Techniques
Keum-Boo
This is one of the main techniques I use in my work. It is an ancient Korean technique and literally translates as ‘attached gold’. It involves the heat bonding of 24ct gold foil (14 microns thick) to silver - a very clean process that doesn’t involve any harsh chemicals. Working just through the purity of metals, heat and pressure a permanent bond is created between the silver and gold.
I use this technique to create delicate patterns on silver backgrounds - in my case jewellery. Below I have added a link to a short video clip I made and added some images to illustrates how this technique works. Click on the film to play and click on the images to enlarge them!
For more information on this technique please also see my Blog 8 which gives further details about Keum-Boo.
This brief video explains the Keum-Boo process, which I use in my work to create delicate gold patterns on silver jewellery.
Kumihimo
Kumihimo is an ancient Japanese braiding techniques. The earliest records of braided cords were found imprinted on pottery. As the braids developed, they became a significant part of samurai armour, holding together the various parts of the armour and today still form an important part of the traditional Japanese attire, where they are used as obijime, a cord worn to prevent the obi from slipping in traditional Kimono dress.
I make my braids in my studio on a traditional Marudai (the braiding loom) and use them in the necklaces and brooches I make. The Marudai was made from wood by Michael Williams in Sheffield according to my specifications. I use between 16-24 tama (bobbins) onto which 6 silk threads are wound. The patterns are then created when I move the tama around the Marudai in certain sequences of movements. Many different patterns are possible and a change in patterns requires attention and patience.
The necklaces are designed in a way that the metal components accentuate and echo the beauty of the silk braids. Click to enlarge the images!
This is a very short video showing how I make the Kumihimo braids in my studio - a few seconds in the long process braiding.
Below are some examples of my work where I have used this technique. Click on the images for more information.
Folding
In my work I often use folding techniques to create interesting shapes. I am intrigued by how the metal can be made to move by scoring lines and folding it, much like origami paper constructions. In fact, this is how I often start, by making numerous paper models to visualise how the metal piece may look in the end.