Jewellery Techniques 2: Precious Metals and Sand Casting (10 credit points)

Pre-requisites for enrolment

It is RECOMMENDED that students have passed: Jewellery Silversmithing: Foundation or equivalent preferred

Special Information

This course requires you to bring their own art and design materials. Most of these can be sourced and purchased in advance from any good art material supplier such as the Art Shop at ECA Lauriston Place Campus. Essential items not readily available will be provided during classes and you will be invoiced at the end of the course for items used. Listed below are the materials and equipment requirements for this course and an estimated cost. You are advised not to purchase any materials until you have received confirmation the course is running – usually 7 days before the start of the course.  You will be guided by the tutor as to which materials you need to bring to classes each week.

 

Essential materials you will need to bring to the first class:

*  Your GLASSES if you need them for reading and seeing things close up 

* Some found objects to use to make the moulds for casting

*  A notebook or sketchbook 

*  A  gas lighter

 

Materials and equipment provided for students as part of the course and included in course fee:

*  Use of Specialist Jewellery Department workshop, tools and equipment 

 Including (but not limited to) – 

* All jewellery hand tools/equipment 

* All sand casting equipment

* Sawblades, emery paper and Health & Safety protective wear

 

Materials and equipment available for purchase during the course:

* Sterling silver casting grain,  sheet, wire & tube 

* Copper/brass sheet and wire

 

Essentials materials and equipment students will need to provide themselves:

* Essential – glasses (if required for close up work) 

* Optional – apron 

 

Additional recommended materials and equipment students can provide:

* Sketchbook 

* Pencils/ drawing equipment 

*  Research for personal projects 

*  Additional, specialist materials for the course will be available for purchase in the studio. 

Content of Course

Over the class sessions the course will cover:

            Step-by-step demonstration of making the two-part moulds.

How to melt and pour molten silver into prepared moulds

Experiment with multiple castings using a variety of found objects to gain a better understanding of the
process itself and to which forms, produce the best results.

            Development of personal projects with one-to-one tuition, followed by      experiments with test samples to further develop design ideas relating to their research.

            Exploring the relationship between three-dimensional design and how it relates to the body.

Production and presentation of final project designs.

Teaching method(s)

The teaching will be based and delivered in specialist art and design studios or workshops and will typically include a range of practical exercises, introductions to techniques, processes and concepts, and set projects which lead to more focused and personal exploration. Over the course, students’ progress will be monitored and supported by the tutor.  Teaching will include practical demonstrations, one to one tuition, group discussions and critiques.

For work required to be undertaken after the class hours are complete, the course tutor will set students a ‘directed study plan’ which can be undertaken without the need for specialist workshops or access to models.

Directed study will include research into a range of suggested artists or designers with reflection on the context of contemporary jewellery within visual culture and the relationship between the design and function. Students are expected to demonstrate how their research has informed their work through annotated sketchbooks, a visual digital journal and practical outcomes. 

The Directed Study Plan will include preparing evidence of research and practical work to form an appropriate presentation for assessment.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Research, context and ideas (33.3%) Demonstrate a range of working practices and strategies for recording and developing a visual journal, which explore themes and inspirations to develop personal design projects, supported by contextual research and references.

Practice, skills and techniques (33.3%) Demonstrate an enhanced knowledge and confidence in jewellery making through the use of precious metals and traditional uses of sand casting techniques.

Selection, presentation and reflection (33.3%) Demonstrate appropriate judgment to document select, edit and present design ideas and make at least 1 finished piece, that shows a clear correlation between the research, ideas and resolved work.

Sources

Core Readings

Suggested Reading

McCreight, T., 1991. The Complete Metalsmith. Worcester, Mass.: Davis Publications.

Astfalck, J., Broadhead, C., and Derrez, P., 2005. New Directions In Jewellery. London: Black Dog Pub.

Mansell, A.,  Adorn. 2008. London, U.K.: Laurence King Publishing.

McGrath, J., 2005. The Jeweller's directory of decorative finishes, London : A & C Black Publishers.
McGrath, Jinks., 2007. Jewellery Making: A Complete course for beginners. London.
Astfalck, J., 2006. New Directions in Jewellery 2. London : Black Dog Pub.
Woolton, C.,2011. Drawing Jewels for Fashion. Munich: Prestel.
 

Journal and periodicals

Dazzle : Modern Contemporary Jewellery, 2016. Available at: www.Dazzle-exhibitions.com. 13 Apr. 2016.

Welcome To Craft Scotland - The Home Of Scottish Craft, 2016. Available at: www. Craftscotland. Web. 13 Apr. 2016.

Welcome To The Crafts Council. Available at: Craftscouncil.org.uk. Web. 13 Apr. 2016.

Assessment

Details of the Art and Design assessment requirements can be found on the short course website. Please click on the following link for more information: Submission and Assessment Information

Studying for Credit

If you choose to study for credit you will need to allocate significant time outwith classes for coursework and assessment preparation. Credit points gained from this course can count towards the Certificate of Higher Education.

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.