How To Become A Jeweler | My Self-taught Journey ~ With Progress Photos ~
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- čas přidán 8. 06. 2023
- My journey to becoming a jeweler has been such a rewarding experience! Your really can teach yourself anything with persistence, practice and the internet! I hope my story of how I became a self taught jeweler inspires you to start your jewelry making journey. If you have any questions please leave a comment I or someone in this awesome community will be happy to help! You can shop my Amazon Storefront for my curated jewelry making starter packs for soldering or just silversmithing in general. 💕 www.amazon.com/shop/miteramade
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#jewelrybusiness #jewelrymaking #jewelrydesigner #silversmithjewelry #handmadejewelry #smalljewelrybusiness #smallbusinessowner #becomingajeweler #jeweler - Zábava
I love that comment "If you have had that desire since you were young, you're just that much better off than me"
It’s definitely true 🙈💜
Thank you so much I started making jewellery with plastic beads and learnt from CZcams 5 years ago before moving to glass beads. I now make earrings, bracelets with clasps and necklaces. Like yourself, I practice via watching You Tube videos. I also am trying my hand at knitting my very first jumper, I have knitted and crochet scarves and beanies. Your video taught me the basics and thank you.
Ok this is random! I'm not interested in jewelry making but stumbled across this while researching wedding rings. Your story is genuinely inspiring to me, so here's a big THANK YOU for sharing!
I've been feeling so stuck in my career, so I've been doing a lot of learning and reflection, trying to figure out what kind of work would be a good fit for me.
Everything I'm learning is echoed beautifully in this video!
Following your instincts, being persistent, taking reasonable risks, investing in yourself, and embracing "good enough" over perfection. All these are not just a mindset, but are skills that take practice, and you've got to give yourself credit for practicing these every step of the way.
I hope your move went well and you're back in the flow of things. I have no doubt that as long as you keep following your creative curiosity and being true to yourself, your business will keep growing from strength to strength 💕
thanks for your thoughts. I started making jewelry and I realize that I really like it.
but I was afraid of being judged, that I would do something wrong . I was especially afraid of judgment from more experienced jewellers.
but your thoughts show how open you are to new things, what a journey you have taken, and I see that you are happy to inspire people rather than judge them.
And I feel relieved and less afraid of starting
❤️❤️❤️THANK YOU!
This makes me so happy, thank you! 🥹💜 the thought crossed my mind about experienced, formally trained jewelers not taking kindly to me sharing my tips as a self taught person but, we all have to start from somewhere and we don’t all have the funds, time, or resources to be formally taught. There are many super talented formally trained people, and there are many talented self taught folks, and it’s nice to learn from all kinds of kinds. 💜 I don’t mind looking a little silly for the sake of learning my lesson and sharing that lesson with others. 💜 And now, being way on the other side of having put myself ALL THE WAY out there for the world to judge, I’ve found that I have only be educated and genuinely advised by those more experienced jewelers that I thought would judge me. I have found it’s actually a really beautiful and accepting community of creators. 💜💜💜
Thank you for sharing your story! You made what I thought was a very complex world to get into a very realistic one. You've earned a sub in me and I'll surely follow and learn from your journey as I start mine!
Thank you so much! 🥹💜 that means a lot to me! 🙏🏻 best of luck in your journey 🙏🏻
I discovered your work and your channel recently, it’s incredibly inspiring to see someone’s skill grow so fast. I recently started soldering and making jewelry and your videos are so helpful when I feel lost. My family and I are from Idaho, it’s a stunning state and I hope it brings you inspiration!
Thanks for being so real about making jewelry - your process, the mistakes and your successes!! This is very refreshing, it always seems that other jewelry teachers were born with these skills and didn't have to go through all the things you described in making jewelry. I have been making jewelry for a few years and often doubt myself and my skills - but as you said - Practice, Practice, Practice is the key - thank you!!
Thanks for this. I’m sure quite a few of us can totally empathise with your journey. Thanks for the casting company recommendation as I’ve just made my first signet ring!
Your story sounds like mine. Amazing. Makes me realise I am in the right track. I think you have to just enjoy and realise imperfect is perfect also.
