[Jewelry making - Article 00161] - Re: [Orchid] Breaking into the jewelry business

[John Sholl]

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    Lisa, Larry did an excellent job explaining what you will be up
    against. I would like to reiterate one point. Do not offer to work
    for free. A jeweler who is prepared to take on an apprentice knows
    that salary is only a small amount of what it costs to train a
    craftsperson. The cost of new tools for an apprentice will add up
    but the real cost comes from the time spent training the new
    student. Even with considerable artistic ability and some experience
    the new employee has to be instructed on how things are done in any
    particular workshop. I don't expect any new jeweler to really start
    earning their way for several months. But, to offer to work for free
    sends the loud message that you don't need a job. 

    Learning how to make jewelry is a long frustrating process. It
    involves hours of doing preliminary work or other stages of
    production. In my shop you will learn how to make jewelry but you
    will not be given the chance to do your own thing. You have plenty
    of time for that on your own . In short apprenticeships are  very
    often not a dream job, more like boot camp. So it is best for the
    experienced jeweler to find someone who needs the income, someone
    who can get by on that salary. Not someone who could easily leave
    the position as soon as the honeymoon feeling wears off. Besides if
    I wasn't paying you I would have a hard time having you clean the
    windows or make jump rings during down time. 

    My advise would be to capitalize on your artistic background. Put a
    portfolio together and use that to get the jeweler interested. We
    have all seen too many enthusiastic wannabees drop out before they
    begin to payoff. 

John Sholl
J.F.Sholl Fine Jewelry
PS If you are in the Denver area drop me a line. I'm Hiring.

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