Hello Orchidland,
A grandson (24) has made some sterling pieces in my old studio. He shows some talent and is thinking about pursuing his interest in metal smithing/jewelry-making. I’ve said he should look at a school that would cover the basics for a benchie. Then it’s practice, practice, practice. What suggestions do Orchidians have for this young person???
Judy in Kansas, where spring has sprung and the redbuds are showing color.
I’m biased bc I’m self-taught… but he could teach himself if he has the motivation/desire to do so. There are YouTube videos and fb groups to help, and the money that would have gone to classes could be spent on silver and/or tools instead. Then if he comes across a particular subgenre or technique he needs more help with, he could take a class on that. Good luck to him, whichever path he chooses! 
I was taught the basics by our father, as was Don. Otherwise, neither of us has taken any courses, so we are self taught. I would suggest finding someone who can help you get started. There are lots of start up tooling suggestion in other discussions. Just remember that tools won’t make you a better maker, you will make you a better maker. There are also a number of books that you can use for reference. They have also been coverd in previous discussions. If you have a rock and mineral club nearby, they may offer basic metals classes along with lapidary. If he is interested in formal training, They are region specific. In Central NY, there is a private training school in Syracuse. Syracuse University has a for credit program as does Pratt at Munson in Utica. There are lots of craft schools scattered around the country. If we had a few more basics about current level of training, location, willingness to spend the money needed to take formal training and current direction in which his interest is going beyond the basics (engraving, enameling, lapidary etc.) we might be able to get more specific. I wish that I had a grandson who was interested in learning what I know. Currently none of my children or grand children have an interest. Keep us posted… Rob
Hi,
well…if i were him i would ask grandma to teach me how to solder 
and hang out together in her studio
julie
Jaime, thanks for your thoughts and suggestions. My knowledge is mostly self-taught, but I did take the introductory lessons in high school and college. Luckily, a generous jeweler ‘coached’ myself and another as sort of apprentices. We learned how to turn old gold class rings into jewelry and to set stones. Since then, Orchidians have kindly offered answers to specific questions.
My studio tools (currently in storage) and a lot of sheet, wire, etc. will be his IF he decides to proceed on this journey.
Again, thank you for responding,
Judy in Kansas
Oh Julie, if only that was possible. My studio equipment is in storage since moving to a retirement community. He always wanted to make jewelry when visiting his grand parents and learned quickly to braze/solder/fuse his designs. His skills are presently rudimentary, but the potential is there.
Thanks for responding,
Judy in Kansas
Hello Rob,
I always enjoy your posts, so your response is appreciated. As I shared with Jaime, I’m mostly self-taught. I have a rather extensive library that offers solutions and ideas. Thanks to Orchid for book suggestions. Tim McCreight and Charles Lewton-Brain (who I have actually met!) are excellent authors. James Miller’s book of his creations is truly eye candy for jewelery! My university library has the classics that are out of print - I can check them our for up to 6 months…yummy. I digress.
The idea of checking out a local rock and mineral club is good - I’ll be sure to suggest that. He lives in the Denver area, so there must be such resources. There may be contacts through such clubs to “get his foot in the door.”
Thanks again for your thoughtful response,
Judy in Kansas
Hi Judy,
Since you mentioned your Grandson is in the Denver area, there are two fantastic resources for him.
Colorado Metalsmithing Association (statewide)
Boulder Metalsmiths Association (regional)
Both organizations should have tips about jewelry making resources in Colorado.
Hope that helps!
Jeff
Hi,
oh, i see…
well i would also suggest the following…i did all of these…
ie: find jewelry classes or workshops…local…or even not so local,
high school continuing adult education- This was nighttime, after school hours…at a local high school
community college continuing education- this was during regular class hours, pay by the credit…great value
adult community center classes-these were held at various community centers that had jewelry shops
college classes- this was during regular classes…classes were very popular and so were often waitlisted
jewelry workshop/ training facilities- i attended Revere Academy, but alas it is closed…GRS training in KANSAS(!)
had jewelry making friends (that i met thru the above classes) teach me
watched countless youtube videos
i HIGHLY recommend Peter Keep’s online jewelry training website
https://www.jewellerytrainingsolutions.com.au/
courses are structured like you are going to school
progressive comprehensive, visually clear, moderate pace, even tone…
projects are designed to teach you certain skills…
the curriculum is not…repetitious…like some other jewelry “training” videos are…
very comprehensive
great price for great value
Peter Keep is an excellent teacher
(there are also, what i personally consider to be, great beginner project videos, by Soham Harrison)
if i had to suggest ONE thing, this would be it…
julie
AS someone who has finished the program there are some discussions to be had. 1 - how passionate is he about doing this…? 2. what market /skills is he looking to learn and perfect? the program I went to is here in NYC area - Studio Jewelers- https://studiojewelersltd.com/ a great program with lab perks for alumni. Another though further from home - allows you to potentially work for luxury brands - https://hauteecoledejoaillerie.com/ . If he’s looking into the design side more, theres FIt in NYC, and in the UK is Central St Martins. Good luck!
No one seems to have mentioned Blaine Lewis and the New Approach School
The only experience I have had with Blaine Lewis is learning from several of his stone setting videos, but just from those, I would not hesitate to look into the New Approach School, were I just starting again.
I first discovered jewelry making in college, then took Jewelry Repair and Diamond Setting classes at Bowman Tech, which vastly improved my craft.
50+ years on, I still love this craft, although my focus is much more on the repair side than on creating. 8 years after “retiring”, I am still at the bench every day, doing jewelry work for my client stores.
And!
and still on my bucket list!
blaine lewis New Approach school
and! maybe 4 months in…italy!
here are their instagram pages
Haha
great minds!
Julie mentioned the Revere Academy. That reminded me about Alan Revere’s Professional Jewelry Making Book. The book is filled with projects from beginning to advanced that were taught at Alan Revere’s school. Each project has start to finish instructions and a necessary tool and materials list.
In addition to the book there is a Facebook group to help mentor folks through the projects.
Combined they are a great resource for jewelry makers of all skill levels.
Jeff
I was introduced to jewerly making at my high school. Supplies were provided. Propane and oxygen were piped throughout the studio. Torches were provided, along with charcoal blocks and flux. Students bought their own silver sheet and silver solder from the high school bookstore. After that, I was on my own. I was inspired by an out of print old book, reprinted by Dover Press. This book was written in 1890’s. The jewelers back then used mouth blow pipes and alcohol lamps for soldering. Being self taught from books, trial and error was my teacher. Refining my techniques took years as a hobbyist jeweler. If your grandson in the Denver area, he’s lucky to live there; there are many resources available, as mention by jeffg. He just needs to take advantage of them. We are all self taught in a sense, since even at a school for jewerly making, teachers can demonstrate a technique, but it’s up to us to do it. Your grandson can find a mentor in Denver, but in the end he should just do it…
At Bowman we learned to solder sterling silver using just the brass blow pipe, breath control and an alcohol lamp.
Like cutting brass strips and rods each into 6 sections, and then filing those sections so that they did not buckle when pushed together, these were skills that helped student understand the mechanics behind the craft.
Obviously you did not need to learn any of those skills to work at the bench, but once you did develop those skills, you began to understand some of the more basic skills required, and to fine tune your craft.