Branding - Monogram options

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I just wasn't satisfied with the previous options that I posted before and so I hunkered down and drew up some more. I think these are much better, more diverse and creative. The top ones I believe are unfortunately unrealistic for what I need, although I really like them. I will have to narrow them down to three or four. I will then ask opinions once I have narrowed down the logo image, the two will have to complement each other.

I don't think people really think much about the design process for the many images they see everyday. The ones that have been branded into their brains, that have been all over advertising for as long as they can remember. I believe when you make a choice like this it can be a very personal, stressful, and emotional process. You want to be sure you are represented accurately by your branding. It is who you are, what you do, and what you are capable of? As an artist I feel this is an important step, it is a representation of my signature, not just my style, but who I am as an individual, and the legacy I leave behind. Maybe that is why I have taken so long to reach the conclusion that I must start signing my pieces with a more professional monogram.

Branding - Logo Image Preliminary Sketches

In this step, I used tracing paper to trace sections of the images from my inspiration photo's. I chose areas that interested me the most. From here, I will choose the sketches that I find most pleasing and what I think could best translate into a logo image. I will then try variations on the sketches by cropping, copying, flipping, and enlarging. I may possibly create tessellations or maybe leave it in it's original state.
I have labeled with letters the images that I feel could use more logo exploration.

























I think I am leaning towards A, B, G, H, I or K? I most like A, B, G, and I at this point just how they are, but I have not made any decisions yet and B sort of looks like Broccoli.
Hmm?

Branding - Logo Inspirations

Pretty Weed - Holly Carter

In order to create a logo image, my design background taught me to first find inspiration. I searched my own photos as well as photos on the web for the subjects that I believe inspire my work. Of course, I am enthralled with all things nature, mother nature is a wondrous beauty!
The intrinsic artistry, as well as the life and death of nature, it's ins and outs. I have an appreciation for patterns in nature, especially radial patterns that emanate from the center of an interesting life giving stamen or pod. The structure of it's life, it's bones and skeletal systems.

Image from supermachine.wordpress.com

An affinity for bones does not have to be morbid or sad, it can be an admiration for what evolution deemed right to fit the creatures of world with, to sustain their place on the earth. There is elegance in the structure that sustains life, the architecture of every bone, joint, and connection, the engineering that allows us all to grow and move.

Snake vertebrae, for instance, has amazing movement and I find exquisiteness in the repetition in pattern and the flawless gradation of each segment. There is much stigma in the lore of snakes, although in many cultures it has been of a positive nature, many people still may be put off by my appreciation for their bones. Wikipedia states "Historically, serpents and snakes represent fertility or a creative life force. As snakes shed their skin through sloughing, they are symbols of rebirth, transformation, immortality, and healing."
But, I am not captivated with the symbology as much as the pure natural elements of a simple creature that once sustained it's life.

Link to Original Image

Like the snake, the turtle or tortoise have cultural symbolism throughout the world. Squidoo says "The Turtle is an ancient symbol that represents creation, endurance, strength, stability, longevity, fertility, and innocence. The Turtle also provides protection, good fortune, and brings happiness and good omens."
More over, they are amazing beings. Tortoises and turtles inhabit the soil and the sea, they are unique and similar, they carry their own homes and structures on their backs. Each shell itself has remarkable patterning that can be shed and re-grown. I was once enthralled with the skeleton of a giant sea turtle, what an awe inspiring animal it must have been, and it inspired the design for a table I am currently working on.

As of late I have been obsessed with the Agave, the 'Century Plant'. They have a splendid array of  arms, that after 10 to 30 years bloom with a tall tuft of flowering pods filled with seeds. When the flowers die away, the pods fall off, and many tiny babies grown in their place. The baby agave's then fall from the mother plant in hopes if taking root, and the mother dies away.
How eloquent a death is that!
To live a long full life to bloom, give birth, sustain new life, and simply pass away. With death comes new life.

Some websites I found with great photo's for reference: http://micheleroohani.com/blog/2008/07/28/a-desert-garden-in-full-bloom/, and http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photo-agave-flower-image10646425.
The following are some of the photo's I used for inspiration and links to websites I found them on, if not my original photograph.

Image and other inspiration from farmhousefilms.net 'The Boneman'

Link to Original Image in Flickr

Image from newworldencyclopedia.org

Link to Original Image on Flickr

Wikipedia Galapagos Turtle

Agave - Holly Carter

Holly Carter

Agave- Holly Carter

Cast Agave Bud - Holly Carter

Cast Agave & Pomegranate Buds - Holly Carter

Amaryllis Pod - Holly Carter

Branding - Need to make a Stamp!

On with my journey to Brand myself as an artist....... so I can brand my work.

Now it's time to make a Brand or Signature stamp, that is!

