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DESCRIPTION:

Jewelry design requires purposeful planning and visualization in anticipation of how the piece will be worn.   An important part of the design process is an understanding of how the design of any piece of jewelry must satisfy both the psychic and the physical needs of the wearer.   This course focuses on how design and construction are conditioned by the wearer's anatomy and perceptions.   This course also focuses on decisions that the designer must make, which result from how the piece is worn and manipulated.

Understand jewelry as a collection of components, the organization of which results in forms and themes, plays out and enhances/impedes certain physical functions, certain psychological functions, and certain social functions.

Learn strategies for manipulating components to enhance movement, drape, flow and support.

SKILL LEVEL REQUIRED:

Intermediate/Advanced Level

PREREQUISITES:

ORIENTATION TO BEADS AND JEWELRY FINDINGS
(All students are required to begin our curriculum with this ORIENTATION CLASS.    The Orientation Class is offered once a month.)

BEAD WEAVING BASICS (or equivalent)

BASICS OF BEAD STRINGING AND ATTACHING CLASPS (or equivalent)

INTRODUCTION TO BEADS AND COLOR

JEWELRY DESIGN I: PRINCIPLES OF COMPOSITION

Some experience making necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

Prefer student to have taken about 5 beginning level classes, or have equivalent experience.

GOALS:

To teach how to design and construct pieces of jewelry so that they accomodate the shapes and contours of the body, both when the body is stationary, as well as when it is in movement

To understand basic jewelry forms

To understand what "function" means from a jewelry design standpoint

To understand how jewelry may be designed to satisfy the wearer's psychic and physical needs

To understand how to engineer jewelry supporting systems

PROJECT/TASKS:

Review of theories and concepts related to form and physical/psychological function.
Practice applying these theories and concepts.

SKILLS LEARNED:

Concepts to be discussed:
FORM and THEMES:  frontal, cylindrical, dimensional

FUNCTION:  draping, movement, proportion, positioning, coherency, usage, purpose, dimensions, security

NEEDS:  use goals, values, sexuality, fantasy, self-image

SUPPORT SYSTEMS:  hanging and tying, pressure, clasp, piercing and stud, sewing

Students will be making some jewelry components

SUPPLIES REQUIRED:

Supply List:
6 feet of 20-gauge craft wire  (plated, copper, brass or nickel)
an assortment of beads of different sizes, shapes and colors; four  1/2" or longer large-hole tube beads
bead board
chain nose pliers, round nose pliers, wire cutters
12  2"  headpins
6 feet of soft flex or tigertail wire  (any size)
1 toggle clasp
1 lobster claw clasp and soldered ring
1 S-clasp
1 pearl clasp or safety clasp
1 hook/eye clasp
1  2- or 3-strand clasp
30" necklace cord  (leather, rattail (satin) or waxed cotton)
drinking straw or 12" dowel
three  1" pin backs
large brooch or large filigree jewelry findings
notepad & pen