User:Kirsten Fiol

E-mail: kirsten_fiol@outlook.com

School e-mail: 0900904@hr.nl

Examples of carving

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  commons:etching (Etching)

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  commons:Woodcut (Woodcut)

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  commons:Cavecarving (Cave carving)

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  commons:whittling (Whittling)

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  commons:extreme (Extreme)

Traditional technique

The first example was to make an object with a traditional technique. I first wanted to start with wood or stone, but since I had never done that before, I decided to start a bit easier. I found soap carving tutorials online and decided to give that a try. Only to discover that it was much much much more difficult than it seemed. The flower bouquet that I had in mind was quickly replaced by a larger shape, which was easier to carve. When the main shape was done, I started to add some detail. Very carefully, because the soap would break easily. I used simple kitchen knifes, needles, pocketknifes and bookbinding needles. But you can use anything that's a bit sharp. When I was done with adding the details, I washed it carefully to make the surface smooth.

Comparing technique

The second example was to make something by using two different materials, or by using two different making techniques or machines. I'm a big fan of hand crafted things, but I'm not very skilled. So I found it a good idea to carve two medieval letters by using two different making techniques. The letter C I drew and carved into lino, by hand and the letter D I drew in Illustrator and was engraved by the lasercutter.

New technique

For this example we had to make something by using a technique that we've never used before. For me this was the Milling machine. I was very happy about this because I've always wanted to use it, but never got the chance to. It was also the first time to work with 3D programs. This took me a lot of time, but it was fun to explore the programs and eventually I got somewhere. I turned the model of an Iphone into a trinket box. I wanted to make it out of wood, but since I bought the wrong wood, and was already late with this example, I decided to mill it out of foam. I learned that for the milling machine, you have to come fully prepared and also with knowledge about your model. The preparing of the machine and the block of wood takes a very long time.

Extreme technique

For this example, we had to push the material or technique to the limit. How far can this go. After looking for inspiration online, I came to the idea to lasercut a drawing in as many layers as I can, to get a 3D drawing.

I started with making a drawing on paper. I wanted to make a complex pattern, so I just had to draw one part of the pattern, so I could later duplicate it digitally. I scanned it in, and started tracing it in Illustrator. Finally I had the whole drawing, and gave it the colors that I wanted it to have. When that was done, I had to prepare the files for the lasercutter. This was the most difficult part, because I had to figure out which shape had to go on which layer. And which colour came after the next one. This made it very very complex, and it was easy to make a mistake. But finally I got all the layers sorted out, and I'm very pleased with the result.

Workshop

Our group got a workshop on Japanese joint-making at the digital lab. It was a lot of fun and super interesting to see how it works. Japanese joints are solely made out of wood, and no screws, bolts or glue are used to keep them together. That means that the design has to be precise on the millimeter. And it's way more work than just making a shape in Illustrator, duplicating it and mirroring. You have to know everything about the types of wood you're using, and how it reacts/works. You have to leave space around the shape, so it can fit together, but not too much! So it's a lot of trial and error, but if it works it's beautiful.

Final assignment

We had to write five reasons why we love to make. One of my reasons was that it made me feel productive and useful. And another one was that I love to make things, to give it away. I decided to work with these two reasons. What I like about crafted objects, is that they always have a story. Who gave it to you and why. Was it your birthday? Or just a heritage. So I got the idea to ask someone for a memory, story or experience, and make this memory tangible again, into a beautiful crafted object. I asked a good friend of mine for her memory. She gave me one about her grandmother, who passed away. She wrote about a particular day, they spent together. What they did and talked about. And this day came out to be the last day she saw her before she died. But she didn't know that. It was harder than I thought to visualize this. But After getting to core of this memory I figured out what to make. I decided to only make her grandmother, in a beautiful way. Since this memory was about her grandmother and the last time she saw her, I wanted to make her visible again. I went about this the same way I did the 'Extreme technique'. I made a drawing and devided it into 21 layers. I lasered it out and it resulted in a nice stack of paper. And it came out just as I wanted.

