Contrast Brief

                         Contrast Brief

Based on my understanding about Contrast I think it means the differences in people, colour, shape, size or any similar objects when comparing to another. 

This is my Brief where I was explaining about contrast. Here I chose Kaz Robertson where he was explaining about his contrasting jewellery. I was explaining about his handmade colorful resin pendant that is called a double layer square pendant. This pendant has the bright orange resin square base that have the pink spotty pattern inlayed. It also have the cerise pink that is layered on top that has the orange stripes inlayed to the surface with a highly polished finish. 

Ashante Bracelet

Ashante Bracelet

This is my finished ashante bracelet that has Spirals, Chameleon and ashante proverb sheep. My experience with everything from wax, investment and casting was very good. I have learned a lot from it that would make to be easy when I do it next time.

Ashante Bracelet

 

Ashante Bracelet

Here I was preparing to make a bracelet for my ashante gold weights. These are the jump rings for making a bracelet. 

Ashante Proverb

 

Ashante Proverb

This is my mind map for my ashante gold weights proverb when I was explaining how my piece of a sheep reflects to a proverb. I chose the proverb "The sayings of the wise are like the sharp sticks that shepherds use to guide sheep." My final piece of a sheep had one horn of a spiral that reflects to a chameleon and another horn with sticks that reflected to the proverb I chose.

Tree with Wax

 

Wax Tree

This is the tree I have made to put on my spirals, chameleon and my ashante gold weight proverb. Here I was preparing for investment and casting.

Ashante Sketch Chameleon

Ashante Sketch Chameleon

This is my chameleon sketch for my ashante gold weights that I used to design my final piece for Ashante Chameleon..

Spirals

Spirals

Here I was making my spirals with a wax. I did not find it that hard even if it was my first time doing the spirals. You just have to light your torch and warm your sharp tool for softening the wax and after you have to roll it to make it a round long strip. After you have to roll it to make it spiral.

Wax

Making Ashante Chameleon With Wax at DUT Studio 2nd Years

Here I was preparing to make Ashante Gold Weights Chameleon with Wax. These are the things I need to make the wax, a torch, gaslighter, the sharp tool to shape my wax, and also a base with a shank to put on my tree when done making it.

Post-glaze firing

These are my clay ceramics showing post-glaze firing at DUT City Campus 

This is the progress after my last post. These are my Clay ceramics done and dusted showing post-glaze firing. This has been a fantastic experience for me to think that I can make a very good thing like this for the first time in my life. On my pendants I used ropes and also beads so that I can be able to wear it for myself. I didn't find it that bad for this long process of making these clay ceramics. 

I was very amazed that I can make something so beautiful with my own hands. The most challenging part was whereby I had to make everything with clay of which I haven't done it before. The pinching and shaping of clay was very rigid. 

Pre-glaze firing

This picture shows painted clay ceramics pre-glaze firing at Studio 2nd Years DUT 

Compared to the previous post , these are my clay ceramics so far that I have painted also preparing for a glaze firing. I really enjoyed a lot doing it. It helped me with hand and eye coordination, creativity and a problem solver. It also builds my self-confidence and teaches me to be an independent person. 

I will also use overglaze paint to paint all my clay ceramics to prepare for a glaze firing. And also wait for it to dry out. This has been a good experience for me so far.

Coloring Clay Ceramics

This is where I was working on the colours for Clay Ceramics at Studio 2nd Years 

Here I was working on the colours I chose for my Clay ceramics. To mention few yellow, green, pink, purple, blue, lime and white. Some of the colours I chose they represents me, in such a way that Yellow brings fun and joy. I also had fun making these clay ceramics. The pink color made me feel accepted of what I was doing.

These clay ceramics boosted my self-esteem making me feel proud of myself of what I have brought to life with clay.

Buccellati

This is a model wearing iconic Eternelle rings, cuff and bangle bracelets. 

Mario Buccellati (1891 to 1965) began his jewellery making journey with an apprenticeship at Milan goldsmith Beltram and Besnati. In 1919, he bought the firm establishing it as his own "silverware and Art jewelry" business. The Buccellati company has been headquartered in Milan ever since.

The Buccellati style is recognizable for it's precious materials and excellent Craftsmanship, including it's hand-engraving, openwork and honeycomb techniques. 

Link

Chopard

This is Chopard's silver bracelet and diamonds between 

Chopard was founded by Louis-Ulysse Chopard in 1860 and started life as a watchmaker. In 1937, Chopard relocated their watch-making business from the Swiss Jura to Geneva. The family ran business fell into trouble under the direction of the third generation and so they searched for a suitable buyer.

