Artists - Jill Rockwell
Jill has had a lifelong relationship with art, and since childhood dreamed of being an artist. A University of South Florida graduate, she worked in galleries and the Tampa Museum of Art. She taught in junior high and elementary schools in Florida, incorporating art work into classes. Now that she has moved back home to the Pacific Northwest, she is happily pursuing her dream.
Jill has discovered that there are no boundaries to jewelry as an art and continues to work with enthusiasm on every piece. Her work has been published in Belle Armoire, and has been juried into a number of the larger art shows on Vancouver Island, where she has received several Juror's Choice Awards. Her pieces are all one of a kind, and she continues to develop her skill for finishing and detail so that she can set the bar high for quality and originality. Jewelery creations may incorporate handwoven sterling silver (Viking Knit), silver and copper clay (hand formed and kiln fired) to sinter unique metal pieces, unique textures created with handmade polymer plates, etched mixed metals, found objects and cold connections meticulously done. It is Jill's hope that each piece will please the owner in every detail.
PMC - What is it? Precious Metal Clay (PMC) is manufactured in Japan and this revolutionary new material is changing the art and jewelry worlds. It looks and acts like clay, but is instead a versatile clay-like material that you can work, roll, cut, shape, and fire - Jill has a kiln especially designed for it. The organic binders burn out and the result is .999 fine silver. It’s simply amazing. There is no care required. A finish is applied to the metal that causes the colors and depth and exposes the design. It will not tarnish further however, if cleaned with a silver cleaning rag, it will become shiny silver (and never again have the finish originally applied).
Viking Knit
Knitted Silver Wire ? The Viking Knit is not done on a spool as many suppose. It is an ancient Norwegian art called Näalbording. It is done in the opposite form, outward on a dowel. This way the artist can control the number of spines woven, the size gauge of wire used, and also the final size of weave. It is then pulled through a series of drawplate holes until it is still flexible and yet the diameter size weave the artist is aiming for. At that point, it is given the same finish as the PMC, with a pickle (non toxic) that gives it some vibrant colors, and it is cleaned on the raised areas with an abrasive, and tumbled in a tumbler until the silver portions gleam. Jill works very hard to achieve a color that is vibrant in light, with reds, golds, and blues. There is no care required.
Etched Metal Pieces
Beginning with a sheet of raw brass or copper, Jill applies a collage of images and writing using any printed or stamped material that appeals. The metal plate is then submerged in an etchant bath until the uncollaged surface is smoothed away and the collage becomes a raised art image. Her designs usually reflect her favorite sources: vintage maps, music, calligraphy, drawings..it is the collage she creates which makes each piece unique. The metal cuffs are embellished with one of a kind adornments, which she forms and kiln fires from pure silver or copper clay. The finished artwork is cold-connected to the cuff with grommets, rivets, or handmade hinges. A patina is applied to "age" the piece and give it character. Jill loves antiquities and strives to produce that feel from each piece. Some pieces are filled with resin to house antique bits that she brings home from flea markets in France and Italy. Lastly, a lacquer finish protects the patina and metal from discoloration.
Quails' Tale: Jill Rockwell and Mary Lou Moffat are associates, as Backyard Beads, Victoria... They join forces to teach Jewelry Making Classes and present jewelry exhibitions. You may notice a similarity of material but there is a significant difference in design...!
