Looking for opinions on faceting classes

[ChicagoDave]

So, I've been looking for some faceting classes that are close to Chicago.  I was wondering if anyone had ever taken a class at any of these places and could provide some feedback.  Thanks!

The Midwest Faceters Guild has a 2 day intro class that is only $95.  This class takes place during their Annual 2017 event.  It looks like you are also able to request a machine (if available).  I sent an email asking if they had any avaiable and if there was a cost associated with renting them.

Jim Perkins offers a 5 day 1-on-1 class for $1500.  Not too much info on the website so I sent an email asking for the details.

William Holland School of Lapidary Arts also has faceting classes, but this is quite a distance from Chicago.  The class is 5 days and costs $255.  I'm listing it here in case someone's been and has some input.

Thanks!

[Garage Rocker]

Sounds like fun. I find faceting very interesting, but it's one more thing I have no time for. Hope you get it worked out.

[captbob]

I believe I recall Mel melhill1659 saying she was going to William Holland this summer (?)
That's the place in Georgia - right?

[Pat]

Holland School is well known and I think it has a very good reputation.

Hope you fine a good nearby class. It's a slow slog alone. Every step I take, opens up another step. I think Tommy is going to add a FACETING section here on RTH.

Good luck!

[melhill1659]

Mar 30, 2017 16:16:15 GMT -5 captbob said:

I believe I recall Mel melhill1659 saying she was going to William Holland this summer (?)
That's the place in Georgia - right?

And ChicagoDave,
I am actually enrolled at William Holland in Georgia for 3 different classes. I haven't been yet but it comes highly recommended from several people in my Rock Club that have been.

[QuailRiver]

There are many community colleges, science centers, and gem & mineral clubs across the country that offer faceting classes that won't show up on internet searches. I would recommend getting in touch with reps of a couple of gem & mineral clubs in your area. Members who facet would likely know if there may be any classes taught in your area. Here is a link to a list of mineral clubs and their contact info in Illinois.
www.rockhounds.com/rockshop/clubs/illinois.shtml

Larry C.

[Thunder69]

My father and mother in law went to William Holland and learned faceting...took a week long class. .He is really doing good ...He has a new faceting machine coming soon .

[ChicagoDave]

Thanks for the info and link to local clubs. I've tried twice to attend the local "rock & mineral society" monthly meetings. Both meetings had what seemed to be interesting presentations. However, most of the people there were just talking to each other the whole time so it was very distracting. I asked around and there didn't seem to be any people with knowledge of faceting. I haven't bothered going back since. Maybe I'll send them an email and see if they can direct me to an actual member who facets.

I think I will head to the 2 day event for the Midwest Faceters Guild. It's only 3 hours away and the $95 price seems like a great chance to try things out. If it seems interesting, the William Holland school seems like the next best step.

I will say that trying to visit other forums on faceting has reminded me why I stay away from most message boards. Lots of "your machine sucks, mine is better/bigger/faster". I hope if a faceting section is added here it becomes a good resource for information and not a bunch of ego clashing!

[gemfeller]

I was going to suggest that your question might be better addressed to the U.S. Faceters Guild. I haven't been active in faceting for a while and notice they've changed from a free forum to charging a membership fee of $18/year. If you're serious about learning it might be worth the expense to find information about classes or individual instructors in your immediate area. Here's the link: usfacetersguild.org/become-a-member/

As to ego clashing, I've found more of it in groups of amateur (and professional) faceters than any other area of lapidary interest. My advice is to ignore it, learn what you need to learn and then do your own thing.

[Rockoonz]

I also have heard much good about William Holland.
The NW Federation of mineralogical societies rockhound retreat has an excellent faceting teacher, but it's in Oregon
(great rockhounding, by the way) and is difficult to get into. We have decided to become alumni and open up a couple
spaces, but there will be a waiting list.

[QuailRiver]

Apr 1, 2017 13:42:48 GMT -5 gemfeller said:

I was going to suggest that your question might be better addressed to the U.S. Faceters Guild. I haven't been active in faceting for a while and notice they've changed from a free forum to charging a membership fee of $18/year. If you're serious about learning it might be worth the expense to find information about classes or individual instructors in your immediate area. Here's the link: usfacetersguild.org/become-a-member/

As far as I know the USFG Yahoo group site is still free to join. I've been a member for about ten years. The guild itself has never been free though. The USFG Yahoo group site can be found here groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/usfgfaceterslist/info . You just have to email the moderator and request to join. Then participating in the discussion group there is free.

But paying the $18 per year membership to the guild gets members access to the USFG quarterly newsletter, the archives of old articles and news letters, free downloadable faceting diagrams, and eligibility to participate in the annual stone faceting competition and certification.

Larry C.

[Pat]

I recently joined the faceters guild.
The current newsletter is 68 pages! Printed it out anyway.

[gemfeller]

Thanks for the correction QuailRiver. As I said, it's been some time since I paid much attention to such stuff. I now recall the distinction between the Guild and the Yahoo group.

[ChicagoDave]

Once again, thanks for all the info. I have signed up for the Midwest Faceters beginning class happening in August. $95 seemed like a good price to try something out. I just wish it were sooner, but this gives me some time to set some money aside in case I decide to dive in head first (which is usually how I operate). I'll post a report afterwards in case anyone else is interested.