[Jewelry making - Article 01022] - Re: [Orchid] Starting Out

[M'lou Brubaker]

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>     I'm curious, how about other Orchid members? How long you "fed" the
>     craft before it starts to "feed" you? 

    I was a college student with the support of my parents when I first
    started making and selling jewelry. I sold it by sitting by it on a
    blanket outside the college dining hall in the evening. I put most of
    my earnings back into tools and materials so that I could do more
    jewelry with more techniques. But I remember my mother asking me on
    the phone, "don't you need us to send you some more money?" because I
    quit asking her for money to spend on books, clothes, or other
    necessities (my room & board in the dorm were being paid by my
    parents). 

    I remember that I bought my first tools at the local hardware store,
    and they were a ball-pein hammer, 2 pliers, an end cutter, a file,
    sandpaper, and a small ASO (anvil shaped object). I made money with
    them. Sterling was $4 an ounce, I think. Or maybe $3 something. This
    was in 1968.I soon bought a pencil-flame propane torch at the
    hardware store, which I used for about the next 5 years, with the
    tall propane cylinder cradled in my arm. I am not telling anyone to
    do things this way, but if they have very little money, they could
    get by with adding on tools and techniques only as they can afford
    them. There is plenty to learn using just cold techniques; sawing,
    filing, riveting, polishing, forging, stamping... You learn to be
    very clever with your designs. 

    After finishing my studio art degree in college (they had no metals
    department) I made my living solely with jewelry, but I lived in
    city apartments with multiple roommates, and had no car for a few
    years. It was worth it to me, to be able to work on my craft and not
    take a day job. But I don't know if kids today would be willing to
    live without all the goodies they want, like cell phones, iPods,
    cars, nice shoes, etc. And if you are supporting a family...well...I
    was living in what one could call poverty. I wouldn't change a thing,
    except for maybe buying a better torch sooner, and following what we
    now know to be good safety practices regarding polishing dust and
    soldering fumes. That was 38 years ago, and I seem to have lived
    through it, so far. 

    Wow, 38 years! I didn't realize it was so long, since I count my
    actual business start just from the time I got out of college and
    supported myself on my own. I've had a good time, and it isn't over
    yet. 

M'lou Brubaker, Jeweler
Goodland, MN
www.craftswomen.com


 
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