Programs
Rare Earth Studio Pre-Apprenticeship Program: 2012 Schedule
(Pre-requisite to Rare Earth Studio US Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Status)
Schedule for 2012 Rare Earth Studio Classes
Class Dates for GIA Studies To Be Determined for Spring, 2012
(Pre-apprenticeship * this Program of Study will apply toward nationally Registered Apprenticeship program at Rare Earth Studio) (Maximum of 10 students)
INTENSIVE WORKSHOPS – friday & Saturday, each week
OPEN STUDIO/LAB/PRODUCTION - available optional days by reservation
9 am – 4 pm (including breaks)
3 hours = lecture/demonstration
3 hours = open studio/lab/production
Program of Study – Jewelry & Gemology – Session I
Course and Curriculum Descriptions – Instructional materials included
Tuition $1,575, plus Tools & Materials; Clock hours 108
Session I: January 20 – March 3, 2011
Actual dates: January 20, 21, 27, 28; February 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 24, 25; March 2 & 3
January 20 – RES 1002 – Part 1 (Ivanne Farr & representative, SBDC)
Understanding Jewelry Industry Business, Ethics & Integrity
Students will learn to apply the principles of proper terminology of the industry, and communicate using the vocabulary of the craftsperson. Information about entrepreneurial interests of individual students will be included along with security issues and information about the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, a non-profit legal trade association fulfilling its mission to maintain the jewelry industry’s highest ethical standards.
January 21 – RES 1002– Part 2 (Paul Jordan)
The “S”s of the Jewelry Industry – Shop Safety & Security
Participants will have the opportunity to learn about holistic safety issues, specific tool and equipment safety considerations, electrically and fire safe workspace, production specific ventilation, personal safety equipment, and development of a conscious attitude and consciousness of safety. Safety is acting in a manner, which precludes or avoids injurious behaviors and circumstances. Security in and around the work place requires constant vigilance.
January 27 - RES 1003 – Part 1 (Ivanne Farr & Paul Jordan)
Precious Metals Overview ~ History, Mining, Metallurgy, Refining & Testing
World Gold Council, Silver Institute, Platinum Guild International
January 28 – RES 1010, Part 1 – Beginning (Julia Gardner)
Chain Maille & Wire Works
Beginning chain making techniques that only require hand tools, and therefore can be developed in any location. Classic Byzantine, including linear designs, additive designs, combined designs, and composed designs will be reviewed. Students will have the opportunity to build their own chain bracelet and will also learn how to create hand-wrought clasps and earpieces with French hooks.
February 3 - RES 1006 (Paul Jordan)
Jewelry Design & Re-Design
This component will educate students in the specific skills appropriate to the design of jewelry and to be able to communicate designs effectively with bench jewelers and potential clients. With colored pencils and paints, this class is ideal even if you have little or no sketching experience. Students are encouraged to interpret these techniques and establish their own design sensibility. Students who want to pursue this study will be able to establish their own design collection, gain employment in design of jewelry, advance to Registered Apprenticeship, and continue onto further education in design with gold and silver-smithing.
February 4 – RES 1010, Part 1 – Intermediate (Julia Gardner)
Chain Maille & Wire Works
Intermediate chain making techniques that only require hand tools, and therefore can be developed in any location. Classic Byzantine, including linear designs, additive designs, combined designs, and composed designs will be reviewed. Students will have the opportunity to build their own chain bracelet and will also learn how to create hand-wrought clasps and earpieces with French hooks.
February 9, 10, 11 – RES 1012, Part I (Mette Laier)
Design methodology & production focusing on natural surroundings of the West Indies
Danish jewelry designer Mette Laier of Copenhagen will be in residence to share different design methods, utilizing the essence of our natural surroundings and to create unique pieces of jewelry.
February 16, 17, 18 - RES 1012 – Part 2 (Mette Laier)
Design methodology & production focusing on culture and traditions reflected in the everyday life in the West Indies
Danish jewelry designer Mette Laier of Copenhagen will be in residence to share different design methods, utilizing the essence of our culture and traditions to create unique pieces of jewelry.
