Project one sketches

Here are my final sketches for project one: 

The bottom sketch is the one I have chose to go with. It is based on the tail and body of a parrot. I am going to use color pencil on the bottom piece to incorporate the coloring of the parrot.

Etruscan Chain- double loop in loop

I absolutely loved making this chain. I found fusing really fun and I want to try making other kinds of chains. My first project doesn't call for an etruscan chain so I'm waiting for a use to arise for it. I am going to make a byzantine chain also called idiots delight chain for my project. It is going to use silver and blue colored wire. After completing a six inch double loop in loop Etruscan Chain I made a single loop in loop with the extra links. I still have to draw the single loop in loop through the draw plate. I'm hoping that will help it look more uniform. If it doesn't then I definitely prefer the double loop in loop. I tried to take some pictures but my camera cant see the detail in the chain.

Spring 2012 Theme

I've decided to use birds as my theme for this semester. I plan on focusing on one specific bird for each piece. I am thinking that I want to use an eagle for the second project and focus on their impeccably good vision by setting a magnifying glass. I'm not sure whether I want to go off from the idea of binoculars or a monocle. I keep think of designs for a monocle but I'm not sure how that relates to an eagle. I am still toying with what bird to use for the first project. The shape of the body and the delicate detail in their wings is really interesting to me. Here are a couple pictures i've been looking at. 

Also the repetition of their flight patterns might be a good design element to etch or play with when designing.