Insects, Part 2

I mentioned in the last post that the sex design prompt was for two brooches. Before construction on the second brooch began, I was told that there was someone who had seen Culicidae at the Gala and wanted to commission another brooch for their wife. Making the next piece was like killing two birds with one stone, since it would be both a commission piece and one for a grade (awesome!).

Making a second insect forced me to clarify exactly which elements were important to carry on from the first. I've been told that I thrive off of negative feedback, and a classmate of mine - who was not a metals major - had often remarked that he disliked most jewelry because it was "just tiny sculpture with a pin back slapped on it". Much of the strength of the mosquito piece had been in its mechanism because the pin was so natural to the rest of the form, and I knew that any other insects would have to be treated the same way, with any mechanisms being inherent to the body itself. I also wanted the next bug to have more implied movement to make it more alive.

I feel incredibly attached to this piece, Apocrita. I was so sad to see it go. The school ended up buying this one as well and giving it as a gift to the man who wanted to commission it, Norm Cohn. Another happy home for my "baby".

~emi

photo: "apocrita" (brooch). carved boxwood, onyx, sterling silver, stainless steel, dyes. copyright emi savacool, 2008. photos credit: ken yanoviak.)

The First of the Insects

Lately I've been totally preoccupied with making brooches based upon insects. The first work, Culicidae, was a response to a design prompt to make a pair of brooches about the subject of sex. This interpretation could be as loose or as literal as we wanted - obviously, I didn't go the literal route. This piece relates to sex with the idea of "penetration". (In case you can't tell from the photo, the mosquito's proboscis is the brooch mechanism.)

"Culicidae" was featured in the crafts showcase at the University of the Arts' 2008 Presidental Inauguration Gala event. It was purchased by the school and given as a gift to Norma Klorfine, a Gala chair.

I loved my "baby" and was sad to see her go, especially since she lead to some really exciting works of art for me. But I couldn't think of a better way for us to part ways. The brooches that follow are like sisters to this piece - more on them later.

~emi


(photo: "culicidae" (brooch). carved boxwood, garnets, sterling silver, stainless steel, dyes. copyright emi savacool, 2008. photo credit: ken yanoviak.)

(photo 2: view 2, "culicidae" (brooch). carved boxwood, garnets, sterling silver, stainless steel, dyes. copyright emi savacool, 2008. photo credit: ken yanoviak.)

The Premier

I am excited to finally announce the opening of my website! In the upcoming weeks, this space will begin to fill with photos and stories of my recent works in jewelry. If this is your first time stopping by, please sign up for the newsletter to receive news and site updates.

Thanks always,
~emi
savacoole@gmail.com

(photo: "linear exercise 1". carved bronze, horsehair. copyright emi savacool, 2008.)