TWO PATHS
The Adornment Passage is a journey of finding and refining your creative voice through the medium of jewellery. It's a personal practice that takes time to develop, built on two parallel paths: The Making and The Meaning.
⟡ ✦ ⟡
The making
⟢ Instructional video lessons and articles and practical resources
⟢ Fully available from the beginning, so you can move through the making at your own rhythm
These are not craft-style projects with fixed instructions but techniques that empower you to develop your own designs and bring your ideas to life. I start by showing how to achieve results using simple tools and materials and expand into more advanced techniques and equipment, encouraging experimentation and play all the way ⟡.
The meaning
⟢ Live group discussions supported by articles, videos and weekly practices
⟢ Unfolds gradually over six weeks so we can move through the process together
This is a newer and still evolving part of the course in which we explore the deeper relationship between creative practice, identity and inner symbolic language. The aim is to develop truly original work which doesn't come from chasing trends but by designing for yourself first, not the constructed self but the Self beneath the surface, where memory, instinct and symbol begin to shape form.
Everything happens online.
Access to all materials and the group space continues for a full year.
After the initial six weeks, you are encouraged to keep developing your work and present your progress at monthly live gatherings we call "Open Studios" - a space for students across intakes and friends to connect with each other and share our current thoughts and creative process.
Below is an outline of the two course paths.
The making
Module 1
✦ The Maker's Table
⟢ My Tools - my personal selection of essentials
⟢ The Base - for making rings and pendants
⟢ The Wax - the different types and their purpouse
⟢ Wax Melting Tools - from basic to professional
⟢ Wax Carving Tools - hand and machine options
Module 2
✦ Chaos and Flow
⟢ Band of Chaos - making your first ring in a state of play
⟢ The Flow Technique - my method for working with the additive technique
⟢ The Dragon - my technique using free flowing wax
⟢ The Child - a different stylistic approach
⟢ The Flame Ring - the evolution of a ring design made with an advanced technique
Module 3
✦ Order and Refinement
⟢ Origins Ring - making an adjustable ring using a combination of the additive and subtractive methods
⟢ Coin Pendant - making a classic pendant base and bale
⟢ Carving Techniques - incised and relief carving approaches
⟢ The Core Pendant - a demonstration of layered relief carving on a double-sided pendant
Module 4
✦ Casting Metal
⟢ The Casting Process - understanding the entire process of transforming wax to metal
⟢ Outsourcing - I share my experience, advice and trusted contacts
⟢ Calculating the Cost - before sending off wax to be cast in metal
⟢ Sending off for casting - proper packing to ensure against breakage
Module 5
✦ Finishing Silver
✧ Removing Sprues - cleaning up after casting with different methods (cutters and a hand saw)
✧ Deburring - removing imperfections by hand and machine (rotary tool)
✧ Smoothing - refining the surface using a rotary tool with my recommended burrs and attachments
✧ Patina - applying surface effects through oxidation (silver blackening and other effects)
✧ Polishing - the final stage from matte to high shine
Module 6
✦ Material Play
⟢ Cold Enamel - I share my personal technique of adding resin to silver to embellish and create additional pieces such as earrings.
⟢ "Your Thing" - You’re encouraged to experiment with materials and develop your own technique that make your work stand out.
The meaning
Week 1
⟡ Self
Through a symbolic lens, we examine the narratives that have shaped your current identity to separate the core from the constructed self. We descend into the depths of the personal unconscious to prepare the soil for new growth
✧ A Burial Ritual - a seed is planted...
Week 2
⟡ Symbol
We look at symbolic language as access point into the richness of your inner world and a treasure trove for developing a unique creative voice for making with meaning.
✧ Your Inner Symbol - a Jungian-inspired exercise in active imagination
Week 3
⟡ Synthesis
You conduct primary research based on your chosen inner symbol, going to the source for inspiration and start developing a concept to build a strong foundation for truly original work.
✧ Concept Collage - a 2D/3D collection of source material
Week 4
⟡ Form
We examine the shapes, textures, tensions and atmospheres held within the symbolic source material, paying attention to the emotional tone they cary. The focus shifts toward understanding visual language and how to begin developing your own.
✧ Form Study - translating feeling to form
Week 5
⟡ Matter
We move into the material world, anchor meaning into matter, exploring how material choice can radically transform the perception of an object (as in the case of contemporary art jewellery).
✧ Material Play - experimenting with unconventional materials and methods
Week 6
⟡ Ritual
We look at ritual through different perspectives: cultural, spiritual, natural and most importantly - personal so that you can start shaping a creative practice that aligns with your inner world.
✧ Anamulet - a personal ritual object as a reminder of an inner truth