I find your story so inspiring. (I own a textile business, in that field, I am self-taught, so I'm coming to jewelry-making as a personal hobby.) But, my journey to having a successful business was very, very similar to yours, although in a different field...I learned online, asked lots of questions with my vendors, and just went along, trial and error, learning by doing. Your confidence, commitment to self-education, and understanding of why growing slowly can be a benefit are all so on point, and it all shows in the beautiful work you make.
Thank you for taking the time to make these videos, and reminding me to just take action, instead of thinking about all the things that are not absolutely perfect...that is powerful! I wish you every success with your creativity, and your business.
Thank you so much, I needed some inspiration. I recently decided that it would be amazing to make jewelry but once I looked at the prices of the classes or schools I felt defeated because they're very expensive... But I can learn by myself, or rather, with you. And I thank you for that. I was always obsessed with fine jewelry and as soon as I started making my own money I bought a first silver, gold coated neklace with strawberry quartz. I just love it so much. Thank you!
Very inspiring! Thank you!
You are so welcome!💜💜💜💜
Great video. Excellent advice on not waiting to get started or needing to be perfect to get started.
Get started and learn as you go. Take baby steps and keep on going. Really we all learn best on the job. We have more opportunities to learn new things and face different obstacles that help us grow and develop.
I worked with an artist who told me. " I'm not interested in being a perfectionist or pefect. My goal is to be prescise. To focus prescision not perfection." "Focus on prescision" he said.
I still think about his great advice decades later.
..."how the fuck I started doing this" was unexpected and equally hilarious🤣🤣🤣 love this, just what I was looking for, thank you! 🥰
You're so inspiring! Thank you so much for sharing your journey, your craft, and your hard work in making these very helpful videos for us.
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you enjoy them 🥹
You are amazing Mitera. From one artisan to another, thank you for keeping this ancient craft alive. Your content is refreshing.
thank you so much that means a lot! 🥹
I love your videos and watching your journey. You inspire me to also start silversmithing. ❤
I’m so glad!! 🥹🎉
Hi! Firstly thank you so much for sharing your story, it honestly feels like a God send as I embark on a jewelry making journey of my own ❤ question, do you draw/ sketch well? When you get that initial idea of what you want your piece to look like, do you have to make a draft of it or do you just dive right in? I have zero sketching skills and I’m just trying to figure out if I should focus on strengthening that first so that I have a way to translate what’s going on in my mind into something tangible
Thanks for sharing! I just got started with making jewelry 2 months ago and I'm already obsessed ^_^ also, love the rings you make, especially the organic looking ones have a really unique style and vibe to them I think!
Thank you so much! And that’s so exciting that you started! I wish you TONS of success! 🥹💜💜💜
what i needed to hear today. thank you
You’re very welcome 🥹💜
Thank you for sharing. I ca relate to your journey
💜💜💜
I am so inspired by your content ❤ I love how passionate about your business and also helping people! You’re amazing, so glad the algorithm showed me your videos!
Thank you so so much! 🥹🥹💕💕💕💕
Absolutely, Sister! This is the same for me, but I'm starting with bentwood Rings atm and planning to work my way into silver over time. Keep up the great work!
Thank you! And that’s very exciting!! 🎉☺️ best of luck in your journey! 🙏🏻
I'm so inspired by you 😍 I'm currently saving and buying tools one by one to be able to start practising soldering. Only making macrame and bead jewelry so far but I'm excited to try silver! You seem so sweet and lovely, thanks for all the tips you share in your videos!
Thank you so so much, I’m happy to help! 🥹 Once you get started you won’t be able to stop 🎉🎉
Thank you for this video! It was really helpful and has encouraged me to just start and not put too much pressure on myself! I can't wait to see the rest of your journey :)
Could you also share where you sourced your gems and silver from in the UK?
I’m so so happy to hear that, thank you for sharing that with me! 🥹💜
Hello, nice to see your videos. Despite not being a jeweler, I inherited some skills from my mother's family, almost all of them jewelers. Interestingly, my father's family were miners (precious stones and cutting). I chose this last trade to occupy my free time. I have a workbench and I like to work with tourmalines, aquamarine and many other stones. And your channel keeps growing. Hugs from Brazil. Towards 100 thousand.
