Unique Jewellery

Tutor in Residence

Rex Steele Merten, Sydney

Rex has been a jeweller since his apprenticeship at Hardy Brothers, the Vice-Regal jewellers, began in 1953.  Rex has been actively involved in all aspects of the jewellery trade both as a professional working craftsman and as a qualified teacher with two degrees (B.A. and B.Ed.)  Rex has specialised in Adult Vocational Education for the last 20 years, teaching at TAFE, the Gemmological Association of Australia and for the last decade at the McGregor Schools.  Besides his many national awards for his jewellery, Rex is the only Australian jeweller who has won four Diamonds International Awards – the "Oscars" of the jewellery world.

Class Synopsis

Unique Jewellery will be primarily an advanced class, although intermediate level students will be welcome.

Participants will find this course both challenging and rewarding.  The theme for this course will be jewellery as art.  Rex will guide participants into individual design to reflect their personality into individual design to reflect their personality, and into the techniques of hand-carfting, which realizes the finished piece (or pieces).  Technique is the foundation stone of this course and Rex's teaching and demonstrating will be supported by detailed notes and step-by-step examples.  Bring a notebook and pen as well as your tools.  Rex's whiteboards are legendary!

Materials

Estimated material cost $200.00 plus for metal and tools, $10 to $20 for wax available from the tutor. Experienced students should have most of the equipment. The materials list contains a list of suggested materials to bring.

Level

Intermediate to advanced

Enrolment

Enrolment for the Winter Arts Retreat is either via the web or you may print an enrolment form and fax or post it.