Box Ring Project: Predator & Prey, Life & Death
Near the end of each JTI class at the Revere Academy students are asked to complete a box ring project. Every student starts by creating a basic ring consisting of four pieces, which when assembled form an open square on the top of the ring.
You can see some examples from a previous class here:
http://metalcyberspace.com/blog/archives/244
From this basic idea, students are asked to design and build their own personal box ring. The time limitation of the project is set at 8 hours for anything beyond the basic ring construction, but that appears to be more of a general guideline than anything enforced. Students may use whatever materials and construction techniques they want, as long as it builds off of the base box ring idea.
Here’s what I came up with:
Materials used: Sterling silver, 14k gold, peridot, deer leg bone, wolf fur
Additional photos and Meaning(TM) after the jump…
I wanted to make something that was both aesthetically appealing and personal in nature. I have always connected with and sorted through concerns in my life a bit easier through a sort of personal symbolism. Sometimes having a representation of a thought or concept can make it easier to relate to or focus on.
One issue that’s been particularly difficult for me in the past year is the death of my brother. My father died when I was much younger and while I understood and accepted that in the way that the very young seem to, the death of my brother was a blow to my core. We had just begun to reconnect over the last few years after most of our lives apart and to find him suddenly gone tore into my heart in a way I never fully realized was possible.
I found myself reevaluating what I valued and had done with my life thus far. Clichéd though it may sound, I found myself realizing that life is too short and too uncertain to keep putting off those things that you’re passionate about. I find my passion in designing and constructing things with my hands, more specifically jewelry and the realm of personal ornamentation. With that in mind (and my employer’s understanding blessing), I jumped into the JTI class at the Revere Academy to immerse myself in a way that otherwise really wouldn’t have been possible.
The ring itself is a culmination of the skills I’ve learned and as a symbolic focus for remembering and cherishing those that are now gone from my life.
The organic elements and stone are symbols of remembrance, death, healing and strength. The golden hoop at the bottom is meant as a connection point on which to suspend the name of the person I am remembering, which is then held in the palm of the hand. The golden hoop on the side of the ring is meant to hold charms that represent life and growth, though I haven’t sorted out what those are just yet.
I have spent a good deal of time in my life thinking about death and what it means. Now it is time to think about what it is to live.
The following cards accompanied the ring:
Title Page:
Predator & Prey, Life & Death
Page One:
Wolf: family, teacher, protector, death & rebirth
Deer: gentleness, balance, love, healing
Peridot: healing old wounds, balance, releasing negativity, strength
Page Two:
“Live! Live! Live within your own mind, and never have a care in the world. When you go to sleep and don’t wake up, we will know that you are cured. We will dress you in your finest clothes and place you gently down in your bed, cover you with your favorite quilt. We will kiss you softly on your forehead and wish you the very best of times as the infinite universe of the self opens to you, and all hurts are healed, and all will be forever well.
The rest of us will live, love, laugh, be hurt, weep, and die. It won’t be an easy ride, to be sure. But we’ll do it with each other.” – Pete Overton, 2009
Page Three:
G. Aunt Betty, 2009
I did not see Betty much, but I heard about her all the time while I was growing up. She was vibrant, full of life and passion. She was wild and funny, committed and loving. She married the love of her life and they spent more than 50 years together, still visibly in love after all that time.
The last time I saw great aunt Betty was during my trip back to MI for my brother’s funeral. She comforted me when I needed it most, and for that I will always be grateful.
I see her personality in my mother and grandmother, a joy and laughter that the world could use more of. She was a good person, and she was family. I wish that I had known her better.”
Page Four:
Grandma Joann, 2009
Grandma Joann wasn’t technically my grandmother. She was the grandmother of my ex step-father. All the same, she acted like a grandma to me and accepted me into her life. She watched me as a young child and helped me learn the value of doing things yourself and staying pro-active in life. She was no-nonsense, but welcoming.
I remember watching Murder She Wrote and falling asleep next to her on a regular basis, after a day of errands and running about.
She had a great collection of random rings, though she seldom ever wore them. I’m not sure why that always comes to mind, but it does.
Page Five:
Duri, 2008
Duri was a friend of mine, the kind you meet and feel instantly like you’ve known for years. He was a tall, fanged, long-haired modern-day warrior, who just happened to work in the game industry. The solution to many of life’s problems was a hearty laugh and a bellowing of AXE!
He was a kind person and always there for a good rant-and-relax session. A good man who was troubled by the demons life had dealt him. Unfortunately these foes were not ones the warrior could defeat, and a good man fell.
Warrior, geek, gamer and friend, I salute you and miss your laugh. AXE! on into eternity, as only you could.
Page Six:
Ian, 2008
The consummate big brother.
Once when we were young I hit Ian over the head with a baseball bat. I was maybe 3 at the time, no idea why I did it. My mom heard the yell of surprise and pain and came running. Still clutching his head, Ian grabs me in a hug and starts saying ‘It’s okay! She didn’t do anything!’. My mom still laughs about it today.
That was Ian. Even if you didn’t really deserve it sometimes, he loved and protected you all the same.
I will miss him always.
Page Seven:
Dad, 1987
My father was not a great person. He had problems with alcohol and with his temper. Despite this, my scattered memories of him are full of love and kindness.
After a long day at the foundry, soot still on his face, my dad would sweep me up into his arms for a big hug, m&ms and creme soda. He loved me in that doting way that fathers do best. The memory of that love still comforts me in times of need.
My father may not have always been the best person, but to a young girl he was a great dad.
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