[Jewelry making - Article 00065] - Re: [Orchid] Self taught Vs Formal training

[Lisa Orlando]

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Oh, my. Another contentious thread.

    I don't believe this question can be answered, given the way Sheila
    asked it. We know nothing about her background, her age, her goals,
    etc. 

    One point that has definitely not been made is that taking a formal
    jewelry class, at someplace like the Revere Academy, or even at the
    Mendocino Art Center, can leave you feeling hopeless. One of my
    fabrication teachers said that, after a class in engraving at Revere,
    he'd given up on learning engraving. It simply went too fast for him.
    I have heard this "complaint"--more like a moan--from other people.
    And I have experienced it myself. 

    My first "basic earrings" class--at a bead store!--left me feeling
    like a dunce. I was sure I would never be able to make a "perfect
    loop," and I didn't try again for two years. Then I acquired every
    wire work book I could find, read all the (contradictory)
    instructions, and spent hours with pliers and a roll of copper wire.
    I found it much easier to keep going, despite my failures, when I
    didn't have to keep up with other students. (In "craft" classes, I am
    almost always the "slowest kid in the class," despite the fact that,
    intellectually, I can usually run rings around everyone, including
    the teacher.) And, while I didn't have a teacher's guidance, I also
    didn't have to deal with impatience and judgment: we slowpokes will
    project this, even if the teacher is nice as pie. 

    After that, I found a wonderful wirework teacher, who had gone
    through an initial dunce phase herself. I learned an amazing amount,
    and became very skilled. At her urging, I began studying with her
    fabrication teacher (at an adult education center), who was also very
    relaxed and patient (hi, rp!). But, every time I tried to "up level,"
    I hit the same wall. 

    So, if you want to be a bench jeweler, and you have transferable
    hand skills, and know you are fast (if you want to be a bench
    jeweler, you had better be), then jumping into trade school may be
    your best bet. If you're like me, please don't do that to yourself. 

Lisa Orlando
Albion, CA, US


 
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