After Action Review for Locket/Vessel Project

After Action Review for Locket/Vessel Project.


What did you do well? Which actions and strategies led to success that you will continue to use?

My die was much better than the first project and everything worked out until the hinge location. The internal framing and overall locket was what I had wanted.

Which things did not work so well? These are areas to improve.

I would have liked more time, I wanted to make a copper maquette and then make the final in sterling but I ran out of time. I also didn't consider the location of the hinge relative to the design, on paper it worked fine opening on the side but in actuality the 'veins' overlapped. I had to move the hinge lower and thus had to make a smaller hinge without a flange because I had already cut the framing pieces. I'm also still not entirely sure why i couldn't replicate my volume on the original test pressing. I would have liked to have my texture but the piece looks complete without it as well.

What Ifs How could the project been more successful?
What are the best incarnations of the project?

I think the hinge and actual piece itself was well made. I would have liked to add a clasp and clasp for the chain. I think if I were to make a sterling version I would just need to leave a small flange for the hinge and it would improve the piece ten fold. I would in retrospect not spend an eternity sanding my metal prior to pressing because each step of the way it would just get scratched again. I spent way to much time finishing and filing only to have to go back and repair portions later.

The Mutter Museum

First stop on my trip to Philly was the Mutter, a museum for medical science memorabilia and instructional models and specimens. If you can handle seeing a giant colon and bashed in baby heads you should check it out.






I enjoyed the thousand and one things extracted from throats. My favorite being a pin with "Perfect Attendance" on it. You can make 'em go to school but you can't make 'em smart.






I found some images from the museum.
These are from the new exhibit on lead.

Lead casting implements.





Lead stamps








Lead signet rings.







And this is just one of many creepy was models.











There is also a room full of organ pieces in formaldehyde, tres cool.
I do have to say that the room full of fetuses in glass jars did make me lose my appetite but you just can't stop looking at them.
I recommend going if you can handle this sort of thing.

I saw these in Philly this past weekend while I was up there for the craft show and thought they would have been appropriate for my b-day. Instead there was a blazing inferno that almost set my hair on fire. Thanks Mom.





And in other news:
In the great debate over Geno's
vs. Pat's I vote Pat's for the
best cheese steak in Philly.

Biology Can Be Fun

...but only when dead things are involved.

This is a fetal pig, bat, frog and crayfish. Or was.

After Action Review for Social Design Project 2

After Action Review for Social Design Project 2

Sustains What did you do well? Which actions and strategies led to success that
you will continue to use?

I spent a lot of time researching my chosen topic of clean energy including hydrogen, wind and solar power. I also believe the finished product was well executed.

Improves Which things did not work so well? These are areas to improve.
Evaluate strategies and approaches that you used either consciously or unconsciously.

I would have liked to spend more time on the actual making of the pins as well as prototyping. My designs worked in theory but some translated poorly to the 3d object. I would also have revised the scale of the pieces had I been able to receive the LED lights sooner to know their actual size.

What Ifs How could the project been more successful?
What are the best incarnations of the project?

I really wish I could have acquired some solar paint to experiment with. I think the power button was the best graphically however the hydrogen pin was the best fabrication. I would also have liked to take photographs of the pieces on the body. The pin/button format worked well in my opinion as a method to promote clean energy and bring awareness of alternative energy choices; I just think that the actually symbol needs refining so it's more obvious to the viewer.

Ring Designs That Inspire

Some pictures of interesting rings and fun ideas.
They are "cute" without making me want to kill myself.













These are images of rings off of the website:
http://www.thisnext.com








For all you single ladies out there...





















Honestly, this is my favorite.
Maybe deep down Sherri is a minimalist after all.
Just don't give me any of that paint splatter crap.









I thought the Braille rings were fun.








While I hate giant gemstones I like the wire usage.


































I like the design, hate the texture.
But then again we've established that all of my work is "clean".
In fact, if I hear the word clean used again in crit I may have to go postal. I'm concerned that that is the only thing people have to say as a compliment on my work. Clean. grr.

History of Ring Design Research

Here for your viewing pleasure is a compilation of different rings and their uses through out history. The next project will be to make an experimental ring using unorthodox design and application. The first step is to identify both ancient and current ring design.



