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Introduction to Jewelry Making

Extra Fees: Required approx. 130 Euros (see details at point 9)

DESCRIPTION
This workshop based course gives the students a solid grounding in the basic practical skills and techniques used in the fabrication of jewelry as an art form. The emphasis is on craftsmanship. Students will learn soldering ,assembly skills and finishing , with a stress on the handling of metals. Students will be introduced to machines and studio tools, instruction on their use will be given, together with safety regulations. Students will immediately begin to work learning the basic techniques such as : design transfer, sawing, piercing, polishing, buffing, filling , sanding metals and soldering. Handouts will illustrate the various techniques but the focus of the course is mainly work at the bench.

OBJECTIVE
To give students a basic knowledge of jewelry making so that at the end of the course the student will know basic techniques such as: sawing, piercing, filing, sanding, soldering, forging buffing metal. The aim of the course is to develop manual and creative ability.

PREREQUISITES & REQUIREMENTS
No prerequisites for a beginning level course. Students should know that jewelry-making needs time, patience, attention, precision and a passion for creating new forms.

METHOD
Active work at the goldsmiths' bench with practical instruction and demonstrations in the various methods and techniques, augmented by some theoretical instruction and lectures.

ATTENDANCE & PARTICIPATION
Attendance is mandatory. If a student arrives later than 10 minutes after the beginning of each section of the lesson, the whole 3-hour section will be considered as missing in the attendance. Every absence will lower the attendance grade. In addition: · if the student misses 20% of the scheduled class hours during this course (i.e. at the 3rd absence), the final grade will be lowered by one full letter grade. · If it's more than 20% of the scheduled class hours, the final grade will be "F" and NO credits will be given for this course.

TEST & ASSIGNMENTS
Students are required to finish projects to be turned in at mid-term and final exams, and they must be present at the scheduled exam times. A note book on the experimented techniques with description of all the processes is also requested. MID TERM EXAM: Quiz test on techniques, short essays. FINAL EXAM: Presentation of the project developed during the course.

EVALUATION & GRADING SYSTEM
20% Attendance 10% Class participation 10% Creative projects 30% PROJECTS 1 30% PROJECTS 2

TEXT BOOK, READINGS & SOURCES
This course does not require a textbook. Students should consult the following magazines: Vogue Gioiello, L´Orafo Italiano, Schmouck, G.Z., Gold Trends. Hands out on techniques will be provided in class.
Recommended book.
The complete metal smith by T. McCreight Davis Publications Inc. U.S.A. 1991, available to Paperback Exchange bookstore

EXTRA FEES
A lab fee of 120 Euros is to be paid by all students for the tool kit and all the materials used in the jewelry laboratory. The lab fee includes the kit of the instruments given to the students for use during the semester, covering eventual breakage, loss and repair and theuse of photocopy machine. Laboratory fee also includes the materials used like copper, brass,wax, borax, soft-soldering, blades, burrs and various other materials necessary at the work bench. It doesn't include stones. Students must provides themselves buy a cabochon stone. During the course students will receive silver sheets and wire to make their jewels. At the end of the course, students are allowed to take the jewels they have carried out during the course and they will pay the quantity of silver used at 0,60€ per gr.

VISITS & TRIPS
No visits are scheduled for this course. However visits could be arranged , should there be pertient shows or exhibits during the semester.

MATERIAL LIST
All necessary materials are provided by the school. Students should refer to the professor for extra materials, such as stones, which are to be paid by the students.

FINAL EXAM
Theoretical: written test. Practical: Students are required to complete the specified pieces of jewelry which have to be turned in at the final exam.

LESSONS
Exercises and Projects

Exercise 1:
Layout, cutting, drilling, sawing, filling, sanding and polishing Three simple assigned shapes for practicing the above techniques in copper or brass. Project 1: Cut-out (Piercing) and riveting Creation of own design for a cut-out (piercing)which can be a pendant, earrings, simple bracelet or appliqué to a leather book, etc. The piece must include the technique of riveting to connect two or more pieces of metals: one piece on top the another; two edges side by side, and one piece standing on end.

Exercise 2: Soldering
After soldering demonstrations, a practice piece will be made in copper or brass metal in three ways to form joints or attach one or more metals: one piece on top of another; two edges side by side, and one piece standing on the end. Project 2: Bezel Stone Setting Sketch 3 to 5 possible design ideas which may be on a bracelet, ring, earrings, pendant, keychain, hairpiece etc. The student will buy a cabochon stone of their choice, round or oval and no smaller than 5mm in diameter. Then the approval design is constructed with the addiction of a bezel stone setting.

Note Book:
a. All notes on demonstrations, lectures and techniques as well as too identification. b. All sketches and plans for pieces, with front, side and three-quarter views, must be included in the notebook. c. Magazine clippings, or on other inspiring ideas and designs. d. Include designs and ideas inspired from History, nature, contemporary art. e. Notebook will be turned in to be graded along with the projects. f. A written quiz will be given on techniques, materials and tools.


For additional Program information, contact Gary Braglia




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