Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Notes From the Jeweler's Bench

I have decided to start a new series called Notes From the Jeweler's Bench, that I will post once or twice a month. I'll use the installments of "Notes" to:
1. show what I'm up to in the shop
2. give you tours of my space, tools, and equipment
3. demonstrate a few techniques, to take the mystery out of some of what I do
4. teach a few basic jeweler's skills.

You don't have to aspire to be a jeweler in order to appreciate this series. I remember being completely mystified (and curious!) when woman I knew told me she made her own wedding ring. Notes From the Jeweler's Bench is going to show you a bit of metal-shop behind the scenes, so when someone tells you they made their own ring/earrings/necklace you can totally play it cool and ask, "oh, is that cast or fabricated?"

Are you up for it? I hope so. Today, I'm going to show you the progression of a concept from sketch to finished product.

So much of the sketching I do is really just doodling. I'm not even drawing jewelry—just stream of consciousness pencil moving. Often, when I come up with something interesting, I'll turn into a drawing of some sort of jewelry. Recently I was doodling the most basic of doodles, a curly-Q line around a shape, and bingo! I hit on something. It started like this:


...and ended up like this: (I had been playing with the idea of translating my Christmas cards into silver)


So I made one of each of my girls...


...and strung them on a pretty chain that reminded me of those curly-Q doodles. Introducing the Doodle Silhouette Necklace. In addition to the necklace, Doodle Silhouette Charms are also available separately.


One thing leads to another, and new pieces are born from the original concept, like this Doodle Heart Necklace.

I think I'll keep playing with this, to see how I can develop it further. Until next time, happy doodling to you.

21 comments:

  1. I used to do the technical drawings and designs with a rapidograph pen for a jeweler until it felt too much like work and less like play, I like the work paired with play (actual creating)! : ) Beautiful design, I look forward to this series!

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  2. I adore these new pieces, Amy. I've always liked the idea of silhouettes, and your whimsical approach is so appealing. I appreciate the glimpse into your creative process. I love studies and doodles -- the early hints of art, which are art themselves. Can't wait to see what you come up with next!

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  3. I love this. I also of course loved the Christmas card. so unique and personal. Thanks for sharing. Megan

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  4. Very pretty necklaces, Amy. I'm excited to learn more about the tools and techniques of jewelry making.

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  5. I love this idea! Love reading about the process behind your work... ideas... problems... even ideas that you reject or projects that you decide to not follow through with as well as seeing some of the custom work you do!

    It also reminds me that I used to have a column "from the sketchbook" for this kind of material... time to resurrect that I think!

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  6. I love the silhouette piece inspired by your Christmas card. I find it really interesting how much of the work I make is inspired by really quick things I make for our family and then Jay says, you should do something like that for your shop and I'm like huh, hadn't thought of that.

    I'm excited to see what else comes from this series; I always love seeing sketchbooks and works in progress.

    What a great gift for a mother to have a silhouette charm of each of her children on a bracelet or necklace.

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  7. I'm definetely up for it. Thanks for sharing your creative process. So beautiful the silhouete piece. I love it!

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  8. i LOOOOOOVE the doodle silhouette charm! you had me at curly wire border :)

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  9. Dearest sweet amy, i am LOVING your new series! I heart these both designs. Soo beautiful! I also do alot of dooling in my little journal. :) I adore reading your process and your ideas. It's soo inspiring! Have a lovely merry happy day and love to you!

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  10. I think doodling is probably one of the biggest places that I'm inspired. Its just all these random things that I'm thinking and then normally I can pull one good design or part of a design out of my doodles. I doodle everywhere. In the car, at church, restaurants, talking on the phone, with my kiddos.) I just love love the curly Q's. I can't wait for more of these series. I enjoy seeing how people work and what inspires them.

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  11. every time i think someone can't come up with a new, unique, lovely, interesting look . . . you manage to do it. can't wait to see where you take it.

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  12. CRIKEY! You know I don't even doodle - is there something wrong with me, I've never been a doodler....

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  13. You are fantasgreat (to borrow a word from my friend Julie)! I love the doodling pieces. They are beautiful and charming and oh so unique!
    I cannot wait to see more!
    xoxo, Angela

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  14. What a great series, and I love the design that you have created. Thank you for always sharing so much of yourself, it is a gift.

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  15. I think this series is a great idea! I think you are so talented and creative, and so down to earth. I love that about you! (What I know of you, of course!)
    Nicola

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  16. This is a really cool series. Love to see how your brain works. :) And those silhouettes are just charming. xo

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  17. Wow Amy -great idea for a post and a fantastic necklace! Ps - She got your photo! :D.....

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  18. did I mention that I am completely in love with the tiny silhouettes? and the curlies? amazing. and knowing your process makes it even cooler.

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  19. Great idea, Amy! I love learning how things are made and your silhouettes are wonderful. The ponytailed image of your girls reminds me of a papercutting I got (and still treasure!) on a special trip with my family, aged 10. It would be so nice to have one of my baby too! Will keep an eye on your shop. :)

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  20. This is so amazing. It so magical to see a sketch come off the page like that. Thank you so much for sharing a little bit about your process with us. I love your notes from a bench. Very fun. I look forward to the next installment.

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  21. LOVe that silouette piece. My daughter just saw it and loves it too!

    :)Lisa

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