Material amounts for a very small class

Jewelry Discussion
1

I am considering setting up a very small class i.e. 2-3 in my
workshop for absolute beginners. How much i.e. wire/sheet to buy in
to supply the student – or maybe do I start them off with wire
only…or sheet & what thickness’s etc? I really hope you can help &
look forward to your reply!

Gill

2

When I teach beginners, I either have a fixed curriculum- which
allows me to make a good guess about what metals they’ll need to do
it- or if they have specific interests we discuss them ahead of time
to I can get the materials they need (and make sure that their
ambitions are reasonable!).

Amanda Fisher
http://www.afmetalsmith.com

3 
I am considering setting up a very small class i.e. 2-3 in my
workshop for absolute beginners. How much i.e. wire/sheet to buy
in to supply the student -- or maybe do I start them off with wire
only..or sheet& what thickness's etc?

Gill, I’d advise starting such a class off with a project which they
would each make. This would tell you what supplies you need to buy
(or ask them to bring). There are lots of free, simple projects
on-line and in books and back issues of jewelrymaking magazines. Some
projects allow for variations in design, which will please the more
adventuresome of your beginners. Any project should teach several
processes at once. I use a “folded pin,” which teaches sawing,
filing, folding, polishing, possibly drilling and stamping, and the
use of a patina. I love seeing the variations my students come up
with!

Judy Bjorkman

4

Pick a project, buy materials for that project and sell them to the
students at a small markup to cover your postage, gas and time.
Remember that beginners mess up and will need extra bezel wire or
sheet because they will mangle or melt it. If you work from a
specific project, you will have better control of your class and you
can tell them upfront what it all will cost.

Judy Hoch

5

Hi Judy, thanks for the advice. The secret is to make it fun for them
with a positive conclusion to go home with a piece they’ve made
themselves.

I want to make sure I cover all areas of being a competent teacher &
want to get it right. Did I hear the word perfectionist?!

Kind regards
Gill Bridgestock
www.gillbridgestock.net

6

Dear Gill,

The Bjorkman’s are offering a good idea. I will only add that when I
was an apprentice, we were taught first to SAW. Use a 3x3 inch sheet
of 18 gauge copper and have your students saw straight lines, wavy
lines, zig-zag lines, circles, hearts, etc. Until they can do it with
ease and proficiency.

It is the most basic and necessary of skills, which if not taught
properly will hinder the most creative mind and doom any attempt at
jewelry making to poor craftsmanship.

Feel free to email me off-forum for curriculum ideas and projects.
I’d be happy to share.

Nanz Aalund