Beeswax refining

The top two images are of some beeswax that I had already filtered through a muslin cloth but had failed to filter out enough of the bits I didn't want in the wax. It was broken up into chunks to help in all melt quicker.

The image to the left is a clearer photograph taken on my phone showing what the beeswax looks like before it has melted and been filtered.

Once all the raw beeswax has melted you get a waterproof container, such as a paper juice carton, and you create a filter from a fine mesh material such as a muslin cloth that you pour the melted wax through into the juice carton. The paper carton is useful because unless you have a mold that you can easily remove the wax from the carton can be cut and then ripped to get out all of the wax. When I first tried refining some of the raw beeswax I didn't realise that below the hardened wax that is on the surface is liquid. I learnt quickly though and every time I cut open a carton I would avoid mess by opening it in the sink.

This photograph to the left is what the beeswax looked like in the juice carton before I cut it out of the box.
The last image you can just about see the liquid that is below the hardened wax flowing over the wax.

Making the Candles

 

My dreamcatchers

My own photographs taken with my lumix g3 camera using manual focus. These are edited using photoshop.

Eye of Mexico Research

I finally know what the "kites" offical name is and it is either:

eye of god

eye of mexico

ojos de dios

The two eye of mexico examples above look amazing and I wish to see some example in the flesh but unless I buy one I don't imagine I will find any on the isle of man. The lollypop stick kite, below, is what I am familiar with, although I don't use lollypop sticks.

Here is some information about the eye of mexico. I want to find some more information about it though as this website isn't necessarily a good source for information as anyone can update and add information.

https://sites.google.com/site/thistledewnativecrafts/what-is-a-ojo-de-dios
http://www.catechist.com/blog/archives/269-20120302.html

Despite finding lollipop sticks unappealing to use for this craft I do find that the colours and use of buttons are more appealing. I find the pastel coloured buttons are inoffensive and visually appealing.

Below are just examples that I found on tumblr - https://www.tumblr.com/search/Ojo-de-dios

Dreamcatchers research

I enjoy creating dream-catchers and I find the process of making them methodical and repetitive which helps put me into an almost meditative state. I go in to an almost zen state where making the dream-catcher is all I think about and is all I do. Despite this, I feel I should know about more about dream-catchers and their history and purpose as all I know is they stop bad dreams and encourage good dreams.

A quick explanation of what dream-catchers do. I didn't realise that the good dreams are meant to slide down the feathers, so that's a new fact I've got now.

http://www.american-native-art.com/publication/dreamcatcher.shtml
some more history, mostly the same as the previous two sites I've looked at so far.

Brief

Aims:

I will be working towards WOSAT, in which I will be designing packaging for products that I have created and expanding my understanding of identity design and branding.

Themes:

I am interested in creating packaging and products that are environmentally conscious. Using recycled paper for the packaging and sourcing environmentally conscious supplies for the products. I will also look into putting narrative into my products such as the candles. Candles will be another product that I will design. I will research fragrances, different wax types that I could use instead of paraffin. Beeswax is the most environmentally sustainable resource that I know of but sourcing it locally in time for this project may not be possible however I will only know until I start research to get supplies. I will have to research into pricing my products too.

Objectives:

To consider promotion and connect this module to the digital environment brief To research environmentally friendly products and materials that I can use to make candles withTo continue to make and begin to find ways to display and package the productsTo design candles, source local ingredients/materials To research into different papermaking techniquesTo research into the pricing of productsResearch into identity and logos to gain understanding of what makes good creative identityFurther understanding of typography

Brief:

To design a range of packaging for self-made products. The packaging will reveal a distinct creative identity and tie in with design of promotion of materials.