You’ve finally made up your mind to take a jewellery making course for the very first time, is that right? Congrats! We reached out to a handful of the teachers whose courses come the highest on our list of recommendations so that we could offer you with a clearer picture of what you may expect.
Trying out anything completely new nearly always brings along some level of worry, even if it’s only a little bit. Taking your first jewelry making class might be both an exciting and gratifying experience since it would provide you a new creative avenue to explore.
Because of the varied knowledge that you are accumulating and the many instructors that you are working with, each and every one of your periods spent in school will be distinctive from the others.
However, in order to give you a better sense of what to expect from your first jewellery session, we contacted some of our most reliable teachers and asked them to share their insights with us.
What to expect from your very first attempt at making jewellery
The most effective method to get yourself ready for school
You could be wondering about the format of the very first course in jewelry creation that you take, especially if it’s your first time. According to the advice of Debora Mauser, the most important thing for you to focus on is ensuring your own personal safety.
If you are planning to take a class that includes heat in some way, such as soldering, you should definitely be prepared for the fact that there will be some extra safety considerations that you need to make.
The need of wearing shoes with closed toes, eye protection, a hair tie, and clothes that do not billow carelessly around the body is emphasized by Debora. In addition to that, she recommends that you dress in a natural manner if you are going to attend a class in the hot method.
When it comes to teaching her classes, Melissa Muir utilizes a few different methods that set her apart from other educators.
You should be able to anticipate getting one of these kinds of classes from the majority of your professors the majority of the time. She makes a distinction between classes that concentrate on procedures and those that concentrate on projects carried out in the classroom.
If you take a class that focuses on projects, the instructor will walk you through the steps that are required to complete an item, or at the very least, they will teach you the skills that are required to complete an item at a later time.
You shouldn’t walk into a class focused on technique with the expectation that you will have finished a piece by the time the session is through. The purpose of a technique-based class is to teach you how to do a task in the studio, and then give you time to put what you’ve learned into practice.
Which level of the instructional program should you begin with as a first step? Debora has found that students do the best when they start their education with a few project-based lessons so that they can become acquainted with the principles as well as the tools.
This allows the students to get a better understanding of both the fundamentals and the tools.
When you are filling out the registration form for a class, pay careful attention to the specifics that are being asked of you. In the vast majority of classes, the necessary equipment and supplies will be made available to you; but, in certain classes, it is possible that you may be needed to bring your own supplies.
Since many first-time students are unprepared for the price of equipment and other requirements required to get started, it is best to choose classes that include everything possible. In addition to this, Melissa suggests that you pay close attention to the level of difficulty presented in the class.
They will be graded anywhere from novice to advanced, with each rating accompanied by an explanation of why the individual was given that level. Be honest with yourself on the degree of your expertise.
If you sign up for a class that is above your present level of knowledge, the experience will most likely be less enjoyable for both you and the other individuals who are enrolled in the class. This is true for both of you.
Congratulations, you’ve made it to class! So what do we do now?
You can expect being treated in a way that is both professional and courteous when you take a class in jewelry making from a knowledgeable teacher. This is something you can look forward to.
Whenever Eva Sherman teaches a class, she always hands out written handouts that include information about the session as well as the activities that you will be taking part in during the class.
Additionally, she provides a large quantity of blank space for taking notes on the handout. In addition, Eva says that you should plan on the location having enough room so that you can work in comfort while still being able to see and hear the instructor’s demonstrations.
Each of the three distinct lecturers emphasizes how important it is for students to properly establish suitable expectations for themselves. You won’t have the abilities essential to produce a work that is faultless and at the professional level when you start out, so don’t expect that to happen right away.
Eva tells her students, “getting to my level requires a lot of patience, work, and dedication,” and she goes on to explain why this is the case. In addition to this, you will have to let go of the idea that perfect execution is possible.
Eva advises that you should not put too much emphasis on attaining perfection to the point that it impedes your ability to go on to the subsequent level.
Melissa also wants you to know that when you leave the class, you won’t have all of the skills required to create and sell the artwork that you worked on while you were there. She wants you to be prepared for this.
The piece of guidance that Debora would provide is to attend class with an attitude of readiness to learn and attentiveness toward your instructor.
In addition to this, Melissa suggests keeping a close watch on your instructor to see the manner in which they handle their instruments and the procedure that they go through.
The one thing that is very necessary for you to accomplish is to make sure that you ask questions! When Melissa says that sometimes the instructor’s knowledge has become so embedded in them that they forget to explain issues in adequate detail since it has become so natural to them, she is absolutely correct.
There is a strong probability that other people in the class will also have the question that you have if you raise it.
The three instructors like it very much when their students make progress and get the strategy, and if this needs them to respond to a few queries, they are more than happy to do so.
What are the following measures that you intend to take?
If you are interested in further your education in the area of jewelry creation and have just finished your first session on how to make jewelry, what steps should you do next? Continue your education! It is possible to learn a broad variety of talents relevant to the jewelry industry from a variety of instructors who are also ready to teach these abilities.
Both Eva and Debora believe that the best way for you to find out what you like is to give it a try for yourself, thus their advice is that you should take classes in a number of different approaches. Alternately, if you know for a fact that you did not like the item in issue, you should go on to something else.
If you liked the class that you just completed to be pleasant, Melissa suggests that you give some thought to enrolling in another course that expands on that particular ability.
If you have recently developed an expertise in soldering, one suggestion would be to enroll in a class that teaches bezel setting.
In line with this sentiment is Melissa, who believes that repeating a course is perfectly acceptable behavior and does not constitute unethical behavior. There’s a chance that you don’t feel prepared to go on to the next level of teaching just yet, and that’s okay.
Taking the introductory course more than once might assist boost your self-assurance and provide you the chance to acquire fresh information that you might have overlooked the first time around.
When you are just getting started, Debora suggests that you prioritize taking classes that are centered on projects.
Imagine the difficulty of coming up with your own design when you are still learning how the process works at the same time. If you aren’t sure what to do next, you can always ask your instructor for advice on what they believe to be the most beneficial next step for you to take.
The sage advice of other individuals
Those who instruct you in the art of jewelry making are there to encourage and motivate you as you go through the many stages of the process.
If you feel as if you still want more encouragement, the following is some of the best advice that our jewelry making instructor has to give those of you who are considering taking your very first jewelry making class:
“Don’t be so reticent! Using your hands to create something is a terrific kind of therapy, and it’s even more beneficial if you get to use tools like a hammer and a torch while you’re doing it! — Eva Sherman
“When looking for a class to enroll for the first time, it is important to choose a professor whose work is similar to the subject area that you are interested in studying.
Be sure to give the impression that you are present at school although you are not. Put the phone down and eliminate any other potential sources of distraction. Make sure you have some paper and a pencil handy so that you can take notes, and don’t forget to ask any questions that come up. Melissa Muir
“When you enter a classroom, bring an open mind, practice patience, and make sure you’re paying attention to what the teacher has to say. Asking for help should never make you feel uncomfortable.
Everyone learns in their own unique manner, but a good instructor wants to share their knowledge and experience with their students so that they may be successful in whatever they choose to pursue. — Debora Mauser