This craze was centered around ceramics produced in the city of Delft, hence the name Delftware.
This iconic earthenware is the inspiration for my latest collection, designed for the North Carolina Museum of Art’s newest exhibition, Dutch Art in a Global Age.
This collection invites you to wear a small (and cheerful!) slice of history, sampling the brushwork of actual Delftware pieces.
The color palette stays true to the gorgeous cobalt and white. And the gold accents are a nod to the Dutch Golden Age, a period of immense wealth and prosperity.
For those with a taste for the bold, the collection takes an edgier turn...
I reimagined the quaint Dutch scene (above) as large-scale statement earrings.
And engraved the same traditional artwork into neon pink acrylic. I deconstructed the concept of pottery and included ceramic beads.
With this design, I wanted to amplify the contrast between modern and traditional. The fanciful brushwork (sampled from a Delftware plate) contrasts with the stark geometry. The neon pink in unexpected but complimentary.
These bad boys have their own blog. I explain the meaning behind the Dutch words and flower-crowned skull.
This collection gives traditional Delftware a playful spin. It pays homage to Dutch tradition while still offering something new.
It shows how the past never stops giving us inspiration for the future.
Learn more about Dutch art at the museum!
Sometimes I look at a European still life and think:
Great, some rich dude with bountiful access to fruit once sipped from a goblet, tipped over candlesticks and never finished his supper. What of it?
Even when impressed by the skillful realism of a half-peeled lemon rind, I’m left with opulence fatigue.
But the Dutch helped me rethink the whole still life thing.
Don’t get me wrong, they too liked their grape-bunches, silver teapots, and velvet folds. But they also used still life paintings to warn against hedonistic pleasures.
During the Golden Age, a period of great wealth, Dutch artists used symbolism to convey deeper meaning within their paintings.
Dutch ‘vanitas’ paintings (Latin for ‘vanity’) used symbols like toothless skulls and snuffed-out candles to represent the brevity of life. They reminded viewers that death is certain and emphasized the emptiness of material pursuit. It was an awareness campaign and a call to repent.
My Vanitas Earrings don’t ask wearers to re-examine their morals (although I have no issue with them doing so and would love to hear the result!).
But they do remind us that…
These earrings were designed for NCMA (see exhibit info below). Quantity is limited, contact me for more info.
WARNING: they’re way less dark ;)
Learn more about Dutch art at the museum!
That’s not a shocker, knowing it’s the cream of the crop as far as juried fine arts shows go (artists often apply for 10 years before being accepted!).
The show is hosted in The National Building Museum (one of the Smithsonian Institute’s 21 museums) which celebrates architecture, engineering and urban planning.
I had never attended a show this large or distinguished. Nor one so far from home!
It was exhilarating and exhausting, but the months of booth designing and inventory making definitely paid off.
What a fabulous crowd... They were friendly and fun. Art lovers. Art appreciators. People who value craft, the immense work it takes to design and create. People who seek out truly unique, high-quality items and take pride in supporting artists. This is one of the few venues where an artist can ask for the price they deserve.
My mom joined me for the trip (and all of the hard work!). We loved watching stylish patrons walk by, dressed head-to-toe in wearable art.
My favorite moment was seeing Flo, who is in her eighties, dressed in her Sunday best (hat included) while also sporting my neon Marie Curie earrings. Epic.
The Smithsonian Women’s Committee proved to be some of my best customers—and conversationalists!
With female empowerment at the core of my brand, it's no wonder we clicked. I was beyond tickled to see these volunteers roam the show wearing Bold Standard.
The positive feedback was overwhelming in the best possible way. It left me wanting more.
That’s why I’m thrilled to announce that I will be joining the group again in October!
Smithsonian CRAFT Fashion + Home
(previously known as Craft2Wear)
October 5th - 8th, 2023
(Thursday - Sunday) Times TBA
I’m super excited to familiar faces—including the artists!
This time around I will be bringing more statement bracelets (since they sold out half way through!) as well as more neon designs and short earring options.
If you have any requests, please let me know! Can't wait to see you there!
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Sat June 18, 2022
4:30 - 6:30pm
NCMA West Building, Raleigh
PRICE: $50 + tax
> BUY TICKETS at NCMA website <
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Included in the price is admission to the current exhibit,
Fault Lines: Art and the Environment!
