Monday, September 28, 2009

just checking in (don't forget the stuff at the bottom)

final foldup-brooch

Still plugging away at the work for SOFA. It is coming up FAST!!! I had to pause today for emergency dental stuff. Right before I left richmond I paid $800 dollars for a couple of filings.....that fell out while I was chewing on some movie theatre candy. Son of a B!!! DAmn you twizzlers! I go back on Thursday for the "major" work. My poor yuck mouth. I also wanted to point out a great article on Lauren Kalman by Gabriel Craig in this months American Craft. Lauren is the one of the other artists that is going to SOFA with Sienna. I love her work. The metal in the mouth makes me cringe. I feel like I am back in the dentist's chair. Anyhoo here are a couple of process shots just to prove that I have been doing stuff.
sofa stuff
sofa stuff
photo.jpg


Some of the things that I am working on include generating 3D shapes from points on a map. Here is how it goes:
1.Screen shot of google maps
2.place background bitmap in Rhino
3.Running a Script that generates 3D surfaces from points
(This script is based on the Voronoi tessellations. These tessellations generate cellular structures from predetermined points. The script allows for cellular growth which in turn automatically makes polygonal cells. These cells are then used as the base of the brooch. Here is a great link on how to draw the http://765.blogspot.com/2009/09/how-to-draw-voronoi-diagram.html)
4. I then determine a pattern based on icons from google maps (thumb tacks, stars markers etc)
5. I then extend and trim the pattern. I also draw in the tabs for the pin stem and catch
6. The copper is painted and then the template is "etched" off with the laser.
7. The brooch is then drilled, cut and folded into its final state




Saturday, September 19, 2009

working working working

Just thought I would keep everyone in the loop. I am experimenting with the laser cutter a bit. These are prototypes for SOFA. They are made from upcycled copper (left over copper flashing) I paint the sheet and laser etch the paint off, cut them out and fold them up. The final designs are being tweaked and will probably be a bit more complicated. I am having some problems with the pin back as well as size etc. the interior will have a flat sheet of pattern so you wont see the copper on the inside. I am also throwing in a video of the laser in action. It is kind of random how the laser chooses which lines to "etch" first. Whacky machine. Tell me what you think.

test brooch

test pieces

Sunday, September 13, 2009

all done

Whew that was close. I think I finished raising the fine silver about an hour before we left for the wedding. Anyhoo. It was a smash hit! Too bad I was in the bathroom when they cut the cake. Too many Jack and Cokes I guess. 12 gauge sterling silver, Sand blasted, brass brushed with a polished edge.

server

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Cake Server

I got a little side tracked from the SOFA stuff. I forgot all about Liz's brothers wedding. Anyhoo here is the cake server Liz and I made for them. I hope they like birds.
cake server/fish server
cake server/fish server
cake server/fish server
cake server/fish server
cake server/fish server
cake server/fish server
cake server/fish server
cake server/fish server
cake server/fish server
cake server/fish server

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Just saw this and thought it was cool. It really shows what you can do with different types of 3D printing materials. It is from a flickr friend called SUPERRUNE. Great stuff. Couldn't have explained the process better myself. I might steal it for a slide show in my Construction Fabrication class at SUNY.


Thursday, September 3, 2009

its my birthday!

I just wanted to take a quick break from my studio work today to talk about how my girlfriend rocks!!


Rowenta Jasper Morrison Coffee Machine

For my birthday Liz bought me this coffee machine that I have been secretly eyeballing at the Blue Cashew ever since we moved to New Paltz. I also truly believe that the secret to an academics heart is a good cup of coffee. So she hit the nail on the head this year. The machine is a Jasper Morrison: Rowenta Coffee Maker and I personally think it is one of the best designed coffee machines ever!!! It drives me absolutely nuts that these companies have been making coffee machines for so long and they can't freaking make a non drip spout or a carafe that isn't made out of feather weight highly breakable glass. God forbid they make one that looks good. I have bought or used countless coffee machines over the years and only just now have I found the ultimate machine. No drippy pours, no fancy timers, no complicated measuring systems, no hard to clean trays and IT LOOKS COOL! Oh and did I mention it makes an incredible cup of coffee!!!! Thank you LIZ!! Thank you Blue Cashew! Thank you Rowenta! Thank you Jasper Morrison!
Rowenta Jasper Morrison Coffee Machine
Rowenta Jasper Morrison Coffee Machine
Rowenta Jasper Morrison Coffee Machine