Jewellery and gubbins

Now this part of my Moment-eering is incredibly significant to my work; this is what I studied at University. I took up the course of Metalwork and Jewellery at Sheffield Hallam University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, with Honors, for that subject.

But of course, I didn't plunge myself into a subject area I had no idea about. Instead, I plunged myself into a National Diploma which covered all sorts of design! The 3D Design Crafts National Diploma at York College, was taken instead of A levels. With the potential equivalent of 3 A levels, this 2 year course was perfect! It covered skills and techniques for ceramics, woodwork, mixed media, a little bit of computing, metalwork, which included black smithing and finally, jewellery.

Second year college project.

Inspired by the Marbled White butterfly.

During both courses, mainly through the degree, they taught the traditional techniques used in the jewellery making and metalworking practice. That being all fine and dandy, they weren't (finding this out too far into the course to call it quits) the techniques I wanted to be using the rest of my making career.

On a whole, I prefer using wire for 3 very simple reasons!

1. Less energy is wasted in producing an item.
2. If the piece goes horribly wrong, it is easier to correct or start again.
3. It is far more cost effective, especially if you make a mistake!

These 3 points, though they may not seem it at first, are all beneficial to the environment.

That gets a massive thumbs up from me!

Other than wire, I also enjoy using recycled and reclaimed materials predominately found within charity shops. Any off cuts or scrap bits of metal from my university years, were kept and later transformed.

Great for the environment and for worthwhile charities!

Gardening trowel and fork set.

Made from a copper 'bell' (trumpet) found in a charity shop.