A Wrap Up...day 29

Posting a couple photos of displayed necklaces.

New Direction...We'll See...day 28

Today was kind of a strange day at school.  I started out the day with full intent to begin the unit on Clay Jewelry.  Before setting up my demo area I spent some time cleaning off the messy counter from our
work on necklaces and copper chains.   As I did so I kept coming across varieties of objects that might be fun to combine into cool jewelry projects.  I began accumulating them on the clean counter and got the idea of throwing it open for the students to pick out objects and design pieces of jewelry strictly from association of them and what they might suggest instead of a pre-conceived, drawn out design.  
So THAT'S  our direction this 6 weeks.  No photos yet but will have some next post.
In the meantime here is a photo of our last cake creation in my baking class.  As you can see I can certainly use a class in cake decorating...which I plan to take next semester.

Five More...almost there...day 27

Posting five more necklaces.  4th Period is first to reach 100%.

Four more finally/finely finished...day 26

Took today off for eye doctor appointment,but am taking time in waiting room posting these photos.

A nicely finished necklace...day 25

Always a pleasure to shoot a photo of a well done work.

Something new and different...day 24

I showed the kids how to make a chain out of their jump rings and a bent wire design to go with it.

And yet more finished...day 23

I always enjoy setting up displays of finished work.  Here are a few more.

More Necklaces finished...day 22

The Sub said "the students were perfect".  What better first words to read after taking a day off.  Many HAD spent the day putting final touches on their works.  I am posting a few of them here.

While I was gone...day 21

Went to Texas Clay Festival.  At an art show I saw this pendant I think my students will enjoy seeimg.  The way the artist suspended the forms will be an inspiration.

And a Few get Finished...day 20

Wouldn't you know that the first time I forget my keys I  need them to get the forms out to shoot photos of finished mecklaces.  Oh, well, you'll get to see them again shot with my new phone/camera.

I love the reversible nature of these pieces.

Another Metal Necklace...day 19

My third 2nd year student finished his necklace.  He used some cheap metal scrap, blocked off areas with masking tape pieces and sand blasted each piece.  Then he used colored pencils to color in the rough end ares.

Bending, Cutting, Varnishing...day 18

A student's necklace ALMOST finished and a short video of hands in action.

Second Year Students...day 17

A couple pieces...one Brass ...one Copper

Varnishing, Beads, and Jump Rings...day 16

Today students were in high gear finalizing the surfaces of necklace pieces, rolling paper beads, and creating jump rings.  Here are a couple shots of soon to be worn necklaces.

Six Weeks ends....day 15

Today we finished up the first six weeks of the study of Jewelry.  Students are in various states of completion of their necklaces.  All at at least at the stage of having their pieces gesso painted and with their designs drawn.  Many are working on painting their designs with acrylic paint.  Some are coating their pieces with acrylic varnish.  They need at least 3 coats to really look good.  In the meantime I showed them how to make beads out of paper strips and some have even gotten them varnished as well.
We will begin next week learning about jump rings and fabricating wire loops for the beads out of 18 gauge copper wire.  Then we will proceed to creating chains out of the jump rings to finish off the completed necklace along with a clasp they will create themselves.
No pictures today, sorry.  I will begin posting some again on day 16.

A Few More Photos and a Paper Bead Demo...day 14

Here a re a few necklace layouts after one coat of varnish.  I showed students the process of creating beads using white paper, markers, and glue.  They can include them in their necklace or use them separately.  The assignment is to make 12 one inch wide and 6 half inch wide.  After a few coats of varnish, they will drill hole into the edges of their necklace pieces to hold a piece of wire with a loop on the end.  After gluing these wire loops into place the necklace can be strung together with jump rings.
They will then create a small chain with jump rings and a clasp.  Hopefully, they will have this project completed in the next few days.

Painting away...day 13

Students are totally focused on finishing their necklaces.  Here I've posted a few photos of work in progress.  One is a 2nd year student's work in textured, domed metal.

Look 

Progressing Quite Well...day 12

Narrowing in on finishing up some painting of necklace pieces.  Here are a few students in action.

It

More painting action today...day 11

Almost all the students are finished with painting their pieces with the Gesso ground.  Some were fanning their paint dry today so they could begin drawing their designs on them, as in the video.  I'm pleased with the enthusiasm they are showing for this first project.

Today I demonstrated the process they will use to connect the pieces into the necklace.  They will make an "eye" at the end of a copper wire around a round nose pliers.  They they will determine exactly where the loop will be placed and spot it with a pen.  They will then place their piece into a vise and drill the hole for the wire.  They will glue the wire loop into the side of the pieces and connect them with jump rings.  I may mount the drill bit into a piece of dowel rod so they can be more careful in the drilling.

Here are a couple of photos taken today along with a brief video.