That said, the ring has some beautiful moments. It has a good side which I have photographed. It will be re-visited. It will be re-made. Not today, not tommorrow, but some day.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
When good is just not good enough.
The manifesto ring is done, but it's not done. It's not right. Something about it is just not right. The leaf print was perfect but the gauge of the silver was too thin. As I mentioned before, I skimped because it was for me. Big Mistake. The base plate is the foundation for everything else. If the base plate is not strong and straight and pure it throws everything else off.
That said, the ring has some beautiful moments. It has a good side which I have photographed. It will be re-visited. It will be re-made. Not today, not tommorrow, but some day.
That said, the ring has some beautiful moments. It has a good side which I have photographed. It will be re-visited. It will be re-made. Not today, not tommorrow, but some day.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
My Last 5 Pins on Pinterest.
It's a rather mixed bag today. Over on the official Pinterest Blog I often wonder if the 'last 5 pins' feature is edited. Is is really the last 5 pins of whoever is being interviewed? I'm sure they must do a bit of 'vanity pinning' so that their moment in the Pinterest spotlight is a well considered and co-ordinated one.
Well, mine today is just as I found my pins. Kind of scattered, in random piles all over my virtual pinterest pinboard. Enjoy!
I heard this little phrase for the first time a few years ago. I like it as a modern day Proverb. It works and is worth remembering. I would go as far as to say it is a 'phrase to live by'.
This is still my all-time favourite film.
I'm still fascinated by all things faceted. This pin is a case in point.
This, just because it's beautiful.
I seem to be listening to a fair bit of Agnes Obel. Her quiet, lyrical songs suit what is going on in my workshop and so she has become my frequent companion in there of late.
My manifesto ring is coming on well. I have to admit, I did skimp on the base plate because it was just for me. I used 0.7mm in stead of the usual 0.9mm sheet. That was a mistake. That 0.2mm difference does in fact make ALL the difference. Lesson learned.
Well, mine today is just as I found my pins. Kind of scattered, in random piles all over my virtual pinterest pinboard. Enjoy!
I heard this little phrase for the first time a few years ago. I like it as a modern day Proverb. It works and is worth remembering. I would go as far as to say it is a 'phrase to live by'.
This is still my all-time favourite film.
I'm still fascinated by all things faceted. This pin is a case in point.
This, just because it's beautiful.
I seem to be listening to a fair bit of Agnes Obel. Her quiet, lyrical songs suit what is going on in my workshop and so she has become my frequent companion in there of late.
My manifesto ring is coming on well. I have to admit, I did skimp on the base plate because it was just for me. I used 0.7mm in stead of the usual 0.9mm sheet. That was a mistake. That 0.2mm difference does in fact make ALL the difference. Lesson learned.
Monday, June 27, 2011
What I caught in my net today.
A curious collection of pods!
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| Pods and Rockers, Cari-Jane Hakes, June 2011 |
Friday, June 24, 2011
A Fabulous Friday Feeling
I hesitated. I decided no. I decided, yes.
Yes, I would actually make a manifesto ring for myself. This is a hard thing to do. To take a sheet of silver and cut into it to make something for me. Silver is expensive. I'm running a business here! Never the less, I decided yes.
I have a stone, a simple cabochon, that I have looked at, replaced in a drawer, taken out and looked at some more. I have decided it will be mine. I want to make a big ring. An everyday ring. A ring that will shout louder than I dare. A ring that will express a bit of who I am in a country where it is hard for me to learn all the words that would allow me to do this eloquently.
I took one of my Regent's Park leaves and pulled it through my rolling mill. The print came out so well, its beauty and clarity surprised me. I have done this texture probably a hundred times. But there is something about this one that is special. Perhaps it is the space of neutral silver between the fingers of this leaf. Perhaps it was the pressure I exerted as I pulled the handle round on the mill. Either way - its looking rather fine. I took a quick photo before I bit into it with my saw. It was a good way to end the week.
Bon Weekend mes amis!
Yes, I would actually make a manifesto ring for myself. This is a hard thing to do. To take a sheet of silver and cut into it to make something for me. Silver is expensive. I'm running a business here! Never the less, I decided yes.
