Jewellery Making
semester 1 & 2
Wrapped glass pendant
This elective integrates outcomes from both Art and Design & Technology.
In Jewellery Making, students engage in a range of hands-on projects, primarily using metals such as copper, bronze, brass, aluminium and nickel silver. Additional materials explored include wood, fused glass, moulding resins, polymers, tumbled stones, machine fabrics and tooling leather. Sustainability is a key theme; students are encouraged to upcycle and use handmade components rather than factory-made findings like mass-produced clasps and jump rings.
Each semester, students complete four distinct projects that cater to a range of skill levels. The elective can be taken across multiple semesters without repeating content, allowing students to build on their technical and design skills over time. Jewellery Making provides a strong foundation for VCE Product Design and relevant VET subjects, including pathways represented in Top Designs, the student annual exhibition at the Melbourne Museum.
Students are encouraged to design and produce wearable pieces that are not only visually appealing but also comfortable, sustainable and practical. Project themes include early ornamentation, nature-inspired design, cultural heritage and creative material combinations (e.g. wood and resin, gemstones and tumbling, wire wrapping and casting). Themes are often aligned with current exhibitions at the NGV—for example, past projects have drawn inspiration from the Egyptian Exhibition, Alexander McQueen and Coco Chanel retrospectives.
The jewellery pieces created may include rings, pendants, collars, cuffs, earrings, pins, brooches, hair ornaments and bracelets. Additional skills covered include lost wax casting, metal etching, electroplating, wire making, up-cycled cutlery jewellery and wrapping techniques.
Course Objectives:
· Prepare students for a rapidly changing technological world
· Foster autonomy and creative problem-solving
· Develop knowledge and understanding of materials, tools and processes
· Build practical capabilities in both design and production
· Promote sustainable design practices and awareness of environmental impact
Check out some of the amazing jewellery work on our YouTube channel:
Electroplating
