Insta- Inspired: Keys 2501 - 2517

Recently I entered and was accepted into the Jack Millikin Centre & Wiebe Works Wearable Art Show & Gala. I’ve been busy creating two wearable art pieces for this 4th Annual event and, of course, those pieces will incorporate keys into their design.

For quite some time I’ve wanted to create keys inspired by things I’ve seen on Instagram. I have been particularly taken with the work of UK sculptor Ann Carrington and am creating a metal cape that is inspired by her magic carpets. This cape will have ten “keys” incorporated into it and an abundance of real-life office keys making up at least one of the “keys”.

I’ve also been very Insta-inspired by the many posts about handsewn brooches that I’ve been following. I’m still learning how to make these keys in a way that they won’t unravel when I cut them off the embroidery hoop - slowly I am getting there! I will be using rhinestones, beads, chains, sequins, upcycled jewelry bits, and anything else that I think will work. There will be ten of these keys added to the sale rack jean jacket I am embellishing (and possibly more - we’ll see how it looks as I go).

Here’s what I’ve come up with so far:

This Key 2505 was created by a happy photo editing accident and only exists in digital form.

This Key 2508 is over 6 feet long and will make up the centre back and collar of the metal key cape I’m working on.

These two keys are on the back of the upcycled jean jacket.