self taught, apprenticed, night school or degree trained?

[CJ57]

I was contacted by an art student at a local college the other week asking if I'd help her with her project on creative processes and one of the questions was why I chose the path I did. It was quite strange to go back 30 plus years and answer that!

[metalsmith]

a recessive artistic gene, OCD and dogged determination - what skills I have anyhow: work in progress

[LydiaNiz]

I ticked self and the odd course, if 1 term of a City & Guilds counts as the odd course!

[Gemsetterchris]

I ticked self and the odd course, if 1 term of a City & Guilds counts as the odd course!

If it's any consolation I walked out of a city & guilds exam due to hangover from hell, & my official apprenticeship papers never got handed in apparently
Nevertheless I had to prove by doing.
I do have a handfull of average cse's though

[Tabby66]

Nevertheless I had to prove by doing.

I think that is the bottom line with this business.....your work speaks for itself....

[caroleallen]

I think that is the bottom line with this business.....your work speaks for itself....

That's so true. No-one ever asks what my qualifications are.

[Gemsetterchris]

Starting an apprenticeship I was told to forget anything learnt at college...the "mentor" taught his way.
Later on you realise your " mentor" only knew so much...& you progress past that & still always accept the fact there are things you don't know or haven't realised just as a "stone setter"
Trying to master everything & be a complete jeweller in one lifetime isn't possible.

[Tabby66]

Starting an apprenticeship I was told to forget anything learnt at college...the "mentor" taught his way.
Later on you realise your " mentor" only knew so much...

Yep, and you start to realise that it can limit you, yet you still have so much to kern from them!!

& you progress past that & still always accept the fact there are things you don't know or haven't realised just as a "stone setter"
Trying to master everything & be a complete jeweller in one lifetime isn't possible.

or what ever your aspect of the trade is....mine is closest to the 'model maker'....and absolutely....mastering everything in a lifetime is impossible!!! (if only)!!!!

[Gemsetterchris]

It's the development of tools that have changed the game rather than the theory...a lot quicker & easier these days.

[caroleallen]

That's true up to a point Chris but the ability to design comes into it too.