Crossing disciplines

Pictured above is a Brummel Hook, a connecting device originally used in the marine industry.  At left is Cutlers Rivet, used in the making of knives.  While neither was intended as a jewellery component, they both have migrated into this industry.  I love learning about things like this!  It's such a valid reminder of how knowledge can cross disciplines and add variety and value to the final product.  The brummel hook was introduced to me by Don Stuart at the workshops and artist talk he gave this week at the Anna Templeton Centre.  I learned about the cutlers rivet on a DVD by Tim McCreight.  I find that whatever discipline is currently absorbing my creativity, I'm always looking for ways of integrating other interesting techniques into that creative process.

Last weekend I attended the Anna Templeton Centre's annual Craft Retreat.  This wonderful event offers an eclectic range of workshops, this year at the beautiful Brother Brennan Environmental Centre.  This year the workshops I took were spinning, tatting, and an iris fabric folding technique that resulted in a greeting card.  Spinning I took just for a bit of practice.  Tatting I'd thought might lend itself to interesting jewellery using fiber, but wow, that is a VERY tedious technique, it would take a lifetime to make a necklace or anything substantial.  The iris folding technique (referring to the iris of a camera lens, not the flower) lends itself to many possibilities, multiple irises, off-center irises, etc.  It would be interesting to apply to metal, but the issue of bulk would have to be addressed somehow, even with the fabric, the puffiness accumulates.

New design ideas are everywhere, they sometimes just need a little translation to be applied to jewellery.  I find it helps me from getting stuck in a rut to look for these possibilities.  And it's so fun to keep learning new things - no matter the material.