Hello Stanley! It’s nice to see you again 🎉 stone cutting sounds both fun and nerve wracking, I know that must take a lot of skill as well! 🫢 that’s awesome that you chose to stick with the family craft ☺️💜
I love your approach to learning! Since you’re moving to the states I would recommend some fantastic community growing places. Penland school of Craft, Haystack school of craft, Arrowmont school of Craft and Pocosin school of Craft are all fantastic places to learn and grow community. There’s also the new approach school for jewelers which is expensive but everyone that I know has done Blaine’s stone setting workshop has loved
Thank you for those recommendations! 💛💛💛
New subscriber. I'm so glad i chanced upon you on CZcams. So many gems to take away from this video. For me the main one is that i can learn on my own. I'm unaware of many of the things you talked about. I haven't got a clue what they mean. Lol. But I'm confident it will not remain so very soon. I like the idea of slow growth, gives you the opportunity to learn so much if you put your mind and soul to it. I can relate to so many things you talked about but those are stories for another day.
I’m so glad that you can relate and that you could take something from this video! 🥹💜 thank you for being here! Best of luck on your learning journey, it never ends and that’s the best part! 🎉🎉🎉
@@MiteraMade That's right. Learning never ends. Thanks.
Love your channel❤❤
Thank you 🥹
oh this video came to me right in the perfect moment! It is so inspiring to hear your story, I love how you just keep going and going. It's amazing! For the last years I have been making jewelry with wire wrap technique and lately felt like I want to improve my skills by going into silversmithing. I have had a few successful project but then today I was so frustrated cause all the bezels I tried to solder I just screwed up completely haha. Feeling a bit down and unmotivated, this video popped up and it was just what I needed to hear and see. They way you talk feels very natural and honest. thank you so much for sharing your experiences, it makes this delicate skill so more tangible. Your jewelry is beautiful and so is your story and the way you learn and improve!
Ohhhh this message was so sweet to read, thank you for sharing this with me! I'm SO happy that I can help and encourage you. I can remember SO many times that I was frustrated to no end, so I feel you. ☺🙏
Just take a day to pause, but always come back. You WILL get better and get past it and eventually it will become something that is second nature, I promise!
YOU'VE GOT THIS! 👏
@@MiteraMade yay! I've got this! The continuity is the most important, you are right and that's why its good to have people like you that motivate other people , thank you for your work :)
OMG is a coincidence I never make jewellery but I want to do it that I am educating myself and I started to buy the basic tools and materials to start last wax carving. You are my inspiration. I am scared to do that but I am a designer and is going to help me that. Thank 😊❤
It’s absolutely going to help you!! I’m so glad I could serve as any amount of inspiration! Best of luck in your journey 🙏🏻🥹
I can relate to your journey. I have been self taught cutting Opal and setting it in jewellery for years, but I didn’t blow up until I started eating large amounts of cabbage. Strangely this didn’t help my jewellery business or attract new customers to me at all. So I guess the lesson is, don’t be in too much of a hurry to blow up especially if your business model is face to face customer sales. On line sales are better if you choose to blow up often.
I’m glad to always have your sense of humour around! 🙈 lol 😆
Something I ALWAYS wanted to DO PRO!!!
Thank you so much! You absolutely can learn!! 🙏🏻💜 start with the basics and just slowly tackle each new skill and just let yourself go in the direction that you enjoy the most! 💜
Start where you are; use what you have; do what you can- Arthur Ashe.
Cheers from The Bahamas!
Yesss. That sums it up perfectly! ☺️💜
I been looking into metalworking/jewelry making for the last couple years (since covid too) on an off. What would you say is the most expensive tool/purchase when you first started?
Your videos and work are so inspiring! I do classes once a week and I love working with silver and silver clay. I know how to do simple setting like cab and basic faceted, but would love to know more about the other settings. Would you be able to do more on wax carving on your channel as I have read books and there isn't much on CZcams about it, please? There is more freedom in using wax and I really want to give it a go! :-)
Thank you so much! I bet those classes are so fun!!🥹💜 I definitely plan on filming more about stone setting and wax carving when I get my studio back up and running when we are in the states! 💜 hopefully that will be around late august or September 🫶🏼☺️
All those things that you want to learn, casting and all that stuff they teach at a community college if you’re in the states, look into that like a teacher, but everything you need, and then you can grow from there
That’s true too!💜💜
I wish you well in all you do.
