[Jewelry making - Article 00159] - Re: [Orchid] Metals class for kids

[Victoria Lansford]

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    I recently taught a jewelry and metalsmithing class for homeschooled
    kids ages 7 and up. They had to have one parent take the class with
    them, and there was a 2 siblings/adult limit. The advantage I had was
    knowing what to expect from 3 of the kids, my son and 2 of his
    friends. They had been my guinea pigs for setting up the class. I
    planned the first 2 projects and had some idea for the others, but I
    waited to structure the whole thing until I saw how things went and
    how much help the parents could give. 

    I was blown away by what kids so young could accomplish. We did
    scrollwork pendants, sterling granulation, torch fired enamels on
    copper, loop in loop chains, roller printed tube beads, and forged
    rings in the shape of coiled snakes (saved having to be exact sizes).
    The parents didn't all get as up to speed as adult beginners usually
    do so I ended up wishing I could clone myself. It definitely took
    tons of energy (I could be found staring at a wall for about an hour
    afterwards!), but the kids all seemed to have a very positive
    experience, which, of course, was the goal. 

    Unlike adults, young kids don't know this stuff is hard so they
    don't come in with the baggage I saw so often when I taught adult
    beginners. They are also happier with any results at all rather than
    expecting everything to be perfect. I will add here that working with
    homeschooled kids can be very different (and I don't mean to imply
    better or start any off topic arguments here!). They are not
    necessarily more skilled than their schooled counterparts, but they
    tend to approach new things with a seriousness that is a bit adult-
    like, which can be helpful and really funny to watch. 

Best of luck with the class,
Victoria
Victoria Lansford
http://www.victorialansford.com
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