Buckle UP! your pants.

     This week at Smith Shop we finished up our order of copper belt buckles for Detroit Denim Co. The process of making these was tricky with the use of our own interpretation of machining. We used a low speed drill press to do some knurling, the criss cross pattern seen on each side of the buckle, as well as some filed groove marks. It was an experience of trial and error along with discoveries and prevailing overall. Check out Detroit Denim, USA materials, handmade in Detroit. http://detroitdenim.us

Makers be Makin'

     Working at the Smith Shop brings something different everyday. This week was our final class of the six week Beginning Jewelry course. Our students each made a cuff, ring, and project of their choice. It was very exciting to see each student progress with every stoke of the saw. There is so much to teach and so much to learn, next session is sure to bring some great pieces of metalwork! Some classes coming up in the summer course schedule include Intermediate Jewelry, Stone Setting, Power Coating, Copper Box Making, Intro to Forging to name just a few. Check out www.smithshopdetroit.com as well as our Facebook page- https://www.facebook.com/smithshopdetroit

Metal Inspiration

      Coming home to Milwaukee WI is always a welcoming experience full of anticipation and that good feeling you have when you are home. On my latest journey home I was walking down Wisconsin Ave. from the bus stop and found some iron work inspiration around the Northern Trust Bank. This building was built in 1906 and designed by architect David Uihlein Jr. who's grandfather was the co-founder of Allen- Bradley company, the name brand of Rockwell Automation. Uihlein's father David Sr. was the heir to Schlitz Brewing Co. once the largest producer of beer in the world. There is so much history to discover all around, all you have to do is take a closer look. Other Milwaukee inspirations include Milwaukee War Memorial Center, Milwaukee Art Museum, Discovery World, the Neptune Gate at Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum, and local ironwork on a neighborhood historic home. I can not wait until my next adventure around Milwaukee.

Getting Down in Detroit

I am currently living in Detroit, MI and working with two great artists named Amy Weiks and Gabriel Craig. They own Smith Shop in Corktown, Detroit. SmithShop is a metalworking and making space part of Pony Ride a collaborative, low rent, creative space where inventive individuals can take their business ideas and make them a reality. This is a great atmosphere to work in and be a part of. Check of the smithshopdetroit.com website and see what classes and other activities and opportunities are being held here.

Biotechnology and The Hand

I made the following pieces for my undergrad BFA thesis show. My artist statement below describes the relationship between the body and the wearer and how these braces came into exisitance. 

3dimensional renderings of joint specific braces made on the computer.

Final fitting and documentation.

These thumb braces have number keys that correspond to each finger brace and joint location.

This brace was created to keep Josh's joints and fingers in a specific position to help him with writing and painting.

In this body of work I am focused on alleviating body restrictions, such as limited hand function, for a personalized fit to Josh Huyck who has Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. With this degenerative disease, Josh is losing everyday hand function due to the deformation of collagen surrounding the joints in his fingers. These finger braces were created using a 3d computer-aided design (CAD) program, and were modeled specifically from Josh’s hands. These prosthetic braces allow him to hold each finger in a position that prevents hyperextension and flexing. Working in this method has enhanced the ability to produce these braces. This allows me to change, manipulate, and retain information that will benefit an individual with this condition while creating a unique work of art that challenges traditional craft discourse. If you have any questions 

Enameling!

I know I haven't been around in a while but I just wanted to update everyone on what I have been doing these past four months. I started to enamel and I find it very exciting to use a medium with such complexities that challenge me to experiment and endure the different aspects of enamel that may restrictions. I work around these restrictions to create a project that is based on the human life cycle. From beginning, to growth and flourishing, and to decay and death. My use of foundation white enamel, soft fusing transparent enamel, and burnout is how I achieved these different stages of the human life cycle in jewelry form.

Interesting Design Ideas

Check out this website, modern designs for furniture, simple and effective! http://www.sixdifferentways.com/?m=200905