Submissions Invited: JSN Exhibition – Message: Beyond Adornment

The Farnham based Jewellers and Silversmiths Network (JSN) have challenged themselves to design, make and exhibit a collection of works in response to the theme of:     

“Message: Beyond Adornment”

The members of the JSN will be exploring creative boundaries and interpreting the theme in its broadest sense developing ideas including environmental, philosophical, social and personal in a variety of media.

The exhibition will run from 27^th April 2014 – 7^th June 2014 at The New Ashgate Gallery, Waggon Yard, Farnham, Surrey GU9 7PS

 THE JSN NEEDS YOU TO PARTICIPATE

One of the displays will be a collection of work sent in by anyone who would like to join in be they professional, or amateur, young or old. It will look at how we can try to take control of images of ourselves, a topical theme given the prevalence of social media sites and the speed with which our image can be spread across the internet

JSN Member Poppy Porter says;  “ we are keen to involve as wide an audience as possible with this exhibition and engage with people beyond a passive viewing experience. Get involved make a necklace.”

THE BRIEF: Design and make a piece of reversible neck-wear that says “I Agree” on one side and “I Disagree” on the other.  This allows the wearer to physically attempt to send a message about whether they want their photo taken or not.  “I Agree” and “I Disagree” is the terminology commonly used in computer software user agreements.  You can use any materials you like in any style. There is only one proviso – it is a swap, you will not get your own necklace back but you will get someone else’s. Do not use precious materials unless you are willing to give them away – if you make a necklace out of diamonds be aware you may get one back made out of wool.

Submissions must be received by April 18^th 2014

Send to :  Rebecca Skeels, Jewellery and Metalwork, University for the Creative Arts, Falkner Road, Farnham, Surrey GU9 7DS

Including an SAE with postage to cover the return of a necklace.

JSN Member Dani Crompton working on her piece for Message: Beyond Adornment

Workshop Notes Available On Our Drop

Firstly a big thank you to all those who worked so hard to make the Material Connections Symposium a success.  Thank you also to everyone who came!  We have had so many lovely comments from everyone who seemed to have a really great and inspiring day.  So everyone can continue to benefit we have posted workshop and presentation notes up on our Drop (file sharing site) for us all to download and use.  Please be aware that these notes are for personal use only and are copyright to the authors so get permission if you want to copy them.  Here is the link to the notes – enjoy!

Pin Swap for Networking at the Symposium

For all those attending the Material Connections Symposium on 10th September and all those yet to get their ticket we have a great method of getting to know people at the Symposium and getting a bit of easy networking done.  Bring along a pin you have made (maximum value £5) hand it in on registration in exchange for for a Pin Swap Ticket. Then later in the day participate in the Pin Swap Lucky Dip where those who have brought a pin along get to try their luck in the tub and then the fun begins as you find the person who made the pin you picked and who has picked out the pin you made.  Great fun and a really effective ice breaker!

Symposium Time-Table Announced

We are pleased to be able to announce that the time-table for the Material Connections Symposium is now available and it proves to be an informative and inspirational day for all attending. Click here for full details: Material Connections Symposium Timetable – 10/09/10

Three Days Left to Get a Cheaper Symposium Ticket

Tickets are £24 (£16 NUS) before 31st July and £30 (£20 NUS) after 31st July and are available from the Farnham Maltings Box Office. 01252 745 444

Interested? Join our Mailing List

We have recently added a sign-up form for our mailing list to the blog – take a look under the contact tab – we will be sending out emails in the run up to our Material Connections Symposium to keep you up to date on the time-table and features for the day.  Whether you have bought a ticket or not this is an ideal way to keep in touch easily.  It is also a great way to keep in touch in the future so we can let you know if there are any events we are planning or you are thinking of becoming a member.

San Francisco – Day 2

Half the team got up early and enjoyed the lovely muffins Shana had made for us, then went off to the shop while the other half got up and got ready for our first full day in San Francisco.  We then all had breakfast number two before heading off down Market street to Fisherman’s Wharf, catching a trolley bus all the way round the water front to Pier 39.  Pier 39 is a very touristy place with some interesting tack, lots of bustle, some fabulous views and a lots of seals.

Mmmmmm...Chocolate and Strawberries at the Market

Seals at the pier

After the classic lunch of soup in a sour dough bread casing we strolled round the water front a little further to go up the hill to the most crooked street, stopping off at the cannery for an ice cream. As the cable cars were all full, it was a steep walk, although half of the group were a bit naughty and being slightly in front managed to jump on one for a short ride!  All arriving at the wiggly street (you know the one it is in so many films!) we walked down it, a little disappointed that the only reason you could see it was so wobbly was that lots of cars were traveling down it and they protruded above the bushes and flowers.

San Francisco Street Car

From here we went on to Lombard street that led up to the Coit Tower (a lady called Lillie gave this to San Francisco because she loved it so much).  Here there were great views including a better one of the crooked street.

A Tower San Francisco (but not the Coit!)

Heading down the other side we walked through some lovely gardens on Telegraph Hill, through Jackson Square and the Historic District and into China town, popping in and out of shops as we went along eventually emerging out onto Market street to catch a trolley bus back ‘home’.

That evening it was great to meet up with current San Francisco resident and ex studio mate of  JSN member Rebecca and go out for Baritos (apparently a San Francisco version to add to the Mexican dishes). Delicious!   We stopped off on the way back for a beer and then headed back home to bed after a full day’s sight-seeing.

JSN Exchange Trip to San Francisco – Day 1

To enrich the symposium experience members of the JSN travelled to San Francisco to meet the Critique Collective and absorb themselves in the culture of US contemporary jewellery.

The JSN travel team got up in the early hours Tuesday to head off to the airport for the very long journey.  Napping regularly all the way and a change in Charlotte we all arrived safely in San Francisco early evening. Kelly from the Critique Collective collected the JSN travellers from the Airport and took us to our amazing accommodation in Mission where we met Shana, another Critique Collective member with our instructions and keys.  Jen our landlady for the week came in later, introducing us to the cats and made us a much appreciated cup of tea.  Pretty soon after we all went to bed exhausted with traveling and time we had been up!  Below is a pic of the lovely apartment we were staying in.

The Fabulous San Francisco Appartment

Making Jewellery Magazine Competition

We are pleased to be able to tell you that we are running a competition in conjunction with Making Jewellery Magazine to win two free tickets to the Symposium.  See the September edition of Making Jewellery available at the end of August for details of how to enter.  The closing date is September 3rd – good luck.

Tickets Now On Sale – Material Connections Symposium

We are working on an exciting package of talks and demo/workshops for the Symposium day.  Speakers will include some JSN members and some Critique Collective members who will be joining us from San Francisco for the day.  Topics are still subject to alteration but will include; colouring of metals, green studio practice and ceramics and glass in jewellery.

There will also be an exhibition of inspiring works and an artwork that attendees can take part in.

There will be supplier stands to browse in between activities, there is a cafe and parking on site.  The Farnham Maltings is a short 10 min walk from Farnham train station.

Tickets for the symposium are now available so as they say – book early to avoid disappointment.

Tickets are £30 (£20 NUS) and are available from the Farnham Maltings Box Office. 01252 745 444 http://www.farnhammaltings.com/

Dragonfly Cuff - Clare Stiles