Eileen Moylan

Jewellery Designer & Goldsmith Cork

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You are here: Home / Archives for silversmith

Patron Saint of Silversmiths

10.06.2011 by Eileen Moylan //

Andronicus and Athanasia
Andronicus and Athanasia

For those of you who don’t know this Sunday is the feast day of St. Andronicus, the patron saint of silversmiths. I did some reading on our patron saint but unfortunately I couldn’t get any information on his career as a silversmith. Here’s what I did find out…

Andronicus was born in Alexandria, Egypt and trained as a silversmith. He married Athanasia and went on to have two children who later died in a local plague. Following their childrens’ death Athanasia and Andronicus returned to Egypt where they became hermits in the desert. Here they lived separately for twelve years. Athanasia had disguised herself as a man when she became a hermit and her true identity was not discovered until her death. The story goes that Andronicus travelled to Jerusalem to join a monastery and met a man on his journey. On arriving in Jerusalem the two men joined the monastery where they lived until their death. It was not until the man died that Andronicus discovered it had actually been his wife in disguise. I’m not sure how much of that I believe but if it is true it says alot about mens observational skills!

So there you have it, the story of the patron saint of silversmiths!

 

Categories // Silver Surfing Tags // Silver, silversmith

The business

09.27.2011 by Eileen Moylan //

My Bench
My Bench

Since this is my 100th blog post I decided to share some ideas I have for my future work and future posts.

I’m planning to do a monthly update on my business and how I sell my jewelry online. I intend to do one of these posts every month so I can share handy tips and tricks with any of you out there interested in selling your artwork. As well as sharing all the things I’ve learned it will give me an opportunity to look over the developments of each month.

I’ve included some photos of the workshop and the images I have over my bench that influences new pieces that I’m working on at the moment.

I’ve done this for two reasons.. firstly since this is number 100 I thought I keep it light on text, I think after this many articles my keyboard deserves a slow day!

Secondly now that I’ve shown you what inspires me and told you that I’m working on new pieces I’ll have no where to hide! I’ll have to just set aside the time from all the other work and make time to develop this range.

If you have any suggestions for the next hundred posts be sure to email me at eileen@eileenmoylan.com

Categories // My Business, My Inspirations Tags // Silver, silversmith, silversmiths bench

Goldsmiths’ Fair

09.24.2011 by Eileen Moylan //

Goldsmiths’ fair starts on Monday, this exhibiton gathers together 168 jewellers and silversmiths to display their work in Goldsmiths’ Hall, London. The fair takes place over two weeks with each exhibitor having a week to show their work. The event is open to the public so anyone can go along to see the work, meet the designer and if they wish purchase the items on display.

Goldsmiths' Fair
Goldsmiths’ Fair

I think this is one of the great thing about Goldsmiths Fair, not only do you get to see some of the best in handmade jewellery and silverware but you have the opportunity to speak with the maker. Whether to discuss their inspiration and making technique or to embark on a commission.

I’ve never had the opportunity to go along to the fair but hopefully next year I’ll plan a trip to London.

If like me you can’t pop in and have a look at the work, take a look at some of the exhibitors websites. I’ve picked out some work by silversmiths who are participating in the event.

Kevin Grey, Liston Bowl, 2011
Kevin Grey, Liston Bowl, 2011
Maya Selway, Kishu Vase, Vase Outline, 2011
Maya Selway, Kishu Vase, Vase Outline, 2011
Eileen Gatt, Mad march hare vessels
Eileen Gatt, Mad march hare vessels
Mary Ann Simmons, Bowl
Mary Ann Simmons, Bowl

Categories // My Inspirations Tags // contemporary British silver, contemporary silverware, Silver, silversmith

Back to Work…

09.21.2011 by Eileen Moylan //

My new hammers
My new hammers

As well as relaxing during my holidays I also picked up some new and second hand tools.

I got some hammers that are in need of a good cleaning. I plan to reface these and alter the shape of them slightly to suit my needs. I’ll update this with another post as it’s a messy job and not one I wanted to start on my first day back!

