No, I'm not trying to make jewelry. In fact, during this class I learned for sure that I am not a jeweler. I don't have the patience to work on that small scale. And I seemed to injure myself a lot, and generally felt like a klutz in the jewelry studio. It's not my natural environment. I've concluded that jewelers have finer motor skills than potters.
The actualization of my idea turned out to be fairly simple. But there's no way I would have figured it out without taking this class. This class taught me about different types of metal, and how to buy it. I also learned about proper tools, how to use them, and how to buy them.
The handle is made from food-grade stainless steel. This is very close to the design that lived in my head for so long. I love that it looks and feels secure, while still conveying a sense of holding on lightly. Needless to say, my excitement for making teapots has been renewed.