Day 13

Today started reasonably early as we headed to Laura Deakin and Mira ishikawa for a bit of a studio tour and to talk making as per usual. It was really good seeing them in contrast as each of them had such different work and such different approaches to their craft. Afterwards we headed to spot beam with Laura to check out her new work and the work of Melanie Isverding which was great! Melanie's glass window brooches were incredible and so neat and intricate you could tell she took real pride in her work, if I had to do that I would probably rage quit after 10 stitches! From spot beam we checked out a few of the surrounding galleries, I especially liked the large round enamelled badges by Bettina Dittlmann. In the afternoon with were welcomed into the home of Mia Maljojoki and talked product verses art and that you don't have to sell your soul to make some money, which is a strong belief of a lot of jewellers when it comes to taking money, sales and making a living. I found it a really beneficial afternoon because I really love making but I know I would never be able to survive souly off art jewellery and I honestly do not want to be a waitress forever so this gave me a little hope. That evening we sat down as a group and talked about the project brief and honestly I was feeling a bit overwhelmed because not only do we have this elective but also our first project in j+o major is about this and we have 3 weeks to do it and then we also have to catch up on our theory components which just feels a little daunting and I just want to be sitting on a paddle board in the middle of the ocean or cruising around the reef embracing the beauty of nature with all my friends. But alas that is not the reality and I just have to push through my great barrier grief.