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In this class, local artist, Kathleen Grebe, will teach you how to pop out shapes from aluminum cans, create a sturdy base and connect your jewelry pieces. With all the supplies you need, you can design as many earrings and pendants as you like!
> See Available Dates and Locations <
Aluminum cans offer endless possibilities for upcycled designs. Whether you’re a Diet Coke lover or a fan of micro-brews, this class will allow your creativity to fizz!
Immortalize your favorite beverage as lightweight earrings, pendants and gifts!
All You Can Design ~ Earrings and Pendants
Unlimited earring hooks (in certain silver and gold styles).
Supplies for 3 additional types of earrings. Choose from various hooks, hoops, and studs.
Provided Tools
Easy-to-use punches in a variety of shapes such as circles, drops, leaves and blooms.
Stencils to help visualize your designs.
Various tools for drilling, connecting, and gluing.
What To Bring
> Option 1 <
Nothing! Everything you need will be provided, including cans, but bringing some of your own items might be a good idea.
> Option 2 <
BRING YOUR OWN...
Cans
Already know what kind of can you want to use? Bring your own! If possible, bring multiples. That allows for more flexibility when matching patterns for left and right earrings. It also provides a backup for any mishaps.
Tools
Many tools will be shared, so if you have your own jewelry pliers or small scissors (best for cutting the cans), don’t hesitate to bring them along!
Necklaces
If you plan on designing a pendant, you might want to bring your own chain to match color/style, etc.
Come punch with Us!
Jewelry experience not required.
All ages are welcome!
> See Available Dates and Locations <
Have sensitive ears?
Please contact me so I can explain the options further.
It's always an option to bring your own supplies as well.
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Confined to a wheelchair, Matisse started cutting shapes from painted paper. These cutouts were then arranged to create abstract collages. The resulting gouaches découpées represent some of Matisse's most vibrant and expressive works.
As as a child, I stared at one of Matisse’s cut-outs often. A framed lithograph of "L'Escargot" (The Snail) hung in our home. My pea brain was attracted to the simplicity and bright colors, but ultimately I was unsure about the octopus monster wearing heeled boots.
Nowadays, I have a special affinity for Matisse’s cut-out shapes. I’m drawn to the uniqueness of these flamboyant forms and they became the inspiration for Bold Standard's new spring line. Designed for NCMA’s Art in Bloom exhibit, this collection is a playful celebration of nature.
The Flower is made of an ivory bloom that wraps around the earlobe and dangling green foliage that moves freely—an unexpected twist on floral design.
The Climber earrings can be worn two ways—climbing up the ear or dangled.
The Petals earrings come in four colorways and two different sizes (shown here in size small).
The Trio earrings are my favorite, this little bundle of shapes remind me of creatures from the sea.
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• Rare opportunity to experiment with a multitude of premium materials.
• Be inspired by Mucha’s color palettes with natural hues or sparkly metallics.
• Colors include, silvers, golds, blues, greens, amethyst and other neutrals.
• Cherry-pick your faves with the liberty of testing your design and changing your mind!
Design those winter blues away!
DESIGN & WINE Mucha Jewelry Making Event
Date Saturday January 22, 2022
Time 4:00pm - 6:30pm
Price $50 per person (plus tax)
Location East Building (brick building)
Address 2110 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607
Skill Level No jewelry skills required
Included
• Admission to Alphonse Mucha: Art Nouveau Visionary Exhibition
• All materials needed for one necklace, length of your choice.
• Intro to design basics, jewelry tips/instructions, one-on-one help with design and assembly.
• Wine and light appetizers.
*Allergic to metal? No worries. With materials like thread, elastic and stones, you’re covered.
]]>After sending my Mucha prototypes to NCMA, I was told they needed to be approved. I didn't know exactly what that meant. Turns out, they were sending my designs to Alfonse Mucha's great grandson.
To my delight, Marcus Mucha, who heads the Mucha Foundation, replied: These are stunning! We love them! Very happy for you to move forward with these.
I couldn't believe that Mucha's own descendant had just complimented my work. I was on a serious high.
Working with the Mucha Foundation was a true honor. Having an officially licensed product, seeing the Mucha logo on my own packaging, blew my mind—and gave me serious bragging rights with my Czech relatives.
