Flowers Mechanisms

I have started constructing the flower mechanisms to create the three kinetic flowers with fully movable parts. To create the moving hinge systems, the flower bases (the part where the petals are slotted into) need to be cut out large enough to have 16 x 2mm long slots and small enough to fit into a bud to hold it in place. On these bases, tiny slots need to be cut so that the petal can be slided into the opening. each petal has a 2mm x 10mm long tongue that is rolled up once it has been slotted into place, this prevents the petal from slipping out, but also allows the petal to move about in a wide range of movement depending on how tight the tongue has been rolled up. To decorate the flower base, I have punched tiny beads into a second plate, which I have soldered onto the base to resemble the center part of the flower carpels. After tumbling the bases, I rose gold plated them to create a contrast to the whiteness of the sterling silver petals.

Construction of the slots for the petals

Construction of the Carpels to be placed on top of the base

'Magrietjies' Petals in the Making

In the process of the making of my next series of pieces, Thoughts in Flowers, in addition to the buds, I will also be making flowers that resemble daisies in the open and wilting stages of the flowers.

Daisy Bud Opening

Fully Open Daisy

In these stages, when looking at an actual flower, the petals are not static, they have some kinetic properties where they are able to dance in the wind or move about when touched. A person feels tempted to rub the petals across one's fingers because of the soft feeling that the petals create, a tactile temptation. I want to create this same tactile desire in the open flower pieces of Thoughts in Flowers. I WANT my audience to pick up and play with my pieces in the same way that I played with the flowers in my hands as a little girl. 

To create this piece, I have pierced out a few loose petals from a 0.3mm sheet of sterling silver, I then shaped each petal by punching a groove down the center using a flat punch. these petals will then be connected to a disc with tiny grooves as in my Movement Jewellery post to create tiny hinge like systems. this will allow the petals to move about when manipulated. 

Movement Chapter 1

Movement 1

It is very difficult to imagine the natural world without movement. Leaves and flower petals blowing in the wind, butterfly wings flapping and the rising and setting of the sun are all examples of actual movement found in nature. Other forms of movement are more subtle such as the changing of the seasons, the growth of plants and animals and their death and decay. Movement can be seen in nature in many instances, not just in its physical form but also in its more metaphorical form when observing natural processes. When looking closely at nature, you see a metaphoric connection with growth and movement as you observe the processes of life and the transition from birth to death.

Many jewellers incorporate movement into their jewellery as the element of movement can express a certain metaphor or ideal that the jewellery artist wants to get across to their audience. It can also be used to make jewellery objects more visually interesting when viewed. Looking at movement or kinetic jewellery, movement or the appearance of movement can be created in many different ways. Some artists create instrument like or mechanical jewellery that move with the aid of a power source and motor. Others create jewellery objects that are made up of parts that are connected with small hinge systems that allow a more subtle form of movement to occur when the wearer moves his or her body. A more virtual form of movement can be created on a completely static object through the use of materials that reflect light or with the use of lines that create the illusion of movement.

Daisy Pendant by Victoria Walker. An example of kinetic jewellery

Blooming

Blooming.

'Blessings of Love' is the theme of the 2018 PlatAfrica competition and I chose the subordinate theme of 'Spirit of Nature' as the influence of my ring design. My design consists of a hammered texture, domed shank embellished with an arrangement of petals of different sizes to resemble a floral structure which makes up the eye-catching top of the ring. The shank and most of the petals are constructed out of platinum and three of the petals are made up of gold plated sterling silver. Each petal is connected to the shank with a hinge system (consisting of jump rings soldered to the shank) so they are able to gracefully move with the motion of the wearer. This allows my design to metaphorically represent the development of a baby girl into a woman through the growth of a flower from a bud into a blossom. 

During the design and manufacture process, I learned a number of new things that I feel have changed the way that I design. For me, the most significant aspect of my ring was the way that the petals were connected to the shank with a hinge system which brought forth a new notions or titles that I can explore, movement, development, growth. In previous designs, I felt that a static piece would not fully capture the metaphor of development which is why I was led into the exploration of kinetic or movement jewellery. This new concept is essential to me as a designer as I feel that incorporating movement into future designs can lead to exciting new outcomes