Bracelet made from hair curlers by Heather Skowood

Level: All Skill Levels
Requirements: Jewelry I or Equivalent
Program: Spring
Status: Open
Length: 2 Days
Tuition: $ 250
Only $ 237.5 for registration before 24 March 2010
Materials: $ 0
Date: April 24, 2010 - April 25, 2010
Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: Metalwerx

Celebrate Earth Day this year at Metalwerx with environmentalist/jeweler, Heather Skowood, to learn how you can create jewelry that is surprising, insightful, inspiring and decreases our impact on the environment.

This two-day course will cover how to use a variety of handmade joining techniques such as rivets and jump rings as well as making mountings to frame unique found objects. Though emphasis will be placed upon using reclaimed/recycled materials, using metal will not be discouraged (but using scraps from your scrap box should be considered).

At the conclusion of this class, students will leave with a bold new piece of jewelry that will generate much discussion about the importance of creativity in a time when creative thinking is needed most to save the environment.

If you'd like to see more of Heather's work, please visit her website at www.heatherskowoodjewelry.com or her blogspot at www.heatherskowoodjewelry.blogspot.com

Heather is currently writing a book for Stackpole Books about her jewelry using recycled and reclaimed materials that is to be released in autumn 2010. Continue to watch her blog for updates on the progress of the book + new jewelry.

Materials & Tools

Metal

There will not be a materials fee for this class, but some metal will be available for purchase at the class. We encourage students to bring their scraps and any metal they already have on hand to find creative and eco-friendly design solutions!

Reclaimed/Recycled Materials

Let your imagination run wild and create daring jewelry with materials found either at home, at work, from walks in the woods or by the sea. Anything goes: packaging material from wine corks to plastic, worn out toys, twigs, bones, gun shells, wire from used spiral bound notebooks, twist ties from trash bags or drinking straws. The materials at your fingertips are endless! The next time you throw something away just ask yourself, "Can this be made into jewelry?"

Students Should Bring:

• Found objects
• Old jewelry components
• Scrap Metal/metal you already have
• Old Toys
• Recycled Materials