I'm so thankful to NCMA for giving me the opportunity.
Translating Mucha's delicate curves into a laser-friendly design was a challenge. To replicate his sinuous linework, I experimented with laser engraving and laser cutting. In the end, I preferred the laser cut shapes.
I knew there’d be Mucha lovers out there looking for jewelry with a softer touch, so taking a few more cues from Art Nouveau, I created a more traditional design.
I honed in on a frosted gold material, the patina has a special beauty and sophistication. This acrylic color was discontinued several years ago. I’ve held on to my last three sheets for an ultra special project, and this was it!
No matter how many times I look at Mucha's shapes, I’m still mesmerized by their uniqueness.
Above are Mucha's own jewelry designs (wow!). I noticed that the freshwater pearls he used were quite similar to those on a vintage necklace of mine. So for a more formal design, these faux pearls became an upcycled design alternative. (I only had enough pearls for 25 pairs, so these were even more limited edition!)
Combinaisons Ornementales advertised its designs as “multipliable to infinity with the aid of a mirror”. For this bracelet design, I took that idea to heart—multiplying and overlapping one shape to form something new.
With a larger surface area, I was able to achieve the intricate detail that Art Nouveau is known for.
My graphic background guided these last few non-jewelry designs.
Using walnut wood painted gold, I engraved Mucha's artwork to create special keepsakes.
My favorite was this 12" cartouche which featured Moon from the Moon and Stars series.
It was a privilege to fuse my own brand with Mucha's work, a joy to see how the old can mingle with the new.
The North Carolina Museum of Art just opened ‘Alphonse Mucha: Art Nouveau Visionary,’ and I'm honored to have designed jewelry in partnership with the museum and the Mucha Foundation.
These limited edition pieces can only be found at the exhibit's gift shop.
When I visited Prague for the first time in 1995, finding Mucha’s work wasn’t easy. But by chance, in a small Czech village (Moravský Krumlov), I came across The Slav Epic—a 20-part series depicting the history of the Slavic people.
The paintings were housed in an unassuming building nestled in the woods. To enter, you were required to wear very large, rather unattractive, slippers over your shoes.
Shuffling along in my slippered shoes, I witnessed the most monumental paintings I've ever seen, up to 26 feet wide and 20 feet high.
His devotion to this project, to his people, left an impression on me.
More recently, I visited the Mucha Museum in Prague. It houses a plethora of Mucha's iconic work—which is no longer hard to find!
Hearing about NCMA's 2021 exhibit, I really wanted to design something special to celebrate the artist.
Mucha's own jewelry designs.
Then I stumbled across 'Combinaisons Ornementales,’ a pattern book from 1901, featuring the Art Nouveau motifs of Mucha and two of his contemporaries. These forms, painted on plain backgrounds were meant to be copied and augmented—I'm assuming to create commercial designs for textiles, wallpaper, etc. The designers of the time were likely thrilled to uncover this gem inspiration. I know I was.
This pattern book helped me accomplish another goal: to incorporate Mucha’s own art, his actual hand, into the jewelry designs. Rather than being "inspired by Art Nouveau," I wanted these designs to reflect the artist, allowing exhibit goers take a little piece of Mucha home with them.
]]>> The Origin: Sanity in N.C. during the pandemic
Sharing the Sea Shard Collection with fellow Carolinians has been a highlight of spring. I’m touched by how many people “get it”… how many people embrace the unusual beauty of this marine life and appreciate the edgier aesthetic of my designs.
Nature does the heavy lifting when it comes to the beauty of these pieces, but a lot goes into these designs. I’m still surprised how long they take to make (not including the beach combing)! Grouping shells together and matching colors is way trickier than I expected — nature has no problem producing a million shades of one hue.
I must rearrange these shards a million times before I’m happy with the combination.
N.C. beaches aren’t peppered with hundreds of the same shell like other beaches I’ve been to. Perhaps this points to the uniqueness of the N.C. ecosystem. I must say, I never thought about how other places in the world don’t have our same shells. It’s sparked a lot of pride in me, knowing my home state possess such uncommon beauty.
And while North Carolina isn’t known for shells the way Florida is, I’ve grown to find our sea shards just as alluring. I’m even drawn to the gnarly ones with holes perforated by parasites and tunnels made by sea worms.
