Career Jewelry Making Advice: DON'T DO IT! Jewelry Design, Jewelry Repair, Creating a Jewelry Line.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 มิ.ย. 2024
- If you have ever wanted to start a jewelry business, or pursue jewelry making and creation as a career, I have some advice for you..... DON'T DO IT! Find anything else to to get fulfillment!
BUT.... if you are still not detoured, Then I have some helpful guidance for you, and am here to Educate, Equip, and Encourage you.
I have been a professional jewelry maker for 40 years, and maybe I have picked up a thing or two to help you on your jewelry making journey.
From Jewelry Making, Design, Repair, Production, Consulting, Workshops, One-on-One Training, and more, I have a lot to offer you and help you along the way.
Our Organization consists of:
JewelryMonk.com (Training)
JewelrybyDeCory.com (Jewelry production)
DeCoryJewelryInstitute.com (Non-Profit Jewelry Trade School)
ElementsofSD.com (Retail)
So, if I haven't scared you off yet, and you are still persistent...... Lets Talk.
Doug Napier
I will never stop! No matter who tells me that im not cut out for it! I absolutely love it and wouldnt want to do anything else with the rest of my time on this earth! You're right its not for everyone!
Brennan, you get it, and I am excited you are hooked!
Everything you said is absolutely correct. And you can never have enough tools...
Just one more tool and I will be happy.........
Let's all say this together: YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH TOOLS! 😂
@@HereWeAre__01 YES!!!
@@DougNapierJewelryMonkdo you thinks it’s possible to become a successful jeweller from online?
@@kcconnell8905 I do. Learn a concept, and practice it until you are confident. Then, learn another concept and repeat.
LOL. I actually got ANGRY when I heard the first few lines! I was alllll prepared to say 'who do you think you are?!' as I head out to my studio, laptop in hand, listening to the rest of the post. THANK YOU for this. This week has been hell week in my studio. So many things have gone wrong, and each and every time they did, I started again, and each and every time I started again (or augmented an original plan to accommodate the mess up), I ended up with a lovely new piece. Here it is week's end, and I'm looking at a lineup of all of the things I made, and in none of it is any clue that I struggled so much in my studio. That lineup is what makes me keep going. (Also, I now know what NOT to do in about 5 different ways based on my mess ups this week, and I've also learned 5 different ways to improvise or reroute plans).
Thank you for the message, Yes, You are My People! Keep keepin' on!
Doug
Workshop heaven! There will be a line of tool salesman heading for your workshop and you after seeing this with their new products. A different character completely from a flash salesman. Love it, must buy a few more bits of kit, but no bench or even floor space left! You know you are in trouble when you sell thousands of bits on ebay over 4 years but still cannot see any difference or any bench top free.
Hello, thanks for sharing your story & tutorials.
My career in law enforcement introduced me to the world of jewelers & jewelery making back in 1994.
At the time, I was assigned to a task force investigating jewelry thieves. We were trained by members of the jewelry alliance in how to recognize or identify gold & diamonds. As a result, I spent some time in jewelry stores back rooms watching jewelers do their magic.
It wasn't long b4 I started buying new & used tools. I took a couple of training courses & impressed myself with how I became a silversmith.
A few years later, my main job became too demanding, so I put all my tools away. Recently I retired & picked up where I left it, buying more tools, crating a small studio & making some very nice pieces that I sell mainly through Facebook marketplace.
I love the craft & love to hear about people like you.
Thanks..
Thanks for sharing your story, that is what it is truly about, the love of the craft that cannot evade, even with time. Keep on going!
Great advice for anyone wanting to get into the jewelry business.
😂 100% true! The first few years if any profits, go into buying new tools and growing your studio. Hardest business I’ve ever started but it’s the one that has made me happiest.
Starting your day creating and looking forward to seeing a finished piece that you’re working so hard at, is well worth the struggles. And if you have a bad day, keep calm, go paint for a couple of hours or meditate and your creativity will come back to you allowing to finish that masterpiece. Then sell it and go buy another tool with the profit. 😊
You Get it! Great words of advice.
