Calendar: February 2013

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My makers mark

After writing yesterday’s post calling for contributions to my makers mark page (which I wrote over a week or more ago), I got my act together and finally decided on a design for my makers mark (I’m considering it my birthday present to myself).

In the past I’ve been all precious about the design, so much so that I couldn’t decide. The last few weeks I’ve realised that it’s just a mark, and not actually my identity (so to speak), and that something I really like (as opposed to something that is the personification of me) is perfectly fabulous.

Criteria: in a circle or oval, art-deco inspired font, just my initials.

The (not-selected) final contenders:
 

I really love the first one (and may still use it in the future for some purpose), but felt that it was too difficult to decipher when at the scale of a makers mark; and the second one looked a little too much like an ‘h’ when scaled down.

The final design – simple and striking and easy to read:

Karen Thompson, makers mark

So I called Ivan, THE man for making makers marks / hallmarks. He’s so lovely. And his workshop is AMAZING! He has the biggest fly-press I’ve ever seen … it is so beautiful.

Ivan’s workshop

I am beyond excited that I now have a makers mark.

Makers marks

Okay fellow Australian makers…. it’s time.
Time to include your makers mark (hallmarks) in my fledgling listing.

Do you have a makers mark?
If so, please do send the design to my email address so I can add it to my page.
If so, have you included it on your website / blog, so searchers know your mark?

I’ve noticed that galleries haven’t yet taken up the idea of including makers marks on their artist pages. Do you think this is a good idea?

If you don’t have a makers mark, why not?

My reasons include:

1. I haven’t been able to decide on the design
2. it’s not critical nor required for making in Australia
3. I think it’ll be an expensive exercise (or maybe I’m just using that as an excuse)
4. I’m not famous enough for a makers mark yet, no-one’s caring if I make stuff or not!

What are your reasons?

Actually, now I think of it, I best do one this year as the makers-mark maker is (how to be delicate…) not a young man, and I would like it to be made by the famous Ivan.

Special mention: Zaftig

Have you been feeling a bit sad about the lack of jewellery in street and collage art? Or the dearth of references to historically sassy ladies?

Even if you haven’t been sad, this should make you smile …

Anne of Cleeves rocking it new-style.

reproduced here with permission of the artist

Suzanne of Bourbon dreaming of flying.

reproduced here with permission of the artist

New visual-art crush.
All images copyright Zaftig … see more of her work here.