Kim Mitchell

New Pieces

2011-10-10T13:29:00.001-07:00

Degree Show 2011

2011-05-23T14:29:00.000-07:00

"Join us to celebrate the exciting work of over 250 emerging artists and designers!"

Dates:21 May to 29 May
Time: Monday – Friday 10am -8pm
Saturday – Sunday 10am – 4pm
Admission:Admission is free
Location:Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design
University of Dundee, Perth Road,
Dundee DD1 4HT

It's Degree Show time again! If you haven't been yet, make sure you squeeze in a visit. The work was fantastic. Well done everyone for all the hard work, especially Jewellery and Metal Design. I'll get some pictures up soon xxxxx

you can have a look at the website and watch a video on the degree show preparations here

2011-05-11T13:23:00.000-07:00

At a recent CEO event I met Lisa Arnott who has just set up new jewellery studios in Edinburgh, It was great to have a chat with her and hear all about this exciting new place. If anyone would like more information please contact Lisa (contact details are at the bottom of the page)

Jeweller’s workbenches available to rent

SilverHub Studios is part of a thriving community of Jewellery and Silversmith designers based in Leith, Edinburgh. Established in 2011, SilverHub Studios aims to be a resource for both the aspiring and established jewellery designers.
This welcolming and high quality open plan space encourages an ethos which hopes to inspire creativity, the sharing of knowledge, skills and encourage a sense of being part of collective artisans. The studio is well resourced and equipped has a growing range of tools and equipment for silversmithing jewellery designers.
The studio has a private toilet, kitchenette with microwave and fridge. There is a small lounge area with a growing resource library of journals and jewellery books.
Workbenches
The studio has 10 permanent work benches which are suitable for graduates, experienced jewellers or individuals who want to develop their own jewellery business. Each comes with its own secure locker, and these benches can be rented for a minimum of 1 year at £95 per month. This includes;
• Access to all the tools and equipment
• Utilities bills
• 24/7 access
• Presence on the SilverHub Studios website gallery
• Inclusion in SilverHub Studios publicity, open days, events and exhibitions
A month’s refundable deposit is required in advance for the rent of the permanent workbench and studio keys, and as good practice all studio jewellers are required to have their own insurance.
Equipment
There is a range of resources within the studio to enable any jeweller to develop their practice. Resources will continue to grow as the studio becomes even more established and caters to the needs of the jewellers using the space.
Equipment includes:
10 spacious workbenches
6 open access work benches
2x Seivert torches – large to small flame, 4x butane mini torches, pickling area
All basic hand tools including pegs /saws /files /pliers /doming punches + blocks /vice/ mandrels/drawplates /mallets/hammers, tumbler, barrel polisher, ultrasound cleaner, rolling mill, pillar drill, pendant drill, enamelling kiln

To find out more contact
Lisa Arnott Director
SilverHub Studios
Mobile: 0783 785 2430
Email: contact@silverhubstudios.com
Website: www.silverhubstudios.com (from 1st June)

Online Shop!

2011-05-02T11:04:00.000-07:00

It has taken me a while but I'm so pleased to finally have set up my very own online shop - you can have look here.

Been busy working on some smaller pieces at the moment I got some lovely new tools recently so I am loving playing around with some new things - the garage is looking more and more like a workshop :)

You can also now see my jewellery at The Laurel Gallery in Edinburgh for their Spring exhibition as well as lots of new pieces at The Westgate galleries in North Berwick - so if your having a lovely sunny day out at the seaside, drop in past for look xxx

2011-01-29T05:20:00.000-08:00

Just thought I'd share a few pictures of some of my pieces which will be in the Torrance Gallery in Edinburgh from next week xxx

Coburg House Art Studios

2011-01-20T13:05:00.000-08:00

Today I visited Coburg House Studios in Edinburgh. I was shown around the studios and had a chat with some of the jewellery designers who work there. The studios are really nice and had a fantastic busy atmosphere. It had the feeling of being back in the workshop at uni which I really miss. It's great to be able to share ideas and learn new techniques from eachother as well as just having someone there to chat to or have a cup of tea with. At some point in the future I would love to be a part of something like this (as soon as my parents ban me from their garage)

I got fantastic advice from everyone and it was really inspiring to speak to some of my favourite jewellers. Thankyou guys! xxx

2011-01-17T06:41:00.000-08:00

First of all, happy new year! can't believe we are half way though January already. Really looking forward to the year ahead, I have a feeling this is going to be a good one. It's been pretty busy so far as I have quite a lot I would like to achieve both with my Jewellery work and a few other exciting things which I have planned.