That's what I've always liked, the repair, and retrofitting of existing jewelry 😊
Thank you so so much for doing this Doug, love your mission and vision and I'm definitely going to follow you in the future!
You are welcome!
Thanks for sharing your shop and thoughts! I couldn't agree more with your advice. It takes a kind of stubborn dedication to keep going sometimes but it's worth it. I'm hoping to create a line of jewelry soon with a particularly special message and purpose if I can sort out the logistical and production challenges in my limited shop. Keep up the good work and God bless!
Joshua, I look forward to hearing more about your purpose. Follow your heart.
Man, Doug this is very inspiring, I’ve been watching video after video after video and have gotten so many great ideas thanks to you, Thanks man
Jacob, you are welcome.
I love what you said about repair being good for your heart. Beautiful!
Thank you. It is one of the joys of what we do.
I'm glad I came across this post. Not because of the advice to quit, but the encouragement to keep going.
I am definitely going to have to watch more of your videos.
I am glad you got past the first minute or so. :) Keep it up!
A fantastic journey Mr. Doug!!!🎉😊
Thank you, it definitely is!
WOW! I am impressed by your studio!
Thank you. Years in the making.
Jewellery as a way of life!
I love these words!
This is more than an idea !
It’s My dream my goal…
To fully amerce yourself in the creative process is to me as needful as the air I breath 💓💓💓
Well said.
Andrew Berry introduced me to you. Fascinating Tour Doug. You certainly have dedicated yourself to your passion and vision. Good sound advice. I'm definitely in, however the weather turns. I've known it since I first came across Andrew at the very start some months ago. Cheers and all the best.
Thanks Allan, Andrew is a gem! Keep at it!
Finally someone has put into words what I've tried to explain why I do this. Thank you!
Sarah, you are welcome.
Thx Doug for the advice...perfect timing as i have these very same questions
My pleasure. Good luck.
How you doing I was watching your video I like it I started making jewelry for fun custom bracelet beads and earrings and stuff my friend taught me and I started to eat every single kind of string and stretch your stretch magical is the best one I use I even made my own jewelry tools I even made my own
We are so fortunate to have guys like you and John that give and give and give all for the love of jewellery making; thank you so much 👍😊
Wow. Thank you for the kind words. Just trying to give back in a small way to the craft.
@@DougNapierJewelryMonk I been looking going to collage for repairing and designing jewelry
You are my people!!
Thanks for the helpful advice and info, creating jewelry is a true passion of mine, I started with lapidary and thought, if I'm cutting and polishing up all this, why not learn to set in silver!
Welcome to the Rabbit-Hole! It is really a safe place. :)
@@DougNapierJewelryMonk I love it!
My dad was dabbling with jewelry making back in the 70’s before I was born, so I never really knew what he loved about jewelry making in general. But after watching this video I am just now starting to realize what he was so excited about when he was making his jewelry. Doug I would like to know more about the jewelry institute and what it takes to make a great piece of jewelry for myself and someone who can enjoy wearing it.
Howdy. We are still in the process of putting together the institute, but I am launching a series of jewelry workshops in 2024.
I recently filled the government paperwork for my jewelry making business in Greece and I just saw this terrifying title 😱 and because your advices have helped me a lot the last five years that I trained myself I didn't know if I should watch that video to learn I made a huge mistake 😂 but I am brave and I watched it 😁 great as always 😊 Thank you sir
Congrats! Sorry to scare you, but you passed the test. Welcome to the Rabbit-Hole!
@@DougNapierJewelryMonk 😁😇
Im still here Doug,I've been teaching disabled people how to making jewellery and I've now taken on a apprentice, i always pick up tips from you and this channel,I'm the same as you Doug when i comes to jewellery repair 😊
Annie, Thank you! It is your spirit and dedication that keeps us as a jewellery community alive.
thank you so much for this video i really needed this and i will reach out to you soon. I set a goal for my self for this year i want to pursue a jewelry repair/custom jewelry making career
You are very welcome. Feel free to get ahold of me.