I have a stone, a simple cabochon, that I have looked at, replaced in a drawer, taken out and looked at some more. I have decided it will be mine. I want to make a big ring. An everyday ring. A ring that will shout louder than I dare. A ring that will express a bit of who I am in a country where it is hard for me to learn all the words that would allow me to do this eloquently.
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| A Manifesto for Me, Cari-Jane Hakes, June 2011 |
Bon Weekend mes amis!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Another Manifesto Ring.
Back on Monday I made the first Manifesto ring (see here). As I often do, I tend to make things in pairs (or if the idea warrants a bit more latitude, series). The Manifesto Ring is no exception.
Elsewhere today, I decided that the French for cartridge (cartouche) and safety pin (épingle de nourrice) sound fantastic. Now, I just need to figure out how I can drop them into my casual, every day conversations!
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| Manifesto Ring -Square, Cari-Jane Hakes, June 2011 |
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| Manifesto Ring -Square, Cari-Jane Hakes, June 2011 |
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| Manifesto Ring -Square, Cari-Jane Hakes, June 2011 |
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
While I was sleeping...
my silver and slate blue pebble ring made it to the front page of Etsy! It appeared at 9pm New York time and was there for a glorious hour. This lovely little ring has been in 20 treasury lists and has an amazing 958 views. Bottom right hand corner, in all its blue and white stripeyness!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
It's Officially Summer.
I know this to be so, for a few days ago the sunflowers in the field behind my garden wall were rehearsing. A few began to open and turn their heads with the movement of the sun.
It is rather entertaining to see that a few are still yet to get the hang of the routine. They are a little confused, facing in the opposite direction, metephorically pirouetting left when the others are turning right. I'm sure they will catch up soon enough.
On the micro scale - the amazing world that is lichen.
Isn't it just the most bizarre stuff?
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| Macro, field, 21 June 2011, Cari-Jane Hakes |
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| Micro, Lichen, 21 June 2011, Cari-Jane Hakes |
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| Micro - Lichen, 21 June 2011, Cari-Jane Hakes |
Monday, June 20, 2011
A Manifesto Ring
This ring is simple but when I finished it I realised, this ring embodies everything that is fabulous about handmade, crafted and created jewellery.
It has a story to tell. It is brand new, fresh off the bench today and yet it has an amazing history. Once it is claimed by its new owner it will start to evolve its own story. Parts of its history will be told and handed down and on. Maybe other parts will get exaggerated and embroidered!
The leaf that I used to imprint the silver that makes the band of this ring I collected from Regent's Park in London in 2004. I have carried these leaves with me all this time. It was a crisp autumn day. I was a new mother. My 9 month old baby boy was sleeping in his buggy and so I had time to look and gather and collect.
The pearl nestled in the cylindrical housing is pure vintage. I inherited these pearls. They were taken out of a very glamorous necklace my Grandfather bought for my Grandmother in Hong Kong in the 1950's. They were living there at the time. The necklace must have been a little too long for my Grandmother's liking and so she had about 15 or so tiny little pearls removed from the back of the necklace. These 15 little pearls have remained unworn for over 50 years. I thought it was time they got out a little more.
This ring is part of my manifesto because although this ring is new it has so much history already. It has a vibrancy and life to it that you can't find anywhere else. It is 'alive' as an inanimate object can be.
Its resulting beauty and purity are why I do what I do. I honestly feel like I was born to do this.
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| Manifesto Ring, Cari-Jane Hakes, June 2011 |
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| Manifesto Ring, Cari-Jane Hakes, June 2011 |
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| Manifesto Ring, Cari-Jane Hakes, 2011 |
This ring is part of my manifesto because although this ring is new it has so much history already. It has a vibrancy and life to it that you can't find anywhere else. It is 'alive' as an inanimate object can be.
Its resulting beauty and purity are why I do what I do. I honestly feel like I was born to do this.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Frankly My Dear, I Don't Give a Damn!
