In October, Shaler’s jewelry class put on the Spooktacular Jewelry Sale at the Shaler North Hills Library. Organized by Shaler art teacher Mr. Jeff Frank, in total the students made about $500, with pieces being sold at about $10 a piece. Students were required to make two pieces of jewelry, each inspired by a Halloween character, movie, or other spooky themes. The students used low bake temperature clay, and some used metal hooks for earrings.
Several pieces were sold like purple spider earrings, and silver wire ones as well. Mr. Frank was excited about the progress made in the sale.
“The students who were able to sell jewelry were really excited, and gave them a lot of pride in their work,” Frank said.
All proceeds were given to the students who made the piece, and to get students experience in the field. Getting students’ experience was a major goal for Mr. Frank when organizing the sale.
“The idea was to get them motivated and engaged in a project that would give them insight into what it’s like to be in the professional jewelry business,” Frank said.
Mr. Frank has been involved in past partnerships with the AP art class and the Ruckus Coffee Shop where students are able to hang their artwork inside for a month, and then the students are able to sell them. Mr. Frank is excited about the new partnership with the North Hills library and the opportunity it gives to the students.
“This new partnership creates a possibility for the jewelry students to get similar experiences.”
With the success of the sale Mr. Frank is open and willing to organize more sales in the future. He looks forward to putting on a winter sale, with either Christmas or winter themed pieces from the students, or another sale in the spring.
Through these sales Mr. Frank is hopeful for the futures of the art department and the community. He wants his students to have fun, get some experience in the field, and earn some extra cash while doing it.
“I want the students to have fun, and it’s also about bringing art to the community.”
