. . . more gold work contempo . . .

More from my gold work sample based on line ~ zig-zag lines, and spirals . . .

gold work contempo!

I worked this piece a couple of years ago, but as yet, I have not really published any images of it, only a glimpse!

This is only part of the whole piece, based on couching and line.  My aim was to experiment with couching and work with straight lines, stepped lines, curves, spirals, zig-zags, etc.  I also decided to work the piece in black and gold threads, including tarnished threads, as I love the depth of colour they produced.

The threads include - Passing thread, Pearl purl intact and stretched, Rococo thread, Twist, Plate - crimped and upstanding.

Most of the plate I used was thrown in a bin by a student I was teaching on a residential workshop sometime ago which I lifted out and kept for myself.  She had obviously thrown it away because it was tarnished, but I loved it!

The last two images I experimented with in Photoshop.  I always slightly edit images anyway, but I thought I would experiment further and post them.

Enjoy!

Logo - part six . . .

Pearl purl outline . . .

. . . all around the edge

The Pearl purl, is used to edge the final piece, which is couched into place and cut to fit the shape.  Nearly finished . . .

Logo - part five . . .

Bright check purl chip work

Centre complete!

The centre of this logo is worked with Gilt Bright check purl chip work, where the purl thread is cut into tiny little pieces and individually threaded on like a bead, and sewn on to the centre surface.  All the pieces are so small and compacted together, that it gives a very shiny sparkly appearance.

I worked this technique into the evening when the light was starting to fade, hence the mood of these images . . .   

Logo - part four . . .

Starting the Pearl purl from the centre bottom

Encase the thread around the Pearl purl, and make sure it clicks in between the beads on the Pearl purl

Circle complete - meeting both ends - head on

Pearl purl thread is used mainly for outlining and the finishing of gold work.  Outlining is normally applied after most parts of the design have been worked, but in the case of the centre, where I will be filling it with chip work, the outline is applied first, and then the centre can be filled.

I used No.1 Gilt Pearl purl, and started the circle from the bottom middle - a good tip if ever working lettering.  However, this logo of mine, is symmetrical, and therefore does not have a top or bottom as such.

Lindisfarne Gospels return . . .

section from St Matthew's carpet

detail using Pearl purl and couching with passing thread

detail of couching passing thread and stitching using silk thread

crossed claws using Pearl purl

My piece to celebrate the Lindisfarne Gospels coming to Durham.  Now showing in Durham University's Palace Green Library till 30th September.  Must go myself . . .

Lindisfarne Gospels workshop

a montage of students work

I taught a workshop at Burnbrae just north of Kelso in the Scottish Borders, testing my ideas on my students.

We worked on a combination of ideas including gold work couching and or nué, running stitch, applying gold kid leather, Pearl purl outlining and silk shading.