Roman ring circa 1st-3rd century AD


http://www.ancientresource.com/lots/ancient_jewelry/jewelry_rings.html

Roman Rings
" Small stones with engraved designs and sometimes inscriptions were used widely in the ancient world. At times used for personal decoration, they were also used as amulets, or as seals."



http://www.usc.edu/dept/LAS/wsrp/educational_site/uscarc/seals.shtml


Roman pierced gold ring.










Hinged ring, 2nd–1st century B.C.; Hellenistic
Greek
Gold with garnet
http://www.metmuseum.org/TOAH/hd/hjew/ho_2005.278.htm







The Claddagh Celtic ring.
This ring has many origins and folklore stories associated with it. This site list all of them if you care to know. The Claddagh has been a traditional Irish wedding band since approximately the 17th century and also has connotations attributed to it depending on how the wearing orients the ring.



And of course everyone knows about the current trend of engagement rings and wedding bands.
Many wedding bands now are being inscribed and decorative in nature but the classic use of a set diamond in the engagement ring still stands as the most prominent design.






The Marquis diamond setting.









The fabulous trend of Mood Rings from the delightful 1970's.
(shudder)






Contemporary work from Phil Carrizzi.






Works by Salima Thakker









Organic ring design by Lori Swartz








A Rapid-prototyped ring. Rapid prototyping or laser printing now allows for models to be made for casting or conceptual work to be made in 3d.

More R & D

I've been browsing for trash/upcycled jewelry and so far nothing very exciting.
Most of the supposed trash jewelry is just what I would term ephemera and more from a crafter-scrapbooker point of view.

This is a Recycled Magazine Cuff




These first three are from a website for Eco-Artware.
http://www.eco-artware.com/catalog/bracelets.php

A Subway Token Bracelet




While fun, not really what I had in mind when I went looking for trash/garbage incorporated into jewelry.



Vinyl Record Cuff





This is Trash Jewelry by James Jensen, a dutch artist.
I still get the impression of found objects more than trash.

Upcycled Products:

Upcycled Products:


Yogurt container bracelets
on Etsy





http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11220116

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/craftybastards/category/upcycling/

Baby shoes
Cigarette Lighter Rings
and
cassette wallets/purses
from Crafty Bastards

Social Design Final Project: R & D

Jenn and I have decided to use up cycling to create compressed refuse jewelery. I'm thinking organic material as well as wrapping/packaging components pressed or coated to form giant bling rings. Like garbage ring-pops without the licking, unless you're very brave.
I found an intriguing new idea I heard about from a friend about compressed heather being formed, sliced and polished. This website has these so-called heather gems for sale
http://www.twenga.co.uk/dir-Jewellery,Pendants-and-medallions,Celtic-pendant/Colour-Purple-3-18833
but this site actually explains the process:
http://www.family-crests.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=280
The result is similar to most agates but has a Celtic/Scottish ethnicity because of the use of heather.

Locket: Process Shots

Here is how I want to orient my locket to open.
It is my hope that this actually works. My hinge may need to be microscopic.
Pray for me.





This photo shows how far I got on Friday. I soldered my internal framing and filed. and filed. and fiiiiiiiled.
At present my locket is super glued and waiting on a hinge seat to be filed.
I am terrified.

Teeth Update

Here's an update of the teeth situation. For all of you that missed out on the cow teeth, browse earlier posts from last spring.
I found that working them raw was kinda eww so I left these hanging in the woods all summer.





They look much cleaner.
I'm helping to feed birds and whatever is munching on these guys and cleaning my cow teeth at the same time.
I'll let you know once I've decided the final purpose my teeth shall serve.
Look out Jan, senior project is coming!

DWI Simulator

Here are the pictures from the DWI simulator at TU.
I thought this was well timed with my DWI Awareness Project.

It starts at BAC zero and goes up to BAC 11 simulating the impairment of alcohol.
I crashed into a mini van.


(It's harder than it looks.)

Thanks to Jacqui for taking the fab photos and laughing at our expense.





Here is Jenn kicking some driving while under the influence butt.






She made it all the way to BAC 11 without crashing.
I only made it to around 6.






This is a shot of us with our DWI tickets.
There's nothing like a coffin at social events to really brighten up the mood.