PURCHASING
The Sea Shards Collection is currently only for sale at at shows/markets and through direct contact. Feel free to email me and I will send pics of my current inventory.
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Wangarĩ Maathai
Environmentalist, political activist, author
First African woman to win the Nobel Prize. Founder of the Green Belt Movement. Researched land use, forestry, agriculture, resource-based conflicts, and peace studies. Fought for democracy, human rights, and environmental conservation. First woman in East and Central Africa to earn a doctorate degree.
Mary McLeod Bethune
Educator, stateswoman, civil rights activist
Founded the National Council for Negro Women in 1935. Appointed national adviser to president Franklin D. Roosevelt, whom she worked with to create the Federal Council on Negro Affairs, aka the Black Cabinet.
Mary Church Terrell
Civil rights activist, suffragist
One of the first African-American women to earn a college degree. Helped found the National Association of Colored Women (1896) and served as its first national president. Founding member of the National Association of College Women (1910).
Aretha Franklin
Singer, songwriter, actress, pianist, and civil rights activist
Known as the "Queen of Soul". Recorded 112 charted singles on Billboard, including 17 top-ten pop singles. One of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 75 million records worldwide. Awarded the National Medal of Arts and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Shirley Chisholm
Politician, educator, author
First Black woman elected to the United States Congress. First African-American candidate for a major party's nomination for President of the United States, and the first woman to run for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination. Posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Alice Coachman Davis
Olympic athlete
First black woman to win an Olympic gold medal. Specialized in high jump. Also first African American to earn an endorsement deal. Inducted into nine different halls of fame.
Alice Walker
Writer, social activist
Wrote the novel The Color Purple, which won a National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize. Coined the term womanist, meaning "A black feminist or feminist of color" in 1983.
Rosa Parks
Civil rights activist
Best known for her pivotal role in the Montgomery bus boycott. The U.S. Congress has called her "the first lady of civil rights" and "the mother of the freedom movement”. Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal, and a posthumous statue in the United States Capitol. First woman to lie in honor in the Capitol Rotunda.
Harriet Tubman
Abolitionist, suffragist
Escaped slavery and made several missions to rescue approximately 70 enslaved people, including family and friends, using the network of antislavery activists and safe houses known as the Underground Railroad.
Althea Neale Gibson
Tennis player, professional golfer
First African-American to win a Grand Slam title (French Championships, 1956). Won both Wimbledon and the US Nationals (1957, 1958). Inducted into the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame.
Ella Fitzgerald
Jazz singer
Referred to as the "First Lady of Song" and "Queen of Jazz." Noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, timing, intonation, and improvisational skills.
Ella Baker
Civil rights activist
Founded the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, a prominent organization in the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, uniting young leaders. Worked with leaders such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Thurgood Marshall.
Josephine Baker
Entertainer, French Resistance agent, civil rights activist
First Black woman to star in a major motion picture (Siren of the Tropics, 1927). Renowned dancer and icon of the Jazz Age/Roaring Twenties. Was awarded the Croix de guerre by the French military, and was named a Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur by General Charles de Gaulle. Refused to perform for segregated audiences in the United States.
Bessie Coleman
Aviator
First African-American woman (and Native-American) to hold a pilot license. Became a high-profile pilot in notoriously dangerous air shows in the United States. Known as "Queen Bess" and "Brave Bessie".
Bessie Smith
Blues singer
Most popular female blues singer of the 1920s and 1930s. Nicknamed the "Empress of the Blues”. Major influence on blues and jazz vocalists.
Mae Carol Jemison
Engineer, physician, NASA astronaut.
First black woman to travel into space. Served as a mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour and was selected to serve for Nasa’s STS-47 mission, during which she orbited the Earth for nearly eight days (1992).
Barbara Charline Jordan
Lawyer, educator, politician, activist
Leader in the Civil Rights Movement. First African American elected to the Texas Senate after Reconstruction. First Southern African-American woman elected to the United States House of Representatives. First African-American and woman to deliver a keynote address at the 1976 Democratic National Convention. Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Augusta Savage
Sculptor, teacher
Influential artist and teacher of the Harlem Renaissance. Was commissioned by the New York World’s Fair of 1939 to create a sculpture symbolizing the musical contributions of African Americans. Worked for equal rights for African-Americans in the arts. First African-American member of the National Association of Women Painters and Sculptors. First director of the Harlem Community Art Center.