A brilliant video! New subscriber from the UK. And I really wish we had jewellers like you in this country! I've been making jewellery (yes we spell it differently😀) for around 12 years or so now as a hobby. I agree on the tool thing, I ended up having to build a workshop at the bottom of my garden for all the tools and equipment I've bought over the years and it's STILL not big enough! I'm still doing it as a hobby but I do pay for training with a master Jeweller based in Australia. I've stalled a little recently but I'll get back into it as I always do. It's a lifetime thing for me now, I'm too far in to stop now.
Paul, Welcome to the rabbit-hole. Now that we have you hooked, I hope you find time to create and create joy for yourself and others. I was in the UK a few months ago consulting with The Royal Mint on a jewelry project they are launching. Next time I go back I will have to send you a message, maybe we can grab a tea or a Guinness.
Doug
@@DougNapierJewelryMonk rabbit-hole, a fantastic way to describe it. I'm off work for a few days now so hopefully, in-between motorbike riding and a few other jobs, I might get at the bench. When you get back here let me know and I'll see what I can do for a brew or a pint. Cheers!
How lovely to see you again Doug. I hope you’re well, you sure look well. Yep, I’m still creating. This is who and ❤what I am now. Xxx
I do agree with you about repairs. I charge very little, but the customers are so grateful that their precious item is wearable again.
Thank you! I am well. Keep at it!
Thanks Doug!
My pleasure Jim.
Awesome, Doug !
Thanks Johnny.
I was scared your video might scare me away, but then I was like, Well its best to know the good, the bad and the ugly so I'd better watch. Glad I did! If I lived in SD I would totally be interested in classes.
Maybe you can teach online jewelry classes some day?
Thanks. I am glad you did. If I can detour a person easily, then this craft is probably not for them, but the ones who truly love being a jewelry maker are going to persevere no matter what I say.
I do have a few online classes available at JewelryMonk.com and plan on more soon.
Thanks for reaching out.
Doug
Me to 38yrs ! In the blood 3rd generation ! Thank you cool stuff !
My pleasure. Thanks.
Duuuuuuude you are not lying! I have wanted to be in this business for my whole life. I love what I do. it’s a compulsion
It is a disease...... a good disease, but one none the less.
@@DougNapierJewelryMonk i was fortunate to be offered a small store front at a reasonable rent for our locale. Its tough to make it all go but i am happy at what i do.
My first reply, thanks. Thinking Chasse and Repousse, an idea, having pulled a large old transformer apart there are some marvellous thin plates of iron. Cut one into a shape with a pair of scissors ( or Wiss aircraft sheet cutters) place against soft metal sheet but put1mm sheet Neoprene on the opposite side and roll through the roller. Would it bulge like repousse on the other side and could then be chased or perhaps lightly patterned, just an idea. I am not a jeweller, so apologies if this is old hat. Soft drink cans can also be cut with scissors and of course cut outs could be made also. If the stencil was made on the laser cutter then there is vast potential, including photos of cats etc, very tacky but good profit
I have to agree with you, I loved doing it and did it for years, I worked for someone else for a few years and then started my own shop with nearly no money, I did the repairs as well as casting and custom design and I worked around the clock 2 - 4 days straight and got about 2 - 4 hours worth of sleep between times and was scraping to pay the bills,I finally got really burned out and had to do something else, I did a good job but I was not fast enough at it to make enough money doing it to make it worthwhile, so if the person is slow at doing any of it they need to find something else they like or can do so they can make a good or at least a decent living.
I have a friend of mine that has or had a jewelry supply in Oklahoma City that was putting in a school like you are talking about but the insurance was too high for it to be worthwhile for him to do it, however I don't think his was a nonprofit so that might make enough of a difference where you can make yours work, I hope things work out for you.
Great insight Loren. Thanks.
Very true!
I wish it wasn't. thanks for watching.
I've been making wire jewelry for 3 years now.. And I'm ready to start making real jewelry now.. Making wire jewelry is fun.. But now I'm ready to take it to the next level
Go for it!
