bob blum . sequinologist
Every piece is designed and individually hand strung from pristine vintage / antique sequins circa 1890-1950. Generally, each necklace has between 1,000-3,000 sequins and is accented with vintage glass beads, sterling, modern art glass or hand-painted metal. The sequins used are new and have not been previously worn or sewn on fabric.
Sequins
Simply ……. SEQUINS are my paint (as to a painter) or my fabric (as to a fabric artist), I use them as a medium to create a look that is distinctively different.
* Stringing them flat/cupped/reversing adds bulk, texture, color and shape
* Separating by spacing into patterns changes color of the individual sequin or accents other colors and makes them stand out more than when strung together
* Layering and blending transparent colors together changes the overall color or adds an accent
* Culling thru sequins to purposely find distorted ones to use them for texture
* Adding different sizes together alters the colors and texture of the sequins
Art Glass
* Kiln-fired multi layered dicroic glass is removed from the kiln, cut into smaller pieces and refired.
* An additional step before refiring is done occassionally where the center part of the glass is reamed through both sides creating a deep sparkling grove.
* When cooled, the pieces are etched with muriatic acid to give a frosted look, muting and blending the colors.
Painting
Prior to making sequin art, Bob painted on fabric, to continue painting he learned to apply his skill to metal.
* A 13 step coloring process using an oil paste wiping on and wiping off.
* The final pieces are covered with 3 light coats of lacquer.
Metal Forming &
Reforming
Reforming metal thru adding texture and shape:
* This line begins with copper, brass, or silver from metal blanks, cut sheets or precast charms.
* Repeating the process of heating, bending and cooling the shapes until a satisfactory 3D effect is achieved.
* Sterling and copper wire are used to form some headpins by shaping, hammering and heating/melting.
* Copper wire is used to attach sequins to the bead wire.
* Removing lost or broken pieces of preowned orphaned sterling jewelry to reuse as pendants.
* Soldering jump rings to provide stability and a way to attach the pendant.
* Some of these pieces also are eventually painted.