Precious Little: Poetics of the Found-Object
a workshop of exploration and construction

The materials we use for creative expression can be found literally at our feet.
Join noted American art jeweller Keith Lo Bue on an energetic exploration of unusual and unexpected materials in jewelry making. Through hands-on projects and thought-provoking instruction, students will learn the varied methods of selection and assembly this limitless palette demands. No previous jewellery experience is required; all that’s needed is enthusiasm and the desire to work with your hands. Whatever your present focus or skill level, you will come away with new insights into the possibilities of your surroundings.

AUSTRALIAN Supply list

IDEAS FOR RAW MATERIAL TO BRING:

glass scraps
acrylic paint
wire
sheet metal stock
tin cans
medicine tins
eating utensils
electronics / machine parts
broken cameras or appliances
small scraps of wood or small readymade found boxes
books to use for collaging (bring a few really old ones: pre-1910 - if you've got them, as I'll demonstrate some great things to do with them)
personal effects or memorabilia
letters
documents
postcards
maps
photos
stamps
fabrics
buttons
keys
record albums
audio cassettes
eyeglasses or magnifying glasses
medical tools
dental tools
interesting old pencils or pens
toys
dominoes
dice
game pieces
artifacts: religious or secular
bones
feathers
leaves
acorns
insects
straw
stones
eggshell
bark
teeth
fossils
pressed flowers
screws
washers
hinges
hooks
nails
x-rays
keys
ETC.
ETC.
ETC.
ETC.
ETC.
Get the picture?
The list could go on forever, because nothing you bring CAN'T be used!

It's really a list to perhaps spark some inspiration on your end for what to pack. Any small objects that you find interesting for any ole reason should be brought.

 

RESOURCES FOR OBJECTS:

thrift / junk / antique shops
scrap metal yards
flea markets
garage sales
auctions
antique / ephemera fairs
hardware stores
art / craft supply stores

FREESOURCES FOR OBJECTS:

roadsides
parking lots
beaches
woods (bush to the Commonwealthers!)
abandoned buildings
dumps
dumpsters (only for the strong-stomached)
caves
eaves
attics
neighbors' attics
friends' eaves...

 

REQUIRED TOOLS:

The tools below are things you will be certainly using in the workshop, and to avoid having to wait for a communal tool to become available, you should plan on getting them for the class:

• roll of 're-bar tie wire' (found for under $10 in hardware stores in the construction materials section, near the cinder block and chain-link fencing. IMPORTANT: make sure it is steel or iron wire, NOT galvanized!...it should be dark grey-black) If met with blank stares, tell them it's for tying reo-rod together. NOTE: You won't need to haul the whole roll, as it's quite heavy - bring 1/4 of it with you and you'll have plenty!
• Cordless hand drill - If you have a variable-speed hand drill already, you won't need a cordless, but if you don't own a power drill yet, this is a good example. And while I'm at it, I might as well show you the BEST, smallest cordless hand drill on the Australian market. So if money is no object (over $250, and can be found at many Bunnings stores), try the AEG drill here. Can you tell I love my new drill?
• Memory wire cutters (this makes cutting the re-bar wire a cinch): <Here>
• small bench vice (about a 3" (75mm) jaw is good. IMPORTANT: Do not bring a suction-type vice, nor can it be one of those hobby-type hollow metal ones. It must be solid steel. Here is a pic of just what to look for - either the type like in the image that is screwed down to a table, or a clamp-on model.
• automatic centre punch: a cheap-as-chips one can be had here
• foam ear plugs, if you're sensitive to hammering (we'll keep the noise down as much as possible, but there will be some, so just to be safe....
• Work gloves (to protect hands while working the wire - look for a close-fitting kind, rather than a big gardening-glove type)
• A small ball-pein hammer - go here and choose 'Generic BALL-PEIN Hammer: Indian made / Face: 15mm diam'
• a regular pair of utility pliers
• jewellery pliers: a round-nose and a flat-nose (if you don't have any jewellery pliers, here's an inexpensive well-made set of four.
• a small plier with a serrated edge on the inside (gripping edge)
• Ring Clamp: <Here>
• Bench Pin: <Here>
• Bar clamps <Here> 450mm is shown. You may be able to find them cheaper - Bunnings and Mitre 10 stores will carry them. The little 150mm one is handy as well for small projects. Get one of each if you can find them at a good price, you'll use them all the time.
• small file (any fine-tooth file will do)
• drill bits (any standard hardware-store set)
• extra 1/16" drill bit
• pair of flush-cutting pliers - a super-cheap usable one can be found here
• piece of scrap wood to drill into
• fine steel wool (find it in a paint-supply section of a hardware store) or Scotch-Brite pad (from supermarket)
• 3M Wet-Or-Dry Polishing paper - quite simply some of the coolest polishing equipment money can buy <Here>
• Atelier Medium & Varnish: You'll want to get at least the gloss and matt bottles. If you're not strapped for cash, get the satin as well. Scroll down the page to the 'Medium & Varnish' <Here>
• Fuller's ULTRA CLEAR: Available at most hardware stores. DON'T buy a substitute!! This is the only one that has the properties we need. <Here>

FOR WORKSHOPS THAT ARE THREE DAYS LONG OR OVER:

• jeweller's saw <Here> Choose the XL Saw-Frame: German made / Tool steel /150mm cutting depth
• saw blades (get two sizes: <Here>, 1 dz. of the 1 size (#185-0100) and 1 dz. of 3/0 (that's 'three-aught') size (#185-0020)
• Pin Drill: Micro-Mark carries this as a 'Micro Hand Drill' : <Here>
• Miniature drill bits: <Here>
• small bench vise (about a 3" jaw is fine, or even smaller if you find one...most hardware stores have a few sizes)...there's a very small one displayed here.
• An absolutely brilliant pair of cutters can be found here. Specify the FLUSH-CUT model. They cost $29. If you cut wire with any frequency, these are more than worth the money. I covet my pair, which I paid way too much for ($70!), but even so, I wouldn't give them up for anything. However, if you want a cheaper alternative ($7), these will do; or cheaper still, for those who aren't planning on using them much outside the class time: <Here>

 

OPTIONAL TOOLS:

The tools below are not required for the class; they're helpful, so don't run out and buy them all. They would facilitate you to go in many directions with your work. Bring what you have, and call the workshop venue to check and see if they have some of these things on hand. Some studios are very well equipped, and some rely on students bringing what they need.

Hand drill (very recommended!). A cordless, variable-speed hand drill is perfect and will be one of the most useful tools in your home, trust me! Here is one for $30 that fits the bill. Be sure to charge up the battery before getting to the class! For those who don't want to get the electric drill, Fiskars makes a good and very inexpensive one, here. It isn't as versatile, but it will work in a pinch.

mini drill bits (there is a 13-bit set from Gesswein here, and scroll down to #155-2038 Blue Ribbon HS Twist Drills, Set of 13 and Metal Index Case)
screwdrivers
tin-snips or metal shears
scribe
hacksaw
circle / geometric templates
masking / sticky / scotch tape
sandpaper
paint brushes

And any tools particular to a media you are conversant in...if you're a book artist, bring materials for binding, etc., painters bring your paints and sketchbooks...and those who've never ventured out into creative waters bring some junk and an open mind!

I look forward to a wild ride of exchange and creation with you all. As we share these days together, I ask each of you to bring slides and/or actual examples of your own work to share with each other, if you have them...this exchange heightens the creative energy and will enable you and I to personalize your own approach to the found material arena.

Please email me with any questions you might have that this page didn't address.

See you there! Keith