Back to school and a neat project!

In January, I went back to school!  Yes, you're never to old to learn.  We have a great vocational program two miles from my house.  It's the Bench Jeweler's Program at Pinellas Technical.  The program is headed by Mr. Do, who's been teaching it for 29 years. I'm amazed at the projects the students are working on.  Of course, since I'm just getting started, I'm working on soldering some small jump rings.  26-gauge, 2mm jump rings are not the easiest things to solder.  It does teach you control of the flame, however.  

Here's my beginning …

Here's Ken's finished chain … 

Let me tell you, his chain represents probably over 400 jump rings.  Soldering small diameter, fine wire jump rings will sure teach you control of your torch!  Ken has just started on his chain with 26-gauge, 1mm jump rings!  Yikes!  

Switching gears a little bit … I'm finishing a Mixed Media Workshop sponsored by the Morean Arts Center.  We worked with resin, patina, enamel, vintage watch crystals.  We made our own jump rings, soldered them, tinted resin with pearl-ex powders and paint.  Here's what Kathy made …

And, here's the lovely Kathy wearing her great necklace!   

We used snippets from a rhinestone chain and a 1934 Montgomery Ward catalog.  It was fun!

Have you been working with some unusual materials lately … or want to?  Which ones?  Please share!