[Jewelry making - Article 00103] - Re: [Orchid] Ideal length of workshops

[Linda Kaye-Moses/Evan Soldinger]

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Hello,

    As one who has both taken and taught jewelry workshops (primarily in
    the use of Precious Metal Clay), I would like to offer several
    perspectives. 

    1. Taking Workshops 

    I have often felt when taking a 3-day workshop that I still had more
    to learn by 'doing' and would have preferred to remain in the studio
    to continue working. Anything more than the three days, and a little
    break is needed, even if for a few hours 'recess' of doing nothing,
    but longer for me would have been better. 

    Having been fortunate enough to be able to take a two-week workshop
    years ago, I learned that, with that kind of intense learning
    experience, one needs at least one day in the middle to 'breathe'
    and refresh one's brain cells. Very rewarding experience. 

    I guess, if I had to offer advice, I would say, find the time, make
    the time to take longer workshops. 

    2. Teaching Workshops 

    I generally teach 3-day workshops and have to pare and prune the
    information I want to share so that it fits into the time allotted.
    I dislike eliminating information, but it's a great exercise for me
    to do this and my students generally tell me that they are filled to
    overflowing. I like to hear that. I know that they will be able to
    use the information I've given them. I also make certain they have
    in writing, too, with hand-outs. 

    However, I would prefer to teach longer workshops; five days to two
    weeks. This permits extensive time for independent work, personal
    attention, time for slides, etc. and a well-structured demo and
    lecture time. It also is more practical for me in terms of time away
    from my studio and my fees (i.e., I make more money) 

    These longer workshops are more difficult to fill for the 'schools'
    because (1) they are more expensive and (2) they require potential
    students to make more time available. But, they are rich learning
    experiences. 

    There are such pluses to teaching. I am always rewarded by the
    pleasure my student's take in receiving the information I give them.
    I always learn something from my students. I get paid (that's only a
    good thing). It's also not bad being respected as The Authority;
    definitely nourishes one's ego. Except for the time away from my own
    studio (including travel time, too), teaching has been and continues
    to be a positive, enriching activity for me. 

    All that being said, I teach because it is essential that whatever I
    KNOW about making jewelry should be passed on to another generation
    of jewelrymakers. I learned so much of what I know from generous
    jewelers I met at craft shows, who were willing to share information
    with me and from taking a range of workshops over the years. I
    remember when those of us in the field spoke of the one person who
    re-discovered (had to re-discover) how to do granulation, because
    the technique had been lost. My skills are certainly different from
    that, but I can pass on traditional jewelry making techniques and
    techniques for using metal clay. My students will carry it on. 

Linda Kaye-Moses
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