ALDI Punches
ALDI Punches

I also picked up these punches and chisels in Aldi last week. While the shapes aren’t exactly what I was looking for it’s nothing a bit of filing and polishing can’t sort.

Chasing tools
Chasing tools

I’ve been looking for chasing punches and after having been outbid for a set on ebay I went looking for something I could adapt. These sets were €8 each in Aldi and are perfect for what I need.

These punches are used when chasing a piece of metal. This technique involves detailing the front surface of a piece by hammer striking these punches onto the metal.

Method of Chasing
Method of Chasing

I’ll post some more photos when I’ve transformed the punches and hammers…

Categories // My Workshop Tags // Silver, silversmith, silversmiths techniques, silversmiths tools

My Vice: Before and after

08.26.2011 by Eileen Moylan //

I’ve been so busy using my vice I forgot to update you all on how it turned out when I gave it a make over.

Like all the best make overs it requires before and after photos. So here you go…

BEFORE

My Vice, Before
My Vice, Before
My Vice, Before
My Vice, Before
My Vice, Before
My Vice, Before

THE CLEANING

The Cleaning
The Cleaning
The Cleaning
The Cleaning

AFTER

And now here’s my vice all cleaned up and in use…

My Vice, After
My Vice, After
My Vice, After (on my Ikea stand)
My Vice, After (on my Ikea stand)
My Vice, In use
My Vice, In use

The photo above shows my vice in use. I know it looks like it’s growing a pair of white antlers but that’s actually one of my new stakes that I got in Birmingham. It was designed by Cynthia Eid (who taught the course I attended) and is used in synclastic and anticlastic forming.

Categories // My Workshop Tags // Silver, silversmith, silversmiths techniques, silversmiths tools

Adi Toch

08.23.2011 by Eileen Moylan //

Oil Drizzlers, Britannia Silver, Adi Toch
Oil Drizzlers, Britannia Silver, Adi Toch

Today I decided to give you a look at the work of Adi Toch. This Jerusalem born silversmith creates these amazing symmetrical yet organic forms. All her vessels have these beautiful bulbous shapes and explore the ways we use tableware and other functional vessels.

The perfect example is her ‘Pinch of Salt’ pot which is pictured below. As well as looking amazing this pot does exactly what the title suggests. It allows the user access to just one pinch of salt, perfect for anyone watching their blood pressure! The other ingenious thing about this vessel is that salt will not spill out if the pot is tipped over.

Pinch of Salt, Adi Toch
Pinch of Salt, Adi Toch

The other notable thing about her work is the choice of finish, each piece whether it be satin finished, oxidized or gold plated is done to perfectly compliment the form.

I think the ‘Reflection Bowl’ is a great example of this attention to detail. The deep dip of this vessel is exaggerated by her use of patina, with each drip emphasizing the curve down to the opening.

Reflection Bowl, Adi Toch
Reflection Bowl, Adi Toch
Pebble Bowl, Adi Toch
Pebble Bowl, Adi Toch
Grey Jug, Adi Toch
Grey Jug, Adi Toch

Click here to have a look at her website.

Categories // Silver Surfing Tags // contemporary British silver, contemporary silverware, Silver, silver vessel, silversmith, silversmiths techniques

Busy Workshop Day

08.19.2011 by Eileen Moylan //

I’ve been busy with the business side of things this week so I was delighted to get back to the workshop properly today. The break made me all the more productive, I even took some photos to prove it!

Polishing Silver Bowl
Polishing Silver Bowl
My New Polishing Mop
My New Polishing Mop

Check out my new tapered polishing mop, it’s for polishing inside vessels.

Filing a Bangle
Filing a Bangle
My pink pliers in action!
My pink pliers in action!

I just took this photo to show off my new pink glitter pliers! Aren’t they amazing and you can’t misplace them on a messy bench.

