February 23rd, 2007 at 4:35 pm
For Serious Jewellery Designers, Which is Best - Formal Education or Self Teaching?
As I am in my third year of a writing degree; my immediate response to this question would definitely be to take the self taught route. This is because I strongly believe that in the creative industry, if you have that special something - you will succeed.
On my third year we are being told to enter competitions and send out scripts. This is something I could have done alone with some good background research, which is another thing we are being encouraged to do as well. They are not giving this information to us, we are doing it all by ourselves.
Furthermore; resources for learning craft techniques are abundant. Amazon has a whole host of fantastic books with inspiring glossy pages and interesting tutorials. Materials are more accessible than they have ever been thanks to the internet and of course there is the internet for a learning resource which I know I won’t need to tell you about.
Yes a formal course will constructively guide you, but investing your time wisely into research and studying those who have gone before you is surely what one achieves on a ‘formal’ educational course anyway.
There is also the issue of acquiring bad habits when teaching yourself. I look at it this way;
If someone who taught themself how to play the piano, plays something that blows me away I’m not going to be watching their thumbs to see if they’re in the right place.
If a jewellery designer made a beautiful ring for me using self taught techniques I would treasure it even more. If it scratched me because they hadn’t learned how to finish it properly, I would say practice makes perfect and tell them to refine their techniques and wear the piece themselves for the day before selling it.
When I started out, I made jewellery for my family. This is a good idea because they will be honest and tell you if some beadalon is sticking out and scratching them or if the clasp was too loose. I have now mastered these techniques.
Basically test out your jewellery on guinea pigs, see if any changes need to be made.
An area where I can see a formal education being helpful is the business side of things.
The Learndirect website mentions the following desirable skills of a jewellery designer:
-be able to work accurately and pay attention to detail
-have the confidence and temperament to succeed in the commercial world
-have numerical skills for measuring, calculating costs of materials and pricing items
-marketing skills and commercial awareness for self-employment
-be able to negotiate with buyers and suppliers.
A course will cover these issues and the information will be extremely valuable indeed. However, I can honestly say that any progress I have made within these areas has been by being thrown into the real thing.
Running a jewellery shop by myself has given me confidence when dealing with customers. Running my own market stall has taught me through trial and error what works and how important (and not daunting) accounting is.
A formal educational certificate is not a free pass into the career of your dreams - ambition, vision, careful research and contagious enthusiasm are.
On my third year we are being told to enter competitions and send out scripts. This is something I could have done alone with some good background research, which is another thing we are being encouraged to do as well. They are not giving this information to us, we are doing it all by ourselves.
Furthermore; resources for learning craft techniques are abundant. Amazon has a whole host of fantastic books with inspiring glossy pages and interesting tutorials. Materials are more accessible than they have ever been thanks to the internet and of course there is the internet for a learning resource which I know I won’t need to tell you about.
Yes a formal course will constructively guide you, but investing your time wisely into research and studying those who have gone before you is surely what one achieves on a ‘formal’ educational course anyway.
There is also the issue of acquiring bad habits when teaching yourself. I look at it this way;
If someone who taught themself how to play the piano, plays something that blows me away I’m not going to be watching their thumbs to see if they’re in the right place.
If a jewellery designer made a beautiful ring for me using self taught techniques I would treasure it even more. If it scratched me because they hadn’t learned how to finish it properly, I would say practice makes perfect and tell them to refine their techniques and wear the piece themselves for the day before selling it.
When I started out, I made jewellery for my family. This is a good idea because they will be honest and tell you if some beadalon is sticking out and scratching them or if the clasp was too loose. I have now mastered these techniques.
Basically test out your jewellery on guinea pigs, see if any changes need to be made.
An area where I can see a formal education being helpful is the business side of things.
The Learndirect website mentions the following desirable skills of a jewellery designer:
-be able to work accurately and pay attention to detail
-have the confidence and temperament to succeed in the commercial world
-have numerical skills for measuring, calculating costs of materials and pricing items
-marketing skills and commercial awareness for self-employment
-be able to negotiate with buyers and suppliers.
A course will cover these issues and the information will be extremely valuable indeed. However, I can honestly say that any progress I have made within these areas has been by being thrown into the real thing.
Running a jewellery shop by myself has given me confidence when dealing with customers. Running my own market stall has taught me through trial and error what works and how important (and not daunting) accounting is.
