First Semester Complete!

Projects are finished. Tests have been written. Studios are all cleaned.




The last few months have flown by! We have had a great semester learning all the basics of metalwork, business and art history. Each new project we completed is just one more skill under our belts.

We are pleased with what we have accomplished so far and look forward to what is to come in the next semester!

Read on to hear our thoughts on our experiences in the Jewellery and Metalwork program so far!



Silver Igloo ring with seal and Kamatik by Silas Qulaut

Henry Mike

Repeat Pendant, Silver, 2009

There are many things that I’ve learned in this program. Pretty much everything in the jewellery studio is new to me, from cutting the metal to polishing it and there are many new tools that I’ve laid my hands on for the first time, some I never even thought would work. In the history class, I’ve learned so much, the origins and cultures in the jewellery or metalwork. Techniques used to make jewellery and who, how and when they used it. History had made me appreciate art even more.
What I like about this program is that it’s a hands on program. Working with metal helps me center my emotions or thoughts when I have a “rainy day.” I also like it because I could bring my art to life with metal from paper. That’s what I’ve learned and like about this program.

Silas Qulaut

Shaman/Raven Hollow Pendant, Cooper and Silver, 2009

What I've learned

At first we learned how to saw. We did lots of sawing tests and it was fun. Then we did riveting. It was challenging for me. I learned a lot from this studio. I like it. It's like a job. I never have thought there was a school that is so hands on. I like to work with my hands. I am hoping to get to know jewellery and metalwork, and all about buisness and communications.

Kaajuk Kabalik

Fish Hollow Pendant, Copper, 2009

The semester has gone by and quite quickly I might add. I have learned many skills with metal and also some history on jewelry art. Also I have learned many new drawing and art skills along with some business and communication.
What I enjoyed the most was the hands-on part of metal work and jewelry making. Learning skills like chasing, soldering, texturing, polishing, and making my own chasing tools out of tool steel were some of the high lights for me this semester.
Also drawing & design class was great because I learned many styles of drawing such as subtractive drawing with charcoal, perspective drawing with a horizon and vanishing point, and + and – spaces involving shapes.
These were just a few of my favorite parts of the program that I had great fun with, but all in all it was a great experience for this semester.

Joe Macpa

Standing Bear Hollow Pendant, Copper & Brass, 2009

Jutanie Arnakaq

Owl Hollow Pendant, Copper, 2009

I learned in art class how to draw and how to use water paint. In History, I learned about different regions and what their styles looks like. I learned how to make perfect business cards and posters, and I learned more about the computer. In the studio, I learned about metal, how to cut metal, how to solder, the meaning of tools, how to high polish the metal, how to use the torch properly, and the most important is how to decide what you are going to make with the metal.

Myles Gauthier

Harpoon head Hollow Pendant, Copper, 2009


In Jewellery and Metal work I have learnt about how to properly advertise my art work, for example through the internet and radio.
I also learnt different kinds of art. I didn’t know art could go so far. Self-portraits and even the wire art are beautiful. Working with charcoal to make self-portraits was challenging but it was very fun because I hated charcoal and I was never good with paintings and things like that. I like to push myself further in anything I do because when I push myself I learn more then I did if I hadn’t pushed myself.
Before I thought my art work wasn’t good enough to sell, but during this semester I learnt that self-motivation was a key part in selling your art work. If I hadn’t done the art sale I still wouldn’t think my art is good. Seeing people who actually wanted my art work was a good feeling, and now every time I make art I think about that feeling and motivate myself to work up to it.
Advertising also played a key part in selling my art work because without it I might not have sold very much. Learning different ways of advertising like handing out flyers is not only worth it but also a fun process. Making the flyers or even talking to people about putting your art work out there is very exciting.

In the jewellery studio I learnt about soldering and how to make my own tools. I was always scared to go anywhere near a torch but now it doesn’t scare me. Soldering was very interesting to see because of the way the metal melted together and how it looks like the solder isn’t even there. I didn’t think making tools was even possible, now I see how it is done and it’s a bit of a long process but it’s neat to see how different metal reacts to heat and how you have to be careful of how you heat up the metal.

My favorite part of this course was meeting new people. I think everyone was awesome!

Patrick Aula

Bear Hollow pendant, Brass, Copper and Silver, 2009

What I learned this semester:

Start with a material that is copper, silver or brass and make the piece in to a sculpture. The only way to make the material in to a sculpture is to start sawing filing and sanding it. After that anneal and texture or chase the material and make the art. Then polish the piece with green rouge first and wash it with soap to get it clean so that you can polish with red rouge.

Nunavut Rocks!

Last week we were given a presentation by Massoud Robatian, a geologist from INAC. He showed us all kinds of rocks, minerals and gemstones that are found here on Baffin Island.


We learned about the Moh Scale, which determines the hardness of minerals, and also the Crystal Systems which indicate the different shapes of minerals and how they form. Massoud taught us the difference between minerals and rocks, as well as, what characteristics classify a gemstone. The magnetic rocks were really interesting. We were all impressed that the magnetic pull from a rock could be so strong! We were told how the different elements on the periodic table influenced the colours of minerals and gemstones, and how different combinations of elements created such a wide varitey of rocks.

We used loops to inspect the rocks and minerals closely.



Learning about the gemstones is benificial because next semester well will be learning how to set stones in our jewellery and metalwork.

The presentation was very educational and fun. Thanks Massoud!