Greetings Modblog, I’m Jen. I’ve been managing BME’s customer support for over 5 years now but this is my first ModBlog post. I hear you can be a tough crowd but I’m going to try my best to keep you happy. For my inaugural post, I thought I’d shine the spotlight on a member of our community with a little Q&A. We often feature practitioners (and they certainly deserve it) but I thought it would be nice to see what other folks are up to. That said, allow me to introduce you to Rachel.
If this beautiful woman looks familiar, that’s because she’s graced ModBlog before, way back in 2007, this time the focus is on the woman and not just her gorgeous mods. Rachel is a metalsmith. She makes what she describes as, ” small, mutated objects out of non-ferous metals (ie: sterling silver, copper, brass and gold) and fiber (mostly merino wool). I also make wearable (yet not practical) jewelry out of those materials.”
Jen: How did you get started?
Rachel: I came to Buffalo State College as an art education major… Then I looked in the mirror and realized that no one would hire me. I was taking a introduction to jewelry course as one of my art education requirements and was really enjoying myself. Things skyrocketed from there. This December, I’ll have obtained my BFA in Metals/Jewelry Design from Buffalo State College and in January my husband (iam: Mr Matt) and I will be heading off to the Baltimore area for me to get my MFA from Towson University.
Jen: What do you most enjoy making?
Rachel: I love making hinges. There’s something about the accuracy and concentration required that is centering and peaceful for me.
I also enjoy centrifugal casting (essentially, you carve something out of wax, invest in it a plaster-like substance, burn the wax out in a kiln and then cast in sterling silver, brass, bronze or gold by using centrifugal force to fling the molten metal into the mold). Centrifugal casting totally makes my day. I’ve only been hit by molten metal twice.
Jen: What do you enjoy most about your work?
Rachel: The idea that I can take wax or sheet metal and make something that questions beauty, our society and makes someone laugh is infinitely rewarding. I can take my ideas about body modification and how I choose to adorn my own body and put it into a context that someone can understand and something that I can focus on. For example, my mother’s mother hadn’t really spoken to me in years because she despised what I was doing to my body… I sent her my artist statement with a hand-made portfolio of some new work that she hadn’t seen yet and all of a sudden everything clicked for her. She understood why I chose to modify my body and how it relates to the pieces I make. We still don’t speak as often as we used to but our conversations are more frequent and genuine.
When looking a photos of Rachel at work, it’s not hard to see what might have prompted that change of heart.
Check out some of the great work Rachel does. The last photo is my favourite.
You can find more out about Rachel and see more of work on her blog and at Craft Haus. If you’re looking for a unique gift for that hard-to-buy-for person in your life, check out Rachel’s Etsy shop, Oddly Wearable Designs.
Stay tuned for more write-ups on the incredible folks who make up our community.
Comments
48 responses to “Happy Chanukah ModBlog!”
Great first post, I really enjoyed reading it, thanks. I like the idea of introducing IAM members, especially when there is such great work to show. The last two pictures are awesome.
yawn. way to take the MOD out of MODBLOG on your first post here.
that was dope.
Brilliant first post Jen!
Very in depth, and I like the flow of this. I have come across Rachel before and enjoyed her work, though been a bit shy to comment on them.
Looking forward to more posts from you Jen!
yay jen!
Very good post!
Many thanks. I’m hoping to feature a few more modified crafters. I think it’s nice to see what other modded folk are up to to support them if we can.
thanks, jen. i think you did a great job posting. thank you for featuring me and my work. 🙂
Nice one, Jen!
I love seeing the difference that a couple years makes in mod enthusiasts’ appearance 🙂
This is great! As a craft geek, I definitely appreciate this.
I love me some Rachel!
super rad.
I ADORE granule’s work…have seen it on some of the craft forums on IAM.
Way to feature an awesome modified artist! And welcome to modblog posts 🙂
Very enjoyable, thanks Jen.
Cool post and way to get to know more people in the community.
Aaand I loooveee her Dr.Seuss piece! Looks a lot like mine, too!
WOW! Lovely modified lady with amazing talents 🙂
I enjoyed your post for sure!
post pics of objects in your anus
very nice and refreshing 😀 beautiful too
super cool post Jen! I love this idea. It’s really cool to see what people are up to.
It doesn’t take the MOD out of Modblog at all.. it shows another side to the modified COMMUNITY, which is interesting, offbeat and colorful!! I love it!!!
I second MissMeg….I think what posts like this are just what the community needs.
Good modblog direction and yay for Rachel.
its a mitzvah!
Great first post, Jen!
🙂
Lovely first post. 🙂
Glad for a new spin on modblog.
And to #2, how is the MOD out of modblog?
I see someone heavily tattooed and pierced in this post.
Not only that, we get to see what kind of job someone that is visibly modded can have that involves something other than more modifications.
I think this is a perfect post.
I really like the claws!! so whimsical! And well written 🙂
I really appreciate all the positive feedback everyone. I know not everyone will love what I’m writing about but that’s ok, variety is the spice of life, as they say.
Great stuff!
loove it!
AWw, she was my first ‘wife’ prob doesn’t remember me either. Haha. Been forever since I’ve seen her
It’s about damn time! 🙂
SHE IS BEAUTIFUL.
Great job. An interview… an article… at last!!!
@2, did you see Rachel?
i like showing a more society/cultural side of the community, too. not everything has to be “LOOK AT THIS FANCY NEW MOD ON SOME GUY WE MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW!” i don’t know if i’m alone in this, but i think that gets a little redundant.
Jen, thanks for the article. you obviously invested a bit of time in it and it turned out really well. very interesting 🙂
Hey Jen, I can’t seem to find it anywhere so I thought I would post on here. Is there any way currently for someone to renew their membership to IAM? Let me know, thanks, BlackwellJ87
@ James
UHm…. are tattoos, stretched earlobes and some other various stretched piercings not enough for you anymore???
Good 1st post. @ #2, James, stop being a douche.
Actually, thats a big yawn at your stupid post you stupid fuck. You post as an anonymous poster. Thats cool your a piece of shit. Try having some balls.
I used to love these types of Q&A. Good work, Jen x
Luv those creations!
I could’ve typed comment no. 30, kinda. Love the modblog spin and love the subject lady 🙂
Awesome!
Thanks for your hard work Jen!
I love her chest piece, I actually didn’t notice it at first somehow.
This is really wonderful, thank you!
THIS is what modblog should be about – showcasing its community, practitioners AND enthusiasts alike. Well done Jen!
I love this post!
I have slowly been finding other DIY artists on BME and it’s been really nice to network with other modified artists.
Rachel’s work is outstanding!
YAY to a good first post!!!
MORE MODIFIED ARTISTS PLEASE 🙂
Definitely cool post. 🙂
I don’t think it takes the MOD out of modblog at all. Just because the photos aren’t shot by some crazy photographer and because she isn’t ass-naked doesn’t mean that this post isn’t about mods in someway. It’s a wonderful story, and I love how she chose to overcome the struggle with her mother.
I think she has a wonderful career ahead of her. Amazing work!
love this. diy or die!
i havent bothered w modblog for a WHILE… but this is amazing. fuck… just so good. i have a craft boner.