Work in Progress

Below, a little insight into what goes on behind the scenes of a jeweller's workbench.

I have a new commission.  And before I even dare to cut into any precious metal I have to plan and plan and sketch and think and make models and think some more and email images and pictures and musings to the client and draw and think some more.

These things don't just pop out ready formed you know!

Emerald Pools, design development, sketches and models, Jan-Feb 2013, Cari-Jane Hakes

To investigate the theory of a tube set stone resting on a concave surface I had to test it out, properly, with metal.  Paper and card are quick and easy and are great for assessing form and scale but when it comes to the nuts and bolts of actually creating the piece I always have to explore the design in metal.

These test 'pools' were made with copper and brass (although the little spheres are actually silver).  Sometimes I just need to see the potential beauty of the piece rendered in solid metal.  I need to go through the motions of cutting, forming, soldering and polishing to really see the design.

testing, testing, 1, 2, 3

Elsewhere, this haiku stopped me in my tracks.  Goodness, how beautiful is that?  It makes me wonder anew at the power of words and their ability to conjure and weave a whole landscape of images within our minds eye.

Source: elikleppe.co.uk via Cari-Jane on Pinterest

You can find out more about this artist by clicking here.

And finally, busy busy things are going on with 'the shoe'.  Here is a little film that was shot whilst images for the latest Look Book were being taken.  A cold cold day in lovely London town - you wouldn't know it from the way the models managed to carry themselves.  True professionals.  A big thank you to everyone who worked so hard on the day.


hakes .mov from The Herd Represented on Vimeo.