My independent project seeks to examine traditional and modern metalwork and metalsmithing techniques of art-making and is ultimately an interdisciplinary intersection of art, design, and science. I hope to explore the ways in which different metal and alloy materials can interact with each other as well as with other atypical materials (e.g. cloth, plastic, plant products) in the jewelry making process. Additionally, I will be able to develop my skill sets in the technologies that are employed in modern jewelry making such as CAD software, 3D printing, and soldering. My previous artistic projects have sought to incorporate elements of 2D digital design and technology, and I hope that through my coursework at Bushwick Jewelry Studio, I will be able to expand the methods of creating and types of media I can work with.

The workshop was a fantastic experience. We were taught by an experienced jeweler who led us through the full metalworking process. First, we were introduced to the available tools, both mechanical and manual, and then we started to get used to the tools and carve the wax into the shapes of our jewelry pieces. When the wax carvings were finished, we created casts and filled the molds with silver, and when the silver cooled, we broke it out of the mold and polished the pieces. Without funding form the CST, I wouldn’t have been able to explore this area of interest and get hands on experience of this intersection of material technology and design. I’m really happy to have had the support of the CST. 

Melina Huang '23