Jewelry making is an industry in itself. There is a whole world out there where people and artisans are working to cater to the ever-increasing needs of the market. Since jewelry making is a very specialized skill, there are special schools that offer training in it. One needs to understand the very basics involved in this art — that is, one has to know about the materials and the tools used in jewelry making. Jewelry designing is not just soldering and working with wires and stones. There is more to it. One has to plan designs and then see what materials could be used and how should they be used. For this reason, it is typically useful if some sort of professional qualification is sought in the event that one wishes to pursue it as a career.
Some schools like the California Institute of Jewelry Training offer training on various aspects of the jewelry industry such as gemology, jewelry designing, stone setting, and jewelry sales. The classroom setting in such schools is like that of a traditional jeweler’s setting. Universities like the University of Kansas also offer courses in jewelry design as part of their Master’s in Fine Arts program. These schools help you understand the tools and gadgets that will be used for jewelry making.
This is one profession in which your creative juices have to be flowing constantly. Every jewelry designer has to come up with eye-catching designs on a regular basis. So having a lot of creativity is an essential requirement. As a jewelry designer, you can either work for a fashion house or start your own company. A lot of people prefer starting their own business as it gives them the flexibility of designing and marketing their products in their own way.
The other thing to bear in mind while thinking about jewelry making as a profession is that you will need to decide what type of jewelry you would like to make. One can choose to work with beads, gems, metals, etc. Then there’s the question of whether it is going to be traditional jewelry or modern costume jewelry. Once this is decided, the next thing to do would be to get some formal training.
Community colleges and adult education centers would be good places to enquire about courses on jewelry designing. Alternatively, local clubs and societies that have something to do with metals or gems might also have some useful information on workshops and the like. And let’s not forget your local goldsmiths, who should also be able to provide some helpful information.
The best part about jewelry designing as a career is that it has no restrictions related to age or experience. One can get into the field at any point in one’s life as long as one has an unlimited supply of creativity!
Conclusion
Jewelry designing could be a very refreshing change or break from your regular career. All you need is a dash of creativity and a willingness to learn and work with materials and tools, and you could be the next jewelry designer in your family.
