The Aficionado’s Day Job: Metalsmithing for Rihanna

[Angelina Smith]

One aspect of my “day job” with Michael Schmidt includes metalsmithing for the entertainment industry.  The projects usually precipitate stress under the pressure of short deadlines but always yield new knowledge and a spiffy new piece that I usually add to my portfolio.

Last week I was asked to fabricate a cobra snake hat embellishment for Rihanna to sport during her performance at the Hackney Festival.  The snake was cast in bronze, gold plated and has a little red tongue and Swarovski Crystal eyes. 

It’s hollow through the body and stitched down to a leather ball cap.

As a smith, I find it to be a great compliment and am humbled when a celebrity who has access and many other options chooses to return to the studio I smith at.  The first time I had the pleasure to create something for Rihanna was back in March.  She requested finger jewelry to wear in Coldplay’s Princess of China video (seen below)

The set of ten brass finger spiculums were microsmithed using the techniques and amazing tools developed by NC Black Co.  They were smithed and on set 36 hours after notification of the project with help from my talented metalsmith sidekick, Jay Yu.

Screenshot from "Princess of China"

Forming the spiculums

I find that I am most content when I am working in metal, regardless of the deadlines, stress, and encouraging/discouraging outside forces.  My studio is my home, and when I am in it I am surrounded by all the things that make me happy.  Yes, my anvils, vices and hammers all have moustaches... 

 

The NC Black "Angelina" 

[Brigitte Martin]

36 hours from start to finish? Wow, now THAT's a deadline...
I love to hear your story, it's great to witness how so many different art mediums are coming together here for these projects. Also god to know that a lot of things still need to be made by skilled hands, not machines.
Great job, Angelina. Can't wait to see what's next for you!

[Angelina Smith]

Aw shucks, thanks for pushing me to do the blog.  Next post will be a little about my jewelry, I suspect.  We'll see if something more exciting doesn't overshadow it.  haha.  

[The Justified Sinner]

Very interesting. Shame I had to listen to the "music", however!