Project

Projects:
For this class you will design and make a line of jewelry. Each of the pieces should relate to a central design theme. The theme can be a new idea, or based off of a piece you have made previously, it can be a formal element or a concept. The pieces should be clearly related to the theme and to each other. A basic line of jewelry includes: ring, earrings, bracelet, necklace/pendant, and brooch. Many lines have multiple styles of rings, earrings, bracelets, and pendants as well.

Your line must include: a pendant or brooch, a ring, and 1 pair of earrings.
You line must also include 2 selections from below, bringing the total number of pieces in your line to 5.
Options: bracelet- linked, bracelet- cuff, necklace- linked, cufflinks, pendant (if picked brooch above), brooch (if picked pendant above), another pair of earrings, another ring

For next class:
Do 15 sketches for main pieces- the piece that the line is created off of. Use this piece to identify what the central theme or concept of your line will be. Don’t try to focus too narrowly on any piece or theme. Sketch what comes to mind, and organize them later.
Make rough maquettes of the top 3-5 ideas.
Expand on the top 3 ideas and sketch 5 ideas for each piece in your line. Pieces should not all be smaller and larger versions of the same thing… play around!
• Start noting what materials you might want to use and what embellishments such as stones or patinas you might want to employ.
• Bring in any pieces that you have made in proper classes that you are interested in using as a base for production pieces.

Things to consider when designing:
• Fit and comfort! Light earrings are more comfortable than heavy ones. Earrings should weigh less than 11g as a pair.
• A slightly curved inside on a ring shank is much more comfortable than a straight one. (referred to as Comfy fit or EZ fit)
• People invariably have every size finger under the sun. Magazines and books say that the most common size for a woman is 6-6.5: this is for engagement rings. I have found that a lot of women fall into the 7-8.5 size range as well.
• A lot of customers look for rings to fit on finger other than just the ring finger.
• How easy is your ring design to resize after it is finished? How easy is it going to be for you to make different sizes during the process? Rings that have a shank and top are much easier to resize and adjust during the process than band style rings where the pattern goes all the way around.
• Common chain lengths are 16”, 18”, and 24”. I have found that 17” is a great length on just about everyone. This means I make my own clasps, but I seldom have to vary the length!
• Think about making your pieces versatile and open to variations.
• The two most common ways to have the same piece of jewelry look different are material and color. Metals can include bronze, silver, bimetal, different color and karat gold, platinum. Alternative materials can make a piece look completely different. Color can either be in the form of gemstones, enamel, resins, or patinas.
• You can also use an element in multiple pieces of jewelry. Top of a ring becomes an earring; a pendant becomes a brooch or the top of a cuff bracelet.