'Rock' the next collection

This rocks will be the inspiration for my new collection.

the picture was taken in Qingdao, China by the beach when I traveled there. 2013

stay tuned.

Couple of unplanned months.

Everything seems fine this couple of months, but 'not as planned' fine.

 

Been traveling for exhibitions quite a bit this year, which usually I only travelled with C MY steel, but I just got back from Sharjah, UAE working with a Singapore company. Sharjah is a city next to Dubai. Its nice to work for a different company as a part time. 

   

Met a couple of people along this trip and it was great, learnt plenty from them. the way to selling, the ways to approach and even ways to seal the deal. Its more than meets the eye, things you cant learn from just reading or watching, but experiencing it.

photos above are linked to the albums in facebook, feel free to view them. its free! comments are appreciated but be aware of crazy selfies. just dont click them if you gonna judge on selfies *winks*

Experiencing Penland School of Crafts

*updates : all photos are posted up on facebook and its all sorted up by the weeks beginning from week 1 till 8

Welcoming students on the first day of class 'orientation'

Being able to experience Penland is amazing. I was there as the studio assistant for the fall concentration of 2013 which is in Adam's class. The amazing thing I find in Penland is the peacefulness with the nature surroundings around it which I have been longing for, as its been awhile since I been to a place surrounded of nature like my grandparent's farm. Within these beautiful surroundings there's so much ARTS, CRAFTS and DESIGNS, HUMOURS and FUN. In short Penland is

 'AWESOME'. 

view from the pines/cafeteria out to the null

a little panoramic view photography before i updated my iPhone *pffffft*

Views of Penland

In Penland they have various studios from Clays, Metals, Irons, Glass, Woods, Letterpress, and all the way to Photography when I was there, which is really cool. The people undertaking those studio are even cooler. hahahaha btw *if anyone of you from my concentration you know I'm talking about you.  It was great meeting new people and I personally thought I would have a really hard time to join in but it wasn't. *whew*

So I was in metal class and the first day I met Ian Henderson to help setting up toolkits, and supplies for the students in the class. During this 8 weeks concentration, we did so much, it absolutely fits in the word 'concentration'!!! from teaching students sawing, filling and sanding to castings, and one of it that I am so interested in is the Chasing and Repousse class demo, which I didnt learn when I was in college. I shouldn't be comparing what I learnt in college, but in Penland, the students in my class took 3 weeks to learned a few techniques but in college it will take us about 3 months which is a semester there but of course we were in different modules but the same technique. I am really impressed as how the students were in the class and thinking to my own, Ahhhhh, I could have been better in my college time.

Class photo during Core Night 2013

*left: Bryn, Rene, Terilyn, Me, Tory, Zee, Angela, Adam and Camielle

The class were a good mix personality wise and everyone has their own kind of work and style which I like a lot as; I prefer learning from peers as well. Everyone are really good with their hands as a few of them were new at it. I made samples mostly as I can figure it out that I can explore further when I am back in Malaysia, but I did made some cool belt buckles that I loved a lot and got it sold during auction and to an artist, Micah Evans, glass artist. Furthermore, I made a few trades and the people who got my work were really happy. *glad* Will be posting some of the work I did in Penland on facebook.

name pendants

Shooting my chasing and repousse sample

Instead of views and the classes, what I like a lot is the food, especially non asian food, like Mexican and pasta, they are really good!!!!! but theres only one asian food that tasted the best which is the soup noodle with pork and bean sprouts and I only had it once, and knowing me I never miss meals like lunch and dinner.

meals of Penland

looking at them again makes me hungry and craves for them 

Those aside, during my concentration they would have presentations weekly, every Tuesday which is really nice to have. Its all presented by Instructors, Studio Assistants, Visiting Artist, Resident Artist, Core Students, and Studio Coordinators and the works that are presented are really cool. I love seeing people's work and especially presented by the maker/designer themselves. 

As the studio assistant of Metals, I have to present as well, which are on same day as the famous people in Penland *drum roll please*  Adam Whitney, Jay Burham-Kidwell (Iron insturctor) and Adam Kisor (Iron studio assistant). I was really nervous about it, because on that day of presentation, I heard that the hall is going to be full with audiences because the presenters are really good, and I totally agrees with them because I finally get to see Jay's work as I cant see much of his work online and Adam Kisor's works is really good from what I heard from others.. and theres no need to say for Adam Whitney, I've been in his class for 2 years HAHA. Everyone's presentation were very inspiring.

In the end, the presentation went on pretty well and I got good comments right away after it ended. Its my first time presenting to so much people, great experience. *sweet*

A joke cheer board, *I saw nothing* hahaha

The next best thing about Penland is that they have a gallery of their own just nearby, and the works are by the artists that supported, visited, taught and any means of being a part of Penland. The works are really inspiring, and I saw Mary Ann Scherr's work as I heard so much about when I was in college. It was like a 'hot topic' among the seniors about Mary Ann's work, it was really cool to finally seen it.

