Mr. fox i think you are on the mark. this trade use to be hard to
get in to now a class here and class here and who ever now is a
jeweler!!! when i got in the master jeweler in the shop
watched over you and went step by step with you to learn this
trade. and not just who ever can be a jeweler. that is why words
like dwt 3 key findings is so nice and it is part of the trade
that was passed down from father to son ect. and today jewelers
have so much to learn and this fourm is jewelers helping jewelers
and that is so nice. but this is a trade and we better keep it
that way or we will find that who ever will be a jeweler and no
one will make a living.
When I first started making jewelry back in 1969, I had a
mentor, Ben Douglas, who taught me alot. One day I got around to
asking him why. His answer was that the more jewelers that were
making pieces and selling them, the more aware the public would
be that they could buy handmade jewelry rather than manufactured
pieces.
Not everyone who takes a course will become a jeweler, but they
will appreciate what goes into making something worth buying.
Education is a very good thing, very beneficial to all concerned,
who want to make an honest living within the jewelry field.
The concept that I probably like most about the jewelry field is
that very few people (that I have run across) have even remotely
the same background, training, and experiences that I have, and
so there is a lot of room for sharing experiences,cross
pollination, and growth. This forum has had a considerable impact
on my work, and all of you who contribute have my gratitude.