Gut Instincts

Melissa Manley

Come make small dimensional jewelry forms from wire and experiment with covering them with gut. Yes, that's what I said GUT! ...thin animal membrane used for sausage casings. It is soft , floppy and stretchy and dries to a taut papery consistency that is translucent. Not for vegans or the faint of heart, this class is for the hardcore art maverick who wants to try something bizarre. We will focus on earrings, pod and wing forms using iron wire. The wire rusts under the salty casings to form a beautiful patina.  If you love wire working and want to go a step farther this is the class for you. Definately never a dull moment for those who have the guts!

Supply List:

• wire working tools- pliers, cutters
• scissors
• small bits you might want to try inside of wire forms
• like maybe beads, tiny charms
• findings (of course you don't have to do jewelry, but it's fun!)
  
  
• other optional items:
• ink or dye-the gut will take inks and dyes quite well and a very tiny amount goes a long way! A student once used temporary tattos on her work...it was cool! small twigs, little hemlock cones.. you might have fun experimenting with covering things to make mysterious little spooky bundles. I had a student who used  little tiny dollhouse sized clothespins in this class!
  
  
• I will supply iron wire if you'd like to try any other type bring it with you.
• I will also bring the GUT!