February 24 & 25 - RES 1008 – Part 1 (Paul Jordan)
Comprehensive Wax Techniques/Working with Waxes
Create original wax models with various wax types, utilizing methods gained from personalized instruction, and hands-on training, learning precise wax sculpturing techniques. Numerous projects will gain the student skills of carving wax including various types of rings. Properly finished wax designs will utilize the lost wax casting production method.
March 2 & 3 - RES 1008 – Part 2 (Paul Jordan)
Introduction to Lost Wax Casting, Vacuum Casting & Mold Making
Includes wax cutting and sculptured design techniques, vulcanized rubber molds, cutting molds correctly with a special tool and without a tool; learn centrifugal and vacuum casting plus other techniques. The student can learn spruing up wax trees, flask investing and burnout procedures. Also finishing jewelry polishing, plating and stripping.
Program of Study – Jewelry & Gemology
Session II (pre-requisite Session I)
Course and Curriculum Descriptions – Instructional materials included
Tuition $1,575, plus Tools & Materials; Clock hours 108
Session II: March 9 – April 28
Actual dates: March 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31; April 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28 (Special Workshops with Philippe Grifnee of Belgium, (Additional Fee of $1,500)
March 9 & 10 - RES 1004 (Paul Barrett)
Restoration, Basic Jewelry Repair and Stone Setting
This portion of instruction is outlined for the beginner and the apprentice and gives special attention to ring and other types of jewelry fabrication. All projects are worked with raw materials to give students a broader working knowledge. Students will learn the correct terminology and procedures for soldering control, sawing, ring sizing, stone setting, with strong emphasis on ring sizing and chain repair. Also, covered in this course are prong re-building and re-tipping with the stone on the ring, gold testing, setting a new head on shank and much more.
March 16 & 17 - RES 1010 – Part 2 (Paul Jordan)
Metal Piercing
With a minimum of tools and equipment, a student can learn piercing of metal that can be applied to making jewelry and/or objets ‘d arte. Each tool has certain potentialities and limitations, and a large part of the skill of the craftsperson consists in selecting the proper tool for the job. The student will learn various ways to apply use of tools for texture, relief, and richness of surface.
March 23 & 24 - RES 1010 – Part 3 (Paul Jordan)
Metal Forging, Raising & Planishing, Polishing
Students will learn hand forming metal ingots and sheet stock into three-dimensional forms with a hammer and anvil, and rolling mill. Material is not removed, it is moved to create the desired design.
April 20- RES 1011 – (Philippe Grifnee)
Fine Art Hand Engraving
World-renowned Fine Art Hand Engraver, Philippe Grifnee will be in residence working with students teaching them the basics of hand engraving to be utilized in various art forms. Students will benefit greatly from Philippe’s hands-on teaching methods.
Program of Study – Jewelry & Gemology
Session III (pre-requisite Session II)
Course and Curriculum Descriptions – Instructional materials included
Tuition $1,575, plus Tools & Materials; Clock hours 108
(*Schedule & Fee for GIA studies independent of RES Schedule and dependent on final arrangements with GIA; 30 clock hours)
Session III: May 11- June 30
Actual dates: May 11 & 12, 18 & 19; 25 & 26; June 4-8 & 11-15; June 22 & 23 (Staging & Marketing); 29 & 30 (Annual Exhibition)
Dates To Be Determined - RES 1003 – Part 2
Gemological Study Opportunities with Gemological Institute of America Lab classes hosted by Rare Earth Studio
This segment presents an overview of the different labs taught by visiting instructors from the world-renowned Gemological Institute of America. Available labs for local people will be reviewed, and examples of letters of completion, certifications, and diplomas will be presented. The Caribbean Islands Education Foundation, Inc., at Rare Earth Studio is a designated corporate entity for proctoring GIA exams. The inclusion in this Program of Study, of the above scheduled GIA Accredited Jewelry Professional Course will bring the potential of continued GIA studies into focus.
