The bespoke ordering process is simple,  just get in touch to start the ball rolling.  Unique designs, materials, colours and finishes are all wrapped up with a special service, just for you.

So if you’re struggling to find that special gift or would like a one of a kind jewel for yourself, (who doesn’t) then say hello at electrobloom dot com

]]> http://www.electrobloom.com/2013/06/special-edition-bespoke-orders/feed/ 0 http://www.electrobloom.com/2013/06/falling-under-the-3d-printed-umbrella/ http://www.electrobloom.com/2013/06/falling-under-the-3d-printed-umbrella/#comments Mon, 03 Jun 2013 12:24:35 +0000 electrobloom http://www.electrobloom.com/?p=3155 It is worth remembering that the phrase ’3D Printing’ is marketing terminology used to describe many different additive layer manufacturing processes. As testament to the marketer’s success, 3D printing is rapidly gaining recognition around the world, and as a result, individuals and companies are feeling encouraged to make things using this technology and experience the magic for themselves.

But, as with all manufacturing processes, the aesthetics, material choice, method of making and cost are all linked. This is design, which is very different to making.

When designing things it’s important to consider the end use, what is this thing you’re making? How should the material perform and how do the aesthetics affect its performance. What material qualities are required? Will the material choice give you the qualities you’re looking for? What costs are involved, If it’s to be made in plastic what type of plastic?

As 3D printing continues to whip up a storm, all the attention is leading to an increased amount of excitement along with misunderstanding and disappointment. It’s brilliant that we are all now feeling encouraged to make things but 3D printing hasn’t made making any easier, faster and more convenient perhaps. But there are still the design challenges, choices and skills that need to be conquered. 

There are fundamental differences between design and making, often with making the constraints come from the materials themselves and generally these constraints are overcome through the development of tools and processes and the skillful use of them. The tools allow for enhanced manipulation of the chosen material into ever more complex forms and structures. A 3D printer is a tool.

Design can inform the making process by encouraging the maker to simply select the most appropriate tool for the job, this includes 3D printers. There’s a common belief that just because you have a 3D cad file that you can make it in any material using a 3D printer, well yes, but just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

Like all tools, each 3D printer has its own series of constraints, tolerances and limitations and the materials themselves have an equally bewildering array of properties. Not all materials are suitable for all things. For example a part manufacture in plastic has very different properties to the same part made in metal, weight being one obvious potential issue.  Selecting the appropriate tool for the the job is an important judgement and requires skill and understanding to make the correct choice, or at least to understand when the wrong choice has been made! 3D printing basically increases the iterative nature of design and allows designers and makers to arrive at workable solutions faster than if they were making the parts by hand, although in some instances it would also be quicker to make by hand than to use a 3D Printer!

We all use tools to make, some old and simple but perfect for the job while others are new and complicated whose potential is only just beginning to be realised. It would be a shame if the catchy term ’3D Printing’ becomes a victim of it’s own success. It’s important to remember that making anything is difficult the first time round but with practice it does get easier, the knowledge you accumulate through the process of making contributes to your skill as a maker and being able to effectively use tools successfully, including 3D Printers, is all part of the journey.

I recently attended the Hermès Festival des Métiers at the Saatchi Gallery in London and was surprised to often hear the phrase “I didn’t realise so much work went into it” from visitors to the exhibition. It’s odd that we seem to be living in an age where the expectation is that you just ‘press the button’ and out pops a handbag! 3D printers appear to be fueling this expectation, probably because it’s a technology that although accessible, is still shrouded in mystery. I’d argue that the 3D printing processes themselves are wonderfully simple but it’s the making and design thinking that’s difficult and challenging. The tools and materials of the trade will always be shrouded in mystery until someone decides to explore and understand the processes that enable us to make.

Now here’s a thought, it should be possible to design a fully collapsible umbrella made in one go using the SLS process in nylon, it wouldn’t be very good at protecting you from the the rain, but a parasol, now that may just work. Anyone up for the challenge? Summer’s coming!

