Echolweyo(Found object)

 

Stitched earrings, sterling silver

Isicholo ring

Isicholo ring, citrine cubic zirconia 

 

Reflect

Sterling silver neckpiece

My designs represent who I am. This is reflected in some ways instinctively; it was not a deliberate thing but rather a manifestation of the science of DNA that I incorporate into my silverwork. My jewelry ideas involve stitching, and I am considering integrating leather into my designs. The stitching can serve as a visual element, acting as an embellishment in each piece of jewelry. I plan to link the function of holding these two cubes with the embellishment that I envision.

The technicalities become the designs, and the designs become technicalities. The stitching serves as both the holding mechanism and embellishment. The technique can transform into a design, and a design can become a technique. I believe the stitching can evolve into a key design element. AI

 

Observe

Bobbin lace necklace

During my observation for the design I intended to create, I came across a jeweler who crafts similar jewelry pieces to mine. Her name is Lauran Sundin. I plan to explore the binding of different shapes, where the technique of binding becomes the stitch itself. This is central to the design, not just an embellishment. It can either be hidden or showcased to reveal how the stitching works. The binding can take on various forms as part of the design. Sundin emphasizes, "Rather than cutting a shape from a piece of metal, she achieves the desired results through building up the form using individual wires and their ability to be structurally sound through twists and turns."

Plan

Sketch

My plan was to set a trillion-cut stone on the neckpiece and explore various stitching techniques. I also intended to create a magnetic catch; however, it unfortunately did not work, so I had to change it to an oval clasp.

Kintsugi pottery

 

Kintsugi pottery

In Japan, there is a traditional repair method known as Kintsugi. It is an ancient Japanese practice of repairing broken pottery with gold. As a metaphor for life, it shows us how to view the broken, painful parts of ourselves and others as an opportunity to add strength, beauty. My jewellery relates to the Kintsugi practice by incorporating stitching as a connection to my life experiences. I use the stitching method as a metaphor for telling my story through jewellery making, adding stitches to bind two objects together. I aim to mend what has been broken into one element, and the patterns created by the wire stitching somehow reflect the interconnectedness of people's lives, known as "uqhagamshelwano." My work embodies "uNyamezelo," symbolizing strength and beauty, as there is a part of me that gains strength when creating my jewellery pieces.

Indlwane (Birds nest)

In the isiXhosa language, there is a saying that goes, "Intak yakha ngoboya benye," meaning a bird builds its nest using feathers from other birds. The problem that I am facing is finding a connection between my work and how it connects with people. A bird connects one strand of grass and forms a nest that is three-dimensional, just as I use a thin wire to shape my jewelry into a three-dimensional form. I obtained images from Ayanda Qwabe to use as a reference, and that alone shows how building a relationship with your surroundings can benefit you as a person. Just like how I want my jewelry to be seen as doing in one's body when wearing it.

Box catch

Box catch

This was my third attempt making a catch for this neckpiece, I am done with it ngoku.

 

Box catch

box catch 

Soldering box catch on the neckpiece 

 

Mechanism

Mechanism

I also had to change the mechanism because it was hard for the piece to open it. 
 

Box catch

catch

I had to change the magnet catch because it was not working properly. I made a box catch for the  neckpiece.
 

Catch

catch 

 All set up but I had to annealing the piece and one of the magnets was no longer working so I had to take of the catch and do another one. 

Catch

Catch

I made a new bigger magnet catch for the neckpiece. 
 

Tunis

 

Hamsa pendant 

Hamsa is a hand of Fatima, this one is made from silver with a carnelian(“Hand of Fatima - Google Search” n.d.). The hand of Fatima is seen as providing protection from the person who wears it(“Hamsa hand meaning Islam - Google Search” n.d.). 

Zulu

 

Isiphandla

Isiphandla is a cultural Zulu wrist band worn for various reasons. It is made from goat or sometimes cow skin. The Zulu bangle is worn to create a connection with the ancestors (Natasha 2022). 

Islam

 

Nazar amulet

A Nazar is an eye shaped amulet from Islamic culture, and this one is made from molten glass, iron, copper, water and salt. It is a handmade bead. In general, the eye is believed by many to protect against the evil eye.

Greek

 

Gold armband

This is a Herakles knot armband made from gold, garnets stones, emeralds, and enamel. According to Pliny “it is an armband that in ancient Greek it was known to cure wounds and thought to have power to turn away evil".

Egyptian

 

Egyptian scarab amulet

A scarab is like a dung beetle, and this bracelet is made from gold, carnelian, lapis lazuli, quartz and turquoise. Scarab amulets were believed to offer a person magical protection against dangers of this world.

Islamic

 

Islamic amulet

This is a traditional Islamic amulet, made from goat leather and grass fibers. It was worn around the neck and sometimes on the arm for protection as part of Mohammed Qur’an are bound inside (Team 2019) .