At the moment I am finishing off a collection for a the Torrance Gallery in Edinburgh and as things have gone well with my work in the Westgate Galleries, I have been asked to make some new pieces which will be exhibited sometime in February.

2010-12-16T01:58:00.000-08:00

Just realised I haven't posted for a while. The launch night at the Westgate Galleries went really well, had a great time and sold a few pieces. It was great to chat to people about the work and get some feedback.

At the moment I'm spending most of my time working (I work in a jewellery shop so it's extremely busy for Christmas)and also getting on with some commissions which I'll hopefully be able to finish soon as well as new pieces for the Torrance Gallery in the New Year.

Lady Luck Rules OK

2010-11-08T01:31:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I went to Leona Baker's Trade Secrets Talk at Hannah Zakari in Edinburgh. Leona is the creator of indie fashion jewellery brand Lady Luck Rules OK and started out by selling vintage clothing and jewellery at Portobello market in London. The talk was extremely helpful and interesting as she talked us through how she started her business as well as both the good and bad decisions which she made along the way. She covered topics such as how to run and grow an independent creative business, selling online,PR and marketing and also wholesale and trade shows. We even got to have a peek at her little black book of contacts. Brilliant!

Tomorrow is the lauch of my exhibition at Westgate Galleries in North Berwick and I am extremely excited. I have been asked to take along some work in progress and sketchbooks to talk about what I am working on next. I'll hopefully have some photos up soon xxx

2010-10-31T14:22:00.000-07:00

I will be exhibiting work at the lovely Westgate Galleries in North Berwick. The launch night is on the 9th November and my work will be on display and on sale through Christmas time.

I am super excited about this exhibition as it's in such an amazing location and the gallery itself is really beautiful. So if you happen to be around North Berwick over the next few months come in past for a visit. The cafe is excellent too!

At the moment I am also working on a few bigger pieces. I don't want to get into a habit of making quick simple things just because they are more commercial and therefore generally easier to sell (although around Christmas time especially it's probably the best idea) I'm really excited about spending a lot of time on each piece and looking forward to new challenges.

Website

2010-10-29T03:58:00.000-07:00

My new website is now up and running - http://www.kimmitchelljewellery.co.uk

At the moment I am getting ready for an exhibition in North Berwick which starts next week. More details coming soon xxx

Degree Show

2010-09-29T04:58:00.000-07:00

These are images from my degree show in May, really pleased with the way everything has turned out. Had an amazing time at our VIP industry night which was opened by Lorraine Kelly (you can watch a video of the catwalk show here)

Just recently back from teaching jewellery and silversmithing in the US and have moved back to Edinburgh to get working on some new pieces.

Hoping to have my lovely new website up and running soon! x

Coming Soon...

2010-04-27T14:58:00.001-07:00

A little sneaky peek, more photos and details coming soon xxx

Jaq Belcher

2010-04-21T16:11:00.000-07:00

Love it.

All works are hand cut from a single sheet of paper. There are loads more lovely images here on her website.

more samples...

2010-03-11T16:22:00.000-08:00

2010-03-06T13:40:00.000-08:00

Feels like I haven't posted anything in ages! Our fundraiser "Bling" night was really successfull, we managed to raise enough money to pay for our postcards to get printed and as well as having a really good night out.

Degree show is creeping closer and there's so much to be done. We found out last week that this year's show will be in the art school. Not quite as exciting as last year but I'm sure we can make it amazing.

Hopefully I will have all my photoetching finished by the end of the week and can finally get some actual pieces done (because our postcard images have to be ready by the 19th) Time to get a move on.

Bling!

2009-12-03T13:59:00.000-08:00

Just thought I'd share a few photos to show what we've been up to recently. we're organising a Jewellery fundraising night with the very appropriate 'Bling' theme (carrying on the fabulous tradition from last year). Holly, Maria and I met up to have a little photo shoot to get some advertising ideas. It was great to have a break from dissertation work for a day and just have lots of fun with lots of sparkles. The final poster designs are being worked on just now so I'll post them up when we have them ready.

It is now less than a week until our dissertations get handed in! It feels like we've been writing them forever so it will be strange but amazing to finally get rid of them. We also have our Christmas sale to look forward to next week so we're all working away in the workshop getting ready like little Christmas elves. Excellent.

Paper Samples...

2009-11-04T15:47:00.001-08:00

These are some of the laser-cut paper samples that I've been playing with. I'm hoping they look just as delicate when made in metal, just have to wait and see. I'm working on my design boards for the Goldsmiths competition which is due in on Monday and am pretty happy with the way things are going with it all so far (haven't tackled the whole computer part yet though!)

4th year...

