[Jewelry making - Article 01013] - Re: [Orchid] How others got started in jewelry making?

[Elaine Luther]

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

    Here's what I would do if I were you (and then I'll go into more
    general advice): 

    - you're so close to graduating from UIC, I would start my jewelry
    education during summer breaks (or maybe you could take a semester
    off) and finish the degree at UIC. It will come in handy, and it's
    hard to go back to school once you're out. 

    - if you want gemological training, GIA is the way to go, but you
    don't have to go out to California. They come to Chicago every fall.
    There is also (or used to be anyway) an option where you go there
    for 6 weeks, after first doing a couple of distance courses; you can
    also take the classes by taking live in person classes in Chicago and
    the rest via distance learning. 

    For the gemological training, GIA makes a difference. Having your GG
    will open doors for you. For bench training, my impression is that no
    body really cares where you went to school -- if you're trying to get
    a bench job -- the question is can you do the work. 

    - I would spend a semester off and this summer going to other
    schools -- take as many as you can afford. I suggest the Revere
    Academy. Maybe this summer you could go William Holldand School. 

    Another interesting thing to do is to go work study or studio
    assistant at a place such as Arrowmont or Penland. 

    If I were in your shoes, I would take that 30K (well, part of it)
    and create my own education for considerably less than that in both
    money and time. 

    Do try to get your BA. You're so close. It will open doors for
    certain jobs. 

    What is your career goal? Self employed designer? Work in a factory? 

    And finally, before you leave Chicago, take classes at: 

    Lillstreet Art Center http://www.lillstreet.com 

    and join the Chicago Metal Arts Guild
    http://www.chicagometalartsguild.org 

Elaine

Elaine Luther
Metalsmith, Certified PMC Instructor
http://www.CreativeTextureTools.com (TM)
Hard to Find Tools for Metal Clay


____________________________________________________________________
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
____________________________________________________________________