[Jewelry making - Article 00524] - Re: [Orchid] Getting unstuck

[Amy Johnston]

========[ Invite a Friend - http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm  ]========

Catherine,

    I'm sure you'll get lots of responses to your message - it seems like
    we all have trouble keeping moving at some point or another.
    Designing pieces and product lines that are fully thought out and
    "doable" is likely the most difficult task any of us face. So what's
    a person to do? 

    As a full-time BFA student (in my third year now), I've had ample
    opportunity to test good working methods. I've learned a few things
    that might help you: 

    1. Go with your first idea, even if you temporarily fall out of love
    with it. I've wasted tons of time trying to generate an idea after
    dismissing my first one for whatever reason, only to end up coming
    first circle. Remember, too, that YOU are not your work and each
    project doesn't have to reflect the sum of who you are.

    2. Once you have your idea, write down the order of operations with
    as many details and steps as possible. This helps to reveal design
    issues early on, while they are easier to resolve. Make paper or
    cardboard models whenever possible. Test ideas in copper or brass if
    you're not sure. I know, I know, models don't pay the rent, but they
    do tell you if an idea will work or not and offer the opportunity for
    skill practice.

    Somehow, I find that practicing skills, "playing" in the studio, and
    making models to be extremely different from producing or making art
    pieces. And extremely rewarding. I've learned more from these
    activities, in less time, than I've ever learned from producing. Not
    only that, but playing and practicing relieve stress, and tend to
    give me new ideas for how to complete backburnered pieces. 

    3. Join your local metals guild. This will provide you with contacts
    in your area of people that might be willing to help you. 

    If I wasn't in school right now, which offers an amazing peer
    network, I would form a small group of like-minded people to meet
    every two weeks or so in order to critique each other's work and
    generate ideas on how to do things better. Working alone is tough, so
    knowing that you're going to see your crit group can be motivating in
    a way that personal drive cannot always succeed. 

    4. SET GOALS! Write them down, and work toward them. 

    5. You asked if you should practice, and (as stated in #2) I highly
    recommend you do. Set time aside every day for this if at all
    possible. If you find that it doesn't feel any different than working
    on actual pieces, you can decide if practicing is worth your time.
    Personally, my mind treats practice differently. I stress out when
    I'm working on a 'real' project, but relax when I'm practicing,
    likely because I'm not under pressure to perform. Depending on what
    I'm practicing, though, I frequently end up with a usable item (for
    example, I've been practicing wire soldering with sterling jump
    rings, so now that I'm getting really good, I can use the chain for
    something). 

    Catherine, I also come from the tech world, and have found the
    transition from Sitting-in-Front-of-Computer to Maker-of-Things a bit
    strange. Perhaps this is part of your dilemma as well? 

    As for whether you should post fabrication questions to this list -
    of course you should! Research in books and the archives first to see
    if either one answers your question, obviously, but the Orchid list
    is here as a means to share information, so don't feel insecure
    posting questions. 

    Having said that, I highly recommend you find a support network near
    you. Though this list is amazing, it cannot always replace having
    someone look at the project in person before making recommendations.
    It sounds like you're in the Bay area, which has lots of jewelers and
    resources. I've heard wonderful things about the Metal Arts Guild,
    and they are big enough to have hosted the SNAG conference in 2003.
    You can find them at metalartsguild.org. 

    Whatever you do, don't let the fear take over. You can do this. 

Regards,
Amy Johnston

____________________________________________________________________
T h e   O r c h i d   L i s t
Open Electronic Forum for Jewelry Manufacturing Methods and Procedures
____________________________________________________________________
Orchid FAQ:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/faq.htm
Orchid Archives:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/archive
Orchid Galleries:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/gallery.htm
Invite a Friend:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm
____________________________________________________________________
Tips From The Jeweler's Bench - Article Archive
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/tip_sear.htm
The Jeweler's Selected Bibliography List
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/jewelry-books
Buy Orchid Jewelry:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/shop
____________________________________________________________________
-Unsubscribe:
-Email: orchid-request AT ganoksin.com Body=unsubscribe subject=blank
____________________________________________________________________