Acrylic Jewellery: Introduction

Course Summary

Colourful, flat acrylic sheet (Perspex) is perfect for making a range of contemporary jewellery including earrings, pendants, brooches and bangles. Students will select a simple design to cut out, and, under the guidance of experienced jeweller, Vicki Mason, work through the various creative processes in order to complete a work to wear. Basic jewellery techniques, including transferring shapes to materials, sawing, filing, drilling holes and polishing, will be learned in order to work with this soft, eye-popping material. Basic materials included in course fee. It’s suitable for beginners and the more experienced student.

In this course participants will use acrylic/Perspex sheet to make earrings, pendants, brooches and bangles. Techniques and processes will be demonstrated then undertaken by students in this hands on course. Students will choose a simple design to cut out from the sheet and then work through the various processes in order to complete a work to wear.  Basic jewellery techniques such as transferring shapes to materials, sawing, filing, drilling holes and polishing will be learned in order to work with this soft material. Pre-fabricated jewellery attachments will be supplied and used so the focus of the workshop can be on working with the acrylic itself and its possibilities and limitations.

Students will choose a simple design to cut out from the sheet and work through the processes to completion of a ready-to-wear piece. You will learn basic jewellery techniques such as transferring shapes to materials, sawing, filing, drilling holes and polishing in order to work with this soft material. Pre-fabricated jewellery attachments will be supplied and used so the focus of the workshop can be on working with the acrylic itself and its possibilities and limitations.

Students will gain an understanding of the workability of flat sheet acrylic which comes in a variety of eye-popping colours. You will learn a range of skills transferable across other crafting platforms. The course will cover how to transfer shapes to the material, load and use a jeweller’s saw-frame and files, and how to use a flexi-drill and polishing motor. Design skills will include choosing suitable findings, attachment, fixing systems and enabling works to be worn. Fine-motor and tool-handling skills are used to work this soft material, and students will gain the confidence to pursue more complex jewellery making techniques/processes.

The tutor will discuss tools and materials. Students can use tools provided. And a list of hand-tools and suppliers will be provided at the first class. The tutor will advise where to purchase. This course is suitable for both beginning and more experienced students.

Students need to meet Work Health and Safety requirements which include wearing closed-in shoes, plus long hair must be tied back or up, and wearing safety glasses provided if undertaking certain techniques as directed by the tutor. It is recommended that minimal jewellery be worn.
Suitable clothing appropriate for the workshop must be worn. If you have an apron or old shirt, please bring it to wear to protect your clothes.
Also please bring a permanent marker pen and paper.

Vicki Mason has been wearing jewellery since age two and making it since age 6 or 7. Born in New Zealand she completed a Bachelor of Arts in Classical Studies at the University of Otago and a Diploma in Craft Design from Otago Polytechnic School of Art (Jewellery) before working at Fluxus workshop/gallery with renowned Swiss goldsmith Kobi Bosshard and the FLUXUS team. She was awarded a Master of Philosophy degree (Research) in Gold and Silversmithing (ANU) in 2012. She runs production and exhibition practices and teaches. Vicki has been awarded many grants and awards including the prestigious Australia Council for the Arts Barcelona Studio residency in 2014. Her work is held in both public and private collections including the Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts, Shanghai, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney and the Art Gallery of South Australia. She interviews for Art Jewelry Forum, the international online platform for contemporary Jewelry and is on the board of the World Crafts Council – Australia.