Experience versus Qualifications

**Solunar Silver Studio** · 21-08-2009, 08:17 AM

Lovely stuff Jules! That swirl is really neat...what a shame you have decided to do it again...but you can't do much if the focal bead is cracked can you?...I bet you cursed a bit over that!

And I love the 2 swarovski ones...They work so well with the colour co-ordinated rat tail! Even colour co-ordinated wire....now that's what I call well thought out!! All I can say is...more...more...more!!

**Petal** · 21-08-2009, 09:27 AM

Ahhhh, thanks so much for your compliments ladies - you've made my day - here's a big

from me! I wont be in touch after today for about a week, as I've just worked out with my OH how much I have to make before my very first 'big' event and, well I have an awful lot of things to do and not many days left and I'm terrified!!

but I'm gonna give it a go. (God help me if someone asks me a question). Once the show is over and I've recovered I'll let you know how it went!

to you all !!!

Love Jules

**bustagasket** · 21-08-2009, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by Petal

I wont be in touch after today for about a week, as I've just worked out with my OH how much I have to make before my very first 'big' event and, well I have an awful lot of things to do and not many days left and I'm terrified!!

but I'm gonna give it a go. (God help me if someone asks me a question). Once the show is over and I've recovered I'll let you know how it went!

Love Jules

OOOOOOOOOOOOO huge good luck wishes for you, now get that grren "online" light turned off and get working!!!!

**Solunar Silver Studio** · 21-08-2009, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by Petal

I wont be in touch after today for about a week, as I've just worked out with my OH how much I have to make before my very first 'big' event and, well I have an awful lot of things to do and not many days left and I'm terrified!! but I'm gonna give it a go. (God help me if someone asks me a question). Once the show is over and I've recovered I'll let you know how it went!

to you all !!!

Love Jules

Poor Jules...Keep telling yourself that you are confident and able to do a brilliant display...and believe yourself when you say it!!

You know far more about your craft than you know and once you are in the flow you will be talking and laughing with your prospective customers...and they will be buying a piece of you then - not just your jewellery - and that will make it so much more special!!

**bustagasket** · 21-08-2009, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by Solunar Silver Studio

Poor Jules...Keep telling yourself that you are confident and able to do a brilliant display...and believe yourself when you say it!!

You know far more about your craft than you know and once you are in the flow you will be talking and laughing with your prospective customers...and they will be buying a piece of you then - not just your jewellery - and that will make it so much more special!!

dang that is so lovely, yep it truely does make it very spcial when you meet the person behind the beautiful work

**cowardlyjo** · 27-08-2009, 12:54 PM

I did my degree in Three Dimensional Design back in 1999 specialising in Jewellery but now 10 years on since I graduated my qaulifications appear to work against me. I did have a jewellery job down in Winchester but it did not last me very long, just 6 weeks.

I would love to say that a Degree is the way to go but it is entirely based on talent, perserverance and luck.

**Solunar Silver Studio** · 27-08-2009, 01:07 PM

Hi Jo

It's really nice to have you on the forum!! A big

from me!! - I was just wondering in what way your qualification has worked against you? Having a degree in general or having one specifically in Jewellery?

**Di Sandland** · 27-08-2009, 01:08 PM

I didn't get quite that far - I earned myself a C&G Certificate in Working Designs. I enjoyed the course but, just as with 'O' levels and stuff, its what you do with the learning that counts.

**cowardlyjo** · 27-08-2009, 05:40 PM

I think looking back that the DEgree I chose was too general, & not jewellery orientated enough.

If I could go back in time then I would I have been more persistent at gaining entry in to a more specailised perhaps with better tutors who work more with one another than against.

My tutors were ok but not that great.

**Julie Moss** · 08-09-2009, 05:27 PM

At the end of the day you should be judged by the quality of the work you produce rather than whether you have a qualification in the subject. You need to decide how important a qualification is to you. It may be a route that is not appropriate for you. Ask your potential college how much time you will have in the workshop. How much actual quality tuition you will get. How much of the course is 'self development time'. Is the workshop you will be working in a dedicated jewellery workshop or is it shared with other disciplines. What is the tooling like. How many other people will be doing the course. Who is the tutor - what is their experience/own work like. A lot of the courses out there which provide a 'qualification' are paper pushing exercises for the students and staff alike. The reason being the providers have to provide evidence so they can get funding to run the courses!!! There are other options available. Some courses can provide the skills without providing a qualification. You may be able to get an apprenticeship. You may be able to pick up the skills you want to learn from a really good book (depending on what you want to specialise in - somethings you really have to have an experienced person passing on the skills to you). Decide what you want from the course and then have a look at what is available to you.