Design References

 

 

My first cultural reference would be the sun because it is part of my clan's names that signify we, as Mhlongo people, originated from the sun. That's why I chose it. The second reference is the sunflower. In my clan's names, there is a part that mentions Mhlongo people growing during the daytime. Hence, I thought of using the sunflower because sunflowers follow the sun throughout the day, symbolizing that we grow during the daytime. The third reference is a horse. I chose it because it appears in my clan's name. The horse is an understanding and accepting animal. As Mhlongo people, we share similar characteristics with horses; we are trustworthy individuals, just like horses. The last reference is a mouse, which also appears in my clan's names. Mice are self-reliant, thrifty, and like to plan for the future, the horse has same characteristics shared by Mhlongo people, who also like to plan for the future. The colour that I will use for beading is yellow, as I drew it from the sun and the sunflower, both of which are yellow.

Umlando wakwaMhlongo

 

                                                     Umlando wakwaMhlongo 

Mhlongo people came from Swaziland and moved into south Africa in KwaZulu Natal before they were called Mhlongo. The was Sililo KaNqeshe after that the was Mhlongo who became a king. Mhlongo had a son called Bhebhe. Then Bhebhe who was a king at that time had a daughter who was called Nandi KaBhebhe. then Nandi gave birth to Shake Zulu. 

in the Mhlongo clan names there a animals that appear in the clan names, animals like a horse which in my clan name we call it Njomane and also a mouse which is  Igundane.

in the Mhlongo clan, there is a part that says Makhula emini abafokazana bekhula ebusuku which means as mhlongo people we grow at daytime while others grow at night time. Owavela elangeni which means we as people mhlongo we came from the sun.what I have mentioned above I try to include some of it when I am designing for this project and in my jewelry pieces  I will try  to include some of the elements like a sun and 

The brief

Izithakazelo Jewellery Collection

Create a unique and personal jewellery collection using your own Izithakazelo as an inspiration. In many African communities, izithakazelo or family praise and identity markers serve as a source of cultural pride, history, and identity. In order to create a creative jewelry collection that honors your own cultural history, you are asked to look into your own background, symbolism, formed associations, and meanings discovered within your Izithakazelo.

Project Objectives:

To create a personal jewelry collection that reflects your cultural background.

 To include meaningful Izithakazelo symbols, shapes, and meanings into the piece of jewellery designs.

 we should make a collection that is not only aesthetically appealing but also culturally respectful

 and meaningful. 

To inspire you to use art and design to connect with and preserve your cultural heritage.

Scope of Work:

Personal Exploration and Research:

 look into the history of your own family or clan to find your personal Izithakazelo.

 Research the meanings of the shapes, symbols, and other elements of your Izithakazelo.

write a short essay about your own family stories and cultural experiences related to Izithakazelo.

Concept Development:    

we should get symbols, shapes, signs, and images that create and connect to your Izithakazelo.

Develop a concise, unique concept for your jewelry line that highlights the history of your own family or clan.

Write a story explaining the significance behind each piece.

Design Exploration:         

 Experiment with different materials, shapes, sizes, and colour schemes when creating jewellery. Check that each part of your design is based on the appropriate symbols and meanings from your personal Izithakazelo.

Design Prototyping and Feedback:

we should make prototypes of the jewellery pieces for review and feedback.

Technique Application:

use advanced jewellery-making techniques like including wax-rolling work, fly-pressing, enamelling, and beadwork, to bring their designs to life.

ake sure that these techniques are applied with precision and creativity to achieve the desired

aesthetic.

make sure all  the catches, fittings and findings are considered and integrated as part of the designs and pieces of jewellery.

Production:   

we should make the final jewellery pieces using the materials and techniques.

we should make sure that the work created is high quality and meets the required technical standard.

Documentation:

Keep every detail of the research, concept creation, design process, and production in a design process book.

Keep track of any comments you receive and design or technical adjustments you make.

Presentation and Exhibition:

Make a presentation for the jewelry collection that highlights the design process and personal significance.

Set up a showcase to show the department the collection.

Write an Instagram post or posts that describe the context of and display your jewelry collection. 

Deliverables:

A journal which documents the design process.

A collection of unique jewelry items with cultural inspiration, such as pendants and brooches, as well as necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings.

A presentation explaining the idea and its significance to you personally.

Timeline:

The Izithakazelo project will start from the 4th of September till 27th October ,with specific milestones and deadlines outlined as the project develops

Evaluation: 

The jewelry collection will be judged on the based on its cultural and personal authenticity, craftsmanship, successful application of advanced techniques, presentation, and ability to express the individual meaning of your Izithakazelo. 

Recycling

 

There is a Paddle-Twist Armform on the wrist  

The jewellery piece in this picture is a Paddle-Twist Armform and it was made by Boris Bally. The materials that was used when creating this piece is recycled aluminum traffic signs, silver and gold plated brass and the techniques that were used In this piece are human factored (hand-fabricated, riveted). This jewellery piece is relevant to this VGCJ-Recycling for jewellery exhibition because this Paddle-Twist Armform piece the material that was used when making it is from recycled material that how it fit in this category of recycling.

 

 

 

Precious Materials

This is choker 70

 The jewellery piece in this picture is a Choker 70 and it was made by Mary Lee Hu. The medium of this choker is 22k gold. This jewellery piece is relevant to this VGCJ- Precious Materials for jewellery exhibition because the material that was used when making this choker is a gold which fall under precious material that how this choker fits in category. Mary lee hu when was making this choker uses techniques like weaving and twining to transform gold wire into extraordinary body decoration.

 

Pain and Pleasure

The woman has a septum ring and lip piercing 

There is a woman in this picture who has a septum ring on her nose, and she also has a lip piercing on her mouth. The reason why this picture is relevant to this VGCJ - Pain and Pleasure for Jewellery exhibition is because the woman in the picture has piercings on her nose and mouth and she felt pain when she was piercing, which is why this picture fits into this category of pain and pleasure. The most common material used for piercing is stainless steel.

Organic

 

This is a Grey Pearl Teardrop Bead Necklace

The jewellery piece in this picture is Grey Pearl Teardrop Bead Necklace. This jewellery piece is relevant to this VGCJ – Organic for Jewellery Exhibition because this jewellery piece got its inspiration from leaves and plants, and that is how this piece fits into this category. The materials that were used when this grey pearl Teardrop bead necklace was made with freshwater pearls and silver. The jewellery piece was made by Naomi James. Naomi’s uses leaves, plants and feathers in her design and imprint natural texture on silver which give the piece a good quality as if the jewellery pieces is produced by a natural process.