[Jewelry making - Article 00565] - Re: [Orchid] Professional Jeweler's Schools in the Midwest

[Judy Hoch]

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>     I just want to learn some basic bench jeweler skills to add to my
>     techniques (I'm not looking to actually get a job as a bench
>     jeweler). 

    Jen - Can you find a local rock club? They can help you find a
    beginning jewelry making class. Or look to your local community
    college or senior citizen center. Senior citizen centers usually
    don't limit offerings to seniors. Often they teach the basic skills
    on a hobbyist level. That would get you started locally and cheaply.
    If you have a jewelry supply shop, ask them where to learn. Many
    stores now have a school too. 

    I sometimes think we send folks off to learn how to make a clock
    when they simply want to find out what time it is. 

    And to defend the hobbyist level instruction - there are some
    incredible artists working to amuse themselves. They may not be able
    to size 20 rings an hour, but they can make pretty much any kind of
    jewelry and do it very well. They often teach locally. 

    I took my first jewelry making class at a community center. We sawed
    out a piece with lots of internal detail and made a pendant of it.
    Then we made a ring with a stone. That was 6 evenings at two hours
    each. It got me started. I then took several semesters of
    metalsmithing at a community college. In the middle of that, I took a
    GIA jewelry class. It was very good, but I didn't have the "bench
    time" experience to absorb the terrific instruction. Start simple.
    Figure out what you want to learn. Get the books and magazines that
    deal with technique. Learn on your own after some simple hands on.
    After that, you may want to go to Revere or one of the big
    non-degree schools to learn more techniques. 

    Lastly, if you can find a local metalsmithing organization, they
    often have good classes on weekends. Colorado Metalsmithing
    Association and Pennsylvania Society of Goldsmiths are good examples. 


Judy Hoch
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