Hi Kimberly -
I’d like to respond to what you’ve said here:
When joining this list, I had hoped that I would find a place of
sharing knowledge and insight about the world of metalsmithing and
jewelry. I have huge amount of respect for the abilities of many
of the artists on this list. I dream of one day doing what you guys
are doing. I admire you.
[…]
I have lots of technical questions about my work and the work of
others, but I probably would never be brave enough to post them
for fear that you guys will eat me alive.
First, let me emphasize, strongly, that this list is all about
sharing knowledge and insight about the world of metalsmithing and
jewelry.
It’s also about discussing just about everything in the world of
metalsmithing and jewelry, which covers a lot of ground, including
voicing opinions. Lots of them, all points of view, positive and
negative, funny and sad, inspiring and discouraging.
What you will see are people absolutely willing to share their
knowledge and insight and techniques, being helpful to the greatest
degree possible. Even the questions that reveal the questioner to be
the most basic newbie, even the questions awkwardly or
incomprehensibly phrased because of lack of familiarity with the
English language or because the questioner is more skilled at art
than at written language are answered respectfully.
What you *won’t see is anyone being attacked for asking a question,
or for making themselves vulnerable to criticism in order to learn
more about their craft. No one, in the years that I have been here,
has been eaten alive, or ridiculed, or shamed.
I want to applaud you for having the courage to say these things,
and I want to reassure you that if you want to achieve your dream,
there is no better forum in which to do it, and no better group of
people from whom to learn.
Much success to you.
Linda