Silver Hydrangea

Once I discovered how the lace can be manipulated to form many hollow exciting shapes it was time to move to the solid pieces which would represent the Hydrangea in itself. I began drawing the idea of stacking the flowers to create a large neck pieces. However, the drawing lost the elements of the natural form of the Hydrangea.

Mariambibi Khan, 2015. Hydrangea Shapes. Pencil.

I decided to create the pieces in metal by forging the shape and curves of the hydrangea, so that I could understand the shape better and then, perhaps, be able to represent it in my drawings. I used sterling silver to create the flowers so that the shape will be strong enough to hold itself compared to the fine silver.

Mariambibi Khan, 2015. Hydrangea Metal Shape. Sterling Silver.

Once I pierced and shaped the metal to represent a hydrangea, it was too harsh and solid against the lace. I then decided to incorporate the veins present in the hydrangea by piercing out lines which would lighten the piece both physically and aesthetically.

Mariambibi Khan, 2015. Hydrangea Metal Shape Piercing. Sterling Silver.

Mariambibi Khan, 2015. Hydrangea Metal Shape Pierced. Sterling Silver.

Once I placed the flowers onto the lace, it was a complimenting relationship, the end result emphasizes the beauty of the hydrangea when alive and dead. I began creating different variations to put together and form into a combined jewellery piece.

Mariambibi Khan, 2015. Hydrangea Metal Shape Pierced with lace. Sterling Silver.

Mariambibi Khan, 2015. Hydrangea Metal Shape Pierced Components with Lace. Sterling Silver.