Lisa Walker

I am over the moon! I came home today to find a letter from the Jewellers and Metalsmiths Group of Australia (JMGA) saying that my application to participate in a three day workshop with one of my favourite jewellers, Lisa Walker had been successful! The biennial conference had offered grants for one TAFE student, and one Curtin student to attend some of the workshops on offer:

LISA WALKER

• Curtin University, 6, 7, 8 April, 2010.

The workshop will be an investigation into the materials we have in our environment, and the potential these materials have to be made into jewellery. I will be encouraging individual interpretation of the workshops concept, meeting regularly in groups to discuss progress.

At least 3-4 weeks before the workshop the students will need to start collecting materials. They may find them on the street, in the rubbish, at the pub, at their part time jobs, they might buy some things from their favourite shops, there might be materials around the art school, or they may already have a collection at home. It's very important that each person collect a good LARGE pile by the time they start the workshop. I would hope they get obsessed with collecting, and that some great, interesting things turn up.

Shall keep you posted!

Coon & Goon

Last friday was the opening of 'New Works New Faces' at Gallery East and Perth Galleries. I was excited to see that of the fourteen graduates shown in the exhibition, five were from jewellery design at Curtin. I urge you all to pay the galleries (and Sebastian the gallery dog at) a visit. It is also a good excuse to have a tipple at the delightful Mrs Brown's. The show runs till the first of April.

Studio

Here is my little space in the jewellery studio at Curtin. It yet to be used. Made the mistake of op-shopping in my break between classes today. I now own three more doilies.

Crochet

Last week, I came across the work of Nathan Vincent on Lost At E Minor. He creates 3D and 2D forms that question notions of masculinity and femininity. He does this by crocheting (a 'feminine' technique) traditionally masculine objects and symbols such as crushed beer cans and lawn mowers.

I really need to do something about learning how to crochet. Must buy Hookorama by Rachael Matthews.

Nerd Alert

Uni starts back in a couple of weeks and I've already started thinking about course work. I'm a nerd, I know. One of our units requires us to investigate a material that is not traditionally used in jewellery. So of course I've been ploughing through all my sewing boxes looking for ideas. I've also had a bit of a look at other jewellers who use textiles in their work.

Sally Collins is a Birmingham-based artist who incorporates textiles with metal work. I love how she uses the 'doily' silhouette with out making it look too prissy.

Another is Eva of Tinctory, a Czech artist living in the UK. She uses vintage and naturally dyed silk to smock wearable forms. They are almost a modern take on the Elizabethan collar.

My Obsession

While traipsing through Mount Lawley earlier this week, my doily addiction hit an all time low. I contemplated taking home a grotty crotchet blanket on the side of the road for verge collection, I even touched it. I'm one step away from becoming a crazy cat lady.

Doily

My heart skipped a beat when I discovered the Mega Doily from Ladies and Gentlemen. I'm starting to think that I may need to learn how to crochet...