ya feel the vibe! Diamonds are forever (forever forever) The ROC is still alive every time I rhyme. Forever ever? Forever ever? Ever, ever? Ever, ever? Ever, ever? Ever, ever?

[Verse 1] [Kanye West] Good morning, this ain't Vietnam Still people lose hands, legs, arms for real. Little was known of Sierra Leone And how they connect to the diamonds we own. And when I speak of the diamonds in this song, I ain't talk about the ones that be glowin, I'm talking about Roc-a-fella--my home. My chain, these ain?t conflict diamonds, Is they Jacob? don't lie to me man. I feel a part of me sayin keep shinin How? When I know what a blood diamonds Though it's thousands of miles away, Sierra Leone connect to what we go through today. Over here it's a drug trade, we die from drugs. Over there, they die from what we buy from drugs. The diamonds, the chains, the braces, the charmses. I thought my Jesus piece was so harmless, Til i seen a picture of a shorty armless. And here's the conflict: It's in a black person's soul to rock that gold. Spend your whole life tryin' to get that ice. Call a baller up B, 'You look so nice'. How could something so wrong make me feel so right? Right?! Before I beat myself up like Ike, You can still throw your Rocafella diamond tonight, cuz,

[Chorus]

[Verse 2] [Kanye West] People askin' me if I'm gon' give my chain back That'll be the day I give the game back You know the next question dog 'Yo, where Dame at?! This track the Indian dance to bring our reign back What's up with you and Jay, man, are y'all ok man?! [Jigga] Yup, I got it from here, K, damn. The chain, the man, the game is intact The name is mine I'll take the blame for that. The pressure is on, but guess who ain't gona crack Hahaha. Pardon me, I had to laugh at that! How could you falter, when you the rock of Gibraltar I had to get off the boat, so I could walk on water. This ain't no tall order, this is nuffn to me. Difficult takes a day, impossible takes a week. I do this in my sleep. I sell kilos of coke. I'm guessin' I can sell CDs I'm not a business man, I'm a business, maan. And I handle my business, damn! Kanyezey, you got me. Freeway, then Foxy. Wykeeze, Teairra Mari, Peedi watch me. Bleek could be one hit away his whole career. As long as I'm alive, he's a millionaire. And even if I die, he's in my will somewhere. So he could just kick back and chill somewhere Oh yeah, he don't even have to write rhymes. The dynasty like my money last three lifetimes. Shirley Bassey in the wear sayin exactly what I've been saying practically my whole career. A diamond is forever and I'll be mining this forever And now the Louis Vuitton Don coming, couldn't be better. People lined up to see the Titanic sinking Instead, we rose from the ashes like a phoenix. If you waitin' for the end of this dynasty sign, It'll seem like forever is a mighty long time. [Forever...] Yo, bitches. Hahahaha. (Aaaay!) G'night!

Blood Diamonds-images

2008-02-04T18:27:00.000-08:00

Blood Diamonds

2008-02-04T18:26:00.000-08:00

http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=Minisite_Video_Clips&content_type_id=52821&display_order=3&mini_id=52826

this is a good website for quick movies.

2008-02-04T17:54:00.000-08:00

podcast with Dave Grohl

2008-02-04T17:36:00.000-08:00

after hearing the Podcast interviewing Dave Grohl about Kurt Cobain. i liked how Grohl was so moved by the minors that were traped, its amazing what music can do.

music and art keep people alive, they feed the spirit.

this must have been an awesome feeling for Gorhl, knowing that someone in those conditions requested his album to help him cope with what was happening.

i know Grohl talked about Cobain alot in the interview, but one point that stood out for me was, that every night Cobain would go into his room and just write for a few hours. creativity needs to be practiced, just like everything else. i am learning this, and working on my own self disiplint when it comes to my art and life in general.

ok lets do this!!

2008-01-29T16:49:00.000-08:00

i will no longer be computer illiterate! that is my goal for this year, i need to bring computers in to my art life and i am slowly working on it.... it took me 15 mins to figure out how to add a post:) life is great!

2007-09-11T20:18:00.000-07:00

this is my first blog!!