It’s a good day when someone starts their Jewellery Making career and practical training is an important part of the process.
I know from experience it’s not easy taking those first few steps, so here are a few tips that might help you.
1. You’ve already made the first step if you are reading this because it takes courage to act on your dreams.
When choosing a practical training course ask about the tutor's credentials or ask to see some images of their work. You need to learn from the best to be the best and remember you get what you pay for. During your training stop worrying about your ability, at the beginning you just need an open mind about learning. No-one is expecting you to know everything or produce perfectly finished jewellery when you start out.
2. You don’t need lots of expensive equipment and tools to create at home.
I started making jewellery at my kitchen table and stored my hand tools and basic equipment under the stairs.
3. When you begin your making project don’t aim too high
Just start simply and build on your knowledge as you go. Grand designs + basic knowledge = frustration and loss of confidence. I recommend you just adapt your 'Grand Design' to a simpler format when you start making.
4. Projects do go wrong sometimes
When a project goes wrong your learning process in putting it right will be very valuable to you in the future.
Making mistakes can be frustrating but its’ not the end of the world, it's part of your development as a jeweller, sometimes a mistake can create a happy accident that no amount of planning can create.
5. Practice does make perfect
You’ll need to produce a high quality finish to your work if you intend to sell it. In my experience everyone works at their own pace, don’t rush your practise and development, you’ll need time to be the best you can. And don’t try to learn everything at once! When you have mastered the basics of making jewellery in silver confidently you can add extra skill later like Enamelling or Stonesetting later on or begin working in Gold.
How to learn more jewellery skills and techniques
There are a wide variety of 1-day courses that can help you develop your skills further.
Good luck with your creative endeavours,
Dawn Meaden-Johnson
Jeweller & Founder of The Bespoke Jewellery Training Company
