Transforming Non-traditional Materials into Jewellery with Nicolas Estrada

In an effort to combine natural objects and non-traditional materials to create a piece of jewellery, the student should expect to face a series of technical challenges that the workshop will attempt to solve. We will need to analyse different materials and revise respective methods before creating complex metal structures. We will focus on the design of the piece before proceeding to build, solder and form a functional, adequate and fitting metal structure.

The student will need to find and apply appropriate solutions in order to successfully fix their non-traditional materials to their metal structure. If necessary, the materials can first be respectfully altered/refined using a variety of drills and burrs to adapt the form and aid workability. Next, the student will explore alternative ways of setting, riveting, fixing or glueing (glueing must be invisible or aesthetically involved) their components in order to achieve a desirable outcome.

In this workshop, the student will put into practice a series of basic jewellery making techniques that allow for amazing results. Because this is our purpose: to create a piece of jewellery that surprises both the creator and the observer/wearer.


Materials
Any materials the student feels comfortable with: seeds, stones, wood, metals, plastics, and found objects, amongst many more. The student should bring all the materials she/he feels attracted to and is willing to work with. Students should also bring the pieces that he/she wants to bring to a new level.


Goal
- Revise all-metal structure possibilities that work properly both technically and creatively, connecting appropriately with the selected material.
- Learn how to mold alternative materials.
- Create alternative, appropriate settings.
- Consider creative and aesthetic glueing.
- Practice diverse riveting and/or screwing.
- Develop a personal language through a new use of materials.

Through a completely personalized way of teaching, the student is expected to finish a few pieces by the end of the course, pieces that will serve as wearable art jewelry and will bring her/his jewelry a much more artistic approach.


Contents and Methodology
Each day, we will spend the first 20 minutes discussing our development and what we are expecting to achieve. The remainder will be dedicated to studio time. Students can bring materials and/or semi-finished pieces to work with. We study them together and I give ideas on how to make them and finish them in a better way: how to make the work much more interesting. We set goals for a very personalized course where I will adapt to the student’s needs.


Time: 17.02.2020 - 21.02.2020, 10 am - 2 pm. 4 hours/day.
Cost: 800 €
Language: English and Spanish.
Notes:
Payment can be made through money transfer, PayPal or TransferWise. Space will be reserved with 50% payment. Payment is non-refundable. In case you can not attend, another date can be arranged.