Practitioner: Sarah Kate Burgess

Adorn Everyday  is the brainchild of Sarah Kate Burgess, whose playful approach to design has unleashed these very inviting looking treats:

"The Cup as Ring series arose from the assertion that everyday objects, (in this case tea cups, spoons and other plastic objects), are designed as ornaments for the human body.  Found tea cups of melamine plastic, porcelain, stoneware, and glass were cut and altered to highlight the wearability built into each handle. This work seeks to reclaim the everyday.  My hope is that through common materials and simple techniques, viewers will become reengaged with familiar objects that have become overlooked, bringing enchantment back to our daily life."

Cloud, Colander, Radiator

Star, Strainer, Scoop

The Do It Yourself - Ring series comes in downloadable, printable pdf form. 

"Jewelry anticipates a collaboration between wearer and maker.  The act of wearing activates jewelry. Questions of authorship and value led me to make the Do it Yourself Rings series.  Often the preciousness of an object, especially jewelry, has little to do with its market value. I have designed these rings to be made from an inexpensive and fragile material-paper. The preciousness of these rings will come from the experience of making them, and from your own hands. I hope that you enjoy making and wearing these rings."

"The Momentary series is an ongoing body of work that guides viewers to see their environment in terms of jewelry and adornment.  It consists of numerous photographs of people recontextualizing everyday objects and structures into momentary ornaments.   This series seeks to find what it means to wear something, and the limits of wearability.  Does one wear the railing as they walk down the stairs?"

Curler

Crank

And she says of the Accumulation  series,

"This work uses the language of mass produced chains, metal findings and gilt holiday cards to talk about accumulation, adornment, luxury and value.  In the actual necklaces, ubiquitous objects such as spring clasps, chains, tubing and thread, become prominent within a system of construction.  Rather than serving as overlooked attachments, the parts gain meaning by becoming decorative in addition to functional."

Snapped

Hook and Eye