London Greenwich Museums and Lesley Craze Gallery

Recently I visited the National Maritime Museum and Royal Observatory in Greenwich. I wanted to look at the historic objects relating to navigation and time as part of my project research. The Maritime Museum has a fantastic display of globes, sundials and other intricate pieces of equipment that are beautifully made on the first floor. The pieces were really interesting and have furthered my investigation considerably.

Greenwich

Below are some photos I took as research and a shot of the view from the Observatory over London and one over Greenwich museums.

I also visited the Lesley Craze Gallery in Farringdon before heading back to Manchester. I think the jewellery on display there and changing exhibitions are always really current and exciting, I usually see plenty of beautiful collections of work that I havent seen before in craft fairs and other exhibitions.

http://www.lesleycrazegallery.co.uk/index.php

Practice 5

I am currently in the middle of practice 5, which counts as half of my project work for my third year. It is an interesting time, the practice allows you to be experimental, following any new, risky or ambitious ideas you may have which can then be carried through into the second part of the year to be developed into finished pieces for the degree show and New Designers. At the same time as this I am trying to develop my extended essay, the title being " How does the traditional and cultural significance of the ring affect contemporary jewellery?"

I absolutely love rings, I feel that they are such personal pieces because of the way they are worn, always moving and in contact with the body. The history and culture of rings as symbols of marriage and status is an area I am finding fascinating to read about, and theres some great books out there on the subject. One of my favourites so far is "Rings: Symbols of wealth, power and affection" by Diana Scarisbrick.

At the same time I am putting the finishing touches to my nine message rings which are going into stock at MMU originals.