Finding my way

A few months ago when I started Rebejoo (yup, it really is that young) I was advised by this splendid person to stick to my own style/designs and not get side-tracked into changing to try to be more 'saleable' but not-what-I-am. At the time I blithely said 'yeahhhhh, no problem' but in reality it's a bit trickier than that. If I didn't want to sell anything, then it wouldn't be an issue, but as I am going pro, at least as a sideline (who knows beyond that) there is a temptation to try to follow what sells. This is to be resisted. I have an ethos and shall follow it, and to be honest there's little point (either creatively or financially) in trying to compete with mass-produced imported tat. Instead, I'm sticking to the use of re-used/recycled materials (apart from parts such as ear-ring hooks that have to be clean and new) and only ever making one-offs...

One of my 'knot' pendants.

...and that's where one of the temptations comes in. If a piece is popular, I could make several and they might well sell, but that's not my ethos. It would also weaken one of my key selling-points i.e. that every item is unique. Instead (and this goes back to that sage advice I mentioned), I stick to what I like making (if I like it, so will others) and let the designs come naturally. If I try to force it, guess what, it doesn't work - I just end up with a bit of heated and hammered metal (not unlike what happens if I try to paint when not in the mood - splodge). So far, this has developed into three main styles - 'knots' like the one above (maybe it's a key to an undiscovered door...), 'twinklies' like the ear-rings below and the 'others' below that which are the more industrial and steampunky items at the more complex end of what I make. Enjoy!

Twinkly crystal ear-rings!

Glorious steampunk pendant-ness.

It's a heart, but not as you know it!

Box of Mysterious Metal Goodness

Those that know me are well aware that I welcome donations of usable bits and pieces, especially metals, and especially things such as small cogs and gears - and that those who provide me with materials will at some point karmically receive a piece of Rebejoo shininess in return. So, when I was given a mysterious box (with a 'Do Not Open' label no less), what could I do but look inside?

Yeah, right

Ooh, look, a thing - let's get it out of the box.

Yup, definitely a thing - it's got a dial and a plunger bit and it's most certainly broken. I like it. What is it?

According to James who donated the spiffy item, it's a 'Z-axis setter' i.e. a gauge for setting up a lathe/mill and it had lost an argument with a large drillbit. From my POV, if it's got a dial, it'll have gears and the like, so time to break out the tools and dissect it...

The insides of the thing.

Well, that was fun - I now have some little brassy cogs, a spring, various tiny bits of indeterminate function, some dial-faces and some rather nicely machined bits of steel. Hmmm.... what to make with them? Well, I'm looking at working towards brooches etc with moving parts (i.e. cogs you can turn, that kind of thing) and eventually automata (yup, I'm feeling ambitious). However, before I do that, I did promise to make something for James - well actually his girlfriend Charlotte as he doesn't wear jewellery...

A pendant made out of some of my exisiting jewellery parts plus some bits of the thing.

It's quite dainty and shiny (I did enquire and chunky jewellery is a no-go) so hopefully it'll be luvved and worn. That did leave me with some other bits and a twitchy hammer-arm...

Steampunky pendant goodness!

Yup, back in the steampunk zone for this one - and the first step towards the moving jewellery I mentioned. Although you can't tell from the photo, the pendant has pivot-points hidden behind the cogs so it can be compressed or extended, while the springs bring it back to shape when released. Oh yes. I hope to work on more of these - this one is however staying with me and my steampunk outfit :) More soon...