[Jewelry making - Article 00567] - [Orchid] Awkward teaching situation

[Catherine Ondrey]

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    I'm in a bit of an awkward situation. I'm teaching a silversmithing
    class and I told the students that the last day of class would be a
    day that they could work on whatever they wanted and told them to
    think about it and let me know so that I could have everything
    prepared. The problem is that I'm uncomfortable with what they chose
    to make the last day. They decided that they wanted to make an exact
    copy of one of my pieces - exact - same stone, same size, same
    design down to every stamped detail - an exact copy. Basically the
    piece is going to sit on the table and be copied. 

    My issue isn't so much about "copying" as it is that the ring is
    really my pride and joy piece and I feel like I'm "handing it over"
    by having it used as a template for a group of students. And I don't
    think I'm ready to do that with this piece - I just cherish this
    piece and am so pleased with how it turned out. I just love the
    ring. I don't mind teaching my techniques and what I've learned, but
    feel kind of funny also giving away my designing - if that makes
    sense. 

    I guess it's the fact that I really like the uniqueness of the ring
    and I feel kind of funny about it being copied by a group of
    students - I really wasn't ready for this kind of situation and I'm
    not sure how to handle it. I don't want to come off as not wanting
    to share - because I've been more than forthcoming with all the
    techniques I've learned. But as far as copying an instructor's piece
    of jewelry that she is wearing down to every last detail - I don't
    know, it just doesn't seem right. I've taken many classes and I
    don't think I've ever been in a situation where the class has told
    the instructor that what they want to make is an exact copy of what
    the instructor is wearing. I know I personally would never even
    think of asking an instructor to do that - but maybe that's just me. 

    Isn't the whole point of learning new techniques to be able to take
    those techniques and incorporate them using their own design ideas?
    Ughh... I really feel like I've been put on the spot here... I just
    feel like this kind of crosses the line. I remember when I started
    taking classes and all of the things that were going through my mind
    - as far as what I was going to do with the techniques that I was
    learning and I don't think I ever once thought "I'm going to make an
    exact copy of the instructor's work." It just makes me
    uncomfortable.

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