I got out the good old typography book and got some ideas. I sketched out various versions of my initials to use for stamping finished work with my seal. In the past I didn't like to sign my jewelry pieces because I felt it distracted from the beauty of the piece, but alas I have conformed to branding. I realize the importance of signing all of my pieces in order to make a more lasting impression as an artist. I am looking to use a monogram to serve as a stamp in many sizes, but also, to be the center piece in a logo design. I want the freedom of using them together or separate so that singularly they will each represent my work, with hopes of both becoming recognizable symbols.
The following image is a scan of the vellum I was sketching on. I would like the font to be unique and bold while still having a subtle presence, and yet portray my artistic aesthetic and affinity towards modernistic organics. I have found that lately my tastes and styles have been changing towards the more rustic organics in nature and I would like to somehow meld the two worlds with the logo image and the monogram together.
Boy, I am asking a lot of three little letters!
My intention is to not only use the stamps to sign the pieces, but to also use versions of my logo as parts of finished pieces such as one chain link in a necklace, a charm to add to a chain or bracelet, or the shape of a clasp.

I am leaning towards the circled Fonts. Font A is a generic example of what I see happening with the logo overall. I think once I make a decision on the logo image I will be able to make a better choice on this. 

On too the next step...narrowing down logo sketches. 

Later, I will post the preliminary sketches for my logo image as well.

Thanks for following me on my journey. I welcome feedback!

Maker Faire 2013 - San Mateo County Event Center May 18th-19th

May 18^th - 19^th 2013

San Mateo County Events Center, CA

Saturday 10am - 8pm

Sunday 10am - 6pm

Join me at the Maker Faire this weekend!

I will be doing a demo at The Metal Arts Guild booth on Saturday from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm. There will be many great, fun things to create all weekend long!

Summer 2013 Classes at The Richmond Art Center

Jewelry 1
Explore the basics of jewelry and small metals fabrication. Learn the use of tools, how to saw, file, sand, and high temp silver solder with silver, copper, and brass. Create pierced sawing samples, band rings, and a bezel set stone
pendant.  Explore various finishing techniques and surface treatments including polishing, rolling mill texture, patinas, and more. 8 weeks
Class # SU19J • Jun 24 – Aug 12, 2013, 6:30 – 9 pm
RAC Member $189 • Nonmember $210

Jewelry Sampler
An introduction to special techniques. Jewelry I or equivalent experience
recommended, but not required. Learn the basic skills for jewelry and small
metals in Acid Etching, Lost Wax Casting, and Vitreous Glass Enameling. This class is fast paced and designed to demonstrate techniques, it will not necessarily result in completely finished projects. Each student will finish a sampling of each technique. 8 weeks
Class # SU20J • Wed, Jun 26 – Aug 14, 2013 6:30 – 9 pm
RAC Member $189 • Nonmember $210

Beginning Enameling
An introductory class. Learn the techniques  of Vitreous Glass Enameling, fusing glass to metal. Emphasis will be placed on mastering the basics: sifting and wet packing, kiln and torch firing, mark-making, and knowledge of color interactions. $15 materials fee paid to instructor. 8 weeks (No Class 7/5,7/12)
Class # SU5J • Fri, Jun 21 – Aug 16, 2013 10 am – 12:30 pm
RAC Member $168 • Nonmember $185

‘Summer Bling’ Teen Metals/Jewelry Sampler
Ages 12-17, Whether you like Shiny Metal Jewelry or Funky Metal Sculpture you can create your art using techniques such as forming, stamping, soldering, enameling, cuttlefish casting, and stained glass inlay. Make bracelets, pins, rings, earrings, mini-sculptures, or wall pieces, the inspiration is endless. 6 weeks
$20 Class supply fee.
Class # SU22J • Mon, Jun 24 – Jul 30, 2013 1 pm – 4 pm
RAC Member $162 • Nonmember $180

Classes are held at The Richmond Art Center 

2540 Barrett Ave. Richmond, CA 94804

www.therac.org • (510) 620-6772

What's in a name???

Since I up and moved to the Bay, I decided it was a good time to renew my self and branding as an artist. Start fresh as it were. I have been using the name Incognito Designs when I sell every day Jewelry, while using Holly Carter when I enter exhibitions with my sculptural art. After much thought and advise from some friends, I am going to just keep it simple and true. My name Holly J. Carter for the business name and as the artist.

What a novel idea, just use my name!

I went back and forth with different variations on my name paired with metal works, art works, designs, etc.. Branding can be a difficult thing, to be confident enough that one day just your name will have enough weight to be a brand is astounding and intimidating. I was also stuck on the fact that I had to end the business name with something that was descriptive. My good friend Adiel suggested thinking of it as simply a tag line that I use on advertising, but not part of the actual name. I was making it too complicated as I usually do!