Ida B. Wells
Investigative journalist, educator, and civil rights leader
One of the founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Combated prejudice and violence, fought for African-American equality, with a focus on women's rights. Was arguably the most famous Black woman in America during her time.
Maya Angelou
Poet, memoirist, civil rights activist.
Best known for her series of seven autobiographies (I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, 1969). Published books of essays and poetry. Is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows. Received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees.
Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Singer, songwriter, guitarist
First guitar heroine, aka the "Godmother of Rock & Roll". Known for her heartfelt gospel folksiness and guitar mastery, which rivaled male contemporaries and influenced musicians, like Little Richard, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis. Among the first popular recording artists to use heavy distortion on her electric guitar, presaging the rise of electric blues. Influenced the development of British blues in the 1960s. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Sojourner Truth
Abolitionist, women's rights activist
Escaped slavery with her infant daughter (1826). Won a court battle to recover her enslaved son, the first black woman to win such a case against a white man (1828). Helped recruit black troops for the Union Army. First African American woman to have a statue in the Capitol building. Included in Smithsonian magazine's list of the "100 Most Significant Americans of All Time".
Billie Holiday
Jazz and swing singer
Influenced jazz and pop music with a vocal style inspired by jazz instrumentalists. Pioneered a new way of manipulating phrasing and tempo. Known for her vocal delivery and improvisational skills. Nicknamed "Lady Day”. Sold-out concerts at Carnegie Hall. Won four Grammy Awards for Best Historical Album. Was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame (1973). Inducted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame.
Grace Jones
Model, singer, songwriter, record producer, actress
Ranked 82nd on VH1's 100 Greatest Women of Rock and Roll. Influenced the cross-dressing movement of the 1980s. Inspired artists like Annie Lennox, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Solange, Lorde, Róisín Murphy, Brazilian Girls, Nile Rodgers, Santigold, and Basement Jaxx. Ranked 40th on Billboard's Greatest Dance Club Artist of All Time (2016).
Grace Johnson
Civil rights activist
Patron of the arts associated with the Harlem Renaissance. Known for her involvement with the NAACP, the Heterodoxy Club, and many other African-American and Feminist organizations. Also supported African-American children's literature.
Katherine Johnson
Mathematician
Master of complex manual mathematical calculations. During her 35-year career at NASA, she performed calculations critical to the spaceflights of Alan Shepard and John Glenn. Pioneered the use of computers. Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal.
Madam C.J. Walker
Entrepreneur, philanthropist, political, activist
The first female self-made millionaire in America, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. Developed and marketed a line of cosmetics and hair care products for Black women. Also known for her philanthropy and activism.
Toni Morrison
Novelist, essayist, editor, professor
Nobel laureate whose best-selling novels explored black identity in America. Won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Song of Solomon (1977). Won the Pulitzer Prize for Beloved (1987). Honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom and received the PEN/Saul Bellow Award for Achievement in American Fiction. Inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame.
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When this 400lb monstrosity was delivered to my house, I had no idea how it worked. I’m not gonna lie, I was hoping I could fiddle around a bit, hit play and it would cut like butter. Well…it was a lot more complicated than that. Nonetheless, it's a fascinating machine.
So how does a laser cutting machine work?
There are three main types of lasers, mine is a carbon dioxide laser, more commonly known as a CO2 laser.
The most important component is the laser tube. Mine is a glass tube filled with gas, generally comprised of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen and helium. When electricity is shot through this fancy little capsule, a bunch of molecular stuff happens* (you can see how technical this explanation is gonna be). The result? Light.
Apparently, the nitrogen molecules get all excited when blasted with electricity. And that gets the carbon dioxide all worked up, bouncing back and forth in the tube like a trapped rat. Then some other molecular craziness happens which I don't get.
The generated light beams are directed towards a series of mirrors, 3 to be exact. The last mirror is tilted downwards, towards you material. The light then passes through a lens (hidden in the laser head).
Fun fact: Aligning the mirrors (so the beams land in center) is the most maligned process related to lasers.
The lens focuses the beam to create a very precise, hairline cut. As with all lenses, that focal point is crucial. Your material has to be on the same plane as the focal point or else your cut line will be super thick (and won't cut through).