Thank you so much, that means a lot! 🙏🏻💜😊
This was so so soooo affirming. Thank you so much🫶🏾
When it came to casting, what was the process like finding a caster and are they in your city or it doesn’t really matter?
I live in North Texas and there are virtually no casters that cast for a reasonable price or even at all the niche I inquired on. I did foster a relationship with a jeweler in Houston and he would be able to do the casting so I’m wondering if I should go that route upon beginning…sorry for the essay!😅
So the caster I found when I was in the UK (I just left Saturday lol) was about 6 hours away, so they don’t need to be in the same city or even the same state! The closer they are, the better for shipping times but the mail is pretty good overall it doesn’t matter too much to me where they are. The main thing I looked for when finding a caster was a good reputation as well as good communication. I called each one and spoke with them, asked a few questions and went with my gut on who would be the best to work with and thankfully it all worked out! 🙈 I myself now have to start this process over again here in the states so we are in the same boat! 🙈💜💜💜
Great video! I was wondering if you had any tips on finding a company to outsource my wax molds and cast them?
Thank you! I don’t have a ton, although I’m about to go through this whole process again finding a new caster in the states 🙈. I guess, from my experience so far, I looked up all of the casters in the UK and either called or email them to ask my question and I ultimately went with the person that had a combination of good reviews as well as who was the kindest and easiest to correspond with; the one who took the time to reply quickly or answered all of my silly questions without being frustrated with me lol. Here in the UK that was Merrell Casting. Once I find someone in the US I will let you know 🫶🏼☺️
What tools etc do you recommend to practice wax carving? Just to start of with no experience in wax carving ?
Your story resonates I’m also trying to learn how to do silversmithing. I’ve always wanted to make jewelry but never had the time to learn and just like you you have to practice and sometimes things don’t work out but that’s OK. I melt it down start over and I keep practicing and I keep practicing until I get it right I’ve learned a lot off of CZcams Durango silver he has a bunch of videos that show you how to do it but you still need to do it and sometimes it’s not as easy as the video I have been Purchasing better stones I love Australian opals I’ve made a few pendants I use Arizona turquoise I have my own cutting saws but where it’s at is casting I need a casting machine and 3-D printer. That would work.
Best of luck with everything! This is such a fun road to go down ☺️💜
very solid video always something new to learn, but freeform lost wax casting is one of my strongest hates of jewelery making for the fact that ppl go into it assuming that they cant do anything wrong and its "special" when in reality it looks like bloated crap that got stung by a bee. yes ppl do like it but at the same time some ppl like getting punched in the face but in both cases there can be some lines drawn for what should be liked or accepted in jewelry so that jewelry doesnt devolve back to ancient shells and raw metals.
😂😂 idk why this made me giggle so much 🙈😂 on one hand I kind of understand what you’re trying to say and on the other I don’t 🙈 everyone is definitely entitled to their own opinion though! 💜 I think people should make what they love, and if someone wants to buy it, then that’s great. 💜
I am just beginning to research this but have decided this is what I think I want to do. I am really detail oriented and love working with my hands and doing things like woodworking but 90% of the time I am making things better than they have to be and I feel like that level of attention to detail would better suit something like jewelry making. But I'd also really like to work with stones and do the lapidary work like polishing.
I am just curious, what is the slow cooker on your Amazon list for? I'm glad I see I can get a starting setup for not too much money. Luckily I already have a crockpot so I guess I'm already 1 step of the way there! 😂
This made me laugh 😂 I guess with zero explanation it’s a random one. 🙈 the small crock pot acts a “pickle pot” which is an acidic solution that cleans your jewelry after you solder it. You can buy a pickle solution to heat up in the crock pot, but I use a salt and white vinegar mix for mine and it works PERFECTLY! It stinks but works 😂
@@MiteraMade interesting, thanks for explaining! I guess that's what I saw in this one video where they put the ring in a metal bowl that was on a stand and torched the bottom of it.