The worlds biggest 3D Printing store has opened in London and  iMakr has big plans. Not only is it the place to see consumer grade 3D printers in action before you buy, but the store also aims to become the London hub for all things related to 3D printing. This includes running workshops, courses, events and the already popular meetups. The store is also exhibiting and selling work created by world class designers, including me!

Now you can see the customisable jewellery collection up close and try before you buy. Also on show is a range of interior lamp shades I’m developing. These shades continue with the customisation theme, the panels, colours, and size can all be adjusted and then printed out and assembled in the comfort of your own home.

If you’re in London be sure to pop in and have a browse, you never know you may end up walking out with a 3D Printer or a unique 3D Printed object from one of the designers.

See iMakr for opening times and location.

]]> http://www.electrobloom.com/2013/05/imakr/feed/ 0 http://www.electrobloom.com/2013/04/3d-printing-the-city/ http://www.electrobloom.com/2013/04/3d-printing-the-city/#comments Wed, 03 Apr 2013 20:28:58 +0000 electrobloom http://www.electrobloom.com/?p=3068 The jewellery collection is on show. If you are in Canary Wharf in London then pop by the window gallery. It’s the one next to Itsu in Canada Place Mall, on the way to the Jubilee line tube station.

On display until the 26th April.

More details here.

I exhibited at the Kinetica Art Fair in London and was blown away by the inventiveness of the exhibitors so was well pleased to be asked to participate. It was a fantastic opportunity to talk with everyone at the show about 3D Printing, most had heard about the process but my jewellery on display was some of the first objects they had seen in real life that had been 3D printed!

It gave me the opportunity to talk non-stop about the technology and the work, the response was inspiring. I was also selling the jewellery and the customisable element proved to be very addictive with lots of charm swapping to get the mix just right.

Thanks to all the new customers, enthusiasts and organisers for a very engaging and playful event.

From the Kinetica Art Fair website:

The aim of Kinetica Art Fair is to present works that exemplify universal concepts, heighten consciousness and advance human potential; it is through the per-formative and immediate nature of the works and the viewers creative engagement with them that a strong attunement to the concepts are activated. Many of the works are intuitive in the ways that they reach out to the viewer or the viewer will activate the work into being, a kind of living art where the viewer and art are creating an inter-change, or physical dialogue.

Visit their website for more information.

After a few days of getting to grips with e-commerce the new web site is now live, Yay!

Everything seems to be working correctly but let me know if you spot any anomalies!

Any website should be a work in progress so there’s more jewellery to be added to the shop, a few sections to be defined and content to be written.

The site is also responsive so it should work across all your devices, give it go!

There’s nothing quite like a spring clean!

New styles and new colours for the new season.

Powder blue, hot pink and sunshine yellow. How will you mix them up?

These are bespoke hand dyed pieces,

Say…

hello at electrobloom dot com

and get ready for spring…

The ability to customise products according to what we like is going to be the next big thing because we are all different and like different things. 

Customisation has already taken hold in the world of 2D printing but when it comes to the customisation of products, 3D printing is the ultimate manufacturing partner.

Products can be sized before being made so they fit you perfectly, different colours can be combined and even different materials can be printed and then assembled by hand to create unique looks.

That was my intention when designing my customisable jewellery collection and these gift boxes are the perfect introduction. 

Each gift box is 3D printed in the closed position with the jewellery inside, WOW!  When you receive your gift box simply open it up and enjoy customising your own bangle and ring with the two flower charms included. You can even mix up the colours and charms from different boxes.

The full collection is available from i.materialise and this red set has love written all over it!

Order before the 25th January and your jewellery will be made for you and dispatched in time for Valentines day.

Share the love… x

So I’ve been doing some experiments with the customisable jewellery collection to give the items a hand finished look. Polishing, dying, polishing again and over dying to really bring out the quality of the material and to give something that has been made by a robot the human touch.

More of my personal experiments to follow, all part of the bespoke service. Say hello if you’d like to know more.

Alternatively Shapeways have introduced new polished colours, this gives you even more options when creating your own customisable jewellery collection. Simply click here, pick an item and check out the new material options. Order before December 2nd, or the 6th if you’re in the USA or Europe, to ensure pre holiday delivery.

Happy Holidays!