Are there any tutorials on jewelry design for beginners that I could
refer others to?
Hi Zach;
Are there any tutorials on jewelry design for beginners
I’m going to respond to this candidly, I hope usefully, so I hope it
will not seem that I’m being critical. First, the very notion that
there can exist a “tutorial” on jewelry design is akin to the notion
that there exists a pamphlet that can entirely explain carpentry
(but birdhouses specifically, I’d say yes). There’s a little more to
it. Jewelry design is an art and a discipline, and it is built on the
more general principals of design that apply to many other creations
both artistic and commercial. It has a history as long and complex
as the history of Art, and it overlaps that history considerably.
Ideally, you’d begin by studying “design”, in the broader sense. Then
narrow your studies to the more specific 3-D design, finally, jewelry
design. If you don’t build the foundation necessary to design, in
general, most likely what will happen is that you will only imitate
the work of others, until you finally begin to evolve your own
limited style, if even that ever happens.
Go to your local library and look up “design”. Look at what you can
find without resorting to “jewelry design” right away. Get a feel
for what the whole idea of “design” is, then you can proceed to
jewelry specific applications of design theory. And never stay
exclusively in the area of jewelry design for you research or you’ll
become too focused too soon on a very limited element of all the
great things that are being done in so many media. You’ll also need
to understand the mechanics of the traditional craft of jewelry
making. And this is best done by actual classroom or one-on-one
instruction. Although you can really make jewelry any way you want
to, from any thing you want to, you will most likely want to be able
to take advantage of existing markets. I think the galleries aren’t
much interested in selling “virtual” jewelry just yet. There’s more
in the average library than you’ll ever make use of. And everything
you research can point to new sources of and inspiration.
But finally, for every beginner willing to pursue the study and
practice that are necessary to design good, original jewelry, there
are thousands looking for that shortcut. The odds of success for
that latter group aren’t as bad as that of hitting the lottery, but
they are, in my opinion, not good enough.
David L. Huffman
Zach,
If you want to access some helpful jewelry lessons, go to
www.professionaljeweler.com. From there, go to ARCHIVES, then to JA
CERTIFICATE STUDY SESSION ARCHIVES, then to JA BENCH CERTIFICATION.
From there, you will get a menu to chose all kinds of jewelry
topics.
Enjoy,
Donna Shimazu
I was actually replying to a post about this David. I dunno what
happened. I think gmail screwed something up. I think it was from the
Matrix vs 3design thread. Anyways I think it was referring to tuts
for jewelry on Rhino. I was going to say check out Cadwax.com
Sorry you had to type all that for nothing 
Hi Zach;
I was actually replying to a post about this David. I dunno what happened. I think gmail screwed something up. Sorry you had to type all that for nothing :)
Well, now it makes sense. Couldn’t figure where someone got the idea
that there was a tutorial on jewelry design. Of course, Matrix has
tutorials. I’d really like to see an actual book on CAD programs,
general and specific. Tutorials are awkward for me. The format
doesn’t suit my learning habits very well. As for typing all that,
well, I’m trained as a touch typist, so I can whip out opinions
faster than I can think them through. Anyway, Donna Shimazu came
up with a good resource for us as a result of all this.
Best.
David L. Huffman
Zach, while I agree with David Huffman’s remarks, I would add the
following. Color can be a big part of design. There is a nice, brief,
free “tutorial” on that subject on. For other helps, go to a large
library with a variety of jewelrymaking books and look in their
tables of contents for an approach to design that would be useful to
you.
Good luck to you. It has taken me 20 years to be able to occasionally
design something I really like (I’m a “process” person). It was
helpful for me just to see and study (in books) other people’s work
and let all that marinate in my brain.
Judy Bjorkman
Color can be a big part of design. There is a nice, brief, free "tutorial" on that subject on. For other helps...
Judy, the tutorial link was absent from your post. Would you mind
resending?
Lee
Some quick notes on teaching Jewelry Design Class:
Students are for the most part shocked when they realize that part
of being a jewelry designer is learning to understand what ‘Jewelry’
is… literally, by definition.
‘Design’ = simply the look and feel of something, is not a
mysterious and unattainable goal that you place in your future.
Learning how to use a pencil can be a difficult challenge for
beginners.
Practice and more practice is the only way to become “good” at
anything, including the ability to develop a concept, and being able
to describe or sketch your concept for others.
I believe that one-on-one tutorial and/or instruction is the best
way to acquire the basic skills one needs in order to begin to
develop their own style, their own techniques, and the ability to
effectively communicate about what they want to create.
It’s truly an honor and a privlege to passionately teach people
about what I love to do. We owe it to our friends and asssociates
who taught us about jewelry design in the past to share our
knowledge and experience with those who admire our passion for the
Jewelry Industry in the present. “Pay It Forward”
All the best to everyone !
Marge Mersky
www.deepdetail.com
www.mmwaxmmodels.com
Margie Mersky Custom Designs, INC
Studio Line 952-920-1355
Color can be a big part of design. There is a nice, brief, free "tutorial" on that subject on.
In my recent comments on this topic, the relevant website
disappeared. It is Connie Fox’s website (www.conniefox.com)
Judy Bjorkman
I seem to remember that Charles L-B has written some design
exercises (and I have a hard copy somewhere…) but I don’t see it
listed in his writings on ganoksin - maybe someone else knows where
it is available?
here’s the one thing I did find: Compositional Hints for Working
Jewellers
Ivy S. Fasko
Contemporary Handcrafted Jewelry
http://www.ivysfasko.com
I seem to remember that Charles L-B has written some design exercises
Hi Ivy, here you go!
best
Charles
Get a copy of the amazing book by an Orchidian, Adolfo Marriello,
“Techniques of Jewelry Illustration and Color rendering” ISBN
0-9644193-0-0
You can get it through Rio.
Mark
In the upcoming May 2006 Issue of Art Jewelry magazine There is a
beginning metals Design Challenge titled “Train the Brain” by Mary
Lee Hu!
Of course Charles’ tutorials are great… and I would highly
recommend The Art of JEWELRY MAKING, by Alan Revere with illustrations
by a wonderful jewelry design teacher who is sadly no longer with us,
George McLean.
Nanz Aalund
Associate Editor / Art Jewelry magazine
21027 Crossroads Circle / Waukesha WI 53187-1612
262.796.8776 ext.228