“Perhaps you know the feeling of bypassing obstacles to reach a goal. “First Step” portrays the idea of breaking a desired goal down into manageable segments. Try stepping into an unfamiliar situation with a positive attitude and embrace the uncertainty.
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In April 2021 Linda nominated Paul Klecka as her successor as President of the board of directors of The American Jewelry Design Council (AJDC). The 2021 theme of the annual project for the AJDC Living Collection was “Badge.” This post sets out to reveal the process involved in a work like this.
Linda MacNeil AJDC Theme Project 2021 - Badge Process
"First Step"
1. The concept. Inevitably involves erasure.
2. Technical Drawing. Dan is drawing the technical drawings for me. These plans and elevations make up the set of instructions I will give Gregore and Jennifer Rabe Morin. I have commissioned them to model the 3D foot.
3. Form. In a kiln, the plate glass block will melt and change shape in a plaster cast. The plaster cast is created by first pouring hot wax into a rubber mold. The hot wax, when cooled, creates the void in the plaster cast used in the kiln.
4. Color. Three color tints and reflective mirror are adhered to the rear surface of the glass using very specific light-resistant adhesive.
5. Pattern. Different surface patterns are carefully drawn and tested.
6. Stencil. The blue linear pattern is a stencil material adhered carefully to the front surface of the glass.
7. Sandblasting. The piece is then sandblasted. When the stencil is removed the pattern has been etched on to the surface of the glass.
8. 3D Modeling. Meanwhile in Santa Barbara, CA, jeweler Gregore Morin has refined a 3D model CAD drawing and has created the foot in wax for casting.
9. There’s one more thing to add… the three hoop ankle bracelets. This is the drawing with specifications are interpreted in CAD, blue sapphire stones and gold are completed by Gregore Morin. The specifications for the Sapphire settings are sent to be made.