Much Saturday morning fun was had putting this little collection together. A manly theme for Father's Day eve! 'Bonne Fete Papa' said my two little boys this morning - they couldn't wait any longer to present the gifts they had made in school!
said Clark Gable to Vivien Leigh in 'Gone with the Wind' in 1939
'FRANKLY MY DEAR, I DON'T GIVE A DAMN!' by hybridhandmade
said Clark Gable to Vivien Leigh in 'Gone with the Wind' in 1939
 Get Lucky Slot Machine ... $11.70 |  Living Form/ archival p... $20.00 |  Vintage First Day of Is... $2.50 |  Huge Antique Vintage Fr... $54.00 |
 Vintage Japanese sport ... $20.00 |  Underwood vintage typew... $40.00 |  CLEARANCE 30% Off - Ove... $20.00 |  Unexpected - happy skul... $5.50 |
 Rock Me Amadeus - eco-f... $3.50 |  My Grandpa's Camera... $25.00 |  Dark Brown Leather Brac... $19.00 |  Gilbertville Public Lib... $30.00 |
 Reaching for you print $20.00 |  Vintage French Enamel B... $14.00 |  Ford Falcon BW photogra... $25.00 |  Ampersand Cushion $50.00 |
Friday, June 17, 2011
Friday mémoire (or, here is one I made earlier)
A 'collaged' space for a Professor of Literature, somewhere in Berlin.
I am going to build this space. I have carried it around in my head for many years. Soon, very soon.
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| Literature Study, Berlin, Cari-Jane Hakes 1998 |
Thursday, June 16, 2011
More? You Want More?
Me too.
I made another one.
This last one is paying a little bit of homage to the Oyster necklaces I made earlier this month (see here and here). The gold makes the ring look like it is glowing from inside!
Elsewhere today in the Hybrid Handmade House:
the vegetable patch is beginning to bloom - three courgettes to add to the two I already have.
I made another one.
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| Silver and Gold Curious Crater Stacking Ring, Cari-Jane Hakes, June 2011 |
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| Small Curious Crater with Silver and Gold Curious Crater and Moonstone Stacking Rings, Cari-Jane Hakes, June 2011 |
Elsewhere today in the Hybrid Handmade House:
the vegetable patch is beginning to bloom - three courgettes to add to the two I already have.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
What I caught in my net today
My small boys hung around in the tree tops, suspended by harnesses and ropes and wires. I gave encouragement from the ground. They were brave and agile and strong. In amongst all this I managed to catch a few things.
This rather excellent little fellow was on an adventure all of his own!
Until tomorrow mes amis!
This rather excellent little fellow was on an adventure all of his own!
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| What I Caught In My Net, 15 June 2011, Cari-Jane Hakes |
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
My Last 5 Pins on Pinterest.
Over on the official Pinterest blog they do a feature every once in a while where they ask a 'pinner' to explain why they pinned the last 5 images on their pinterest boards. Well, I'm not hanging around till they get to me so here goes!
I pinned this this morning from Tricia Foley's In the Country. I am strangely drawn to simple pots, balls of natural string and all things that point to a pared down, minimal life. The only explanation I can give for this is that after moving house so many times I often have to assess my 'goods and chattels' and edit them down. I can not hoard.
I pinned this today from Every Eskimo's blog. Ballet was my first love. Dance was such a big part of my childhood and early adulthood. I particularly like the girl on the far right. She looks like she is lost in the music (although, I imagine her teacher will shortly be correcting her for her floppy hands). The girl in front, on the other hand, is just as beautiful with her technical precision and concentration.
This one is self explanatory for long time readers of this blog. All things pebbely are a constant source of inspiration round these parts.
I pinned this rather haunting portrait today after using it as the inspiration for an Etsy Treasury I made yesterday.
And finally this rather lovely texture by Ninian Lif on flickr. I may incorporate this into a sketchbook background at some stage.
You can see all my pins here. I must say, it is an excellent way to prevaricate just before a tricky solder joint!
I pinned this this morning from Tricia Foley's In the Country. I am strangely drawn to simple pots, balls of natural string and all things that point to a pared down, minimal life. The only explanation I can give for this is that after moving house so many times I often have to assess my 'goods and chattels' and edit them down. I can not hoard.
I pinned this today from Every Eskimo's blog. Ballet was my first love. Dance was such a big part of my childhood and early adulthood. I particularly like the girl on the far right. She looks like she is lost in the music (although, I imagine her teacher will shortly be correcting her for her floppy hands). The girl in front, on the other hand, is just as beautiful with her technical precision and concentration.
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| Constant Pebble No 2 Print by SwellPapel on Etsy |
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| 'What Was Left' by Wind Lane Studio on Etsy |
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You can see all my pins here. I must say, it is an excellent way to prevaricate just before a tricky solder joint!
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