May 11 & 12 - RES 1009 – Part 1 (Paul Jordan)
Lapidary
This course offers students the opportunity to work with natural materials including coconut, black coral, exotic woods, semi-precious gemstones; learning about cutting, tumbling and polishing techniques.
May 18 & 19 - RES 1009 – Part 2 (Paul Jordan)
Torch Fire Enameling
With enameling, the entire color spectrum is at the student’s fingertips. Kiln-fired enameling, allows the student to create charms, sample tiles and rings using professional techniques. Several transparent and opaque application methods available, along with practice masking and stenciling with available tools of the trade.
May 25 & 26 - RES 1007 (Stephan Bitterwolf)
Caribbean Islands Cultural Materials including Sea Glass & Chaney, coconut, regional organic materials and Pearl & Natural Gemstone Bead Design
St. Thomas resident Stephan Bitterwolf will share techniques to create stunning sculptures of carved coconut shells. Also, you will be able to learn the skills of multiple techniques of stringing and re-stringing pearls and natural gemstone beads. Also covered will be opportunities in working with found items of sea glass, coconut, and “chaney” (sherds of ancient pottery found in the Virgin Islands). The student will develop techniques that will enable them to develop a customer base by having a competitive edge in the traditional market along with the growing pearl and natural gemstone bead market and unique designs in Virgin Islands-specific found items.
June 4-8 & 11-15 - RES 1013 (Alfonso Vitiello & Professor Gaglione Crescenzo)
Carving of the Queen Conch Shell
Utilizing age-old techniques dating back to Roman times, Professor Gaglione Crescenzo of the Torre Del Greco (Italy) School of Art & Design will teach Virgin Islanders how to carve into cameos and objets d’arte, the queen conch shell, creating exquisite carvings, each an original creation. He will utilize our native flora and environment as inspiration for design. The shells utilized do not impose any environmental consideration, but actually uses the shell that would otherwise be wasted after the fisherman has sold the meat of the conch. The carvings will then be set in 18K gold. In collaboration with the D’Elia family (since 1790), Alfonso Vitiello & Davide D’Elia, will also share the marketing and business sides of the conch shell carving.
June 22 & 23 (Staging & Marketing)
June 29 & 30 (Rare Earth Studio Annual Exhibition)
* the planned courses as listed, will not necessarily be presented in the order they are Listed*
- PARTICIPATION IN THE MASTERS PROGRAM IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE; CRAFTSPEOPLE ARE CONFIRMED SUBJECT TO SHIFTING SCHEDULES AND ULTIMATE AVAILABILITY -
Resource Materials – Rare Earth Studio has an extensive reference library including formats in the following:
- Books, traditional and current
- Periodicals- historic and current
- Transparency Masters
- Video Cassettes
- CD’s
- DVD’s
Technical Objectives for Jewelry Industry Training
- Apply skill in the use of hand tools, instruments, and equipment.
- Apply principles of math & science to jewelry and gemology studies.
- Perform and complete assigned tasks
- Learn the art of counter sketching
- Apply the principles of proper terminology of the industry
- Communicate using the vocabulary of the craftsperson.
Vocational Guidance Nature; the student will be able to:
- Exhibit knowledge of other occupational areas, which are closely related to jewelry creating.
- Exhibit knowledge of working conditions and wages in the jewelry industry.
- Exhibit knowledge of how one may make career advancements in the jewelry industry.
Non-technical Objectives include:
- Understand Jewelry Industry Business, Ethics & Integrity
- Develop habits of responsibility and initiative.
- Develop good social habits in working with other students.
- Develop a feeling of pride in the immediate work and in the vocation.
- Develop the ability to plan, organize, and coordinate jobs.
- Develop an appreciation and high regard for the best quality work.
- Develop a high degree of safety consciousness.
- Strive toward gaining recognition as a good citizen as well as a good worker.
- Develop work habits such as honesty, punctuality, dependability and cooperation
- Learn the rules of professional ethics and abide by these rules to gain public confidence and respect.
- Develop the ability to solve problems with a minimum amount of teacher help.