Victoria Woollen-Danner

Learning From My Mistakes!

2012-01-30T17:21:00.000-08:00

After making the pendant in the previous post I thought it was worth a repeat. It's always good to make something several times. I'm glad I did, too. I discovered a better sequence for my soldering. I used to solder the center silver disc last while holding the pendant by the bail. I knew this could be a problem if I wasn't fast enough with my soldering. Guess what...I wasn't, and the piece fell apart and I was left holding nothing but the bail in my tweezers and the disc still wasn't soldered in place and my gallery wire broke off!
Since I was forced to basically begin again I could rethink my sequence- which I needed to do! so- Where to put the solder? Initially, I put paste solder along the disc and pushed it in place and soldered it, but since the disc wasn't soldered I had to rethink it. The second time I put the paste solder in the copper piece and then pressed the disc in place. This time, rather than have the paste squish out on top, it went inside the ring, where it needed to be. This was now my first solder (after soldering in my little heart in the center of the disc). My second solder was the gallery wire and then the bail. MUCH better!!

This is why I try not to get too bent out of shape when things screw up. I might actually learn something from my mistakes!!

Help, I'm a Sponge!

2012-01-07T12:41:00.000-08:00

Okay, I have to admit it, at least to myself, I'm a sponge. I mean this only in the degree that my work is influenced by my environment, casual reading, conversations, dreams: you name it, it all creeps into my work. I can't help it.
Here's a for instance. Many of the things I was looking at around Halloween also included images and celebrations of Dia de los Muertos. I also had been looking at the work of Lorena Angulo. I love her work!! We are in some of the same groups on facebook, so I kind of keep tabs on what she is doing. (Lorena, I promise I am not stalking you!!)

I wish I had a side view with the
decorative silver gallery wire but alas I don't
and the piece is now winging it's way south to Texas!

I had decided earlier I needed to try out some new, less expensive materials. I bought some copper pipe fittings thinking I might be inspired to do something with them. As I was working I noticed my aesthetic had shifted a bit and realized I was unconsciously thinking about Lorena and her work, which is beautifully entrenched in Mexican culture. Even though the piece I was working on didn't have the same elements of birds and flowers that Lorena's does, I still felt her work helped to inform mine. I like to think of it as inspired by her. I think the pendant turned out pretty cool and I wish I had a side view to show you just how influenced I was!! None the less, I will continue to explore the design.

And thanks Lorena!

Worthy Cause

2011-07-29T11:45:00.000-07:00

I have discovered through MetalsmithsUnite! 2.0, which is a jeweler's group I belong to on facebook, that there is a program called Made By Survivors. This program's aim is to help women and children who are victims of sex trafficking, learn a trade. This is also a place where they may begin to heal and no longer just survive but thrive. Here is a link to a wonderful post made by Dianna at the request of MetalsmithsUnite! http://metalsmithsunite.blogspot.com/2011/07/working-with-made-by-survivors.html I hope you take the time to read.

The director, Dianna Badalament is now conducting her Third Jewelry Tool Drive. She has published a list of the needed tools which you can access here http://www.madebysurvivors.com/content/third-tool-drive. I plan to do my part to help by donating some tools from her list, it's the LEAST I can do.

Meditation Mandala

2011-06-06T11:25:00.000-07:00

This is one of my recent mandalas. I've been hunkered down at my bench a lot lately and I needed to give myself a break. This is inspired by my morning meditation and my on-going interest in Buddhism and mantras.

MEMENTO VITAE : Remembering a Life

2011-02-14T10:41:00.000-08:00

Avideo I made of my Memento Vitae

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94Dh5BVMjQk

The "Memento Vitae" is my answer to our human need to keep who or what we love close to us. Each "Memento Vitae" has a decorative screw head that can be removed to add dry flower petals, ashes of the beloved or beach sand from a honeymoon.

A drop of glue on the threads seals a moment forever.

Each of these is entirely hand-made by me from various combinations of 22k gold, silver, keum-boo, or brass. Particular gems such as birth stones may be requested or gems of your own can be incorporated. Like our own memories, each vessel is unique. www.vwdjewelry.com

Art piece: Title yet to be discovered

2010-04-23T11:46:00.000-07:00

Like most people, I have objects and images that recur in my life. One of mine is the arch. In particular, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. I have spent many times driving by this landmark on the way to Barnes Hospital. You may be able to guess that these weren't happy trips. It was when life, as I knew it, changed dramatically. A time of magic, death. and rebirth.

Now, I have a totem, of sorts, rambling about in my head. It is my own, my personal gateway, made of bones and blood, women and men and time. It is a part of me. It is atavistic. This new series represents the enchantment and intensification of life. My life.

The accompanying photos are the developing stages of this still untitled series. First, you see the interior of one side of the arch. A goddess/medusa who is then slightly obscured by a reflective yet transparent sheet of mica. This will then be over laid with a grove of trees pierced in a sheet of silver, letting the viewer see the goddess within- that is if they look hard enough.

As the piece progresses I hope to share my creative process with you through my design and fabrication decisions. I am completely open to questions and comments. This is a journey and you are welcome to join me if you like.

"Art is our imaginative proposal of what life can be"

Cold Connection Workshop

2009-07-10T14:43:00.000-07:00

This past winter I had the opportunity to teach some cold connection workshops, at the Tarble Arts Center on the Eastern Illinois Campus and in my home studio.

The students were very focused and motivated. Sometimes a group is really simpatico! This was a great group who worked really well together.
Here are some photos of the fabulous work!!

More New Necklaces

2009-07-10T14:29:00.000-07:00

Enjoyed making them so much I continued on with the handmade bead theme.

New Work

2008-10-09T11:35:00.000-07:00

I was making a necklace for a friend and was on a search for the perfect bead. I couldn't find that but I did find some lovely tumbled lapis stone at a rock shop in Newry, Maine. Here are the results!

Necklaces of bi metal 22k/silver, sterling silver, lapis lazuli, on a leather cord.

Mandalas

2008-08-28T16:58:00.000-07:00

Sophie swirling in a dance in her pink tutu. Johanna smiling at her sister adoringly.
I love these girls.

Onward and upward.

This is my meditation on my joy when I think of them.

Walking in the early spring woods
ice saving a moment for a moment.

My mandala on my meditations of early spring

Mother's Bracelet

2008-01-16T17:14:00.000-08:00

Here's a new twist on the Mother's Jewelry theme.
My Riverbend bracelet with a 2mm diamond for an April baby
Siri Elizabeth and on another bracelet 2- 3mm blue topaz for a pair of twins,
Sabine and Isobel.

Recent Labor of Love

2007-09-14T13:40:00.000-07:00

Jewelry I made for my daughter's wedding. The brooch is Argentium silver and all are made with fresh water pearls and peridot beads.