Hi Mark and others
I think it's the basic bench skills that you have to perfect.
Too many people skip trying to 'master' the basics of soldering,
sawing, shaping, setting, finishing, etc and want to jump to custom
work too early.
Two very true statements.
If you do not master the basics, you will NEVER make precision
jewellery. Yes you can write an “artist statement” and say it is
supposed to look like that. But you will NEVER impress someone who
has mastered the basics. And you will NEVER sell to a jewellery
educated customer. The design might be good but inferior execution
will always be a limiting factor. I see some very basic designs, but
the quality of execution is very impressive and gains my admiration.
Someone has worked hard and done an excellent job.
It takes time and hard work to get on top of basic/fundamental
skills. If you do not do this you will eventually hit a brick wall
with the customers.
When I was at jewellery school we were being asked to do repairs by
customers. Our teacher told us to wait ten years of bench time before
we did. Sage advice. Those who ignored it soon found out why
experience is necessary. It did not end well. I really admire people
who can repair jewellery, personally not for me.
Do not rush, keep within your skill level and when you have achieved
precision, extend your self.
The internet is full of people who self-promote their jewellery and
do not make good designs or quality of finish.
Looked at a site the other day and there was the self promoter with
a picture of them with a hammer. Choking the hammer, does not even
know how to use a basic tool but the artist statement was all about
how brilliant a crafts person they are.
I saw a demonstration by two blacksmiths. I was standing next to a
tradesman and asked what he thought.
“Can’t use a hammer what a joke.” One had a big bandage on his hand,
while teaching LOL a class had picked up a piece of hot iron. A basic
mistake. Don’t know how to use a hammer yet teach, how sad.
Went to an exhibition of jewellery with my class mates, one of
Australia’s premier government run Art jewellery schools.
We all agreed our teacher would have told us to take it apart and do
it properly. But had great artist’s statements.
It may not be exciting, at times incredibly boring and frustrating,
but ultimately mastering the basic skills will pay dividends.
There is not ONE quality crafts person on Orchid who has not done
this. I think many could not write an “Artist statement” but
certainly make fine quality precision jewellery. And out sell the Art
jewellers.
Decades ago I was at a friend’s place who had a Warhol silk screen
print of Mick Jagger. I did not think much of Warhol till I saw his
work first hand. On close inspection I could see he had mastered the
basics of screen printing and combined it with quality design.
So newbies by mastering the basics of this craft, you will be able
to extend your design skills and make quality.
On the business aspect if you make plain rings bands or twisties or
like me specialise in bezel set solitaires as well as plain bands and
twisties you will make a profit. Because the hours spent mastering
these aspects of the jewellery craft will pay you back in the long
run.
Keep practising you will improve and then you can extend you design
skills into actual pieces.
Jewellery is cheaper than therapy
Richard