Narrative Necklaces
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10
Early necklaces were made from local organic materials such as shells, teeth, or bone beads. Other early types of necklaces were made of twisted metal. Today necklaces are made from a large variety of both natural and manmade materials. Check out these necklaces.
- How do these necklaces represent someone’s identity?
- Necklaces can indicate what you do, what you believe, or how wealthy you may be.
Objectives:
In this lesson you will brainstorm, cut and collect images from magazines that represent your identity. You will use these images to create a necklace that represents you.
Materials:
think sheet (below), pencils, scissors, magazines, glue sponges, string or yarn, beads, buttons, mod podge, small laminate tiles (free samples from hardware store) or cardboard squares
Process:
- Fill out the "think sheet" and think about the fact that you are the workmanship of God
- To create your necklace you are going to collage. Collage is like “drawing” with images and symbols.
- First, do a “collage search.” Open up a magazine and tear out images, symbols, colors, textures, and whatever else inspires you. You may not be sure exactly why you love the image, or the texture, or the word, but something about it makes you happy.
- Keep all your images together on a tray.
- Next, neatly cut all of your pieces and begin arranging them into an interesting narrative visual story to showcase who you are. Remember, neatness counts, pay attention to the edges. Rearrange your pieces to come up with various compositions before gluing anything down.
- Once you have a clear idea about what you want your pendant to look like, you can get a background tile to glue down your visual story.
- Decorate both sides of the tiles.
- Next, add string or yarn. You may also add raffia, beads, or any other cool material you like.
- Add a touch of oil pastel around the edges to soften the magazine images.
- Finally paint a layer of Mod Podge on your tiles and hang to dry!
*thank you Debi West for this lesson
Standards:
VA:Cr1.1
VA:Cr1.2
VA:Cr2.2
VA:Re7.2
VA:Cn11.1
VA:Cr1.2
VA:Cr2.2
VA:Re7.2
VA:Cn11.1