ART 313
JEWELRY AND METAL WORK
Instructor: M. Baldridge
Office Telephone: 395 -2290
email: baldridgems@longwood.edu
stargazer.msb@juno.com
Office: Bedford 120
Office hours:12-1 MTWR
(and by appointment)
Course Description: Construction of jewelry and objects of silver and other
metals with emphasis on original design and basic techniques.
Text: None
Course Objectives: Jewelry and metal work will teach students a wide range of
technical and aesthetic values, as well as media and materials used in the
creation of jewelry and other works of metal. Students will learn to experiment
and produce visual expression in metal. Students will complete these objectives
through specific assigned classroom projects to:
Provide a broad technical and aesthetic background in the metal area that
when coupled with design knowledge and motivation will allow him/her to
create a visual expression in metal,
Cause an awareness of the aesthetics, design and humanistic aspects of
metal objects and their history,
Make a greater awareness of the elements of design, their function in art
and their effect on items in our environment called jewelry, hollowware,
flatware, etc.,
Make students more cognizant of the significance of metal and jewelry
and the role it plays symbolically, historically and aesthetically as it adorns
the human body,
Make students more technically proficient with the media so that not only
will they have a greater respect for the material, but also a better technical
understanding.
Course Content: Following is a general framework of course content:
Purpose of Jewelry:
A. Personal expression
B. Symbolic expression
C. Religious expression
D. Financial expression
E. Historic expression
Design:
A.
B.
C.
D.
Elements of design
Relationships of elements of design
How to utilize in jewelry
Basic goals and principle of design
Metal:
A. Basic properties and advantages of metals
B. Basic limitations
C. Basic forming techniques for metals
1. casting
2. raising/sinking
3. piercing/cutting
4. soldering
5. forging
D. Basic finishing techniques
1. filing
2. grinding
3. sanding
4. polishing
E. Basic decorative techniques
1. enameling
2. repousse/chasing
3. etching
4. oxidizing
5. electro coloration of refractory metals
6. stone setting
7. surface texturing
8. drilling.
Class Schedule: Progress in this course will depend to a large extent on the rate
of learning of each specific individual or group. Therefore it is impossible to
determine exactly which phase will be in evidence on any specific day.
Course Requirements: Students must utilize each of the following techniques:
Casting
Forging
Soldering
Sinking or raising
Piercing
Etching
Each student is expected to contribute one hour toward shop cleanup.
Standards and Minimums: The university expects you to spend 2 hours of
homework for each hour in class, meaning 8 hours of homework per week.
You will be in class for 4 hours per week x 15 weeks totaling 60 hours per
semester. Minimum homework should be at least an additional 60 hours
and if up to university standards would be 120 hours. If you are unwilling
to spend at least one hour of homework for each hour of class, you should
drop the class. This means 60 hours in class plus 60 hours outside of
class (at an absolute minimum) divided between the various assignments.
Grading: Your grade will be based on creativity and originality, time and effort
expended, design, craftsmanship (quality), self-improvement, class participation
and assistance, complexity and variety of ideas, techniques and materials.
Evaluation is accomplished by the point system, which normally ranges from 1 10 points (ten being high) per item assuming that all required techniques have
been utilized and that your work is not all repetition of objects or techniques. The
average cast ring for example, ranges from 4-5 points with more complex rings
receiving up to 7 or more points. Fabricated items reap points depending on
complexity of shape or form and use in combination with other shapes, forms and
techniques. The normal range for a grade of "C" is 20-29 points, "B" is 30-39
points, "A" is 40 or more points.
All assigned work is due at mid-term for an estimated grade. At the mid-term
critique, students will be advised of their estimated grade and advised as to what
needs to be done to improve or maintain their performance. Grades will not be
given on individual projects during the semester in order to allow for reworking or
remaking prior to the final critique. All projects will be due at final critique where
points will be assigned. Instructor reserves the right to reject any projects that he
has not observed during creation. If projects require the assistance of another
individual, prior consent must be obtained from the instructor. Instructor must
also be notified in writing of any outside assistance at final grading. No projects
will be accepted that were initiated or completed prior to the current semester.
Attendance Policy: Individuals are expected to attend all classes. If a student
misses four or more classes (except for medical, judicial or other written,
approved reasons) he/she cannot receive a grade higher than "C". If a student
misses a class for an unexcused reason, do not ask the instructor concerning the
information they missed. If a student misses more than 25% of classes, he/she
will receive an automatic "F". No incompletes will be given except in cases
where prior arrangements have been made and approved by the instructor.
Honor Code: Students are expected to live by the Longwood University Honor
Code. Your instructor will not tolerate any form of cheating.
Supplies: A $50 Lab Fee will cover most of the supplies needed for this class.
However students may be asked to furnish some additional materials. Any
student enrolled in an art class requiring a lab fee after the "add period" must pay
this fee. Waiver of this fee requires a form filled out by the instructor and
forwarded to the Art Department secretary prior to the end of "add period". This
rule will be strictly enforced and there will be no exceptions.
Bibliography:
American Crafts magazine
Contemporary Jewelry, Philip Morton
Contemporary Jewelry, Ralph Turner
Art Forms in Nature, Haekel
Design & Creation of Jewelry, Robert von Neuman
History of Jewelry, A, Joan Evans
Jewelry Making, Lewes
Metalsmith magazine
New Design in Jewelry, Donald Willcox
Ornament magazine
Jewelry Making, Bovin
Jewelry Repair Manual, The Hardy
Modern Jewelry, Hughes
Goldschmeide und Uhrmacher Zeitung