At the end of January I ran a workshop on using mixed materials to make statement necklaces. The idea was to explore colour, texture and form through experimentation, or ‘messing about’. The only rule was that students had to use at least three different materials.

Mixed materials

Just a few of the non-traditional materials we used.

Which materials were used and where were they sourced?

We used non-traditional materials of the sort you may have left over from other craft projects or from entertaining your kids. Things like printed card, ply shapes, wallpaper, acetate stickers, faux leather, copper tape, acrylic paints, wooden shapes, buttons, cabochons, ribbon, fabric, beads and metal notions, to name a few. I raided my studio to find much of this. For example, the acetate stickers of leaves and flowers were left over from my home-made wedding invitations, the buttons and ribbon were from my sewing stash and the wallpaper samples were kept from our house refurb.

Clearly, I’m a craft hoarder, which obviously helps in projects like this, but I think most people, if they used their imagination, would be able to find similar items in their own homes. I supplemented this pile of materials from high street arts and craft stores - I found the cabochons, printed card and faux leather this way. Finally, we used superglue (Bostik), PVA (Elmers) and stick glue (Pritstik) to secure the different materials - all glues that most people already own. Where I live in Birmingham, shops such as The Works, Cass Art and Tiger are my regular haunts for random materials, but I’ve also found useful things in WH Smith and Rymans. Hobbycraft is of course the crafter’s paradise, but it’s usually located at out-of-town retail parks. Before it closed, Wilko was amazing for finding cheap materials for projects like this. RIP Wilko (sad face).

Messing about

Playing with layers and shapes is a key part of this workshop.

What did the students make?

The brief was to make a statement necklace using at least three different materials. We started by looking through some books for inspiration and at the examples I made to show what could be done with the materials. Then the students looked through all the materials and chose a few they liked, including a plywood base. At this point we talked about colour palettes - one student chose all blues set off by a hint of copper (complementary) and one chose greens, purples and oranges (triad). Next, the students played with their materials, arranging, layering and cutting until they found forms they liked. Throughout the process they added and removed materials as needed - this is a process of exploration and until pieces are glued down, they can be altered.

A process of exploration

Materials were removed and added as needed.

It was interesting to watch themes emerging during the session. I didn't talk about choosing a theme on this occasion, although it’s a perfectly valid way to approach a project like this. I wanted to see what the students would do if we started with the materials rather than an idea of a finished piece. I find that themes often emerge according to personal taste, and that’s what happened here. The maker of the blue necklace decided that she wanted it to resemble flotsam and jetsam that might wash up on a beach, while the other student really liked the card printed with leaves and decided to follow a jungle theme.

Final thoughts

Both students made intricate, personal necklaces during our 2.5 hour session. They both talked about feeling relaxed and enjoying the chance to have total creative control. I enjoyed helping them consider new materials and showing them different techniques, and after an initial hesitance, they both bounded ahead with their designs.

Exploring Mixed Materials in Stirchley