Product Design GCSE And Jewellery!

 

Well I never thought I’d be writing about GCSEs!

I’ve recently been called upon by two lovely young ladies from Castle School (www.castle.gloucs.sch.uk/) for help with their Product Design GCSE.

They are Designing Jewellery as part of their course and wanted to ask me about the Beads and Jewellery that I make. In particular Tagua and Lampwork Beads.

Tagua

One of them was particularly interested in a Tagua Necklace I had made.

Her questions were about Environmental Aspects amongst other things.

 

 

 

Tagua comes from the Tagua Palm growing in the South American Rainforests.

 

 

 

The nut is left to dry in the sun for a few weeks & the interior of the nut turns to Palm Ivory. Some of my jewellery is made from this ivory.

 

 

Using the Tagua nut leaves the rainforest untouched, gives an economic use to the forest & helps to protect it.

 

Lampwork Beads

The other girl was keen to know more about my Lampwork Beads. I happily wittered on (for probably too long) about the beads and how they are made

 

 

– showing her Glass Rods …

 

 

 

… Mandrels, Bead Release …

 

 

M

 

My Kiln and much more.

 

I also gave my first ever demonstration of how to make a bead! I was a bit concerned that I’d make a real mess of it – I haven’t been making beads for very long. As it was I didn’t need to worry – I made the beads with ease and have promised to give them to her once they have been annealed.

It was good to be able to help and great to talk to people who appeared to be genuinely interested in Jewellery Design.

The GCSE sounds really interesting – covering all sorts of areas including market research, target markets, graphic design and packaging. I’d love to know more about it and really hope they do well.