Hi:
I have recently written that I am to be going to the Fredricka
Kulicke School in Parsippany, NJ in June. If there is anyone on the
list who might also be there in June or who would like to share their
experience with this particular school, I would love to hear from
you.
I am getting a bit of the jitters. I am mainly interested in
(fascinated by) granulation and cannot wait to explore. All the work
I have been able to find so far has been beautiful…however, all
pieces seem to be in the thousands of dollars. I am operating now
around the 150 to 225 dollar area for a nice necklace, so fine
jewelry in this range is kinda like looking to travel to Mars. I am a
bit scared. I am spending all my savings to go to school and buy
equipment. going into uncharted territory and feeling like, if I
don’t end up catching on, I will have no funds to continue at all.
I would love to look at some historical books on the ancient
techniques before I go. I am kind of what you call driven…and
pretty revved up.
I have a good amount of faith in myself that it will work out and I
love to learn. I think I am just looking for sources of information
so I can get myself in the mode.
I hope that makes sense.
Thanks
Kim Starbard
Hi Kim,
If you are interested in looking at a great book on historical
jewelry, check out this book published by the British Museum on
their jewelry collections:
Jewelry 7000 Years: An International History and Illustrated Survey
from the Collections of the British Museum (Hardcover) by Hugh Tait
(Editor)
Here’s the link to this book, where it is available as a used book.
It was published a while ago and can only be bought used. You might
try getting it through interlibrary loan first.
It has wonderful photographs from all historical periods, and
includes jewelry from a vast geographical range as well. Once you
have studied the pictures of all that high-karat gold jewelry, and
actually worked with the high-karat gold in your hands, you’ll likely
be hooked, and you’ll find a way to sell such high-priced pieces.
Jessica Scofield
Kim -
I went to Fredricka’s school and it was one of the best experiences
of my life. I think about my time there every time I pour an ingot,
pull wire, roll sheet, make granules, size bezels, make ring shanks,
etc. She’s a fantastic person to be around, not to mention an awesome
teacher. With humor and patience she can make any metalsmith a better
metalsmith. Her respect for ancient techniques is inspiring and her
designs are amazing. Since my time there I 've mainly made granulated
pieces in FS, as 22k gold is too expensive for the level my business
is currently at-but I’m working my way there and would never have had
the confidence or the skills without Fredericka’s class. Go and have
a great time- I’m jealous!-
Susan McDonough
Hi everybody:
I am very late in saying thank you for all of the on my
continuing education question. I got a lot of good to
start with and some good book and museum recommendations. I have
checked out “Jewelry: 7000 Years” and would recommend it to anyone
who might be inspired by looking to the (ancient) past.
I am planning a trip to Ireland for the summer also…it’s a busy
year. I am thinking i will find lots of beauty and inspiration there
as well.
Thanks again,
Kim Starbard