I think any art degree has to be seen as an end in itself - something you do because you love to make art, not as a training for a life in work. I started out with a one year art & design further education course after leaving school, in which I had specialised in ceramics. I began making jewellery after finishing - it wasn't very good and I was using limited materials and techniques, but had plenty of enthusiasm. I applied for a post as a jeweller's apprentice and took along some pieces - mostly using plastics, beads & leather, but I felt demonstrated that enthusiasm and genuine interest in pursuing it. The owner told me he "didn't think a bird could do the job" (using the required strength needed to hand-draw wire as justification for this). The successful candidate was one of my peers from college who had absolutely no interest in metal or 3D design whatsoever. I returned to further education a few years later to study Art & Design & went on to complete a degree in Fine Art with Photography. After failing to get ANY job in the arts. I ended up in mental health. Though sometimes using those skills to teach workshops, those opportunities waned as I moved into staff and service management. Only ill health has forced me out of this work and back into the studio (motivation is always a problem when you have full time work outside the arts). I've spent the last 4 years learning techniques from the bottom, with only some art & design skills and a desire to make beautiful things to prop me up. I'm far from expert, and make & sell at a very slow rate - lots of watching, reading and practicing in a tiny 7' square home studio! I know I'm still very much at the beginning of this education, but I'm slowly building the skills I need to increase the techniques I can incorporate into my work (I began with wire-wrapping). Without question, actually doing something is the only way to learn it, and much of my work is still in copper, so that my primary investment is my time, of which I have plenty, but I do make in silver more than I did, as my experience increases. I don't regret getting my art degree or the 3 years in further art education before it, but it served simply to provide me with the freedom to "be an artist" for 6 years and explore anything and everything my creative mind wished. Had the one-man jeweller I applied to join as an apprentice in 1986 not been a raging mysogynist, my career and education would likely have followed an entirely different path!
I live on an island where there is no jewelry education, not even a serious proffesional who teachs or makes any course. I mean, nothing. And of course, I have no money to travel to wherever... So I decided to learn by my own (from scratch... with ZERO knowledge and 28yrs old...). The result: Internet + Books + Passion + My hands. Sometimes I think it's a HUGE mistake but it's my only option. Wish me luck.
Faby That’s where I’m at in the game except I’m located in the states where there are plenty of schools, but my issue is I’m dependent on state funding to pay for my education, and they denied my requests because they said there wasn’t a big enough job market to justify using taxpayers dollars to support that line of work. It’s very frustrating because I’m a paraplegic who 26, motivated, determined, and willing to do what ever it takes to get in the industry. So I finally became an apprentice by showing other Jewelers how determined I am to become one myself. I went to every jewelry shop in my town trying to get a foot in the door and they basically put their foot in my face. Now I’m beyond blessed to have such a great boss who lets me practice at a bench to acquire the skills necessary to become a Jeweler. Keep grinding and proving your worth, and I promise it’ll pay off. You just got to stay motivated!👨🏻🏭
Jeremy I only want to say thank you for the motivation, it means a lot (sometimes we feel better when we share our "shit" with strangers, don't you think?). You're more than determined, you are an inspiration. Good luck in your journey and I'll remember your words!
The guy that taught me had a repair school and a retail store as well. He would hire some of his students and they would work for a period of time for free. Then he would start their wages. Experience is key. Thank you for sharing this video. 🇨🇦😎
Great points Andrew! It's an issue that young people face when they leave college. I have seen this happened almost every time. I hope people that want gain/back up their Collage/University knowledge will follow your advice.
Before I retired, I was a tailor. I was new in a shop at one point, and a co-worker asked me if I like to use a seam ripper, or a razor blade to disassemble garments. My reply was, whatever works! I also dabble in making jewelry. Artisan level- I sell on ETSY, and my customers seem pleased. When I was learning- no, scratch that- . When I was beginning to learn, I looked at everybody, I read every book, and looked at every video (including about a year from our wonderful Andrew Berrys' website school). I find the diverse ways people work gives me a wide ability in design, and techniques, so I can approach each task with more and more confidence as I go along, and an increased ability to "think out of the box". I even look at videos on things I have long mastered, and find I can still learn new things, and even disagree with a fair amount of confidence that I'm right! Stay open, always feel you can learn something new about even the basics. Whatever works!
