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!

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'

'WANTED!' Raffles 28th Graduation Show

Attended the "WANTED!" Raffles 28th Graduation Show, to support my seniors of course, but were late sadly, we arrived after they had finish the entire cert giving thing but as long as is not ended, we are not very late hahaha, the reason got there late were because my batch were responsible for getting the graduations flower for the seniors. So we have to shop in Pasar Seni for flowers and look around for a better price of flowers then we found these beautiful sunflowers and on the way we bought new red ribbons and aluminium foils so we can wrap ourselves, cause we thought it would be nice to wrap them ourselves instead of giving them ready made, 'thoughts that counts' but it came out well i guess haha, will be blogging bout it next time if we were to wrap them again, back to the graduation.

everyone were speechless looking at the cover, just not a great one.

The seniors work were great, all have their different character in each piece. I did shots for Ning Pei, Jamie, Shien Ni and Nini's portfolios hahaha, were glad that they asked me to photoshoot their work. 

Inspired by Aurora

Inspired by Musical Notes of 'Kiss The Rain'

Inspired by 'Loved At First Sight'

Inspired by 'Rain Forest'

This few are just part of their works. Anyhow, u just gotta check them out, :)
So of course we had lots of photos of selca with the seniors and everyone as usual,

see what i meant? hahahha this is with Lady Vennice from England, lol her whole look kinda reminded me of the Queen Elizabeth with the hair style and pearly necklace, but anyhow she's one of the pretty ladies hahaha

with the JD gang, they had all graduated from diploma so now left my batch now, scary stressful now

this is kyle, one of the JD studio 'legends' hahaha the word says it all. LOL

with Jamie, the graduates

With my batch, and the cookies we got, lost mine in the process -.-

How can i possibly forgotten the Raffles fashion show, this year's to me wasnt that dramatic as the previous one i attended but still the work of everyone's were crazy nice and the models were just too beautiful to be described. lol, love at first sight aye, hahaha

After that my batch left for some burger kao kao in wangsa maju, it sure does taste delicious, gotta go there again, its too good for not going there.

Nini won the best collection of their batch, (congratz nini) all her effort she put in her pieces were worth it. I wonder how did the judges do the judging im sure is very hard for them to select a winner from 8 of them, they were just so good!!! hahahaha, My favorite collection is from Nicholas cause his style are so unique as i had seen in his work every semester, always blow my mind when i saw his designs. 

isnt this unique?! u tell me!! hahahaha

The sky city view of HatYai 06042012 :)

isnt it beautiful with the grey scale colour?? kinda obsess with grey scale now

First photoshoot :) 16072011

sorry readers, that i had not been much updating my blog....
cause there are too much assignments for me to research and draw
so lets get back to today's things i wanna blog about...

so as you know, my second semester has started 2 weeks ago and i alrdy had so much thing to do... lots of designs and research for me to do..
and that's not only for my course but others too... like the graphic courses too...

siew fen had an assignment on photography so she asked me to help her with it on 16072011,
as in being the model and the photographer.. wth O.O but i agreed with her,
cause its my very first to be in a photoshoot and also because she were a great friend of mine.. hahahah..
while its also a little dream of my came true.. and the shoot were taken in the KLCC park...
the place were awesome and the weather was perfect for photoshoot.. as in windy and less warm...
the picture above is the only picture i had with me currently..
but there are a few more.. hahaha

stay tuned