3D Printed Jewellery & Service Bureaus

Culture & Context

Part of my interest in making is to combine analogue and digital technologies. As CAD/CAM technology has become ubiquitous, craft makers now have so many options when it comes to material choices and making techniques. Combining structures that have been made using technology like 3D printing with hand-made components is a way for me to connect my traditional jewellery training with my interest in CAD/CAM. My floral jewellery series was created in this context. 

Process & Production

My jewellery design work was created using Rhinoceros software. Similarly to having wax models cast in metal by professional casting companies, you can send your CAD files to 3D printing service bureaus. Many bureaus offer a wide range of printing materials and colour options. My jewellery was mainly printed in white acrylic. This allowed me to control the application of colour using acid dyes. Other more complex forms were printed in acrylic and spray painted with lacquers to achieve the colour.

The rubber neckpieces thread through each floral form. I created machined aluminium catches, with inset extra strong magnets, to cap each end of the rubber component.