Blasting energy...laser beams, it's all very hot. To avoid overheating, my machine is cooled with water. Water flows around the laser tube constantly to keep the temperature down.
A fancy water chiller, equipped with an ear-damaging alarm that goes off if the water temp gets too hot, pumps the water through the machine. Like a human heart, the water is pumped, then recycled.
At the laser head nozzle, there’s a tube that forces air onto the surface of the material. This 'air assist' follows every move of your cut, blowing on the material to keep it cool.
The smoke produced by cutting is sucked out of the machine with an air compressor and ventilated.
It's best to have a honeycomb bed or pin table to ventilate the smoke coming out from the underside of your material. Otherwise, it can’t escape and will overheat, damaging the surface. The honeycomb bed, looks exactly like a car radiator (prob because it is).
My laser is considered a professional machine, I’ve never used a hobby laser. The smaller table-top units seem very convenient, but naturally they aren't heavy duty. I imagine, being so lightweight, they're easy to bump when cutting. I like having my laser completely housed in a metal box for safety reasons, but obviously she's a beast.
The coolest aspect of a laser cutter is that, in addition to blasting through 1/4" thick material, it can also engrave surfaces. Here's an ornament I designed that uses the image-based etching feature. The engraving process is much more time consuming than cutting. Like a printer, it goes back and forth, etching one sliver of a line at a time.
A laser cutter can cut through materials like wood, cork, rubber, cardboard, paper, fabric, leather and certain kinds of plastics. The limitations generally stem from what is safe to burn.
Etching can be done on even more materials like aluminum, stainless steel, marble, stone, tile, and glass. Believe it or not, I've never tried any of those! Engraving on a curved surface, like a glass tumbler, requires a rotary attachment, which costs a few hundred dollars.
The laser cutter is a versatile machine. It takes a lot more effort than I expected to perfect, troubleshooting can be time consuming, but the capabilities are impressive and offer endless opportunities for creativity.
This is the journey that each Bold Standard product takes. And if you're thinking about taking up laser cutting, this can serve as a helpful overview.
If you're interested in how a laser cutter works, the blog entry below goes into detail about its inner workings and capabilities.
> How does a laser cutter work?
Creativity gets all the credit—all glamour—but these days I consider this step the fun, easy part. Perfecting the tangible result, for aesthetics and functionality, is a whole different beast.
Does anyone else salivate just looking at material swatches?
I once heard a professor say, "There is no perfect material". I couldn't agree more. Oftentimes, the limitations of a material get in the way of our vision. But materials can also be a great source of inspiration. As you experiment, you unlock new aspects of a material and it can influence you design massively.
With laser cutting, each material—whether acrylic, wood, cork, fabric, leather, etc*—requires a different machine setting. Even different colors can require different settings. This can only be perfected through trial and error and varies between machines.
*No, my laser cutter can't cut metal.
I am nothing without my caliper. Measure once, cut twice. I mean...
The littlest measurement can make a huge difference with jewelry. I like to print out my design on paper first to make sure the scale feels right.
Designing an efficient file is tedious but saves material. The example above maximises efficiency, but it doesn't always end well...
Acrylic overheats when pieces are too close together and you can get what's called 'crazing'—weird marks and cracking.
The colors in your file represent the order in which the cuts are made. This is an important step because pieces shift slightly after being cut. You can inadvertently cut through a piece if it shifts into the area of your next cut.
As the laser burns through material, off-gassing will create undesirable marks on the surface. Glossy material will dull, wood will darken. To ensure a pristine result, specialty adhesive paper is required.
Unfortunately, the protective paper that comes standard on most the acrylic will flare up when cutting. The paper I use is designed to be safe for laser cutting since burning glue can be toxic.
Next, you order your layers, having color-coded them in Step 5, and input your settings into the laser cutter controls. A 'pass' is how many times the laser runs its course. Sometimes you need multiple passes to get through a material.
Get out your tools and go to town. This step requires a separate blog involving the endless techniques and tools related to jewelry making.
It's never right the first time. Every design gets revised—usually multiple times. Use your ingenuity, then start again from the top.
If you're laser cutting for commercial purposes, the next steps include: Photography & Retouching, Product Listing, Packaging & Fulfillment and Advertising & Social Media.
