Integrating Function
Etched metal bails, thoughtfully crafted ear wires, and spiraling wire rivets are just a few ways we add the necessary findings and connectors to our art jewelry to make theme functional. But what if you used the items that you need to make your art jewelry functional as an integral and primary part of the design instead of just having it as an accent or as a way to disguise the connection to the art?
In Laura Bocchi’s “Lazy Cloud” necklace, ball chain, which is commonly used for more casual and even industrial designs, is wound through translucent polymer clay to help define and add movement to a simple cloud formation.
There literally would be no design without the integration of the ball chain which also is the material from which the design can be worn. Splendidly simple.
There are many ways to integrate the needed functional items into a piece in a way that makes them a prominent and supportive addition to the design. Can you think of ways to wind, encircle, elongate, or decorate your chain, bails, ear wires, jump rings, hinges, clasps, etc so that add balance and/or movement, or they echo and/or emphasize elements in your design? The possibilities have been overwhelming my poor little brain. Now if I can only find more time to spend in the studio to try some things out. Even though I may not be able to, I hope you do.
For all our polymer friends and their families in the coastal north eastern US today, I hope you and yours are some where safe as Sandy comes bearing down on the Atlantic coast and the only unusual clouds in your day is this one sent here.
Posted in Inspirational Art
Laura Bocchi’s “Lazy Cloud” is just exquisite! Love her use of the ball chain in the design. Though I don’t make much jewelry, her inspiration makes me want to look at using other elements in my designs….a lot of “food for thought” going on here! Now, to find the time 🙂
Laura Bocchi’s “Lazy Cloud” is exquisite! Her inspiration of using the ball chain within the design gives me the feeling of a quiet summer day, laying in the grass watching the clouds go by.
Though I don’t make much jewelry, her creation has given me the inspiration to look for other elements to incorporate into my work. The possibilities are endless. Thanks Laura! 🙂
I think that polymeric clay a material which is on friendly terms with many other materials – metal, glass, chains, a tree, textiles. All of them well supplement pieces polymer clay and do it more interesting
Magnificent creation.