Course Description 
This elective course offers an introduction to the technical and conceptual understanding needed to create jewelry a variety of media and several different techniques including casting soft metals.  Course objectives will emphasize development of three dimensional design concepts and working methods for the manipulation of soft metals; which may include silver, copper, brass, or pewter should students wish to purchase them. Students will be expected to focus on the development of technical skills, personal vision in the art making process and develop a basic understanding of the historical context of jewelry.

Topics covered in classes will include technical demonstrations, lectures, power point presentations, studio work time, group and individual critiques.  We will be studying works of jewelry from different cultures (i.e., African, Asian, Native American, etc.).  There is no textbook for this class but you will from time to time have handouts, demonstrations, and research to do.  This is primarily a studio class, so much of the course grade will come from daily participation and project grades. 

 

 
 

Course Objectives
1. The student will be introduced to terms, techniques, historical/cultural background, materials and concepts used to create jewelry. 
2. Students will develop and refine technical skills related to small scale art objects. 
3. Knowledge of both contemporary issues and the historical development will help students understand, unfold and refine a personal style. 
4. Students will document their refinement of form and design development through out the semester by the use of sketches for ideas
5. The student will also apply knowledge of craft issues for self assessment as well as participate orally, knowledgeably and respectfully in class critiques. 

*Completion of assigned projects in and outside of class, *note - to have critiques effective all students must have completed projects.  Late work or incompleted work cannot be critiqued until it's finished. 
*Critiques are mandatory, participation in all class exercises and discussions is required and evaluated by active participation. 

 

 

Grading

Projects=50% (each project is worth 100 points)

Homework=25%  (Homework is rarely given, but would be sketchbook related)

Class Participation= A daily work grade of 10 points each day is given  (This roughly translates into 1% point each day and can count for nearly 25% of the course grade)

Most homework will be sketch book assignments that relate to the project being done in-class. A basic rubric that will be used for all sketchbook assignments will be made aware to each student.

Homework and lateness:

  • One day late, minus 10 points

  • Two days late, grading starts at a 75%.

  • Three or more days late, grading starts at a 70%.

*All late homework will be accepted until the day the final period grades are due in the guidance office.

 

 

Studio procedures and requirements
*Consideration for fellow classmates: Absolutely NO CELL PHONES are to be in use during class time.  If you are using it during class, I will confiscate it for the remainder of the period.

*Do not handle works in progress that do not belong to you. 
*Wear your dusk masks/respirators and gloves, or goggles when required for safety reasons. 
*Clean any work spaces and or equipment you have used before leaving the studio classroom. Put all work and materials back in their proper place.
*You will be given important handouts pertaining to class issues from time to time. These will be kept in sketch book for future reference. 
*Any student violating requirements after a verbal warning will be removed from class. 

 

 

Projects 
Students will be expected to master a variety of techniques covered in class. Each student will be required to demonstrate a production technique. Specific projects and completion dates will be announced in class at least a week before the actual due date. Students will be required to demonstrate the following skills; beading, weaving/braiding, polishing, casting, wire sculpting, and a variety of other specialized fabrication techniques. Projects must show proof of ideas developed and refined in sketch book, and then completed by due date for evaluation. However final project grade will not awarded until the final critique (last day of class). It is expected that all projects will be refined or redone after initial evaluations to improve them before the final.  Unlike most of my art classes, this one is different because you will need to purchase much of the material that you will be creating your projects from.  As the class progresses, you will more than likely want to use specific types of materials that, due to budgetary constraints, I am simply unable to provide, so I would encourage you to take the initiative to go out and get the “good stuff” from craft stores on your own when able.  I also have specialty jewelry catalogues for anyone wishing to purchase items that can’t be found in regional retail stores.

 

 

 Materials Needed:

A.  Jewelry Pliers (get one of each)-     

1.      Chain pliers

2.      Round  tip pliers

3.      Long nose pliers

4.      Side Cutter

5.      *Optional – Bent nose pliers – these can be very handy

B.  Plastic Bead Box – For storage of beaded materials, needles, etc.

C.  Large plastic pencil case/or small tackle box – for storage of pliers and anything else.

D. Small sketchbook/notebook – for drawing ideas out

Estimated Cost of all of the above = $20.00 – $25.00

You will need to store these items in class in the locked storage area at the front of the classroom.  You should label your things for added security.

All of these materials can be purchased at a nearby Wal-Mart in the craft section or you can go to Michael’s Arts & Crafts in Lexington.  If you are really ambitious, you can go to Dandylion Bead Company in Lexington (they are the premier bead store in the region.)

 

1.      Chain pliers

2.      Round  tip pliers

3.      Long nose pliers

4.      Side Cutter

5.      *Optional – Bent nose pliers – these can be very handy

 

B.  Plastic Bead Box – For storage of beaded materials, needles, etc.

C.  Large plastic pencil case/or small tackle box – for storage of pliers and anything else.

D. Small sketchbook/notebook – for drawing ideas out

 

Estimated Cost of all of the above = $20.00 – $25.00

 

You will need to store these items in class in the locked storage area at the front of the classroom.  You should label your things for added security.

 

All of these materials can be purchased at a nearby Super Wal-Mart in the craft section or you can go to Michael’s Arts & Crafts in Lexington.