As you can see, a lot goes into even the smallest project. Hopefully you've gained insight into my process. Maybe you have a greater appreciation for laser cut products—and any other project that require technical knowledge, creativity, patience and perseverance.
STAY BOLD,
kg
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A message from Kathleen:
Markets are a great chance to see new work, get discounted prices and chat in person. The vibes are always SO GOOD at these shows...the buzz of folks discovering great talent in their own backyard. It's THE best way to shop for the holidays—cheerful people and an impressive selection. So stop by, introduce yourself and learn more about how our jewelry is made!
Triangle Pop-Up is hosting 35+ local vendors in a rad downtown Raleigh space, it's a one-stop shop for holiday goods!
This is a great opportunity to see some of Bold Standard's big ticket items in person! The store is stocked with large statement pieces (necklaces and bracelets), ArchiText necklaces, Women of History earrings and black barrel wave earrings.
Monday & Tuesday - Closed
Wednesday 11am - 7pm
Thursday 11am - 7pm
Friday 11am - 8pm
Saturday 10am - 7pm
Sunday 12pm - 5pm
>
Date: November 18th - December 24th, 2020
Location: 15 W Hargett St. Raleigh NC 27601
(retail space previously occupied by Petale Florist)
Presented by Durham Craft Market
Date: Saturday November 28, 2020
Time: 11am to 4pm (rain or shine)
Location: Outdoors @ Central Park Pavillion
501 Foster Street Durham, NC 27701
Presented by:
Date: Sunday November 29, 2020
Time: 11am to 3pm (rain or shine)
Location: Outdoors @ North Hills Midtown Park
4011 Cardinal at North Hills Street, Raleigh, NC 27609
>
Date: December 4th, 2020
Time: 6pm - 9pm
Location: 311 Gallery
311 W Martin St, Raleigh, NC 27601
>
Date: December 5th, 2020
Time: 12pm - 4pm
Location: 311 Gallery
311 W Martin St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Presented by:
Date: Sunday December 6, 2020
Time: 11am to 3pm (rain or shine)
Location: Outdoors @ North Hills Midtown Park
4011 Cardinal at North Hills Street, Raleigh, NC 27609
>
Date: December 12th, 2020
Time: 12pm - 4pm
Location: 311 Gallery
311 W Martin St, Raleigh, NC 27601
>
Date: December 5th, 2020
Time: 12pm - 4pm
Location: 311 Gallery
311 W Martin St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Presented by Raleigh Fashion Fest, Raleigh Night Market, in partnership with Raleigh Boutique Warehouse Sale and Tabletop Media Group
A collaborative virtual holiday shopping event bringing over 50 awesome local businesses together for a ONE DAY SALE!
At least 20% off products and services from all your local favorites!
Date: Sunday November 15, 2020
Time: 10am EST – 11:45pm EST
Location: Virtual event, tickets required > raleighfashionfest.com/tickets
> List of participating brands
> More Info
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Shells collected by my family, probably in the mid-80's.
The pier at Wrightsville Beach, NC (August 2020)
LEARN MORE
> The inspiration for the Sea Shards Collection
TO PURCHASE
If you are interested in purchasing a piece from this collection, or would like to see pics of our current inventory, please don’t hesitate to ask.
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The activist t-shirts of the 80's and 90's really brought politics and fashion together.
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Cut out the pattern
Pin the pattern to the fabric
Cut out the fabric
Pin the cut pieces together
Sew, sew, sew
Do a bunch of stuff to make the collar
Sew some more
Make button holes
Open button holes
Sew on buttons
Serge raw edges
Iron — and then decide not to be a fashion major.
After drooling and deliberating over each sparkling option, I settled on my first ever jewelry design—a multi-colored pair of dangle earrings.
The design makes me laugh. Each bead was chosen for its individual 'prettiness' and then forced into one design. I couldn't resist the rainbow of the opalescent faux pearl, the glittery facets of the black heart, the blinding hot pink AND the iridescent blue…
And while those beads weren't exactly born to be together at least the composition works. The spin-top shape feels balanced. And the variation of color and texture is...‘adventurous’. A decent effort for a ten-year-old.
I hope you find that my jewelry design has maintained its unexpected boldness 25 years later but with a greater sense of restraint and cohesion. ;)