Lauren Blais

Some New Photos

2010-07-11T19:59:00.000-07:00

Here are some new photos I took last week...

sterling silver, snakeskin, tilapia skin

sterling silver, snakeskin, tilapia skin (front)

(back)

sterling silver, snakeskin

sterling silver, snakeskin (front)

(back)

sterling silver, rhodolite garnet (front)

(back)

sterling silver, copper

sterling silver

sterling silver, smokey quarts, rhodolite garnets

sterling silver, various semi-precious stones

Check me out in some blogs....

2010-06-03T18:10:00.000-07:00

At the last SOWA i was next to the Haberdash Vintage trailer.

Amy has a great blog Punky Style that everyone should check out and blogged about me and added from photos to check out.

A good friend of mine....and really great graphic designer has a blog We See it All, where she finds everything i want! i made ali and turner's engagement and wedding bands...here's a pic.

*they are white gold with a black pearl

-thanks girls!

SOWA

2010-05-21T20:52:00.000-07:00

Come visit me this sunday at SOWA from 11-4

I have lots of new stuff!

460 Harrison Ave

its free!

2010-05-21T19:14:00.000-07:00

sterling silver

Some new stuff.

2010-05-21T19:05:00.001-07:00

these are some new production pieces

etched sterling silver, snakeskin (sold)

etched sterling silver, snakeskin, stringray leather and tilapia skin (sold)

hallow fabricated 2 finger ring

2010-05-21T18:58:00.000-07:00

sterling silver

work in progress...just finished

2010-05-21T18:50:00.001-07:00

the sterling silver is all etched and the flowers are set with a smokey quartz, a peridot and 2 garnets.

the clasp is hinged too.

finished photos will be updated soon or you can check it out at 13 Forest in Arlington

2010-05-21T18:48:00.001-07:00

earrings

sterling silver

2010-05-21T18:46:00.001-07:00

earrings

sterling silver, green quartz

2010-05-21T18:38:00.000-07:00

sterling silver, garnets

2010-05-21T18:35:00.000-07:00

etched sterling silver, antique wallpaper, grasshopper and resin

Sculptural Jewelry

2010-05-19T08:13:00.000-07:00

My senior thesis was titled "The Botany of Nostalgia" here are some pieces from it.

copper, silver, found objects.

silver, silk, hair

Summer Jewelry Classes

2010-05-19T07:34:00.000-07:00

The studio of Monique Rancourt and Lauren Blais Present the Spring/Summer schedule for jewelry classes being held at Joy street studios #21, 86 Joy Street, Somerville, Ma. These classes are all small group settings of 5-6 people guaranteeing students individual attention.

Inga soldering in Monique's class

Beginning Jewelry With Lauren Blais

In this ten week course students will learn basic metalsmithing and jewelry construction such as: basic design layout, piercing, texturing, riveting, soldering, basic stone setting and wax carving. In conjunction with learning technical skills we will help students develop original designs. No prior experience is necessary for this class

Course schedule: Thursday beginning June 10th-August 12th

Class Fee: $300 Materials Fee: $50

Start up materials and copper will be provided. However students will need to purchase a few tools. If students choose to work in silver we will assist you in ordering.

Open Studio

This is an opportunity for students past and present to work on project outside of class. Every Wednesday night 5pm-9pm there are only 4 spaces per night so please contact Lauren Blais to save your spot.

Studio Fee: $10 per hour paid to monitor

Nicole making a pair of earrings in Monque's class.

Intermediate Earring workshop with Monique Rancourt

In this one-day workshop students will learn advanced earring mechanisms. Students will be provided with silver wire and findings in order to construct a pair of hoops with a hinged post.This workshop requires prior experience with soldering and basic jewelry techniques such as piercing and riveting.

Course Schedule: Saturday June 19th 11am-5pm

Class fee: $150 Materials Fee: $30

Etching on Metal Workshop with Lauren Blais

In this workshop you will learn a new way to create patterns and images on metal through the ancient technique of etching. Etching is the process of using strong acid to c

ut into the unprotected parts of a metal surface to create a design. You will create samples and learn various methods of etching on copper, brass and silver, giving you the broad knowledge that you can then incorporate into your own designs.

Course Schedule: Saturday June 5th, 11am-4pm

Class fee: $125 Materials Fee: $30

Note: you must bring your own silver if you intend to use it for samples.

Pre-registration and payment is required in order to reserve your space.

Instructors must be notified 10 days prior to class in order to receive refund.

For questions and class registration please contact instructors individually

Lauren_Blais@yahoo.com

Monique@moniquerancourt.com

Photos from Monique's winter classes.

2010-05-18T21:16:00.000-07:00

2010-05-18T21:15:00.000-07:00

Artist Statement

2010-05-18T21:10:00.000-07:00

The objects that I make are inspired by my past and historical references. Jewelry as wearable art has always been important to me because it plays with the personal relationship to the body and the nostalgic connection it has created between people throughout history. The styles and ideas of the Victorian Era greatly influence my jewelry. I am drawn to the ornate embellishments found on all objects as well as the social acceptance of death, mourning, sentiment and nostalgia, which were conveyed through the use of much symbolism.

I have always collected obscure objects throughout my life that hold sentimental value to myself while others may find them curious such as bugs, fur, hair, old family photos, letters, jewelry and linens. Basing my jewelry on these personal objects allows me to create something permanent that can be passed on through generations creating a new history of its own. Developed in the tradition and styles of the Victorian Era my jewelry focuses on ornamentation, symbolism and sentiment of my life. As jewelry, these pieces are universally viewed as ornamentation for one’s body. When viewed on the body, my work is seen as an obsessive ornamentation of oneself.

These pieces are predominately created by using traditional metalsmithing techniques such as lost wax casting, fabricating and enameling. These age-old traditions are linked back to the historical time periods that highly influence the conceptual aspects of my work. The repetition of historical connections between the processes and the aesthetics of my jewelry is an important aspect used in creating it.

I have become fascinated by the collections found in cabinets of curiosities. These collections often encompass an entire room and are now seen as the precursors to museum collections. In my work, I am continuing to explore similar ideas of collection, repetition and categorizing. I use objects that are new and old, they are often common and mundane to others, i abstract them in order to create a curious hybrid. I create these objects to wear and conjure up the ideas of familiarity, curiosity and nostalgia.

The notion of death has also been a repetitive underlying theme throughout the pieces that I create. The obsessive mourning process observed after a death of a loved one during the Victorian Era creates a celebratory feeling of reverence. Death was an accepted fact of life; however, strict traditions were followed as to not belittle the life of the beloved deceased. I find this acceptance of death fascinating. In the recent years, I have lost close family members. The pieces that I create serve as a nostalgic collection to commemorate their life and death while reminding myself as well as others that death is inevitable. Although sometimes heavy; the weight is a constant reminder, it is important to me that the pieces are somewhat wearable. Often the jewelry that I create serves as a container to hold objects belonging to these people or objects symbolizing my feelings towards them. The collections often seem obscure and random to the outsider but are sentimental to myself.