Lesson 2: Working with Epoxy Resin to Create Jewellery (Kyrstin Dumont)
CREATE TO LEARN
"Some examples of Indigenous jewellery businesses include:
• Assinewe Jewelry
• Blu Hummingbird Beadwork
• Helen Oro Designs
• Indi City
• Iskwew Rising
• Mad Aunty
• Warren Steven Scott
• Whit's Wicked Creations
Inform the class that they will be completing a jewellery making project to see what it takes to
get into the jewellery business!
ACQUIRE: WORKING WITH EPOXY RESIN TO CREATE JEWELLERY BY KYRSTIN
DUMONT
Have students read Working with Epoxy Resin to Create Jewellery by Kyrstin Dumont found
on pages 108 - 116 of the Create to Learn textbook. Alternatively, students can watch her les-
sons here: https://www.createtolearn.ca/tutorial/working-with-epoxy-resin
To debrief the reading, ask the class the following questions:
1. What materials do you need to make resin jewellery?
2. Where does Kyrstin decorate her jewellery with?
3. How long does the mixture take to cure?
4. What does Kyrstin do to even out the resin and clean it up?
APPLY: JEWELLERY MAKING
If feasible, it is suggested that teachers provide an honorarium for a local Indigenous jewel-
lery artist to lead the class through a jewellery making project. The purpose of this is twofold
– to create economic opportunities for Indigenous jewellery artists in the community and to
pass down local techniques and traditions.
Alternatively, the class can follow Kyrstin's instructions to make a piece of resin jewellery.
Inform the class that they will complete a self-assessment at the end of the project to assess
their professionalism in a workplace. Teachers should review the self-assessment at the
beginning of the project so students know what attitudes and behaviours they should be
aiming for.
ASSESS: SELF-ASSESSMENT
Once students have finished making their piece of jewellery, have them complete a
self-assessment by using the Jewellery Making Self-Assessment Rubric. Students will be
self-assessing their professionalism including work ethic, as well as their skills and the quality
of their final product.
TAKE STUDENT LEARNING FURTHER
To take student learning further, have students make jewellery for a fundraising event.
Students can decide as a class what they want to fundraise for and then take the lead on
organizing a fundraising sale! Students will have to learn to calculate the difference between
gross sales and net profit in order to determine how much they need to sell, and at what price
point, to break even as well as reach their fundraising goal. Students will also have to learn
to get the word out about their sale by advertising in the local newspaper, social media and
word of mouth!