Jewellery with Maria Laidlaw Short Course
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-18 | 2023-05-05 |
Program Overview
Chains offer endless design opportunities and are an essential skill for any jewellery maker. During this intermediate course, you will learn how to construct ‘jump rings’ - a type of wire ring used to form different types of jewellery or chains. The techniques taught will provide you with a basis for constructing your own bracelet or necklace.
Program Outline
This 6-week course will start with an introduction into design ideation; a creative process where designers generate ideas together in one session. As part of this evening course, you will investigate a variety of shapes and sizes whilst exploring a range of different chain link designs.
During this process, you will be asked to formulate your own individual designs to carry forward. Following this, you are invited to construct protypes using basic materials such as paper or wire. Alternatively, participants can use recycled materials sourced independently. Creating a prototype will allow you to build a sample to test and will enable you to conceptualise your own chain design.
Throughout the course you will learn how to create and construct a variety of chain links. Different techniques can involve: coiling, soldering, twisting, texturing, piercing and sawing. Additionally, you can learn how to incorporate a mechanism that enables your chain to open and close.
During the course you are invited to form your pieces of jewellery using copper or steel. Sequentially using the techniques learnt you will construct and finish your own individual piece of jewellery in the form of a bracelet or necklace.
Disclaimer
The University regularly reviews its courses. Course content and structure may change over time. See our
course and module disclaimer
for more information.Learning Methods
This course will be delivered on campus from 18:45 – 20:45 every Wednesday for 6 weeks.
Activity Summary
Independent Study
Students are encouraged to create and maintain a personal sketchbook which reflects their own creative practice, individual interests, learnings, and the work of other designers.
During the first evening class participants will investigate a variety of shapes and sizes whilst exploring a range of different chain link designs.
Students are encouraged to sketch as a way of conceptualising design ideas and are asked to take time to consider prototyping.
Assessment
This course is not formally assessed.
Staff Delivering on this Course
Maira Laidlaw studied three-dimensional design prior to graduating from Gray’s School of Art in 2021 where she too has later taught. Laidlaw’s work has a strong design philosophy and features a collection of jewellery that she has created by re using discarded materials. Her creative process starts with a sense of curiosity combined with her desire to make. Drawn to old things, the designer is inspired by their stories, whether its material, architectural or historical. Her work evolves around the untapping of new possibilities for materials that have had a previous use, in order to promote circularity.
Deemouth Artist Studios -Maira Laidlaw
