The Bright And Colorful World Of Gems

Yesterday, I spent the whole day learning about gemological materials.

Along the first 7 hours' class of Gemology, Rui Galopim de Carvalho introduced us to the vast universe of minerals, rocks and gemstones.

Among a valuable range of information, we've learned about concerns around evaluating a gemstone and how different shapes and cuts can enhance or destroy its characteristics.

Today, as I was browsing through the links he gave us, I found this interesting test in the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), where you can check your own level of info on gemstones. It's very simple and fun, yet it can really help you to be able to distinguish some important aspects that define the quality of a gemstone and, of course, its price. Give it a try :)

Busy Missing You All!

Well, it's been quite a while since I last uptated this blog of mine.

I decided to stay offline for some time (I still have my Etsy shop on "vacation mode", kind of an ironic name for it now) so I could focus on my school work. Although I'm missing all of my online friends and routine, I realize there's not enough time to have it all running, unless I could use a competent clone.

For now, I'll tell you what I'm up to so you know I'm still alive :)

So, in a nut shell, I've moved to a new home and I'm really happy about it. As spring just started, I'm filling my space with flowers and bright colors.
Today I have to finish an assignment for a master class about Metal Archeology lectured by Barbara Armbruster.
Meanwhile we had another master class where Barbara Schmidt gave us such an amount of valuable information about Design Management. It was pretty tiring, last friday and saturday from 10 am till 6 pm, but I enjoyed every minute of it. And, of course, another assignment to do.
And, at the same time, we're making a new piece for the most technical class, Metal Laboratory under the sharp eye of Rui Seixas, and it must reach perfection. And I'm still finishing the last project for the Jewellry Design Laboratory class in Rhinoceros - Scale.
We're also already introduced to the Project class, that will beggin in a couple of months, with José Carlos Marques and Carla Castiajo. This project will be our final statement in the Post Grad, evaluated by a jury.

As I'm trying to keep my creative soul from going insane, I'm learning a lot.
And for keeping the sun shinning through my veins, I'm starting a big charcoal drawing just for myself. A private selfish project.
You'll see :)

Open Your Eyes

There are no grades of vanity, there are only grades of ability in concealing it. Mark Twain

There is certainly no absolute standard of beauty. That precisely is what makes its pursuit so interesting. John Kenneth Galbraith

This necklace is my third piece for the Jewellery Design Laboratory class.
This project "The subject and the object" intended to explore the link between the jewellery piece and the individual wearing it. They were not supposed to be totally finished by the creator, but to allow an interaction, a post transformation by the user.
My "Open Your Eyes" necklace was created to question where (or even if) we should place the fine line that keeps us from weaken our image with too much adornment, once again in the boundaries of Beauty and Vanity.
A plain clean pendant, a layered complex one, or an open necklace where the damask pattern grows, as you open your eyes to the realm of beauty, until the last and most fragile piece that escapes from the circular frame into a free form.
I have a secret expectation for that last piece to break somewhere along the way. Maybe I made it strong enough and it never will, but you can't know it for sure, can you?
Don't you think that could be the final chapter, that perfect ending?

Hard Working

The damask pattern I'm piercing in the picture belongs to the "Open Your Eyes" new necklace. I'm already finished with the saw, but there's still a lot to be done.
Today will be a long day. Off to work!

A Peek At Utopia

The Copy [Final Step]

This is my final object for The Copy Project in the Jewellery Design Laboratory class based on the idea of high heels.
Is it Beauty or Vanity?
A cage or a few inches closer to heaven?
Isn't it freedom when you can choose your own slavery?
And can this be a jewellery piece when you experience it in your body, even if you can not actually wear it?

The Copy [Third Step]

To wear dreams on one's feet is to begin to give reality to one's dreams. Roger Vivier

Here's the first glimpse of my final object.
This preview image was one of the several resulting renders after building the object in Rhinoceros during Modeling and Prototyping classes oriented by Rafael Coelho.
I'm already starting the last task for The Copy project - making the real one in metal.
So, wish me luck!
Or even better... wish me perfection :)

The Copy [Second Step]

How many is one? Deganit Stern Schocken

Form and stucture studies trying to achieve a new object that translates the symbolism attached to the first object, preserving it's main visual concept transformed by the process of copy.
A caged bird longs for the clouds Japanese Proverb

The Copy [First Step]

This is the first post about my journey in the Jewellery Design Post Graduation.
I'll be sharing part of my process, doubts and inspirations along the way.
So, under the "Post Graduation Notes" label, here's the beginning.

"One thing grows from another, towards a new creation" Deganit Stern Schocken

Inspired by this concept, the first task for the Jewellery Design Laboratory class oriented by Leonor Hipólito, is choosing an object and copying it.
This was my choice.
In the front is the copy I made of the original shoe on the background.
Let's see where these paper and fimo heels will take me.