The Ultimate Programme Student Spotlight - KK
Meet KK - Ultimate Programme Student
Meet KK, a retired radiology department manager and student at HJI. KK has recently completed the Ultimate Programme, our intensive jewellery making course. Before joining Hatton Jewellery Institute (HJI), KK had never had any experience working with metal. What made him interested in jewellery making?
Tell us about yourself…
I'm a retired radiology department manager. I have many many interests that include rock climbing, skiing and diving. Robotics is another field that I'm trying to explore. In terms of art and craft, I do a bit of wood carving, seal carving, pyrography, drawing and painting.
Have you always wanted to become a jeweller?
Working on metal was always intriguing to me. I was always curious about how a rough piece of metal can be polished like a mirror and how the gemstones can be set tightly on the jewellery. That's how my interest arose.
What inspired you to take the Ultimate Programme?
When I first enrolled in this programme, I just intended to take the 16-class short programme. But after taking the first class, I knew this is what I love to do! I felt excited just sitting at the bench with all the tools I like to use. I'm a bit obsessed about tools. And sitting in the semicircle of the bench feels like being at the centre of the universe. So just after the first class, I decided to change to the Ultimate programme.
Tell us about your experience being a student of the Ultimate Programme?
I've completed about 20 projects in the 64 classes. From simple cutting using piercing saw at the beginning, and then soldering (which I think is the most challenging skill to manage), and then locket making, wax carving, and to the final stage of gem setting. The programme is structured that progressively you are trained to achieve a very high level of accuracy. As I moved on in the programme, I was surprised that my big fingers become more and more capable to handle smaller and smaller pieces. And my eyes were trained to review tiny details that I couldn't notice at the beginning.
How long has it taken you to complete the programme?
It took me about 7 months to complete the Ultimate programme. The rolling schedule is highly flexible and it suits me quite well. It allowed me to take holiday trips from time to time.
What are your biggest takeaways from joining the programme?
The programme greatly enhanced my ability to handle tiny details and achieve a high level of accuracy. Other than the skills I have acquired, the jewellery pieces I made become more meaningful gifts to my family and friends.
What is jewellery making to you?
I love working with metal. It’s not only about making jewellery, I use the same techniques of silversmithing to apply to other projects as well. I love the mechanics behind metal, how to disassemble and assemble pieces.
Has evolving a new skill set benefited or impacted your everyday life?
Of course the new skill set enable me to do all the jewellery pieces that I can imagine. I can sell them or as more meaningful gifts to family and friends. It also allows me to apply the metal working and gem settings on other hand crafting other than jewellery.
What are your plans after having completed the Ultimate Programme?
The next step for me is to take the engraving programme in the same studio. And then further honing my skills and knowledge to handle other precious metal other than silver, and also learn more about the different properties of various gemstones. I'm thinking of becoming a freelance jeweller.
Discover KK’s Ultimate Jewellery Making Learning Journey
Level 1 - Beginner Course
Chain Project: The Bracelet or Necklace
This is my second project in the Ultimate programme. I spent a total of around 50 hours to complete the chain project. The entire bracelet was created out of a piece of silver ingot. Part of the bracelet includes an anchor on the bottom of the chain. Carving the anchor was definitely a challenge as it was the first time I used a pendant drill and burs.
- KK
Level 2 - Follow on Course
Technical project: Signature Hinged Locket
Creating a locket is an important milestone in the Ultimate programme. It requires precision in cutting, and soldering skills are raised to a new level. I learned a great deal of new techniques including tube making and riveting. My most valuable lesson learned from this project is the importance of good planning.
- KK
Level 3 - Wax Carving
Traditional Wax Carving Skills: The Fox Ring
It all started from a piece of wax! It felt so amazing when I was holding the final silver fox ring in my hand. I used tools including a wax file, ball bur and cylindrical bur for the carving. Paying frequent attention to symmetry was key to creating a unique piece. I find it fascinating to learn about the casting process as this step enables mass production for all kinds of jewellery.
- KK
Level 4 - Gem Setting
Channel Setting Ring with Movable Stones
This was the last out of the 3 channel setting ring projects I completed within the programme. Here I used the most complex gem setting techniques, all designed on my own. The idea of moving stones came to mind and was inspired by a friend. On the ring, the stones have the ability to glide and move through a small railing which makes this piece an example of a kinetic art jewellery.
- KK
Special Technique
ENAMEL BUTTERFLY RING
This was my first enamel project and my own design. I used ring bending pliers to bend the shank with all the structures already in place. The enamelling was pretty straight forward. However, the stone setting was quite challenging in that the width of the gaps had to be very precise since any adjustment of those bridges may distort the butterfly pattern.
- KK
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