Tying Up Loose Ends

Well... I am done... I finished my 6th and final year of college. If someone would have told teenage me that I would eventually have a design degree, I would probably be confused. What's funny is that if you told an even younger version of myself that I'd become an artist, I would probably respond with a confident "I know." I think I ended up exactly where I was supposed to, it just took me a few major changes to realize what was there all along.

I have to submit sketches to blackboard today and have a final discussion on my independent study, but other than that I am prepared to walk on Saturday. It will be bittersweet to pack up my bench in the next few days.

I feel very blessed to have had the experiences and the memories I've had. We've been a bit nostalgic in the studio the last week... remembering silly moments like asking Iris to pick up a bag a chips from the store only for her to return with 3 huge bags because they were on sale. We all happily ate salt and vinegar chips that entire night. Or falling asleep in the SIAM room and being woken up by the Furniture guys yelling "RACHEL WAKE UP! WERE MAKING OATMEAL"  These moments are just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many more that I will keep with me. We've all shared so much. Ideas, new findings, laughter, tears, and lots of food!!

Here's to a journey. May we continue to find joy in our day to day lives. Thank you for everything.

-Rachel

Production Fun

Having some fun with mixed media and color! My production project has been a fun way for me to explore jewelry in a more light hearted way. Cannot wait to have everything done!!!!

Saying Goodbye

Slowly, I'm finishing projects and finals. Leaving these rooms seem more bittersweet than usual this semester because there's a part of me that recognizes how slim the chances of me returning are. I'm starting to questioning if I'll even continue designing after this... It's impossible to know what life has in store for us. I have only one class left to finish work for at this point and I am fully prepared to stay on campus until Wednesday...

Unusual Stone Setting

Just a little bit of inspiration for the day. I keep thinking about this odd stone setting I saw the other day. It seems horribly impractical... which is an interesting choice (especially) for an engagement ring.

Confessions

I should confess that I've barely worked on any jewelry this week. I have so many projects to do and I need to just focus on one thing at a time or I'm not going to get anything done. Slowly but surely I am knocking projects off of the list though and that alone is a weight off my shoulders. This morning, I finished a paper on a dance performance I had to see on Friday and I'm more than halfway finished with weaving my final scarf for Fibers. My plan for today is to finish weaving chain for a few projects and to start my PowerPoint presentation for jewelry. Once that's done i'll be moving in a good direction!

-Just keep swimming

Finished

Finished this piece today! Reflecting back on my first day of work... When I first started this cuff it seemed like a really big project this multiple stone settings. My bezel settings aren't perfect but I'm proud of myself for beginning to learn so many different stone setting techniques this semester!

Project #2

Almost finished with my second project of the semester. It will definitely be finished tomorrow and I look forward to moving on to the third and final project. Hopefully things go smoothly. I cannot believe we only have about two weeks left...

Gravers

Working on making graver for our next stone setting demo. End of the semester here we come... (ready or not)

Bloodstones

Bloodstones are said to allow their wearer to capture the power of the rain in order to heal ones sorrows-

After reading this statement I immediately thought about woven nets or chains that are used to capture rain for drinking water. I'm inspired to combine these two concepts together as I continue in my journey to find healing in art and jewelry.

Back at it

Ive been weaving over spring break. I had to pay for college tuition this semester since  I ran out of loans and it has counted for every penny to my name. After borrowing a little money from my dad I was able to get wire and I've been happily weaving. It's a welcomed distraction from the approaching deadline for tuition. Just keep weaving (:

Daily Inspiration

I took a little stroll down memory lane last week with one of my very best friends that I grew up with. We've both been feeling a little overwhelmed lately so we decided to take a walk to a familiar place that once was one of our favorite places. We spent many hours under this bridge, swimming in the creek on the other side of this wall. This painting was a friendly reminder of peace to us since we both keep a small hamsa token with us in our daily lives. Sometimes inspirations are found in unlikely places, we just have to remind ourselves to slow down and notice them.

Design Student Exhibition

Last night was the Design Student Exhibition at Buffalo State College. I am honored to have been apart of this show. I am always so proud to show off the work of my fellow classmates. How blessed I am to know them and to watch their talents develop. It is bittersweet to think that this may be my last show at Buffalo State. Thank you to all those who have supported (and not supported) me on this journey for without these people I would not have had the drive to push forward through difficult times. I can't imagine who I would be today had I not taken "Intro to Jewelry" as an elective while pursuing a degree in Spanish.

Brooches

I've been looking at the history behind brooches the last few weeks. I don't know what we ever did without Pinterest honestly...

Ive been particularly interested in Celtic cloak pins. There's something really beautiful about their simple mechanics.

Here's a few of my favorites...

Spring 2017

New year, new semester. Also my LAST semester. That's pretty wild...

Well with the beginning of every semester comes lots of day dreaming and planning.

I'm thinking about themes in Healing Stones, the folklore behind different stones and then the relationship between that and the placement on the body. I'm also working a theme in Eastern European Folk Art. This is a theme that feels sort of close to home for me, because I grew up surrounded by Eastern European culture with both Polish and Hungarian families. I look forward to taking an art style as unique as folk art and updating it to the 21st century.

Just a little fashion inspiration...