University is definitely NOT the real world. I've asked (begged) 4 "shops" (independent jewelers that have their own store with a bench) to let me work for nothing and just learn - including cleaning toilets and sales. Most places here in Hawaii at least, don't want anybody to see what they do because they're all panicked about being copied. When I ask to learn about repairs in particular in my initial query, all four gave me some version of this: "Tell anyone, you 'don't do repairs', repairs are a nightmare, no one is ever satisfied and they will sue you, walk away from any and all repairs". I keep learning and asking and practicing (and looking for repairs that people will trust me to try).....it's a rough world out there, and that is WITHOUT a degree that mummy and daddy (or loans) paid for.
Excellent points. My experience is going it alone. Buying my tools. Then doing it. I’m on the edge of my tools Being the reason I could Sell what the tools can produce. I have no formal edu in this I’m simply doing it. I agree with you.
@@Coleman77 same here, my formal education is IT. The advice given applies to any degree. I had the same experience with IT, no one wants to hire you without experience. I'm glad I found I really enjoy making jewelry and I can make some money while working full time and get my skills up to par as a hobby. I plan on going to fairs and what not to make a few bucks, it's slow rolling when you have no professional contacts though. Social media makes it less expensive these days to get your name and brand out to the public.
SheffieldM Jewels the happy customer will tell the world for you. I tried the work fair thing but when money is tight they grab other things over metal. Keep learning. If you need easy metal to create with use copper. Silver will move the same. Temps vary though. Practice with copper. Sell copper. Clean copper with ketchup water soak. Looks nice and rosy awhile. I’m going to follow you on my other channel. I’m not real active on it as life has not allowed it. Use earnings to get your tools. My other channel is where I moved all my future crafting to.
SheffieldM Jewels I followed your channel. Mine is th-cam.com/channels/FtINJUiYhu0v-6AEfzLgaQ.html I’ll be adding more content there I hope by March. Why? This channel has other content I find interesting.
That’s where I’m at in the game except I’m located in the states where there are plenty of schools, but my issue is I’m dependent on state funding to pay for my education, and they denied my requests because they said there wasn’t a big enough job market to justify using taxpayers dollars to support that line of work. It’s very frustrating because I’m a paraplegic who 26, motivated, determined, and willing to do what ever it takes to get in the industry. So I finally became an apprentice by showing other Jewelers how determined I am to become one myself. I went to every jewelry shop in my town trying to get a foot in the door and they basically put their foot in my face. Now I’m beyond blessed to have such a great boss who lets me practice at a bench to acquire the skills necessary to become a Jeweler one day as I’m still learning and am only 6 months into my apprenticeship. Keep grinding and proving your worth, and I promise it’ll pay off. You just got to stay motivated and prove your worth and skill set. What’s your thoughts, or anyone else’s on becoming a Gemologists and Jeweler? In my mind, it makes sense to become one so I can better understand how to work with precious stones and to be able to handle them properly. Any thoughts or suggestions as I progress in becoming a Jeweler/Gemologists? instagram.com/jeremys_jewelry_journey?r=nametag
Very interesting. I would agree absolutely (with the reservation that those who are dedicated to learning receive at least their expenses in a work experience setting - no one can live without money and this was always offered to me, in recognition of my sincere will to learn) I have been priveledged to work alongside a German master goldsmith this year. I am not young and not completely inexperienced but I consider this year as a kind of apprenticeship. His approach is also to learn as much as you can in a work setting and 'steal with the eyes'. I was taken on to do repair work (I blagged my way in - my attitude won me the job even if experience was lacking). My work quality is vastly improved and I love work everyday. I have a new work place in the new year (my contract was always limited with my current employer) Seeing inside lots of different workshops is a massive priveledge and education and I would say, however much you know always appreciate that you can learn something new. The best are always learning. I have my own workshop and I really hope I can give back in kind one day soon and offer work experience to those starting out.