Chopard is an exceptional luxury jewellery and watches brand with humble beginnings in 1860 Switzerland. They are delving into Chopard's luxurious world-from their red carpet fame to their dedication to ethical high fashion. They also offering a closer look at their world-famous Happy Diamonds Collection. 

Link

Bulgari

This is a detachable octagonal necklace 

Bulgari is founded in Rome in 1884. It was founded by the talented Greek silversmith Sotirios Bulgari. It's brand quickly established a reputation for Italian exciĵĥɓvɓellence with exquisite Craftsmanship and magnificent jewellery creations. 

The geometrical shape is a hallmark of a Bulgari style, that is inspired by the monuments and decorative motifs of the Eternal City. In the 1980s to 1990s Bulgari continued to innovate and launched distinctive, versatile jewels designed to be worn from morning until night.

Link

Cartier

This is a multi-gem tiger sautoir necklace 

The house of Cartier was founded in 1847 when the 28 year old Louis-Francois Cartier took over a shop at 29 rue Montorgueil in Paris. His son Alfred took control of the company in 1874 by which time it already had an excellent reputation. 

The first three-dimensional panther was created in 1948 for the Duchess of Windsor, other distinguished Cartier clients began to fall in love with the jewels. Daisy Fellowes and Nina Dyer both appropriated this new look. American heiress Barbara Hutton a notable style rival of the Duchess of Windsor, also had a preference for Jeanne Toussaint's tiger menagerie. 

Link

Tiffany & Co.

Due to the last post on Jewellery Houses I've listed those I consider to be the top 5 of them. On this post I will be writing with the one I chose of which is Tiffany and Co. It was founded in 1838 by Charles Lewis Tiffany (1812-1902) and his partner JB Young. 

Charles Lewis Tiffany took sole control in of the company in 1853 when the business was renamed Tiffany & Co. The business moved to a palatial store in Union Square and flourished through the 1870s also becomes the destination for New York's fashionable and wealthy elite. Tiffany was known for Japonesque-style silverware and for diamond jewellery : Charles Tiffany became the "King of Diamonds." 

In 1889 Tiffany won numerous awards at international exhibitions in Paris. On 1902 his father died and Louis Comfort Tiffany took over the reins becoming Tiffany's first design director. Today Reed Krakoff occupies the newly-created role of Artistic Director of Tiffany & Co.

Link

Clay Ceramics

 

My finished clay ceramics

These are my finished different types of clay ceramics that I've been working on. I also enjoyed working with clay since it was my first time in a while working with it since I was a kid. It was very fun working with clay and getting my hands dirty, it reminded me when I was still a kid. It also helped me developed my mental capacity in general. Building up walls of clay in an empty space was the fun part because it made me feel like a real art student.

Jewellery Houses

 The Jewellery Houses In The World and Links

• Cartier     https://www.1stdibs.com/blogs/the-study/most-popular-jewelry-houses/
• Tiffany and Co     https://www.1stdibs.com/blogs/the-study/most-popular-jewelry-houses/
• Harry Winston    https://luxatic.com/10-finest-jewelry-brands-in-the-world/ 
• Bulgari    https://www.1stdibs.com/blogs/the-study/most-popular-jewelry-houses/
• David Yurman   https://chicpursuit.com/best-designer-jewelry/
• Buccellati   https://www.wpdiamonds.com/top-designer-jewelry-brands/
• Chopard   https://luxatic.com/10-finest-jewelry-brands-in-the-world/
• Mikimoto   https://chicpursuit.com/best-designer-jewelry/
• Messika   https://chicpursuit.com/best-designer-jewelry/
• Van Cleef & Arpels   https://www.1stdibs.com/blogs/the-study/most-popular-jewelry-houses/
• Boucheron   https://www.wpdiamonds.com/top-designer-jewelry-brands/
• Chanel   https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/best-jewelry-brands/
• Graff   https://luxatic.com/10-finest-jewelry-brands-in-the-world/
• Piaget   https://www.theceomagazine.com/lifestyle/jewellery/luxury-jewelry-brands/
• Dior   https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/best-jewelry-brands/

Top Five Jewellery Houses In The World

• Tiffany and Co
• Cartier
• Bulgari
• Chopard
• Buccellati

Clay Ceramics

These are my different types of clay ceramics that I am still busy with. I have completed two of them and still busy with the one and also one short. 

working on the clay ceramics at DUT 2nd year Studio

Introduction

 This is Nomzamo Dladla, the 2nd year student Jewellery Designer at Durban University of Technology. 

picture taken at Mega City Mall