I managed to make my first piece of jewellery today in my brand new studio! I'm pretty proud of myself, after feeling rather disenchanted when I finished my first day of Tafe.

We had a saw-piercing project to work on; a geometric pattern within a brass square. The catch being you could only saw, no filing allowed, and the lines needed to be clear and even. What a task that proved to be! I went in thinking I'd find this easy as pie, and left feeling very much knocked down a rung. The next week however I returned, determined to make good of this project and while it didn't end up being something I was particularly proud of, I did do a half-decent job. The next project made me feel a whole lot better about myself - my very first inlay. Two shapes cut from the middle of a brass sheet, with perfectly matching copper bits that slipped in and stayed put. Just what the teacher wanted. Next week, we're making a domed rosette, I'll be sure to let you know how I go with that one.

My first piece made in my home studio is to the right. A little copper Australia pendant, just a little bigger than a 50cent piece. I'm so proud of those saw lines, I did one long continuous cut all the way around, and barely had to file it at all. It has a slightly brushed appearance too, because I hate high polish - too many finger prints.

(Hopefully) Life Changing

I found out today that I've been accepted into the TAFE course I've been wanting to do for a while now - Jewellery Trade. Basically, this means I'll be learning everything (everything) about jewellery making, from sawing and piercing (which I can already do) through to soldering, casting and so many other things.

To say I'm excited is an understatement. My teacher (!) couldn't believe how happy I was to be accepted. Now all I have to do is let my boss know I'll be dropping down to four days a week. I wonder how he'll cope without me...

Not that I care! I got into my jewellery course! This is the next step towards realising my dream.

So much for resolutions

It's now well into the new year and this is the first post I've made. I've got plenty of excuses, believe me! The biggest (and best) excuse being that I'm moving house and setting up my very own studio! So right now, all of my beads and bits and pieces are in boxes sitting in a messy pile waiting to be unpacked and sorted all over again. I'll be without them for about 2 weeks, then once we're reunited again, I can start creating the new ranges I've been contemplating and tinkering with for the past few months. Including the massive collaboration I have planned, with new news on that soon hopefully!

It looks like I may miss the Valentine's Day jewellery season this year with my huge bead upheaval, but I expect there to be lots of exciting things to entice you coming not too long afterwards. Stay tuned and I'll keep you posted (that was an awesome overuse of cliché's).

Infectiously yours,
Sars

In an attempt to force myself to make and create more often, I have decided to start a blog to attach to my website to update on a weekly basis. I plan on making and photographing at least one piece a week (photographing being the hardest thing to motivate myself to do) and also documenting any new ventures that I may endeavour to begin.

The most exciting news is of a collaboration that I am doing with an incredible graf artist friend of mine. It will involve metal and eventually perspex. Yes, you heard that right! Colourful, shiny perspex and metal pieces. Yum!

In the mean time, here's a picture of a new-ish piece of jewellery that features on my site that I think fits in with the current festive theme.


Infectiously yours,
Sars