Layout with Silver Art Clay - Dragon ChaosObjective:
To design, fabricate and finish three pieces, similar in theme,
to the standards set out for the certification as a Senior Instructor.
Theme Choice
The choice was based on the following Criteria
1) Display
the versatility of the different types of the product
2) Display the
artistic functionality of the product
3) Display my ability to successfully
incorporate the various products to produce a set of jewelry indicative of my
personality.
The ultimate choice for me was a Dragon theme for many reasons, amongst them being the fact that I am leaving South Africa and will possibly never see the Drakensberg again. The ‘Berg has always been an important part of my life, and even my Landcruiser was nicknamed Dragon. (Old, Big, Rugged and Smoked occasionally)
My Dragons have been based on the beautiful and inspiring Green Iguana.
Although called “Green Iguana” these amazing creatures come in any number of glorious colors. My favorite being the flame color, one of which resides across the road form where I work. Predictably, this creature is named “Iggy”. Iggy sometimes goes on a walkabout, and this is how I got a real close look at him, and he just blew me away. The beards, their strange long-toed feet, and the strange movement as they run along the ground with their feet lifted high, those magnificent spikes that run down the length of their spine. What more inspiration does one need?
My pieces are entitled “Chaos”
Each Piece has an “Egg” in which there is a “Hidden Ball”. Each egg has a Dragon protecting it
The eggs have taken various appearances, just to add variety, and help conform to the standards required. All have been created in the same way with a solid silver ball of clay being fired and then wrapped in Cork Clay. Around the cork clay the “Eggs” have been molded using Clay, and adorned.
And finally the various Dragons all have specific features, also to allow conformation to the standards required.
The Dragon-let Brooch
The “egg” has been laid on a half solid, half syringed, leaf shaped bed. The dragon-let is clearly newly hatched and does not have all the characteristics of the parent. It is slightly camouflaged with its small array of spikes of syringe work and scaly skin made from silver flakes, all gently colored to blend with the leaf. The
The Dragon Ring.
This small carving of a dragoness, protecting her little egg with her strange long toed feet, has been created out of a solid rolled clay band, with syringe details for the spikes and a hollow “Egg” with its hidden silver ball. The little eyes have been set flush in the silver clay and then small Cubic Zircons have been used to highlight the neck area. The body and tail of clay form the continuous
The Dragon “Chaos” Necklace Pendant
This dragon was made from Cork clay and then covered with silver clay, placed on the “Egg” and carefully finished to fit on the “Egg”. The one side of the “Egg” is mirror finished, whilst the opposite side is made up of a “mesh finish” detail, using a gauze base, and then covered with paste. This has been bordered with syringe squiggles for effect and definition.
Hidden next to the Dragons body is one Silver eye pin, set off centre, and a second one at the opposite side, from which hangs a piece of the Dragon “Jewels”. It is a small pear shaped silver pendant, with a semi precious stone set in silver bezel wire, with a small fringe of syringed Spikes, the back being mirror finished.
I hope you enjoy my work!
Jennifer
