AAR

AAR: Blood Diamonds

Part I
Sustain:
+Successfully cast piece
+Piles of skulls achieved- same design as sketches
+Was wearable and conversational
+CZ was cast in place

Improves:
- Better execution of presentation (ie Chain)
- More skulls in pile (like original)
- Maybe exaggerated openings so CZ could be seen better
- Casting with stones could be achieved better

Part II

I think I was always aware of my piece, but not about the final presentation. I think I thought about my model and not about the final product, focusing too much on the waxes. I was also too frugile with my investment which lead to mis-castings, where as I could have had more successfully castings earlier. I am very happy with the amount of detail in the skulls and the level that was reached with the cast piece. I think it is strong, but could lead to more items.

CHICKEN POO

Here is a green product that is called "Free Range Chicken Poop" lip balm. I thought it was pretty interesting.... the creator Jamie Faith Tabor Schmidt created this after going into Sephora and wanting to make beauty products. Made with Soy, Jojoba, Sweet Orange, Lavender, Bees Wax. Check her out at ilovechickenpoop.com

Bibliography for Blood Diamonds Project

"Blood Diamonds." Bill Brummel. History Channel, United States. Feb 2008.

Blood Diamond. Dir. Edward Zwick. Perf. Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou. Jennifer Connelly. DVD. Warner Bros. Pictures, 2006.

"Conflict Diamonds." Diamond Facts. World Diamond Council. 15 Mar 2008

"Conflict Diamonds." Sanctions and War. 21 Mar 2001. United Nation Department of Public Information. 15 Mar 2008 .

Elle Magazine July 2007: 45,54,159

"The De Beers Diamond Policy." Welcome to De Beers. De Beers. 15 Mar 2008 .

"The Kimberly Process." Diamonds. Fatal Transactions. 21 Mar 2008 .

TLC goes Green!!!

I am trying to catch the commercial again, but TLC is going green for a day and hosting two new green shows. I believe they are called Waste or Wasted and Greenology or something. I will keep you updated...... I think they are going to be really interesting.

Pre-casting pieces: Samples

Here are the before images of my sample casting pieces.... we had some survivors, but we lost some good men. Moment of silence please............ Thank you!

Eye Catching

I thought this drain was really cool, with the oxidation and natural patinas... I liked it.

AWESOME TEXTURE

Army Men

Everyday casting replicas.... but with really cool actions!!!

shoe lust

I am lusting over these shoes right now... $200 i wish i had at this very moment...

Green Fashion

I thought this could help be a guide for everyone who likes to get nice things, but also cares to stay GREEN!!
http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/116/seasonless

Funky Fresh

Rare Bird Finds

This is such a cool funky website, with handmade items from etsy and other places. I just looooove that they are all in one place. Interesting stimuli for funky shoppers...

SKULLS

i am really into the shapes of human skulls right now

BLOOD DIAMONDS

Damien Hirst made a skull out of platinum completely covered in blood diamonds to make a statement. It is very controversal, but makes a good point. Here's the image:

BLACKLE

THIS IS SMART! This is a search engine that is Google, but it doesn't use as many watts. When we use Google for a search engine, it uses a rack of watts to produce the all white screen, so Google created Blackle, which is a Google search engine with a all black screen... SMART! isn't it!!! Here's an article about it http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/02/black_google_wo.php

Also you can try it out yourself at www.blackle.com

It is now my homepage!!!

ORGANIC JEANS!!!!

SOOOOOO I was looking through a magazine, and I saw that Levi's has this new line of "Eco jeans". They are jeans made of 100% organic cotton and are suppose to fit extremely well. I went to the website, and they are about $68 and up, but they come in a lot of different cuts and fits. I think they would be awesome ask SANTA presents!! They are sold at King of Prussia, or www.levistore.com

Spinning Lady

This little tid bit of information was kinda cool... I enjoyed it. Deals with the difference with the right and left side of the brain. I thought it was awesome. Made me think a little bit more about which side I favor. http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22556281-661,00.html

Solar House Decathalon

This is freakin awesome! i really want to try to go out and see this. It is a competition for college students to design and create houses that are appealing and environmentally great! This challenge deals with solar power. I saw this on the news and had to look it up. There are some really prestigious schools that are represented, I wish we could have had a chance at it. http://www.solardecathlon.org/about.html

Jena Six Project

Title: Jena Six

Problems: misunderstanding or lack of information about racism today

Because of:people don't see that it still exists or don't know that it does

Want to Create: awareness; $ to support the victims of the Jena Six case; involve everyone so that it can hopefully end someday

Solutions: something commercial, that can be sold; Bracelets, or T-shirts or pins- show your support

Obstacles: Where to sell it; how to get the word out; will people want to support

Opposing Viewpoint: Racism doesn't exist, it was just a prank, this is being made a bigger deal then it is, why should I care its not here

Research: www.jenasix.org , www.democracynow.org , www.whileseated.org

Product Ideas: Keychains, magnets (for cars), $ drive, pamphlets, petition

Jena Six

I just don't understand the legal system in Louisiana. I feel so much for this kid. I mean, first he was sent to jail and now he has to go to juvenile court. I mean he should at least get some kind of reduction for his sentence. That's just me, this whole situation makes me irritated. http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN1224957620071012

Social Design

HoMu- social design about the art world, kinda interesting.


Barefoot Artists- Very awesome movement. This organization tries to build community within different areas that are not as fortunate or well off, nationally and globally. Pretty awesome and it started in Philly. Art is healing.
www.barefootartists.org

Building is better... we need them here.
www.smartshelterfoundation.org