I emailed you previously, I worked for a silversmith, and did other work for him-although I did some sales work for him and hung around the shop when I wasn't doing gardening or painting/renovation work. I did some polishing, and not much other jewelry work. Always wanted to learn , it is great fun, an apprenticeship is best, it has to be. Working at apprentice wages is the standard in most trades.
Hi I'm going to be 40 in a couple of weeks and I have been looking to get some sort of experience in a workshop in the North West UK, however when I ask I am met with silence. I am looking into moving to the South so I can try there and maybe even get on to a Goldsmiths Centre apprenticeship. Do you have any advice? See you at Makers Central.
had to try out my dremel torch fofirst time and needed to google a video-their instructions with the kit awful. I got it! First practice on annealing a scrap of stainless(silverplate) to get used to the torch and to heat treat the steel,. It is the tines I sawed off from a silverplate fork. I am going to play with the scraps shaping, and then anneal the fork handle and try flush setting into it. I bought 7 silverplate forks just for the practice, they were cheap enough. It is best to have a tutor to help you along, I think, it is no education without the experience, in my experience, I wish I was apprenticing in your shop in "the bloody UK" ha ha ha!!!
Ray You can prove it by making an item. Buy the material use their tools. May or may not be applicable. Bench jeweler runs the shop in the end. But teamwork will keep it running. 👍
I think any art degree has to be seen as an end in itself - something you do because you love to make art, not as a training for a life in work. I started out with a one year art & design further education course after leaving school, in which I had specialised in ceramics. I began making jewellery after finishing - it wasn't very good and I was using limited materials and techniques, but had plenty of enthusiasm. I applied for a post as a jeweller's apprentice and took along some pieces - mostly using plastics, beads & leather, but I felt demonstrated that enthusiasm and genuine interest in pursuing it. The owner told me he "didn't think a bird could do the job" (using the required strength needed to hand-draw wire as justification for this). The successful candidate was one of my peers from college who had absolutely no interest in metal or 3D design whatsoever.
I returned to further education a few years later to study Art & Design & went on to complete a degree in Fine Art with Photography. After failing to get ANY job in the arts. I ended up in mental health. Though sometimes using those skills to teach workshops, those opportunities waned as I moved into staff and service management. Only ill health has forced me out of this work and back into the studio (motivation is always a problem when you have full time work outside the arts). I've spent the last 4 years learning techniques from the bottom, with only some art & design skills and a desire to make beautiful things to prop me up. I'm far from expert, and make & sell at a very slow rate - lots of watching, reading and practicing in a tiny 7' square home studio! I know I'm still very much at the beginning of this education, but I'm slowly building the skills I need to increase the techniques I can incorporate into my work (I began with wire-wrapping). Without question, actually doing something is the only way to learn it, and much of my work is still in copper, so that my primary investment is my time, of which I have plenty, but I do make in silver more than I did, as my experience increases. I don't regret getting my art degree or the 3 years in further art education before it, but it served simply to provide me with the freedom to "be an artist" for 6 years and explore anything and everything my creative mind wished. Had the one-man jeweller I applied to join as an apprentice in 1986 not been a raging mysogynist, my career and education would likely have followed an entirely different path!
I live on an island where there is no jewelry education, not even a serious proffesional who teachs or makes any course. I mean, nothing. And of course, I have no money to travel to wherever... So I decided to learn by my own (from scratch... with ZERO knowledge and 28yrs old...). The result: Internet + Books + Passion + My hands. Sometimes I think it's a HUGE mistake but it's my only option. Wish me luck.
Hawaii?
@@flyingcheff nop, one of the Canary Islands.
