METAMORPHOSIS 16: INTRO

Volunteer: Mavra G.

Profession: Graphic Designer/Stay at home mom

Likes: Neutrals (except brown), amethyst, greens, liked Metamorphosis 8,9, and 10

Dislikes: Amber, tribal-inspired, doesn't care too much for stones, heavy earrings

Sometimes it's the people you know that are the hardest to make jewellery for! I know Mavra's style but I have no idea what to make her. I see this being a last minute Metamorphosis. I'll procrastinate. Then last minute come up with a design, that even more last minute, I don't like anymore or that breaks.

On the plus side, she said she'd like to aquire something a little fancier than normal. So, off I go to Pinterest to do some fancy research!

METAMORPHOSIS 15: REVEAL

Multi-gem cuff

I knew I wanted to make Aleksandra a cuff from the moment she left my office. I had originally wanted to make a reptile-esque pattern on the cuff but in order to successfully do that, I would have needed to make a wax model which I didn't have time for. I tried carving that pattern into the metal but it looked terrible so I had to start the cuff over. I opted for a simpler pattern which actually highlights the stones better.

I'm always stressed about metamorphosis jewellery but this one was extra stressful. Once it was done, I couldn't decide if it was actually vintage-looking/vogue-ish. Also, she prefers white gold but I was drawn to making this cuff in yellow. Lastly, combining stones can be a personal thing so I hoped she would be into the purple and blue combination. Thankfully, it was a success and she liked it!

METAMORPHOSIS 15: INTRO

Volunteer: Aleksandra T.

Profession: Teacher

Likes: Blues, greens, purples, vintage jewellery, hearts, bangles, beach-themed, flowers, liked Metamorphosis 7 & 8 (July and August)

Dislikes: geometric patterns, brooches, hammered metal, opals, alternate birthstones

According to Aleksandra, her friends call her style "old lady chic". As we were talking, I kept thinking to myself, "Vogue": which is essentially old lady chic/Anna Wintour. So, what do I make her? Everything she gave me is gold, predominantly yellow gold. She prefers white gold....but I think I might take a risk and make her something in yellow gold...

METAMORPHOSIS 13

Three bangles cut from one

Lindsay mentioned that her mum and sister's birthday's were coming up in February so it would be cool if I could possibly make something for the three of them. I thought, why not?! I'm a sucker for sentimental gifts!

Lindsay describes her mum's style as classic, her sister as trendy, and herself as casual. Bangles are good for all styles. A bangle is classic, the hammered look is trendy, and the waves are casual.

I cut the bangles from the same piece of silver as you'll see in the photos below. Figuring out how they fit together is kind of like a rubik's cube. And once you figure it out, you'll notice they don't fit together perfectly. This is because as I cut and filed down sharp edges, some waves no longer fit the mother wave. At first I was annoyed by this but then a sentimental light bulb went off: Lindsay and her sister are cut from the same cloth as their mum but they aren't the same. So it actually makes sense that the bangles don't fit perfectly together.

METAMORPHOSIS: NOVEMBER REVEAL

Steampunk Statement Necklace

The first thing that came to mind when Angela said she was a dirt bike racer and a can can dancer was steampunk.

I originally wanted to make her a brooch to wear when she dances, but then she told she doesn't like brooches. Then I decided to make her a smaller pendant on a long chain. However, the design I had in mind didn't work with a long chain. After deciding to make a shorter statement necklace, I played around with the idea of adding stones, different chains, etc.

Angela loves dirt bike racing but I was worried that maybe I took that too literally when I designed her metamorphosis jewellery. Luckily for me, she loved it!

METAMORPHOSIS 2016

Metamorphosis is happening again!

For those who don't know, Metamorphosis is a jewellery project where I convert people's old jewellery into something new.

I will open the application for participants next Monday, November 23 at 9am. I will accept participants until all 12 spots are full and then I will start a five person waitlist. Until then, I recommend anyone interested read over the contract details as they've changed for 2016 based on my experience and feedback from 2015.

You are eligible to participate in Metamorphosis if you live in the lower mainland, are a referral, and have silver and gold jewellery to repurpose.

The biggest change for 2016 is that I will collecting a $50 fee. I've added this for a couple of reasons. My time and labour are volunteered to you, but the fee goes to cover tools and extra materials. In 2015, I incurred costs for each metamorphosis project, from supplying materials, to broken tools, to use of other shop supplies. This deposit will ensure that this creative experiment can continue.

If you have any questions beforehand, you can email me at alicia@aagoldsmith.com. I will not confirm spots until Monday, November 23.

AGREEMENT DETAILS

Your metamorphosis jewellery will take up to eight weeks, from orientation meeting to jewellery reveal.  Our orientation meeting needs to be at least two weeks before the month you are scheduled to participate.

The $50 fee (cash or cheque) must be paid at our orientation meeting. The meeting will be held at my shop where I can test your materials on the spot, immediately returning to you what can't be used. Jewellery must be silver or gold.

At the end of our orientation meeting, I will email or text you a photo of the jewellery you are leaving with me for this project.

I will post the photo of your old jewellery and the making of your new jewellery on my social media (journal, Instagram, etc). I will also feature your first name and a brief description of why I chose to make you what I made you. I will exclude any personal details you have asked me not to share.

You leave your items with me at your own risk. I will return any unused materials when you come to pick up your jewellery.

METAMORPHOSIS: SEPTEMBER REVEAL

Family ring

I originally thought I was going to make Debbie a cuff. A family cuff to be precise, with engraving and birthstones. She likes sentimental jewellery so I figured this would be the way to go.

One day I was standing under the giant dogwood in my backyard wondering if the dead hollow branch would make it through another windstorm. As I looked under the tree I remembered how much I like looking under trees, seeing the different patterns made by branches and leaves, etc. Then it dawned on me that Debbie LOVES trees so it would be cool if I could recreate that pattern on the cuff and set the birthstones in the little holes.

I opted for a ring over a cuff for a few reasons. First, I would have to make a large wax model which can sometimes be problematic when being casted. Second, I wasn’t sure if I would have enough materials for a cuff, even though she gave me a ton of stuff. Third, Debbie gave me a lot of rings which made me think this project had depleted her ring collection.

To make the ring, I made the wax, had it casted, finished the casting, decided where to layout the stones, made the settings, set the stones, polished the ring, then added the pearl last (as it had to be glued in).

I love this ring. It want one! Most importantly, she loves it which is fantastic!

METAMORPHOSIS: SEPTEMBER INTRO

Volunteer: Debbie C.

Profession: HR Specialist

Likes: Earth tones, trees, jewellery she can wear all the time, jewellery she can pass down to her kids

Dislikes: Yellow, purple, delicate jewellery

Debbie has been one of my biggest supporters since I started my goldsmithing adventures. She’s ordered various pieces from me over the years so I’m delighted to have her as one of my metamorphosis volunteers.

I’m not quite sure what I’m going to make her. I’ll have to rummage through her jewellery to see what speaks to me. Here we go!