[Jewelry making - Article 00204] - Re: [Orchid] Self taught Vs Formal training

[Sheila]

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Good Morning All

    When I asked my question in the beginning, I had absolutely no clue
    that there would be so many replies with so many different points of
    view. This thread has grown into an oak tree with a huge spread of
    very interesting branches. You are all very generous with your
    thoughts and ideas. 

    I have now, I believe, a good idea of what I am going to do. I am
    going to have fun. I love learning new methods for doing things and
    I love experimenting on my own. If I can take classes now and then
    (time and money being the issue) then I will. When I do finally
    retire from factory work, I can pursue the training, but by then I
    may not want to have the jewelry be a full time job. I can't help but
    wonder if I had found this wonderful creative thing in earlier years,
    where I would be now. Life gets in the way of living sometimes. 

    I should probably explain a bit about what it is I do, since you have
    all been so kind in sharing your thoughts. I started off with polymer
    clay (no groans from real jewelers, please) and found that I needed a
    more substantial setting than the ones I could purchase and started
    making my own chain and links, and learning how to wire wrap. That
    branched into making my own bezels and learning how to solder using a
    torch. Now I am exploring the fiber media as an additional showcase
    for my beads. One thing seems to lead to another. I would love to
    try PMC and see where that goes... again.. money and time are issues.
    Also, 

    if I begin a new craft at this point my husband will have a few
    comments. PMC will still be around when I get to it. After all, I am
    only about 30 years late learning knotting for micro macrame.!!! 

    Sales at work have been good for the past two years, but my goal for
    this year is to take my work into the marketplaces and two possible
    galleries in town. I also need to get my work up on a web site,
    though on-line sales may not be a good thing. people like to look and
    feel. I have given myself five years to get going and am beginning my
    third year. The "business end" of the business gets me down
    occasionally and that is the thing that will eventually tell me if
    this is going to be a viable supplement to my retirement income or
    whether this will remain a very interesting and fullfilling hobby. 

    What have I learned from you folks in Orchidland ???? Whatever I
    do... make it my absolute best. Be very critical of what I produce
    and if I have any reservations about the quality, do it again until
    it is right. Learn all I can and take advantage of learning
    opportunities. Do research... there is a wealth of information out
    there. Look at other people's work and love it, but develop my own
    style. Practice, practice, practice. Buy the best tools I can afford.
    Anything else?? Love what I do or it becomes another job. 

    Regardless of where I end up, I will continue to be an avid Orchid
    reader. The view points and experiences of the people here are
    interesting and valuable and you have my admiration and thanks.
    Hmmmm... 

I wonder if I should consider moving to Calgary!!!
Sheila in Ontario Canada


 
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