Hammering bangle on stake
Hammering bangle on stake

Categories // My Workshop Tags // contemporary Irish silver, contemporary silverware, jewellers tools, polishing lathe, Silver, silversmith, silversmiths techniques, silversmiths tools, Workshop

NEW GALLERY PAGE

08.17.2011 by Eileen Moylan //

Pearl Earrings
Pearl Earrings
Gold Ring
Gold Ring
Silver Pearl Ring
Silver Pearl Ring
Silver Double Bangle
Silver Double Bangle

In my previous post I discussed how I photograph my jewellery. Now that I have some pictures of my current work I’ve  decided to create a new gallery page on the website. I plan to use this to show some recent commissions and orders I receive. I’ll be adding to this regularly, now that I know how!

If you want to take a look at the new gallery page click here.

 

 

 

Categories // My Business, My Workshop Tags // contemporary jewellery, Jewellery, Jewelry, Silver, silversmith

Nervous System

08.11.2011 by Eileen Moylan //

Xylem central roots brooch, detail
Xylem central roots brooch, detail

Since I got a chance to see inside the JIIC in Birmingham I’ve been fascinated by 3D printing, partly because now I know how it works! That’s why I fell in love with the jewellery of Nervous System. This American based company uses computer programs and 3D printing to manufacture a range of nature inspired jewellery.

'Hyphae Vessel' Pendant
'Hyphae Vessel' Pendant

The jewellery is divided into ranges, all bearing the name of the area of nature which inspired them. My favourite is the Xylem range which takes its name from the plant tissue which makes up leaf veins. These pieces are made up of an intricate and detailed leaf vein design which is produced in a number of materials such as stainless steel and silver.

Xylem Central Roots Brooch
Xylem Central Roots Brooch

The dendrite range below takes its inspiration from the growth of coral. If you wanted to design your own unique version of this pendant Nervous System have the program on their website. Once you have a design you’re happy with they will make it up for you. If you want to see the video demo of how to design your own piece click here.

 

Dendrite Full Moon Series
Dendrite Full Moon Series

Who would have thought you could make algae pretty!

 

Algae algal bloom pendant
Algae algal bloom pendant

 

 

Categories // Silver Surfing Tags // 3D printing, contemporary jewellery, Jewellery, Jewelry, Silver, silversmith

Photographing jewellery

08.09.2011 by Eileen Moylan //

Gold and Silver Pearl Pendant
Gold and Silver Pearl Pendant

Since setting up my website I’ve come to realize the importance of having good photographs of my work. In the past I would have used my camera just to document interesting pieces I had made or ideas I might have. Now that I’m selling work online I appreciate how much the customer relies on a good quality image.

My Light Tent
My Light Tent

Jewellery is notoriously difficult to photography as it is not only small but reflective. For ages now I’ve had the problem that most of my jewellery photographs have my face and camera reflected in the piece. I’ve done  a lot of reading up on how to combat this problem and the best solution I found was a light tent. I got this one on Amazon for €10. I don’t have any lighting I just put it beside a window and use natural light. This might not be the most professional approach but it works fine for me.!

Silver Cufflinks with my reflection!
Silver Cufflinks with my reflection!
Tie Pin photographed in my Light Tent
Tie Pin photographed in my Light Tent

I’ve tried to play around with the way I photograph my work, and not just snap it on a piece of card. I’ve recently started to incorporate some props so the jewellery can be seen clearly. A perfect example of this is when photographing earrings. They never sit correctly so I had the idea of hanging them from something and I didn’t want to use a model. So here is what I came up with.

Before
Before
After
After

The added bonus about using props is that I can promote other peoples work. Like the angel vase I put the earrings on which was made by Mary Neeson who has a gallery in Killarney. Have a look at her work at www.maryneesonceramics.com

So there you have my photography tips. I’m sure there are lots of professional photographers with better advice but these a just a few little tricks that have worked for me. Now that I’m photographing my work I’m hoping to add a gallery page to the website.Showing  recent commissions and other work that I might not have included in the blog.

Categories // My Business Tags // contemporary jewellery, Jewellery, Jewelry, Photography, Silver, silversmith

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