So, Holly J. Carter, Metal and Jewelry Art. Plain and Simple.
(Or, maybe Holly J. Carter, Metalsmith, Sculptural and Wearable Art? Or Sculpture and Jewelry Art?
Oh boy, here I go again!)

I also have many ideas for a new line of supplies to sell on sites like Etsy for those people who like to buy bobbles and beads and what not. Therefore my current Incognito Designs will transition into Incognito Designs by Holly J. Carter, selling supplies and whatever random cool vintage stuff I pick up now and then.
I am then going to start a new Etsy site with my name for all of my Jewelry and Art. Of course I am also working on perfecting the shopping cart on my personal website as well.

Now that I have gotten through the difficult part, time to design a new logo for a stamp, jewelry charm, business cards, website banner, etc., etc..

Wow, there is lots to do!
When I finally get it all done, then I have to wait for the sales to come.

I will keep posting on my progress for those interested. I would love to get some feed back on the process. I just hope that I can get more than my one current follower for my blog so that I can get that feedback. Especially since that one follower is me! Hehe.

A Story of Two Rings - Congratulations to Kristi and Ike

So begins a tale of two rings, I was asked by Kristi, a previous Arizona student to custom design and make her wedding bands. After a little research she decided she wanted their rings to look like twigs. Kristi emailed me some examples she found on the web, they were twigs carved out of wax with a leaf holding in the stone. As I don't like to copy other people's designs exactly, I said I could do something similar, but I would cast mine from Natural Twigs rather than carved from wax. I believe this makes them unique and more special. She wanted them made out of a white metal and hers with a stone setting. After much back and forth about types of stones, the decision was for Palladium with a round Alexandrite. Since I can't cast Palladium I decided I would have to cast the originals in bronze, make a mold of the ones they liked, and inject them with wax to be sent off to the Palladium caster. I used a few different types of twigs for the samples, including some from a cherry tree of which they liked the best.

These were the options I offered. I sent the two grooms rings for Ike to try and decide on what felt the best, and the one brides ring that Kristi liked for them to try for size and comfort.

Final Choices on style.
One Decision down!

After some difficulty in finding the right size of Alexandrite in an affordable price, I threw out a couple other options. I supplied photo's with different size and shapes of stones. As an example I used some random stones I had so she could get a better idea of how it might look.

Stone choice was an oval Iolite. (Photo shows an Amethyst)







During the trial period Kristi and Ike decided the Palladium was out of their price range for the moment, as Kristi was just accepted into a college program and so the purse strings tightened a bit. They decided to stick with Sterling Silver after all and that I could cast myself. After making some changes based on Kristi and Ike's preferences, here are the final wedding bands.

And, my little treat to them, I made a cute little custom box with a surprise note and ring pillow inside!

I used a cool box pattern from this website, and modified it a bit.

Wedding Photo's yet to come, stay tuned!

Custom Commission: Final Steps

I am a little behind on my posting! In November of 2011 I began working on this commission piece and here are some of the final photos of it before it left my hands. The client was planning to have it gold plated, but I haven't heard if she has done that yet.
If you would like to see the post on my previous progress click on the links below:
Custom Commission
Custom Commission Continued

I was unable to permanently attach the last bits. Due to the plating process the pearls could not be attached yet, so I took a photo of what it might look like when done.

With some creative assembling and photography, here is an accurate depiction of what the finished piece will look like except plated in gold. It was a great learning experience and I gained a new friend in the process.

Spring 2013 Classes at The RAC

Jewelry 1 (Click for more info)
Explore the basics of jewelry and small metals fabrication. Learn the use of tools, how to saw, file, sand, and high temp silver solder with silver, copper, and brass. Create pierced sawing samples, band rings, and a bezel set stone

pendant.  Explore various finishing techniques and surface treatments including polishing, rolling mill texture, patinas, and more.

No Class May 27. 8 weeks

Class # SP19J • Mon, Apr 1 – Jun 3, 2013, 6:30 – 9 pm

RAC Member $194 • Nonmember $215

Jewelry Sampler (Click for more info)

An introduction to special techniques. Jewelry I or equivalent experience

recommended, but not required. Learn the basic skills for jewelry and small

metals in Acid Etching, Lost Wax Casting, and Vitreous Glass Enameling. This class is fast paced and designed to demonstrate techniques, it will not necessarily result in completely finished projects. Each student will finish a sampling of each technique. 8 weeks

Class # SP20J • Wed, Apr 10 – May 29, 2013 6:30 – 9 pm

RAC Member $194 • Nonmember $215

Richmond Art Center Classes
2540 Barrett Avenue Richmond, CA 94804