the sterling silver is all etched and the flowers are set with a smokey quartz, a peridot and 2 garnets.
the clasp is hinged too.
The studio of Monique Rancourt and Lauren Blais Present the Spring/Summer schedule for jewelry classes being held at Joy street studios #21, 86 Joy Street, Somerville, Ma. These classes are all small group settings of 5-6 people guaranteeing students individual attention.
Inga soldering in Monique's class
Beginning Jewelry With Lauren Blais
In this ten week course students will learn basic metalsmithing and jewelry construction such as: basic design layout, piercing, texturing, riveting, soldering, basic stone setting and wax carving. In conjunction with learning technical skills we will help students develop original designs. No prior experience is necessary for this class
Course schedule: Thursday beginning June 10th-August 12th
Class Fee: $300 Materials Fee: $50
Start up materials and copper will be provided. However students will need to purchase a few tools. If students choose to work in silver we will assist you in ordering.
Open Studio
This is an opportunity for students past and present to work on project outside of class. Every Wednesday night 5pm-9pm there are only 4 spaces per night so please contact Lauren Blais to save your spot.
Studio Fee: $10 per hour paid to monitor
Nicole making a pair of earrings in Monque's class.
Intermediate Earring workshop with Monique Rancourt
In this one-day workshop students will learn advanced earring mechanisms. Students will be provided with silver wire and findings in order to construct a pair of hoops with a hinged post.This workshop requires prior experience with soldering and basic jewelry techniques such as piercing and riveting.
Course Schedule: Saturday June 19th 11am-5pm
Class fee: $150 Materials Fee: $30
Etching on Metal Workshop with Lauren Blais
In this workshop you will learn a new way to create patterns and images on metal through the ancient technique of etching. Etching is the process of using strong acid to c
ut into the unprotected parts of a metal surface to create a design. You will create samples and learn various methods of etching on copper, brass and silver, giving you the broad knowledge that you can then incorporate into your own designs.
Course Schedule: Saturday June 5th, 11am-4pm
Class fee: $125 Materials Fee: $30
Note: you must bring your own silver if you intend to use it for samples.
Pre-registration and payment is required in order to reserve your space.
Instructors must be notified 10 days prior to class in order to receive refund.
For questions and class registration please contact instructors individually
Photos from Monique's winter classes.
The objects that I make are inspired by my past and historical references. Jewelry as wearable art has always been important to me because it plays with the personal relationship to the body and the nostalgic connection it has created between people throughout history. The styles and ideas of the Victorian Era greatly influence my jewelry. I am drawn to the ornate embellishments found on all objects as well as the social acceptance of death, mourning, sentiment and nostalgia, which were conveyed through the use of much symbolism.
I have always collected obscure objects throughout my life that hold sentimental value to myself while others may find them curious such as bugs, fur, hair, old family photos, letters, jewelry and linens. Basing my jewelry on these personal objects allows me to create something permanent that can be passed on through generations creating a new history of its own. Developed in the tradition and styles of the Victorian Era my jewelry focuses on ornamentation, symbolism and sentiment of my life. As jewelry, these pieces are universally viewed as ornamentation for one’s body. When viewed on the body, my work is seen as an obsessive ornamentation of oneself.
These pieces are predominately created by using traditional metalsmithing techniques such as lost wax casting, fabricating and enameling. These age-old traditions are linked back to the historical time periods that highly influence the conceptual aspects of my work. The repetition of historical connections between the processes and the aesthetics of my jewelry is an important aspect used in creating it.
I have become fascinated by the collections found in cabinets of curiosities. These collections often encompass an entire room and are now seen as the precursors to museum collections. In my work, I am continuing to explore similar ideas of collection, repetition and categorizing. I use objects that are new and old, they are often common and mundane to others, i abstract them in order to create a curious hybrid. I create these objects to wear and conjure up the ideas of familiarity, curiosity and nostalgia.
The notion of death has also been a repetitive underlying theme throughout the pieces that I create. The obsessive mourning process observed after a death of a loved one during the Victorian Era creates a celebratory feeling of reverence. Death was an accepted fact of life; however, strict traditions were followed as to not belittle the life of the beloved deceased. I find this acceptance of death fascinating. In the recent years, I have lost close family members. The pieces that I create serve as a nostalgic collection to commemorate their life and death while reminding myself as well as others that death is inevitable. Although sometimes heavy; the weight is a constant reminder, it is important to me that the pieces are somewhat wearable. Often the jewelry that I create serves as a container to hold objects belonging to these people or objects symbolizing my feelings towards them. The collections often seem obscure and random to the outsider but are sentimental to myself.