I am looking forward to getting started! I may give wire wrapping a shot as well while slowly learning but I am very interested I cutting metal pieces and doing designs that way. And using a dremel!
1) thank you for the reminder that we can't let our excuses stop us. I've been using the 'I'm a student ' for way too long.
2) do you have a list of you tube tutorials that you've saved and learned from? Or teachers that u follow?
3) do u have a child? I thought I heard u saying something about picking someone up from school. If u do, how do u juggle your time? I have 2 kids and find it really hard separating my mom role to do something for myself once they are home
I completely understand the time thing, at one point in this journey I was working full time, going to school full time and making my jewelry full time, and yes I have a 7 old son. 🩷 I will be 100% honest, I literally could not do it all. Lol I would cry a lot because I knew I just wanted to run my jewelry business but many time had to choose school work and a degree over making progress on collections or doing the tasks that would help my business grow. I felt a TON of guilt for not spending “enough” time with my son (he was fine it was just me being in my head), my house not being clean, not making dinner enough, etc. EVENTUALLY, after driving myself into the ground trying to do it all, working all day and then staying up until 2-3am just to go to work again the next day, I knew I needed to give something up, and it wasn’t going to be jewelry and of COURSE not my family lol. I ended up quitting school and settling for my associates degree. For me it was the best thing I could have ever done for my mental health 💀. I am not telling you to quit school but I am saying that you’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed 🫶🏼🩷 find something that can free up a bit more time. I even considered hiring a house keeper to help me keep up with my home, even though I couldn’t necessarily afford something like that, at some point I needed to invest in myself and I looked at it as an absolute investment for time. 😭
When it comes to my son, he knows how passionate I am about my jewelry and he tells me all the time that he’s proud of me 🥹💜 he even watched sometimes and is really interested in it. I try not to feel guilty because I know he gets to see what dedication looks like and I try and keep him in the loop on my projects so he can be excited with me. You have to take time for yourself too, it makes you an overall happier human and they need that! 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼
I don’t have a list of people but off the top of my head, Andrew Berry, Stardust Mine and the metal smith society on Instagram are great! 💜💜
I also want to add though that my husband has a big hand in making sure I’m able to spend the time I need on my business. He LOVES to work on cars so a lot of the time Isaac is running back and forth between the two of us watching what we are working on and learning.💜
@MiteraMade thank you! Your video is probably the most golden thing that most of us, wanting to get started, need to hear. So much of what you're advising us are things we let stop us. Not only are you talented in your work and have an insane work ethic, but you're incredibly wise.
I would love more of these videos on how you built your business. Trying to build a website alone on shopify almost made me launch my pc out the window. Many of us creatives lack the business end of it to get us to that next step, the dedicated structure to grow. We want to create but then we're lost as to what the next step is. I know you think you've grown slow but I think you've done an incredible job in a short amount of time. The amount of knowledge you've amassed in those years is admirable. Also, the light you emit to the world is really beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with the rest of us😊
Your videos are so inspiring ! 😍 where do you buy your gemstone if i may ask ?😊 thank you !
Thank you so much 🥹💜 I get some from small lapidary businesses on Etsy, some from Turquoise Moose and some from Rio Grande 🙏🏻
Thanks!
Tiara!!!! Thank you so much! 🥹💜💜
Sending a big big hug! 💜
Your journey is amazing. Loved the fake engagement ring:-) In my country it is prohibited to trade anything containing precious metal unless one is registered professional goldsmith (need school and obligatory exams), or one needs to find registered goldsmith and pay him to be garant. No fun. But I am still thinking to learn and make some things for myself, I love ancient jewels, dream about it many years...
Hello! I’ve really enjoyed watching your journey through your channel. Your passion, kindness and sincerity shine! I was curious, do you mind sharing what jewelers workbench you have?
Thank you so much Koren 🥹💜 I have the Durston Superior Workbench, I found it on Facebook marketplace second hand but never used which was a steal 🎉🙈 definitely check out those places first! 💜
Did they post it to you or you had to pick it up?
