Take a jewelry making class

“I apologized profusely then and I’ll say it again: I’m so sorry for the number of blades I broke in the six-week class I took. It took me a full class session to learn how to use the jeweler’s saw in terms of installing yet another new blade and working it properly. Let’s just say no one really wanted to sit by me at the bench as I cursed myself for my fumbling and frustration.”

“I struggled with the manipulation of the materials themselves. If it isn’t clear by now, this class truly got the best of me. I’m glad we worked with simple wire and inexpensive stuff so that I didn’t have to write a check each time I broke, manhandled, or messed up something like gold or silver.”

“My intro class occurred at the Smith Shop in Highland Park, Mich., just outside of Detroit. The class had about eight people in it, and I was practically shaking in my seat to get started. Rookie mistake. First, you listen to the instructor and then you slow your roll so you can make a competent piece of jewelry.”