Great video
Thank you!
I find it funny you said run.... Sadly I'm unable to run, I'm lucky to be able to walk on a good day. I better stick with it
I cant do repair work - too nervous with the resposibility
Niche market so interesting
so I'm a teenager who took a "what's the best career for you?" quiz and I'm afraid I'm about to jump into a rabbit hole, wish me luck!
Congratulations and welcome to the craft. If you need and advice, feel free to reach out.
I am considering creating some jewelry designs, it would dovetail nicely with an artistic business I already have. I think, as an entrepreneur, that knowing something about scaleability, revenue streams, and budgeting/pricing is very, very helpful.... as you create, you can think, how can I monetize this - and mindfully retain the creative aspect that I love. :)
Great insight!
Smart man
Thanks, but I wouldn't go THAT far......
Don’t forget about all the people that want nice things that they can’t afford to buy, but can afford to make for themselves
That’s how it starts, then we want to turn it into a business and it changes from there.
Good advice lol. I’m too far in though. I need an apprenticeship
Too bad you weren’t closer……..
I'm probably in the minority here, but I think I'll keep jewelry as a hobby 😂 I've gone back and forth on the question of going pro for about a decade. I'm middle aged and have certain responsibilities, etc. No worries though, it's still a great hobby and I love it. My weekly class at a local art center is a big part of my social life. I'm open to changing my mind some day, but for right now this is where I'm at 😊
I like that you have thought it through. Keep doing what you enjoy.
Doug
Getting tools , gee that is hard living in Australia . Getting better tools besides beadsmith is very hard . I find I need tools with a better grip but they are too expensive to get from the USA. Tools let me down on advancing from just simple jewellery because of the bad tools here. Kym
I just recently obtained some draw plates. I’m looking for a temporary draw stand holder until I’m able to upgrade to a proper stand for the draw plates.
Please reply your suggestions.
I just use a table top vise.
@@DougNapierJewelryMonk
I do not have a large bench vise. If I did right now I’d be pulling my work bench across the room. I have to make due with the space I have right now. I’m daydreaming of a garage!
I’m liking this idea.
th-cam.com/video/KsRrfRJDSiU/w-d-xo.html
However they would both have flaws. It’s quite tough getting that first drawn wire completed. I’m learning the hard way.
The Durston draw bench is ideal but not while in a hobby level. I don’t have the finances to purchase all the best stuff, nor do I inherit anything. I’m on my own.
I have done it the super hard way, lay on your back and pull through the draw plate while supporting the plate with the bottom of both shoes. Warning…. Don’t hit yourself in the nose when it releases. Haha
If you don’t mind could you send me in the right direction for diamonds? I’m wanting to start to practice making jewelry.
Sorry, no help.
I want to do jewelry but I don't have any space in my room to put equipment or make a setup/studio. :[
Just do what you can with the space you have. Don't let ANYTHING be your excuse.
two years ago I was put in a wheel chair because of an accident , some time shortly after I ran into a tutorial video and being broke from not being able to work I replicated what I saw to produce a gift for a freind , ive been hooked ever since , i dont have many tools but i would love to find a way to learn more , i would love a chance to speak to you about what my options would look like or how to go bout finding an apprenticeship if you have the time to speak with me that is
What kind of jewelry are you wanting to make?
You need a microscope. The quality of my engraved belt buckles improved drastically when I bought mine.
How much i need money to start off jewelry business thank you
It just might cost all you have.
You ever get into filigree? By hand
I have. It has been a while, but I have done quite a bit of it.
I'm CAD Disainer if you want ayam kamig
Yeah I guess if more people did it there wouldn't be enough business for you!
Dang, you have me figured out.......
And now after I've made a fortune add got to go all over the place I am a disgruntled old man that's going to boohoo and tell you not to do it
Busted! Bahahaha
DOug thank you for the inspiration, what is your email again so I can reach out to you im very interested in your schooling thats offered.
Russell, you can find my contact info at JewelryMonk.com
I left before all the good advice, can I still be one of your people.
Ummmmmmm
Ok!