Dam just watched this while carving my second wax ring ever and I think I gota new crush 🤣🤣 Nice to hear from a self taught internet learner like myself tho, everything you said felt so familiar. Been silversmithing for a year or so just local stuff perfecting my thing. But I feel like im ready to show the world my brand/designs so this story was inspiring.. (27, 6ft btw)🤣
That’s so exciting, definitely don’t be scared to put yourself out there! 🎉 I mean, clearly you aren’t 😉😂🙈. That’s all very sweet of you to say although I am super taken, I appreciate the compliment and courage to share 🙈🙏🏻💜 best of luck in your journey 🙏🏻🎉
casting metal for jewelry isnt that big of a setup, and it's a really simple process! i'm really glad i found this channel, i have no soldering skills or equipment and have had it in my head to do settings in the cast like most of yours. you're one of few i've found that do this regularly and it's really inspiring, especially with how great your rings turn out!
This is so interesting!
You mentionned you started working a little bit with gold. Is there a big difference between working with gold compared to silver? Did your experience with silver transfer to working with gold, or was it a completely different way and feel?
I'm glad you enjoyed the video!
@@MiteraMade thank you for the reply! I really am thinking about getting into this world of silver/gold making jewels. You also mentionned that you took a class that was not really useful, since you already knew what was taught in it from self-learning online. I was wondering, for someone new that has not even started to do much research and has no experience with the tools, would you say taking a class would be worth it? Considering classes are less flexible, and more costly, but also has teachers to help you and pass on lots of compiled information?
Which books did you read for learning?
❤
1:41 "I'm sure you're wondering how the fuck i started doing this all"....lol, is that what i heard?
You dont sound like your in the kings land of England.
sound more Australian mixed with a bit of USA..
So cute, well spoken with a soft pleasent voice and your video editing is very good.
Keep up the great work .
I’m from the US, I was living in the UK because my husband was in the Air Force and we were stationed there. 🙏🏻☺️
Thank you for your sweet words and encouragement! 🥹💜
You're so nice :) I wish you the best. I would love to know how you got your website to attract customer. Did you use ads or it's organic? With instagram?
Thank you so much! 🥹💜 all of my traffic comes from Instagram, Facebook and TikTok 🙏🏻💜
@@MiteraMade Thank you :)
Hello, who’s is the caster you use in the UK, lovely jewellery by the way.
Thank you so much! I use Merrell Casting in Birmingham! They’ve always been so helpful and easy to work with 💜
@@MiteraMade that’s the one I’ve used, thanks 🙏
Good luck on your move back 🙂. I am enjoying your channel greatly. Can you please consider making a video on the fine details of using a casting house, such as spruing and what you do and what does the caster do? Thank you ☀️
i stumbled in your channel,and i m really really inspired since im starting to learn goldsmithing recently ..i love your studio i hope i could have one someday..btw,i watched half of your videos in a day,and will keep continue watching till i learn everything about silversmithing.
Thank you so so much, I am so thankful that I could inspire you to start this journey! 💕🥹 I wish you TONS of success!!
Where did you buy your work bench?
Thankfully I found it second hand on Facebook marketplace 🎉 BUT you can buy it from Durston tools! 🙏🏻
What are the basics to start?
Did you learn via Jewellery Academy? I am trying to teach myself, and that's one came up in my email.
Just curious, do you have a regular job?
I do/did, I only quit recently because we are moving from the UK to the US, but my “normal” job was and will be in the banking industry. I do all of this after work and on the weekends 💜😊
first time i have watched you are you only 28 had you down as much older must be your lighting anyway looking forward to your vlog 🤣🤣🤣👺
Thank you, I think? 😂
Oh you’re such a lovely person ❤ I am self taught too, today it’s a difficult day for me 🫣😂🫣 I smashed 1 expensive stone and everything gone s***… all days work went … but - I won’t give up :) I love it so much. Also just bought some tools for wax jewellery, couldn’t find much into online about it… so will be trying it myself … what can go wrong? 😮😂😂🫣
thank you so much! I definitely have been there, I'm so sorry that happened to you but great job for pushing forward!! I hope the wax work is going well 💕