ArtMetal

Where has all the beautiful neoclassical 'art' jewelry gone? No, I don't mean from the last century or two, but the techniques and eye pleasing results of work that not just anyone knows how to make anymore? Greek golden age neoclassical art jewelry is a very slim catagory these days. The art is nearly lost and the techniques are not shared openly enough to bring it back from the brink. What I personally think is worst...is that everything from shapes to shapelessness, blobs and empty shells of metal both precious and non are passing for fine art and begging for understanding and meaning when, like a poem, it is really only there for the very few.
I speak of the kind of mind blowing art that grabs you from deep inside and makes you gasp and ask the question out loud 'how did they do that?'.

This is my venture into jewelry. I have quit (see: reduced time spent on) my passion of the restoration and binding of books from the first days of binding to the midieval ages and have had an epiphany (see: mid-life crisis without the corvette) that I want to learn to make this kind of jewelry! The kind that moves me, the kind that stirs me and gives me passion not only to see more of it, but to make it myself! After years of tool accumulation, careful reading, experimentation and hard work I think I am ready to make the move.

All of you who are in the throws of this passion, join me here and share your knowledge on all subjects of the art! How do I make the best chasing tools rather than spend absurd amounts of money on them? How do I do granulation without having it 'blow' off the surface or pop off when wear becomes a factor by the customer? How thin is too thin? What is more important, the conviction that you have to use better materials? or the conviction that the customer has to have you make it cheaper? (so far I have just told people no but that means less challenges).

The purpose of this blog is to share secrets of a nearly lost art. Let's keep each other alive and going so that we can have a sub-industry, no, a Craft within the beligerant monster that is assembly line modern jewelry design.

If you think I'm stupid or wrong....tell me that too! I just think that there is a place for everyone in this industry from the amateur to the master, from the clever to the banal....but few of those please as most of the seats are already taken...

vowie