Students in NIU’s jewelry and metalsmithing program are busy pounding, melting and shaping ordinary pieces of metal into a wide variety of artwork.

Lee Peck, an art, jewelry and metalsmithing instructor since 1970, said he encourages his students to push the limit by not only learning techniques of the process but also by trying new things and appreciating the aesthetics of metalworking.

“I want everyone to develop their own style. This is a team and everyone learns from each other,” Peck said.

The School of Art’s jewelry and metalsmithing programs offers both four-year bachelor’s of fine arts and three-year master’s of fine arts degrees. Currently, the jewelry and metalsmithing program has 22 graduate students and four classes of 16 undergraduate students, ranging in age from 18 to 70 years old, Peck said.

“It’s amazing how the older and younger students interact with each other and share their insights and knowledge between each other,” he said.

Verna Holland, a jewelry and metalsmithing graduate student, said metal-crafting involves a lot of experimenting and playing with ideas.

“I enjoy being able to create my own work and enjoy working with other students, teaching and giving them feedback and support,” Holland said.

The primary metals used are silver, bronze, copper and even some small amounts of gold. Students usually buy their own materials, and the department covers the costs of equipment and natural upkeep through course fees and alumni and donor contributions.

Allison Johnson, a jewelry and metalsmithing graduate student, said working with jewelry has been one of her favorite hobbies since she was 10.

“People don’t always understand the process that goes into jewelry-making. It is a very fascinating process that anyone could learn with the practice,” she said.

After graduating from the program, students can find a wide variety of possible careers across the country.

“We’ve had students graduate and work for Nordstrom’s in their jewelry area, jewelry manufacturers, galleries, open their own retail shops for selling their art or go into the art teaching profession,” Peck said.

Jewelry-making takes time and work to master, Peck said.

“No one can learn the process in one day. The more practice that is put into the process, the more students learn, and mistakes help the learning process, too,” he said.

Peck added it takes a certain kind of mind to work in jewelry and metalsmithing.

“People that go into art seem to have a visual memory that they use to think of and create designs in their mind and are then able to turn it into a final product,” he said.