Summer project - What's happening next...

Well, the first part of my summer project was to study crystals and minerals - this involves looking at the colour, form, surface and any interesting textures they have. The next element of my project involves looking at computers (yes, I know... A pretty big jump from crystals to computers, but there is a perfectly good explanation for this!) - I want to draw the exterior of the parts I have collected together but what I am most interested in is the parts within. I want to study the motherboard pieces, chips and other bits and bobs inside because they have a connection to crystals and minerals...

A few weeks back I bought a book from The Works book shop called 'The essential crystal handbook' by Simon and Sue Lilly - this was to help me have a better understanding of what crystals are, what they are made up of and so on.
Interestingly enough, it has a little section at the beginning of the book which explains how crystals and minerals are not only used for spiritual purposes, but also for modern, scientific purposes.
For example: Did you know that Quartz crystal is used in wristwatches? Or Sapphire is used for the space shuttle windows? Fascinating right?
Absolutely amazed by the uses of crystals, I decided to investigate what else was made from them...
I searched all over Google and soon discovered that most electronics are made from them - everything from mobile phones to computers.
For the project I wanted to look at atleast one electrical everyday object that I could study in depth, and take apart, then study some more. I thought that choosing a computer to study would be an excellent choice as it is a common object that everyone can easily recognise.
During my search I stumbled upon a document which listed every crystal/mineral used in typical computers. So yeah, my research is going pretty well so far.

I just can't wait to take apart all the computer parts I have been given from some very kind and awesome people that I know - thanks guys!

My collection of train tickets

Over the past year/ year and a half, I have been collecting near enough every train ticket I have ever purchased! Some were taken away by the machines and tickets officers but still, I manage to have nearly 200 tickets! (I must say though, if I do have a ticket taken from me... it does get to me because that ticket symbolises time I spent, a journey I took, a small significant memory)

I was thinking of collecting all of train tickets that I get during the 2/3 years I will be spending at university and then create a piece of art work with them all as a symbolisation of what length I went to learn, become a more individual and confident person.
I haven't finished university yet (still 2 years to go) but this is what I hope to achieve at the end of all of this.

Card making day

Yes, I've been making more cards... But for a purpose. They won't be sitting in a draw or anything. The two square-shaped accordian cards are for another christening (27/05/2012) - For Riley and Millie, son and daughter of my aunt.

The other two cards will be for other occasions, birthdays, Valentines day... Who knows yet. The main thing is that they will be used and I'm sure whoever recieves them will appreciate them.

 

Start of the first project of the 2nd year

I sort of have an idea of what my theme is going to be but it is probably going to have a twist to it - I'm  not going to say too much yet. All I know so far is that the project is going to start off looking the formation of crystals and minerals. I chose to look at these because I have a strong passion for them - I even have a collection of them!

Today I visited a rock shop called 'Dragon's lair' which is located in the Guild Hall in Derby, to buy some crystals to start drawing. I went a bit crazy and bought quite a few things, but hey ho, more for my growing collection. Here a some photos of them...

Deconstruction/Reconstruction project

My last project of the first year came to an end just over a week ago and now I'm starting to get ready for the first project of the second year. Still contemplating about what to do though... I have a rough idea though.
Anyway, I just wanted to post what I made as final pieces for the 'Deconstruction/Reconstruction' project because I am so pleased with the outcome and it has made me want to pursue my interest of metal.

The design of my final pieces came from looking at the qualities of both the iron and jeans - which I studied before and after deconstruction - I focused on these qualities and carried them through to the fabric iron I made.
I noticed similiar qualities (circular shapes) on both of the objects and channeled this throughout my work. There were also particular parts of the objects that I liked as well.

Anyway, this is what came out of all the research and hard work...

Christening Card

Yesterday afternoon (19/05/2012) I decided to make a Christening card for a very young member of my growing family.
I'm not a religious person but I felt it would be nice to 'participate' in this important event.
I spent all afternoon trying my very best to make it look 'perfect' - this involved trying out different patterns, colours, styles... Trust me, the office was a right mess.
In the end I decided to use pinky colours against white (seeing as the baby being christened was a girl and white usually symbolises purity or cleanliness)

I'm actually quite pleased with myself as the card looks really pretty and stylish... I'm hoping that mother and baby like the card. Wishing all the best for Taylor-Grace.

Start a new...

I have only just returned to Blogger after a very very VERY long time!

I haven't kept things up to date have I now? You know... A big jump from early 2011 to now, almost half way through 2012!

Well, shortly I want to redo all of my page - do it all up (so its all pretty) and update it with everything I have been doing at university and what I get up to in my own time.

I'll be back soon!