Taking a Class #3

Taking a Class #3
The First Session

The night has finally arrived, June 8, 2009, the first class session. I arrive early only because I thought class started at 6 PM. I was too certain everything was prepared and under control to check the schedule! It was good because I got to ease back into the classroom situation slowly, talk to two instructors I had not seen in 4 or 5 years. I open my double-decker toolbox. I notice that I am not the first arrival. There are two other students, also in class early, and they are introducing themselves to me. Slowly people arrive. We get to fill out the first- night forms and read the hand-out information as we wait for the official starting time. I take a peek at the instructors finished show and tell pieces-- confirmation that this will be a good class. I let the instructor know of the date midway through the course that I will either be very late or miss class due to work related travel.

Class begins as the clock strikes 6:30 PM. The 10 students gather towards the front table where the instructor will talk, show the examples, and demonstrate the steps to make the chains. We will then try to duplicate what she effortlessly demonstrates. It always looks easier than it is. We form our first rings out of 22 gauge fine silver and fuse the openings on a dense charcoal block with an acetylene torch.

The instructor sets the tone of the class in the first session. She says this is a fun class and we should focus on getting our technique polished. We should not stress out about our designs. I have a feeling that we all still looked stressed. She may have expected a collective big “sigh” of relief, but none was heard. A syllabus is presented outlining the topics with goals for each class session. The projects expected from the students during the course are spelled out very clearly during the first session. We are expected to complete a necklace and a bracelet along with 7 samples of different type chains. Some of the materials are very unique and hard to find locally. These must be ordered and time is short in a summer course.

We may take a field trip to a local museum, appropriate because we are studying ancient chain making. We will be working in fine silver. Many examples in the museum are made in gold and are smaller gauge wire and smaller size rings than we will use. I can’t imagine working with gold. I guess you get used to the cost of gold after you work with it. It can always be melted down and re-used.The difference between Loop-in-Loop type chains and chain maille is partly this fusing or closing of the ring. The other difference is the folding or bending of the Loop-in-Loop construction. More on that after the 2nd class session.

Taking a Class #2

Pre-Class – Gathering Tools

June 1 Anticipation – Isn’t this the best part of preparing for a trip or a class? I rummage through the garage looking for the odd tool left lying on the bench. I have two double-decker, rolling toolboxes and two smaller hand-carry toolboxes. The rolling boxes are the best for going to classes. Everything fits inside and the boxes fit in the back of my vehicle. I sort through the tool boxes, the books, and the magazines and printed instructions. I think I am in good shape for this class because I own a jump ring maker with mandrels for making the jump rings and a cutting bar that utilizes my flex shaft. I spent the prior weekend cleaning and oiling my Foredom flex shaft. This will greatly speed up the production of ring making. The shape of the cut may have an effect on the fusing, so I will not cut many up ahead without experimenting with fusing first.
Memory Lane – I found my materials from a previous one day beginner class in loop-in-loop. It was a fun class and I remember winding the fine silver around mandrels. I love working with fine silver – it does not tarnish! Even when the heat is applied to it. Cutting the fine silver into rings, laying the cut rings onto the charcoal blocks, carefully heating the silver rings with an acetylene torch until the ring fuses closed. Then the rings are elongated and woven to make the chains. Somewhere should be the flush cutters and loop stretching pliers that I bought after my first L-in-L class. The flush cutters will cut wire flat or flush on one side. Most cutters will result in a point or burr cut on both sides.
June 2 Email arrives from instructor with tools and materials list. The email suggests we bring the charcoal block and sharp small scissors to the first class and there is a book. I already own the book and a charcoal block but not the special kind of charcoal block specified.
June 5-6 Competition for supplies has begun. I call the local supply store #1 for the special charcoal block and he has it in stock, but proclaims he does not have the book. But by the next day, local store #1 has sold out of charcoal blocks to my other class mates. Fortunately, local store #2 still has the special charcoal block. This is an expensive charcoal block, so I only buy one… I am supposed to buy two. I may regret this decision. From local store #1, I buy a few small tools that I either don’t have or can’t find. So far, I spent about $36 on small tools and charcoal.
June 7 Anti-theft – I have newly purchased tools and tools from my different tool boxes. Now they need to be identified as belonging to me. All too often, my tools disappear in class or I go off in a rush and leave them behind. The best method is to etch a mark with a vibrating tool. The alternative method is any mark that is difficult to remove. I use fingernail polish, always the same color. I know this could be removed, but it will prevent accidental loss. Indelible markers or label makers are also useful. I will install locks on my large tool boxes this year. I’m also going to use an apron with pockets as an anti-loss prevention method. Making jewelry involves many trips to/from the solder bench from my workstation. I plan to carry my small tools with me in the apron pockets when possible.

Taking a Class

Taking a Class

Making the Commitment

First, let’s be clear that what follows is primarily a discussion based on taking a creative elective class. I am not talking about a required class or a topic requiring you to memorize facts or manipulate numbers. I am talking about an art class where you will create something, be critiqued, and improve your skills. Choosing the class to take is not a trivial decision because not only is it a time and money commitment, but an artistic direction commitment. Usually, I take a class in a topic that has interested me for several years or in a topic I want to take a deeper dive on and refine my skills. This summer I am taking a class in chainmaking, 'Classical Loop-in-Loop Chains', which is an ancient method for making chains.
The instructor will apply his or her own unique flair or approach to the class. I find myself giving an almost equal weighting to the instructor as to the class description at times. In my case, I know the instructor is good because I have taken a class from her before. If you don’t know the instructor or the instructor’s reputation, ask around before registering.
Because I take jewelry classes, the work space is an important consideration. Is it adequate size for the student enrollment? Are the community tools and equipment in good supply and shape? It doesn’t need to be the Hilton, but it does need to be adequate. You don’t want to spend literally half the class waiting to use the one kiln or one whatever.
The class day and time needs to work into my schedule or I need to clear my schedule to make it work. Invariably an overnight work-related trip comes up whenever I sign up for a 10-week class. The open shop hours schedule and how it maps into my own work schedule is also important but this information is not always available until after class gets started.
A few words need to be said about the time commitment. Take special care to make out a daily food plan for the days you will be taking class or going to the workshop. The class will be one or two days per week. But, to get the work done you will need to be in the workshop at EVERY opportunity, which at times may mean every day. Very soon, you forget to go to the grocery store, your family is own their own for meals, and you are eating fast food on the go which gets expensive and is not healthy. Just plan ahead to plan ahead. Your time will become precious, especially as a class deadline approaches, and you will thank yourself later if it is agreed which tasks can slip or be delegated while you are taking this class. The last thing you want to do is lose sleep and eat only unhealthy food.