This post contains spoilers - please watch the episode first.
Episode 2 (21 April) kicks off with one less jeweller, only 7 left, as Naomi was voted out last week at the end of episode 1.
The jewellers start with the first project for this week - the best seller.
Wait, what? They did that last week?! Yes, I know, but it seems that the best seller, and the bespoke challenge is the set format for each episode, with just a change in theme.
This week the best seller theme: A chain collar (4 hours)
Specifications: Must be 18inches (45cm) long, links must interlink, must sit comfortably on the collar bone.
They were given 15cm of 3mm sterling silver wire, and some silver casting grain (we call them granules)
Honestly, I did not know specifically what a chain collar was. Why they could not have said a short decorative chain, with 3 different links, no one knows. But the fact that it must be an interlinking set of links (no jump rings!) was a bit vague, and I did not think they explained that specification very well. It seemed like an afterthought.
Many contestants were a bit too ambitious and wrong (Tamara), and some misunderstood the brief a bit (Lee, Hugo) and Kim just made identical links.
The only one I feel who got it right was Nicole. Dan was close, but there was the thing about the jump rings...
I honestly don't know how they could have allowed Tamara's chain - it was quite shocking.
Tamara, Lee and Hugo's lights were off before the next challenge.
The Bespoke challenge:
Design and make a brooch for Chris' wife Kelly (army) to take with her when she is next deployed. Without getting into too much detail, they met when Chris was a DJ, they have a baby - Holly, and they both like penguins.
The brooch had to have a cuttlefish cast element, some colour (some chose oxidation or different colour metals, and some chose enamel).
Personally I feel that if you have not worked at least a little bit with enamel, why try it for the first time on TV?
And I was quite shocked that they cast at their benches. No safety glasses, and that Sonny almost set the place on fire!
Dan and Sonny's disasters and disappointment came from not having enough experience with enamel. Clearly Tamara had some enamel experience and the chance to (again) redeem herself, she made a lovely brooch.
Was Dan a bit over confident going into this weeks challenges? Or will his years of experience count in his favour later on, when he needs it most?
I am not sure if Kim deserved to be voted out, she had been consistent although a bit monotonous. I feel Tamara should have been the one voted out, she has had more failures and half finishes to date, but let's see what the coming weeks will bring?
In the end I agree that Hugo's brooch deserved the jeweller of the week crown.
6 remain, who will be next?
Share your thoughts below.
I was also surprised that Kim was voted off. I honestly thought it would be Lee. He didn't do well in the 'best seller challenge' and personally I REALLY thought his bespoke piece was a fail. I think his design concept was far too literal but looks like after so many years of working on OTHER people's jewellery he's only now getting the chance to discover/develop his OWN style so maybe his designs will improve through the series.
ReplyDeleteLoving this progamme though. And LEARNING a lot too ..... including how NOT to enamel. Hehe!
Yeah, I think Lee and Tamara had luck on their side for sure :D
ReplyDeleteCuttlefish casting!? Wow that was so interesting!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt is a cheap and easy casting medium for once off castings, but the smell is something between burnt hair and wet dog :D
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