Skyline students now have a new way to express creativity: the Jewelry and Design class. Taught by Candace Ottaviano and Meredith Giltner, it allows students the opportunity to work with their hands and create artwork that they can wear.
Many students enjoy the relaxed setting of the course, which helps them to explore new materials and practices at their own pace. Faith Palmbos (‘26) says, “It’s very chill. You are given a project and lots of time to work on it. There are a bunch of new materials and techniques that we learn. It can be frustrating at times, but it just takes time and practice.”
Jewelry Design is taught fourth and fifth hour during first trimester, with only one class in third trimester. “We had enough students sign up to be able to offer a whole year of it,” says Ottaviano. “So there are more than enough students who want this, which is proof enough right there that [the class] was needed.”
Also taught at Huron and Pioneer, the course was added to Skyline’s curriculum to give students a new way to create hands-on art and work with 3D objects outside of ceramics.
“Students really respond [well] to all the things they can fabricate with their hands, as opposed to traditional drawing and painting,” says Ottaviano. “I have seen the ceramics program grow exponentially since I have been here. I think it’s because they really like having the opportunity to do stuff that [is] detailed. There is so much that we can offer in that tactile art focus.”
To take the class, students must have taken the Art and Design class beforehand. Special expectations can be made for Seniors who are motivated but have not taken the prerequisite.
Jewelry is taught through different units. Some of the projects students are expected to complete include jump rings (tiny rings connected to make a chain), sheet metal fabrication (cutting and shaping metal pendants), and lamp work (glasswork).
“I really liked the jump ring piece,” says Palmbos. “We had more freedom with that one.”
If you are interested in making or designing jewelry, this may be the class for you!
