Cool Stuff: Mysterious Stone from Mt. Vesuvius

What is it? I have no idea. It's some kind of silicon stone(i think), but other than that I have no clue! My brother brought it back for me from Italy, claiming it came from Mount Vesuvius. Did it?

Why is it cool? Look how freakin' sparkly it is! I mean, uh, it's aesthetic properties are quite pleasing. And if it did come from Mt. Vesuvius, then that's awesome. But if it isn't, that's still cool.

Where can I get one? I have no idea. I've seen stones like this one around, in museum shops where minerals are exhibited, but i can't for the life of me remember what they are called! Does anybody know?

new pictures coming soon

well, that semester's over with. i've got some works and some cool things burning a hole in my camera's memory, so hold in there!

Shrines and Spirit Houses

these little houses are for peices of the dead, usually ashes, and have windows so the spirit can come and go.

i love the texture in this photo. it's of a Shinto shrine to the spirit of the mountain.



this is a shrine to Inari, the fox spirit and god of rice.

Mangrove Trees

looking around the web for Mangrove Branches.

this site has some nice pictures-of everything but the branches. it specializes in seeds.
http://www.seabean.com/guide/Rhizophora_mangle/index.htm

source: http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/mangroves.htm

this is a picture of the branches of the Red Mangrove, the most common. Their seeds look funny :P they actually look like magnolia trees. i wonder if they are related?

source: http://www.backyardnature.net/yucatan/mangrove.htm

yep, those twigs are distinctive. and the silly looking beans too.

Patrick Veillet

allow me to distract you, for a moment, with something that has nothing to do with class, nothing to do with school, just something to blow your mind.
these are the works of French designer Patrick Veillet, who has a cool (if slightly annoying) website. Unfortunateley, that website is all in french, but if you poke around you can find samples of his sketches and his work. He works in some kind of resin (called "resin de vinyle" in french) for his wearable sculptures. Haven't found anything about his process yet, though.

See for yourself at http://www.patrickveillet.com/main.html

Hollow working Research

i found many examples of hollow working, but not many instructions. Finally, I found a site that is actually posted on the design research board in the studio, with good reason-it's straightforward and clear. The process seems pretty straightforward in itself- use solder to create a 3d form. The hard part seems to be getting the seams to be hidden.

So, here are some of the hollow working examples i found!

source: http://www.lapidaryjournal.com/feature/dreaminginmetal.cfm

Steph Korsage makes hollow metal beads, pendants and earrings with great textures.

Strongarm: Artist Statement

Cast silicon bronze, Cubic Zicronias.

"I lost you
Like I lost my arm
but in my loss
I've found a home
I reclaim these things
that caused me harm
on this plastic arm
I call my own."

In the face of loss and suffering, there are some that, instead of breaking down and giving in to violence, instead pick up the pieces and keep on walking. I have tried to capture their strength in this modern talisman of the Strongarm. It depicts an artificial arm, refrencing the horrific injuries of those who suffered for conflict diamonds, bearing a "diamond" bracelet. It bears a verse, stating the spirit of acceptance and strength.