2009-10-20T15:25:00.000-07:00

4th year…aaaahhhh! Very scary but so exciting. We’re all settling into our new (and better) studio and are getting on with our own individual work. It’s nice to finally have the freedom to work our own way. Had a meeting with our tutors last week which went pretty well. During one of my last meetings they suggested that I take my work down a more conceptual route which would involve a lot less making. I thought about it for a while but decided that I really want to spend this year developing both my designing and making skills so I’m planning on spending a lot of time in the workshop.

Taking inspiration from natural form, in particular leaves and flowers, I intend to explore the silhouettes and shadows created and cast by nature. I want to explore the use of negative space and will probably be working mainly in silver with perhaps some gold plating and oxidised silver. Basically just carrying on with all my favourite things, photo etching, intricate cut outs using the laser cutter and of course a ridiculous amount of saw piercing.

Its reading week just now so trying to get a move on with sketchbook work and plan on getting a lot more of my dissertation finished. So much to do.

Mary Temple

2009-07-19T14:08:00.000-07:00

I recently came across the work of an artist called Mary Temple. I love her paintings which are done on existing architecture. She uses latex paint to create what appear to be shadows. So subtle and beautiful.

“These images are from the series, Light Installations, which are trompe l’oeil paintings that appear to be light and shadow cast on a wall and/or wooden floor from a nearby window. Often the images are in rooms where there is little or no natural light, nor corresponding windows. The efficacy of a window relies entirely on the viewer’s conception of an aperture that will explicate the image-a window, door or possibly a skylight. The conceptual intervention, an aperture, constructed by the viewer lasts only for the period of time they are convinced that what is seen is thrown light and cast shadow, rather than a painting on a wall. While considering the illusion, viewers question reality and their experience of a particular place is radically altered, according to their own specifications.” - Mary Temple

This has definitely inspired me in my source project which will carry on into 4th year. Just need to really get on with some sketchbook work and of course dissertation. There just doesn’t seem to be enough time! I’m having such an amazing summer, really busy but it’s all good.

2009-07-06T12:08:00.000-07:00

Silver necklace and bracelet

2009-06-14T09:56:00.000-07:00

This is a silver ring I made a few weeks ago, I got a lovely sunny day to take some photos in the garden.

At the moment I am working on my dissertation which I am finding really interesting but it's just so hard to sit down and work on it when there's a million other things I'd rather be doing. I need to take some good advice - fail to prepare, prepare to fail.

Perros

2009-05-27T13:10:00.000-07:00

This is a piece I’ve been meaning to make for a long long time. I spent three months last summer working in a place called Perros which is in the North of France and made some really good friends and lived in such a beautiful area on the Côte de Granit Rose. The pebble set in this ring is one which I found on the beach in Perros. I love having it as a reminder of my time in France. I wish I was there right now.

At home in Edinburgh I have set up my own little workshop in the garage. It's nothing fancy, just an old desk and bench peg really but it's nice to have somewhere to work over the summer when I'm not at uni.

What a Night

2009-05-27T08:32:00.000-07:00

The Duncan of Jordanstone Degree show was opened last Wednesday by supermodel Erin O'Connor. Erin, who is chairwoman of the British Fashion Council, has also modelled for fashion icons including Christian Dior, Prada, Versace, Georgio Armani and Jean-Paul Gaultier. During the evening she was given a tour of the exhibits and viewed a catwalk show of new work by graduate jewellery and textile design students.

I Went to the opening evening of the show on Friday and it was amazing! A record breaking 7000 people attended the opening night. The jewellery was of course my favourite, it all looked so professional and was very inspiring. Can't believe that it will be my turn next year, we have so much to live up to! I was also very impressed by the work of the textile students this year, particularly textile graduate, Hayley Scanlan who made her first sale as a textile designer to Erin O'Connor! If you haven't been yet it's definitely worth a visit. I'll be back again at some point this week to have another look round because there's so much to see. Click here to read press coverage of the show.

Degree Show 2009

2009-05-19T14:15:00.000-07:00

Come and join us for free and see the largest exhibition of contemporary work in the city. This stunning exhibition marks the culmination of four years hard work from the students at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design. The degree show displays a range of inspirational artwork from beautiful paintings to exciting works of graphic design, interactive music projects and striking jewellery. There’s something to interest everyone.

This year’s degree show is particularly exciting because for the first time ever it is being held at the captivating Vision Building. With 13 extensive gallery spaces, the Vision Building will be the ideal location for the show.

23rd May - 6th June 2009

Open to the general public
Monday - Friday 9.30am-8.30pm

Saturdays & Sundays 9.30am-4.30pm (excluding Saturday 6th of June when the exhibit will be open from 9.30am to 2pm)

Location
Vision @ Seabraes
Seabraes YardGreenmarket, Dundee

DD1 4QB

Kreativ Blogger Award

2009-05-19T13:20:00.000-07:00

The other day I was nominated by Cat Ludwig for the Kreativ Blogger Award. I now have to write about 7 things I love and list 7 people who I think deserve the award.

7 Things I Love...

1. My family and my friends. They are the best people in the whole world.

2. Making…anything

3. Dancing…anywhere

4. Nature. All the best and most beautiful things in the world come from nature. I am completely fascinated.

5. Christmas time (this includes snow and the film Elf , just had to put that link in)

6. Musicals. Singing, dancing and a story…all in one! Genius.

7. Dressing up. Not just dressing fancy, I’m talking fancy dress.

7 people who I think deserve this Award...

I have decided to choose some of my fellow jewellery students. These people are amazing, check out their bloggs.

Maria Margaret Maclennan

Nicola Wyllie

Kellie Graham

Nicola Reed

Holly Wilcox

Lisa Murphy

Emily Lucie

2009-05-14T15:54:00.000-07:00

Just thought I'd share a few photos of some pieces I made last year at uni...

Brass body piece (worn round the waist, over the shoulder or as a head piece)

Silver and brass brooch with green glass

These silver rings were part of a stone setting project.

My Little Model

2009-04-15T12:28:00.000-07:00

This week I have been trying to plan how I’m going to display my work for our assessment which is coming up very soon! Looking back at all the work we have done this year it’s amazing to see how we've progressed. Even just looking back to the V&A competition, which was our first third year project, there are so many things that I would now have done differently, which I don’t think is a bad thing. I suppose it’s just a sign of development.

I found myself the perfect little model for my Narrative Brooches. I love the way the photos have turned out. I am definitely going to use these for my presentation. Thanks Becky! Xxx

Right, now got to get working on my dissertation which I keep trying to ignore. It’s just not going to go away. Probably try and make a start tomorrow. Maybe.

a million saw blades later...

2009-03-30T16:11:00.000-07:00

Carried Away...

2009-03-08T14:13:00.000-07:00

Just thought I'd put up a few pics of a piece I have done as part of my source project. As you can see I got a little bit carried away with my craft knife. I'm hoping to develop intricate cut-outs in my jewellery. There's so much to explore and play around with in terms of pattern, materials, scale and form as well as some amazing shadows.

The narrative project is going really well, I have a final design so just need to get on with making it. I'll get some photos up soon. Looks like it's going to be another busy week, we have our DHTP group presentations on Wednesday. Can't wait for it to be over!

Narrative Development...

2009-03-03T08:06:00.001-08:00

It's been a busy week with loads of drawing and sketchbook work. Can't wait to get started in the workshop! I began looking into vanity, mainly concentrating on body image and the beauty in our differences which we rarely seem to appreciate. After a lot of thinking and cutting I finally came up with a few design ideas which I am really pleased with.

I like the idea of the cut out people who are all connected. It is only when you look closer that you see each one is different. From a distance it looks like a snowflake. I am planning to make the final piece in acrylic with two sepearate layers. I am getting shown how to use the laser cutter on Friday so hopefully I can get the shapes cut nicely. There's still a lot of detail that needs to be considered so I'll get that all sorted soon.

Narrative Project

2009-02-22T12:08:00.000-08:00

We have recently been given a narrative project which I'm really excited about. We've been given a long list of topics which are mostly quite political for example; pro-life campaign, climate change, bereavement, body beautiful and crime and punishment. We have to choose from the list and design and make a brooch that tells a story.

This reminded me of our narrative project in 2nd year. We had to choose a piece of writing and design an armpiece based on it. I choose my favourite book Perfume by Patrick Suskind (it's really good!) The image above was my final piece.

I originally thought about looking at climate change as there is so much botanical imegary that really appeals to me but then I thought this would probably be a bit too predictable. I have now started looking at vanity as I also find this really interesting. There's just so much to draw!

Just Beginning...

2009-02-18T14:26:00.000-08:00

As someone who is completely hopeless with computers, I have avoided starting blogging for so long. I feel it's definitely time to "man up" and get on with it.

After leaving school in 2006, I completed my first year general course at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design and am now in my third year specializing in Jewellery and Metal Design. This isn't an area I ever imagined myself studying but it all just happened and I'm so glad it did because it feels so right.

Third year has been pretty hectic so far but we only have a couple more projects to do! I've learnt so much this year and I feel I'm just beginning to find my style. Can't wait to get started on developing this in fourth year.

I hope to keep you all updated with my work in the studio and my inspirations (if I can work this whole computer thing out!)

xxx