working with a theme lets you maximize production and clarify your design voice.
(No worries if you’re still looking for your next great design idea; this course will help you find it.)
This class combines technique and design lessons along with introspection and audience insight to help you produce your best collection
I teach metalsmithing, jewelry design, and presentation, giving you a solid set of skills to advance your practice.
Join us once a week for 10 weeks and go from unsure to confident
Class starts Tuesday, September 15 online. 7pm ET
Technical requirements / FAQ’s
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Class is held on Zoom.
Let me know if you’re not sure what that means.
You will need a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet to participate.
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The class is decidely low tech.
We'll communicate between classes by email.
You'll receive a Zoom link to access the live class.
We'll post recordings of the live class on a private YouTube channel.
PDFs of the slide presentations and lessons are posted on my website.
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The class includes five homework assignments.
Submit writing, photos of your work, or inspiration references by email before the class date.
Cellphone cameras are perfect for this. You can also use your cellphone to capture screenshots of things you find online.
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Access to a jewelry studio is ideal, but you can participate without one by sketching and making paper design models.
Producing finished jewelry is not required.
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I will post PDFs and video recordings for each lesson on my website. The class page is private.
Weekly Outline
1.Overview
What we’ll cover in the course
Benefits to developing a theme
Homework schedule
Technical information – website tour so you know where to find everything
2. Looking at your work through the eyes of your audience
Seeing your design concept from multiple points of view helps your audience appreciate your genius.
A unified collection shows confidence. Your audience must sense that you stand behind your designs.
Having a theme encourages multiple purchases.
3. What gets you excited?
What can you expect, and what do you want from this experience.
Pick an idea that will hold your attention. The whole point of this approach is to squeeze every last molecule from an idea.
4. Find a motif and work it to death
What is a motif?
Considerations when picking a motif to develop.
How to make a paper model.
5. What are the core items in a jewelry collection
Learn which items a collector must have.
Use this list to build your collection.
6. Using scale and position to extend a motif
Don’t overlook this concept for expanding your collection just because it is simple and obvious.
7. Techniques for working with multiples
One benefit of developing a set of components is efficient production or reproduction. I’ll share some basic methods for cutting costs and speeding up production, including casting, CAD, pancake dies, and hydraulic forming.
8. How the surface finish influences perception
The cultural response to shiny and matte surfaces
Options for finishing metal surfaces
Techniques for using patinas
9. Review
We run through all the lessons one more time because you know a lot more now and will hear things differently.
10. Show and tell
Submit class work by email no later than midnight on the Monday before the class date.
Results will be shared with the class
Knowing that most of us will have only partially finished work, be prepared to discuss how you see your motif evolve and your vision for the ideas you are presenting.
But wait, there’s more . . .
The official part of the class, the “You Only Need One Good Idea” part, is one hour each Tuesday from 7-8 pm ET online.
But the Zoom link opens early, at 6, with my weekly in-studio class. I’m joined by a few longtime students who are working on the course assignments along with their own projects. I’ll share my projects and homework results too.
You are invited to listen in, see what everyone is working on, catch up on jewelry happenings, or ask technical questions.
I hope you join us for this fun supportive experience. Your jewelry will look better than ever.
Register Here
The ten-week One Good Idea course is only $300
You will have ongoing access to the lessons and recordings
If after 3 classes you feel this is not the course for you, let me know and I’ll refund your money. You must complete the assignments to receive a refund.
Questions?