YOJ09-12 Viking Knit Chain (and “Merry Meet”)

YOJ09-12 Viking Knit Chain (and “Merry Meet”)

Several years ago, my husband and I collaborated on making a Thor’s Hammer.  Malcolm is fascinated by all things Norse, to the point where I’ve joked many times about him being a born-again Viking.  He carved the cross for this pendant, but struggled to model the head properly.  I came up with the idea of forming the head out of stick tack (aka white tack, blue tack etc etc), and then we cold molded the whole piece for casting.  That original was finished, and then remolded and four more pieces were cast.

Malcolm made himself a lovely chain to go with the original.  Unfortunately, our studio gremlins made off with it some time during our move, so all he has now are the copies.  Wanting to wear his Thor’s Hammer, he recently asked me to make a chain for him.

So this week, on the heels of finishing my competition entry, I decided to whip it off.  My hands are not quite recovered from the massive project, so by the time I was half way through working on this chain, I was having to put a bandaid on my pinky.  I was developing a blister from all the pulling.

My beloved husband is very happy with his new chain, and thrilled to be wearing his pendant.

Some more photos:

Also, as promised, I’m posting the photo of my competition entry to “Connection”, the National Juried Exhibition being held by Zilberschmuck Art Jewellery and hosted at Shao Design. The call for entry asked: “What is your interpretation of the word “CONNECTION”? Is there a connection part, link or bond? Is there an association or relationship between two or more things? Do associates, relations, acquaintances or friends influence the outcome of the piece? Is it a single connection or one of many types and kinds of connections that make up the piece? How can these ideas be formalized into a three-dimensional piece?”  My entry focused on the connection we make with each other, through a handshake. Clasping hands in greeting, in parting, in confirming business arrangements, in offering congratulations, is often the only physical connection we make with each other.

Merry Meet (2009)
Fine silver, sterling silver, glass
L 102 cm x W 7.0 cm
Nalbinding, constructed, cold-joined, liver of sulphur patination

My husband’s comment about this piece:  “It’s odd.”

Yes, but that’s  “art” jewellery for you… LOL

The hands clasp together just over the solar plexus.  If I thought anyone would wear it that way, I would have liked to turn it into a stomacher – I think it would be well suited for that – but it works as a necklace as well.

From start to finish, it took two months of solid work to construct, and is (pardon the pun) hands down, one of the most ambitious pieces I’ve ever attempted.  It’s not exactly what I envisioned – that would have taken another three months of work to complete.

As I mentioned last week, it didn’t make the final cut for the exhibition, but I’m not disappointed about that.  I am satisfied that I got it done in time for judging.

Here are more detail photos, along with shots taken during construction: