Hello Orchid! My name is Quisha and I'm an emerging jewelry designer. I was inspired to start designing jewelry on a creative impulse ignited by the wonderful fabrics and textures, etc. that I would see while walking through the fashion district in New York City. I began wearing the pieces I made, and I received numerous compliments on them and well, long story short, I was eventually accepted into a designer incubator and also sold my pieces on consignment in a few boutiques in NYC. I've learned since then that if I really want to make jewelry design a second career, I need to acquire the skills necessary to create from a platform of limitless possibility. Therefore, I've chosen to expand my skill-set by learning metalsmithing, waxworking, etc. What has become brilliantly clear in the process is that I have A LOT to learn. I just moved to Los Angeles in March, and I'm currently taking my second class. One major challenge for me is that I really want to work in gold, but it's just too expensive. For now I've settled for bronze, but the tarnishing and other allergic reactions associated with the metal is not so appealing. And unfortunately, I'm not at all aesthetically drawn to silver. If anyone can offer a solution - as in a GREAT alternative to Gold other than Bronze or Brass or Plating - please, please let me know! Also, if anyone knows of job opportunities that support a work (as in paid)-study format, please inform me about that as well. I am very eager to learn and willing to work hard in the right environment! I'm excited to be a part of the Orchid forum and hope that I can be of help to someone as well as learn! Best, quisha; -