Simple delicate details, totally minimalism

The last day of concentration is the show and tell day and its the best and hardest day to live in because we get to see what everyone worked on for the whole concentration, and its the day of saying goodbye to the students and people that have been with you closely for 2 months. Is not easy for a person that's emotional and person that cared too much. 

*mostly* Everyone's work 

Experiencing Penland were a total joy, all thanks to Adam who invited me and not only Adam but I have everyone to thank for as everyone were so nice and willing to share their life and work experience with their specific materials. I learnt a lot of stuff, and this trip to Penland, US had my view in things totally different or maybe I can say a whole new level. There is so much to talk about my experience, but experiencing on your own is the best way. 

But before I left Penland to NYC, I celebrated my birthday the night before, 16/11/2013 with the work studies, there were so much laughter, hugs, dance, talking and crying moments 

*I was really happy. Thank You*

After the concentration I went back to New York and made a promise to myself that I have to go back Penland after I have finished my studies and had a stable income and instead of that, I will introduce my friends about Penland, so they can experience what I went through. please do email or facebook me if you want to know more. matthewyew@hotmail.com 

peace out!

Appreciate what we have, it might last only for a moment

Raffles Graduation MY TURN 21032013

This news have been a week old but, I had graduated as an Advanced Diploma Holder in Jewelry Design in Raffles KL, and I got the 'Best Student Award' and so as the 'Best Collection Award. and thankyou for those who came during the exhibition in Fahrenheit.

It feels like yesterday that I just enrolled into Raffles Jewelry Design, and now Im a fresh graduate. The 2 years have been fun and it has so much sweet memories, met so many new people from the same course and  different course. Honestly being a Jewelry Design student is awesome, because this department had been like a family to me because everyone were being so close to each other, its like when ones had problem the otherS would know bout it, people might think we are 8, but this is how our department works. So Glad

The 'Double' Awards photo. The award is just a bouquet of flowers for each award.

So many person i want to Thank for being able to be where I am right now, especially the 2 lecturers that taught me, Adam Whitney and Sydney Scherr. Both a great lecturer with their respective experience and design ideology. Its been fun learning under them even though there times i stuck on certain step, but everything worked out, not sure whether they will saw this but, i had alrdy thank them respectively hahahahaha. Next would be my lovable juniors and seniors, super supportive. you guys been great to me, u guys didnt really made a fuss over me, which i am very grateful of hahaha.. lastly and not least my parents that had supported me so long since i started this course, xie xie.

My collection includes 2 separate sets, which is the mens collection and womens collection. The entire collection is inspired by the Art of Nature, below is the hand fabricated necklace with choker, entirely in sterling silver and with the use of liver of sulphate.

Photo Credit: Raffles Photographer

(fyi, this is not the real product shoot for this necklace and this were taken during the exhibition)

Making this entire collection had been fun, and i were able to try many techniques on making this collection a success, but honestly, i did not felt that I myself as a designer explored enough... anyhow, done is done, but might be enlarging this collection with different techniques like enamel and piercing, (will be fun) more pictures will be posted after the collection is being photoshoot. So stay tune for it..

Thereafter the graduation, I will be entering the next stage in life after diploma which is Internship, that will be starting after today, havent able to find a company yet. anyone wants to hire me? Email me please: matthewyew@hotmail.com Or if you want to have a custom design made and a collaboration, email me as well for further information.

Ended the 8th Semester

Aiy, semester break are ending soon, so excited for my coming final semester in Raffles, its certainly been a short but nice journey excluding all the rushing for due dates and last minute studies for test,, but its all well.

passing in all classes, now theres only 3 classes left for me in Raffles including my internship. Havent really got a clue yet to do intern for which company but certainly not helping my dad yet, had made a promise that after i got my degree and being certified as gemologist then only i will be back helping dad :)

Its still a long way to go but time sure flies quick. So, the previous studio class were stone setting and another class Jewelry Technology as we have to design for mass production while the studio class are to learn stone setting. Seriously, stone setting isnt my thing at all, but i got to at least learn it and pass my class LOL. But Sydney had been a great help with it, sadly she left the college because of some childish issues. gonna miss you in the studio Sydney.

Learn a lot about accuracy and the way stones sets in, i actually didnt thought that the steps would be so little just burring the holes with different burs and cleaning up but the important is accuracy whether the hole is bur straight and the heights and everything, is not easy. Below are some of my setting samples.

Bezel and Flush Setting Samples (ignore my fingerprint)

Partial Bezel Setting Sample (got A for this)

4 Point Prong Setting Sample

Tension Setting Sample (please ignore all the fire scales)

Channel Setting Sample (the most hideous setting sample)

Group picture of my settings samples.

Instead of Setting samples, the class also requires us to design a jewelry with stones incorporated and also with a chosen designer. What i chosen were George Sawyer's magnificent mokume pieces. It inspired me and influenced me a lot, and i had a mind set of making my own mokume but with copper and brass instead of silver and gold,but sadly my design were too complex and made me to do a much much more simpler piece due to the time frame i had before the due. 

this is my piece, inspired from George Sawyer's butterfly mokume, because i like the way he had his black mokume so that it totally contrast with the gold. Supposingly the interior of the piece is gold plated but there were technical misunderstandings of patina plated materials and turned out my entire piece became patina sadly. If not there will be an extreme contrast betwen the interior gold and exterior patina. The stone i used were just a pink cubic zirconia stone. The base material of this piece is sterling silver.