I am a maker because

I make because I am scared. I'm a very scared, curious maker. I'm scared of how to start, I'm scared to find out how, I'm scared to try, I'm scared of machines, I'm scared of teachers, I'm scared of feedback, I'm scared to improved, I'm scared of expectations, I'm scared of making.

But when I see a hand or machine made piece of work, I can't help but to be envious and curious. I want to know how to make those beautiful things. Things that every person desires to have, even if it's “old-fashioned.” And when I see such a beautiful object, I also get courage. I think to myself: “Why couldn't I do this?” “I'm just going to learn how and I'm going to do it!”

I know that I have to deal with everything that I'm scared of anyway. Else I can quit this education right away. So I just do it, and I work my way through, and I've always figured it out, on my own or with some help. When I've succeeded I feel proud and reassured that I'm capable of doing this. And I prove the people wrong who aren't always sure of my skills. And that I could be a bit more certain of myself.

What I like so much about crafted objects, is that they are unique. Not one of them is the same, or there might not even be another one one of them. And this thought is so special to me. I'm not someone with the kind of budget to buy hand crafted pieces. But the few pieces that are in my family, I cherish so much. It makes me feel so special and almost honoured to possess these pieces. Even when I don't possess them but just hold them or look at them, I already feel privileged to have witnessed these objects that should actually be in a museum, behind thick glass.

I wish everyone could have access to these crafted pieces, and feel special. Because it's not arrogant to want that. It's just a moment you can have for yourself, to think about the memories, the people and the history, that are attached to this object. This feeling is solely for yourself or to share with other people, so they can witness it themselves as well, and feel special.

So whenever I get the chance to give something to someone, I always try to make it myself, and to make it beautiful. You can take in all their wishes in this gift, and your time, care, knowledge, joy and probably quite some frustration is all contained in this one self made gift.

I love the reaction of people. They can be so amazed. They don't realize that a normal person like me could make something they would actually want to keep. And they are touched that I would put so much time and effort into making something, just to give it away to them. And because there are already so many emotions involved in the receiving of this gift, people take better care of the object too. They put it somewhere, where it can be seen, and where they can see it and be reminded that they own something unique, something that can not be found anywhere else on the world, and that someone really cares for them.

When I decide to make something for someone in specific, I want to do my very best. I cannot let this person down, because I know him or her. And this person is of great value to me. And exactly that is what has to shine through this gift. And making a gift, helps to take all those fears I have away. Because I'm not doing it for a grade,I'm not doing it for someone's approval or for money, I'm doing it to show that person how special they are to me. And that they deserve to have something special in their possession. Now it becomes fun to make instead of scary. Because you have a reason to spend as much money as you need, to spend as much time as you need, and to push your homework aside even more, because this person has to have this gift.

A gift makes it also worthwhile to make something. I could make an object for myself every day. I have all the machines, materials and tools that I need. But eventually there's no fun in that. All those objects would have no memory to it. No one gave it to you because they cared for you. There's nothing special to it anymore, also because I wouldn't have that envious how-did-they-make-that feeling. Because I would know how it was made, because I made it myself. I'd be proud of course. But that fades away soon enough. But to see someone else happy and astonished, makes it all worthwhile. Making something they need, or something they've always wanted or something they've lost and want to retrieve again. This really gives me the feeling that I've been useful and productive.

It doesn't really matter what it is I've made for them, as long as it came out the way it was supposed to, I feel good about it. If it didn't come out good, then I feel like I've waisted my time and that of others. I would make myself believe that I've offended the person that is to receive the gift.

Of course I always learn from my mistakes and it does push me to do it better next time. And most importantly to keep doing it next time. I never think that I'm able to make something tangible with my own two hands. But when I do, I've proven to myself that I am good enough, and that I shouldn't think so bad of myself. I can learn and make and improve and make again.

I'm glad that I wrote this text, because it helped me realise that I love to make for someone else.

I am a maker because, I want to make people happy.