A formal educational certificate is not a free pass into the career of your dreams - ambition, vision, careful research and contagious enthusiasm are.
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Hi Kate
I just happened accross yor blog. You have some interesting views and helpful points to make to people starting out or deciding weather to take up jewellery making.
I just wanted to say I couldn’t agree more on your training view point. I started creating beaded jewellery when I was about 12 years old. As I grew older my techniques and skills improved, although my jewellery was always just a hobby to me.
I trained at university in animation and film making, but after a couple of years of failing to find employment in that area I decided to make something of a skill that was already part way there and I enjoyed doing.
As I had already spent 3 years at uni I didn’t want to waste any more of my life and money training for something I was still not certain about so I took up evening classes in silversmithing and jewellery.
Now 4 years on I have set up my own business and I am selling my work through galleries and my website.
I have the fantastic experice gained from being self tought in bead & wirework and the enthusiasm to experiment and try new things with my metalwork.
Pairing a small amount of technical training with the confidence to learn from your mistakes and gain from your creations gives you the extra something that someone fresh out of university probably wont have.
However, as you have mentioned, setting up a business is not all about playing with things you love, its also about making money and getting people to see your work.
When I was ready to start selling to the public I contacted Business Link (http://www.businesslink.gov.uk) and they put me in touch with my local business advisory service.
I have now been on several free courses and I have a business advisor who has been invaluble to me with regard to offering advice on what to do when and how to go about things in a profesional manor.
University degree’s are good for young people who are probably lacking in confidence to go out there and try for themselves. They give you good technical knowledge and lots of life experience but they are not as you say a free pass into your chosen carrer, as I discovered.
I would suggest to anyone looking to take on a degree course in jewellery making with the outlook of running a business to carefully weigh up the pro’s and con’s.
If you are a school/college leaver I would definately reccommend it. I had a great time at uni and met some brilliant people and I even earnt one or two things while I was there too!
If however you are a working adult, I would definately suggest an evening class paired with business training, (I found my classes through Learn Direct).
The main thing that anyone wanting to run their own busness needs howvever, is lots of enthusiasm, a big bundle of creativity and determination. If you don’t have this it just wont work!
Thanks
March 3rd, 2007 at 9:07 amRachel
Thanks Rachel, Its great to hear from somebody with first hand experience ofthis
Really love your work!
March 3rd, 2007 at 11:13 amHi Kate,
I have just come across your fascinating blog- it is very infromative, and also rings so many bells!
March 22nd, 2007 at 10:22 pmI can especially empathise with Rachel, who spent three years on a degree only to realise she may have to undergo further study- this is my story too.
I spent a year on an art foundation course after my ‘A’ levels, then three further years on an art and design degree. At the end, it was obvious that I would need to take further qualifications before I could gain employment, and I really couldn’t face any more study!
I started my family, and now nearly ten years later, I am returning to silversmithing, of which I had learned a little on my degree. I went on a one day course- but that was it- I don’t wish to be constantly on courses, so I have decided to teach myself.
It seems to be going quite well, but I may be making major mistakes! So I will probably have to ask for help from time to time.
Anyway, all the best to you, and thankyou for your blog!
Hi Kate! I’m a W also! Wallace
It is so frustrating to put so much into something and not getting anywhere.
March 23rd, 2007 at 4:03 amI think it’s brilliant you’ve started to teach yourself. I’d love to learn silversmithing myself, I think it’s fascinating. Have you visited the ArtJewelry forums or read the magazines at all? They all seem very knowledgeable.
Rachels kindly offered to do an interview with me and I’ve asked her lots of questions about silversmithing and her business.
Have you got a blog? I’d love to check in on it to see how you are getting on
P.s - I don’t know if you’ve seen it already but if you click in my videos section there’s a video about making a sterling silver ring set with a stone by Jesse!
March 23rd, 2007 at 4:14 amHi Kate
This is a brilliant blog that you have done.
I am in my 50’s but would love to learn how to make jewellery with my duaghter, and start up and sell it. Could you tell us please how you came about having a shop of your own, and getting started.
Im sure I will never be able to rent or purchase a shop, so what could be the next best thing. Thanks for your time .
Wishing you all the best.
Rita and Louise
July 31st, 2007 at 6:44 pm