Faby That’s where I’m at in the game except I’m located in the states where there are plenty of schools, but my issue is I’m dependent on state funding to pay for my education, and they denied my requests because they said there wasn’t a big enough job market to justify using taxpayers dollars to support that line of work. It’s very frustrating because I’m a paraplegic who 26, motivated, determined, and willing to do what ever it takes to get in the industry. So I finally became an apprentice by showing other Jewelers how determined I am to become one myself. I went to every jewelry shop in my town trying to get a foot in the door and they basically put their foot in my face. Now I’m beyond blessed to have such a great boss who lets me practice at a bench to acquire the skills necessary to become a Jeweler. Keep grinding and proving your worth, and I promise it’ll pay off. You just got to stay motivated!👨🏻🏭
Jeremy I only want to say thank you for the motivation, it means a lot (sometimes we feel better when we share our "shit" with strangers, don't you think?). You're more than determined, you are an inspiration. Good luck in your journey and I'll remember your words!
Faby Yes, I agree and thank you for saying that😊 That means a lot and I wish you luck on your journey!
The guy that taught me had a repair school and a retail store as well. He would hire some of his students and they would work for a period of time for free. Then he would start their wages. Experience is key. Thank you for sharing this video. 🇨🇦😎
Great points Andrew! It's an issue that young people face when they leave college. I have seen this happened almost every time. I hope people that want gain/back up their Collage/University knowledge will follow your advice.
100% right. Great advice for all industries.
You are funny! Cheesed off ??? Jewellery maker and comedian!! Thanks for sharing, I have learned so much from your videos. Keep them coming please.
Great Vid Andrew...i believe back in the day an apprentice’s parents would pay their master to pass on the skills!
Brilliant advice. Im living proof this is true. Just spent colossal money on training and still not qualified enough to be hired. :-(
Before I retired, I was a tailor. I was new in a shop at one point, and a co-worker asked me if I like to use a seam ripper, or a razor blade to disassemble garments. My reply was, whatever works!
I also dabble in making jewelry. Artisan level- I sell on ETSY, and my customers seem pleased.
When I was learning- no, scratch that- .
When I was beginning to learn, I looked at everybody, I read every book, and looked at every video (including about a year from our wonderful Andrew Berrys' website school). I find the diverse ways people work gives me a wide ability in design, and techniques, so I can approach each task with more and more confidence as I go along, and an increased ability to "think out of the box". I even look at videos on things I have long mastered, and find I can still learn new things, and even disagree with a fair amount of confidence that I'm right!
Stay open, always feel you can learn something new about even the basics. Whatever works!
University is definitely NOT the real world. I've asked (begged) 4 "shops" (independent jewelers that have their own store with a bench) to let me work for nothing and just learn - including cleaning toilets and sales. Most places here in Hawaii at least, don't want anybody to see what they do because they're all panicked about being copied. When I ask to learn about repairs in particular in my initial query, all four gave me some version of this: "Tell anyone, you 'don't do repairs', repairs are a nightmare, no one is ever satisfied and they will sue you, walk away from any and all repairs". I keep learning and asking and practicing (and looking for repairs that people will trust me to try).....it's a rough world out there, and that is WITHOUT a degree that mummy and daddy (or loans) paid for.
Excellent points.
My experience is going it alone.
Buying my tools.
Then doing it.
I’m on the edge of my tools
Being the reason I could
Sell what the tools can produce.
I have no formal edu in this
I’m simply doing it.
I agree with you.
I'm actually busy trying to get where you are currently as a sideline income, I'm 36 so formal ed is kinda not an option this late in the game
Farmer Andy
Pursue anyway is what I’m doing.
@@Coleman77 same here, my formal education is IT. The advice given applies to any degree. I had the same experience with IT, no one wants to hire you without experience. I'm glad I found I really enjoy making jewelry and I can make some money while working full time and get my skills up to par as a hobby. I plan on going to fairs and what not to make a few bucks, it's slow rolling when you have no professional contacts though. Social media makes it less expensive these days to get your name and brand out to the public.
SheffieldM Jewels
the happy customer will tell the world for you.
I tried the work fair thing but when money is tight they grab other things over metal.
