To hipster or not to hipster....

After a conversation at a party this weekend, we’ve come to the conclusion…

No one knows what a hipster is exactly.  It’s gotten a negative connection these days. A standard line used (Thank you Lauren) is “I’m not a hipster, I sell shit to hipsters”

Urban dictionary defines as such: “Hipsters are a subculture of men and women typically in their 20's and 30's that value independent thinking, counter-culture, progressive politics, an appreciation of art and indie-rock, creativity, intelligence, and witty banter.”

So what is a hipster?  There’s such confusion with what a hipster really is… Is it someone who has style or doesn’t have style?  

“Once certain concepts of fashion and music have reached mainstream audiences, hipsters move on to something new and improved.”

I think I’ve come to the conclusion… a hipster is anyone that does what they like and enjoy.  It’s got nothing to do with being mainstream of different.  It’s about being happy about yourself.

So by all means, go be a hipster!!!

How to make a six claw wire setting [Student support]

This is my latest project, an ongoing student support system for the early years of making jewellery. Research material is sometimes very difficult to find, so this is for those student who like to do their homework... enjoy

Cut 7 pieces of .9 mm wire (15 mm in length)
Bind them together and push the middle wire out.

Drop a silver ball into the middle and solder it.

Put this in your pendant motor and cut a groove into the wires (1.5mm deep) with your saw frame.

Completely pull out the middle wire and push open your claws (the groove helps you with this)

Solder the cuts closed, to stabilise your setting.

Measure your stone and jump ring. The stone must just be bigger than the inside of your jump ring.

Measure where the stone sits in your setting and file grooves into your jump ring. Your jump ring must sit just under where your stone sits, allowing your stone to rest on the jump ring.

Solder your jump ring in.

Now file and clean-up your setting as to how you need it. Remember to leave length at the bottom if you still need to file it for your shank.

Esculpta jewellery... wow

I discovered this website and had to share... http://www.esculpta.com/

While doing research for my thesis, I have been breaking my head over the designs available. For those who don't know my thesis's working title is :Defining Contemporary jewellery in the gay community and if there is a market for it.

This websit was the first I found that thought outside of the box. I'm absolutelly in-love with their designs. I find there is a richness in symbolism in thier pieces that one lacks normally. Jewellery shouldn't just be static but should have some life, some meaning and they acheive this.

There is a certain beauty in what they have dont, not just on an aestetic level, but on a level of giving you meaning to an otherwise dead piece. The use of mediums such as rubber with silver works well and the shape of the male figure is taken into consideration with most pieces.

The fact that they think out of the box and have come up with quite ingenious designs, I reffer to their cock rings, amaze me. Not only have they taken a piece that normally just gets over looked, they have turned it into quite a fashionable piece that is practical.

I'm really amazed by this collection and I am looking forward to seeing what else they have instore....

neglect....

I'm neglecting all my electronic responsibilities... But it's for a good cause, my thesis.... even mxit is being avoided, but that's cause my phone was stolen...

Don't you think this is an amazing photo?

Link I found...

Yeah I'm a jewellery geek.... for my fellow jewellers, check this out, quite a nice site I found... Lots of info....

www.fetter-and-three.co.za

Toodles

curious or not?

After a week of madness, I can finally post again, not really cause I had too little time, but because I was stuck for ideas. Also I'm lazy, I'm on holiday.... so sue me...

Anyway, this post is what I would call stereotypical at the most. After a very interesting long weekend, for we all had easter and I'm sure you all at your fill of chocolate... I can say I saw alot and learned a thing or two. I had the experience of meeting a few individuals who will remain nameless.. But for my research purposes, they would be the ultimate in what I would call sterotypes. The one was a very closeted, "I have a girlfriend, but I fool around with guys" and very jock-like. Another, was extremelly camp, very open, swishy wrists and fondly referred to himself as a "flaming faggot." These two just gave me a little insight as to how people view eachother.

If it wasn't for the fact that I knew Mr Curious was in fact gay, yes he is he actually knows it, I would not have said anything. Walking around watefront with him and friends and noone was the wiser, and he is quite happy being a "guy."

But then it came down to Miss Man, he reffered to himself this way by the way not me, and there was an air of shock value. It was almost like he enjoys the attention. I mean this is a guy that was walking around with mascara and lipgloss in his bag, yes there was a handbag.

Both these men are gay, but both have different viewpoints. One is scared of being chastised and the other embraces it. It makes me wonder what kind of world we live it to have to either hide your identity orflaunt it to such an extreme....