One-a-Week Three: The Challenge

Annie asked me if I’d like to come up with the challenge for this week, so here goes:

In season 1, episode two, the designers had to create a cotton dress that expressed the idea of ‘envy.” Since we’re in the blogosphere here, we’re wrestling with words as well as images here, so this seemed like a good type of challenge for us. I’d thought about replacing ‘envy’ with one of the other Seven Deadly Sins, you know, ‘lust’ or ‘greed,’ perhaps. But those seem a bit negative, and since it still keeps snowing here, I need something a little more uplifting. So here it is:

Make a piece of jewelry (or any other creative item) which expresses the idea of either ‘growth’ or ‘decay’ (for those less daunted by the ‘negative’).

You know those PR episodes where they give the designers one challenge, and then halfway through their allotted time, they spring an additional requirement on them, usually a second, related garment?

In that spirit, but making it completely optional and without the element of a last-minute surprise….Here’s a BONUS CHALLENGE:

Make two pieces which would be worn, sold or packaged together as a set, one of which expresses ‘growth’ and one of which expresses ‘decay.’

O.K., that’s it! I’ll probably post early in the week with a brainstorming session, in the hopes that I can a) narrow down my focus a little earlier this week, and b) perhaps prod some new folks to join in.

Is anyone thinking about taking on the challenge?

One-a-Week Two: Wrap-up

For the full play by play, there are more complete notes over at Flickr in the Week Two photoset. Click on thumbnails below, or if you just want the overview check out the slideshow.

In summation:

Photos taken: 96

Materials used:

• paper
• shrink plastic
• inkjet ink
• matte fixative
• waxed linen
• sterling silver jumpring/hook & eye clasp
• silk cord

Tools used:

• digital camera
• computer/Photoshop/printer
• sketchbook/pencils/eraser
• embroidery scissors
• oven/sheet pan/oven mitt/parchment paper
• steel bench block

Why not just scan the photo, instead of taking all the time to do the drawing?:

Well, there are some notes here and here. But mostly, because photography is primarily a tool for me right now. I’m not practiced enough to feel like I can be creative with it. Whereas with drawing, I’m hoping to convey something of the action and process. What happens in the brain as your eye follows along the lines and details of an object with enough attention to render it on the paper. A visual meditation. Am I actually getting that idea across? Who knows. But I’m really enjoying the process.

What about Plan B?: Well, yet again I had a second idea that just wasn’t happening. I need to either start the physical work or commit to one idea earlier in the week. I want to be able to refine the final piece more. There will always be ideas that don’t get tried today.

Things I did poorly:

• unreasonable expectations of how much time the final steps would take
• no clue as to how much time drawing something really takes
• ended up with only two hours to produce final product
• went one hour over deadline
• bail and cord were not naturally integrated into the pendant

Things I think I did well:

• took a lot of photos
• generated more jewelry ideas from photos than I expected to while I was on the walk
• didn’t agonize too much over sorting out the final photo
• buckled down to focus on the final idea with twice as much time remaining as last week
• predicted well how material would work for the idea
• embraced simplicity
• accepted that there wasn’t enough time to attach the cord differently
• used materials and tools that were already on hand
• tried an idea that had been rolling around in my head for a while
• got inspired about a lot of other possibilities

Evaluation of final piece:

• wearable?: yes, better than I’d expected
• durable?: yes, reasonably so
• visual appeal?: I’m pretty happy with it. I’d have liked more time for details, both drawn and cut out.
• concept? It came together as I intended. Whether or not the drawing aspect comes across or not, I don’t know.
• use of inspirational photo?: yes, though perhaps almost too literally

Is anyone else tempted to join in for next week’s challenge?

Stay tuned….details to follow.

For more on the challenge, see this weeks photoset
or all the One-a-Week Two posts here

One-a-Week Two: the model shot

One-a-Week Two: model shot, originally uploaded by kaitschott.

This actually wears better than I expected. I was worried that the loop of the silk cord would make the top of the pendant stick out funny. But it doesn’t, it lies flat on the chest and hangs nicely.

Sometimes last minute improvisations work out better than one expects.

Wrap up to follow here shortly.

For more on the challenge, see this weeks photoset
or all the One-a-Week Two posts here.