Today was such a full day of learning I just didn't get around to photographing or videoing any activities at all. I can see ample opportunity coming up on Wednesday for just that, however.
I introduced them to the textbook we'll be referencing this year, THE JEWELER'S ART. I had them read a few pages in Chapter 3, PAPER JEWELRY, which discusses, among other things, paper beads. I had looked at a few Youtube videos of artists demonstrating the making of paper beads and wanted them to find out about it. So I first had them read a little, then I demonstrated a couple of techniques I picked up on the demos. I cut 6" X 18" strips of colored construction paper, showed them how to measure half and full inch width strips/triangles, showed them the cutting procedure, and then rolled a few beads on a wooden skewer and a round toothpick. During my advanced class I even took the time to demo the painting on of the acrylic gloss medium.
The students took to the concept and the procedure with a gusto. They wanted to show me their first efforts and EVERYONE did a super job. As I told them before they started and when I looked at their beads, "yours are going to look SO much better than mine"...and they did.
One of my goals in teaching these classes is to get the students to REALLY ENJOY the act of designing
jewelry. I want them to experience a wide variety of media and expressions in their learning and I want them to look forward to each day they spend in my class as a time when they can fully express themselves in this art form. I want them to decide for themselves what jewelry is to THEM. I look forward to their designs truly reflecting who they are as a person. This may all sound pretty outlandish
and far-fetched, but I really think the day will arrive for some of them. Come back on Wednesday for
another look at students at work and some of their products.
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