SESSION 2:
Fringe, Edge, Strap, Bail,
Surface Embellishment in Jewelry
-- Art or Not?
October 2013
Sun, 10/13/2013 thru Sat, 10/19/2013
ENROLLMENT CLOSED
2015 (TBA)

You Will Learn How To...

- Understand any piece of jewelry in terms of its anatomical parts

- Assert design control over how the various anatomical parts of a piece of jewelry contribute to its success and satisfaction

- Describe jewelry as "Art", not "Craft"

- Enhance the resonance of your jewelry

- Apply fringing beadweaving techniques and their variations

- Apply edging beadweaving techniques and their variations

- Apply Strap beadweaving techniques and their variations

- Apply beaded bail beadweaving techniques and their variations

- Apply surface embellishment beadweaving techniques and their variations

 

Projects:

The primary project is to create a beadwoven BezelWorks centerpiece pendant, with fringe, edge, strap, bail and surface embellishment. A basic set of instructions is provided. Students may follow these verbatim, or go off in their own directions.

A very simple experimental necklace strap is created, off of which to do trial and error techniques that we learn during the week.

A beadweaving case study -- The Monet's Garden Bracelet -- is discussed. Instructions for the project are provided, and students may create this bracelet, if they want.

This workshop is an intermediate/advanced level. Some previous experience with making jewelry (whether bead stringing, bead weaving or wire working) is required. A comfort using needle and thread, and a knowledge of how to do flat peyote and tubular peyote bead weaving stitches would be very helpful.

If we are to get control over what we make as artists, how do these jewelry elements -- fringe, edge, strap, bail, surface embellishment -- come into play in an appropriate and satisfying way?

Classical art theory would say that these kinds of elements in jewelry should be supplemental to the core piece, such as a pendant or centerpiece.

The pendant is "art", and any fringe, strap, bail, edging or extraneous surface embellishment would merely supplement this. In painting, these kinds of components would equate with the "frame"; in sculpture, these kinds of components would equate with the "pedestal base."

In classic art theory, neither the frame nor the pedestal should be required to be present in order to appreciate the painting or sculpture as art. Nor should these detract. Or compete. Or take center stage. Or overwhelm.

But what about these elements in jewelry -- fringe, edge, straps, bails and surface embellishment? If our goal is to elevate beadwork and jewelry to the realm of art, rather than craft, we need somehow to accommodate, confront or revise this central concept in art theory -- that all these elements must remain supplemental to the centerpiece.

In this workshop, we learn how to make the kinds of choices about fringe, edge, strap, bail, and surface embellishment which elevate our jewelry to the requirements and expectations underlying good art and design. We learn theories, multiple beadweaving techniques and applications for fringes, edges, straps, bails and surface embellishment.

-- Warren

ITINERARY

Sunday - Arrival

Monday - THE CENTER PIECE
Theory: Jewelry and Beadwork as Art -- Art or Not-Art?
Theory: The Anatomy of the Necklace
Theory: Roles and Designs of The Center Piece
Materials and Techniques - The BezelWorks Center Piece Project Design
Materials and Techniques - The Basic Experimental Necklace Project Design
Refresher class on flat and tubular peyote stitch

Tuesday - FRINGE
Theory: Roles and Designs of Fringe
Materials and Techniques: Fringe
Case Study: The Monet's Garden Bracelet

Wednesday - EDGE
Theory: Roles and Designs of the Edge
Materials and Techniques: Edges

Thursday - STRAPS, BAILS and THE CANVAS
Theory: Roles and Designs of Straps and Bails
Materials and Techniques: Straps and Bails
Theory: Roles and Designs of "Canvas"
Materials and Techniques: "Canvas"

Friday - SURFACE EMBELLISHMENT
Theory: Roles and Designs of Surface Embellishment
Materials and Techniques: Surface Embellishment

Saturday - JEWELRY DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
Finale and Departure
Technique vs. Skill
Advocating for Your Work as "Art"

Narrative Synopsis

Detailed Itinerary

LOCATION & ACCOMMODATIONS

APPLICATION and FEES
- Maximum Enrollment - 12 students

SUPPLIES LIST