2010 | Malissa Kuznicki

Overwhelmed

I feel a bit overwhelmed by all of the things on the Internet that need to be updated every time I do something new. Facebook, Myspace, Blogger, Twitter, Etsy, Artfire, GlassArtists, JewelryArtists, MyGlassArt, GlassLine and probably 10 other things I can't think of off the top of my head. Is there some way to link all of these things together? Sigh. Let alone the actual work that needs to be done. I counted... I currently have 20 designs in various stages of production. There are just not enough hours in the day. I have three alone that are ready for their first production run but I just need time to make them. At work we are getting ready for Tucson and at home I'm getting ready for Christmas so, no mater where I am everything is busy. I did manage to get out of the house and go to 'Tis the Secor (a local art event). It was really nice to catch up with people I hadn't seen in a while and make some new friends. Unfortunately I had to cut my visit short (sick baby at home.) Eh, things will eventually calm down and I'll really be able to dig in and get some work done. Right?

The next prototype is on its way

The next prototype is on its way. I'm so excited! I've changed the process slightly since the first model. I now pay the prototyiping company to cast the prototype in silver and send me the raw master. So, of all the steps, steps 3 and 4 are the only ones I don't do myself. Once I receive my master model I will continue with step 5.

Step 1: create computer model
Step 2: send model to prototyping company for a quote
Step 3: a wax prototype is grown.
Step 4: cast wax prototype in silver
Step 5: clean, finish, and polish silver master model
Step 6: make mold of silver master
Step 7: use mold to make wax models
Step 8: cast wax models
Step 9: clean, finish, polish, size, and set stones

Next Prototype out for a quote.

I just sent this model out today for a quote so that I can have it prototyped.

Rubber razor blade

Here is the first one. It will eventually be a bracelet
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Celtic bands

I haven't been designing on the computer as much lately. I've been concentrating on finishing what I have cast and doing some wax carving. I've decided to attempt to carve my celtic bands design by hand. Wish me luck. I'll post pictures if I succeed.

Design #4 Claddagh band set

As I'm sure you can tell already, I have a penchant for celtic designs. I just love the symbolism of the claddagh ring.
According to Wikipedia: "The Claddagh's distinctive design features two hands (one male, one female) clasping a heart, and usually surmounted by a crown. The elements of this symbol are often said to correspond to the qualities of love (the heart), friendship (the hands), and loyalty (the crown)."

I also love the idea of interlocking rings worn as wedding rings. To me, that adds to the symbolism: two lives coming together to make one.

Design #3

This is the same design applied three different ways. Back when I was a teenager, I fell in love with the finger armor that I would see at stores like Spencer's Now I'm older and while I'm no longer into skulls and spikes, I still love the concept of a full finger articulated ring, so I decided to design my own. Most finger armor you see out there is big, gaudy, and made from cheap metals that will turn your finger green in a heartbeat. I wanted to make something that was a little more wearable. I wanted something that I "grown-up" could wear. I wanted designs that weren't so clunky, lighter weight, more comfortable to wear, and were of finer materials. So, I am creating designs that I think will be comfortable enough to actually wear frequently. It is still an austentatious piece of jewelry but more subdued than what you might find at Spencer's. I have more finger armor designs planned so stay tuned.

About Me

My name is Malissa Kuznicki and I am an artist currently living in Toledo, Ohio. I started my professional life as a mechanical designer in the automotive industry. That is where I learned CAD. When I was laid off, I decided to take time to pursue my interest in art. Since I was still in college working toward an engineering degree, I decided to switch majors. Because I enjoyed 3-D modeling with CAD I enrolled in the Digital Art program at the University of Toledo. While earning my degree I also explored sculpture, metalsmithing, glassblowing, and flameworking. I have recently started using CAD to design my new line of jewelry.

Why my designs are plus size.

This is the first finished piece of design #2 I am so pleased with it. It is also nice to finally have a design that I can wear.

If you go into a jewelry store, most likely all of the ladies rings will be size 7. Most jewelers will not size a ring more than two sizes in either direction. It may be even less depending on the design of the ring. So, if you wear larger than a 9, well, you may be out of luck. When my husband and I went shopping for wedding rings I wore a size 9.5. Aside from the fact that I coudn't try any of the womens' rings on, the designs would have been too delicate for my large fingers. So, I settled for trying on men's rings and ended up buying one.

This is what it looked like trying on rings in a jewelry store. I had to imagine what they would look like on my finger because they wouldn't fit even my pinky.

Now, many years later (and a few sizes bigger) the problem is still there. I have the same story from many women who happen to have larger ring sizes. So, when I started designing jewelry I decided to design specifically for larger sizes. That doesn't just mean making them in a larger size. All of the proportions are larger. The designs are more bold so that they match the proportions of a larger hand. Also, the ring shank is thicker to acommodate sizing.

So, why can't a ring be sized? Look at the image below. The red line illustrates how much the design at the top of the ring has to distort to change the inside diameter of the ring. The same is true when sizing up. Aside from warping designs on the ring, this can also alter settings and cause stones to become lose or fall out. This is why jewelers often limit how much they will size a ring to avoid damaging the ring.

Design #2 - just cast

design #2 has been cast and is in the finishing phase. This run was only 4 pieces because I am feel like I was starting to over-extend myself with the last batch. I am anxious to roll out more designs but I have to slow down a bit or I'll get too far ahead of myself.
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The process

Create the 3-d computer model (and render it to show all of your friends)

rendered image

Send out the cad file to be prototyped. It comes back as a wax model, which is then cast.

Here is the master model cast in silver. Not very pretty yet.

The master model all polished up.

Make a mold from the master model.

From that mold, make many copies.

Copies after they have been cast and polished.

Ta Da! Finished jewelry with stone set and ready to sell.

Design #2

Currently in production. The first four have been cast and are now in the finishing process. They were cast in silver and will likely be set with CZs.

Design Blog

Design #1

Since I've switched gears and am putting together a line of fine jewelry, I thought I would create a blog to collect my thoughts and post pictures of my progress. As of right now, I have two designs in production. Everything else is still in the design phase. Most of my designs were originated in CAD. I am working on a few hand-carved designs. Pictures to follow.