Jewellery with Students Who Have Complex Needs

by John Bowyer.
(Canberra, Australia)

I have spent nearly 20 weeks at 3 hours a week making jewellery. I did not know what to expect but have been very excited by the talent of the students.

The most satisfying being a student which is basically non verbal and does not interact very much with me as the teacher.

After a couple of weeks starting with a leather bracelet we moved onto copper rings, the sort that needs little soldering and is round wire. You know the style there’s a million on Pinterest etc.

Then we move on to necklaces, bracelets then solid rings formed out of Gilt. We cover shaping, texturing, enamelling, etching, ring making, soldering and polishing.

The student I have decided to show you the work of has really surprised me with his level of concentration and detail. We were doing enamelling and etching.

The etching is electro-etching with a small powerpack set to about 2 1/2 volts and a jar with salt water.

The student started this work by making a pair of earrings in copper, enamelling then electroetching.

He really got into the drawing, I don’t know if you can see but there is a dragon, emu, kangaroo, clouds and water.

I have really been happy with all the students’ work and look forward to the next group of students in a few weeks.

John Bowyer