Money to be made teaching jewelry(Donnie)

[jamesp]

I have had jewelry in a shop with Wendy Tonsit. And a good many of her students. they are like a big family.

She has made jewelry for a long time. She started a school. And it is successful.

I would guess that teaching this skill can be lucrative.

www.wendytonsits.com/About_Contact.html

[Donnie's Rocky Treasures]

Thank you James! I just saw this post. I just finished my 4 wire wrapping class & it looks like there is going to be plenty more in my future. I do need to get faster & better at teaching though. Right now 4 students is about all I can handle & with 4 the classes are taking me 4-5 hours. This is in the evening after work & I am pretty much exhausted afterwards.

[jamesp]

The gal in the link above has a great operation. She is well liked and people enjoy learning from her.

They have too much fun and make a good living.

I know that some students help her teach and come back for specialty courses for many years.

It is really a family type relationship.

[bobby1]

I taught lapidary and jewelry making for 15 years at a rock shop in the Bay Area (Mountain View) and it paid quite well. I taught night courses mostly for adults, retired people, etc., but some younger students too. It was very hard work but definitely fulfilling and fun. I learned a lot, too.
Bob

[pauls]

I teach almost the full range at my club for nothing, I have a full day class once a week and a two hour class one evening a week for youngsters. I love it. There's no way I am ever going to polish every rock or make all the different styles of jewellery or try every facet diagram but I can do it by proxy by being part of what my students achieve. When I am sawing stuff at the club I always keep some good bits aside to give to learners as their first stone, gotta make that first one really special. I love what the kids do too, they are really free thinkers and do some wonderfully crazy stuff. Before I took over as president the club was very anti kids, I soon changed that and since we have welcomed young people our club has doubled in numbers. Its not just kids but parents and cousins and aunties and grandmothers are coming along to find out what the kids are so excited about.

[jamesp]

Interesting to hear. You guys sound content w/your teaching experiences.

Great way to make contacts, meet people and keep your skills honed.

Seems like people like to buy jewelry from well known people.

Teachers, long time sellers, people w/credentials etc.

Lot of it is politics unfortunately.

But teachers get my respect over the most of the lot.

Teacher/student relationship is often long term and healthy.
Teachers motives are about always good and their intent is shown by their actions.