Wire Jewellery (Non-credit)

Course Times & Enrolment

This course is currently unavailable.

Course Summary

Wire is a versatile material to use for jewellery making as it comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. It creates light and flexible pieces and allows much larger and more sculptural results. You will be encouraged to develop a creative approach to designing and making your own simple and complex projects. You will design and produce your own wire jewellery projects using the techniques covered during the course. You will have the opportunity to explore a range of metals like copper, brass, and silver to create a variety of results. This course is suitable for beginners and more advanced students wishing to develop their skills.

Course Details

Pre-requisites for enrolment

Some basic drawing or design experience is desirable.

Special Information

In addition to the course fee, students are expected to provide the following list of indicative tools, materials and equipment:

Apron to protect your clothes from chemicals (please wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty)
Sketchbook
Pencils / drawing equipment
Lighter / stove lighter
Reading glasses (if required)

Content of Course

Throughout the course there will be demonstrations and practical projects, such as:

Manipulating and twisting wire.
Making jump rings and basic chains.
Soldering.
Making a wire ring.
Discussion of personal projects followed by experimentations and test pieces to develop ideas.

Production of personal project pieces with individual guidance and 1 to 1 tuition as required.

Teaching method(s)

This course involves a hands-on, studio-based learning approach facilitated by a specialist teaching colleague, offering jewellery skills and expertise.

Students will be immersed in a dynamic working environment and respond to and appreciate different key wire jewellery techniques.

Between classes, students will work independently on a research project to develop their final personal project. Guidance prompts will support students in how best to use this time and begin to embed a culture of independent focus and working.

By participating in a series of practical exercises, students will build technical skills required for the course. They will also develop skills in research, and development of ideas. Each participant will develop a portfolio of work which will evidence experimentation using wire techniques. Through guided studio sessions students will develop confidence in working with a range of basic, appropriate metalworking techniques, such as wire twisting, basic chains, soldering, simple catches and wire structures. This will culminate in the production of their personal project.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this course, students will be able to:

Show how relevant research, ideas development and contextual awareness of contemporary wire jewellery has influenced the personal project.
Demonstrate confidence in working with a range of basic and appropriate metalworking techniques to make a series of samples.
Make at least one finished piece relating to research and development of ideas.

Sources

Core Readings

There is no essential reading. The recommended titles below may be of interest to students, but there is no expectation to purchase any of these books.

Fisch, A. M. (1997) Textile techniques in metal: for jewelers, textile artists & sculptors. London: Robert Hale.
Gale, E. & Little, A. (2000) Jewellery making. London: Hodder Headline.
Galton, E. (2012) Jewellery design. Lausanne: AVA Academia.
Calder, A. et al. (2007) Calder jewelry / photographs by Maria Robledo; edited by Alexander S.C. Rower, Holton Rower; with contributions by Mark Rosenthal, Jane Adlin. New York: Calder Foundation.
Stark, J. R. et al. (1997) Classical loop-in-loop chains and their derivatives. New York: Chapman & Hall.
Watkins, D. (2002) Jewellery. London: New Holland.
Young, A. Y. (2008) Jewellery materials sourcebook. London: A. & C. Black.

Web Sources

Specific web resources will be determined by course tutors.

Class Handouts

Course information will be provided on enrolment and handouts provided during the course.

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.