Jewelry Project II Reflection

"Swimming with Stingrays"
materials: copper sheet and wire, brass sheet, silver sheet, resin

I really love how this piece turned out. It experienced many face lifts, both in the design and the process. My original plan was to have the shape be the stingray body facing down with the tail going straight up. This would have been hung like a classic pendant. I then decided to bring the tail to the side and add a detached spash up the chain to the other side to add interest but maintain balance. From this design I moved the clasping mechanism down into the decorative area to incorporate it into the design. It is now located between the main piece and the secondary splash. This makes the piece a bit difficult to put on but I really think it is worth it not to have an ugly clasp on the back of the chain. From that design I decided to remove the resin from the equation because I thought it would bring down the piece and make it look gaudy. I turned in the piece like this but then was encouraged to add the resin and the internal pierced stingray to make the brass side of the pendant more developed. I fought this notion for a while but eventually gave in when I realized that I considered the brass side to be the "back" of the piece and it needed a major change to make it worthy of facing out from the body. I decided to just take the risk and go back to my original plan with the resin and I believe this greatly improved the piece. I laid down a thin, dark layer of resin in the piece, let it set, and then place the pierced stingray atop this layer. I then mixed a lightly colored batch of resin and flowed it over the stingray. I overfilled the piece on purpose so that a bit of resin would leak out from under the brass. This highlighted the splash form and related the shiny resin into the rest of the piece. I think that is my favorite aspect of the piece. It's unique and very applicable to my theme.

I am also very pleased with the interplay between the size of the repoussed stingray and the wild, intricate flange. I tried to incorporate many elements (3D form, 2D figure, abnormal outline, multiple metals, non metal element, etc) to create one harmonious piece with a clear story. There certainly are flaws in the piece. I'm still not completely sold on the chain. I enjoy the repetition and interest it adds the the piece but it very very easily gets tangled and a black cord might highlight the piece more. Plus I may have just accidentally super glued the thing into a giant clump while I was writing this reflection. That's what I get for multitasking. You have to be careful where you set stuff down in my room. But anywho, that aspect of this piece is not tied down by any means. I think that is the only thing holding me back from enjoying it completely. Overall, though, I am very pleased with how this project turned out. It certainly photographs nicely.