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    Website by Diana.
    With many thanks to WordPress.

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    { June 20, 2008 }

    Projects & Work // Fusing (filings)

    The basic of fusing is heating the metal until the surface melts, but not the entire piece of it. It creates a random texture, but more importantly you can melt two pieces together. There are many possibilities with fusing. You can use sheet, wire, filings, combined either way you want.

    Brooch with fused silver filings

    On this brooch fused silver filings were used.

    No solder is necessary, but it takes several rounds to cover up each portion of the base. It is mandatory to clean the filings first. Use a magnet to remove any iron filings.

    Brush the whole surface you want to cover up with flux. Heat it so it dries the first time and reapply it if necessary. The wet flux will help the filings stick to the surface, which is specially useful if you’re working on a repoussé (like this brooch).

    Generously cover the area with your filings. And heat your piece until the filings fuse together with the surface. Some won’t adhere but it’s normal. That’s why you repeat this process quite a few times, until it is throughly covered.

    Firstly, heat it from the reverse side so the fire doesn’t blow away the small particles. Also interrupt the heating process when the filings become shiny and cool it.

    When it looks close to the desired effect make sure you brush fused areas, so all loose filings come off right away and you can see what is really done.

    Related links:
    [Ganoksin]: Fusing


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    { June 18, 2008 }

    Ideology // Figure-Flattering Jewellery

    Remember, this is only a general guide. There are always exceptions. And always keep in mind your personal style, of course.

    The most important factor is proportion! Consider your structure. If you’re big go for the heavier pieces or if you’re small stick with more light or delicate ones. A smaller piece in a big person will only make them look bigger, and the reverse happens making a small person look smaller with something too big.

    Necklaces

    Consider your frame, if you’re on the small side chunky will overwhelm you. It might even make you look stumpy. These are for the larger framed, because it complements their size. Petites should wear slimmer pieces.

    A short length will draw the eye’s attention up and, if you’re not tall, it might shorten your figure a little. A longer length elongates, just be thoughtful as to where the end of the necklace hits. Don’t have it end at your widest points.

    Avoid chunky on short necks, as it adds width to it.
    Also forget about chokers. If you cover up what little neck you have, it will look like you have no neck at all. Plus, the choker will only emphasize the thickness. So as you can imagine, narrow necks benefit a lot. Even if they aren’t too long, a narrow choker will give you the extra width you need without making your neck disappear.
    Long necks are the best for wearing chokers.

    Pendants

    If you have big breasts, choose a smaller length closer to your collarbone. Having a pendant sit at your breast’s line focus too much attention on the wider part of your chest. And passing that line is probably not for the best, as it will attraction the eye to far too low.

    Rings

    If your fingers are thick, a delicate ring will only accentuate that as the ring becomes lost in the finger. And the ring just fades away no matter how pretty it is.
    You have the structure to wear a big robust ring. Your hand supports such (visual) weight.

    The inverse happen on narrow fingers. A chunky ring will appear too heavy. While a delicate ring will look best. If you want a bit of a bigger ring go for a cut-out design, it keeps it light. But you need to avoid the over-sized stones in your fingers.

    Bracelets & Anklets

    The same as the rings applies to the wrists and ankles. With an exception, you can wear a bundle of them and it’ll still look good. Just make sure they are similar, as in the same style and material, and you can layer as many as you want. You don’t want them to clash, but that they complement each other.

    Now remember, you don’t want to wear anything that’s tight on the wrist or ankle. It will only add width to them. Wear it loose where it doesn’t cut across your narrowest point. This actually adds contrasts to the thickness between the wrist and the point where the piece sits.

    So, again, heavier arms should stay away from anything too slim. And thin ones avoid too large.

    Earrings

    Long earrings elongate the face. Just be careful not to have them end past your shoulder’s line, it might shorten your neck.
    Avoid shapes that are the same as your face, it only accentuate those features even further. For a balanced look chose the opposite. Round faces wear more angular shaped pieces, and vice-versa.
    (Inverted) Triangle faces, narrow chin when compared to the cheeks, can balance it out with an earring that’s larger on the bottom, like a triangle.

    Of course this all depends on the effect you want to achieve, and how accentuated your features are.

    Combining

    You don’t want to concentrate all of your jewellery in the same body area. Otherwise the pieces will be competing for attention and none will stand out. You want each piece to have their beauty shine through.

    In the end

    The most important is that you feel good in what you wear and that it suits your style and personality. Something that you feel confident wearing is what you should focus on. Usually if you feel great wearing it then it’s the right one for you. Don’t be a slave to guidelines, they’re not mandatory rules.


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    { May 27, 2008 }

    Random Thoughts // What do you do? - “I’m an Artist!”

    This is just a little bit of minor venting.

    A while ago I met a group people, who were all into art and connected to it in some way. And in introductory conversation they all always answered the same to my question: “What is it that you do?”. “I’m an Artist!” they said back and stared. So I was tempted to ask, what is it that you exactly do as an artist? And then finally followed the answer I first expected (in most cases).

    It felt so pointless, the artist thing.

    For a while this bothered me deeply, “I’m an Artist” didn’t really tell me much about what is it that they exactly do. And at the same time I thought it was a bit presumptuous of them, it was upsetting me.

    After some time, it finally hit me why it displeased me so damn much…

    Being an artist isn’t an occupation. Beings an artist is an identity!

    When I’m asking what you do, if you’re an artist, I’m asking about your art. What is your art?
    Through what media, how do you express your artist’s identity?

    In this context, “I’m an artist” is simply so vague and empty. Meaningless.


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