Keep learning. If you need easy metal to create with use copper. Silver will move the same. Temps vary though. Practice with copper. Sell copper. Clean copper with ketchup water soak. Looks nice and rosy awhile. I’m going to follow you on my other channel. I’m not real active on it as life has not allowed it. Use earnings to get your tools. My other channel is where I moved all my future crafting to.
SheffieldM Jewels
I followed your channel.
Mine is
th-cam.com/channels/FtINJUiYhu0v-6AEfzLgaQ.html
I’ll be adding more content there I hope by March. Why? This channel has other content I find interesting.
That’s where I’m at in the game except I’m located in the states where there are plenty of schools, but my issue is I’m dependent on state funding to pay for my education, and they denied my requests because they said there wasn’t a big enough job market to justify using taxpayers dollars to support that line of work. It’s very frustrating because I’m a paraplegic who 26, motivated, determined, and willing to do what ever it takes to get in the industry. So I finally became an apprentice by showing other Jewelers how determined I am to become one myself. I went to every jewelry shop in my town trying to get a foot in the door and they basically put their foot in my face. Now I’m beyond blessed to have such a great boss who lets me practice at a bench to acquire the skills necessary to become a Jeweler one day as I’m still learning and am only 6 months into my apprenticeship. Keep grinding and proving your worth, and I promise it’ll pay off. You just got to stay motivated and prove your worth and skill set. What’s your thoughts, or anyone else’s on becoming a Gemologists and Jeweler? In my mind, it makes sense to become one so I can better understand how to work with precious stones and to be able to handle them properly. Any thoughts or suggestions as I progress in becoming a Jeweler/Gemologists? instagram.com/jeremys_jewelry_journey?r=nametag
Very interesting. I would agree absolutely (with the reservation that those who are dedicated to learning receive at least their expenses in a work experience setting - no one can live without money and this was always offered to me, in recognition of my sincere will to learn) I have been priveledged to work alongside a German master goldsmith this year. I am not young and not completely inexperienced but I consider this year as a kind of apprenticeship. His approach is also to learn as much as you can in a work setting and 'steal with the eyes'. I was taken on to do repair work (I blagged my way in - my attitude won me the job even if experience was lacking). My work quality is vastly improved and I love work everyday. I have a new work place in the new year (my contract was always limited with my current employer) Seeing inside lots of different workshops is a massive priveledge and education and I would say, however much you know always appreciate that you can learn something new. The best are always learning. I have my own workshop and I really hope I can give back in kind one day soon and offer work experience to those starting out.
I emailed you previously, I worked for a silversmith, and did other work for him-although I did some sales work for him and hung around the shop when I wasn't doing gardening or painting/renovation work. I did some polishing, and not much other jewelry work. Always wanted to learn , it is great fun, an apprenticeship is best, it has to be. Working at apprentice wages is the standard in most trades.
Great video. Seriously interesting story
Great advice, I like it
Hi I'm going to be 40 in a couple of weeks and I have been looking to get some sort of experience in a workshop in the North West UK, however when I ask I am met with silence. I am looking into moving to the South so I can try there and maybe even get on to a Goldsmiths Centre apprenticeship. Do you have any advice? See you at Makers Central.
Lynn Marley how’s it going?
Good luck Faby!
had to try out my dremel torch fofirst time and needed to google a video-their instructions with the kit awful. I got it! First practice on annealing a scrap of stainless(silverplate) to get used to the torch and to heat treat the steel,. It is the tines I sawed off from a silverplate fork. I am going to play with the scraps shaping, and then anneal the fork handle and try flush setting into it. I bought 7 silverplate forks just for the practice, they were cheap enough. It is best to have a tutor to help you along, I think, it is no education without the experience, in my experience, I wish I was apprenticing in your shop in "the bloody UK" ha ha ha!!!
Brilliant
So so true
Andrew Berry what is your opinion on not having paper but having experience, sort of the inverse of what you are talking about.
Ray
You can prove it by making an item. Buy the material use their tools.
May or may not be applicable.
Bench jeweler runs the shop in the end. But teamwork will keep it running. 👍
You wouldn't want to try that in Australia.