Gypsum, LED. 2013.
This project was done as a part of my Production Processes course at Tyler. Each student had to create a wearable piece that was to be produced in multiples, and they were eventually sold at the class's annual jewelry sale at the end of the semester. The students organized the sale themselves, coming up with the name of the sale (Lamina Jewelry), working on advertising, print/media, display, and packaging for the pieces. Each student's work was based off of one theme given by the professor: layering.
My piece is a 3D printed light-up brooch. From the beginning of the course, I became very interested in light, and the layering effect that was created when you place a light behind a 3D printed material. The 3D printed material that I used was gypsum, a plaster-like material that allows light to pass through its walls. I chose to color the inside of each "flower" (done through 3D printing), which gave each piece a unique glow when the LED was switched on.
The piece doubles as a brooch and a decorative piece, designed to sit flat if the owner chooses not to wear it, and rather have it out on a table top. Each piece was wired and soldered myself to create the working LED- a first for me and I am very proud!