From Walter to Valerie / Sofie Boons
Sofie Boons is one of the participants in 'From Walter to Valerie'. Click here for more information on her project Chain Unit, Links and Necklace Ruler.
Photo by Kristof Vrancken
Photo by Kristof Vrancken
Biography
Sofie Boons (b. 1989, BE) holds a bachelor’s in Jewellery Design and Silversmithing from the Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. She obtained a master’s from the MAD Faculty in Hasselt with her master’s project ‘The Fifth Sense of Jewellery’ and completed postgraduate studies in Goldsmithing, Silversmiting, Metalwork and Jewellery at the Royal College of Art in London.
The Alchemical Jeweller [adj. + n.]
A maker of objects and adornments who finds inspiration in substances, scents and science.
Pronunciation: /alˈkɛmɪk(ə)l/ /ˈdʒuːələ/
‘Through the creation of my work I emerged as an Alchemical Jeweller. I find inspiration in materials, the field of science and the world of scents, perfumes and smells. I am determined to find solutions for the visualization and containment of invisible substances, concepts and scents through the design of jewellery and objects. My research into the alchemical has already brought me to the development of a new material combining resin and nano gold particles, a recipe book on how to make solid perfumes wearable, scent containers that rethink the application and wearing of perfume, and more.’
The Alchemical Jeweller [adj. + n.]
A maker of objects and adornments who finds inspiration in substances, scents and science.
Pronunciation: /alˈkɛmɪk(ə)l/ /ˈdʒuːələ/
‘Through the creation of my work I emerged as an Alchemical Jeweller. I find inspiration in materials, the field of science and the world of scents, perfumes and smells. I am determined to find solutions for the visualization and containment of invisible substances, concepts and scents through the design of jewellery and objects. My research into the alchemical has already brought me to the development of a new material combining resin and nano gold particles, a recipe book on how to make solid perfumes wearable, scent containers that rethink the application and wearing of perfume, and more.’
Project: Chain Unit
1. Chain [n.]
A measure of length equivalent to a chain, 66 feet.
As a jeweller, a chain immediately evokes the series of linked metal rings worn around the neck as adornment. However, the word references an exact measurement too, popular in use when measuring land.
Thinking of the chain as a measuring tool and of what that would look like for a jeweller led to the development of a tape measure the exact size of a unit. Depicting an ornamental chain, this tape measure can be worn as an adornment, evoking tailors wearing their tape measures around their necks, but can in fact be used to measure a unit of a chain.
A measure of length equivalent to a chain, 66 feet.
As a jeweller, a chain immediately evokes the series of linked metal rings worn around the neck as adornment. However, the word references an exact measurement too, popular in use when measuring land.
Thinking of the chain as a measuring tool and of what that would look like for a jeweller led to the development of a tape measure the exact size of a unit. Depicting an ornamental chain, this tape measure can be worn as an adornment, evoking tailors wearing their tape measures around their necks, but can in fact be used to measure a unit of a chain.
Project: Links
2. Gunter’s Chain [n.]
A former measuring instrument 66 ft (20.1 m) long, subdivided into 100 links, each of which is a short section of wire connected to the next link by a loop.
My research into the chain as a measurement led to the discovery of the tool used to measure the length when surveying land, a Gunter’s chain. The item contains small components to indicate the number of units or links on the 66ft-long instrument. The small components are functional yet aesthetically pleasing features and, in homage to Gunter’s chain, they have been used as pendants on five necklaces.
A former measuring instrument 66 ft (20.1 m) long, subdivided into 100 links, each of which is a short section of wire connected to the next link by a loop.
My research into the chain as a measurement led to the discovery of the tool used to measure the length when surveying land, a Gunter’s chain. The item contains small components to indicate the number of units or links on the 66ft-long instrument. The small components are functional yet aesthetically pleasing features and, in homage to Gunter’s chain, they have been used as pendants on five necklaces.
Project: Necklace Ruler
3. The Necklace Ruler [n.]
A measuring instrument 32 inches long, referencing the common lengths used for necklaces.
Measuring chain and discussing lengths of chain with clients are common practice for jewellers. Chains are organized in categories referencing specific lengths: collar, choker, princess, matinee, opera, lariat and rope being the most common. As a jeweller, measuring these chains on a customer will require them to rely on measuring instruments used in other professions, either a tape measure or a piece of string. The Necklace Ruler is a decorative measuring tape referencing the different lengths of chain.
A measuring instrument 32 inches long, referencing the common lengths used for necklaces.
Measuring chain and discussing lengths of chain with clients are common practice for jewellers. Chains are organized in categories referencing specific lengths: collar, choker, princess, matinee, opera, lariat and rope being the most common. As a jeweller, measuring these chains on a customer will require them to rely on measuring instruments used in other professions, either a tape measure or a piece of string. The Necklace Ruler is a decorative measuring tape referencing the different lengths of chain.
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