This is how prototyping progressed.
Update on the post below:
October 2016: three units were 3D printed in paper in colour on Mcor’s new 3D printer, prototyping them to check whether the holes through the length of the units could be cleared easily and how best to do that. The design of the units was moving towards what I wanted. Mcor’s ARKe technology offers high deffinition colour and our Anarkik3D Design package has some exciting ways to crisply colour surfaces by using coloured objects with complex curves and boolean subtraction. Serendipity is a delightful element in Anarkik3D Design which can be explored and played with as unexpected results can be easily saved, used or deleted. The undo/redo button is one of the best features of digital design and modelling packages as these two functions mean that we can work in a risk free environment and I make full use of the play and experiment elements while also considering the constraints of the different 3D print systems and the different materials available.
Having prototypes means that I can both test how well my knowledge of the systems, materials and processes is helping me to be both pragmatic and exploratory, and also encourage me to push boundaries.
I am now waithing to receive a number of 3D printed units to make the final piece for an exhibition in January 2017

Within a few minutes I had a rough 3d digital model I could 3d print. We have an Ultimaker2 3D printer in our office which is used on our courses to demonstrate the principles of 3d printing.
The digital model was processes/sliced in Cura and its g-code sent to the printer. The model printed in about 2 hours so while it was being printed I finished a couple of tasks but was pretty fidgety!

Design in Cura: processing re 3D printing
This prototype was then used to decide on the details to make a more finished piece.
Having a tangible object helped with decisions on the cord, as the piece is a bead of sorts, and also on design features. Getting back on the computer I also have ideas bubbling away to create the variations.
Objects printed with the extrusion method used by the Ultimaker can require supports to be built for overhangs – as my model did. As a jeweller I have the bench, tools and expertise to produce a good finish on the bead, to remove the supports and file off the rough bits.

Prototyping success: Now design form starts
So this is how prototyping progressed using new technology!