Tuesdays, February 4 - March 11, 2025
6 sessions of 2 hours
4:00 - 6:00 pm PST
Instructor: Jennifer Stenhouse
This 6-week class is designed specifically to help jewelry makers become more focused on their creative paths with exercises, discussions, and artist interviews.
Whether you are creating for a series, one-of-a-kind jewelry, or planning to increase your jewelry production, finding inspiration and your creative voice can be a challenge. When designing a production line or special project, there are several aspects to consider. Determining how you want a body of work or a collection to come together is hard work. How do you find your own style? How do some artists make it look so easy? What is their creative process and how do they focus their ideas into a body of work that has continuity? We have several interviews with successful artists who unpack for us how they managed to get where they are and what struggles and challenges they overcame to get their designs to work.
We will begin with discussing designing for production ideas by sketching, collecting, and creating prototypes and models. We'll also talk about how to continue to find inspiration when you are stuck. Next, we will address how your design idea can be transformed into a great production piece by simplifying the construction. Several examples and artists’ solutions will be discussed. This information will be adapted for the needs of the participants in the class. Then we tackle the different stages of development that usually have people baffled, stuck, and making the same old thing that leaves them unsatisfied.
Participants are encouraged to bring ideas and samples, and a good notebook for writing notes and sketching ideas down. Bring projects that pose design challenges and together we’ll find solutions to accomplish your vision. Individual participation and the sharing of ideas and resources are highly encouraged.
The group will meet on Tuesday evenings to discuss ideas, & strategies that will make your designs rock!
Guest Artists Interviews with:
Lee Appleby (Welsh Jeweller from BBC show All that Glitters), Nancy Megan Corwin (author of Chasing and Repousse), Lori Talcott (goldsmith and filigree artist), Eleanor Moty (goldsmith and professor), Michael Nashef (sculptor and jeweler), Moorea Seal (artist, author designer, influencer), and more!
All levels of skill are welcome!
Books recommended for the class:
The Art of Jewelry Design: From Idea to Reality by Elizabeth Olver
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert
Prerequisite: No previous experience required.
All classes include the video recording, which you will have access to for 60 days after the class. The Zoom link, handouts, video(s), and other important information can be found by clicking on the individual class link on the "My Courses" page. The Zoom link and handout (if any) will be available 24 hours before the class starts.
You also get 1 free session of Open Studio Access (OSA) in the month following your class, the Zoom link can be found on the course video access page.
The class supply list is below and contains links to buy the supplies you need.
Supply List for Students
There are no specific supply recommendations for this class.
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