For jewelry technology class, i designed a collection of jewelry that can be mass produced. Its called the 'Minimal Tri's Collection'. This class were great for me because of my dad's business as i need to learn to design for mass produce therefore this class helped me a lot. So what i had were a tie chain and a necklace with a button interchangeable piece and a pendant matching with a pair of earring. Below is just the pendant and necklace piece. Material is Sterling Silver with a white cubic zirconia stone. If your interested, you can email me in matthewyew@hotmail.com with the subject stated 'MTC'

Birthday Vacation to Thailand Part 3

this is the video of the interior of the 4th island we visited..
so cool isnt it, is my first time being there, and i feel that the nature is so magnificent and majestic but is not that i dont know it existed but to be there and feeling the environment, is so much different then viewing it in tv or online.

enough of that, you will just have to feel that yourself.
The third day, well, we got up early to see the sunrise of Trang, ill let the pictures to do the talking..

After we watching the sunrise, we walked down the beach and we saw these statues,

dewgong statues?

the mists in the morning is so strong that, 

the view became misty but is so cooling, love the breezy feeling.

below are some monochrome images of the beach i took

the death of an unknown crab

water squirting from the sand created by the crabs living underneath. 

the shell that were left alone

the feel of being apart and alone

hahaha, trying to be abstract and poety LOL, enough of 'alone' im there with family, 

so im not alone. love is always around, just need to appreciate thats all.

After the morning beach walk, we immediately checked out and get out of Trang and head towards south for more sight seeing and breakfast :)

then we drop by a place like a malaysia kopitiam with a slight penang style.

Then we head towards south again cause we planned to be in Hatyai on the evening, but on our way, I saw theres so many tourist spot's temple, cave and beaches. So i randomly chosen a cave and coincidentally i chosen the Buddha Cave.

The Buddha Cave is also one of the main part of our Thai vacation, my family and I went in with a monk i with communication problem because of the language, so instead we used body language, thats how we get around in Thailand. 

So we entered the cave with the monk guiding us in, theres actually many pathways in the cave, and each pathways in a certain point theres a few Buddha statues in it, its seriously scary because of the dark place but yet safe, cause is a buddha temple therefore the feeling is still okay rather then being very scared. Well of course we were shocked when the bats pass by us suddenly, who wouldnt be for a first timer to visit caves, am i right?! then theresa pathway where theres a Buddha Statue in the middle and a long mat along the pathway, and the light there wasnt working, so because of the mat, we were asked to take out our shoes as we walked on the mat and stupidly my dad were taking video in that part and he were so left behind, the monk were like rushing my dad to walk faster but in a way that worrying us, so i got frightened immediately because of the monk's speaking tone and i couldnt understand what his saying and also the dark area. 

Once we reached out of the cave (another side), we were brought into a place like a holiday homestay.

the place is like so wide and peaceful, the strangest thing is that there isnt even a people there, and i begin to imagine stuff, im 'wtfing worried' i was just in a stunned mode, because in my mind, Thailand is a place of dark magic and haunted places like in their movies, weird things could happen.. sorry for being too imaginative and pathetic but im darn worried.

After that, the monk continues guide us out thru caves but another pathway, on our way out, the monk brought us to have a peek on the natural minerals/crystals. The minerals/crystals are so beautiful grown and is all over the wall of the caves and along the cave's pathway, theres a river stream.

Once we got out of the cave, I AM SO RELIEVED TO BE HONEST, safe and sound without injuries or anything dropped. hahaha, but this is seriously a great experience, its like a once in a lifetime experience for me. though it was scary but is exciting. Before we got into the car, another monk came by to shake hand with my dad, the monk were having a grin on his face, which made my family and I stunned, because anything could happen in a place where we have no idea where we were and is not in our country, and my dad were like thank you thank you with body language and all, then the monk finally shown us what he wanted, a cigarette from my dad, immediately my dad gave him a packet of cigarette as a present gift. WE WERE STUNNED and i were like 'mom and sis lets get in the car immediately' then we left. 

blogging bout it gives me the shiver down my spine *shivers*

After that we continued our journey back to Hatyai, and we arrived to my favourite noodle shop. So many i've tried they have the best noodles everytime im there, i will at least have it once but not only one bowl but 3 bowls. THEY ARE 'THAT' GOOD, and also because the portion was so small. 

this is the place of the 'heavenly noodles' hahaha

the chef and the man behind the scenes i mean infront the scenes NVM, hahahaha

Well they also have something like crackers but its actually a fried fish skin, its very good as well

So after that we went for a lil shopping in the Hatyai malls and have dinner, then the next morning we left Hatyai and we're back in our roots LOL, back in Malaysia, oh sweet country, haha

Woots, finally finished bloggin bout the Thai Birthday Vacation :)
will be updating on the recent college assignments so do stay tuned kay

Merry Christmas Everyone